Bands and Beer

Two of the "rules" for people who are banded are that we should avoid unnecessary liquid calories and we should also avoid carbonation.  Liquid calories I understand, but as I understand it, carbonation is more an issue of comfort.  Since your stomach is smaller, the air can cause a lot of discomfort.  I suppose enough pressure could probably cause your band to slip.

Either way, I took it really easy on food yesterday so that I could go hang out with a friend and drink a beer last night.  I have to say, the first beer since October-ish was really good.  I got the sampler at The Library again because I love trying all of them.  Needless to say, I managed it just fine.  I'm sure I won't be going crazy on the liquid calories, but I can see myself getting a pint of the Oatmeal Stout every now and then. I highly recommend it!

Holiday Planning

   I went to a support group this past Thursday.  It is the first one I've attended post-surgery, and even though I was one of only three people in attendance, it was good to be there.  The discussion was focused on how we plan for the holidays.  I've never really stopped to consider the emotional issues that might arise when people are celebrating with food all around you and you can't eat hardly any of it.  Even just three weeks into it, there were a couple moments that Sandra and the kids were getting something to eat that I wanted and it definitely got a little frustrating. With Thanksgiving coming up in a few days and Christmas right around the corner, I need to figure out how I am going to handle that potential frustration.

   One of the biggest things is to simply have a plan of what I'm going to eat.  At Thanksgiving dinner, I know I want to eat a little bit of turkey and I want some sweet potatoes.  I also know that I am really going to want some pecan pie because it is my favorite, and also that I should probably avoid eating a lot of sweats.  Since protein is my priority, I should make sure to eat turkey first, and a couple bites of sweet potatoes will probably be enough to satisfy my desire.  Then when it comes time for dessert, I will want to make sure to wait a little while so I don't overfill my stomach and make myself sick.  I plan to eat a small slice of pie.  I have to make sure it is small and that I can control myself because it is essential that I make good choices.  The conversation at the support group also made me think of how I am going to deal with people who want to "love me with food."

   I'm sure you all have someone in your family that is like this.  They love you and I'm sure they only have the best of intentions, but I need a plan to say no.  I need to make sure to bring band friendly snacks in case I start to get light headed or something.  I might need to make sure I have a blender with me, in case there is food that I can't simply eat yet.  Since I'll be sleeping in a hotel for three nights without normal access to a kitchen, do I wait to eat at Sandra's grandpa's house, and what if they are eating foods I can't?  There are so many things that you simply don't think about when you're traveling, or at the holidays.  So here's my plan.

• On the road, I'll need to pack some sugar free pudding in case I get hungry.  
• I will need to pack lunch or eat somewhere that has something easy for me to eat with either very soft food or soup.  
• I need to bring my blender.
• Buy a dozen eggs and frozen precooked sausage to eat at breakfast each day
• Thanksgiving dinner will include turkey and sweet potato casserole. I might sample something else as long as I don't overdo it with the band.
• I want a small slice of pie, so I will plan accordingly so I don't overeat.
• I might need to explain my food limitations ahead of time so no one has hurt feelings. 
• Plan to have one or two people I can call and talk to if I start feeling frustrated or depressed. 

There you have it.  I hope my current plan will help me make it through the holiday without any problems.  My  weight goal for the holidays is not to avoid gaining weight, or even to maintain my current weight.  I want to be able to continue losing weight in spite of all the amazing food that is available.  I want to be able to make good choices.  It's a life long lesson and goal.  How are you planning for your holiday dinners?

Phase II Diet

I had my surgery on November 1, which means I am finishing up three full weeks in Phase I of the diet.  You'll know from previous posts that the most substantial thing I am allowed to eat during the first phase is runny mashed potatoes.  I won't lie that I've had the occasion to sneak a bite of the kids mac and cheese or something.  I know it isn't technically protocol, but the bites were small and very well chewed.  As a kid I remember having thoughts along the lines of, "I could eat Jello for every meal my whole life and I'd be fine!"  I can officially say that if I never eat Jello again, it wouldn't hurt my feelings.  I've also learned that pudding isn't as bad as I remember and that I don't care all that much for Cool Whip either.  

   I made the decision during Phase I that I would start each phase a day or so early.  I was worried that when I made the switched that my stomach wouldn't agree and I didn't want to spend my Mondays at work racing to the bathroom in case I was getting sick.  Today, I went ahead with Phase II...blended foods.

   I need to work on getting protein so that is my focus when planning a meal.  This morning, I chose to scramble myself an egg.  We bought sausage scramble a few weeks ago and froze it for me.  It is really nice to have actually.  It is basically a pound of sausage that has already been crumbled and browned, then frozen. This morning, it allowed me to open the pack, scoop out about 1/4 cup of sausage and scramble it into one egg with some cheese.  I took the skillet and poured it all into the blender and ran it a few times to make sure it was all crumbly.  I also added a little salsa for moisture.  I didn't know how something like sausage or eggs would do getting blended into a liquid-y form, but it went just fine.

   When I actually tasted it, it wasn't all bad.  Yeah, you have to fight to get over the idea that what you are eating looks like a can of soft cat food, but the flavor itself is exactly the same.  I ate slowly and finished everything and felt really full.  I know that it will hold me easily until lunch at this point because in general, I don't really have an appetite.  Meals right now are something I do because I need protein, not because I feel hungry.  I'll try to post again soon about how my Thanksgiving will be impacted by the band.  Have a great weekend!

I really think I overdid it today. I've made it a point to get up with Sandra and the kids even though I don't necessarily have to, because I can take the kids to school with her and make sure I get some walking in. We've also needed to make runs to the grocery store too, and today's trip in took a lot longer than expected. I think being on my feet and walking so much was pretty tough and I felt a little more tired today than I have so far.

I pretty much ate nothing but Jello today. Realizing it has only been four days on the first phase of the liquid diet, I am really looking forward to Sunday so I get more food choices. In the second part of the liquid phase, i can add skim milk, certain types of yogurt as long as they don't contain little bits of fruit or anything and I can have pudding! I'm really looking forward to the pudding. I also read somewhere that I can have runny mashed potatoes. The best part will be just getting more flavor options. I found a recipe sift for banded people at www.bandfriendlyrecipes.com and they suggests mixing up orange jello and then before putting it in the fridge you mix in vanilla pudding mix and whip cream. Of course it is all sugar free, but it will taste awesome!

I am actually losing weight pretty quickly, and I've been a little worried about the protein issues. This afternoon I noticed I'm getting a little light headed and I don't know if that's from lack of calories, lack of protein or that my blood pressure medicine needs adjustment. Just in case, I drank some protein with my jello at dinner. Even though it's allowed, I don't think I'm ready for it. My stomach felt like a rock for a couple hours afterwards. We'll see how tomorrow goes and I think I'll start posting my weight loss on Fridays. Thanks for listening to my journey! Talk to you soon.