Bandista

Thanks, Lisa -- I have been thinking about this for a couple do days: Be able to do yoga comfortably, increased flexibility and less joint pain, enjoy serious gardening again, able to get up and down off the ground or floor easily, take a dance class, get in a kayak, hike our local mountain, Skype without dread, get family pictures taken that have me in them, too, wear fun clothes instead of just finding a uniform that fits, be strong and self-confident, not hanging back and shy, embarrassed. Own who I am and throw my shoulders back, be in the world and comfortable there, happy and at peace. Be able to inspire other people, have a better income, achieve financial goals and professional success. Go biking along the Danube and do a barge cruise in Europe when I can handle the boat myself, heave bikes on and off, and undo the locks on the canals. Walk my way around new places because I love walking and want to exercise.

Yes, indeed! You look great. I also want to see what else I can do -- live life and have fun, explore new things and be out there -- if we can achieve this kind of success we can do anything. Thanks for the inspiration.

Ha, good one! I was just reading about fierceness in another post. Let's be fierce. Glad you got your fill -- goal is to wait the allotted time and note whether hunger has returned. Snacking will not give you the info you need. I am trying for 4-5 hours and since I am hungry again earlier than that I know I need another fill, not a snack. I figure I'm not starving as my body has plenty to snack on in the storage departments. Still figuring this thing out but so relieved to have my band. Roar your way into the 200s this holiday season -- you can do it!

Hi Fee, I am in this world, too -- first fill last week and I wasn't really feeling anything; now going tomorrow for a second fill and am feeling tightness. Guess I just have to really listen to my body, take it all slow- slow- slowly, and then reach the green zone at some point. Good luck to you -- let's keep comparing notes!

Oh Shel, what a wonderful post! Thank you so much. Like the others, I felt you were echoing my own story. The starting over on Mondays, huge salads, WW deprivation, etc. Love the way you talk about "peaceful eating" as that is what I'm finding now, peace. And here's to the fierceness, a passion for self, for making good choices, for exercise! The pictures are marvelous -- what a difference 50 pounds make. You look so happy and healthy, truly comfortable in your body. Congratulations on achieving this goal! A friend of mine has a very funny comic on her fridge, the early morning roundup of overweight women in Paris. Thought you'd get a chuckle out of that. Thanks again for such an inspiring post!

Hi Bandit, I just had my first fill and am going back tomorrow for possible second. So we are starting together! Take away the "over" as in starting over -- that's all over now. The past is past. What I'm taking away from this post is followup, followup, followup. So glad you are meeting with your medical professionals, getting your fills and that you're here on the forum. I am going to do the same -- I want LB success more than I have wanted anything in such a long time.

The band has taken away my anxiety around eating. All that chatter -- should I have this, am I on or off my diet, can I have more, etc. -- gone. What a relief! I still love food but I'm not thinking about it all the time. I enjoy what I have but I'm out of food jail. I know I'm very new at this and there are ups and down in all of life, but this area feels secure now. So, I guess I did take the easy way out, because this sure is easier than my last two decades of questioning and worrying over everything I ate. Yippee!

Excellent progress -- congratulations!

I am so happy for you -- and to get this news on your birthday! I know how limb you have been waiting -- congratulations! Happy, happy birthday and here's to a wonderful year ahead.

Hi Vida, great you are going in this afternoon -- I will be thinking of you working with the surgeon to puzzle this through. I am interested in how the band can tighten up for various reasons -- people have mentioned stress and hormones (PMS or TOM), air travel, etc. Wonder about big lifestyle changes or weather, etc. Also there's the whole food sensitivity issue. Could there be something in that protein bar you cannot tolerate any longer for some reason? I am very new to this and just throwing some thoughts out there. The great thing is your are very tuned in to your body. You will get this figured out!

If it's sandwich-y stuff, how about just open it up and eat the Protein out of the middle. Chew a lot and take your time. For me, that is the problem with eating on the run, the loss of focus and potential for forgetting how important it is to go slowly. I had a Quest bar for "brunch" today (I'm not hungry in the mornings). 20 grams protein, not too bad tasting. Very filling, however. Probably should have stopped short of finishing it. Finishing is not the goal, that's for sure. Nor is fullness.

My snow pants fit! It's been years. These are overall-style and pretty tight in the abdomen. So happy! Now I can play in the snow, walk outside on icky days like this one, etc. And next year they will be too big. Yippee!

NH, which may still be the whitest state. It's ignorance, basically, as so many people have not been exposed to a diverse population. We did live in CA for a time -- very different!

Good idea, thanks! I'm definitely harkening back to the days of feeding a baby. Small amounts, little spoon, watching for signals of full or wanting more of something. Now I'm the baby!

