Here is a great high protein ricotta recipe:

1 15 oz. container ricotta
4 eggs, beaten
4 c. shredded mozzarella
1/2 c. grated parmesan

Combine all ingredients well. Pour into baking dish sprayed with Pam.
Bake at 350 for approx. 40 minutes or until golden. 

This is very rich and a little serving goes a long way! You can also serve it as a side dish to family or friends - excellent!

take crushed pineapple packed in its on juice no sugar added and a little cinnamon. It takes like a dessert. It is really good.

     I would just like to give a shout out to all the past and present regular contributors to the PA board.  When I began this journey 3.5 years ago I would come on the board and read about what was happening in everyone else's life.  I got to share in the lives of some awesome people.  I know if I start naming people I will forget a few but I am going to try - Nan, Pam, Karen, Norm, Dennis, Katie, Nicole, Steffi, the girl who did the cooking class and has a gorgeous litle girl (sorry), Laureen, Arlene and then Lisa, Beth V., Ida, Trish, Jill, Jackie, etc..  I know that the board is not like it used to be.  I am not a Facebook person so the only way I know what is happening in the WLS community is by coming here.  I have gotten better at responding and posting this past year.  I guess you don't realize how much something means to you until it is no longer there.  If any of the old timers are still out there reading - THANK YOU.  You helped me in ways you will never know.  I hope that I have been able to pass along the torch to others.  

     I apologize in advance because I am sure that I have forgotten many names.  I hope that the world is treating all of you well and that you continue to pay it forward.  

Best Wishes,
Donna   

Nicole,

I did exactly what you are doing now, for many of the same reasons. . .  investigated what would work best for me, considered my options and ultimately choose to have RNY (I don't believe VSG was an option back at that time).  There are a few people in my support group who've had it and are doing amazing.  Ultimately, it is all about doing what we need to long-term.  The tool of WLS helps us achieve a certain result, but then it is up to us to maintain and continue on and let's be honest, most of us failed miserably when it came to the maintenance phase of whatever "new diet" we utilized to lose weight.  As for friends who give us input, very simply listen to your inner voice and you will know what you are doing is right for you.  Oftentimes, well meaning as they are, friends/family/acquaintances think they know what is best for us, then there will be the naysayers who will tell you that I know so and so who had WLS and gained all their weight back. . . well that does happen, but as I stated earlier, if you are committed to changing, you will be living life in a healthier, richer and more engaged fashion.

I wish you well as you progress on this journey towards healthy and richer living!

Laureen

 I'm an RNY post op but some of your concerns are common to all types of weight los surgery so let me jump in...hopefully others will share opinions too.

It is very common to have friends and acquaintances tell us we are "not that heavy" or don't need to go the surgical route. You cannot base your decision on the opinion of others - it is strictly between you and your primary care doc and your surgeon. Some will agree, some will disagree, and you may hear all kinds of crazy (false!) information trying to persuade you to change your mind. 

You say you have not taken care of yoursel fover the years by eating regularly, etc. Your surgeon and insurance company will want a diet history of your attempts to lose weight, as well as verification from your primary care doctor that obesity is a long term problem for you. Many insurance companies require documentation of a 6 month doctor supervised weight loss program as part of the approval process. So if there is any doubt that you could do it anohter way but just haven't tried yet, that pretty much takes care of it. 

As for which surgery to consider, it looks as if you are doing your research. Your surgeon will also play a key role as he/she may have a strong recommendation one way or the other. THe doctor I worked with did not recommend lap band for me and in fact had stopped doing that procedure. You are right, it seems to be pretty high maintenance, but you will find some who have had good success with it. 

Part of your research needs to be on long term effects. VSG is (I believe) a relatively new procedure, but there are many longer term post ops out there who have had other types of weight loss surgery. Common concerns in the long run are (1) being sure you keep up with post op labs and blood work, and taking any recommended vitamins, (2) transfer addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling), and (3) making the necessary permanent changes in eating and lifestyle to avoid regain. 

There is much to consider as you head down this road! Best of luck!