MamaMichelle

Thanks SJ- I've got TONS of great websites some that deal with Band issues others not so much..

Here's another Fave site of mine: HUNGRY GIRL - Tips and Tricks for Hungry Chicks the site is http://www.hungry-girl.com/index.php not entirely band friendly but tons of great recipes (especially the low calorie desserts) and every recipe has a picture and the nutrition info on it...

Here's an example:

Chippity Do Dah!

There is a time and place for everything, people. And the time is NOW for chocolate chip cookies at the HG HQ!!! We've developed a recipe for extra-soft, chocolate-chip-packed cookies, each with a POINTS® value of 1*. Our doughy double C creation is actually more like a hybrid of cookies, soft snack bars, and muffins! And unlike some other cookie recipes that yield four dozen cookies and require several baking pans (who needs FOUR DOZEN cookies?!?), our recipe makes exactly eight chunky soft cookies for your chewing pleasure! What are you waiting for? Grab the chocolate chips and flour... STAT!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)

6 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup canned pure pumpkin

1/4 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters)

2 1/2 tbsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tbsp. brown sugar, not packed

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients except for the chocolate chips (flour, Splenda, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt). Mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together all wet ingredients (applesauce, pumpkin, egg substitute, and vanilla extract). Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir until completely blended. Then, fold in the chocolate chips. Spray a large baking pan with nonstick spray, and spoon batter into 8 evenly spaced circles. Place pan in the oven for about 10 minutes (until cookies appear done and feel firm). Remove pan from the oven and allow cookies to cool slightly. For best results, enjoy while the cookies are still warm and the chips are still melty! MAKES 8 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 medium-sized cookie (about 1.5 oz.)

Calories: 88

Fat: 1.5g

Sodium: 93mg

Carbs: 17g

Fiber: 2g

Sugars: 6g

Protein: 3g

POINTS® value 1*

I AM GETTING BANDED IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND AFTER READING LOTS OF THE POSTS, I HAVE TO SAY I'M MORE FRIGHTENED NOW, THAN BEFORE I READ. IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE TO BE ON A DIET THE REST OF YOUR LIFE,, AND IF THAT IS THE CASE, WHY GET THE BAND? IS ANYONE OUT THERE THAT HAS BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL AND FOR HOW LONG AND WHAT DO YOU EAT?

THANKS FOR ANY INFO,

1FATCAT

You may think of it as a "diet" but most people can eat what they want to some degree they are just eating 2/3rds less than they used to! For me I have been dieting off an on for 5 years (since I gained 70lbs with my pregnancy) I would always do great for the first 1-2 weeks then I would get a craving or make a poor choice by binge eating on something that was restricted from my diet at the time. Then my mindset was, what the hell I have already blown my diet for the day and I would fall off the bandwagon!

For me my lap band is a safety net so I don't give in to excess, yes I will still get a craving for pizza but instead of eating 5 slices like I did in the past my band might only allow me to have one, and feel really full after eating it... so it's win-win I got to have my craving food but I didn't give in and overeat because the band won't let me... Really what could be better than that?

I just have to ask... if we are discussing forum etiquette... what does 'Bump' mean? :-?

Everytime someone adds a new post to a thread the thread is moved to the top of the forum list... If someone wants to move their thread to the top of the list but doesn't have anything new to add they just say BUMP so you know that they are moving the thread up with out having to post or give a reason!

http://www.livingafterwls.com/Recipes.html

Great site with recipes for those who have made it to the post-op real food stage! The recipes are written by actual post-WLS (weight loss surgery) patients so some of them have little personal stories about the dish...

so that means you will rock when your top matches your bottom!

I totally agree!!

BINGO!!! THANKS BABYCAKES

No Prob, it randomally changes my view sometimes too!

Just checked them out!!

I am so jealous, you have the skinniest legs!!!

Hi all...... I've been writing in all caps since I came on the forum.... never been on a forum before and did not know that it meant shouting. Sorry to everyone, didn't mean to shout!! (

I have a little trouble seeing and I guess I did it more for myself. I will do better....

If you are using Internet Explorer you can change the text size on ALL webpages by clicking "VIEW" from the top menu the 8th option on the list is "TEXT SIZE" put your mouse over that and a menu will pop out to the left- then choose Larger or Largest... Hope that helps!

MY PREFERENCES HAVE CHANGED AS I SEE THE THREAD TOPIC THEN ALL THE REPLYING POST ARE COLLAPSED NOW

WITHOUT LOOKING AROUND AND FIGURING IT OUT FOR MYSELF LOL. SORRY, ANYONE HAVE A QUICK FIX ON WHERE I CAN CHANGE IT BACK TO HAVE ALL THE REPLYING POST NON COLLAPSED?

