Bandista

Hi there, i remember that combo of nervousness and excitement so well! Congratulations on all -- whole new chapter opening........

Boy am I glad I work from home and only have to dress up once in a while. Eeek! But as for clothes, I do think the jeans sizes going down are the key to happiness and momentum (rather than that damn scale).

Hi there, congratulations on being on the other side. It's a distant memory now but I remember post-op needing to take something to get things moving on day four or five. I filled my pain med prescription but didn't use it -- I still had extreme constipation just from the surgery itself. Protein shakes, I hear you. Was so sick of them plus could not handle the thickness of them -- consistency just wasn't right. I liked the boxed Soups from the health food section of the regular supermarket -- savory ones like potato leek. And my surgeon allowed egg drop Soup which I learned to make myself for entertainment value. Also when I was allowed I really liked puréed cauliflower puréed with chicken stock and a little hot sauce -- it was like pudding for me. Good luck -- you're on your way!

@@Debbie3sons you are doing so well -- really happy for you. And a wide smile! I'm not trying to be a skinny Minnie either. I like my curves and am not a fan of that withered look. Here's to doing what we are doing for ourselves! And to strength and health -- those are my real goals.

Thanks, Julie -- a good reminder about fill level. I may have to have an eensy bit removed. Went for a fill a few weeks ago after months at the same level with a little increase in appetite/portion sizes, but now think it may have to come out again as I am experiencing some early reflux symptoms. Barely, but enough to concern me as I am so conservative. I have to keep reminding myself, even now: the Lapband is not about restriction, the LapBand is not about restriction....... So many long-term banders have moved on since LapBand Talk merged and banders are such a minority. The few who have major axes to grind keep them honed so sharply -- I don't think they know cutting it is to those of us who elected band and are working it with success. That creates tension unnecessary fear. I don't want to have to defend my choice; I'm here for mutual support. I'm really glad you are here! You are very inspiring in so many ways......

Hi there, what a great post -- here we are, now. That's all we can effect: the present. I've been hanging out with my dad a lot, who is 90 with dementia. There's no going back as he can't remember, and there's no reeling forward (my tendency). When I'm with him I find myself stapled to the moment and it's as though time is operating differently. The race is off. Now I'm trying to bring that into the rest of my life, too, along with the band thinking we learned when we had to listen in to our bodies so closely. I'm trying to stop, notice, breathe and pay attention. I think you are amazing. You have been facing a very difficult situation with so much courage, and you've reinvented your life. It's frustrating that you are still not free of this situation, but you will be. Meanwhile you have launched two daughters into their own lives and they are doing so well. That is a huge accomplishment given the equation. You've reclaimed your body and it's strong, healthy and beautiful. You'd still like to lose another chunk though. Me, too. I feel like I am on pause and I want to make my goal as well. I don't want to stop where I am now (in fact I need to adjust my ticker because I crept up a little and feel stuck there). I was sure summer would be my time to start shedding again but here I am. Part of me thinks that the plateau time is good as I am still getting used to myself and I don't want to have loose skin or an even more dramatic loss that will cause people to discuss me (another part of me says what do I care?). I have not wanted to diet as that's not what this is about -- in fact I had to unlearn dieting in order to embrace and respond to hunger appropriately. But I may just need to roll up my sleeves and commit to this last chunk and getting it off once and for all. How can we support each other?

I also benefited from seeing a therapist while I was doing my research and then through the surgery. You are doing all the right kind of preparation to ensure success. Whichever timeframe you choose, you are choosing yourself and your healthy future. This is such a powerful thing. I found that by putting myself first every one else benefitted, too -- wish I had understood that long ago. And, like many, I wish I could have had surgery years ago and addressed my issues around food. For me, having surgery made all the difference in terms of being able to stop turning to food for comfort, protection, reward, entertainment -- you name it! Working with a therapist helped me break down all the triggers. It was tedious as we got very specific but I'm glad to have done that. In electing to have surgery I was really copping to my behaviors in a new way and admitting just how serious were the implications of continuing along the path I was on. Best wishes to you -- you will do beautifully! And you deserve all good things.

Hi there and way to go on your exercise program! I hope your doctor can help assess your pain and also I hope you are able to find a way to work with your insurance company. My SOLE brand inserts are better than the custom orthotics I shelled out for but I still have issues with one ankle. In my case it's an IT Band issue (outer thigh) kicking off pain in the ankle. I have a roller for that hip and thigh that helps but I'm also seeing a massage therapist who is digging in to that area. Ouch!

