Bandista

Great post, Jim, and thank you for all the inspiration and help you've given me over this last year. I joined last June to learn about LB and you are one of the people whose posts I've been following since. Now I've been banded seven months. You have helped me get through the ups and downs -- so glad you're here!

Way to go @ -- you are amazing! Love it that you envisioned this and took it all the way, helping others and feeling the strength and vitality that you have now. Very inspiring! I am on a new medication for arthritis and doing well with that -- giving me some hope for being able to participate in other kinds of physical activity. I walk a lot now, workout in basement, etc., and while I'm not a candidate for any kind of race, etc., I am thinking perhaps I'll be able to do things like dance and yoga that I used to really enjoy. Meanwhile, today I am rocking a tiny skirt that I cannot believe fits me. The last time I wore it was in 2001. It's above the knee (eeek!) but I think I look good. We are off to town to do errands. I feel like a girl playing dress-up. Finally got into Onederland the other day and now I'm at 197. Loving this.

I am not in your position (only halfway there) but I think you're on to something with the mindset dilemma. I did wonder if there could be some kind of food sensitivity issue. Wheat allergies are rampant here and can cause all sorts of gastrointestinal problems. If it's in your system it can cause reflux for days so there could be some kind of vicious cycle going on. The yogurt would be soothing. Just a thought, may not be it at all but worth throwing into the mix....

Hi there, I think surgeons really differ. Some prime a band, others do not, some have a strict protocol, others are on their own, etc. I believe my surgeon is of the small frequent fills school of thought. He does not share the amount so I have no idea how much is in my band. Each time I felt a little more restriction but then it would sort of wear off and I'd go back for another. I'm glad it took a while because I had to really learn about stuck episodes, etc. Finally at six I really got the green zone. Even then a couple of months later I needed another fill. I have been very cautious about not being too tight and I always discuss that with the surgeon. I got a teeny seventh fill and feel like I'm just right for now. It is so nuanced, this part of banded life. Goal according to surgeon is a tennis ball sized portion and not hungry for 4-5 hours. I would have one but not the other. Not that I couldn't eat for fun in-between, or keep going, sliders, etc. But I don't. The band at the right fill dims the appetite so I'm not fighting that and can make good decisions. Hope this helps!

Sorry, that's not a question mark -- my iPad won't let me edit...... So happy to be a dainty eater now!!!

Yum, we'll be right over! Congratulations -- and here's to being able to do the things we want to do, just a little differently. I am secretive about my band but still entertain and go out frequently, I agree with @@kll724 that it's easier to host but I am becoming accomplished at moving food around my plate, covering with lettuce leaves, etc. And of course still enjoying my food, just in a small amount. So happy to be a dainty eater now?

Nice NSVs! So happy for you.......and Felicitations to the new couple.

Oh my goodness,so sorry -- sending very best wishes your way!

SO happy....thanks every one. Down another tiny bit today so it's feeling real. Now for the 80s.....

Congratulations -- so happy for you! It's such a powerful thing to show up for ourselves and choose a healthy life. Very exciting!

I have a band and am not very familiar with sleeve protocol, but I sure love different kinds of chili -- black bean chili, cannellini, etc. I've been enjoying all the different kinds of Beans and lentils out there. Also the amazing things that can be wrapped up in parchment paper and cooked together for optimal flavor. Small piece of salmon with capers, for example, or fig & goat cheese with anything, etc. Have fun!

Hi Becky, you're almost there! The purpose of the pre-op is to reduce fat around the liver and make it easier to place the band. Everything gets moved out of the way and you want there to be room for the surgeon to work. It helped me to know that for the first time ever the weight I was losing on ore-op is weight I would never see again (unlike all the diets I went on). I agree you should call the doctor's office and let them know you're having a hard time, can you add a shake or have Popsicles, etc., but also some one has to cut out the in-house bakery -- that's not okay. Yes, they have to eat but that is too much. Let your daughter know you need her help. She can be your personal chef later but she needs to understand where you are now.

Hi Knapptown, so happy for you! I love the pageantry of food, too -- and I'm happy to say that it's not over at all. I still cook and present food, we have parties and go out, etc., but I just have a small amount. I don't eat a whole other meal while clearing up later. And I'm a cheap date. If I order an entree my husband and son are happy to lap up whatever I don't eat, or I just get an appetizer. It took a while but it's very manageable. My band is private -- I haven't told many people -- and it's not obvious that I'm doing anything but having smaller portions. What is obvious is that I'm getting my shape back. At least you had an excuse for looking like a football player, but the linebacker look was not for me! It's great you are addressing your health and starting this new chapter in your life.

Hi Tiki, it sounds like you have had your band installed and now you're waiting to start getting fills? Congratulations on all. Very exciting times. The return of appetite can be frustrating but it's a good thing to get to know hunger again, to read your body's signals. What stage are you on for foods -- mushies, real food well-chewed, etc.? This is a good time to practice mindful eating in small portions. Once you have your followup and assess with your surgeon for a fill your appetite will begin to dim. It can be a process to get to the green zone and at each step we learn more about paying attention so we don't get stuck later. Try to choose good foods and chew very well, go slow, listen for the signal of fullness and learn to stop then.