I KNOW IT MUST BE IN MY VIEWS SOMEWHERE

THANKS MUCH

At the top right of the post box there is a button that says Options- click there and choose standard view not outline view

Thanks so much guys for providing pictures...it definately is comforting...

although I will never be in a bikini either ......its nice to dream... lol... so just in case I wanted to know how bad or good the scars would be...

Mama Michele did u use anything? like neosporin...or mederma... they say that works well...???

Sorry just saw this post.. Here's what I did: starting 1 week post op I used Neosporin daily with band-aids... After 2 weeks post op I used Maderma and opened Vitamin E capsules and out it on them before bed!

Here's a great article from Yahoo about Diet Soda...

Skip the Diet Soda By Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief Provided by: SELF.com

Get ready to ditch your soda habit. I’m kicking Diet Coke — it takes time, and I’m down to five a week from a high of 12, but it’s worth it.

Here’s why: Recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners in soda may interfere with your body’s ability to estimate how many calories you’ve ingested, so you eat more than you need.

In a new rat study, animals that ate fake sugar consumed more calories overall and gained weight, compared to those that didn’t eat artificially sweetened treats.

This is just one study, but it’s enough to make me want to kick the can habit. Need more convincing? For every diet soda you sip daily, your risk of becoming overweight can rise by 37 percent, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

We also know that regular soda is a total sugar bomb — most people I know gave it up long ago. At roughly 225 calories a pop, a 20-ounce bottle of regular soda packs nearly as many calories as a chocolate bar (but is much less satisfying).

Typically, soda also contains zero nutrients — so who needs it? Still have some soda around? Fine, stow it for guests who haven’t decided to quit. Next time you want a fizz hit, try seltzer with lime (or for a caffeine fix, green tea). What are your favorite low-cal soda substitutes?

Wow guys!!! Thanks so much for the sweet words- I still have a long way to go but I wanted to make sure I had a map of where I had been so that's why I decided to take pictures every month, I actually took a set of pics in a bikini and while that's where you can really see a difference I don't think anyone wants to see me in that, lol maybe when I am into the 150's...

For some reason the pics in the My Album section are still hidden, so here are the other 4 pics:

Back view of my "Goal Dress" couldn't even zip it an inch on 2/28 and then halfway zipped on 3/28.

Side view, YUCK! You can see I still have a long way to go!

Another side view, my stomach has gone down alot... it even looks like I've had a breast lift, lol.

Face Shot, sorry that I'm not wearing any make up and you can see my bra, lol.

Here is a picture of my scars at 1 month post op... These are only 4 of the 5 scars the other is hidden under the bra I have on...

Oh and the long diagonal mark is a scratch from my dog (not a scar from surgery)!

Just posted my 1 month progress (and pictures) and I am down 17lbs since my surgery... I have been walking so that probably has helped me lose more that the typical post-op patient, but I have just been feeling so energetic since losing the weight I have to burn off the energy somehow! don't be discouraged and don't try to compare yourself to anyone, All that matters is you get to your goal no matter if it takes 6 months or 2years, your body will release the weight at it's own pace that is perfect for YOU...

While we are on the topic, anyone have any favorite frozen treat suggestions? I have been craving chocolate lately and a fudgsicle sounds great. I have had heard good things about the "Skinny Cow" brand...

Hey Claire-

I know it sucks right now and every one wants to do the "fare-well to food tour" for me I started my pre-op diet waaaaay early because I knew I would be tempted to cheat so I would eat along the guidelines for 6 days out of the week and then on the 7th day I would eat 1 healthy meal and the other 2 were old favorite meals. It really helped curb my desire to cheat since I had a goal to look forward to that way it was always a few days away. Obviously it's a little to late for you to start with your surgery date getting so close but along the same lines as what I said above if you choose your favorite meal and plan to have it the evening before you leave for TJ it will help get you through the rough times! Good luck...

My best advice would be make sure your mind matches the band. If you are thinking the band is a cure all it is anything but, unless you are willing to make some lifetime changes. It is extremely easy to cheat the band, and the resrictive pre-op, and post-op diet can deceive you into thinking it is the band that is making you lose this weight. The band has been a true life safer for thousands of people, but it takes discipline, smart choices, patience, support and exercise. The band can be wonderful tool if you are in the right state of mind to change your life. Talk to veteran bandsters like myself and others who have been banded atleast 2 years, read the books and try to join a bandsters support group, it will really help. Good luck with this fantasticl journey you are about to under take. > Helena

Helena-

I am so happy to see you posting here again, as one of the Veteran Bandsters (like snowbird) you have so much great advice to offer all of us who are at various stages in our own progress. Thanks again for sharing your experiences!

I posted this on my myspace blog ( http://www.myspace.com/mamamichellelv ) but I thought I would share it here too so hopefully those yet to be banded or just recently banded can get a little inspiration from my progress. I am also posting 2 sample before and after pics but if you’d like to see all 6 and you aren’t a member of myspace you can check out my Album here on the boards: Visit My Forum Album (I think a moderator has to approve the pictures before they will show up in my album so if you can’t see them yet check back a little later in the day)!

