NYU's Program for Surgical Weight Loss

NYU's Program for Surgical Weight Loss is the program I am going through for the Lap-Band procedure.

So far I've been very pleased with the staff and the surgeon. And their materials have been quite thorough. However, if you're a patient, please note that their website is not up to date (at least not as of this posting) in regard to what you need for your procedure. I had a few problems with that.

I've been doing this list-thing on my other blog Dabble, and it's remarkably effective, so I thought I'd do that here too.

1. Order Juice Plus fruit and vegetable supplements (waiting for 7/17)
   


2. Buy chewable or liquid multivitamins (7/17) (Centrum Adult Chewables) The "Silver" has extra supplements
   


3. Attend support group before surgery (Mtg date 7/15)
   


4. Sign up for a "heal faster" seminar Call (Mon 7/6)
   


5. Send replacement insurance card (Found it! Mon 7/6)
   


6. Call surgical coordinator Tuesday to confirm she has my paperwork


7. Follow up with surgical coordinator Friday
   


8. Make an appt with my GP for a B-12 shot (unrelated to surgery)
   


9. Arrange with GP for esophogram


10. Get esophogram
    


11. Arrange ride home


12. Arrange care post surgery


13. Pass along hospital info to family / friends


14. Go shopping for pre-surgery 2 week shake diet (70 shakes for 14 days) (7/17)


15. Go grocery shopping for post surgery thin-liquid diet (7/17)


16. Order low sodium, vegetable broth (7/17)

Also just realizing that I'm going to have to wait until my post-rent-pay day for a few of these things. Some of the expenses related to the surgery have me pinching my pennies. Though I think I have it better than many in regard to insurance coverage.

365 days on Flickr

I find it quite entertaining to search flickr for before and after weight loss pics. I'd run across this guy's pics previously, and they stuck in my head.

Everyday, he took a photo of himself in the same position, often even in the same clothes. It's quite fascinating.

He ended up getting tons of hits too. His weight loss is impressive, the hair and the t-shirts are funny, but what i love most is his final comment.

"I want to thank everybody for coming at looking at my fat ass."

Photos via Adhadda Kedhabbra

Empty Fridge

I had a weird thought last night when I went to get a shake from the fridge. I actually can't wait to have an empty fridge. With nothing in it except shakes and maybe some veg and water. For the liquid fast part of the diet (since they do let us have 2 cups of veg a day).

Somehow that just seems to be symbolic of purging all the crap and starting new.

Will definitely have to plan on a good clean out of both the fridge and the cabinet. It feels rather liberating. (I say that now!)

Vitamin D

So my GP is putting together my recommendation letter for the surgery and as a part of that I had a physical and some blood work.

So one of the nurses called me today and told me that in addition to having a Vitamin B12 deficiency (due to a virus I had that caused a lack of intrinsic factor), I now also have a Vitamin D deficiency. (For anyone stumbling upon this, this is pre-surgery).

I certainly eat my fair share of dairy, and I even take a multivitamin, so I'm surprised that I have a problem. I walk outside everyday as a part of my regular commute too. (Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin). Though I could absolutely stand to get more sun.

However, I just looked it up and it turns out that obesity can lead to Vitamin D deficiency. There's a shocker.

Here's the low down from The Vitamin and Supplement Guide I looked up:

Obesity: Vitamin D deficiency symptoms increase in people who are obese. Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, it can accumulate in body fat, making it less available to other parts of the body.

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. The main job of vitamin D is to regulate the body's use of calcium. It helps make the hormones that make sure calcium goes into bone and not into other tissues.

Bottom line: Now I get to take another daily supplement. 800-1000 int'l units of Vitamin D with calcium. I'll also be squeezing in more eggs I guess and some mushrooms. Mmm...a mushroom omelet.

Lipton Cup-a-Soup

I'm trying to avoid the vending machine here at work this afternoon, so i dug through my drawer and found a box of Lipton's Cup-a-Soup spring vegetable.

I must admit, it looked pretty puny, especially at only 45 calories, but it did the trick. I am no longer starving. Definitely more of a snack than a meal, but good to know I have an option other than a candy bar to tide me over between the time I leave work and when I get home. That's always the hardest for me for whatever reason.

