Bandista

Hi there, hope you have an easier day today! It takes a few days for the body to let go of those addiction cravings -- you are cleansing now. Journalling really helped me, writing down my feelings. When I first started the process to get a band I decided to start seeing a therapist to talk over food issues and help me with head hunger, etc. It really helped me to figure out those times when I would turn to food. A stress eater, of course, an emotional eater, but breaking those down further was insightful. Identifying the patterns. All the ways I'd soothe myself with food. On a pre-op diet we let go of that crutch and things can come roaring to the surface. Remember to be gentle with yourself. You are choosing this because you're choosing yourself now, your health. Keep your eyes on the prize and that prize is you. You deserve to be healthy and happy, free from food jail. We all do, and all of us here could not get there on our own -- that's why we went though so much to get the band. Please don't feel alone! Best wishes.....

Great goal for March -- love your t-shirt! Let's see..... New clothes in the spring -- a dress or two! Get our whole family bicycling together. Beach trips next summer....lots. Feel good for our child's graduation next June. Onederland!

And getting up from a window seat to get out, etc. All that will be so much easier! There's a restaurant we like to go to once in a while for special occasions and the little tables are very close together. I like to sit on the banquette but getting in and out is such a squeeze. Looking forward to just sliding out without having to make apologies to the next table over or to my fellow airline passengers. So embarrassing.

A quote from the LB program coordinator at our local hospital (she is banded herself): "all the good stuff happens in the dark anyway."

So glad for you -- thanks for the inspiration. Newly-banded here and so excited!

I'm going to try your oatmeal tomorrow, thanks! Also forgot to mention those carton boxes of Imagine and Pacific brand organic soups are really yummy. We have them in the regular grocery store here. There's a creamy potato leek I've tried and a creamy mushroom. Organic, no dairy, etc. Only problem is I have a few spoonfuls and that's it. Today I had I a cooking fest and used up the opened cartons making stews, etc. for the family this week. I love to cook and am happy in the kitchen -- just no need to have the product myself, at least not now. I also steamed some beets and whizzed them up with a stick blender, adding plain yogurt to get the pourable consistency. This was absolutely delicious -- like a faux Borscht. I practiced eating with a baby spoon and the clock, one spoonful a minute.

Hi K, congratulations on your surgery date. Boxing Day! What an amazing gift you are giving yourself. I just got my band (tomorrow is one week) and I am so happy. For me it's about choosing myself and a happy, healthy future. Glad you're here on the forum. I think every one is nervous leading up to this..... And as for pre-op diets, a lot of people don't have one. Every surgeon has their own protocol. Best wishes!

Yikes -- just realized I am on the wrong forum! Still getting used the changes here -- I am a Lapbander. Best wishes!

I had my one-week followup today and the surgeon was a little alarmed when I told him I had Tylenol and Ibuprofen caps and wondered if that is alright. I saw his face and said, "I guess that would be a no." He concurred. I'm glad I am not in any pain now as I really don't like the taste of the liquid stuff. The children's Ibuprefen in particular, blech!

Great post! Thanks so much for a real lift this morning. I am going in for my one week post op followup today and already I feel like this is the best decision I've made for myself in who knows how long. Major, major life choice. Choosing a healthy happy future! Thanks also for reminding me how important it is to let my spouse know what I need from him. He's incredibly supportive but also a little clueless and I tend to be so independent. He has some weight to lose, too, and I'm sure that will fall of of him now that we are not grazing together each evening. After reading your post I realize he needs to be allowed to help so I'm letting him drive me to my appointment even though I am fine here on day six. You are an inspiration, Sandy. I always love to read what you post but this one takes the cake! Best wishes!

Hi there, my protocol was one day clear then on to full liquids. Some people are on clear for much longer and mostly I found In these six days home mostly what I want is clear (I was banded last Tuesday). I have tried protein shakes a few times but don't want them. I have a favorite tea and I am enjoying that which gets a lot of fluid in; I drink water with a splash of cranberry and aloe -- my comfort drink. All goes down well for me -- have not had any problems with swallowing, etc. I have no fluid in my band. I've enjoyed broth -- that savory saltiness -- and yesterday I made egg drop soup. Even though eggs are not on my list for a few more days, the surgeon made a hand-written addition of egg drop soup to the full liquids list. That was yummy -- I kept those strands of egg in my mouth a long time and worked at the whole slow slow slow thing. I only had a tiny bit but it was delicious. I set up a placemat and napkin, sat at the table with my husband, who had thirds on the soup. Unbanded me would have been right there with him! I don't do artificial sweeteners -- for me having a little bit of sugar is better than the other stuff so the Popsicles I have are higher in calories. But not that much and I am so under the allotment it's fine for now. So I've enjoyed a few pops every day. Favorite has been MiniteMaid soft lemonade which comes in a box half raspberry half lemon. Those are delicious and gone. Kids in the house have been enjoying as well. I did get some things in the fridge like Muscle Milk and another pre-made drink high in protein but so far they are just sitting there. My hunger has not returned yet. Good luck to you -- we'll be thinking of you on the 21st!

