Bandista

I could start a band -- percussion and horns both (toot, toot)........

Congratulations on your surgery and way to rock the pre-op. For the first time in a long history of dieting, I knew the weight I was losing was never coming back. Here's to Independence from obesity and choosing health!

Hi there and congratulations on getting a surgery date. Every surgeon has their own pre-op protocol so it will be good to find out what yours is going to be. Mine had a specific shake which they give out -- I read the ingredients and there was no way I was going to have that so I worked with the nutritionist on another one of my choice. I think there is flexibility here. I adhered to the two-week protocol of only shakes -- and yours may be totally different, some have longer, some have NONE -- and I'm glad I did as I think it's really important to follow the instructions of your surgeon. The idea is to shrink the fat around the liver prior to surgery. I was glad for the jump start of weight loss prior to getting my band as it can take a while for the band to be adjusted properly and the weight loss to begin in earnest. Good luck to you -- you're going to do beautifully! Get some extra exercise, drink a lot of fluids and get ready for the best thing ever to happen -- you are choosing yourself and your healthy future. That is very powerful. Best wishes!

Hi there, I hope things are settling down and you're able to drink -- sometimes things of a different temperature work well. You might want to try Popsicles as the cold will help with the inflammation and you'll be getting some hydration along with sugar. Or on the other end of the spectrum warm tea. Be sure to be in touch with your medical professionals but it may be that you are swallowing fine now. I hope so! Sending best wishes your way.

For me, the band is all about shutting down the appetite monster that is telling me to EAT EAT EAT. I cannot believe that it works but it is working. This afternoon I hosted a meeting and some one brought specialty Cookies made by two wonderful ladies who run a bakery in a neighboring town. One of them is French! Anyway, cookies, seriously? But you know what? I could turn them down. I am seven months out. If I really wanted a cookie I'd eat it, but you know what? I didn't even want one. So who is this new person -- I can't believe it! I did, however, be sure to send off all the cookies with people as they left. I know better than to keep them in the house as I might not be able to resist later. Why tempt myself?

Glad he's good looking because he's going to need that for finding a new job.

You are fabulous! What a great job changing your life around. You picked a great name for yourself -- it really is a healthy new you! Way to go and thanks for sharing. So inspiring!

OMG! This is wild! And I can imagine it adding to the pre-op jitters which we all experience. I don't know whether this helps or not, but I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and I'm 52. It was all so much better than I thought it would be. You will be taken care of by professionals and it's all over so quickly anyway and then you're recovering from laparoscopic surgery which is pretty great compared to other kinds if surgery. I detest going to the dentist and I compared it to that -- and I've only had one root canal. Eeek. I think I'd rather get another band!

@@bvernon does this include sheep's milk and goat cheeses? I know there are different proteins people are allergic to and some people who can't tolerate cow can have Manchega, etc. My husband is GF and our kid can't do dairy of any kind (Asian). Epipen, yikes! Good luck with all......

I have had seven fills -- my surgeon is of the small fills school of thought and I'm glad for this incremental approach but surprised how long it took me to get to this place of true satiety after a very small meal and not hungry again for 4-5 hours (at least). I'm really glad I kept at it as I did this because dieting didn't work for me. I'd be restrictive then eventually give up and gain it all back. The band has taken that appetite away and I'm very grateful. But I had to have so many fills, geesh. And I'm not too tight at all. And if I'm getting nibbly and looking for food or hungry again a few hours later I know I need to go back. But this one seems to be holding well.

Hope you feel better! I sometimes have trouble with full liquids, like a shake. But that's a lot of hiccuping -- hopefully that has settled down for you. Take it slow.

@@Zane's Mom I am so sorry for your loss....sending best wishes for this new chapter in your life....choosing your healthy future is such a powerful thing. Four kids in five years, wow! I am an adoptee and we chose to adopt as well. You have a very special kind of family!

@@bandedbunny you are on your way, going through the steps we all had to learn on our own. These early days are about healing and learning to listen to your body's signals. This can be so hard. I was a Bolter -- very fast eater. So I had to really work at slowing down and for me that took time and some stuck episodes as you have just experienced. I did some practicing with the clock to teach myself to put my utensil down, etc. I was so resistant to that, lol. So I'd watch the clock hands go around a full minute before another tiny bite and try to tune into my body. Now it just comes naturally -- I can tell what's right for me food wise and when I've had enough. It's not hard to stop and to me this is a Miracle. It really does work but it takes time in these first months. Don't worry about the scale right now. It will move and you'll be surprised. The real goal right now is to get the appetite monster off your back. The band is installed and as you go through the stages to assess for fills with your doctor your appetite will be dimmed and you will be able to make good choices. You will get there!

You are doing great! My surgeon doesn't share the amount of my fills so I have no idea. But whatever we are doing seems to be working. Also sometimes when the scale isn't moving that's right when I notice other things, like pants too loose and time for a new size. Keep your eyes on the non-scale victories as those can be really motivating. Best wishes!

Maybe an ice pack would help. I don't notice my port at all now but don't recall when that happened. As for return to normal eating, protocols vary greatly. My surgeon did not call for the length of time on liquids that many have. Same with fills -- some people do liquids for a few days or a week while I am able to just go back to whatever feels comfortable. I just follow whatever my own doctor instructs.

I've had some good pea protein shakes -- recommend going to a coop or health food store and seeing what samples are available, or purchase single packs to see what you like best. Many places let you return something you don't like -- Vitamin Shoppe for example. The egg protein shake I like is some guy's name -- can't remember but could find it on a shelf. I don't do many protein shakes these days but if I do it's all about the frozen peaches.

I often find when the scale is not moving that's when the inches are coming off -- redistribution, sculpting, whatever it is it's great! Way to go -- don't worry about the number in the scale and enjoy those jeans.

Way to go! Such a great feeling.....keep doing whatever you're doing because it is working! So happy for you.....

WANT POWER, YES!

Di, what a fantastic picture! You are doing beautifully....... Debbie, you look great, too -- zip-lining, wow! And ReadySetGo you inspire me so much -- amazing. I feel so much pride and joy and it's not even like I know you, but I do. I feel grateful for this forum. Go everybody!

I love my band, too, but each of us has to figure out what's best. Like many, I chose my surgery because it's not permanent and if ever needed I could have the band removed. Now that I have it, I'd do anything to keep it -- but if it ever came down to it and I couldn't have a band anymore then I would move on to something more drastic. That's just me. I feel less nervous about the sleeve, etc. from being on this forum. And I am interested in Plication, that's something I would research if I were starting out now.

Yippee! So happy for you -- you look great, so happy and healthy. Not only not obese, but not even fat -- getting buff! Way to go. You are rocking this.

Are these primed bands -- any fluid in the band at time of placement? Hope you are feeling better, able to drink well, etc. I was not hungry after surgery for a couple of weeks but I could swallow fine. Sending best wishes -- keep working with your medical professionals to work through this! Discomfort is not okay.

Great that you're walking and way to go on the loss so far -- sounds like it's time to see the surgeon and discuss a possible fill.

@@ChristineZ you are on your way! And it's so great that you are down 33 with no restriction.