Bandista

Best wishes for speedy recovery!

Time to rock 'n roll -- we GOT this! Still pre-band but mindset is ready -- bring it!

Thank you for this piece. I hear you on the stress -- it's not going away but how we respond to it can change drastically. Being on the outside looking in vs. being whirled up in it and (for me) having to eat to anchor myself in the storm.

Big changes must sometimes bring up a lot of stuff for the people around us. I worry about this in my usual way of banking anxiety in advance -- what will I say, what if people like me better when I'm thinner and that feels weird, unfair...etc. And so I love how out there you are with your colleagues -- it's inspiring me to be more open. Maybe. But just so you know I like the you on the left as well -- so glad for your health, your success -- congratulations on the results of all your hard work!

Way to go! You are really grabbing a hold of your health -- so exciting! Best wishes for quick recovery. Thanks for info on two-week liquid diet and how that went for you -- hope to be there soon myself.

Yippee! Relax and have fun looking and feeling great!

Hi there, I am also pre-band -- this has been a great place to get information and support as I've been going through the process of learning everything possible. Good luck to you!

My mother used to say guilt is a disease, throw it out the window. I like that image. We are all entitled to our privacy. I don't like being discussed and worry about this as well as whether people will like me better when I'm thinner -- I feel like this is a funny thing to be anxious about, but there it is. I am thinking I could say that I'm eating extremely small meals. Truth with privacy intact.

You are taking good care of yourself and it shows. Best wishes!

I've wondered what a cinder block weighs. So looking forward to stopping carrying around three cinder blocks each and every moment of the day. Good grief!

Yippee! So happy for you -- very inspiring for those of us waiting to begin. Congratulations on all the hard work you have done to put down that 50 pound suitcase!

Thanks for posting for us pre-banders! Have gotten such great information and support here.....

Yahoo! And congratulations on all the hard work that has led to this.......you are an inspiration.

Hi there, I worry, too -- will I be able to do this, is it right for me, etc. As I wade through the process (which is much longer than I thought it would be) I have time to over-think absolutely everything. Basically, I am counting on the statistics -- the overwhelming success rate. It's not as fast as other WLS and maybe no everyone reaches goal for one reason or another (I intend to!), but it works. I imagine that I will enjoy my three one-cup meals per day and still do the cooking I do for others (I love to cook) but that the difference will be in that feeling of satiety -- it's the missing link. When on a diet, I am unable to be satisfied. The band will allow that. I am not afraid of the hard work because I know how to do that -- it's just the hard work without lasting success which has been so exhausting, demoralizing. I imagine the hard work paying off and the scale going down, down, down and me getting healthier and having lots more energy. Energy that I can turn into exercise and the lifestyle changes I so need. Just know we're all in this together -- you're not alone.

Thanks so much! I am pre-band and it is fascinating to hear about the whole soft stop concept -- the way our bodies are talking to us and we just need to find the signals and LISTEN.

So happy for you!

Hi Lauren, I am right there with you -- awaiting a date and worrying over insurance approval, etc. Hard not to over-think everything! My insurance company does not require a six-month process but BMI has to be 40 or an appeal process is required (and could fail). So I've been bulking up a bit on purpose -- can you believe that? Ridiculous! I think I will find out on Wednesday whether it's all a go and hopefully I'll be given a surgery date. Like you, I feel SO READY!

I was very inspired by the exercise info on this guy's website: http://www.loveyourlapband.net/198481756 Some one else posted it and I wish I could give credit -- but here it is!

Hi Harvey, hats off to you for getting the surgery done and now working through the recovery process. I am still pre-band but so appreciate all the input from recent as well as long-term banders -- really helps to know how to prepare myself. Obviously it's no picnic (ha! sorry!) but it seems like it gets better each day. You were courageous to attend a party. I have had some concerns about "normal" living following lapband. It seems like after the initial phase and getting into the green zone then it is definitely possible to have "regular" food, just in much smaller amounts than what we're used to. Please keep us posted and know that this is temporary! Best wishes.

Some people with reflux put blocks under the head of the bed to create a slight angle. Wheat allergies are becoming very common so there could be a food sensitivity going on -- maybe take away wheat for a while and see what happens? Celiac & company do not always show up on tests. Meanwhile, congratulations on your weight loss and don't worry -- you will get this figured out!

Thanks so much every one -- all your comments are much appreciated! I think as I get closer to a surgery date I am over-thinking everything. I love to cook and prepare food and obviously I'll still be able to do that -- and, no, I don't need to become a hermit just to be a person who eats very little. And let's face it, a teen aged boy in the house with all his friends, etc. will provide plenty of outlet for my kitchen energy. I'm sure it will all be fine -- at this point I just need it to begin! Anxiously awaiting appointment Wednesday at which possibly I will be given a surgery date.

A few questions about post-band life: I know I'll be eating about a cup of food three times per day and really focusing on protein intake..... What about how you eat -- I.e will it still be possible to eat with family and friends? I'm feeling like eating is such a ritual -- the whole cooking and eating with people. Dinner parties, BBQs, etc. How do you handle this? Should I plan to hole up for a year? Also, are there people on here who are/were supplement takers? I take a small handful AM and PM and wonder about those (everything from fish oils, multis and calcium to melatonin, GABA, SAMe, etc.). Many of these are for joint pain, which I believe will be somewhat alleviated when I lose the major weight. Getting my ducks in order -- meeting Wednesday with coordinator of LB program at our local hospital. Paperwork is in, mandatory info session completed and now this appointment -- feel like things are finally moving and thanks to all the info in this site I'm feeling pretty ready to go!

Good luck and beat wishes!!!

Wow, thanks for the link -- this guy is amazing.

Hi there, I agree that a fifty pound loss in ten months is really great -- pat yourself on the back. I know nothing about any of this (I am pre band and of course every body is different anyway) -- it sounds like you now have the parameters for your fill needs -- more than what you have now but not as much as when you felt it was too tight. Is somewhere in the middle your sweet spot? Go put those medical professionals to work and find your correct tightness -- you deserve optimal health and happiness,