Trav

1/5th block of extra firm tofu (or one egg beaten)

1 bag of frozen stir fry vegetables from the store (1.88@Walmart)

2-3 Tbs of Olive Oil (any oil will work though)

1/4-1/2 tsp of Garlic Powder to taste

Chinese Five-Spice to taste

1 bullion cube (beef is my favorite)

2 TBS of your favorite sauce (I like Padang Peanut Sauce..this will add calories)

Step One:

Cut the 1/5th block of tofu into strips 1/4" wide (should look like cross sections of a cube, not long strips)

Step Two:

Pre-heat the oil a little (though it wouldn't hurt to put the tofu directly in)

Step Three:

put the tofu in

Step Four:

Lightly dust the tofu with garlic powder

(tofu absorbs the flavors you cook it in, so garlic is a good start)

Step Five:

Brown tofu on both sides for best results (though you don't have to)

Step Six:

Once tofu is browned, open and dump in the bad of frozen vegetables (don't argue, just do it, I'm a master at this)

Step Seven:

Crush the bullion cube and sprinkle over the frozen vegetables, the water in the ice will mix and coat the vegetables

Step Eight:

Sprinkle Chinese 5 Spice over the whole thing to taste

Step nine:

Stir to whole mess and get it mixed up real well. You can babysit it, or cover it and let the steam do the work. I do both.

Step Ten:

If you opted for an egg instead, this is where you put that in. Push the vegetables to the side, pour in the egg and let it start to congeal before you stir it, or scramble it in a separate pan prior to this step. Then add it in.

Step Eleven:

This is about where it should be done, you can either eat it as-is, for the lowest calorie value, or you can turn the fire off and add your sauce. (this will add about 100 calories, but that's okay, it's still pretty low calorie even with that)

**Advanced**

If you're craving carbs, you can remove the flavor packet and follow the recipe above, and either cook the noodles ahead of time, drain, and run them under cold water to stop them cooking, then add them at the egg step and stir it all together OR, you can crumble them up and put them in at the tofu step and they'll cook, but be warned, you'll probably need to add about an 1/8th cup of water. This will add about 200 calories to the mix, but don't feel guilty about it, it's still quite lovely.

This mess will fill you up, take your time and eat it slowly.

Anytime, I try to help where I can. I'm sure that not site is completely comprehensive, but that's what I found with just a little searching. Mileage may vary, and be sure to do your own research as well, don't take my word for it. (unless of course I say so haha)

To put it another way Linds, you might be partially correct in some respects, but if you're just half right, you're still completely wrong. You need to learn how to preface your arguments and citations such that you don't represent yourself as a moron, and that's what you're doing. I'm not CALLING you a moron, I'm saying your behavior is moronic.

Now, had you stated, "You have to be careful of which Greek establishments you frequent as SOME of them don't use quality meats"...then yeah, I can see that, because that *is* true, and that's true of ANY restaurant...even within the same chain of restaurants. But to state in such a way that it sounds like ALL Greek establishments have crappy products is not only absurd, it's incredibly obtuse and irresponsible, and you sound like a parrot who's just regurgitating what someone else told you and it really degrades your credibility....(which thus far, judging from your previous posts, is next to nill.)

I'm sorry, that's just a hard cold fact. You need to exercise something we call tact, and use your head for something besides a hat rack, and learn to think objectively.

How is the surgery performed? Is it done with small incisions and then laparoscopically? Is it similiar scaring as lap band surgery?

http://www.bmi-india.com/gastric-plication-a-new-wls-procedure/

there ya go, there's some info on the procedure.

Oct 21st was my 2 year anniversary....

in Sep of 2009 I went to Odessa, Ukraine and sat in COACH, and fit in the seats without a lot of trouble.

I've been buying clothes off the rack for a change without having to go to Big and Tall stores.

I've been going to the stores without having to worry about stares and weird looks.

I'm still on ONE fill. (Granted, I could probably go for another one, but I REALLY enjoy just being normal right now...being able to eat a normal sized meal has been a fantasy for me for the last 20 years, it's a measure of comfort to be able to sit down at the table, eat a meal, feel full, and not ask the person next to me "are ya gonna eat that?"...I'm right at a sweet spot, where my weight loss or gain is completely in my control, and I like that feeling. Some may call it laziness, but I'm at a happy medium...I'm not thin, but I'm no longer FAT, and that makes me happy.

