Bandista

Amanda, I hope you are able to get the medical care you deserve. I'm personally wary of linking to FB in any way because I'm not out there on FB with my weight loss journey. I guess in this day and age everyone is a little nervous but please know there is a lot of concern for your well being and best wishes for finding a solution.

Hi Donna, this is so easy and I crave it now. Husband had his spine rebuilt last year -- 17 days in the hospital (I don't think I will be whining much about my upcoming LB recovery!). Put pillows at end of bed -- I use two -- to get chest up. Face down, chest on pillows, Dangle shoulders off the end of the bed so arms are free and head is down. Pick up weights one at a time alternating with opposite leg going up simultaneously -- diagonal action. Like swimming the channel! I really notice it my neck but also lower back. Keep weights thumbs up like shakers. Getting hose legs up! Have fun! We then do the standard leg lifts and another somatic a style core builder I'm not sure I can describe. Thing is husband did these for about a year before I joined in. I have my own basement workout but this is a great warmup for the day. Spine care.

Thirty pounds, wow! You are doing beautifully. I don't know why I latched on to the weight of a cinder block (though we have a small farm and that is a hard thing for me to lift). That is 33 pounds. Nice to get rid of one of those! Way to go!

Losing the addiction to food is appealing, shutting down the chattering monkey brain -- I'm looking forward to that.

So happy for you taking charge of your health and your future. I wish I had not waited so long but I'm not looking back now, only today and forward. I want to feel really good in my body -- strong and limber. I'm 52 and arthritic, BP and sleep issues. Can't wait to be banded (less than two weeks!) and put down this extra weight I have been carrying so long. If a cinder block weighs 33 pounds I've been hauling around three of them. Ouch!

I am doing shakes only (broth and Popsicles okay, tea, etc.) and I actually think it's much easier for me to have food out of the equation. Nutritionist offered a plan with a sensible protein veg dinner but I opted for just shakes as it's easier for me at this point just to do liquids and not "diet" if that makes sense. I am on day four not hungry and working out a lot -- also doing some last outdoor work today before it snows.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery -- exciting new chapter of health and happiness beginning for you! I am going in 12 days for mine so I'll be right there with you as we learn how to use the tool properly. Can't wait!

Go Matt! Wow! Congratulations on all the hard work that got you to this place -- so worth it. You can tell from the picture how strong and fit you are now. Whole new lease on life...

Yippee! The pants really do tell us where we are -- congratulations!

Hope all goes splendidly today and you're feeling good. It's interesting to read about stress and the band, etc. But so sorry for your rice event! I think I'll have to hath away from rice. We make it a lot and I usually skip (such a dieter all these years). Asian kid, major rice house. But I hope I can tolerate some Asian noodles once in a while!

I am on day four of shakes only and I'm not hungry at all. First two days I was a bit irritable. Now I need to be sure I'm having enough -- important to get the four shakes in and not skip. All I can say is keep your eyes on the prize and that prize is you -- a healthy, happy you. I hope to drop a chunk on this pre-op because once banded that is weight that for once won't be coming back. I know that there is period just after the band and prior to first fill when I may not lose at all or could even gain a few as that time is about healing from the surgery. The band will be there but may not work yet -- I may not start really losing until after the fills. So I figure whatever I can do now puts me ahead of the game. Good luck and know you're not alone. Many pre-op diets are different -- just focus on your own and talk with your doctor's office if you are having any difficulties.

Beautiful post -- thank you so much for sharing! It's so inspiring to see some one recapturing their health and living their life fully with the help of the band. I am so looking forward to this. Happy Bandiversary!

Twenty-three down is great! Maybe you can celebrate that and relax a little, just keep doing all three right things and you will get there. This is a long game. Think about where you were a year ago and where you will be a year from now. It's a bit at a time and don't worry about the scale being off here and there. So many reasons for that. Time of day, time of month, clothing, water retention, aliens from outer space, etc.

