Bandista

So much fun to have updates from our New York and Chicago fashionistas! Isn't it grand to be feeling good in these bodies instead of the agony of overweight?

Isn't it great? I have found over time and losing chunks of weight that I needed to go back for additional fills. Some people don't. For me it was a process but it was good to have that time as I had to address behavioral modification. Like not bolting my food -- boy, that was a hard one for me. Now? I love being a dainty eater. At 53, however, that took some retraining. Also grazing. Now when I catch myself heading to the kitchen I stop and remind my brain that I don't do that anymore. If I'm hungry, I eat, if I'm not hungry I don't eat. And I don't believe in the whole starvation thing.

Hi there, so glad you found this forum as we all get a lot of support from one another here. It's good news on your band being fine -- now to begin anew. The links below in my signature really helped me understand so much about how the band is meant to work. I didn't use Dr. Simpson but I sure read his site -- a lot of great information there. And the Golden Rules of Lapband helped me a lot, too. Good luck to you and don't give up. Choosing yourself and your healthy future first and foremost is a tremendous step. Best wishes!

I'm a tea freak so I get a medium iced tea, black with no sugar. The "skinny" stuff doesn't work for me -- artificial sweeteners are my own no-no. Still, it is expensive and sometimes the trendiness bugs me, and the time it takes to get it. We live in the country so don't stumble on Starbucks all the time -- if we're traveling it's a great place to stop and use the ladies' room!

Great post, James -- so glad you are here on the forum as this is such a great place for support. We can all get it -- the struggles and victories and then sometimes the new struggles. Way to go on recovering your health. You have done so well -- those pictures are amazing! Best wishes for a great 2015. Our 2012 was pretty horrendous, too, and I think it took time to shake off the PTSD of it all. I am feeling much lighter and freer now, plus being free of some weight is very motivating. Here's to health and happiness.

I have trouble with shakes sometimes. Can be a bit random for me. Also I don't eat in the morning as I'm not hungry -- I feel "tighter" then. But I can always guzzle my tea and cranberry Water, etc. Grateful for that. If you really are unable to keep liquids down then call your doctor ASAP. It's a Friday and you don't want to go into the weekend with troubles......

It's a process, definitely. We are all different but for me a fill usually takes a little while to settle in. Also some people never need a fill (few and far between) and others, like me, needed several. In hindsight I needed that time in-between for behavior modification. Good luck -- you are in your way! The key is listening in and noticing everything -- you are doing that.

Nice! We really do have to advocate for ourselves. It's a project, but so worth it to figure out what works for us as individuals.

Love this thread! "I'll do Me, you do you." Yup! As for rules, I am finally free from that. Years of restricting myself, outlawing foods, etc. got me nowhere -- just fatter. Hurray for WLS, whatever kind and however you do it.

Horror upon horrors I had to video-conference today for a new job. Eeek! Not only do I have telephone anxiety (conference calls were a major food trigger for me prior to my band) but being seen on camera? Oh. My. God. There are hardly any photographs of me in our family albums and certainly no video. I've always been too ashamed of my weight and how I looked. So today, ta-da! I was fine. Not that I wasn't a nervous wreck -- I still felt anxious but I didn't need food to tamp down the feelings (thank you, Band, for the dimmed appetite). I set the equipment up ahead of time and chose my outfit carefully, positioned the camera just right with all my notes just above and behind. When the conference got going I couldn't believe how good I looked. I am not only acceptable, I'm more than that. I look like some one I'd really like -- and that makes me laugh because now I really do like myself and I like how I look. I've still got some weight to lose but you know what, I don't have to hide anymore. It's okay for me to be out in the world. Yippee!

Hi Ivona, I found this site to be very helpful as I was doing my research. I skip over any negative posts but that's just me. There are tons of successful banders here. I figured out who they are and followed them closely, asked questions and then became one myself. I love my band. I respect all the surgery choices people make and we all have more in common than not. There are a couple of sources in my signature below that were very helpful to me in understanding how the band works and how to work my band. Best wishes to you!

I was such a restrictive dieter for so many years that now I find the best thing for me is not to be on any kind of regiment but rather to just listen to my body's true signals and respond appropriately. That said I have always been a healthy eater; I just ate way too much. The band allows me to enjoy small portions and to experience the wonder of a dimmed appetite. If I disallow foods it sets me up for the old on or off behaviors.

Liz, you are doing all the work to be truly whole and healthy.....I can identify with everything you are saying. I did it once, could it happen again? Maybe it's about trust. Do I trust myself, trust my band, but also do I trust whatever unknowns there are in the future....for me that's the hard part. Life today, now, is great. Maybe that's all I get, the old one day at a time thing....also I really am getting it that tamping down my feelings with food, bracing myself with food, anchoring myself with food, rewarding myself with food not only didnt work but wasn't needed because life "out here" is fine. I am safe and happy and it's all manageable. For that, however, I need to constantly remind myself.

