PattyGirl66

Oh you are quite welcome! I am working on a valentine's day desert and will post soon! keep on the look out, LOL

I have to agree with every single post from my lapband peers above. I have family members, including my own brother who had gastric bypass and all have so many medical issues that is very scary. all have gained all of their weight back, except 1. For me personally, I wanted something less invasive and if there were going to be any problems what so ever, I have the option to get it out. That doesn't happen with the other surgeries. So many out there saying "oh you lose so much more weight with the other surgeries", NOT true! We banders are losing at the same rate as those other surgeries, my very own surgeon told me over a week ago that I am losing as fast as someone who had gastric bypass or the sleeve. Heres another 'tool' they don't have, a band .... because with this band if we fall off or happen to go back to old habits.. we got the tool to help us get back on track. You don't get that with the other surgeries.

I really love hearing from the "long term" lapbanders. It helps to give us all insight on how well the band still functions, and its possible longevity. Thanks so much for sharing

I am doing the happy dance right along with you girlfriend!!! I couldn't be happier for you! You are rocking this band! soooooooooooo proud of you! xooxoxoxooxoox

Congratulations!!! fantastic looking, great job!!!

I love your sparkly valentines day gif art.... I have to find a sparkly one now, LOL

Awesome!!! great job! You will get there!!! Congratulations, and continued success!

Exactly, and for everyone who is banded or not banded, etc... You need to listen to your body, what it wants/needs. You are the only person in the world that can make yourself a weight loss success story. NO one can tell you what to do or how to do it, ONLY YOU! I have listened and read from my peers on here, that is the beauty of this site we have, however at the end of the day it is about YOU and how YOU make it work! I have a motto, what works for YOU does NOT neccessarily mean it is gonna work for ME. I do respect my fellow bandsters opinions, and believe me they have some pretty darn great advice to offer. We learn from experiencing, through trials and tribulations. I myself have found my nitch in weight loss by following the same experience with one of my besties on here. I then took my experience and made it my very own, that works for me.... (you see my weight loss) that is hard work "I" put in, not magic) Do what works for you...

Hi MissV, Honestly, everyone has different required tastes when it comes to Protein powders. I spent tons of money (wasted) down the drain buying these types of powders. Your best bet is start low end, like Walmart for instance - They sell a 2lb tub of Pure Protein chocolate Powder for $19.99. Or you can go on unjury.com and order the samples. Everyone raves about their chocolate splendor protein powder. You can also go to any GNC store, if you don't like it, you can bring it back. I have even heard that Primere Protein drinks from Costco/BJs is very good too. Best of luck,

Sending good karma your way........

This is the willpower you are going to need once banded! YOU did great! Keep up the wonderful job (hugs)

Yup, you sure can ..

I am sharing my recipe with you all - I do not have the nutrionial facts for this. I make this twice a year because my family/friends request I make it. I love cooking/baking and it does nothing more than to watch people enjoy my foods. I am sure you can tweak my ingredients, I won't be doing that because as I said I only make it twice a year. Its very light tasting, exceptionally moist, and deeeelish! Perfect for anyone who loveeees Pistachio! INGREDIENTS: 1 Box of white cake mix 3 eggs 1 package of chopped pistachios 2 boxes (3oz.) of instant pistachio pudding mix 3/4th cup of vegetable oil 1 tub of cool whip (keep the cool whip in fridge while cake is baking) 1 cup of sprite or any lemon-lime soda DIRECTIONS: Beat cake mix, oil, soda, eggs, and 1 package of the pistachio pudding mix until smooth. Pour batter into greased/floured 9x13 inch pan and bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes or until cake is done. When the cake is completely cooled, In a separate bowl pour about half package or less of the other instant pudding mix into the cool whip (you want it a light green color not too dark) spread the cool whip over the cake and sprinkle the pistachio nuts over the cool whip. (l like to do crushed and chopped pistachio over the cake). (refridgerate)

Gorgeous!! Congratulations!!!!

