Sojourner

My band is currently unfilled. If you don't want to gain weight, you must continue to follow the Bandster diet, limit your portions to what the diet allows, and continue to follow the dietary restrictions, along with getting in reasonable amounts of exercise. The risk of erosion from carbonation would continue even with an unfilled band. Just because your band is unfilled does not mean that you allow yourself to return to your previous lifestyle with eating. I have quite a lot of restriction even with my band unfilled. I don't want to gain weight, so I continue to be compliant with eating like I should. I am unable to tolerate the same list of foods I was before my band was unfilled.

Not being able to drink any fluids is a potentially dangerous situation. Dehydration is a risk that can put you in the hospital. I would definitely call your surgeon's office and ask for their opinion. Sometimes the restriction will ease after a day or so,, however not being able to have even Water is not acceptable. It reads to me that you are too tight. Call your physician ASAP.

The first month to 6 weeks is for healing. It reads like you may be weighing yourself too often. If you weigh yourself too often, you might be setting yourself up for unnecessary negative feelings about a sense of lack of progress with weight loss. And there are also weight loss plateaus which you likely will encounter along the way. The message here is that continuing to do the right things with healthy food choices, portion control, and exercise will in the long run allow you to lose weight. The band has taught me the life lesson of patience like no other experience. Stay the course, and you will see your progress. Best wishes for a successful journey...

Terri is Pentagon City the mall in VA that you can see the Washington Monument from? I remember being there years ago and observing the July 4th fireworks around the monument years ago. They will have a Nordstrom's in both Tampa and Orlando...I'll be in town in time to go there during their big sale...I love the way they do their pre season sale in July.

I can also relate to having this habit that I needed to break if I wanted to be successful with losing weight. A few ideas which helped me, as others have suggested, make getting that snack more difficult. Be on a different floor of the house from the food. If you take a spoon of Peanut Butter, put the spoon in the dishwasher so you have additional steps to go through before you have your snack. It gives you an opportunity to rethink if you really want that snack. Find something ELSE to do with your hands while watching tv. I don't watch it much, but when I do I usually am working on a counted cross stitch project. It takes my mind off of wanting a snack. You are correct if you believe that much snacking happens from being bored. Only snack on healthy food, and try to make certain that your snack contains Protein. It will hold your hunger at bay for longer and you add protein grams to your daily intake. Get all of your desired Snacks out of your house. That way, not only would getting the snack involve going downstairs, you would also need to go to the store. Learn how to separate authentic hunger from "head hunger". I usually will drink some Water, get busy with a project to distract me. If in 30 minutes my feelings of hunger are still present then I know I need to eat something. Then I choose wisely, like a teaspoon of peanut butter. Place a limit on yourself as to how many snacks you are allowed per day. When you reach your liit, you are done. Period. I will allow myself 2 snacks a day. One in the afternoon between lunch and dinner(usually plain low fat cottage cheese), and my evening snack,is usually Greek yogurt with PB2 in it or 1-2 teaspoons of peanut butter. Under no circumstances should you ever bring the entire bag or container to where you are sitting, because then you cannot be mindful of the portion you are eating, and likely will eat way more than you should. Know what your trigger foods are, and avoid them. Some people cannot control their portion of peanut butter as an example. Avoid that as a snack if you are uncertain if you can place a limit on yourself and adhere to it. I hope some of this helps. It't really all about changing your relationship with food, and learning to eat to live rather than living to eat. Or finding solace and comfort in food. If you are turning to food as a coping mechanism to manage stress, opt for some exercise instead. Exercise is a great stress reducer, it creates endorphins and you burn extra calories. It's really a win-win. Best wishes...

Terri...off to the hot concrete jungle...stay cool! What mall(s) will you be walking? I miss a real mall being close by, but I guess that's a great way to save money. Stay cool... Diane, I'm not aware of the differences between NC and SC...But I know in Florida, if the family is unable to afford the level of care necessary, the patient is placed in a Medicaid status so that they can have an appropriate placement for the specialized care they require. For Jack's mom, her income almost covers the entire cost, however the state picks up the gap between her money and the cost of her care. We were making up the difference in cost for the first 18 months, but after the approval was given, we received a refund retro active from the date of her placement. And, Yes, Diane, you are one very tough cookie, in a good way. I'm glad you can see that now. Got to get busy in the kitchen...the few things in cabinets like some dishes and the pantry need to be emptied. I hope all have a great day!

BTW...currently under the influence of opiates... The previous post was intended for DAWN'S ATTENTION!

Glad you attended your appointment, and that all seems well. I know that now my band is still too tight, and there is no Fluid in it. I know that in my situation this is all related to stress and anxiety. Do think that this may be part of what is happening with you and your band now? It may be helpful to consider that area to try to learn how to relax yourself when under such stress with your move and empty nest. Then, you can teach me! My Migraine returned this afternoon...under control now. I think I waited too long to eat dinner...tomorrow is another day. Thank you for your update on Janet...I"ll text her.

