Bandista

Stop that! You are in charge -- you're the patient, the customer -- put those medical professionals to work. Partner up! They are there for you!

Thanks, Paris Shel, needed an upper!

Out of food jail, not on a diet, able to make good choices and override brain chatter (chatter that isn't even that present anymore). Oh, and I love my size 10 jeans.

I give myself credit for the brutal self-honesty it took for me to make the decision for weight loss surgery. My choice not to tell very many people about it has to do with my privacy, not my honesty. As for truth, I tell my own here in hopes of helping others who I know are sympathetic as this is a self-selected group of people choosing a drastic means for ensuring a healthy future. I'm glad I can share that with all of you. The fact that I don't share this with my extended family or small town neighbors or colleagues has nothing to do with my self-honesty or my commitment. Please don't judge me -- I had enough of that as an overweight person.

Hi there, congratulations! I am a November Bander from last year. So happy with everything that has transpired. @@Ldimples I started cleansing early, too -- was so thrilled to get the ball rolling. Pre-op was the first time I dropped pounds that I knew for sure I'd never see again. @@briefs199 I hated the sweet shakes, too -- went for another kind and had to clear it with the nutritionist. A lot of rigamorole but my pre-op liquid diet was two weeks and I knew I couldn't be on the crappy shakes they provided for that. I don't do artificial sweeteners, for one thing. Lemon water, etc. great for cleaning the liver. Exciting times ahead! Oh, one thing -- I was really glad I stepped up my exercise pre-op -- didn't want to but I did it. Just walked more and as I approached surgery that helped me blow off steam plus gave me something to step into right after surgery. Pretty sure that helped kick my body right into healing mode, and shedding. I filled my pain med script but didnt need it -- walked instead.

I'm a tea drinker -- have to be careful with full-strength black teas (love Lapsang, Assam, etc.) and drink Kukicha as my main tea. About a pot a day -- less than 1% caffeine but not sure how that percentage compares to coffee, etc. Once in a blue moon I enjoy a decaf cappuccino or a little decaf espresso but I know it's not good for me -- can feel the rise in blood pressure and accompanying anxiety. Tea doesn't seem to do that to me. I will choose a restaurant based on it having decent brewed iced tea.

I had a different surgery but I say focus on your healing and recovery, don't push yourself too hard.....I really believe in walking as much as possible, that it kicks the body into healing mode. Take. Good care of yourself and congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future first. You are starting a whole new chapter in your life!

Is that bite too big or not chewed well enough? Sometimes I forget to really chew to Smitherines and if I swallow something too big I know right away what happened. Or could you be getting stuck on a food like white chicken or something that is kind of dry and hard to chew up well enough?

I thought I answered this but don't see the post here -- not great bandwidth where we live. Bandista New Hampshire -- about an hour and a half from Boston, four and a half from NYC. Have not been to New York since before 9/11. Wanted to join up when Tammy was visiting from New Orleans; that looked like so much fun. Crazy weekend here for last-gasp leaf peepers and a giant pumpkin festival in a nearby town -- world record for the most Jack-o-lanterns. We intend to go see a band tonight. Set starts at 9:30 and I may have to nap this afternoon as I am programmed to wake up so early these days. Have fun, everyone!

Hi there, I was so worn down from my epic dieting attempts -- one after the other after the other for years and years and years -- that I, too, worried that somehow it might not work for me. Happy to say that my band is working beautifully. I am so thrilled! Not only that, but I don't find it difficult. Unlike the pre-op diet, which can be very trying. A lot of stuff can come up during a cleanse -- all those feelings. Be gentle with yourself and know that you are starting a wonderful new chapter in your life. I am not perfect but most of the time I make the right choices, I've increased my exercise and I have found great success. You will, too! Oh, one thing about the pre-op, for me it was the first time that I knew the weight I was losing was weight that was never coming back.

