Bandista

Just have fun! No need to tell him if you've had a root canal or your appendix out or anything else.

Great thread; thank you! Hope, possibility, relief, perseverance, inner strength, fortitude -- those are a few things that come right to mind, along with choosing myself and my healthy future first. And it's just early days here. Oh, one more word: gratitude!

I have not gotten my timing down yet. If we are eating at 6:30 then I need to have something to eat at, say, 2PM to hold me that 4-5 hours. If I've had my morning protein shake with fruit, etc. at 11 or so, I'm not hungry yet at 2PM but I'm pretty ravenous at 5PM. My body is programmed for wine and cheese party at that hour LOL -- years of calories during those evening hours. You know, the 5-10 PM graze-a-thon. Some of that is habit and boredom but if it is kicked off by real hunger I need to eat.

Very inspiring -- thanks so much for posting. And a very happy Anniversary to you! Here's to healthy living!

I know -- it's all so fascinating, isn't it? Congratulations Leepers! This was a milestone and another very positive step along the way. Yippee!

Yesterday I got stuck -- again! Second time was last week so this makes three. Good grief. Anyway, I realized today that it wasn't the chicken thigh -- it was the mushrooms. There is no amount of chewing that can make a rubbery mushroom small enough for me to swallow comfortably. Thought I'd share my little brainstorm for other new people who may be going through the same learning process. And if I want mushrooms I will whir them up with the stick blender next time or enjoy them raw. But in the stews, etc. that I make: no more shrooms! It's a snowy Saturday and I've got a beef stew going. Here's how I make it: get a nice-looking piece of pot roast with plenty of marbling. Heat up the Le Creuset (Dutch oven) on top of the stove -- good and hot. A thin layer of high-heat cooking oil. Brown all sides of the roast, using tongs to rotate. Add in lots of minced garlic, fresh Thyme (or dried is fine), salt and pepper. We also put a pinch of chili in everything we cook. Pour stock over the whole thing. Cut up potatoes (thin) and carrots and add those to the liquid -- maneuver so the meat is on top. Let it all simmer for a couple of hours until the meat is falling apart. Remove the meat and veggies, pour the liquid into a jar and put it in the freezer to let the fat come to the top. Remove the fat. Meanwhile the meat has cooled enough to be cut or torn into small pieces. Put meat and veggies back into the Dutch oven with the broth minus the fat. It will thicken up if you keep simmering. Voila. I find this style of cooking very band-friendly. Happy weekend, every one!

"It's not easy being green," to quote Kermit the frog. She is probably scared of hospitals and the idea of surgery and she is hyper-focusing on you. Maybe let her know this is a very simple laparoscopic surgery -- nothing like old school abdominal surgeries -- and that you will be just fine if she doesn't turn you into a bundle of nerves beforehand? Meanwhile, good luck to you in this next 48 hours leading up to the big event. It's very exciting and you are going to do beautifully. Best wishes!

I'm not hungry in the mornings so I'm not eating until well after I've worked out -- though I do drink my cranberry Water and have tea. I wait until mid-morning or noonish and then have a Protein smoothie with lots of fruit, flax seeds, etc. It is an event. In the old days I used to feel like I had to eat or my metabolism wouldn't be fired up or blah, blah, blah. I have abandoned all of that thinking now. My body doesn't think it's starving -- it thinks it is time to burn off all that stored up fat! If you were just banded in December you are in a time that is difficult for most people. Hunger has returned and it's probably not time for a fill yet. This is the time to get used to everything and it's really wonderful that you are doing so well exercising. I think that is the magic ingredient to this whole process. Once you get your band at the right fill your hunger will dim and you won't be battling that. Just know you are on your way and you're doing beautifully. Best wishes!

I love eating with the cocktail fork and little spoons -- guess I always loved dollhouse and tea party as a child, too. We had some shrimp forks that were put away and I got them out and put them in our regular silverware drawer. Those are very helpful. And I'm with you on the stopping the moment anything feels tight. Best wishes! You are doing so well!

So happy for you! I like #4 -- not feeling tired all the time. That feels like the key to everything, doesn't it? Having the energy to make good choices, to be active and happy in our lives. Yippee! Keep at it -- you are doing beautifully.