A lazy afternoon...I have to get motivated to clear more floor space. The kitchen cabinets are arriving tomorrow, and the kitchen boxes will need to be moved to make room. I'm beginning to see a light shining at the end of the tunnel! Icing my knee down last evening helped. I should be able to go back to the gym this evening. Tah for now...

Michelle...Terri is correct. Exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. You have an end point to all this, so pace yourself. Good luck, I hope you ace the rest of your classes. Safe travels Terri...please give Dee a hug from me! And needless to say, we want a picture! Dawn, how did your appointment go? Janet...please let us know you are ok... Dee, enjoy your visit with Terri...you will enjoy the time you share! Diane, doesn't the state need to provide the gap funding for patients who need specific services? I will keep good thoughts for you...and your mom's doctor should know about additional resources to help provide the level of care that your mother needs.

Good Morning all, Very tired this evening...long day to Charlotte and back. We found what we were hoping to. We opted for marble with this kitchen. The designer w as against it, as the stone is more fragile than granite. If the sons were still living with us, I might have chosen granite. But with just the 2 of us it should be doable. Dawn, I hope you enjoyed your birthday! And yes, in response to something you wrote some days back, it would be wonderful for all of us to meet at some point in the future. You're doing so well with your commitment to exercise! Please let us know how your appointment with your bariatric doctor goes... Terri, bring cool clothing and Water with you to DC, you're going to need it. That pavement gets real hot. Enjoy your trip! BTW, what type of countertops did you end up choosing? Diane, never a need to thank us for love, support, or friendship...we are going to be here or on FB with you. I know your mom is keeping your life complicated, just take a day at a time, and breath deeply. Dee, so happy this is a great summer for you! What wonderful NSV's you have had. Just keep focused on your studies, you will reach your goals. I understand what you mean about the math. I'm number phobic. Keep us posted on your progress. Janet...I hope you and the family are well...you've been MIA. Love and miss you... Michelle, how was your weekend? I hope your keeping cool and enjoying your down time... Spa day tomorrow...I'm still trying to get accostomed to a new structure of my time with Jack home all the time. The cardiologist gave the approval today for the surgery on Friday. Neither one of us are looking forward to this, but it must be done. Everyone enjoy your Tuesday...and thank you for your friendship and support. It does help to know there are others who understand some of our unique challenges. Hugs...

Thank you Dawn for posting how to correct the problem with being able to use proper paragraphs. It must be a problem with the site, I never had it with my desktop, nor with my new lap top for the first 6 weeks. Looking forward to our day trip tomorrow to Charlotte. I hope they have something I like for countertops... I hope everyone had a great Sunday, mine was productive with dwindling numbers of boxes in my office. Just stopping by to say hi...

Quite a transformation...enjoy the new you. You have worked hard to achieve this and inspired others along the way. Well done.

Good morning... Last night was not a good one, as I was slightly off schedule with eating times...it did not help that just before going to bed to read, Seth called via FaceTime. His timezone is 8.5 hours ahead of ours. So it was with thoughts of him(increased anxiety) and feeling my band tighter than usual that I attempted to go to sleep. I finally fell asleep around 5am. I'm going have to take my medications earlier in the evening if I want them to stay down. I've got to figure this out once and for all. Terri, your trip reads like a good time...please take the rest of us along, and post some pictures of your meeting. Say hi to Nordstrom for me...I remember shopping at a beautiful mall up there years ago. I still love going to the Smithsonian. Seth is planning to return to the DC area when his assignment to Germany is completed, so we will have a reason to go back. Time to get productive with projects...I hope all enjoy their Sunday.

It's normal to anticipate the loss of favorite foods and to "mourn", but as others have posted, don't be premature with your thinking. Everyone learns their tolerances, you may find that over time post op you will tolerate and enjoy a good burger. I was well over a year before I attempted to eat a piece of steak again. To my surprise there were no problems. The key is to avoid over cooked and dried out meats. Life with the band should mean a commitment to healthy food choices in proper size portions. That is a major change for individuals who opt for WLS. Over time, you likely will be able to eat most anything you choose to. It's just important to not give yourself permission to do that on a regular basis.

Choosing the band means a commitment to change both your lifestyle and relationship with food. There are going to be days when you doubt your reasons for having the surgery. And for many, including me, the pre op and post op weeks were the most difficult. I've continued to use hunger as a cue for me to start drinking my required free fluids. And I found a multitude of ways to stay busy and not dwell in feeling hungry. What others have written about the risks of eating solid foods too soon post op are accurate. There is a real need for you to develop a set of coping skills to manage your hunger. Best wishes for a successful journey...

