PattyGirl66

I am extremely excited to announce that I got approved by my insurance company! I am going to be an official bandster in april I cannot wait for this journey to begin even though I feel as if it already has. I would like to thank everyone on this forum for inspiring me to take this journey. Woo hoo April 2013 bandster for life

Remember that weigh loss with the lapband is a journey. You have to learn to live a new lifestyle.

Whether or not you keep the weight off long term is entirely up to you. I know many people who've been great successes for years, but likewise I know many who gained all their weight back. The difference is, the ones who keep it off also maintain healthy eating habits. The ones who gain it back revert back to their old unhealthy ways.
The band isn't meant to limit your intake, by the way. It's job is not to physically stop you from eating nor to control how much you eat. That's a big misconception. The band is to help you feel satisfied on less food for much longer periods of time- which is does exceptionally well once you reach the point optimal Fluid in your band.
Have a look at this link, it will explain it in great detail. It's called The Lap Band is NOT about Restriction, by Dr. Simpson: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html
Best wishes!

I know many many of us can relate to this. I had the same fears as you, and still do. That will probably never go away.
Now, I can only speak for myself regarding restriction with my band. I have never had a fill and I guess you can say I am in what everyone calls the 'green zone', for now. I am going to be honest to say that I still have cravings, and sometimes want to shovel things in my mouth. I just don't.
Knowing I have this band around my stomache, for me puts things into perspective. I simply don't want to hurt myself, my band, and most importantly my health. These things 'steer' me in the right direction so that I can be successful. Like any wls you will always have to watch what you eat so that you don't gain back the weight, it will always be work and effort, you have to help the 'tool' in order to make this happen, and it will....

I know many many of us can relate to this. I had the same fears as you, and still do. That will probably never go away.
Now, I can only speak for myself regarding restriction with my band. I have never had a fill and I guess you can say I am in what everyone calls the 'green zone', for now. I am going to be honest to say that I still have cravings, and sometimes want to shovel things in my mouth. I just don't.
Knowing I have this band around my stomache, for me puts things into perspective. I simply don't want to hurt myself, my band, and most importantly my health. These things 'steer' me in the right direction so that I can be successful. Like any wls you will always have to watch what you eat so that you don't gain back the weight, it will always be work and effort, you have to help the 'tool' in order to make this happen, and it will....

I've been reading from the forums for about 3 weeks and I have had a lot of my questions answered, I want to add that I love how supportive and straight forward most of you are.
I've waited to post any thing because I have been waiting to make sure that I would be able to get the band. My surgery date is April 5th, I'm self pay and this has been in the works for a while, my husband and I hate using credit or having payments so we've saved for this. I'm very excited my DH is very supportive I'm surprised i'm not more nervous.
I'm really looking forward to learning from all of you and you don't know it but you all have helped me already!

I've struggled my entire 30 years of life with my weight. Diet after diet. I'd lose a pound here and there,but never permanently... I started this weight loss journey last February. Going to seminars, watching YouTube videos, doing research. I knew the Lapband was for me!!! I had to recently lose 40pounds to qualify within a 6month period, per my insurance request. I lost the weight!!! Today, my dr office called saying I'VE BEEN APPROVED FOR MY SURGERY!!! May 6th 2013 is the day for me!! Im beyond excited. I have to be on a 3week liquid pre op diet.,That im not happy about, lol. But the NEW ME WILL BE!
ANewMe428

Very normal! Focus on keeping hydrated, as your new stomach heals each day you will be able to add more Protein.
(hugs)

i am putting this out there....its not the best but i like watching these shows..
i hate HATE honey booboo..
i love dance moms
i love rupauls drag race (if you cant love yourself, how the hell can you love someone else)
i love hells kitchen
i love the celebrity apprentice
there i said it...

30 days and counting I know it seems far away but the day are getting closer!! <3

Generally speaking, if you can be satisfied on a cup or less food without hunger for at least 4 hours, you don't need another fill. If you find yourself still hungry after a cup of food or you can't go at least 4 hours without hunger, you probably need another fill.
Discuss it with your doctor because he's the authority and expert.

Sounds great... thanks for the input!

