Bandista

Hi Seymour, don't worry -- you are doing great. This is the time to be learning the art of really tuning in and listening to your body. And slowing down, noticing the habits, the responses. Paying attention. I was a real shoveler and practiced using a clock and a small spoon. A bite a minute and putting down the utensil in-between, coping with my impatience and noticing how it all felt. Learning to read hunger was interesting -- I hadn't really been hungry in forever (now I welcome it by the way -- such a turn-around but it takes a little time). Assessing what the right food is, taking stock of the situation in a present way and responding. The idea isn't to deprive but to learn to make good decisions. Oh, and the chewing. The chewing and swallowing is what signals the brain for satiety. I think about that sometimes when I'm eating -- listening for that signal. For me I might have a little sigh or a yawn. Or I might notice I am bored. Done. Done is done. No need to keep going (bad idea) because in 4-5 hours you will respond to hunger again. Appropriately. That's the goal. I had to do a lot of undoing of deprivation behavior (overeating because I was going to be on a diet and this was my last chance to be "bad" -- that is all over). I am some one who needed a lot of fills to reach the green zone and looking back that extra time was important for me. December 23 will be here in no time but meanwhile you can let the receptionist know you are very flexible and would love to be on the waiting list. Who knows!

Way to go on the walking. I faked liking exercise and then one day it actually started to feel great. I never ever thought that would happen. A lot of head games, trying to get out of it, etc -- nice to have that chatter turned down. Now to get it gone and have a really productive winter exercise-wise. It's a bit harder in the winter, but I have a treadmill, bike and BowFlex in the basement. Mental hurdles be damned, I want to be super fit! Good luck with continued post-op healing and congratulations all!

I have to exercise (arthritis) -- can't move if I don't do it. But in the last year I stepped up the exercise and finally hit that place where I get the high. If you're not working out already you have that to look forward to -- that and reaching goal. It's all in sight! Very inspiring post. I need to saddle up for the next twenty down. Here's to a successful winter and new jeans come spring. And maybe a summer dress or two!

It's a party every day in our society so the holiday time is really no different. I am not on a diet now so there's no going off whatever diet and overdoing because I know I'll have to go back into a super restrictive mode -- that mentality did not serve me well.

Welcome to the other side! Sorry about the dreaded left shoulder pain. A heating pad helped me and lots of walking, windmill arms. Mine didn't kick in until around day four and then youch! Wondered if it was just gas or also something to do with positioning on the table. Good news is it will pass. I didn't use pain meds because of the side effects but I still had to address constipation around that time. Best wishes to you -- a whole new chapter has begun.

I had to have a small amount taken out a few months ago and sometimes I wonder if I should get another fill. I don't want to be too tight. For me it was the getting stuck too easily -- did not have reflux, etc. but I would slip up and not chew something well enough and then have an episode. Slowing down is a new habit I am still reminded of sometimes. I think I am keeping a pretty loose band but that works best for my lifestyle. My test is salmon and broccoli -- I have to be able to eat those foods or in kow something is wrong. Can't eat a lot and have to really chew mindfully, but the textures tell me where I'm at with the band.

So happy for you! That enthusiasm will carry you through. I kept waiting for my excitement to subside at some point, but even a year later I am just so thrilled with everything. Having the appetite monster off my back is such an amazing release. We have very similar stats. I used to be 5'7" and lost a half an inch, and I started at 252. Looked like Mrs. Winnie-the-Pooh. Your superb foods and Cabernet ring a familiar bell as well. I'm happy to report I can still have very yummy food, just in small portions and appropriate intervals. Wine, etc. not a problem for me. My advice is to pay attention to the pant sizes rather than the scale. When the scale wasn't shifting that was when I'd suddenly realize how differently my clothes were fitting. I went from 18L Lee jeans to a size 10L in the same brand. I was glad I started walking ahead of surgery as that gave me something to step right into, literally as soon as I was awake. When I felt like I needed to pee, i took that opportunity to go up and down the hall, a little further each time. At home it was laps around the driving circle. This kicked my body into healing mode, helped release any trapped gas from the surgery, and cemented the deal in my head. I do my part and my band helps me do it. Today I am a walker. I love showing up for myself now! Best wishes -- you are going to do beautifully.

I did not know ahead of time that it wouldn't just be about the weight loss and physical health. I was so focused on that that it was a real A-HA to find out that being released from obsessing about food feels so incredibly liberating. Empowerment!

Agreed! So sick of people who don't have a band chiming in about it -- what is to be gained by making pre-surgery band patients nervous about their choice? Or for the rest of us to feel like there's some looming problem ahead. Good grief. And I can see by reading this thread that there will always be people who just don't get what they are doing. It's disheartening. But so are the comments in the NYT. Best to ignore what needs to be ignored. Garbage in, garbage out. PS My hospital only performs lapband surgery. What does this mean? Well, it means if you want a lapband then go there. If you want another surgery, go somewhere else. It does not mean those other surgeries are being phased out -- just at that hospital. Good grief. Bariatric surgeons now specialize. That's good for all of us.