Hi there and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I was glad I took my sense of humor with me and I can tell you have that packed already. Comes in handy with the gown, weigh-in, paperwork, gurney ride, etc. I was nervous and it was so much better than I thought it would be. I stayed overnight (my first time doing this!) and was glad of my flipflops to slip on for my amazing walks up and down the hallways. The walking is great and really impresses the nursing staff, let me tell you. I had teabags for the morning -- love my tea -- was glad for my very own pillow (also for car ride home). Did not read the book I brought, lol, or the journal, or my iPad, or the robe (used theirs). When I got home I loved my Popsicles. Didn't have much, really, but nice to have -- I don't do artificial sweeteners so I had soft frozen lemonade, can't remember manufacturer. I was one day clear then "full liquids" for a week. Protocols really vary so just follow your own. Once at full liquids I liked those soups that come in cartons in the natural food section of the regular grocery store, potato leek, etc. I liked miso soup -- craved savory. Even though I didn't use pain medication -- filled the script but didn't need it -- I still had constipation from the anesthesia and had to address that. Don't underestimate yourself and the powerful decision to get healthy -- take that wih you! You will be amazing. Walk, walk, walk.....

She looked down at the purple and teal laces in her running shoes and decided then and there that

Hey JFC, you old hippy! My husband was a long hair for a long time until it got too thin on top. I've been snow white and silver for years and years. Had long black curly hair growing up with a white stripe appearing at 16. It took over, lol, but now in my fifties it's not premature anymore, it just is. Well, Ladies of the Sassy Haircut Brigade, I have joined as well. Very short and a surprise to me as I would not have thought I was thin enough yet. Pudgey cheeks aside, I am celebrating less chin and more collarbone. Love having the short short hair and not having to do anything with it. I'm also wearing more makeup and fun clothes -- really enjoying finding myself again. Not hiding out in a black uniform anymore, feeling embarrassed and ashamed of not being able to conceal my feelings as they were on full display in the form of a huge belly. I've still got weight to lose and I come here to remain encouraged. Yesterday I was in a dressing room feeling all those old feelings -- loathing is too strong a word but just feeling like I am not getting anywhere, look at that belly, those thighs, etc. Clothes not fitting right, blah blah blah. I realize this morning (because I'm here subjecting you all to my musings) that the reason for the return of those feelings is because I just took on a big job and I'm nervous. I'm judging myself and harsher than I would ever be on any one. My fears and insecurities are what made me eat before, so I am going to be very, very careful with my self-regard right now. I am in a new place with all that. I am worthy, deserving and talented. I can't let Victim Girl start a script in my head. She only exists in that dressing room. Not going back there! Thanks for the therapy, friends. I appreciate you one and all.

I feel so in sync with my body -- that feeling of wholeness and connection was something I had lost over the years. Very happy to have it back. There were years when I felt betrayed by my body. I couldn't lose weight no matter what I tried and it was so frustrating. I'd be "good" but it never lasted. Now I feel like everything is working in concert. My brain chatter has diminished greatly and I love having that appetite monster off of my back. I am not on a diet.

Hi there, congratulations both of you -- very exciting. I'm with Dahlia on the walking -- it really helped me. Any one who came over I had walk round and round the driving circle with me and whenever I got up from the recliner to pee, etc., I'd walk, walk, walk. I made it into a kind of game. I was never an enthusiastic exerciser but a switch went off in my head and today I am. Savory broth was a craving for me and I was able to have Miso with ginger, etc. (no bits) and broth. Also I enjoyed my Popsicles during this time, plus indulging in watching lots and lots of movies. Have fun and be proud of choosing yourself first and your healthy future. You are worth it!