For the first time in two decades I am not on a diet or about to go on a diet. I was very restrictive and feel so liberated now. I am just living. I don't miss anything because I am not missing out on anything. Gone are the days of disallowing whole food groups or planning out diet menus. I eat when I'm hungry and -- here's the key -- I don't eat when I'm not hungry. It's working!

Thanks for the inspiration! I have a few toddlers in my life and hope to be chasing them around this summer and getting up and down off the floor. A friend and I recently joked that this could be an entire exercise class -- just standing up and sitting down in place, get up, sit down. We could throw in crawling for the intermediates! Congratulations on all -- your enthusiasm is contagious.

Hi there and congratulations -- hope you got some sleep and are feeling a little better. There's nothing like sleep for the body to heal! I had a patch for nausea in the hospital and like Shazam and 2muchfun I didn't take the pain meds due to potential side effects (constipation, grogginess, etc.). Try to get up and walk as frequently as you can. As I write this I'm recalling the log roll off of this very sofa and how tricky it was to get up. Keep your sense of humor and know this will pass quickly and you'll be feeling that return to self. I loved my Popsicles during this time, also warm tea, salty broth. Sending very best wishes your way......

Nice mother-in-law! You'd better start thinking about XLs cause that's where you're headed next. I was wearing 2x tops six months ago and now I'm sitting here in a large cotton long-sleeved v-neck I bought on sale, so exciting! More like a Miracle.

Great advice, and congratulations -- looks like you are in Onederland. Yippee!

Hi there, for me this was the learning curve -- leaning just how carefully chewed up the food has to be, especially after a fill when the stoma is swollen which is good preparation for being In the green zone when there may be that same kind of "restriction." Many, many people get stuck on chicken. We each have to find out what our own difficult foods are. Really I can have most anything but if I start going too fast or eating larger bites I get that tightness in the chest. I'm still tempted to push through with more food as though it would dislodge but that's the worst thing to do. Best for me is to hang my arms from a beam, open the chest and do windmill arms. If the stuck episode is not going to resolve I have had a little hot water to produce the inevitable.

@@gowalking -- you, too? Now I feel like I'm on the cutting edge, Miss NYC! But seriously, don't go by my initial reaction as I am very sensitive to medication. This stuff is nothing compared to Neurontin, Lyrica, etc. Wouldn't it be great if it worked?! Glad to hear your doc's "jittery a few days" comment so I know it's not just me. Also glad to know this is a lower dose and not the same as for depression. I'm pretty happy and don't want to mess with that! As for anxiety, mine is pretty slight and manageable with mindful breathing, no coffee, etc. We will have to compare notes on the Cymbalta for arthritis relief. I got the 20 mg caps and took one this afternoon. So far so good, not flying like last night but still a little out of body. It's raining and my pain is down so that's something. I hope to give this a good eight-week trial and reassess. Didn't mean to hijack this thread with my pharmaceutical woes. In other news, folks......I GOT A BIKE!

You are entitled to your privacy -- and leave time for a surgery is common. No one needs to know what it's for, but why use up your vacation time.....just a thought. Best wishes to you -- I am so happy with my band and can't even really recall my surgery six+ months ago. Keep in mind you'll need time for your upcoming followup visits, though those are pretty short and could be lunch break-ish.

Sending best wishes your way -- what a rough start. You have been through a lot with the nausea, etc. I hope your body is settling down from whatever it reacted to -- could it be a pain medication you're on or a reaction to the anesthesia? I loved my Popsicles during the healing phase -- MinuteMaid Soft Lemonade. Try to stay hydrated and move around, gentle walking and a lot of sipping, can you tolerate a nice chicken broth? You will be feeling SO much better. You are worn out but you'll be bouncing back now and jumping for joy at this big initial loss. No way to do it, of course, but still a nice chunk off.....

I'm glad to be able to walk outdoors now, too, and to explore -- we had some rain so today was a basement workout day. Kind of dark down there so before the snow flies next winter I'm going to get some better lighting down there. Oh dear, sorry to mention the S word. Have fun tromping around your city!

Hi Stephy, so glad you have overcome those hurdles (what a nightmare!) and you are now back in banded world -- it will feel good to have Friday behind you to have that reassurance. A surgeon who apologizes is a rare human being in my book. I'm glad you have that relationship, plus a backup if ever needed. We live in a rural area and there are just two band doctors at the hospital. This has me thinking about whether I should have anti-nausea drugs on-hand, like the patch I had post-surgery. I wonder of they pass those out for hoarding in case of emergency. Like sailing, etc., what about motion sickness, etc. Of course the guy was out of town just then -- so sorry you had to go through all of this. Best wishes for all that is to come!