Dawn, I hope you will feel better. The surgeon in Asheville has offered to remove my band both times I have been there. I will be keeping appointments with both my PCP and surgeon in Florida next month. I hope they have some sound advice for me. My PCP told me before we moved that he thought I may have to have my band removed. Time will tell...but for the time being, I will do all I can to preserve it. Michelle...your yard is beautiful...enjoy it! Very sad to read your comments about your son. Part of this is his age and stage in life. Patience and perseverance will help to get through the rough spots in the road. It took Seth the better part of 15 years to come to terms with his diagnosis and resolve the anger he projected onto me because of it. We moms have a tough job...hugs! Diane, take a day at a time...hugs and strength to you! Janet...hope you are enjoying your weekend. Dee...any more snakes around? We have had bears trying to tear up the "box" which houses our garbage cans out by the road. So far bears 2, Jack 0. Jack has now replaced all of the nails with screws...I hope that works. Today my knee is not sore and stiff, so back to the gym tomorrow. I did not make the drive today...Jack was a PITA and kept "correcting" my driving. So within 5 minutes of leaving the garage I stopped the car in the middle of the road, put the emergency flashers on, and also the parking brake, and got of the car, and told him to drive. No, there is really no traffic here so no risks. Then he tells me that I really need to learn how to drive on the mountain. I will, just not with him in the car... I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday...thank you all for caring and sharing. It does make such a difference.

Almost lost my previous post... iPad with a mind of it's own again. As I was attempting to write, I'm not certain what I would call it, but TMI, anything I ate several hours before will come back up while asleep. The rules whic I have discovered are to not have anything to eat for at least 2-3 hours before I go to bed, and only enough Water to take my evenings medication.Then I wait for another 90 minutes before I go to sleep. Typing invisibly again...

Good Evening All...perhaps Good Morning... Terri, kindred spirit! I also went to the Hallmark Store today to pick up my annual series ornaments. As we already have around 30 storage tubs of just Christmas decorations, I have cut back this year. I still purchase ones I like, and continue the series ornaments. I have no clue how many ornaments we have...I just love Christmas and the spirit of the season. Dawn, sorry to read about your current issues with reflux. It's no fun. In my case, I believe that my band is particularly sensitive to stress. I am by nature an anxious person. Add to that major life events, which I was managing well until I was informed of my son's deployment to the war. That was the turning point. My band tightened up way too tight, and has stayed that way. Go figure, I have too much restriction, and am essentially in the green zone, and no Fluid in my band. I also have a long history of treatment for reflux. The physician in Asheville immediately recognized that my band was too tight with 1cc. I still will have severe symptoms (choking cough waking me up, and vomiting/pbing

I've discovered that I will sleep well only if I strictly follow the new rules and routine for the evening. The night before last, our schedule had been disrupted. I've noticed that the reflux returns if my stomach is totally empty. I cannot fall asleep if I am hungry, so I ate 3 crackers after I took my medications, and waited about 90 minuted before I tried to lay down to sleep. Big mistake. About 2-3 hours later the crackers came up again...and I ended up needing to change my pillow case and night gown. I'm not going to deviate from the rules again. I don't understand what is happening, but will just have to bite the bullet and follow the new rules. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend...

That was close...almost lost the post again... As I was writing, what boys put us moms through. Eeeek! I remember when Seth was about 5, and came in and pulled a "frug" from his pocket (he was attending speech therapy at the time). The frog was dead, I have no idea how long he had it. Needless to say, he was immediately marched outside to dispose of his "treasure" then marched upstairs to the bath and clean clothes. We had a long discussion about why bugs, frogs and snakes needed to be allowed to live where God intended them to...outside and never in a pocket. Michelle, have a great weekend!

So, I just had my post disappear...will keep this a shortened version. Dawn, good for you to wear shorts and get yourself out of your comfort zone! Diane, so good to read that you are finally back home and that your brother is recovering well. I hope you have some calm seas now, you really deserve it! Terri, the sign of a great friend...so happy to know that you were there for Diane. Night time is the most difficult to cope with... Just curious, have you ever asked your nutritionist or physician about a "set point"? Perhaps that is why your weight is resistant to move? Just a thought... Janet, glad you are feeling better. Are they sure that your mother needs her GB removed? How is Ange feeling these days? I'm certain they are enjoying their new home. Dee, the paces boys put us through. W

Corn is loaded with carbs, and not on my approved list of foods. I love steamed corn, but I can no longer eat it. It's one of the foods my brand does not tolerate.

And, Jack is scheduled for surgery to repair a hernia next Friday. I really need to learn the way home now, because I will have to do the driving. Some of the roads on the mountain still confuse me. Tomorrow will be our date night, so I'm looking forward to driving a test drive to see how well I do. I'm taking the evening off from the gym, my right knee is inflamed again. At least now I am wiser, and won't push myself to the point of hobbling again. I hope everyone is well, that Janet is feeling better...and hope that Maddy's medical team learns how to place IV's and finds out some answers to the leakage. BBOTWE....! Hugs...

Jay called a little while ago...Jodi, our DIL whose graduation we will be attending next month, God willing, already has a job with her first choice cardiology group at her preferred hospital. She begins her transition position the Monday following the weekend she graduates. She will be a rounding nurse with the cardiologist at the hospital until she passes her board exam, and then will become the ARNP for the same cardiologist. She has worked so hard over the past 2.5 years with being a great mom, attending school, and continuing to work in the cardiac care unit at ORMC. We are so happy for the entire family!