@@dfaulkner hi there and congratulations on your tremendous success. I think we all worry about going back to old habits or complacency. I was a restricter for so many years. Now if I want something I let myself have a bit and then I am not in that mental state of Can't Have. It's a head game, for sure. Boredom can be a factor; if I'm busy I'm not thinking about food. Pink Dahlia's suggestions are great. Maybe you need a treat so why not find the right one for yourself. I have those 100 calorie yogurts that have real sugar and Steevia in them -- I mix in chia seeds and a little gluten-free Cereal, maybe a few nuts to make it chewy so I get the signal for satiety (otherwise yogurt is a slider for me). This appeases my sweet tooth and my craving for something creamy, plus it's a meal. If I'm short on Protein I put in a spoonful of GENEPRO Protein powder for a 30 gram hit. But that's rare. I have a bottle of Steevia that I like -- it's from Trader Joe's. There is a lot of variety in taste and you need to be careful to make sure you get one that is 100% Steevia as there are ones out there with less than desirable ingredients. It's super sweet so just try a few drops in something. Good luck and let us know how you're doing. Four years out is so inspiring!

Hi there, after all those years of dieting and food theories, like breakfast being the most important meal of the day, etc., I have tossed that thinking aside for myself. I have only this rule: eat when I'm hungry and don't eat when I'm not hungry. I'm not hungry in the morning so I don't eat. I am drawn to Protein -- my body let's me know and I make healthy choices for dense protein like a piece of salmon, a small steak, etc. I like Beans and chili. There are times when i just have to have an egg and I know that's my body telling me just what it needs right then. I don't count protein grams and personally think Americans are way too obsessed with that. This is just me! I am older and grew up with a solid nutritional base (but got fat anyway!) and I don't eat junk food. shakes, for me, are sliders, so I avoid them but do have one as a treat once in a while. I use GENEPRO protein powder and if I'm feeling like I need an extra hit I mix some into my yogurt along with some mix-ins like chia seeds, a little gluten-free Cereal, a few chopped walnuts -- I do this to give me texture to chew. Otherwise the yogurt woukd also just be a slider. The chewing is what gives me the signal for satiety, which is how the band works. Good luck with all! It sounds like you are doing well and finding your way. Isn't it great to be getting in sync with our bodies again? For so long I felt mine had betrayed me or the other way round. It's good to be whole again.

Good for you getting in to see your doctor. They are our partners in this process. I have a test for myself -- salmon and broccoli. I need to be able to eat those without trouble. And a fried egg. That's got to go down well. Of course I have to chew and chew plus go slowly (I still have to fight the urge to shovel in my food). I think we all have certain foods that work well for us and that we are all different. Chicken seems to be difficult for many banders. I only have it if it's dark meat that I've cooked myself and it cannot be reheated. Something about the fibrous texture? And time of day matters for me. I am not hungry in the morning so I don't eat; evenings are "looser" for me.

Hi there, my body takes a little while to settle in after a fill and there can be variations day to day. Sounds like you are learning how to listen to your body, which is such a great thing. I am learning that hunger is not my enemy. The band helps me slow down, listen and make good choices. The links below in my signature really helped me understand how it works -- maybe they will help you, too. I must have read the Simpson pieces a hundred times to get the message through my head, the Lapband is not about restriction. So, no, we don't want to be too tight, we want the signaling to be happening for satiety.....you are doing great! Good for you working with your medical professionals over time to get your band right where it should be. It is a process.

Here's to your health, Alex, and a very happy anniversary! I'm so glad for this site and for all you do to help people inform themselves. Thank you!

@@shannon2015 hi there and welcome -- you are doing beautifully!

OMG, ARCHIVED. Love love love this -- the putting all of that behind. We are who we are now, and, guess what, we are strong and healthy! New Reality. And B-52, I know you are not overly-sentimental, but it was you, Catfish and TMF who helped me figure out that even I could exercise. ME? Yes, I can! In fact, I HAVE to exercise. Being in sync with my body is such a great thing.

This is a great NSV, B-52! I'm with you in the easy. My life is so much easier now.

My surgeon was looking for feeling satiety from a tennis ball sized serving (his language) and not hungry again for four to five hours. We used the chart above, too, but the visual of the serving size and the clock helped me. I'd have one but not the other -- usually I was good with the serving size but hungry again too soon. Now I have to remind myself that it's been several hours. Good luck - you are doing great and you're getting there! I am some one who goes up and down with inflammation so I have to be careful not to be too tight. I recently got a fill and I notice a big difference. I can't chug my water now -- at least not like before, glug, glug, glug, and I cannot drink while eating now.

