Bandista

Hi Rayne, sending very best wishes your way. Sounds like you are all set! Here's to a quiet weekend of healing and lots of pampering. Keep us posted on how you're doing.....

I have heard of a heightened sense of smell after WLS -- was a little worried as I already have such an acute sense of smell already and that is not always a good thing. Cologne can send me right off the deep end, for example.

So happy for you -- isn't it great?

Being an every day exerciser and a person who really wants to go for a walk. I've had glimpses of this in the last six weeks of banded life and I am always really happy after exercising. But as far as getting myself to do it, I'm still faking it 'till I make it most days. I also know as I lose weight I will be in less pain and it will feel easier to workout. That will be good!

So glad you're back on track, Christine. Put those medical professionals to work for you -- no need to be embarrassed. You'll get that 35 off again in no time and will be feeling great again. Guess this is such a reminder of how important it is to have the right fill. Good luck with all!

Hi there, I am sabinadublin on My Fitness Pal -- Find me or if you send me your handle there I will go friend you. Wish I had the same name for both sites as it's confusing who is who. Great tracking exercise, etc. there. Very motivating and easy - except new format now displays bread and cheese on opening page like a food magazine. A skinny person must have thought that idea up!

This made me laugh, the deadpan "Congratulations." I remember in my youth how much I loved my documents with all the stamps, the photo, etc. But these days a glimpse of my driver's license picture makes me wince. Looking forward to needing new everything!

Wow, you look GREAT! Congratulations on getting to this place. And on being tuned into your body so you recognize needing another fill, etc. I'm just at the beginning of that and it feels a little tricky to determine. On the 66 pounds, some one posted a list of what things weigh a while back and somehow I latched on to a cinder block weighs 33 pounds. So you've lost two cinder blocks -- imagine the relief of not carrying those around anymore! Best wishes and thanks for the inspiration this morning.

Hi there, how about going for walks with your friend. We all need exercise and it would be a nice way to support her.

Hi there, hoping you're feeling better today and that your body has shrugged off the anesthesia, etc. Are you taking narcotic medication? I can't tolerate that personally but then the Tylenol and Ibuprofen liquids did not sit well on my empty stomach either. Not sure what your post op diet is. I was on full liquids and found potato leek soup very soothing. Also ginger is great for an upset stomach. Have fun with your beautiful baby. What a great decision to be healthy for when you start chasing him/her around and all the fun times you have ahead of you. Best wishes!

Hi PJ, thanks for the inspiration -- you are rocking this thing! So happy for you. I am a couple of months behind you and love knowing what is possible. Best wishes!

So happy for you! Back on track and feeling great -- way to go.

Hope it all goes well today and you are relieved of any worries -- referred pain can be hard to figure out sometimes. Best wishes!

Hi there and congratulations on this decision for a healthy future! I was not hungry for protein shakes at first -- every one is different but you may not have much of an appetite following surgery. Just follow your doctor's instructions, walk all you can and stay positive. Your body will thank you for the good care you are taking. Give yourself time to heal up fully -- wishing you a restful few days and speedy recovery.

Lovely! You look so happy and healthy. Congratulations on turning your life around for a healthy future. So inspiring for those of us just beginning!

My husband read an article recently about nuts and how they curb the appetite. He now has a jar of almonds at his desk and we have another on the kitchen counter. There is stuff in our house right now that I can't wait to get rid of -- some sugary popcorn crack cocaine that arrived by mail as a gift (thanks a lot!), etc. I am letting myself have four almonds if I'm in a place where the mental hunger is getting to me. I chew them and chew them and think about how good they are for my body, the Protein, etc. Totally know what you mean about grazing then not being hungry for when it's time for the real thing, etc. You are definitely not alone! I'm with Missy on the Snacks for the family being ones I don't crave myself. Corn chips, NO! Potato chips, fine. They can have 'em. If there were brownies around I doubt I could keep away from them. Congratulations on the 35 pounds -- you are doing beautifully!

I had a two-week liquid pre-op diet, too -- got so much easier after first days. Good luck to you. The 27th will be here soon. What a great gift you are giving yourself. Here's to all our dreams realized in 2014!

So sorry you have to have your band removed but it sounds like you have a good handle on your diet and exercise......good luck with your move and all that lies ahead. Even if you're on the other side of the world the forum is here and you're not alone. Best wishes!

Congratulations all you January bandits to be -- I am six weeks out and so happy with my new life. What a great way to begin 2014! Here's to health and happiness.

Great success -- way to go! If you want this last ten off maybe the addition of exercise is the ticket. I am far from my goal but like the idea of a buffer. Congratulations on all the hard work and perseverance and thank you for the inspiration this morning. It can be done!

Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa! It's amazing how once the body gets off track it's so hard to get back to ourselves again. I am newly banded but already starting to feel that return to self.

What a great post! Onederland, yippee! Congratulations on all the hard work and perseverance that brought you this success -- and here's to 2014 and achieving your goal.

My surgeon describes portion size as the size of a tennis ball. I think it's about 3/4 of a cup -- that's when I start asking myself if I'm full and should stop. No more finishing and no last bites......

Wow! That's great -- so happy for you!

Going to a holiday party tonight at our next door neighbors. Taking a lot of food I have no interest in eating. Planning to have a protein shake before we go so I am covered -- and also I don't want to be thirsty. Then I can choose to have a drink or not, or an hors d'oeuvres or two, or not. I know to be careful at a party where there is lots of eating while talking and laughing. I don't want to forget and swallow something too large or not chewed thoroughly enough. I still need to really be tuned in and listening to my band -- hard to do that when things are very Merry. One thing that's great is I have no anxiety about eating.....the peace of that is a marvelous thing. Hurray for the band and ending the chatter in my head, the obsession with food!