Wow, I've missed a lot in a day -- including CG's birthday. Happy, Happy Birthday to You! We are running away for Thanksgiving and I can't wait. Very stressful times managing elder care. Juggling too much and need to reel it in -- canceling a few things and that always feels good. Need that feeling of Found Time. In other news, I caved in and ordered one of those Puffer coats. I hope it comes today because I am freezing. Going to need to wear a sleeping bag all winter if this keeps up.....hope every one has a great weekend. I like it that I don't turn to food now when I am stressed. Have I really turned into one of those people who eat less when things are difficult? That's certainly a change!

Hi there, pre-op can be hard -- the interminable waiting, the dieting, ugh. Just know you are choosing yourself and your healthy future and that is the most exciting thing in the world. It is all happening -- don't despair. Get excited because it's very exciting!

CG, I think she's going to need those slutty clothes for her new career as Weather Girl!

Liz, I was picturing you as a meteorologist in front of a screen explaining lake effect weather -- so funny! Shovel off to Buffalo, geesh, that is really something. I'm definitely noticing the cold this year and want to get one of those big sleeping bag coats. Problem is, I think I will only get a year out of it as I want to lose another chunk. What to do, what to do! Loving these problems, really. We are all so lucky. Have fun in Florida!

@@Julie norton lovely! And what a fabulous itinerary. I traveled a lot when I was young but never made it to the Balkans. Really want to do that. And I love italy and Greece. It's been way too long.....

@@intelirish Onederland in sight! Arlene, best grandmother ever -- I know exactly how cold it was here yesterday, yikes. Love it that they are reading.

Thanks, Cheryl -- yes, I immediately pictured a plate of food, lol.

Out of food jail, yippee! And not on a diet. So happy to have this freedom -- very grateful for my band and the courage it took to do it.

Hi Lance, congratulations -- you're really on your way!

I was going to say liberation, too -- now I see transformation and that one is great, too. Relief. Release. Jumping4Joy. Recovered. Adventure, yes -- so happy to be showing up now for life's adventure.

Such fun to see those pictures Di and Lisa! Add me to the meet-up list; my location is NH. It may take me awhile as I would not be able to pull off anything like Vegas, etc., but I look forward to meeting my peeps whenever that happens. Boston would be ideal for me, could probably figure out NYC and possibly join one of the NY chapter meetings there at some point. We've got the seeds planted -- that's the main thing. Thanksgiving we are going to Montreal. I'm so happy about that. It's about a five hour drive north from where we live and we'll hear a lot of music.

Same as CG -- day 4 or 5, whammo! A heating pad definitely helped me and I (carefully) did windmill arms while walking to release any gas trapped way up there. Hope you're feeling better today........

Great catching up on this thread! Greeted this morning with a snowfall:

I can't do carbonated beverages at all now and I don't miss them too much. But I drink right out of a big 32 ounce glass bottle of what I call "juice water" (unsweetened cranberry, aloe and mostly water) at a good clip. I am tight in the morning as far as eating goes -- and I'm not hungry either -- but I am able to drink well and I think that's really important. It sounds to me like you may know already what needs to be done but that you're worried about leaving the green zone. What if you're in the red zone -- danger, danger! And you won't do well long-term with weight loss that way either as you'll come to rely on sliders. No sliders, plenty of liquids and listening to your body. Best wishes to you!

So happy for you! And as others say, spring will be here before you know it. I really benefited from hanging out on this forum prior to my surgery. I read so many posts and was able to sort out the successful people and follow them. I was so excited prior to surgery that I could barely sit still, and now a year later I still feel that level of enthusiasm. Weight loss surgery changes our lives and I think for me that has to do with the fact that I chose myself and my healthy future first. Electing surgery meant that I was serious about me, about how much I matter. Way to go jumping through all your hoops! And for the first time, the weight you lose will be pounds that are not coming back after surgery. That sure is a bonus, considering the weight I would put back on every single diet I went on -- and there were many, many. You are going to do beautifully.

@@Sylar for some of us it takes several fills to reach the green zone. Looking back, I needed that time in between fills to learn how to slow down, etc. I was a speed-eater. And a volume eater! So those two things were really hard for me to keep in check. Now a year later it comes naturally most of the time. If I try to push it my band lets me know right away. Just know that you are getting there and you're doing great. Keep all your appointments. Whether or not you decide with your surgeon that a fill is necessary, that dialogue is really important. We all kind of mentor one another here -- for example you just helped me as responding to a post gives me a chance to ask myself questions, remember what's important, etc. So glad you're here!