A recent post by JazzyMom17 got me to thinking...she asked me what I wish I'd known before being banded.

Very good question - here's my response to her, plus a bit more information:

Your question is a great one - what do I wish I'd known before having surgery? I wish I'd known (I mean really KNOWN) that the weight isn't just going to fall off of me. The band is a tool - on an intellectual level I knew that, but on a heart and soul level initially - not so much!

I needed to figure out how to work WITH the band instead of expecting it to do the work FOR me.

I wish I'd known that eating slowly and focusing on protein first would be my eating style for the foreseeable future. Because we eat so much less, getting the protien in is essential.

I wish I'd had more "adjustable" clothes, or at least plans to make them adjustable. Elastic waists, while not exactly fashion-forward, are easier to deal with and adjust while you are losing.

I wish I'd known that my shoe size would change! I guess we don't realize we gain weight in our feet too!

I wish I'd known that I needed to replace all my underwire bras! I am full-busted (extremely) and underwires were my saving grace before surgery. I cannot wear them now, they rub against my surgery scars and irritate them. Don't buy too many though, because depending on where you lose your weight, you may need new ones within a few weeks!

I wish I'd developed a better exercise habit before I was banded. I used to be a regular exerciser, but fell off the wagon and blamed my "busy" life for it. Exercise is critical to your success as a bandster - just WALKING can bring you great results! I've been walking 30 minutes (minimum - I often get in more than that) since I was cleared to exercise after my operation, and I'm now making really good progress on my weight loss. Took me a while to figure it out, but...

I wish I had started eating according to the bandster rules (protein first, count portions, track everything that goes in my mouth) before I was banded. You don't necessarily have to limit your portions to post-banding portions (although if you can, that's great too), but get into the habit now of writing down what you eat - it will help you keep the habit once you're banded.

I wish I had started a regular exercise habit before being banded - even if you only start with 5 minutes, because each week you'll get stronger and by the time you're banded, you'll be in better shape, come through the surgery better, and be ready to start your new life!

I wish I'd planned for wardrobe changes earlier. I work in an office, so I must keep up a certain standard (at least I think so). I've never been one much for 'business casual' clothing - it's too hard to define and can be so subjectively interpreted. I love the principle of Capsule Wardrobing - taking 8 - 10 pieces and turning them into 20 different outfits. Between EBay, consignment shops, friends and family, I can minimize my clothing expenses and still look polished and professional. Once I get to my goal size, though - It's on and shopping!

I wish I'd thought more about journaling or keeping a diary during my transformation. I missed the first few weeks of my change in thought because I was too busy living it. Now, like with childbirth, it's tough to remember what it felt like initially. There are so many 'lightbulb' moments where I had flashes of understanding and I wish I'd written them down.

I wish I'd taken more progress photos - the recent finale show for the Biggest Loser showed progress photos taken every week by the contestants. There were little incremental changes, but WOW what an end result! I think a monthly schedule would be okay for a bandster, depending on their loss rate - perhaps someone losing more quickly would take photos more often - but as of right now, I'm taking photos on a monthly basis.

That's it for now - I think that's quite enough - but if you are reading this and have suggestions, please feel free to add them as comments so everyone who reads this post can learn and benefit from them.

As always - take good care of yourself, follow the bandster rules, and never forget that you are starting a Brand New Life! :smile:

Great job on posting. I agree with the food journal,diary for thoughts and the pictures. I have done all of those I just kind of fell into the food journal I just wrote it down one day and now its a everyday thing when I go to my room that is the first thing I'm reaching for. I also record my workout in my food journal I think its more of accountability for me. It keeps me honest with myself and what I've been doing to change and work on my health. Oh yeah the idea of it falling of I did the same thing like okay band, check, sugar free food, check smaller portions,small bites and healthy food, all check but the weight didnt come off. I started working out and do so about 4 to 5 times a week. It is a good idea to start asap I waited about a month before I did anything and it was horrible. I am usual good on the elliptical and thought that me first starting out I would be able to knock out 20 minutes with ease, I WAS WRONG!!! I got up to 10 minutes and 15 minutes occasionaly before I would be out of breath and tired. I mean it felt like I was sprinting the whole time. With the band its a learning and growing experience and to me its the best WLS. It makes you concious about you decisions and how well your body tolerates things. I love me band and wouldnt change the fact that I have it for anything. I however am at a stand still, I havent had a fill since my surgery which was in Feb. Although I havent had a fill and find myself taking in more food I make sure that I dont over do it and that I drink a lot of water as well exercise I am not gaining but sustaining at the time and thats good enough for me until I get my fill. ER the post was great. I think anybody that reads this will definately be informed and prepared about what to expect and what they endure when they are banded.

Thanks for the post. Some interesting thoughts to ponder. I hope the shoe thing turns out to be true for me too. I'm a size 11 and finding decent shoes in my size is almost as hard as finding decent clothes in my size. If I could just shrink my foot down 1 size shoe shopping would be such a pleasure. As for the journaling--well I've been blogging a couple of times a week. I definitely want to chronicle this entire experience, for myself as well as to hopefully help others who might be going through it later on.

Excellent post - I'll heed your good advice. Thanks for sharing! - mscarly

THat was an awesome outlook and though it all seems common sense once you read it, some things arent always that easy when you are on this roller coaster, so thank you for giving me something to think about....As of tomorrow I will be one month away from my surgery date...I am doing it on June 17 cause that is my halfway birthday (I am a december baby) and I want to see what can happen in 6 months...

I hope the shoe thing turns out to be true for me too. I'm a size 11 and finding decent shoes in my size is almost as hard as finding decent clothes in my size. If I could just shrink my foot down 1 size shoe shopping would be such a pleasure.

I definately hear ya on the shoes! I went shoe shopping today - I'm headed to Arkansas soon with my hubby and it's major league hot there, so...

I am now fitting into size 11 sandals with no hangover at the toe or heel. Hallelujah!

Have you checked EBay for shoes? I get a LOT of my shoes there...especially the sites designed for Crossdressers - you'll find lots of shoes in larger sizes there. Some are wider than others, and with anything, do your research on the seller before taking a chance, but when I buy shoes on EBay, I don't have to worry about seeing them on someone else.

I have read all your blogs and I thank you for all you common sense advice. I had fallen off the wagon and rejoined the banding life again.

Your journey has strengthened my motivation even more to succeed at this journey. The weight loss that you have accomplished is fine but your blogs put it into common sense explanations with everyday being an adventure.

Thank you again for posting on one of the threads that you had posted on that allowed me to see this blog.

Hi JollyGreen,

I saw one of your previous posts - you are indeed TALL! I'm right there with ya, and thanks so much for the kind comment on my blog.

I figure if I can help someone else on their journey, then I've repaid back some of the enormous benefits that have come to me...I feel really blessed and I'm so glad I did this!