Hi Ya Ya, the pre-op is, well, so pre-occupying! And just when there is so much going on -- the getting ready mentally, etc. I will be thinking of you on the 18th. Do you have a hospital overnight? This was my first time with that (and I'm 52!) and the whole experience was so much better than I expected it to be. As soon as I started getting up to pee I started walking up and down the hallways and I did that each time up and down as many times as possible. Then I'd go drop off for another couple of hours and repeat. Saline and Ibuprofen drip, so I had to relieve my bladder (or felt like I did). I would think to myself after unplugging from the wall and getting IV pole rolling, I may as well put my robe on and do that walking! I think it really helped a lot and I have continued at home. The thought that I would turn into one of those voluntary walkers and be enthusiastic about it is astounding to me. I'm going for my one-week followup with the surgeon this morning and I'm feeling so good about everything. Not hungry at all, though I'm prepared for that return. For me, Popsicles and teas have been really nice as well as salty broth. I keep trying a protein shake but I guess I had so many of those pre-op that now I am not interested. I will need to start focusing on protein but the doc said not to worry about that this week. Oh, just so you know there is some fluid gain after the surgery and then that releases -- in my case the fifth day. Probably better not to get on the scale but of course I had to do that. Also be sure to stay on top of your digestion, especially if you are prone to constipation. I didn't do narcotics and am so glad -- for me better to endure the discomfort and handle any pain with Ibu and Tylenol rather than have the out of it feeling of narcotics and the body shutting down just when I need it to heal. Every one is different, though. If you do take narcotics be sure to talk to your doctor et al about stool softeners, etc. (sorry to bring this sh*t up!). Good luck to you -- keep us posted!

Hi Lois, I'm new at this but while waiting for surgery I read so many posts from people having difficulty just at the point where you are now. It's like clockwork! There is a natural leveling off and you are doing beautifully. Some people even gain weight post-surgery and prior to finding the right adjustment. Don't get discouraged -- be proud of yourself for everything you have accomplished thus far. We are in this for the long game!

Hi there, so happy to see these posts! I've had a hard time with the site, too. Hope you new Bandits are having a relaxing weekend. I am feeling really good here on day five, lots of walking but also lots of resting. On full liquids and surgeon added a handwritten note, "egg drop soup." So I learned how to make that and it is delicious. Technically can't have eggs until Thursday as they are on the Smooth Foods list. I only had a little and I am trying the techniques of letting the "food" pass through and waiting before having the next bite. Cold soup but so thrilled over strands of egg that I didn't care. My weight was down this morning so I must be shedding some of that fluid from surgery, etc. Determined not to get obsessed by the scale as I know it may take me a while to find the green zone, etc. But so far so good. No fluid in my band. Feeling very positive and grateful for our little community.

Hi there, day five here also. And this was the day I wanted to go somewhere, too -- a little trip to town just to get out. Resting now after making some egg drop soup. Delicious! Only had a tiny bit -- like you, I am not hungry. Have not noticed any left shoulder pain today at all so maybe that is gone. Going without Tylenol and so so glad I didn't do pain killers. I've been walking a lot which feels great. This is a habit I've wanted to make and it seems the band has done that for me -- very happy about that! Tomorrow is my follow up visit with the surgeon. I think he will be pleased to see the incisions healing up nicely. So glad to hear you are doing well, my fellow November 5th Bandit! Best wishes.......

Wonderful NSV. Pre-gain I used to wear seven rings and lots of bracelets. I look forward to that again at some point. Thanks for the inspiration this morning!

Shake world definitely gets easier after the first couple of days. Surgeons have different requirements, but I also used broth with spices, etc. And Popsicles -- helped to change things up. Teas. Drank lots of water to flush out my system (I add a splash of unsweetened cranberry to a 32oz. jar of water and a capful of aloe Vera). And by the end of my two-week pre-op I had four or five different shakes to choose from. The goal is to shrink your liver -- I was happy to drop some weight before the surgery as that is weight I won't be seeing again. Good luck to you -- try to stay distracted. And if you can walk, even a bit at a time, that is such a great way to prepare your mind and body. It will really help once your band is in to walk, walk, walk and starting now will set all of that up ahead of time. Best wishes -- I am day five post-op and so happy!

Hi there, congratulations on deciding to take charge of your health! I started my process in June and was banded last Tuesday. Over the summer I worked with a therapist to identify emotional eating triggers and I also stepped up my exercise to prepare for the surgery and set myself up for success once banded. Yesterday four days post-op I walked four miles throughout the day (one mile at a time). It's working! I chose the band because it is less invasive and, if ever necessary, reversible. Good luck to you as you do all your research and make plans for your healthy future. I have found this forum to be a great place for gathering information. There are some amazing people here with a lot of experience with the band and of course there's that feeling that we are all in this together. Best wishes!

Congratulations -- another November bandit! I like to think about where we will all be at this time next year. Best wishes to you!

Hi Lynn, I can't answer your question because I've just been banded myself but it sounds to me like you are doing well with listening to your body. It's good to notice that you did feel restriction briefly but now have hunger between meals. This info will tell your surgeon exactly what s/he needs to know in terms of your next adjustment. Personally I am glad to take it a bit slow as like you I am nervous about getting to the right place without stuck episodes, etc. Good luck to you!

Hi there friend, you have been through so much -- pain is exhausting and when you look in the mirror I'm sure you are seeing that deep fatigue that comes with a long recuperative period. You must be so ready to get home again. New eyes, new hips......this is a very big year! When I'm having self image crisis moments I try to thank my body as a way to reconnect. Sometimes it feels like there have been true betrayals there, that I got so off track, things happened and I lost the mind/body/spirit connection and could not get it back. The thanking seems to take me to a place of wholeness, even just in that little moment I know I'm on my way. It's the real goal -- not the weigh-in number or even how I look but that feeling of being whole and at peace with my body, myself. Definitely a work in progress and these human bodies, oh my. Complicated vessels sometimes! Now, if your mother wants to help she can get those Cookies the hell out of the house. Sending best wishes from New England on a crisp cold day.....keep in touch!

Hi there, can you put me on the block list, too -- I can't figure out how to do it from here. This is way too stressful for me. Thank you!

This is stressful. And confusing! Is there a brain erase feature in this new format so I can un-read all this?

Gotta wash off the pesticides from our store-bought fruits and veggies! We grow some stuff here but whatever we buy -- even the organic produce -- gets a bath when it comes into the house.