...and last, but certainly not least, I have an amazing girlfriend. She's a "former fatty" like us, she used to weigh 275lbs in HS, she went a different route, and just ran on a treadmill every day till she lost it, and in some ways, I think it gave her a little bit of a complex, but she's a wonderful human being, and accepts me for me, and I can't ask for anything better.

Life could be better, but it doesn't suck any more, and I can't remember the last time I've been upset for no reason.

OH, and that belt I bought when I got banded with all the holes in it....I'm 10 holes tighter now. (I'll take a picture of it sometime)

and the most important thing to remember is that EVERYONE is different. What affects one person, doesn't affect another person in the same way. That's one thing everyone needs to have drilled into their brain. Though some people's experiences are similar, it won't be 100% the same.

I'll echo Doc's comments, and add to them, I've done a lot of needlesticks when I worked for a blood bank. In the thousands (probably tens of thousands now that I think of it). The irony is, I hate needles. If you're worried about that, don't. They've got the best stick I've ever had. Back of my hand, first try, no pain...not even a pinch.

I'll also go on to say, that though the set up is designed for efficiency and time expedience, you never felt like they were herding you thru like cattle, like you would with NHS, or in a Canadian facility (no offense, Cannuks and Brits), but they took their time to answer your questions, get you in, get you out, and made you feel comfortable.

I went back to the hotel the very same day. (some stay overnight). They'll work with you as much as you want them to, educate you with what you need to know, or if you know what you're doing, leave you the hell alone. (like me haha)

At any rate, Dr. Ortiz is probably the best in the world, as far as I'm concerned. I've heard stories from other people who've got it done from other doctors, and it really amazed me the amount of irresponsibility these doctors were indulging.

They really need a petter option for guys. I mean hell they had me take them off before they put me under. Why make us wear them at all?

Alrighty...so far, I've got some good ideas forwarded my way. For example:

Education Segment: Follow a Student, Teacher, Principle, Administrator

or like food segment: Follow The rancher/farmer, stockyard, butcher, store.. or milk...

basically focuses on the people, their jobs, and how they affect us as a whole. (a lot of people don't know how eggs get to your plate, for example), or who changes the lightbulbs in traffic lights.

I'm one of those strange cases...

I woke up out of surgery, didn't even feel the need for coffee, and had no desire for caffeine for an entire year.....I've tested the waters since, and carbonated beverages don't bother me at all.

I'm about to launch a YouTube channel, very soon in fact. (possibly two).

The first is called: People In Your Neighborhood (http://www.youtube.com/peoplenurhood). It's going to be sort of a 5-9min documentary of various, normal, everyday, average people, and what they do in their day. (think of it as an adult version of the Sesame Street bit, only more detailed...ironically that's where I got the inspiration from.) It'll be sort of a Dirty Jobs meets Sesame Street. Not sure how often I'll be doing shows, but I'm shooting for once a week minimum, 3 a week if it takes off.

The other, (if I have the ambition after the first), will be called Ask Dr Stupid. (it's a Ren and Stimpy reference). Basically a show about various questions that viewers would ask about anything. "Why is the sky blue?"...."What's a kumquat?"..."How many people would fit in the Empire State Building?"....just random silly stuff, but making a serious attempt to answer whatever question someone might have. (and me being the know it all I am, it would be a fun project, I think.) http://www.youtube.com/askdrstoooopid

Anyway, I'd like to ask the community to support me and my shows, by making an account on YouTube (if you don't already have one), and subscribing to my channels, if you would be so kind.

Thanks, and good luck with your bands. Mine is still doing fine.

Remember, that there's no shame in experimenting. We need to know what our limits are. Some of us just aren't designed to run on the "recommended daily caloric requirement"

I try to keep my caloric intake around 800-1400 a day, (sometimes I'll treat myself and have a candy bar). My weight loss has been relatively slow, and that's just fine. I got lucky and 1 fill has been great for me. (I could probably use another one, but for the most part, I'm doing okay).

Ok.. so here I am two week out since my last fill. I have been taking it easy and doing pretty good. Well... tonight I decided to be brave and try some chicken teryaki and fried rice. Man.. I shouldnt have done that!!! I guess I ate too fast or apparently cant do that kinda chicken or rice. But I got stuck and PBed!!!! OMG.... never again!! I hope my band is okay!

Should I do liquids for a few days or just see how I feel in the morning?

Thanks for any advice!!!!