@@TRYANDTRYAGAIN hi there -- do not give up! I really believe it's all about the right fill. My surgeon asks how much it takes to feel satiety and how soon does hunger return. He is looking for a tennis-ball sized portion (his lingo) and not hungry again for 4-5 hours. I'd have one but not the other. I was hungry again too soon. So we kept going until I found the green zone -- it took me several adjustments. I am a healthy eater but ate way too much. We are all here because we are emotional eaters, used food as a drug, whatever. It's why we elected weight loss surgery. You've had the band installed but until it is properly adjusted it is not going to do its job, which is to dim your appetite. Once then appetite monster is off your back it's your job to make good choices. I have in my signature below links to info that helped me a lot. Good luck -- be perseverent! Maybe a strong talk with your doctor would do the trick.

Hi there, mine hit around day four or five just when I thought I hd escaped the dreaded left shoulder pain. Windmill arms helped me but also the walking, walking walking. This was also about the time I had to address constipation. I didn't take pain medication but still had this issue from anesthesia. The good news is it won't be lomg before this I is all a distant memory. Way to go choosing your healthy future! It's a very exciting time.

OMG, not only are our stats identical but I can so identify with this presurgery frustration. Good for you for tracking it all down, doing their jobs for them. I don't think keeping in touch would hinder progress in any way. There's the old adage about catching more flies with honey -- when I'm on the phone with insurance I try to make them laugh. Just know that you are very close and it's all happening -- you are on your way. But I so recall those days of just wanting to get the show on the road. That excitement and determination carried me through and it will you, too. In fact I still feel that all these months later. Use these extra couple of weeks to up your exercise and be in the best shape possible. It will help to walk off the stress and then give you something to step into right after surgery. Also on pre-op I knew that for the first time the weight I was losing was weight I'd never see again. There's that. You are going to do great! @@Band Aid mom

Hi Tia, be sure to keep all your appointment for Followup and maybe see the nutritionist while you're at it -- they may have some good suggestions. I took biotin, too, and still had some minor hair loss that had me worrying for a little while. Some one mentioned this may have to do with anasthesia at the time of surgery (the loss comes later 4-6 months). Interesting theory -- I have no idea. Also many medications have hair loss as a side effect. As you get healthier hopefully you will be able to get rid of some of your prescriptions. Make sure your band is working well for you -- put those medical professionals to work! And good luck with all. So glad you're here.

I have to do it in the morning so it's top priority. Otherwise other things take over and I end up not being able to get back around to it. Like another poster said above, I have trouble with evenings -- just want to unwind. Plus it's cold and we live in a rural area so hard to pry myself out of the house. And yes, whole day made better by exercise. Absolutely!

Hi there, I have had several fills and had an unfill a couple of months ago. Just a small one -- I could tell I was too tight. My test is salmon and steamed broccoli. I have to be able eat those foods comfortably. Two weeks ago I went back for a small fill. Right afterward I hit a wall of stress (work stuff) and got my period (after months without one -- I am 53). So, hormones, stress -- I could definitely feel that fill. Then last week I got this cold and cough that won't quit. The congestion is driving me crazy but I can still drink well and eat very well chewed food (though I'm not hungry). I try not to take medication but have had a little and I can tell that also effects my band. I'm watching myself very carefully, drinking a ton -- nothing is coming back up. That would be my signal to go in and do the tiny unfill thing. Don't let yourself be too tight! Hope this is helpful.......

Sounds like red zone -- too tight and need a small unfill. I would call it in immediately. You should never be in a place where you can't keep food down.

Sending best wishes your way -- life has so many twists and turns. Even when things are painful I am so glad to be really present for all of it and no longer tamping down my feelings with food. She is fortunate to have you as a friend and you'll see this thing through together.

Make that call! There is a learning curve with the band. You have had it installed but now you need to go through the process. The band works by dimming your appetite so you can make good choices but it has to be adjusted properly and this can take a little time. It's all about the Followup! Get in to see your medical professionals--they are your partners in this process. I am some one who benefitted from seeing a therapist to sort out food issues. When you got your band you were choosing your healthy future -- now it's time for the next step. Keep choosing yourself, choosing to show up for yourself. You are here and that is great. We are all behind you. No shame in struggling or setbacks -- let that go and know that you can do this. You are deserving of all good things and health is at the top of the list. Once that appetite monster is off your back it will be so much easier!

So happy for you. Gorgeous!

Maybe take a robe? And walk those hallways a little further each time you're up. You will amaze yourself and impress the nursing staff.