Not sure if this is the same size/ packaging (for the calories), but Amazon does seem to sell these. I think I'll need to get some more.

Slim-Fast, not so much

So today I tried the Slim-Fast shake. Had to go with the low carb option as the regular one just has waaayyy too much sugar! I'm very glad that I'm testing this all out and getting used to it before I get to the actual 2-week liquid diet before my surgery. This makes me feel like I have a little more control over adjusting myself to eating less food.

Post surgery, I'll have the lap band, but pre-surgery, I'm going to need to make it as easy on myself as possible.

I'm not at all loving the Slim-Fast. This one has too much of an artificial sweetner aftertaste.

I'm surprised at some of the shake options that were on NYU's list. Not only Slim-Fast and Glucerna, but also Carnation Instant Breakfast and a number of others.

I do plan on going to GNC to check out some of their options as well.

Once I know my surgery date for sure, I'll work up a transitional meal plan. Right now, it's a shake for dinner, but eventually they'll replace all my meals and I'll have five a day.

BEFORE

I've decided this will be my official before pic. It was taken this afternoon on the street in front of our apartment here in Brooklyn.

I'm reminding myself to get that side angle as well since that's the one that really tells the whole truth of the situation!

I've seen so many interesting ways that people track and display their weight loss. I'll be featuring some of those and coming up with some of my own interesting ways as I progress.

How many calories post-op?

First of all, I'm learning that people refer to the lap-band and other procedures as WLS (weight loss surgery). Despite the various packets of info I've been given and the websites I've been sent to, I didn't have a clear sense of how many calories I'd need to be eating post-op. However, I just found the most fabulous blog post over on melting mama. She posted this info below about recommended calories, protein, fat, etc.

The ASMBS guidelines (which is where many surgeons GET their recommendations for you) state:

• 1,000 to 1,400 calories depending on the individual and activity level.
• 60 to 100 grams of protein depending on the individual and activity level.
• 27 to 47 grams of fat based on 20 to 35 percent of a daily 1,200-calorie intake.

Check out her post for more interesting info and some really insightful comments from others who've also had surgery.

Glucerna Shakes

So for two weeks before my surgery, I'll have to be on a liquid diet. The one exception is that I can eat certain vegetables as well -- plain of course, but steamed or raw is fine.

I don't have my surgery scheduled yet, but I did meet with the nutritionist, and she walked me through the options for weight loss shakes. The goal is to make my liver less fatty, and hence smaller, to make the laproscopic surgery easier.

Post surgery, I then have to fast for 20 days -- 10 days of a thin liquid diet followed by 10 days of a pureed food diet. All in all, at least 5 weeks without solid food.

Given that, I decided I would try out the different shake options and start out slow beforehand in order to adjust. So for now, I'm going to replace one meal a day. Today I've replaced dinner, and supplemented the Glucerna shake with some raw cucumbers and carrots so I had something to munch on. I'll also have to give up caffeine and soda at a certain point, so I'll need to transition to that as well.

So tonight, so far so good. The Glucerna tastes good. In fact, I'd like another one. They cost $2 each and are 200 calories each. Of the list of shake options, I chose to start with Glucerna because of the low sugar content, only 6g (it's made for diabetics). I also prefer that they come in resealable plastic bottles rather than the cans.

Mostly the shakes are higher in sugar than I prefer. Up to thirty-something grams of sugar each which is way too high for me. I can just see myself crashing after that and wanting to eat.

I'll be trying the other shakes this week too, so more to come on that.

A major announcement

So for any of you who've followed this blog, you know I've struggled with my weight for a long time. So recently, I've made a pretty major decision to undergo the lap-band procedure.

I've only told a few close friends, but I also plan to dedicate this blog to documenting the process. (Since I haven't given this web address to many people, only those who search for lapband or weight loss will find it.) Happy to share my story with the world, just less sure about telling work colleagues, acquaintances, etc.

The pics above were taken the day of the lap-band seminar at NYU when I decided I would go ahead with the surgery. (Goofy grin and all!) Ironically, yes, I am holding a bag of groceries in my before pic (ha!); however, it's a salad from Whole Foods if that helps at all!)