I am a bit skeptic about it, but honestly I will try anything. I was actually going to start doing the wraps now to see if I can tell any difference at all. I notice my skin moving all over now from exercising. I still have a long way to go on the weight loss, but hey I will fight this tooth and nail if I have to!!! Thanks for sharing

Hi Erin, Its not the easy way out, and soon your Dad will see that by all the hard work and effort you will be putting into this to lose weight, and more importantly stay healthy.. Best wishes,

Yes, I make my famous pistachio cake that has 1 cup of sprite in it. Once mixed with the batter the carbanation (bubbles) disolve....

ohh sounds deeeelish!!!! You believe i don't own a crock pot, wtf is wrong with me....LOL

Cover the chicken, whether it be on the stove top or in the oven, it has to be covered to lock in the moisture. Add sauces, marinades, cheeses, ricotta, low fat Soups, broth, alfredo sauces (low fat), . there are tons of ways to make chicken. Look for low fat recipes out there you can experiment with. The key is to keep the chicken moist and juicy. don't over cook it, many people overcook their chicken that is why it drys out. Thin sliced chicken cutlets/breast should cook no more than 15-20 minutes in the oven. Another tidbit, is to not cut the chicken up when cooking it, leave it in one piece, then cut when done. Check out these low fat recipe sites : www.skinnytaste.com www.emilybites.com www.sparkrecipes.com www.smartbalance.com

Tricia, you look fantastic!! You are like the incredible shrinking woman!! Congratulations, keep up the great job!!!!

<--- gonna rub it in.. Edy's makes these really great real fruit bars 50 calories for 1, 12 grams carb/sugar ... LOLOL (ducking)

Hi Cynthia, If you are going to have regular sugar in your diet you must keep in mind that you need to track it has calories and carbs. Very important because you can easily go over in both, especially calories if you dont track. I do not eat sugar free foods of any kind because I can't tolerate the sweetners ,it really makes me sick. However, I am religious about tracking everything I put into my mouth. It is what works for me and this is why I am pretty successful with my weight loss. Just becareful what you consume, sugars are empty calories that can easily add up without knowing if you don't track... You can download any weight loss tracker app to your phone, such as Lose it or my fitness pal. both are great! Best of luck,

I found this list of high protein foods and thought I would post it for you.... (you can find many more other foods with protein) such as cheese, reduced fat, ricotta part skim, etc....) Your best bet is also to always read the nutritional facts so you are getting adequate proteins for the day. If i don't reach my protein for the day I would find it in other foods or add it to my foods so that it adds up at the end of the day. Poultry 1. chicken, light meat only Amount: 4 ounces, cooked Protein (g): 35.1 Fat (g): 5.1 Calories: 196 2. Turkey breast, deli, skinless Amount: 1 ounce, sliced Protein (g): 6 Fat (g): <2 Calories: 25 Beef 3. Sirloin top steak, broiled, lean only Amount: 4 ounces, cooked Protein (g): 34.4 Fat (g): 9.1 Calories: 229 Fish 4. Salmon, fresh, Atlantic farmed, baked, broiled Amount: 4 ounces, cooked Protein (g): 25 Fat (g): 14 Calories: 234 5. Trout, rainbow, fresh, farmed, baked, broiled Amount: 4 ounces, cooked Protein (g): 27.5 Fat (g): 8.2 Calories: 192 6. Tuna, bluefin, fresh, baked, broiled Amount: 4 ounces, cooked Protein (g): 33.9 Fat (g): 7.1 Calories: 209 7. Tuna, canned, solid light in Water Amount: 4 ounces, drained Protein (g): 26 Fat (g): 1 Calories: 120 Dairy 8. Milk, fat free Amount: 8 ounces Protein (g): 8.4 Fat (g): 0.4 Calories: 86 Soy, Nuts, eggs, Beans 9. Black beans, canned Amount: 1/2 cup Protein (g): 7 Fat (g): 0 Calories: 80 10. Boca Burger, Vegan Amount: 1 patty Protein (g): 18 Fat (g): 2.5 Calories: 130 11. Egg, hard boiled Amount: 1 large Protein (g): 6.2 Fat (g): 5 Calories: 74 12. Egg, white only Amount: 1 large Protein (g): 3.5 Fat (g): 0 Calories: 17 13. Peanut Butter, creamy Amount: 2 tablespoons Protein (g): 7.9 Fat (g): 16 Calories: 188 14. Soybeans, green, boiled, drained Amount: 1/2 cup Protein (g): 11.1 Fat (g): 5.8 Calories: 127 15. Tofu, raw, firm Amount: 1/2 cup Protein (g): 19.9 Fat (g): 11 Calories: 183

Vomiting blood is considered an emergency.. if it were me I would be running to the ER, I would cal my surgeon there to meet me.... Just my opinion. Keep us posted...