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Thanks for the post ! I will be trying several

Hey Everyone, I've searched high and low to find the BEST tasting Protein Shake recipes for us! I just purchased the new NutriBullet Nutrition System and am having fun looking for healthy Protein shakes. I am going to start incorporating fresh veggies and will post as I go along. Many of these recipes I have already tried and LOVE!
These Protein shake recipes can be 'doctored' taylored to your liking, don't be afraid to experiment (that's what I do)! *some recipes you may add ice or not* this is entirely up to you the way you like your shake...
Hope you all enjoy!

Protein Shake Recipes






Chunky Monkey
8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 Scoop chocolate Protein powder
1/8 cup Walnuts
½ of a small banana

strawberry & banana smoothie

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 Scoop of vanilla Protein Powder
½ small Banana
3 Strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Banana Split

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
½ small Banana
1/8cup of chopped Pineapples
2 Strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Blueberry Smoothie

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
½ Cup of Fresh or Frozen Blueberries

Chocolate Covered Cherries

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
10 Fresh or Frozen Cherries
1 tsp. of cherry flavored extract or sugar free Torani Syrup (optional)


pumpkin Pie

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tbs. Sugar Free Vanilla pudding Mix
½ cup canned Pumpkin
½ tsp. pumpkin Spice

Mochachinno

8 oz. cold coffee
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
3 ice cubes

Pina Colada

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
¼ cup of Pineapples (fresh or frozen)
1 tbs. of Coconut extract or Torani syrup

Butterfinger

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
1tbs. Peanut Butter or PB2 Powder
1 tbs. Sugar Free Butterscotch Pudding Mix
3 ice cubes

Cherry Vanilla

8 oz. Skim or Almond milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
6 Maraschino Cherries
1 tbs. French Vanilla Torani Syrup or Vanilla extract

Caramel Chocolate

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
1 tbs. Caramel Torani Syrup (sugar free)
3 ice cubes

Lemmon Meringue Pie

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tbs. of Sugar Free Lemon Pudding mix
½ tsp. Lemon extract (optional)
3 ice cubes

Pistachio Cake

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tbs. Sugar Free Pistachio Pudding Mix
1/8 cup of Pistachios (optional)
3 ice cubes

Strawberry Cheesecake

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 tbs. of sugar free cheesecake pudding mix
4 fresh or frozen strawberries
3 ice cubes

Mango Madness

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup fresh or frozen mangos
3 ice cubes

Carrot Cake

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup fresh or frozen sliced carrots
1 Tablespoon low fat Cream cheese
½ tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg

Peach Cobbler

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
¼ cup frozen or fresh peaches
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg

Red Velvet

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 small beet

Mudslide

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1 tbs. chocolate sugar free pudding mix
1 tbs. sugar free Kahlua syrup
3 ice cubes

Almond Joy

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. coconut extract
1/8 cup raw almonds (optional)
3 ice cubes

Hey Everyone, I've searched high and low to find the BEST tasting Protein Shake recipes for us! I just purchased the new NutriBullet Nutrition System and am having fun looking for healthy Protein shakes. I am going to start incorporating fresh veggies and will post as I go along. Many of these recipes I have already tried and LOVE!
These Protein shake recipes can be 'doctored' taylored to your liking, don't be afraid to experiment (that's what I do)! *some recipes you may add ice or not* this is entirely up to you the way you like your shake...
Hope you all enjoy!

Protein Shake Recipes






Chunky Monkey
8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 Scoop chocolate Protein powder
1/8 cup Walnuts
½ of a small banana

strawberry & banana smoothie

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 Scoop of vanilla Protein Powder
½ small Banana
3 Strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Banana Split

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
½ small Banana
1/8cup of chopped Pineapples
2 Strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Blueberry Smoothie

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
½ Cup of Fresh or Frozen Blueberries

Chocolate Covered Cherries

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
10 Fresh or Frozen Cherries
1 tsp. of cherry flavored extract or sugar free Torani Syrup (optional)


pumpkin Pie

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tbs. Sugar Free Vanilla pudding Mix
½ cup canned Pumpkin
½ tsp. pumpkin Spice

Mochachinno

8 oz. cold coffee
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
3 ice cubes

Pina Colada

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
¼ cup of Pineapples (fresh or frozen)
1 tbs. of Coconut extract or Torani syrup

Butterfinger

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
1tbs. Peanut Butter or PB2 Powder
1 tbs. Sugar Free Butterscotch Pudding Mix
3 ice cubes

