Davasha, Try contacting Kirk Thompson Alias- CROW -450# Lost He should have posted in your local state board today. He's presently monitoring a Physician Chat. Dx

Check out the chat with Dr. Shawn Garber going on right now. Clear answers to alot of questions Dx

Hey Nancy, Go back to the main entrance and go to the recipe forum. E-mail Patti B. or Cathy Hoffman, If these ladies don't have the recipe, I'd be shocked. Dx

Statistically, the RNY is more successful due to the mal-absorption coupled with the restriction of available stomach space. The Lap Band does introduce a foreign substance into your body where as the RNY is far more invasive. The RNY is considered "the Gold Standard," to quote the RNY company line. I originally was seeking a Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, but ended up going with the RNY after extensive research. I think it is a very personal decision- Dx

The 7 years to digest is an "old wives tale." If it doesn't block the stoma out of your pouch, it will pass on through. It never really digests, but it will pass on. Dx

Valerie, The Unjury protein powder is great and can be added to anything. I was on PROMOTE. You can get it from the Pharmacy, but they may have to order it. It's a FULL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT; 18.5 grams of protein in each 8oz can, along with all of the vitamins and micronutrients needed to keep you going. It's what they poured into my feeding tube at the hospital. I use the Vanilla. It's smooth and doesn't have that chalky taste. It's what they give Chemo patients who can't keep anything else down. Hope you find one for you- Dx

OK Ken, Obviously an Excellent post! I was always addicted to food, but now that my WLS has taken care of that, I'm still addicted to cooking. We entertain a lot and I love cooking huge meals for a party of 20 or more. All the while I was recuperating (Extreme complications 2 months in a recliner) I watched Food Network constantly. Now that I'm back up and running I still watch and try new twists on the dishes I see there. My wife also asked me why I would torture myself. It doesn't make me hungry to watch, it's just fun. I Love Mario Batali, for everything he cooks, Bobby Flay's Southwest fusion, Alton Brown, for his quirky Science experiment take on cooking, Rachael Ray, who I believe I could beat in a side by side speed test, (I'm a fast cook), Sara Moulton for all of the helpful hints on Sara's Secrets, Tyler Florence, just a bit, some times he comes off as a little ****y, And Iron Chef is hysterically funny to me. There is still the History Channel and those of us who watch Trading Places- Another time- Dx

Hey Mary Jo, I just crush mine, pour the powder on my tongue and rinse it down with a little water. Like a "BC Powder." I have found this far easier than mixing them with a liquid and then trying to drink it. Wishing you the best- Dx

Great for you Randall, I tried but still I don't have a taste for it. Only cooked with some ricotta in my eggplant, noodle-less lasagna. It is funny how our tastes change. Happy health- Dx

Great News Steve! It just gets better! Keep up the good work- Dx

David, With that amount of exercise you're probably gaining muscle mass. Since muscle weighs more than fat this could be some of it. I'm 11months out 6'1" and am down 157lbs I'm now at 213lbs and my goal is 185lbs. All along the way I would hit plateaus and then for no apparent reason I would start dropping again. How far from goal are you? At only 8months out you still have about 10 good months of "prime" losing time left. Don't get discouraged, just keep on keepin' on- Dx

Hey Ramon, I was at 385lbs when I first started towards surgery and at 370lbs on the day of my surgery (08/04-22/03. I had severe complications so I had a few surgeries right in a row. Even finding my start date there is a little sketchy. I'm now down to 213lbs as of 08/01/04. I'm counting it as a loss of 157lbs. from my surgery weight. But it would sound better to figure it as 172lbs down from the original 385lbs. Either way, I'm happy as can be, and the weight is still falling. Wishing you the best- Dx