Fresh chives from the Farmer's Market

So I went to the Union Square Farmer's Market this week looking for some more ramps, but unfortunately there were none to be found. Not sure if it was because I went on a Monday or whether they are just past their season as this point.

So I took a look around to find something else new and interesting and discovered these lovely fresh chives. The best part is that the chives still have their blossoms. When you smell them though, you get that great, oniony garlic smell.

I didn't even know chives were a flowering plant. I'll have to find something interesting to cook them in.

Back in action

So I've been a bit distracted since my trip to Texas for Mother's Day. I always use trips as an excuse to blow my diet. Which I did this time as well. And although I told myself I'd be back on my diet as of Monday, instead, I let myself get completely distracted in wedding planning! Alex and I finally set a date for the wedding. (More on that here).

However, I'm definitely going to have to get it together and lose some weight before the wedding! So I have some new motivation.

I'd like to figure out adding a new gym membership to my wedding saving budget, but New York gyms can be pricey.

So I'll start by joining Weight Watchers again...

Here we go...

Black bean, onion, mango salad

With lime, quinoa and spring onions. Yum.

Link via This is Why You're Thin.

Uh Oh! Sabotage!

So I've completely fallen off the wagon. Luckily, I have this blog to confess my sins, pick myself back up and keep on going.

I'd been slipping a bit, but then yesterday I just went all-out-off-the-diet. We ordered a pizza and had chips and dessert. Ug. And had my usual old Starbucks breakfast this morning and pizza again for lunch.

No good. I'm just cranky, and that's what I do when I'm cranky.

So I need to just accept my temporary defeat and start over. But I have a trip planned this weekend, so we'll see how this all goes! I will however report back!

It's All Good Brand Stuffed Soy Chicken

I'm really liking this new brand It's All Good that I just discovered at Whole Foods.

Today's lunch was the Soy Chicken stuffed with corn and black bean in a tomato sauce. Yum!

Super fast and only three points for those of you on Weight Watchers.

Visit their website to see all the other vegetarian and vegan goodies they sell.

Image via ChowVegan.com.

Kiwi Summer Rolls

Another yummy meal idea, this one courtesy of Martha Stewart. (Of course, look at that presentation!)

Kiwi Summer Rolls.

I love rolls, but I've never made anything with the rice paper wrappers myself. And I've never used kiwi in a dish. Just plain. I do like it however.

I'll definitely have to try this. As you probably know by know, I love Thai and asian inspired food.

See the recipe here.

I'm a Fan of Chef Tom Colicchio

For the rest of you out there who are also fans, the New York Times has an interesting interview with Tom Colicchio. Colicchio owns the Craft chain of restaurants, including my absolute favorite restaurant ever Craft. He's also on the show Top Chef.

In this article, he discusses his West Village apartment (which he rents surprisingly), his family, his life, and of course cooking. He also recommends the one book no one should be without. Jacques Pépin’s book “La Technique.”

See Colicchio's own books on cooking here. He definitely espouses a philosphy about cooking and technique rather than recipes.

Read the complete article here.

Wow Dish: Baked Paprika Sweet Potato Fries

As a side to the veggie pulled chicken sandwich I had for dinner, I also baked some paprika sweet potato fries.

Another Wow! As you've probably noticed, I've labeled all my hit recipes a wow, that way you'll know what's best if you come searching for recipes. Just browse or search "Wow!" Plus, that way I can access them all easily when I'm putting together my list of meals for the week.

This blog is actually quite cookbook-like for me in that I can keep all my recipes together in one place. On occasion, I have also been known to have my laptop open on the kitchen counter next to me while I cook! I just can't touch it with sticky fingers!

As for these sweet potato fries, I actually tried two options tonight. I cut up one sweet potato (which went a surprisingly long way, PLENTY of fries for two people. Could've been stretched further even). With it, I tried two different options, both from The Kitchn - I think at this point my favorite go-to site for recipes since all of their stuff is so darn good!

Option A was the spicy option with chili pepper. Option B was with paprika. Both are tossed in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper. Be careful with the amount of oil you use however, as they seem to absorb it pretty easily.

The chili pepper was just okay, but the paprika just really amped up the natural taste of the sweet potato. Wow that was good!

