Bandista

Congratulations, Lia! Take good care and let us know how you're doing. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Congratulations! I am pre-band and can't wait to be on the other side. Hope you are able to rest and take good care of yourself. You're on your way! Best wishes.....

I am not banded yet but I love cauliflower smush, as we call it. I make organic chicken stock and use that to get it to the right consistency -- sometimes with added things like fresh cilantro, garlic, etc. Also it freezes beautifully -- I'm a gardener and when they come in we have to process them somehow. This is a great way. Any kind of winter squash or pumpkin can be steamed and whirred up (I use a stick blender or food processor) with stock -- veggie stock, chicken stock, etc. Also check out the Indonesian Squash Soup recipes -- coconut milk, lime, etc. some have a few almonds ground in to add nutty flavor. Not sure what's best on Mushy diet -- whether nuts are okay. Do you like eggplant? Half them and roast face-down (I use parchment paper). Scoop out and mix with garlic, a little olive oil, salt and pepper, oregano if you like and feta cheese. If you can get sheep's milk feta where you live it is worth it. Absolutely delicious. You can put the smush back in the eggplant "boat" to serve if you like.

So exciting......I am pre-band and love reading stories like yours. Congratulations on everything -- won't it be wonderful to show up for all the future happiness with good health!

This is great for those of us who are pre-band -- lots of info on stages to expect plus you are such an inspiration. Congratulations! Keep us posted on how it is going for you! I can't wait to get banded -- ready to do the work and find peace with food and success on the scale. Here's to good health!

It's hard not to get obsessed with the number on the scale but my guess is your body is doing this just right -- lose, level off, lose. Maybe pick another number to work on right now -- like beating current treadmill time or adding one more time around the block, something like that? I think you're doing great -- congratulations on the 20!

I have a very keen sense of smell, too -- we should open a perfumerie or a bloodhound detective agency! Maybe you can wash everything in baking soda or something like that.....?

Hi there, my Lapband program requires a two-week pre-op diet and they provide HMR 800 shakes. Has any one tried these? http://www.hmrprogram.com/index.cfm/HMRFoods/HMRShakes/HMR_800_Shake I'm not sure what the requirements are -- i.e. use only these shakes, or liquid diet of your choice and here are the shakes we recommend.......not crazy about some of the ingredients: dairy and soy-based but then there's Maltodextrin, Asparateme, Phenylalanine......I think I'd be happier on a juice fast.

WOW! Congratulations! So happy for you. I am pre-band and you are making me want to get out the measuring tape --- and, EEEK, the camera -- to do some documentation ahead of time. So exciting to hear news like this. Rock on!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! And good for you for resisting the temptation to try to calculate where I'll be by thus and such date -- it's such a trap. It takes the time it takes but it's going to be so worth it! And you will be gorgeous at your October event no matter what......have fun!

Could it be that maybe your fill is not right yet? As for food addiction -- the head hunger -- this is something you can conquer. It's going to take your all, though, and you need to be sure everything is lined up, including the band adjustment, right foods in the house, etc. You deserve the good health coming your way. You can do this!

Hi there, congratulations on the band. It will all get easier as you heal up and then get a fill. Thanks so much for keeping us posted! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.......

Great non-scale victory -- Being able to vacation comfortably, to be physical -- yippee! Thanks for the inspiration, much needed as I wait, wait, wait for a surgery date. Can't wait for feeling better in my body. I want that so much. Best wishes!

Have fun brassiere shopping -- it's going to be great to find the right fit and feel well-supported and looking good in your clothes, etc. You've achieved so much success -- I wish you a drawer full of gorgeous lingerie!

I'm really examining the reasons I eat as I wait to get my surgery date so that I'll be able to make the right choices. It helps me to be able to label the behavior. Boredom, for example -- I want to eat because I'm not caught up in what I'm doing, it's dull and I want food. Or anxiety (my biggest one). I feel anxious about something and use food to settle myself down. I feel stressed and am looking for an anchor in the form of food. Reward -- thinking I deserve something. Etc. Sorting this out is helpful to me as I do not want to do any of this anymore. I want the band to give me time to think things through not driven by appetite so I can choose something like walking instead, or getting out my art supplies, writing in my journal. Something that is not food. Good luck -- you can do this!

So happy for you!

Yippee!

So happy for you! Hope you have a good restful weekend.

Every one is so different, these human bodies. Just take good care of yourself and every day a little better. It's rough not having enough sleep -- hope that comes your way soon. Deep, healing sleep -- there's nothing quite like it! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Thanks for keeping us posted!

Great choice-making -- you are going to do beautifully and reach your goal. Congratulations!

Called the insurance company today to see whether the hospital had submitted for approval yet -- no. But then I asked if I could check the benefits one more time. I have done this multiple times since hatching this plan the beginning of June. BMI requirement is still 40 and there is nothing doing with the co-morbidities, but they have gone from 100% covered in-network down to 90%. Hospital better hurry this thing along! Now I'm wondering what the tally is -- 10% of what? Will I be required to pay my portion up front? Etc. Of course we are the lucky, lucky, people with health insurance. I am grateful for that and only wish we had some kind of national healthcare system so it was the same for every one.

Marine battery -- great tip! We live in a very rural area and are prone to power outages. 13 days a while back -- that was something. An ice storm. Like you I get so freaked out if I think I'm not going to be able to sleep and breathe properly overnight -- guess that's the definition of apnea! I'll be getting on the marine battery purchase ASAP. Good luck with your weight loss journey, and your SLEEP! Best wishes.....

I'm being very selective as well. Every one is different -- all families are different, too. I think I know who my cheerleaders will be vs. those who may not like it that I'm taking control of my happiness in such an outward way. I'm a bit shy anyway -- don't like to be seen off at the airport, don't like my picture taken (but that's probably the fat), and don't like public speaking, etc. Uncomfortable with scrutiny...need some privacy to sort through this thing!

Yippee!

Keep up the good fight -- seems like you are almost there! It's going to be so worth it, all this hassle. Best wishes to you -- I hope you get there soon.