I've always loved small things -- finally have a use for those demitasse spoons I famously gave my husband for Christmas one year. I also use a beautiful sterling silver shrimp fork instead of the great big forks in the silverware drawer. It's dainty, like me (lol). And I use a variety of ramekins now and dessert plates. I'm serving every one way less these days, though I let them eat from regular sized china. They can always go back for more. In the old days I'd be right behind them for seconds (or more!); not anymore, yippee!

Electing to have weight loss surgery was, for me, choosing myself first and my healthy future. It changed everything for me and I only wish I had done it sooner. I could not lose weight without it -- well, I could, I could lose a lot of weight, but then I'd put it back on with even more each time. A vicious cycle that wore down my self-esteem and my health. I am some one who benefitted from seeing a therapist. I wanted an objective third party to go through the process with me. It wasn't like I hadn't done a lot of work on my self already (I'm in my fifties) but this time it was different. For me surgery was a huge decision -- I had never even been an overnight patient in a hospital before. Plus I was admitting that I really could not lose the weight on my own and needed intervention. And I had to confront my worthiness as well as fears that it might not work, etc. we also broke down my triggers -- the ways I'd reward myself with food or prep for something I didn't want to do by eating, or tamping down my emotions with food. We got very specific and even though before surgery I couldn't really stop al of those things, I allowed myself to notice them, to acknowledge the behavior. Know that whatever surgery you and your doctor decide is right for you, you are choosing yourself. You are going to have a blast with those kids. Best wishes to you!

I'm terrified of being too tight -- seems like for me there are factors other than fills. Weather, hormones, stress, etc. I have an inflammatory body type (arthritis profile) and there are days when I am tighter than others. When I got the band I chose it because if anything ever did go wrong it could be removed or replaced, whereas there's no getting stomach back if part of it is removed. I'm sorry you are facing this now but the good news is you are so much healthier now than when you first got the surgery. You have done beautifully. Hopefully this is just a blip and you and your surgeon will have you back on course soon. Good luck with all and keep us posted!

Hi there, congratulations @@coco65 -- I love my lapband and my new life that came along with it. Sending best wishes for speedy recovery!

Me, too, on the hiccups -- a sign that I've reverted to old behaviors. I was a very fast eater and had to learn how to s-l-o-w down. Just yesterday I had half of a small avocado then went back for the other half immediately. I knew better but my old piggy self wanted that avocado. Sure enough I had to blap it up in the sink. Slippery foods can be problematic for me and I realized that something like plain avocado is just another slider. I try to choose foods that require chewing as that's how the brain gets the signal for satiety. Next time I will chop the avocado up with a few nuts or other dense foods that require chewing -- and chewing slowly is key. Good for you getting back to the surgeon. That follow up is so important -- fill or no fill or even an occasional unfill in my case -- it's important to keep in close touch with our medical professionals in order to stay on track.

Hi there and congratulations all -- exciting times! The first couple of weeks are about healing up. Your surgeon will provide a plan and you'll want to follow that closely. Post-op instructions vary -- just follow your instructions and don't worry if you read that others have different guidelines. Don't let negative posts get to you -- I skip all of those that I can see are going in that direction. There are so many very successful banders but we are underrepresented here. Your surgeon is a partner in this process so don't be afraid to ask questions, call in with any concerns, etc. I used the time early on post-surgery to start listening to my body very closely. I even practiced eating on the clock because I was such a fast eater and I knew that would be an issue for me. By the time I had my first fill (for me it was a month out) my appetite had returned and I was ready to have it dimmed. Some people need more fills than others -- it's a process and you'll need to be patient with yourself. I am so grateful for my band. Good luck with all that is ahead!

Hi there and way to go finding a new practice to work with -- follow up is so important. We have to be proactive and advocate for ourselves. I think if you scroll down on whatever device you are using you will see a Like button? Glad you found this site; it has helped me so much to keep my head in the game. I just got a fill last week after months and like you I am working on that next chunk of weight. Having a dimmed appetite is a beautiful thing.

First few days are hard but then it gets so much easier. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and took the idea of surgery very seriously. The purpose of the pre-op is to shrink the liver to make it easier for the surgeon to place the band properly. That was enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. Plus I knew that, for once, the pounds I lost on pre-op were ones I'd never see again!