Bandista

Figuring out what my sliders are was important for me. It's the chewing and swallowing that trigger the signal for satiety. I add mix-ins to my yogurt for this reason (chia seeds, a few nuts, a little gluten-free Cereal, etc.) -- otherwise it would just go right down. cheese is also a slider for me unless I have it with something that I can really chew. I'll have a few apple slices or GF crackers sometimes or a rice cake, etc. with the cheese. I could never do pizza, though it sounds like that may be a slider food for you. We are all different. And yes, chicken seems to be a problem for many. I cook thighs over a long period of time or pound tenders to tenderize them thoroughly and I use a lot of stock to cook chicken down. I never order it in a restaurant but usually choose a filet mignon or tenderloin instead (I'm worth it!) or fish, etc. Good luck to you as you get your groove -- great way of putting that B-52. It definitely is a lifestyle thing. Find yourself a doctor to work with -- that's really important. Best wishes!

Way to go starting a walking program! That is going to make a big difference. Sole brand orthotic inserts are amazing -- for me they are better than the expensive custom ones I got from a podiatrist.

Just saw this on another thread -- don't know how to get the link so am pasting it in. I've wondered about Joanne and just typed her name this morning on a list of those people who helped me so much in the beginning. Hi, I am Joanne Holl's eldest granddaughter. I inherited her computer (and cat) and decided I need to clean the desktop, so I don't get so sad everytime I log on with my Gram's icons on the screen. Anyways, my grandma had a link to this site on her desktop and the first thing I clicked on brought me to her picture along with her post. Especially because I think my grandma was one of the oldest patients to have the Lap-Band surgery and because I just feel my grandma would want me to leave an update to inform you of her passing... Joanne M. Holl, 84, passed away at her home as a result of metastatic breast cancer on Saturday, March 21, 2015. My grandma was truly an inspiring woman and one of the best grandmothothers a girl could wish for. Thank you for listening and I wish you all success. Sincerely, Stephanie

@celestialsciences Stephanie, thank you so much for letting us know. I was just thinking of her today and just this morning typed her name on a list of all the people who helped me so much when I was starting out with my lapband. Sending best wishes and condolences to you and your family.

Very funny, L.L.! 2XL with a big donut on it. I've changed so much, too. Being at peace with food is a wonderful thing. And not beating myself up, yippee! Showing up in my life and having fun seem to be related to allowing myself. I didn't allow myself much before because I was always in deprivation mode. Making up for falling off the diet wagon or whatever -- all of that is gone and I am free. And celebrating. Funny, because I was not unhappy before but boy oh boy, this is so different.

I remember how frustrated I was waiting for approval. The wheels sure were moving slowly but now in retrospect I think I needed the extra time to get myself ready. Congratulations on this news, though -- and it's great you like your surgeon because there is so much contact in that first year. I'd check on that -- the plan for follow-up. I had 11 visits with the surgeon the first year as per their program. Good luck with all! Love my band; was worth waiting for!

Hi Martin, congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I love my Lapband! I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before (I'm in my mid-fifties) and it was all so much easier than I thought it would be. I filled my pain medication prescription but did not need it. I was really glad that I upped my exercise prior to the surgery. Started walking more -- helped burn off the nervous energy but also gave me something to step right into after surgery. As soon as I woke up I grabbed my pole and went up and down the hallway, a little further each time. Impressed the nurses (and me!). You have a whole new chapter beginning and I'm so happy for you. It changed my life to be right-sized again. Happy and healthy.

Check out the pea proteins!

Boy is it cold here this morning. The wood stove is cranking away and the house smells like the casseroles I made yesterday -- four kinds (one dairy-free, one wheat-free, one dairy and wheat free and one regular), none of which I will eat but all fun to make. I do a version for myself as well, but not this time. For the bander cooks out there: mix potato leek Soup (comes in a carton!), tuna or chicken, minced onion, toaster oven, wow! Nice comfort food for banders and no grains no dairy. Would be great with cheese as well (guilding the lilly, as my grandmother would say). I don't eat rice, bread or Pasta but do have potato when I want it. Yesterday I went to the surgeon for a small unfill. Lately I've been feeling tight and I think that could have been weather-related, estrogen-related or both. I am a bit annoyed with myself that I let it go a little longer than I should have, but I thought it might sort itself out. Clearly it wasn't going to. The surgeon told me that he's "all about the smidge fill or unfill." Love that! The bariatric program at our little hospital is shrinking. Eeek! My original surgeon has gone on to a larger city and the PA who basically ran the program has retired (she did all the intake for new patients and then annual check-ins, etc.). The remaining surgeon is now solo. I've seen him before and like him a lot but don't like it that he's the only one available. There's a new guy coming in but he won't be here until next spring and he doesn't do bariatrics. What!? (It's a General Surgery Department). This worries me, needless to say. I have scoped out a good hospital about an hour from here in case I need to go somewhere with a larger practice or in case of emergency, etc. I don't want to transfer unnecessarily but there may be a time with banders in rural locations have to go farther for services. Hope every one is doing well and enjoying the lead-up to the holidays. We are having our "feast" in a nursing home which pretty much takes temptation of any kind right off the table for me. After that going away for the weekend and will enjoy some yummy dining out. @@Jim1967 if you hear from her tell her how much we miss her!

