Bandista

Sorry, that's Way to go! I can't edit on my iPad.

Hi there, I fretted over whether I'd get my period and did not after all but I was told not to worry if so....and the anesthesia may slow things down? Sure does slow down the other systems so be sure to address any constipation issues. I didn't use pain meds but still had this trouble at day four or so. What kind of a surgery are you having? I am banded and had several incisions. I didn't have any difficulty with anything except bending -- keeping the trunk straight helped, and lots of walking. Good luck to you tomorrow and ways I go addressing your health issues. Choosing yourself first benefits every one ultimately.

Hi Moriah, congratulations on your decision to get healthy! In my signature below there are links to a couple of sources that really helped me understand how the band works. It's not about restriction -- it's about dimming the appetite so we can make good choices. One of the things you will notice here is the variation in what people experience as well as how surgeons have different approaches for pre and post op, fills, etc. I am able to tolerate most anything provided I chew it up well enough. Small portions at appropriate intervals. But still I have a few things that don't work well for me -- beets and squash, of all things. I have to be careful of those. Maybe I love them so much I bolt them down or maybe it's because they are slippery foods, who knows. I don't eat rice or bread. I thought scrambled egg would be high on my list but since being banded I prefer a fried egg, something I never really liked before. You will find the foods that are best for you. Goal is dense protein well-chewed (the chewing triggers the brain's signal for satiety). "Sliders" are foods that don't need chewing -- shakes, ice cream, chips, etc. Those are all to be avoided. We all worried prior to surgery that we wouldn't be able to do it but the band used properly is a powerful tool. Getting the appetite monster off your back enables you to make good choices and not eat when you're not hungry but it's up to us to make it work. For me, it's like a miracle.

Go Debbie! So right about owning our own bodies. And taking care of the ones we've got. Just Watch, glad you've got that in the rear view mirror. I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend. You've had a lot going on the last couple of few weeks! I have a cold and nasty cough -- band tight. I'm noticing my old instinct of wanting food when sick. I'm not hungry but apparently I am wired for Feed a cold, Feed a fever. Yesterday I had some mango sorbet and that was nice. Still, that gnawing in the brain -- an impulse for reward and comfort.

Hi there, I did not have a primed band but got my first fill at 4 weeks out, second at 5 weeks, etc. Surgeons vary quite a bit on this. There seem to be lots of people who also had some fill at the time of surgery without knowing it. Good luck -- sounds like you are doing great!

I started my process in June of 2013 and was banded in November, so about five months. I am impatient by nature and was going nuts with all those hoops to hurdle but in hindsight I realize how good it was for me to have that time to process everything. I got a notebook -- just one of those marble covered composition books kids use -- and took lots of notes, recorded all the appointments I had to do, pre-op and post-op thoughts, plus what I was feeling. Any fears or worries I had plus a big list of all the things I looked forward to once I lost weight. I also got a therapist to go through the process with me -- an objective third-party. We really worked on all the food issues and that was helpful for me. Breaking down behaviors, identifying triggers. It's not like I hadn't done all that before (I'm 53) but this time the self-honesty it took to make the decision to have weight loss surgery made a big difference. No more being a victim of this or that -- this time I was taking responsibility and ready to face myself in a new way. Also prior to surgery I upped my exercising. I didn't want to but I'm really glad I did as that gave me something to step right into after surgery. Good luck and you are in the right place for support. I am very grateful for this forum. If you stumble on any negativity I recommend just moving right along. Best wishes!

Yes! So happy for you. I often don't feel like exercising but I fake it and then next thing I know I am actually enjoying it. That's when I think some one else may have taken over my body because I can't believe it's me. Oh, I also started doing the arms raised overhead -- like you're crossing a finish line -- when starting up the exercise or just at random times. I watched a Ted Talk about body language and that celebration of success does something to our brains. So put your arms up in the air and yay you -- we are rewiring our brains.

I had to have a small unfill at one point and then a couple of months later I went back to have a small fill. This is the adjustable part of the adjustable lapband system but I agree it can be very difficult to know whether there are other factors. I am tighter when I'm stressed or if I have a cold. I think it was a sinus infection that took me back for the unfill. My most recent fill seemed "tight" but I let it settle in and now it seems perfect. Conversely I have had fills that didn't seem to do anything until four or five days later when I felt a new kind of "restriction." (I put these words in quotes because we know the Lapband is not about restriction -- see the link below to some great info on fills.) I don't eat in the mornings because I'm not hungry -- that's my policy, eat when I'm hungry and don't eat if I'm not hungry. I was very restrictive from years of dieting so actually the first part is harder than the second -- the letting myself have food. I think many people feel their bands are tighter in the morning. As for reflux, that is definitely a sign of being too tight and something you should discuss ASAP with your doctor. Best wishes -- you are doing well! Keep all your appointments and let us know how you're doing.