I often have problems with rice. (which is sad, because it's always been one of my favorite foods)

MagicJack, while not always 100% reliable, *is* pretty revolutionary, in that they take an already established idea, and make it more practical, and take the "Let's get as much money as we can out of it, when it really doesn't cost us a whole lot" out of the equation.

I had heard about their femtocell stuff, and while it sounded intriguing, wasn't exactly sure how they planned to implement it to make it something I'd want to buy. Now I know, so yeah, this is a great idea. I'd buy it.

I have the 10cc band, and well I've only had 1 fill, a year ago....3cc's and at first, it was a little rough getting used to, but a year later, I'm fine, and I still have *just* enough restriction that it serves as a reminder to behave, but allows me freedom to eat what I want, and I have had really good luck with it. I'd be the exception to the rule, as some people have to micro-manage their band.

1 year post op, and really the only scar that's plainly visible is where the port goes. Some people don't heal as well as others. Remember that less incisions means less room to work. I'm not placing impunity on the skills of the doctors that do 3 or 1 incision procedures, but knowing human anatomy like I do, and the closeness to the major descending arteries and veins in the area the surgery is performed, I personally feel more comfortable with more incisions. 1 is fine if you're getting implants, or getting a gal bladder removed, but yeah...I'm happy with the 5 little scars I have.

Thanks Trav, he is telling me that there maybe some air in the band and that it may cause a problem. I am of the opinion that altitude would be more of a problem than Scuba. Had the Op on 10th Dec so I should be ok to dive now and I am not going overseas until September so all should be good by then I would think.

Cheers

Steve

Even if there *is* air in the band, remember that when you're diving, you're putting pressure on it, this will compress it, not expand it. The bigger risk is flying, and most of us fly when we go home. Usually there's not any air in a band (aside from *maybe* a tiny bubble if any).

down from a 44 to 36's

I bought a belt a year ago, just after my surgery. I counted the belt loops I've had to tighten up, I'm 8 notches tighter. (the holes go all the way around the belt, so I don't have to buy a new belt for a while lol)

It should be like any surgery wait period. 6-10 weeks, more than likely (consult physician)...

Pressures involved in diving wouldn't cause any ill effects, once you're properly healed.

banded Oct 21st, 2008

Occasionally I'll still feel it. Especially after a meal. Sometimes it'll be 'yup it's there'...sometimes I'll feel food go thru, other times it'll be "whoa, what was that?"

Regardless of whatever condition or life decisions lead you to the point where you needed to get a lapband, know this You made a positive step in the right direction, and you have to accept that those actions and decisions are in the past. They're part of what made you who you are today. Rather than let that be a shame, let it be a positive motivator. We don't live in a world where we're all doing lots of physical labor in the 21st century, yet we still eat diets that lend themselves to those who work in a sweatshop. That's just a fact of life. Some people can cope, others can't...and there's no shame in making a positive decision to give yourself an extra tool to combat that need to eat.

I'm 9 months out, and still occasionally feel pain around the incissions, but it does get better.

HCG is not a steroid, but a naturally occurring peptide hormone, produced by the embryo in the early stages of pregnancy and later by the trophoblast (part of the placenta) to help control a pregnant woman´s hormones.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT`S BULLSH*t.

And it's not even readily available. Where are those 'nurses' buying it from?! THAILAND!!!

HCG is a glycoprotein composed of 244 amino acids, and has not to date been banned by the FDA. They extract it from a pregnant woman's urine, actually. It's used as a tumor marker, for fertility treatment, and in the UK is being looked at for weight loss.

That being said, the only thing it HAS been banned from SPORTS on all levels as those who abuse steroids, use it to re-attune their body to producing its own testosterone after they're coming off a steroid cycle.

I don't know where you come up with your information, but it's wrong.

I posted earlier as have been told I have no pouch and my band is sitting at the entrance to my stomach. I always thought that my band was took upto 4cc. Am just wondering if its a 10cc and where I have 3.5cc that could be the reason why there appears to be no pouch maybe I am grasping at straws.

I had my band fitted 13 weeks ago now.

Look forward to any input

Cheers

Julie

depends on the size of the VG band, I believe they range from 10cc's to 14cc's and there's an even bigger one if memory serves...

I have the 10cc, and only one fill at 3cc's. Approaching the 100lb mark as we speak. I could probably stand for another fill, but I'm right at the point where I can have a meal if I watch what I eat and how I eat, and it's enough of a reminder that I don't overdo it....so I'm in no hurry.