To me the green zone means I am not looking for food. My surgeon describes being full on a tennis ball sized portion of food and not hungry again for four to five hours. I am not hungry in the morning so I don't eat. I really try to eat only when I'm hungry, not for recreation. A guy here calls this "sport eating" -- got to love that term. I still love food, just in very small portions at appropriate intervals. When I have my brunch or lunch -- whatever you want to call it -- I try to make it very intentional so I'm starting off my day in the listening mode. The band is there so I get a signal of satiety and I enjoy that feeling. It took me several fills to get to the green zone but each time I felt a little closer, like there was more to listen to if you know what I mean. I'd have the satiety from the portion size but not the duration -- I was getting hungry again a couple or few hours later. So we kept going. At one point I had to have a tiny unfill -- I could just tell I was too tight, stuck episodes, etc. Last night we had a dinner and I felt like I was able to eat too much food. This morning I got on the scale which I haven't done for a while. I feel like I've been hungry more frequently and I was sure I had gained. Nope. Down a little from last week. It can be a little at a time but over time it adds up significantly. Best not to weigh too often and get discouraged. You will get there! No sliders -- got to chew, chew, chew -- those esophogeal squeezes are what signal the brain for satiety. I have a couple of links below in my signature for things that have helped me with the head part. Best wishes!

Amazing particularly given the timeframe. And you with that beautiful smile -- then and now lighting up fountains.

@@2muchfun no more video for you! Thinking of you for Monday!

Hey there, congratulations! I had never been an overnight patient in the hospital before and it was all so much better than I thought it would be -- nothing compared to dentistry, which I hate, or bad cramps, etc. I filled my prescription for pain meds but didn't use them -- side effects seemed like they woukd be worse than the discomfort of laparoscopic healing. Walking is absolutely the best -- kicks the body into healing mode, releases any trapped gas and helps soothe the chattering mind. Good luck -- glad you're here!

Way to go! I was a sort of half-hearted exerciser pre-band. I did it because I had to do it for arthritis and the sake of being able to move at all. But I didn't like it and would take any opportunity to slither out of it. Well, as I got ready for surgery I decided to step up my routine. I was choosing myself and my health and knew that exercise had to be a part of that. So I started walking a lot more and pretending that I liked it. Lo and behold, one day a switch went off in my head and now I am one of those people who look forward to exercise. I can hardly believe this. Me? Well if it can happen to me, it can happen to any one. I faked it and it became real. I look for opportunities to exercise, arrange walks with other people and I even got a bike. Honestly, this is so different from who I used to be. Good luck -- you are on your way to a healthy new you!

We already have a lot of ice packs in our freezer (arthritis) -- I am intrigued by this notion but not sure at the start of the cold season I am ready to strap an ice pack on my little flubby tummy (no longer the big Mrs. Winnie-the-Pooh profile but would like the last of it to go, go, go). But still, I may be trying this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/11152348/30-minute-ice-packs-could-be-key-to-burning-away-body-fat-say-scientists.html

Hi there, not sure if you are on a particular protocol -- does Dr. Simpson have his patients follow a post-op diet? Regarding bread, I don't eat it because it is carbohydrate and I'm looking for Protein -- and also because bread can get gummy there is more potential for it to get stuck. I also don't eat rice or Pasta. Very occasionally I have a tiny bit of gluten-free pasta but that is rare and I am very careful. These are things I would have thought I'd miss but actually I don't miss them at all. After getting banded, tastes often change. Best wishes to you!

Love this phrase! I'm about to go kedge myself out of the doldrums in the basement -- treadmill, bike and BowFlex. Every one around me the last couple of days is in a bad mood -- husband has man-cold, kid is grumpy, mother constantly complaining......I feel like I take in other people's "stuff" and I need to walk it off. Fast walk my way back to myself and my own joy. Maybe we can kedge our way to full sail by reminding ourselves of what we really want. I really want to lose another chunk. I have to really really want it then nothing can stop me. I want to fit in that skirt. I want to be healthy and happy with my weight. Really, really.

Great post, Jack! So true.

The band is installed (congratulations!) but for the vast majority of people it doesn't dim the appetite until you get fills and edge toward the green zone. You will get there!