AnnetteT

I didn't care for Ensure. I tried many types of protein powder, but Designer Whey is my favorite. I buy the vanilla and then add a little sugar free pudding mix to change the flavors up. My favorite is vanilla protein powder, strawberries and a tsp. of sugar free cheesecake pudding mix blended with unsweetened almond milk. It tastes like a milkshake. You can make so many combinations by switching up the fruits and flavored puddings.

I get most of my recipes from emilybites. I've also gotten a few from Rachel Ray's recipes. Apparently the muffin tin recipes are quite popular now because if you google them you will find tons of ideas. Not all are healthy, but if you play with the recipe and make some substitutions you can bring the calorie count way down. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the recipes.

I love using the muffin tin recipes. On Sunday nights I make a few batches and then I don't have to cook all week. I just finished this weeks meals...scrambled egg cups, french dip and meatloaf muffins. I love that they are the perfect portions. I add a salad or steamed veggies and I'm all set. They freeze well too!

I ended up making that too....OMG it was delicious. My bf went nuts over dinner. He had no idea they were all light recipes. The chicken parm was very filling. I only ate 1/2 muffin. I also made the hash brown, egg and sausage muffins...we have Breakfast for the next 6 days.

Chicken parm and zucchini tots from the emilybites website...love her recipes!

In my pre op class, the nurse stressed what a valuable resource LBT was. I went home, signed up, and I've been hooked ever since. My fill nurse has also referred to the site on several occasions.

I was banded on March 1, 2012. I am very thankful for my lap band. It has helped me to get off of all diabetes meds after being on 7 insulin shots per day. I always wondered what the green zone or sweet spot felt like. I've done great with my band, but it took me until this weeks fill to finally understand what all the fuss was about. The band has helped me lose over 100 pounds, but I'd hit a 6 month plateau. Well now I feel like I've finally had the aha moment. I see just how wonderful this tool is. Those of you who have been having trouble finding the green zone...be patient. It took me 17 months of small fills to find it. I lost most of my excess weight by eating by my band rules and exercising despite not being in the green zone. Now I feel like there is hope for me to lose the last 40 to put me at goal. It's been one week and I feel like a different person! I rarely think about food, i don't snack and I'm having no trouble sticking to correct portions. I feel so blessed to have this wonderful tool that has helped me get my health back. Thanks for listening fellow bandsters!

I was finally able to switch doctors which also got me a new fill nurse. She is phenomenal! She was aggressive with my first fill and then tweaked it monthly til we hit the perfect spot. My previous doctor spent 12 months giving me 1/4 to 1/2 cc every 6-8 weeks. I am so thankful I switched.

Hi Tisha...I had my surgery in March 2012 at St. Mary's. I live about an hour or so from Richmond. I'm not a newbie but would definitely like a band buddy. How are you doing since surgery? I will PM you my email if you're interested. Annette

I live about an hour from Richmond. I had my surgery at St. Mary's Hospital. I highly recommend their Bariatric staff. My fill nurse is amazing! I don't know what their policy is regarding fills for patients banded by other doctors, but if they are able to see you...ask for Mia.

I started carb cycling on Monday and have lost 5 pounds. Thanks to Mis for starting this thread. I'm so thankful I finally gave it a try.

There is a previous post called Protein shakes (a must see) that has quite a few recipes for delicious shakes using sf pudding mixes and other basic ingredients. I have tried almost all of them and they are absolutely delicious.

I had my surgery at St. Mary's 14 months ago. The staff was wonderful. What doctor do you see?

Praying you will get fantastic news today and that your levels will continue to go down

Please let me know how it is. I looked at that same brand when I was in Richmond for my adjustment. I ended up getting Designer Whey. I like it, but I like to try a new brand each month. Hope you're doing great. I'm still hoping we can meet for coffee sometime soon.

Good luck to you...I know what you're going thru. I was on 7 insulin shots a day when I started the pre op liver shrinking diet. By the morning of surgery I was off of my shots and my readings were perfect. They had planned on giving me an injection the morning of surgery, but my reading was 97. Thirteen months later I'm still insulin free. I pray you have the same fantastic results. To me the surgery saved me from being a diabetic...everything else has been a wonderful bonus. Good luck and I'll be praying for you!!!

Back then I weighed 288 so I blamed being tired all of the time on that. It didn't happen every night...but often enough to scare me. I can only imagine how crazy I looked to my brother. My roommate never realized what was going on because we were rarely at home at the same time. I do miss that great sleep!

I was on it for a couple of years. I slept like a baby. Then I realized what I was occasionally doing while sleeping. I used to get up in the mornings and there would be all of this food cooked and put away in the fridge...I thought wow, what a great cook my roommate is. When my roommate moved out the food would still appear in my fridge. One night my brother was visiting and he said I got up around 2 am and proceeded to make a huge pot of vegetable soup, fixed us each a bowl, washed the dishes and then put it all away. I woke the next morning and asked him if he had trouble sleeping since he had been cooking in the middle of the night. Needless to say he thought I had lost my mind. For 2 years I was cooking in the middle of the night with absolutely no memory of it.

Did u transfer to his new location in Short Pump? I stayed at the St. Mary's office and have a new doctor now.

I've had a few complications over the last few months. Hopefully they have me back on track now. I go back for an adjustment on Wednesday. I have done very well...lost 104 pounds and been insulin free for over a year now. Before banding I was on 7 insulin shots a day. What part of Richmond are you in?

I live in Montross...near Tappahannock

I would also like to email some fellow Virginia bandsters. The extra support would be great!

Hi! I live about an hour and a half from Richmond. I do drive up for my lapband appointments. I had my surgery on March 1, 2012 at St. Mary's. what dr/hospital did you use?

I want to purchase an elliptical to use at home. Does anyone have suggestions on brands? I am trying not to spend a huge amount.

Thanks Lee...I've been banded for 1 year...lost 104 pounds...I've been insulin free since the day of surgery (after taking 7 shots a day for 4 years) and my blood pressure is now perfect. I've never felt better! The band is the best present I ever gave myself... Thanks for the encouragement!!!