Oh yes, I can identify with every word! It's that all or nothing mentality that gets me every time. Years (decades) of being on a diet or off a diet have done a number on my brain and it's as though I am either moving in one direction or the other -- getting thinner or getting fatter. Being good or being bad. Meanwhile, my biggest fear now is staying where I am when I still have more weight to lose. I fear complacency and I fear gaining. But you're right, it's so important to remember that it's okay, we have our bands. There will not be loss of control -- the appetite monster is not going to return and take over our lives. Relaxing does not mean relapsing. Do you think you can get rid of that scale? You'll know if you've gained weight from your jeans or work-out clothes. Know also that you are a muscular athletic woman now and four pounds one way or the other can also be about fitness. What I worry about is the beating ourselves up part. Hate that. But at least now I don't run for food as a balm for those feelings. That was then and this is now. Thank you, band. And thank you for such a thoughtful post. It has my wheels turning about strategies I need to have in place for how I am coping with my ultra-restrictive instincts.

What a wonderful post, Liz! I am so glad for friends like you through this site -- you are an important part of my life. This is not the first time I've been weepy reading a post, but this one really got me. What a wonderful success story. YOU are amazing. Reclaiming a life is such a profound act. Thank you for sharing yours with all of us. And here's to travel, dating, fun clothes, grandchildren and all the rest!

Hi there and congratulations -- great advice above. You are on your way!

Hi CG, caught up on your blog posts yesterday. I hope that fill is settling in well and you are staying warm in NC. I know it's not exactly balmy there right now.

Beautiful! I found it hard to get some one to cut it all off and finally my 15!year old cousin did it. I am SO happy. If a stylist senses you're on the fence they are not going to risk it. How could they know how empowered we feel now, how ready to be in the world, showing up for ourseves and our lives. You will always be gorgeous whatever you do with your hair. And adorable! Way to go being you. That's the Ticket!

I want a pretty dress or two, and to be able to wear sleeveless tops when it's really hot.......I have already met some serious goals such as dancing the night away (twice!), wearing a fun little dress, getting my hair cut off, being out in the world and comfortable.....I'd like to secure the ropes on all that while getting off the next ten and the next and the next. That should do it as to goal, though I'm not sure what the number is going to be. I have strength and fitness goals -- dealing with some serious arthritic pain and it's winter here, too. I want to strengthen my core and while I've done a 5K I'd like to set my sites in smething a little more. I want to ride my bike more, the bike I just got this year. That was a goal, but now to really make friends with it this spring and summer. And fall. Okay, here's a real goal -- get through this winter feeling enthusiastic, proud of myself and in my body.

Yippee! So happy for you.......

You are doing beautifully! Wait until a year from now......you'll be walking circles around her.

I didn't tell very many people -- husband, a few really good friends, etc. We are all different. I'm an introvert and don't enjoy attention -- it stresses me out. I don't want people observing or discussing my progress. There are a couple of people on my short list who I wish I hadn't told -- not because of any ramifications but because I want my surgery to be kept private. If one person tells their sister or neighbor, or whomever...it can become exponential. We live in a small town. I don't see my role as educating the world about WLS, though I do enjoy coming here for support and to help others. YOU are my community in the know.

My husband eats like a pig and doesn't have real weight or food obsession issues. He's not a string bean -- could lose ten or twenty -- but he loves food. I used to keep up with him pretty well but not anymore. Loving being a light, delicate eater........

Love these posts! Arlene, let's go dancing! Gay clubs were such a a great dance outlet for me in the eighties. Fun times. In the last year we made friends with people who host monthly dance parties in a town not far from here. We've been to two and that's another NSV for me: dancing! We are definitely then oldest people but I can still tear it up. Thanks to my band and losing the two cinder blocks worth of fat.......

We are here for you! And you have created an amazing life for yourself....a whole new way of being. So proud of you. And raising amazing daughters at the same time as resurrecting yourself -- wow! Way to go.

You are either eating too much too fast or your band is too tight. Did you have a primed band (fluid in your band at time of placement?) -- whatever is going on, it is not okay to be throwing up. Put those medical professionals to work -- they are there for you!

Mine called for 11 visits in the first year......I believe the follow up is the key to success.

Thanks so much, friends. I love having these people in my life who really get it! This new gig is something I never would have had presented to me before -- not because of my weight but because of my confidence. I am so different now. Different but the same; you know what I mean. I was holding myself back and now I'm moving forward. Scary but very exciting. Thank goodness I chose this path of WLS.

Hi Tresa, so glad you're here. I have found so much support and information on this site. I was banded in November 2013 and feel great about this last year or so. The beginning, though, can be difficult -- just finding your way, learning to listen to the body, etc. I had to work on behavior modification -- slowing down and chewing, chewing, chewing. All of that kept me pretty occupied and before I knew it I was having the next followup with my surgeon, then the next, and then things really started cruising. For me it was about the fills. Best wishes!

And pat yourself on the back for the 25 down while you're at it! Don't worry too much about the number as it will all happen in time. Often when the scale isn't moving that's when I notice I really need the next size down in my jeans. Way to go, however, working with your medical professionals and getting all that sorted -- everything lined up for success! Best wishes to you; you're doing great.