Angelique J.

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I don't have much to say really. I am back up to 309 since my lowest at 237ish. I am considering revision to DS as I believe my band pouch has stretched as am at nearly a full fill and can eat a heck more than a cup of food (but, try my best not to and generally succeed). I am still following my bandster rulles and am going in to see my surgeon (well, his nurse) in 2 weeks to discuss further.

Oh this will be LONG...I have a strong dislike for low-carb diets

There is no reason to cut carbs. Here are the basics of any nutritional plan in the world. There are three macronutrients which contribute to calories - there is fat, protein, and carbs. If you eat little to no carbs (in any form - simple or complex) then you must add protein and fat - thus the infamous Atkins diet (high protein - low carb). For the sake of argument let's use The Atkins Nutritional Approach despite it not being the first or the last of its kind. When Dr. Atkins came along in 1973 with his "revolutionary diet" he was a laughing stock. The President of the American College of Nutrition said, "Of all the bizarre diets that have been proposed in the last 50 years, this is the most dangerous to the public if followed for any length of time." The man wrote that bananas were poison for Pete's sake! There are studies that say that Atkins is a great diet - most of which are publish by Atkins Corp. I myself like to listen to peer reviewed journals which have shown numerous times that "low-carbohydrate diets raise cholesterol levels in a considerable number of individuals, sometimes to a dramatic degree. These diets also typically accelerate calcium losses and have led major health organizations to raise important questions about their possible contribution to heart problems, kidney abnormalities, osteoporosis, and other health problems." This is probably the reason why the Atkins diet has been opposed by the American Medical Association, the American Dietetic Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and John Hopkins - do I need to go on?

You don't seem like a drama queen at all. Do you know why your body is angry when you cut out carbs? Because it is! The human body knows what it needs - when you eat something bad, you throw up - when you take have a cut the platelets come to help stop the bleeding. 

I eat according to the standards for Dietary Guidelines fo Americans with a slight change as I am diabetic and am banded. So I do eat a little more protein, a little less carbs. Dr. Atkins in all his glory made people doubt one of the oldest dietary habits in the world - a balanced meal. 

I am 7 weeks out from surgery and my current nutritional goals for a day are
900 Calories
78 Carbs
30 Fat
85 Protein
30 minute exercise a day minimum
( I am considering playing with my protein/fat ratio as I am usually over in my protein and low on fat)

I followed this same ratio for 9 months prior to my banding (just with a higher calorie count - around 1900). Since I started I have lost 70 pounds. There is nothing intrinsic about carbs that makes you fat and any nutritionist worth his or her salt should tell you to cut them completely. If you chose to for your own reasons, then you are an adult and have every right to do so but I like listening to my body and eating a balanced and healthy meal like it wants.

A brownie...yes that's right I said it A BROWNIE for 105 calories...whhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?!

THE DEVIL'S GOURD BROWNIE
(from Hungrygirl.com, ever so slightly modified)

1 - 18 oz package of Devil's Food Cake Mix (mine was Betty Crocker Super moist)
1 - 15 oz can of Pure Pumpkin Puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix which is not PURE pumpkin)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Mix the two together into a very thick batter.
Spray 24 cupcake holes worth wih fat free cooking spray
Split up mixture and bake for about 20 minutes (my oven took 25 but is junky)

Makes 2 dozen (spread 'em all around town, see if they can tell what is different about them)

Each brownie breaks down approx. like this
105 calories
2 fat
.5 sat fat
2 protein
187 sodium
21 carbs
3 fiber
11 sugar

A fantastic treat? Maybe not for all but for those of us craving chocolate then eat up!

Mine nutritionist recommends three meals a day - snacks should be around 100 calories - something with protein or fruit juices (no more than 1/2 cup per day)

The sample menu I was given for the regular food stage looks like this:

BREAKFAST
1/4 -1/2 c low fat yogurt or 1-2 eggs
1/4 - 1/2 c unsweetend fruit cup
1/2 - 1 slice wheat toast
1 tsp fat free margarine

LUNCH
2 oz lean meat or 1/4 c low fat cottage cheese
1 Tblsp fat free mayo
1/4 - 1/2 C starch (rice, potato, pasta, etc)
1/4 - 1/2 C veggie
1 small piece of fruit

DINNER
2 oz lean meat
1/4 - 1/2 C starch
1/4 - 1/2 C veggies
1/4 - 1/2 C unsweetend canned fruit

I'm 25 but a kid inside so I brought a small soft blanket I love and a stuffed animal.

Don't forget a pillow for in the car so you can hold it against your stomach on the way home.

I wish I had brought my ipod and headphones.

I wish I had boughta wedge pillow for at home.

I brought paper and a pencil just in case.

Also, I brought my camera so someone could take my pic for my scrapbook.

The list of things to bring in my WLS program book from my hospital says:
list of all your meds (do not bring meds)
copy of living will or power of attorney
robe and slippers
chapstick ( i myself love love LOVE carmex in the little pot with the yellow lid - lifesaver)
loose fitting clothes to go home in (bra and underwear..ha ha...yeah right, lol)
c-pap or bi-pap machine
glasses
reading material (essential as my stay was supposed to be same day and I was overnight)
toothbrush/tooth paste (didnt use em)
clean undergarments
a container for dentures, contacts, etc
comb/brush (or hairband)
toiletries like make-up and deodorant

I was kept overnight and was at the hospital for about a day and a half because of a slight fever but I was better off there in the movable hospital bed than at home on the love seat as I couldnt sleep comfortable in bed for about a week.

Great Party Food

CHERRY CREAM CHEESE DIP

1 package of fat free cream cheese (usually about 8 oz)
1 small jar of maraschino cherries (the ice cream topper kind of cherries)

Cut cherries into halves or quarters
Mix into soft cream cheese
Great on crackers, fruit, or a spoon.

One Serving: One Ounce

60 Calories
.4g Fat 
4.1g Protein 
10g Carbs

FRUIT SALAD SALSA AND CHIPS

Fruit Salad: Commercial or Homemade
http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=fruit+salad
8" Flour Totillas (soft)
Some egg white for an egg wash

Preheat oven to 350

Let fruit salad sit at least overnight, stewin in it's own juices. 
Give it a whir in the food processor or blender till it is salsa consistancy. 
Next, cut the tortillas into chip shaped wedges. 
Give them a quick egg wash and sprinkle them with cinnamon and Splenda.

Bake on a cookie tray at 350 for about 7 minutes, rotate, then another 8 minutes ( I think, just keep an eye on them).

Great for mushy and soft stage

HAM SALAD

4 oz ham steak or just 1/4 pound of ham off the bone, etc
1 Tblsp Sweet Pickle Relish (Mt. Olive)
2 Tblsp Miracle Whip Free
2 Tblsp of Reduced Fat Mayo (Hellmann's)

Food processor it all up to desired consistancy
Excellent on crackers or just on a spoon.

Makes 4 oz.

One Serving: One Ounce =
35 Calories
1.2g Fat
1.8g Protein
3.5g Carbs