Hi there, I am at week five, too! I wrote a post about my first fill last week but I'm not computer savvy enough to find it for you. First of all, I had the same experience of hunger returning. At first post-op I wasn't hungry and so now I know what the band can do for me. Love that! But the hunger did return maybe at three weeks -- varies greatly for people. Some are hungry right away so I think I was really lucky. I went for my first fill last Wednesday and will go back this Wednesday for a possible second fill. Basically it went like this: connected with the surgeon again (I like this guy a lot), went over the return of hunger and how I had one slime throw up episode, what that was like (ate too much too fast of course), then he had me lie back on the table, felt around for my port (they only use fluoroscopy if there's a problem), cleaned area with alcohol, gave a shot of painkiller that just pinched a little, no big deal. Then he was giving me an arm to sit up and I said, "what about the fill?!" He had already done it and I didn't realize it because it was so quick and easy and we were chatting.

Hi Pablo, I started seeing a therapist this summer for the same reason -- to really examine those food issues once and for all. It's not like I hadn't done that before on my own -- I'm 52 so I've read a lot of books, journaled, etc. But this time it felt different because I'd made this big decision to be banded and get healthy no matter what it takes. I feel sure I can do it now because of the band and that makes all the difference. I'm not suffering from the low self esteem associated with all those failed attempts dieting because I have admitted that I could not do it. And that's okay. And now I know there are lots and lots of others who are the same way -- this forum has really helped me with that. I think anxiety played a big part in my eating. I would use food to quell an underlying current of nervous worry running throughout my day. The same mindfulness techniques I'm using now to listen to my body and my band help me identify what is stressing me out and causing me to want to eat. Some is habit or reward, but the root is anxiety and stress. I'm working to be calmer -- using hypnotherapy and mindfulness techniques for that, breathing, etc. Mainly it's just noticing. I notice and the feeling dissipates immediately. The stuff that was worrying me -- work, money, etc. isn't even that big of a deal. I was letting the small stuff rattle me and then contributing my own stress in the form of bad food choices, caffeine, sugar, etc. It sounds like you're in a great place right now -- the fills and now the behavior modification issues. You're doing beautifully. So glad you posted. It really helps me to keep on this. Best wishes!

I guess we've all seen the plate the nutritionist shows as a demo -- I agree it's hard to figure out just how much food goes on to the plate divided into the protein, veg and carbs. Yes it's a small plate but that seems like a lot of food! My nutritionist also wanted to know why I was so wedded to the half cup measure. I was eating right out of the stainless steel measuring cup with a little fork or spoon. Just trying to get used to the new way of eating (I am almost five weeks out). So a half cup was working for me -- I could have two, like one half cup cottage cheese, one tuna -- and I would not finish. Listening for signals. She advised me to give that up. Has me labelled as a restricter. So the next day I overate and maybe too fast, too, and had my first and so far only episode. Violent hiccups for twenty minutes followed by sliming and throwing up. I love my little half cup measuring cup -- think I need that just to get my eyes bigger than my stomach issues resolved.

I think I would be concerned about my partner's need to control my size or what I wear, etc. These may be signs of other areas of control that are in jeopardy. I wonder if she might be intimidated by the control you have in your life now -- the powerful decision you made to get the band and to be whole and healthy may be bringing up issues for her. Choose yourself first. That way you bring the very best you into any relationship. Choose a partner who supports you in your quest for self-fulfillment, creativity and individuality. Some one who treasures you.

Wow! That was quite an experience. I'm really glad an overnight hospital stay was required for my surgery. I didn't feel like I needed it -- wish we could have traded places as clearly you did. And the chaplain -- that would have freaked me out. There is so much variation in surgeons and their approaches to Lapband, the facilities, protocol, etc. How are you doing now?

Hi Lovebug, you're not alone, that's for sure. Don't feel badly about yourself -- we all got banded for the same reason: appetite control. You are on your way.....just need to get the fill right and you'll have that relief of the appetite monster off your back. Personally I think it's particularly hellish because we got a good taste of that post-op -- I just wasn't hungry at all. Such a happy feeling! Then the appetite returned as I knew it probably would. My first fill was last week and I go back again this week to assess for another. We will get to that place of satisfaction on a small amount of food for 4-5 hours and able to make good high protein choices. It's all happening, just a process.

WW definitely messed with my head -- counting everything like crazy and squeaking a point in, calculating, calculating.....but that's just me, a restricter. I personally hope I never see a WW anything ever again.

Month and a week out and thrilled.

Expect to be a little quirky and a bit nervous -- at least that was me! Congratulations on your date. I am four and a half weeks out and so happy.

That first drop is so exciting but there is the leveling off and even sometimes a gain prior to getting fill right and adopting to new lifestyle. I lost 10 pre-op, 10 immediately post-op, then another 4-5 which I then regained. Just got that off again following my first fill. I recognize there will be ups and downs, water weight gain and loss, etc., but I know I'm on my way to good health no matter what. You are, too!

So exciting -- fantastic progress. You not only look gorgeous but HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!