Bandista

Jean, thanks so much for this. I have your words from the other day and another great piece you put up -- that satiety is the sensation of having had enough food, for now. I like the "for now" because for over-eaters there is something in the brain that makes us feel like we have to pack it on for later. All set for the famine, thank you very much! For now, though? Yes, I've had enough Also I just have to say that my husband and I watched the Dr. Paul O'Brien youtubes and his thick Australian accent is such fun with the word, "satiety." Suh-tie-i- tee. We are having a lot of fun with that. Best wishes and thanks so much for all your thoughtful input -- much appreciated!

Congratulations! You must feel great -- you look fabulous! Thanks for the boost today......very inspiring.

Did my 80 minutes today -- yippee! My goal is to get this workout in four times a week plus to add in two walks at the lake with a friend (3.5 miles). Problem is it is below zero here and I just can't hack it out there. Thank god for treadmill, recumbent bike and Bowflex in basement. And a lot of new insulation down there. But I'm getting into the head-space, which is vital. And something of a miracle, I must say. Happy Saturday night every one!

Congratulations on your surgery! I found egg drop soup to be very satisfying. Also there is a potato leek soup made by Imagine that comes in a carton. I loved that. You will find your go-to foods for this stage. My surgeon described full liquids as those which would slide off a plate if you held it up. Thinned out hot cereal, etc. I grooved on Popsicles made by MinuteMaid -- soft lemonade. I didn't mind having a little sugar as I was having few calories overall and I don't do artificial sweeteners.

Your idea to cook ahead should help your pocketbook as well as your waistline. Do you like chili? You can cook then eat for days. The basic concept can be turned into so many different kinds. Turkey and black bean chili, White Chili with chicken and white Beans, etc. Same with stew -- hearty vegetables and some kind of Protein. Get a few small thermos containers so you can carry food with you, something yummy and nourishing. If you're out and about there is so much that can be purchased at a grocery store these days. Soups, salad bar has eggs and tuna, a Greek yogurt, etc. Maybe you want to keep a few Protein Bars in your glove compartment or book bag. Good luck with everything -- you are doing so well!

Hi there, big day tomorrow -- so happy for you! I was banded 11/5 and it was my first overnight stay in a hospital. I was also nervous and excited -- what you're experiencing is very natural. The whole thing was so much better than I thought it would be. The discomfort wasn't bad for me -- not nearly as bad as a root canal or back out, etc. I recommend walking all you can starting as soon as you wake up. Keep us posted on your progress!

You are great to be researching and reaching out for your own support as of course this is a lifestyle change for both of you. The date is coming right up and it will be so good to have that over with -- tension sure does build before something like this! My advice is to get him walking as much as possible. I started that night in the hospital and it's made a tremendous difference -- first for the healing but then for the attitude and weight loss, too. As far as food, there will be the protocol to follow post-op and then once he's hungry again and eating real food it's important that you both know the band won't be doing it's job until it is adjusted properly. This is a process -- it can take a while to get to the Green Zone. Otherwise it's basically just like being on a diet, with all those feelings of deprivation, etc. He will probably drop weight just being a guy -- but the process of healing up and then getting the fills is the time he will be learning about his band, how to eat slowly and take small bites. You're probably going to lose your twenty pounds and feel great! I finally let my husband come to an appointment with me; it was a mandatory meeting with the nutritionist. She announced my weight, a number I had successfully concealed for over twenty years. ACK! I know, stupid to worry over that -- he loves me. But it is a surprising number. Gone are the days when I am told how well I carry my weight. Um, not so much.

Having an exercise partner really helps me. I don't want to let her down; she doesn't want to let me down. It's a mutually-beneficial arrangement as neither of us would be doing it on our own. Sounds like your husband might be a good walking partner. He would benefit from that and maybe that's a good enough incentive right there. And he can do it for you. You get the idea...... Sometimes I call a friend to go walking with me. We jump in our cars and meet up at a lake we like to walk around. We always yack a lot so it's great therapy, too -- and sometimes driving over there I catch myself thinking, "why did I call, now I have to do it!" But every time on the drive home I am saying to myself, "I did it -- I feel good. Yippee!" You are going to get this thing, I know it.

How about some mindfulness training? When I first started back on real food after my surgery I did some eating with the clock. My little fork up to my mouth with a bite then putting down the fork, taking my hand away. So hard for me to let go of that utensil! Pick it up at thirty seconds -- empty -- to the mouth, feel the sensation of the fork on the lips, then put it back down again. Finally at one minute another bite. This was to teach me what a bite a minute feels like and to get me to slow down. I probably need to practice this again as I'm trying to learn my body's signals for satiety.