I've tried sweet potato fries in the past and not liked them, but those weren't with paprika! Do note, however, that the centers do stay pretty soft, even once the outer edges get crispy. I actually cooked mine a bit longer than the recipe required.

Visit the Kitchn for the full recipe/instructions. I'm not a huge fan of rosemary so I didn't try that option, but I'd be curious to know what you think if you do.

Vegetarian Pulled Chicken Sandwich

Just had this It's All Good brand veggie barbecue pulled chicken on a grilled bun for dinner. Only two Weight Watchers points per serving. Two servings per box.

For all you vegetarians/vegans out there, I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for some variety. Or even if you aren't a vegetarian, but you want a low point meal, this is a good choice.

Is that jar in your fridge still any good?

Ever wonder whether a specific something in your fridge is still okay to eat? You're not alone. Personally, I wonder about that jar of opened salsa. (LOVE Green Mountain Gringo Salsa by the way!)

Well, stilltasty.com has an answer for you. Type the name of the item in question into the box on the top of their homepage, and you'll find an immediate answer looking something like the one below.

So turns out that the open jar of salsa is good in your fridge for a month! Now I know.

Yummy Tofu, Cashew and Boston Lettuce Salad

Another perk of yesterday's Tofu in Thai Peanut Sauce was having all that soft, leafy, nummy Boston lettuce left over. I mixed it with the leftover cashews and tofu from that same meal, plus a boiled egg, parm, and other veg, and voila! I had an awesome salad for lunch today!

Wow: Asparagus with lemon, almonds & parm

I was cooking dinner tonight and did a quick check to see how long I should steam the asparagus. In searching, I found this phenomenal recipe on how to get your asparagus just right. Instead of steaming or grilling, this recipe calls for parboiling.

Being somewhat of a novice, I didn't actually know what that was, but it turns out I do it all the time. It means boiling something in water that only covers the vegetable half way. That's how I do my corn too!

As a bonus, the recipe also recommends adding lemon rind and parmesan. The lemon rind was such a great addition. I've never cooked or baked with it before. I had already planned on adding almonds, so I included them as well!

See the complete recipe on Simply Recipes.

Single Serving Angel Food Cake

Many dieters choose angel food cake if they're going to indulge, but who's going to bake a whole cake when you just want one piece?

I just found a great solution to that problem. Single serving angel food cakes made in ramekins (those tiny little casserole dishes creme brulee is made in). See the recipe here.

Post via Cakeworks.

No Sugar Banana Bread

I'm not sure what's gotten into me, but I've been baking and cooking up a storm!!

So today I made a revised, diet-version of my mom's banana bread. I substituted the sugar with a sugar-free substitute called Ideal. I also replaced the 2 eggs with 1 egg and 2 egg whites.


In this case, I used chopped hazlenuts as that was surprisingly what was least expensive at the store.

It came out pretty well. Not as phenomenal as mom's original, but still pretty good. To help prevent over-indulging, I sliced and prepackaged each to grab and go for breakfast in the mornings.

Sugar-Free Banana Bread Recipe below:

3/4 c. artificial baking sweetner
1 egg + 2 egg whites
2 c. bisquick or other baking mix
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 mashed bananas
chopped nuts

Cream sugar and eggs. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add nuts and bananas. Mix. Pour into greased pan and bake @ 375 degrees for 35 min.

Enjoy!

Wow Meal: Tofu in Thai Peanut Sauce with Cashews and Boston Lettuce

Another wow meal that will definitely make it into our regular rotation. I adapted these chicken and cashews in lettuce cups from the Real Simple website.

My version included baked tofu sauteed in a thai peanut sauce with some crushed cashews sprinkled on top. The tofu was laid out on a bed of Boston lettuce over Thai lime pilaf.

I wasn't sure of the combination of the peanut sauce and the lime rice at first, but it really popped. And the texture and lightness of the Boston lettuce was a great compliment to the texture of the rest of the meal.

The Thai lime pilaf is a rice mixture with lime, coconut, ginger and lemon grass. I actually purchased it pre-packaged at Whole Foods. It's pictured below. I'd love to try more stuff from that same Tasty Bite brand.

Definitely try your own version. Alex had his with chicken. Since the rice was pre-cooked, the whole thing was super quick and easy.