Cherry Vanilla

8 oz. Skim or Almond milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
6 Maraschino Cherries
1 tbs. French Vanilla Torani Syrup or Vanilla extract

Caramel Chocolate

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
1 tbs. Caramel Torani Syrup (sugar free)
3 ice cubes

Lemmon Meringue Pie

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tbs. of Sugar Free Lemon Pudding mix
½ tsp. Lemon extract (optional)
3 ice cubes

Pistachio Cake

8 oz. Skim or Almond Milk
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tbs. Sugar Free Pistachio Pudding Mix
1/8 cup of Pistachios (optional)
3 ice cubes

Strawberry Cheesecake

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 tbs. of sugar free cheesecake pudding mix
4 fresh or frozen strawberries
3 ice cubes

Mango Madness

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup fresh or frozen mangos
3 ice cubes

Carrot Cake

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup fresh or frozen sliced carrots
1 Tablespoon low fat Cream cheese
½ tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg

Peach Cobbler

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
¼ cup frozen or fresh peaches
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg

Red Velvet

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 small beet

Mudslide

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1 tbs. chocolate sugar free pudding mix
1 tbs. sugar free Kahlua syrup
3 ice cubes

Almond Joy

8 oz. skim or almond milk
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. coconut extract
1/8 cup raw almonds (optional)
3 ice cubes

For anyone who loves muffin recipes- This is an Easy on the go food - can be frozen once done.
This is a small batch I made (3 Muffins) You can double the recipe up to make 6 or more.

*Get creative, you can add any meats to this such as diced up ham, tuna fish, ground turkey, etc*


Ingredients:
5 oz. can of chicken Breast (or you can use grilled chicken finely chopped)
1 whole egg/1 egg white
1/8 cup of celery (finely diced)
1/8 cup of shredded chedder cheese (reduced fat) or (any reduced fat cheese)
pinch of onion powder
pinch of chicken seasoning (optional)
Non-stick spray
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 -
spray 3 muffin cups with non-stick spray
In a bowl mix all ingredients, pour mixture into a well greased muffin cup (3) , place in oven for about 20-25 minutes.
Nutritional facts for ONE Chicken Muffin: (if you eat 2 just add on below)
Calories: 100
Fat: 3.7
Carbs: 1.2
Protein: 15.3

For anyone who loves muffin recipes- This is an Easy on the go food - can be frozen once done.
This is a small batch I made (3 Muffins) You can double the recipe up to make 6 or more.

*Get creative, you can add any meats to this such as diced up ham, tuna fish, ground turkey, etc*


Ingredients:
5 oz. can of chicken Breast (or you can use grilled chicken finely chopped)
1 whole egg/1 egg white
1/8 cup of celery (finely diced)
1/8 cup of shredded chedder cheese (reduced fat) or (any reduced fat cheese)
pinch of onion powder
pinch of chicken seasoning (optional)
Non-stick spray
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 -
spray 3 muffin cups with non-stick spray
In a bowl mix all ingredients, pour mixture into a well greased muffin cup (3) , place in oven for about 20-25 minutes.
Nutritional facts for ONE Chicken Muffin: (if you eat 2 just add on below)
Calories: 100
Fat: 3.7
Carbs: 1.2
Protein: 15.3

All of my overweight life I never had a 'big' face. In fact, it was probably one of the smallest parts of my body. Last year after finding out I had a thyroid problem I had gained 65 lbs in 5 months. The weight this time went to my face (not all of it of course), it was the first time I had to LOOK at my once small face and see how disfigured it looked. It is still hard for me to see the photos without tearing up, but I wanted to share the difference weight loss has made in the shape of my face, as I continue to keep losing....

All of my overweight life I never had a 'big' face. In fact, it was probably one of the smallest parts of my body. Last year after finding out I had a thyroid problem I had gained 65 lbs in 5 months. The weight this time went to my face (not all of it of course), it was the first time I had to LOOK at my once small face and see how disfigured it looked. It is still hard for me to see the photos without tearing up, but I wanted to share the difference weight loss has made in the shape of my face, as I continue to keep losing....

<---- Checking in / Down 2 LBs / weight 268

.....You know you thought about it.

<---- Checking in / Down 2 LBs / weight 268

You look fantastic!!! You are doing really really great!

<---- Checking in / Down 2 LBs / weight 268