Jan 1st 2008 – Highest Weight/Start of Pre Op Diet

Weight: 246 lbs

Chest: 48"

Waist: 46"

Hips: 51"

Arms: 16.5†and 16.5â€

Thighs: 30†and 31â€

Feb 28th 2008 – Date of Surgery

Weight: 226 lbs

Chest: 46.5"

Waist: 43"

Hips: 48.75"

Arms: 16†and 16â€

Thighs: 29.25†and 30.25â€

March 28th 2008 – One Month Post Op

Weight: 209 lbs

Chest: 44.5"

Waist: 37"

Hips: 46.5"

Arms: 15.75†and 15.75â€

Thighs: 28.5†and 29.5â€

RESULTS:

Weight: -17lbs lost in 1 month post op (-38lbs lost since starting pre op)

Chest: -2 inches lost in 1 month post op (-3.5 inches lost since starting pre op)

Waist: -6 inches lost in 1 month post op (-9 inches lost since starting pre op)

Hips: -2.25 inches lost in 1 month post op (-4.5 inches lost since starting pre op)

Arms -.25 and -.25 inches lost in 1 month post op (-.75 and -.75 inches lost since starting pre op)

Thighs: -.75 and -.75 inches lost in 1 month post op (-1.5 and -1.5 inches lost since starting pre op)

For a total of 17lbs and 12.25 inches lost in 1 month post op and 38 lbs and 21.5 inches lost since starting pre op!

BEFORE AND AFTER PICS - Taken Feb 28th and March 28th

My first "Goal Dress" Size 12 - Hope to be in it by July 4th for my Husband's Birthday Dinner!

This is what I wore while shopping after my surgery on 2/28 it looks a lot better on me as of 3/28.

Hey Miss Mindy,

So glad you had a great experience (not that I had any doubts) can't wait to hear about all your progress... I know you will do great!

Best of luck sweet Kimmie-

You have been a great source of help for so many others and I have enjoyed reading your posts thus far... Can't wait to hear about your experience at the OCC, I know it will be as wonderful as what you've read from all of us other veterans, lol! Soon you will be one too...

In 5,000 surgeries I do not believe Dr. Ortiz has ever have anyone die on the table and if you google lap-band deaths you might find some national stats on it but again Dr. Ortiz is the best!

I found a great quote that was someone's signature line on another board:

This is my band. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My band is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My band, without me, is useless. Without my band I am useless.

I don't LOVE the last statement because I don't think anyone should ever say they are useless, band or no band. But just having a personal motto that you get up and say to yourself every morning or when you are standing in front of the fridge wanting to graze is really helpful.

Great Story Paula!!

Thanks for your bravery in sharing your tribulations with the band, I have never seen any exact statics about the over all success rate of the band but logic tells me that while most people are successful there must be some percentage that struggles.

Just the other day I read a similar post by bev4life (found here: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=5245) and she shares your story and the common problem was waiting too long to get that fill that makes the difference between being able to eat anything and PB'ing on water. I think that both stories will help us newer bandsters follow the rules and listen to our bodies when in doubt!! I bet you can contact her for some additional support!!

As for any tips I can offer, I would have to say my obsessive calorie counting using http://www.fitday.com it tells me how many calories my body burns daily (doing things like breathing etc) and how many calories my lifestyle/job burns (not that many since I sit on the computer all day) then it adds in calories from the foods I have eaten that day and subtracts any calories burned through exercise to give me a daily calorie deficit. Since there are 3,500 calories in a pound if I burn 500 calories more than I consume per day I would lose 1 lb per week, if I burn an extra 1,000 calories per day then I would lose 2 lbs a week. I know it might be a little to much for most people but the only way I can keep myself accountable is to enter in everything that I put in my mouth, and it only takes maybe 10 min a day to do!

Here a link to download (for free) the 25 min relaxation/self-hypnosis audio CD that usually accompanies the purchase of his book (It is now in .wma format)

http://rs137.rapidshare.com/files/43512707...makeyouthin.wma

Here are the Download directions for those who have never used rapidshare before:

1. Click the link above (should open in a new window)

2. Once the page opens click on the "FREE" button at the bottom right corner of the screen

3. In less than a min it will redirect you to a page where it will auto-select a download taxi for you, just type in the 4 letter Code and click the "DOWNLOAD" button.

4. You will then get the pop-up download box asking you if you want to save the file or open it (I suggest saving it so you can listen to it whenever you'd like)

5. Once the download is complete open the file you saved and it should automatically play in windows media player (or whichever music player you use)

I will be watching part 2 of the show on TLC tomorrow and will report back with the notes from that show within a few days!