I don't know anyone in person who has had weight loss surgery but I am inspired daily by the people on this site. Like others, I'm so grateful to have stumbled on it one day while doing research. Some of the people who really helped me in the beginning have moved on now (Carolina Girl, Missy, Tomander, SillyAuntDi, Joanne) but others are still here: Jim1967, Go Walking, B52, ParisShel, Just Watch Me, Catfish, TMF, JFC, LisaCaron, Julie, Sharpie, Debbie, Jack, TerryDumont, LipstickLady, ALEX B.!!! Missing some old friends who may come and go -- EnjoyTheTime, ChasingADream, HealthyNewMe, IntelIrish, Leepers... Eeek, I know I'm leaving out SO people but thank you all. And now that I'm a couple of years out I find I am really inspired by the new people coming in and also by people who have had other kinds of surgeries than me. Whenever a long-term Bander pops up I am so happy. There are people on here who I don't "know" very well who have helped in funny little ways. The exercise encouragers, the guy who termed "sport eating," people who provide links to hard research, others who make it fun to be in a forum.

I love not beating myself up all the time or having to figure out whether I'm on or off one program or another. I love not being on a diet and I love, love, love being a dainty eater. Being able to have one bite of something yummy is wonderful -- I love not feeling uncontrollable urges for more, more, more all the time. And clothes. I can't believe what fun I missed out on for so many years while, like others, I was hiding out in black. Really happy I bought those gorgeous boots last year but best purchase of all so far is one of those puffy sleeping bag coats to keep my skinny body warm. Okay, not skinny, but just right. I love being a woman in her mid-fifties who could stand to lose ten pounds but is curvy, vivacious and comfortable in her own body. Great thread, thank you! Nice reminders of all we have to be grateful for.

Hi there, Any thoughts on Estrogen and weight loss, appetite signals, etc.? I am banded and just recently started on an Estrogen Ring (yes,I have two foreign objects in my body, lol). I have been feeling a lot of restriction and wonder if this could be related to the ring. It also triggered a period after seven months. I sort of don't mind that as I'd like to get another 10-15 pounds off prior to true menopause as I think it's harder to lose weight after that (I'm 54 and surely getting there). Thanks for any input and happy Sunday all.

Rice doesn't work for me now but I love the wasabi hit -- these days I sip my Miso while friends/family dig into a boatload of sushi and then I get a salmon teriyaki with no sauce and roll it around in wasabi, yum. I'm private about my surgery and worried about these social occasions bit it all seems to work out fine. Every ine is so happy to have my leftovers, lol. Think I'm going to try some Nori experimenting, hmmmmm. Smoked salmon roll ups with Wasabi cucumber "mayo" and a bit of shredded carrot? Always thought the Phillie thing was ridiculous but maybe I will change my tune and play around with cream cheese whole I'm at it. Part of the sushi thing for me is the presentation -- the art of beautiful food. Great thread; thanks!

For me it always takes a little while for a fill to settle in -- I never feel it right away. Just thought I'd mention that in case you wake up feeling just the same as yesterday....I always have to give it time and then it's subtle, like, oh, it's been six hours and I haven't been thinking about food. Or halfway into a small portion of food, Bing! That feeling of being done. This seems like a good place to bring up post-fill protocol. My surgeon has none -- I drink the glass of water in the office and kind of hang around a bit just in case. But no all-liquids, etc. This worried me because some other people have days of liquids then on to full liquids and mushies just like post-op. And now that the weather is changing I think I may be a little "tight." Not sure but I may go in for a pow-wow over this. And I've just had my two year anniversary and want to see new blood work -- not really because of band nutrition issues (I eat very well) but because of the arthritis medication I'm using. Self-care! Have a great weekend, all. We are going an hour away to shopping world -- picking up stuff for a party we are having tonight. Mexican Night!

@@Auriana congratulations on your surgery! Protocols vary from patient to patient. If I were you I'd call the doctor and express your concerns. I had no timed schedule for daily life -- I was on clear for a couple of days then full liquids for a week, mushies for a week then on to soft foods. All the while I was able to drink well and I am still something of a glugger. It's easier for me to swallow thin liquids like water, tea, etc. (and I can drink a lot) then a shake. That thickness does not work for me, or perhaps it's the coldness of a shake combined with the viscosity. We are all different. Your doctor's staff are there for you -- give a call and be relieved of worry.