Hi there, you are saddling up -- I can hear it. This is going to be your year of health. You're well on your way, feeling better, losing inches and eating in moderation, recognizing hunger, etc. How about calling for an appointment as that sure doesn't sound like the Green Zone. And find a class or a gym or a block to walk around every day -- you are going to start shedding. Yippee!

Hi Sergeen, hope you have a better day today! The walking around really helped me so much -- my body needed to shrug off the anesthesia and the walking helped kick into healing mode. I parked myself in a recliner and watched movies, drank tea and had Popsicles but every time I had to get up to pee I got my shoes on and did laps around our driving circle. It really helped. And I told myself it wasn't as bad as some other things -- for me I hate dentistry so that was a good comparison, or having a cracked rib, back seriously out....I just kept remembering this surgery was at least for something, for me and my health. Hang on to your purpose and know that a few months from now you probably won't be able to recall these first few days very well. Let us know how you're doing!

I'm trying to train myself off the scale -- it makes me crazy sometimes. A small gain or a plateau can be so frustrating even though I know it's fine and that I'm probably losing inches, fitting into jeans that were tight before, etc. Those are important things to look out for......the Non-Scale Victories, NSVs. You are doing beautifully -- tell yourself that every day because it is true!

Such a great thread! Last night we were at a neighbors for dinner. First I felt I could take it or leave it for the spread of hors d'oeuvres -- all kinds of fancy cheeses, olives, etc. That was pretty uncharacteristic of me and hopefully what the new me is like. Then there was a seafood stew for dinner. I was served a large bowl and it was delicious, but when my husband was going back for seconds I simply traded with him so he could have the rest of mine. I realized, "oh, I'm done." My challenge right now is that this doesn't last very long. But I can tell I'm getting there little by little as far as mindful eating, but I am having too much food right now and not losing weight. I tell myself it's okay and I may be losing inches, but of course that's frustrating. I gained a few pounds in the last week or so and of course that is scary. The mind game for me is to believe all is well, that I will be successful, etc. because deep down those fears are there -- fear that it won't work for me, that I don't have what it takes or that I'll be dieting forever. Eeeek. Must rewire that part of the brain!

Very helpful -- thanks so much!

I've been using pea protein and that worked well for me pre-surgery but then afterwards I didn't want any kind of protein shake for a month or so. Recently I've been having one for late breakfast and I think that's going to be my mode. I had some Muscle Milk leftover from the stash of stuff I got and didn't need (guess we all do this!) and the vanilla mixed with frozen peaches or strawberries was like sorbet. Absolutely delicious. I am going to try the egg protein -- thanks for that recommendation. I don't do a lot of dairy. Oh, also I have been putting psyllium in my shake, and sometimes ground flax seeds. Need that digestive help.

Yippee! I think we are in a very similar place -- almost there and determined! Hope this is it for you, the magic zone.

Yippee! So exciting....and here's to the exciting new year ahead. Reclaiming our lives does feel really, really good -- your post is such a great reminder of that! Best wishes.....

This is called transference -- trading one addiction for another. I hope you can get some help to stop now so you can be healthy in every way! Put those medical professionals to work; they want you to be a success and they may have some particular strategies in mind for this. Best wishes to you!

Fifteen pounds in four months is great -- that's about a pound a week....and as you say the holidays and husband away, the emotional eating. I think you're doing beautifully. Just keep choosing yourself and your health first. Best wishes for this new year and have fun with your husband!

*dainty eater, not dairy eater. That's me before....cheese-a-holic. And one from my family: I love to eat with her because she let's us have most of her food.

I love this -- what we want to be known as and what we know ourselves as.... I love dining with her: She's such a dairy eater! She knows how to take her time and make it a real event. She makes the best choices. She's a great conversationalist. Poise, dignity, grace! Most people wolf their food down, but not her.

Eeek...I know what you mean...the photographs are just horrifying....have hidden from the camera forever but once in a while there's a picture. As you say, a thousand words beginning with OMG...

Sorry, that is "consumed by worries" And I forgot to mention your concussion. Scary! Hope you're feeling well now...

Hi Dewey, hope things are settling down now that the holidays are behind us. Career and location stress -- ACK! I am finally resigned to not getting to know what's coming next so I am forced to live in the present or because I summed by worries. A lot of my eating was anxiety-driven. I used food to calm that whirring inside. Good luck with everything and keep choosing yourself, your health and happiness then every one around you benefits, too. Best wishes for a fine new year!

Thanks, Terry -- I think my husband thinks I'm ready for the loony bin, too. He's watched me all these years on various diets and now this surgery and new lifestyle that I don't really have down yet...... So glad you got to the Green Zone -- yippee! That is great news.