Sounds like the January blahs to me -- this can be a tough time. Holidays are behind us, light has not returned yet, less opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. Know that you are doing beautifully. In getting the band you chose a healthy new future for yourself. And you're not alone -- we are all in this together, pecking away at old habits and creating new ones. Best wishes to you!

Hang on and don't despair. This is a tough time for many people. One of the great things about the LapBand is that it's adjustable but having to wait until healing takes place, etc. before getting fills can make for a frustrating few weeks or so. It will pass. You will get there! This is a great time for noticing. If you're hungry, then notice that -- the when, why and how of it. Check the clock. If you're hungry then eat something healthy. Try to assess any trigger foods or emotional eating impulses and don't forget to pat yourself on the back for how well you're doing. Do not worry about the scale right now. Best wishes!

I love these videos -- taught me so much about the esophageal signaling process. I try to think about that happening as I chew my food and swallow.

Hi Shelly, congratulations on your surgery date tomorrow. Exciting times! Won't it be great to be able to keep up with your little cutie-pies and not to feel fatigued, old before your time and coping with an increasing number of other health issues. I'm 52 and oh, to have done this sooner! I was banded November 5th and my life is so much easier now. Before the surgery I was worried about making changes, like would I still be able to throw wonderful dinner parties and enjoy them, could I dine out in restaurants occasionally and be able to eat, would I do alright at other people's houses, etc. It's a breeze. And when I heard about the one cup portions I was pretty sure that would never ever work for me. Would I be the one person who couldn't make the band work for me? Well, it works beautifully. It's amazing how my brain is not asking for more food now. I feel relieved of that constant chatter -- like I've been released from food jail. Good luck tomorrow and we can't wait to hear how you're doing. Don't forget to walk like crazy! That really helps in every possible way. Best wishes!

So happy for you -- whole healthy life ahead!

It's funny to think about what I was afraid I'd have to give up and how now none of that really matters. I feel so satisfied on what I'm having and very happy with the good choices. Mostly it is wonderful being freed up from all that thinking about food all the time. So happy for you, Debbie. You're doing really well on your Lapband journey and I love reading your pieces. Best wishes!

Have fun in Hawaii!

Christina, Eboni -- so happy for you both!

I'll be interested to hear -- I like to give blood when I can. My husband is a very regular donor. Has quite the t-shirt collection! He always feels great afterward and thinks it has to do with lowering his iron levels. Plus it just feels good to help out. He is some one who has used a lot of blood bank blood in his time and it feels good to give back. Thanks for being a donor!

So happy for you! I think I may be there as well and four was my magic number, too. I had another appointment today but did not go -- next check-in is in three weeks and I will be paying close attention to whether I want a little more then or if I'm really already there. It is very exciting, isn't it? To have that chattering monkey mind shut up about the food. I am feeling lots of space in my life now that I'm not worrying about eating and my weight, whether I'm "on" or "off" a diet. Just being. And that is a wonderful thing.

I had two wine events this week and it definitely stalls my weight loss -- plus I think I make poorer decisions about food. No wine this week for me either, and no whining! Have a great day -- and good luck tomorrow with your fill.

Congratulations! The new driver's license is a great present to yourself. Thanks for a very inspiring blog.

Hi AJ, I hope that appointment goes well today and you get some answers. The not knowing what's going on is so stressful, and then of course not being able to exercise or use the hot tub makes everything worse. I'm so glad you're back on the forum. We are here for you no matter how you're feeling. Sending best wishes your way!

My surgeon described full liquids as those which would slide off a plate turned on it's side. Very soupy. I enjoyed potato leek soup during this time, though I was not very hungry. I was allowed to have egg drop soup and that was yummy. All programs are different and you'll want to follow the guidelines perfectly. I was told that if I'm not hungry, don't eat and not to worry about protein goals during this time. I had enough shakes on a pre-op diet that I didn't want those post-op. Have only just made friends with the blender again over the last few weeks or so! Good luck with coming weeks. It's important to know this is the healing phase and then the band will need adjusting to have it work properly once the appetite returns. It's a good time for behavior modification, recognizing hunger and nailing down triggers for emotional eating. Also the obvious need for slowing way down and noticing the body's reaction to food, how things really taste, etc. That will be important later. Best wishes!

So inspiring -- thank you for posting! You look gorgeous, healthy and happy. I'll bet you feel terrific!