Hi there, that feeling of "What have I done?" is common, as is the fear that it's not going to work. I failed at so many diets over the years and worried that I'd be the one person who failed at LapBand. I'm very grateful that when I was in the research stage and newly-banded there was not the flood of negative information out there as I probably would have been deterred and still fighting my weight problems. Those people do go on (and on) -- many are unwilling to change eating patterns like fast food, etc. and it's important not to have the band too tight -- the links below in my signature helped me understand this. The Lapband is Not About Restriction and the Eight Golden Rules. Honestly, I read that Simpson piece over and over to get it through my big fat head. Restriction is a word we use with regard to the amount of fill but it's misleading. There are things that surprised me about what my body prefers and tolerates now. I was pretty sure I'd be eating scrambled eggs as I've always loved those. Well, they don't work well for me now but a fried egg -- something I never liked -- is kind of perfect for me. I need to be able to chew. My test for myself is salmon and broccoli. I need to be able to eat those foods (Slowly, oh that's still hard for me to remember sometimes but the band reminds me). Dense protein well-chewed is where it's at. I use chicken thighs for the most part or pound the chicken (I like those organic tenders) so it's not too fibrous. For burger i sauté it with stock over time so it's not stringy. These are just my personal tendencies. And I splurge on tenderloin or filet mignon when we go out. I don't eat rice or bread, etc., although my husband is gluten-free and I do have a few rice crackers with cheeses, etc. I thought I'd have to give up cheese -- worried that I might come out of surgery lactose intolerant or something -- but I really love cheese and I haven't really had to "give up" anything. It's important for me not to have sliders. Yogurt is a slider for me so I add chia seeds, a little GF cereal, a few nuts, etc. To give myself something to really chew. It's the chewing that signals the brain for satiety. So for me the cheese needs a cracker or some celery or something to chew. Last night I was on the way to a performance and suddenly needed food. Ducked into a market for a cheese stick and a small bag of unsalted almonds and a square of chocolate. Had about half of each. Full. No desire to go on and on, which is what I always did before. I am able to stop. No more appetite monster to appease! Good luck. You're going to do great! Pay attention to your pants and how they loosen rather than the scale. It will all happen!

Congratulations on your surgery! Glad you are healing up well. Some people have a very pronounced soft stop, like a hiccup or cough, a pain in the shoulder, drippy nose, etc. In the beginning I practiced eating with a clock. I was such a fast eater and that has been a major challenge for me -- slowing down. Even two years later I have to remind myself or my band will do that for me. I notice that I get bored with my food and that is a sign for me. Maybe I'm keeping that bite in my mouth for a long time and sort of playing with it -- that is a signal. We are all so different and it's fascinating, this whole thing, isn't it? Good luck with all. So glad you're on here.

@@jiggyiggy120 congratulations! So happy for you -- and you, too, @bgtribble. I remember how excited I was and, really, still am in so many ways. Choosing myself and my healthy future and putting myself first was such a powerful gesture. I am very happy, not just with my weight loss (yippee) but with my whole way of life now. I was spending so much time and energy on worrying over this diet and that diet, food, food, am I on or am I off, etc. Now I really feel free. Having the appetite monster off of my back is a beautiful thing. I still love food. I'm an excellent cook and I like to be "in" food, if that makes any sense. But instead of eating so much I just try a little now and find I am sated. The links below in my signature really helped me understand how the band works and how to work the band; maybe they will help you, too. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing! It's a big forum so you may have to "ping" more than once for us to find you amidst all the posts. But we're here and routing for you both. I love my Band!

Great post! Thanks so much for all the inspiration. You are doing beautifully......

It's like a weopon in the fight against the Appetite Monster. I could not do this bare-handed. Will be thinking of you tomorrow!

@lauraellen80 thank you! That is probably par for the course for most of my posts. (I'm a fast typer.)

I was a finisher before surgery -- kept at it until whatever it was was gone. Not anymore. Happily I can have most anything in the house and not go after it. I allow myself a bite of anything. That said, those Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups -- NO! Or peanut butter in general. Cannot have it in the house. Whole nuts only. And it's easier for me if my family has chips I don't like. When I'm nibbly I ask myself if I'm hungry and I usually am. Then I have some protein -- maybe an egg if I need to get something in quickly.

@@meggs353 I don't have good stats re: timing -- I was highly motivated from pre-op through those first 6-8 months when I probably lost the most. I do notice that if I relax about it mentally then the scale keeps going down little by little. Now for another ten pounds and to keep tightening up the core. A project.

Hey there and happy Bandaversary! I am two years out today and so very happy. I still have a little paunch that I'd like to lose, but being a 54-year old woman who could stand to lose 15 or 20 pounds is a beautiful thing! I'm in size ten pants and very happy about that. Oh my god, over the moon! Congratulations to all of you -- it's really something, this showing up for ourselves and our healthy futures. Yay us!

Hi there @@Tirnanog, congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I was banded on this very day two years ago and it was the best decision. I love my band and feel great about my life now. There are a couple of links in my signature below that really helped me understand more about how the band works and how to work my band. Getting the appetite monster off of my back opened up so much else in my life. Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you are doing! I was very nervous as I had never been an overnight patient in the hospital before. Everything went beautifully and it was much easier than I thought it would be. I hate the dentist and would get another lapband in a heartbeat before a root canal, etc. I had pain medication that I did not need to take. Yes, there was discomfort, but I was just so excited. The walking really, really helped a lot. Do all you can now before the surgery and then afterwards you'll step right into it and not stop. Kicks the body into healing mode and helps everything heal properly. You are going to do beautifully.....Best Wishes!