Bandista

Oooh, thank you!

So happy for you. I feel the same way -- why didn't we do this before! It feels so good to be getting healthy. And I feel very relieved, too, just more at peace.

Hope you feel better soon and get to the bottom of this. Lyme and co-infections did a number on my immune system a couple of years ago but I'm healthy now and very grateful for that. During that year and a half I got everything that came along. It's good you are noticing what's going on -- get tests run to see if something is up. I'm a big believer in whole foods and lots of garlic, ginger, etc. We eat healthy veggies and buy organic as much as possible. Very concerned about chemicals in prepared foods, etc. And I don't eat or drink out of plastic. Plus I take an array of supplements. So I'm definitely on that health food nut side of things -- have to be. Exercising has really helped boost my immune system tremendously -- even though at first I was just exhausted. Could barely get out of bed, coping with fevers and extreme fatigue, joint pain, etc. Watch out for things like caffeine and sugar, and adrenal fatigue. Are you having plenty of water and do you use humidifiers -- all clean filters, etc.? Just throwing stuff out there. Take good care of yourself -- your body is asking for rest and it's going to get it one way or another.

Hi Donna, sending you very best wishes. I'm so glad you have good medical professionals and a clear diagnosis. Knowing what you're dealing with is a big step in the right direction, though it's overwhelming at first and now a new medication adjustment. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

This first month is all about recovering from the surgery. My surgeon told me not to eat if I wasn't hungry and when I did eat in the beginning I got full very quickly. I still have to take it slowly and put the utensil down, wait, come back, etc. As soon as I get a feeling in my chest I stop. For me this means I've been reverting to eating too fast or bites too big. Food has to be very mushie so needs to be chewed a long time. If you are having pain you should contact your doctor.

Hi there -- sounds like you're doing great. Congratulations on new banded life.

Hi Jamie -- congratulations on getting banded! We are just a few weeks apart. That's how it was for me, too -- a few bites and that was it. Same feeling in solar plexus. This went on quite a long time but now my appetite has returned and I'm hungry again sooner. Tomorrow I meet with my surgeon for a first fill.

Hi there -- maybe you are eating too fast? I agree learning to listen to the body's signals is difficult. What is hunger vs. what is habit, and for me slowing way, way down. Also the food has to be absolute mush when it is swallowed so that's a lot of chewing!

Yippee! Finally! So happy for you -- I know this was causing a lot of anxiety. Now you can let yourself get excited. Congratulations on this new chapter in your life beginning.

Congratulations -- I am a month out and feeling great. Walking really helped me so much. Best wishes to you!

Wow, that was a lot going on in a very short period of time -- no wonder you got stressed out! What's really great is that you are noticing everything, listening to your body. And it's telling you it doesn't like that crap. And you're not going to let this pendulum you into being "bad" for the month of December and throughout the holidays into New Years just because you had some M&Ms, etc. You are a new person with a new attitude but some of our old programming is still there. I figure every time we overwrite the brain chatter with good dialogue, such as "oh Debbie, I am so happy when I exercise!" instead of the old conversations, "should I have this, oh screw it, I'm having it," we are getting healthier. You are doing well -- just persevere. Clean out your system and know that December is a long month. This is day 2 of a whole new month. Let's be healthy and happy!

*fill yet, not a fillet! Which I have had.

Don't give up! I am newly banded and haven't even had a fillet, but I know it takes some people many many fills to get there. What does your doc say?

I was given a set of papers to read and I marked it up while I waited for the doctor to come in -- circled anything I wanted to understand better, etc. It was really nice to connect because we will be seeing a lot of one another now that the weekly fill appointments are beginning. That felt important to me, the after-care element. Good luck to you -- very exciting times! I have been banded one month and I am so happy.

My understanding is the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver so the surgeon can get install the band efficiently. Alcohol is not going to help shrink the liver. Maybe a party without drinking is good practice for a new lifestyle -- not that you can't drink once banded but that there are going to be times when you need to make a healthier choice. This may be one of those times! Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery. Very exciting new chapter beginning!

that's Vickie -- sorry for typo!

Hi Bickie, I'm going on Wednesday. Let me know how it goes for you! Am definitely feeling more nibbly and hungry sooner.....will be good to nip that in the bud. I'm not sure what the post-fill protocol will be. Assuming a few days of liquids but not sure. In any case it will be good to get a little jump start for losing again. Good luck to you today!

These are some before and after photos taken at a seven-week interval. First ones are just prior to pre-op diet, etc., and the ones with snow were taken Thanksgiving morning. Hoping to stay current with pictures and measurements in order to keep myself motivated. 10/23/13 Bust 49, Waist 45, Hips 52, Thigh 28.5, Arm 17.5, Neck 17.5, Weight 248 11/27/13 Bust 47.5, Wast 44, Hips 50.5, Thigh 28.5, Arm 15.5, Neck 17.5, Weight 227 Lost an inch and a half from my bust, an inch off the waist, inch and a half off the hips, two inches off the arm -- neck and thighs the same. I've been working out a lot and will continue with that. Pretty sure exercise is the magic ingredient! Best wishes all. I am so happy with my band!

Hi there, the post-band pre-fill time can be difficult appetite-wise -- many people gain a little during this time. Your body is healing up from the surgery and then when you're able to get fills and find the right place your band can go to work....

Hi Hayley, I am so sorry for what you're going through. I hope your medical professionals are able to work together with whatever medication you are prescribed and the nutrition/fill/unfill side of things. My only thought is that exercise would benefit your mood stability -- if you are at all able, can you get out each day and get some exercise. Believe me. I know this can be so hard when there is depression but it can make a big difference. I'm glad you are here on the forum. You are not alone in your struggles -- sending you best wishes!

Post away -- we need to inspire one another! And we will be glad later for the comparison. Thanks every one for the feedback. Weird feeling but good prep for once the outside world starts commenting. I feel so safe and sound here.

I will be exercising on Thanksgiving morning -- definitely a first for me! Instead of major food prep, I made sure to organize a good workout for tomorrow so I don't miss a day on Turkey Day. Then we'll have our feast, which for me will just be a tad of everything. I'm not dreading it, but I'm also not the least bit obssessed with the food part of the holiday. More worried about getting my work-out in. For me, this is a complete turnaround and a very happy mode to be in. Thank you, Band!

Thanks so much, both of you -- I'm happy to see the Winnie-the-Poo belly going down a bit and just feeling so much better now that I'm on my way. I have never known before that a weight loss program was going to work for me -- I had so much evidence to the contrary. This time I'm just sure of it and it feels so good. I am more relaxed and happy in my body than I've been in a long time. It's not just the 21 pounds down, it's more than that. I credit the band with a lot of mental change going on inside my head. Satiety may be about more than just appetite.

Oh dear, so sorry. I fear this -- just found a brand at CVS for fish oils called "Half the size." Hoping those will work for me as I need the fish oils for arthritic pain. Cannot do Tylenol now -- the oblong shape is no good. I read on some one's post about flapping your left elbow like a crazy chicken dance and how that can help. I have no idea but thought I'd put it out there. Best wishes to you!

Great thread here -- thanks so much for posting! This whole process of transformation is very powerful and I know there is a part of me that fears that. This summer I started to see a therapist to make sure I was set for this big step of WLS. One of my issues has to do with resenting the idea that people like me better when I'm thinner. I've known this for a long time, that my physical acceptability matters to people who I think should just love me no matter what (mother, extended family, etc.). So there's that. Another thing in the back of my mind for a long time has been the thought that my weight anchors me -- keeps me in place. It's almost as though I'm afraid of what I'll do when I don't have that weight holding me down (back) anymore.