This may be different but it sounds like an excellent plan as far as retraining to have the foods you will need post-band to lose weight (protein, veggies). Getting off the artificial sweeteners is ground-breaking -- there are many studies that show these are contributors to appetite and weight issues (that's just for starters). Maybe you'd like to talk to your doctor about Steevia if you have to have something sweet; it's from a plant and does not trigger the brain in the same ways as aspartame, etc. Sounds like he/she is trying to get patients off of fake sugars, soda addictions, etc. to prepare for a new way of eating.

Thank you, Tony! You know that's just what we all need to hear -- so inspiring. Best wishes.......

Sabinadublin -- sorry I can't add from here but feel free to add me. I am on pre-op liquids and this seems like a good time to get used to entering everything. Into MFP so if get into that habit. Have all my shakes in there, etc.

Wow, that's a great idea. I am not telling very many people but they will want to know I am home and all is well. I've been wondering what on earth to do about my parents. They are in their late eighties and I definitely don't want my Mom in on this. She has always been a champion of weight loss (mine) but in screwed up ways. She has suggested every possible diet over the last four decades and handed me whatever new book was out on the market. You get the idea! Yes, she's thin and petite. I love her but don't want her involved in this. So, maybe I need to devise some kind of scavenger hunt. Something to keep her busy away from me.

Hi Swanky, I've been using frozen fruit -- just keeping track of the calories. It's a nicer smoother smoothie with fruit than with just ice. Today I did just a half a frozen banana because I was worried about calories, which is ridiculous because it's day three and I've been under the target each day. I'm afraid I'd go wild with peanut butter!

Hi Donna, you're being banded the day before me! Missy, I just wrote all of that down. Again. My lists have lists at this point -- guess that's my coping mechanism. Preparation! SO EXCITED!

Hi there, glad you're feeling better. Happy walking! Will probably feel really good to get off the painkillers, too. Congratulations on all -- you are starting this new chapter and it's going to be GREAT.

You are going to have some fun shopping! Way to go -- so inspiring!

Hi there, day 3 here....going pretty well except I have been a little irritable. That seems to be getting better. I'm a tea drinker and probably wasn't having enough caffeine. I have a few different shakes I'm using so that mixes it up a bit. One is a greens shake - "Paradise" Protein & Greens 113 calories, 22 grams protein. It's not quite sweet enough for me so I've been putting a little Steevia in it. I'm also drinking a LOT of cranberry water. I fill a 32 ounce bottle almost to the top with water and add a splash of unsweetened cranberry concentrate and one capful of aloe vera juice. It's delicious and makes a better mixer for some shakes than plain old water. Also using Thorne brand MediClear shakes -- one is chocolate 145 calories 23 grams protein and the other is 180 calories 32 grams of protein. The non-chocolate one doesn't taste nearly as good to me but I feel really good from drinking them. Am also doing the Thorne liver cleanse capsules. Figure I may as well do as much detoxing as possible while I'm on this liquid stage. I have popsicles and had two the first day, one yesterday. They have mostly fruit but a little sugar in them. I don't do artificial sweeteners and prefer a little of the real thing if I'm going to have something. Yesterday I had some chicken stock, too, and that was delicious. Guess I needed something warm and savory on a cold, blustery day. I had two mugs of that -- calories are very low. Mixed in a little Umeboshi paste which is a salty flavorful Japanese plum paste that is a bit like Miso. Zero calories and delicious (high sodium, though, but I only had something like 1/16th of a teaspoon -- a little dab will do you). How are you doing with your liquid diet? Hope it's going well. My surgery is now minus two weeks. Every day is a winding road but we'll get there soon........Best wishes!

Sending good thoughts for all of you, and the other child who will be in another home. Meanwhile, I think It's a real gift for your daughter to have you guys to herself. My parents had over a dozen people with us on and off when I was growing up. Even though I was adopted as a baby it brought up issues of status and permanence for me. When we adopted our son I immediately wanted to do it again but then we realized just having him was what was right for us. All families are different. Your daughter is so lucky and I'm very happy for all of you!

Wow, way to go! Love what you say about the confidence.......rock on!

Look at that smile -- says it all! Congratulations on your commitment and hard work. You are an inspiration -- getting banded in minus two weeks. So looking forward to success.