Bandista

Hi Jamilyme, doing well post-op day 3 -- sore left shoulder and minor abdominal pain, no pain meds other than Ibuprofen and Tylenol a few times a day. Slept through the night! Sipping liquids -- tea, juice, etc. Had half a protein shake yesterday (am on full liquids) and some broth. Not hungry at all but prepared should that come. In this for the long term! Just healing, not overdoing, watching movies, etc. Hope you're doing well -- happy Friday all!

I thought I wouldn't be exercising for a bit while my insides heal up but I am doing so much walking. Feeling driven! On the way home from the hospital I had my husband drop me off at the end of our dirt road so I could get that walk in. Later several times around the driving circle. Yippee! Gas not bad, shoulder and chest tightness relieved by arm windmills plus that really gets the heart rate going. The deer and squirrels were laughing at me. Oh, and I thought I looked like Winnie the Pooh before surgery. This is one round belly. I am patting it to say thank you before it goes away for good.

Great blog!

Hi there, this is my support group -- you! And every one on here. I just looked at your profile and you're down 35 since the end of August. Way to go! I think you're doing beautifully just over two months out. And you still have your whole stomach! The weight will come off but it may be slower closer to goal. We have similar stats and I know it may take me a while to lose my weight but it will happen. So much healthier this way!

I'm a little growly, too -- just had some nice salty broth and my stomach is trying to thank me out loud. The walking has been so great for me and also arms way up in the air, some windmills while walking to get any trapped gas moving out.

Wow! What an inspiration -- thanks so much for sharing. You are rocking this thing!

My process took five months -- not an insurance requirement but just the way thee program works at the hospital I used. I used the time to read all I could here about other people's experiences and I got a therapist to talk through food issues with me and be a partner in the banding process. Again not a requirement but I'm really glad I did that. Just wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered for this new chapter in my life. I am determined to be successful. The other thing I did was really step up my exercise life and I'm so glad to have that piece solved. My body is so much stronger than five months ago. I just got banded and I know the exercise is going to help tremendously once I start losing. Maybe that's something you could do in your six months -- you'll be ahead of the game and may even lose some weight. I don't know what your insurance company requires in terms of diet and documentation but the exercise would be great to start. Also drinking a protein shake very day. Good luck to you! Very frustrating to wait but the time will fly by.

Hi Zorro, there you are! Hope you are doing well and have some good sleep ahead of you at home. I am taking liquid Tylenold and liquid ibuprofen -- staying away from the narcotics. Drinking quite a bit -- was so thirsty! And walking all I can. Tomorrow I start full liquids. Not hungry at all yet but I know that may come as there is no fluid in my band. Good luck to you!

Will be thinking of yup both tomorrow!

The chemicals put into those candies are crafted with the specific purpose of addictive eating behavior. And of course culturally Halloween is candy-centered, all in the name of selling more bags of crap candy. Sometimes to get off a sweets jag I have used Steevia -- I put it my way-diluted cranberry juice. I know what I can't have in the house -- candy, brownies, cookies, etc. It's like they talk to me.

Yahoo! That is great progress -- congratulations. I really like the idea of the jeans as a measuring tool.

That's great news, Micki -- you're on your way and definitely have what it takes: commitment and perseverance. Let us know how everything goes! We will be new Bandits together in a way. Best wishes!

I had to take a standardized test -- the kind where you pencil in an oval representing always to never. It was very easy. Repetitive questions to weed out serious psychological problems, noncompliant types, people with serious hospital fears, that sort of thing. Then the therapist talked with me about various things just to see that my decision was thought through well enough, etc. It was fine, just standard protocol for many LB programs. We scheduled it so I also got to. Meet with the nutritionist that day for the first time. More intake about food, eating habits, how band works, what to expect once banded, the pre-op diet explained, etc. And I didn't have to pay a co-pay for whatever reason. A little bonus!

Best wishes to you! I had a good overnight and am waiting now for barium swallow. They take a picture and then I should be home by noon. I made it a policy to walk up and down the hall every time I got up to pee -- I think it has helped to move a lot. I am on a saline drip with ibuprofen -- trying to stay away from painkillers. Will see what the day brings. I don't want the side effects and know I will heal more quickly if I am present to the process. Planning very quiet week of tea, Popsicles, soups, etc. And walking! That is my mandate, to think about walking the way I used to think about food.

Hi Debbie, so glad repair went well -- things are really coming together for you. Congratulations on baby and now a working band!

Hi there, hope you have a great day. I'm scheduled for a barium swallow at 7AM then probably home by noon. Was not allowed fluids after midnight so I'm pretty thirsty but have a saline drip. Walking, walking, walking every time I have to get up to pee. Feels food to move! Best wishes -- we did it! Yippee!

Yippee! So happy for you.....

Great posts here -- thanks! I have Gas-x and small firm pillow with me for the ride home from the hospital tomorrow if needed. At home: Milk of Magnesia, stool softeners, filled pain medication prescription I hope not to need, juices for clear liquids, Popsicles, soups, etc. for moving into full liquid phase. Let's see, heating pad, ice packs....

I work out with a cousin and it's that mutual benefit equation -- doing it for and with another person gets me there. But now I'm trying to do the solo stuff, too, as add-on exercise. Walking down the road, etc. That is harder -- oh the head games! When I exercise I feel so good but I'm never exactly wanting to get on that treadmill, etc. Have to force myself. Want to change that up now and like it from the get-go and have the wanting to do it.

Thanks all, nighty night! Every one will have to do extra workouts as I won't be doing that for a while but I am definitely going to take one more walk up and down the hallways now. It is helping clear my head from the anesthesia and loosen up my tight shoulders -- need to move! feeling good -- very excited about this new chapter. Here's to health and vitality!

Put those medical professionals to work -- they are there for you. Don't worry about embarrassment, etc., just worry about your health goals and what you are trying to achieve.

Many people take Biotin and I think there is a special shampoo out there. A dermatologist may have recommendations. Good luck -- it will come back! And congrats on the 40......

Congratulations on the 85 -- wow! You are doing beautifully.

Some one suggested writing a letter to yourself. I did that and marked it with my goal weight. It's in my jewelry box waiting...... Also I made myself a measurements chart and will watch those dimensions change even when the scale might be poky. And I'm going to use clothing sizes, too -- today on band day I am Lee long 18 on the bottom and 2x in Lands End or Coldwater Creek tops. Will be fun to watch that change.