Bandista

Medical professionals are way behind in the nutrition department. My hospital's lapband program included a shake for the two-week pre-op liquid diet. When I saw the ingredients I couldn't believe it. When I mentioned it to the surgeon he said, "oh, I'd never put that crap in my body either." But apparently most patients are already addicted to artificial sweeteners and sugars in every form so they use this product to encourage compliance. I found another product and had to meet with the nutritionist to get her to sign off on it -- pretty ridiculous as the liver clearing shake I chose was so superior in every way. This is the same nutritionist who told me her kids don't eat Breakfast in the mornings. Oh, and she announced my weight in front of my husband during the one visit I took him along, a figure I had managed to conceal for years! I have not been impressed with nutritionists on the whole. Remember one working with my husband who had a lengthy hospital stay -- they couldn't even get the gluten-free thing right and this was Boston. Re: sugar, I enjoyed Popsicles post-op and since it's a rare treat I don't mind having a little of the real thing here and there. The MinuteMaid soft frozen lemonade in particular was great those first few days. I'd only have a little and I was done. I understand articial sweeteners signal the brain that food is on the way, great. And of course sugar is poison, too, but I try to at least get unbleached organic.

Hi there, congratulations on all -- and two pounds down a week is fantastic! Sliming is an over-production of saliva when something is stuck or getting stuck -- some people have this more than others. My surgeon was looking for a tennis-ball sized portion and not hungry again for 4-5 hours. I kept going until I achieved that -- had the portion part but not duration, was hungry again after a couple of hours. For me, that's how I knew I needed a fill. I'm an evening eater, too. Not hungry at all in the mornings plus I'm tight. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat -- that's my policy. Good luck to you -- you're doing great!

You're on your way! Congratulations on all that's ahead.....

So happy for you! Feels great, doesn't it?

So great to have a fitness goal like this! I have become quite the walker and I do about 5K or so almost every day. If you have to walk parts of it, no worries. One thing about pre-surgery, I was really glad I upped my exercise prior -- it helped my body get the message that new days were coming and I'm sure all the walking helped so much with the healing process. Kicked me into gear! So walk that dog -- I'd you're worn out at 20 minutes, go for 22. In a week you'll be doing 30. Best wishes to you!

@SwanRose. When is your surgery?

When the scale isn't moving that's when I often notice my clothing getting looser and I realize I am losing inches. This is a good time to look for NSVS, non-scale victories, and just to keep doing what you're doing. Fills differ so much -- I had six prior to achieving the green zone but I was glad for the small incremental approach my surgeon uses as it gave me time to work on slowing down, chewing more and general behavior modification. My surgeon was looking for a tennis-ball sized portion and not hungry again for 4-5 hours. I had the portion part but not the duration -- I was hungry again after a couple of hours. So we kept going. I am not super tight but just right -- can still enjoy dense protein, apples, broccoli, etc. You are doing beautifully -- on your way! It just takes some time.

@drae. You may still be a little swollen or you may have a primed band....many people have difficulties with chicken for some reason. These early weeks are really about learning to chew, chew, chew and listen for any feedback from the band. Sounds like you got some!

Hey, congratulations on your surgery @Writerjennifer. -- I notice that weight loss advice often begins with just, if you would just.... Well, if they would just.....shut up! Good luck with your recovery and this beginning if a whole new chapter in your life! @@The Icy One. Not sure who is creepier, chess guy or cotton ball advisor -- good grief!

"Real butter and heavy cream do not make you fat!" -- my mother, with contributions from all the diet specialists out there who have obviously not figured it out.....

I figure by the time anything made need replacing, science will have new amazing solutions. Look at laparoscopic surgery and what an advance that is. Pretty amazing. I saw this in Facebook today: worrying is like praying for bad things to happen. I can be a bit of a worrier -- not about my band, I feel great about that -- but kids, family, etc. I am going to try not to worry. Let's be on vacation from fear and worrying and just enjoy.

Hi there, can you have a cup of broth -- I'll bet you make some beautiful stocks and maybe something savory would do it. Just think how happy your liver is going to be and how much easier for the surgeon to place your band properly because of what you're doing right now. And congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future. I am seven months out and so happy. It's not just the weight loss but having that appetite monster off of my back. I am able to have the foods I want, just in very small portions at appropriate intervals. You are going to do beautifully -- almost there!

That is a great motto -- makes me smile. Could use some uncontrollable laughter but it's early in the week. We will see! Roo, this is such a beautiful picture of you and your daughter -- something for both of you and others who love you to treasure. I am also in the no-photo club and need to remedy that. My husband jokes that our son won't know what his mother looked like and deep down inside I always thought, well, that's the idea, that's why I'm hiding! I was ashamed of myself and now I'm so very grateful to be dropping that cloak of shame and showing up in my life. And in a few photos. More to come. Thank you for this.

I'm seeing a new version of myself -- not just thinner, but happier, more empowered and at peace with who I am, my life, etc. I feel accomplished and able. I'm in my fifties and have arthritis so that is motivating in itself -- how we will be in our elder years starts now. Plus I love being toned -- that long, lithe and strong feeling in my limbs is pretty addicting. Oh, and hello collarbones, nice to see you again!

Mary, congratulations on your amazing success -- I am so happy for you! 100 pounds is my goal as well, though is won't really know until I'm closer if that's the right number for my body. But I'm very hopeful that I can get there. And at seven months out and fifty some down, I am thrilled with my band. Even more then the weight loss is the great relief and feeling of freedom -- out of food jail.

Congratulations! Feels so good, doesn't it? I find that when the scale isn't moving the way I think it should (you know, light speed), that's often when I drop a size. Way to go! Here's to a wonderful summer ahead.

This is hilarious!

Hi there, I had a hiatal hernia repair as well. I didn't have a return if hunger for a while -- maybe that's why. It was a taste of what the green zone is like. Also I wonder how the hernia was making me feel and how much better it is to have that done.....whatever it is, I sure feel great. Seven months out and so happy!

Yippee! So happy for you....

Hi there and welcome -- so glad you're here. I've gotten so much out of being in this forum. Congratulations on your success! Seven months out and loving my banded life.......

News flash, I'm doing a 5K in September. Our son who is graduating form high school received a scholarship from a family who holds an annual race in memory of their brother. I am signed on -- eeek. I think I can walk it. I probably walk that much already on a near-daily basis, but this is different. It's out in the world. I want to rock it. And this is silly, but I want an outfit.

I hope you find the good doctor you deserve......that connection is so important. You may have been spoiled by the previous relationship but you can at least get some one better than this one who may not be empathetic enough or may have issues with WLS as a solution. Any medical professional who doesn't get how amazing this is, how you have recovered your potential for a really healthy happy life, is not worth your co-pay.

You will surprise and delight yourself with your success.....and you deserve every moment of the happiness coming your way. Be prepared for tremendous relief because your battles with appetite will be over. And you will love exercising. You'll be in sync with your body again and the feelings of betrayal will be a thing of the past.

Right now, if I have to pick, I love my smile and the way it makes my face feel when I have that wide happy smile going -- and boy is that more frequently lately. I have a lot to be happy about -- so grateful for my band. And my smile.

Exercise, believe it not -- grateful to be putting on those exercise togs and getting a good workout in........who is this new woman? She looks just like me but thinner, and she thinks crazy thoughts like let's exercise!