Bandista

Hi new banders, so happy for you! Have a nice healing weekend. I'm so glad I chose myself and my health in this way. It's been four months and I still feel very excited about this process of transformation. Here's to spring, renewal and healthy futures!

Every one is different -- some people have Fluid in their bands at placement. Your surgeon will have a schedule for you. My first fill was four weeks out, then at the fifth week I had another, then at the seventh week another. The post-surgical "restriction" you describe is about the inflammation which goes down and then there is almost always a return of hunger prior to when the band starts being adjusted through fills. But that is a nice taste of what it's like later to have that appetite dimmed. Because restriction is a word that can be confusing, this is a really great article to read: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Hi Nancy, congratulations on getting your band! Yippee! Hope you have a nice long weekend of rest and relaxation.

Excellent! So happy for you. I am four months out as of yesterday. It was definitely a process -- started in June last year and had my surgery in November. But so worth every single one of those hoops! Best wishes. And spring, what a great time for renewal. By the way, I was really happy I upped my exercise regime so I had something to step into right after banding. I think all the walking helped make me a better patient and helped me heal up quickly. Good luck on the Sugar Busters. You're going to do beautifully!

I have so much more energy now! I used to think I needed to eat but now I realize that was just a head-game. I do just fine on very little food because my body has plenty of fuel to burn. All that stored fat! Bye bye.

Congratulations on reaching Onederland -- and 55 down in 7 months is great. You are getting there, bit by bit! Pat yourself on the back for this success and get ready to lose the next chunk. Of course every one is different so it's impossible to say what's right in terms of restriction. I have had six fills. My surgeon describes a tennis ball sized portion and feeling satisfied 4-5 hours. I had the portion part (would feel full) but not the duration -- was hungry again in 2-3 hours until this last fill. I find I am now able to walk away from Snacks that I was indulging in here and there. And I am exercising -- I'm pretty sure that's a big secret to weight loss success. Good luck to you -- you're doing beautifully!

My son does this -- he has a pullup bar in his doorway and whenever he leaves his room he does a certain number of pullups. Pretty amazing how it all adds up! I am going to make a sign for myself, "EIGHT MINUTES." So I go down to our basement and jump on the treadmill for another eight here and there throughout the day. In fact I think I"ll put the sign on the fridge. Right now! I'm not hungry these days (thank you, Band!) and I'm doing well with not eating if I'm not hungry, but even if I'm not indulging I still find myself at the fridge a ridiculous number of times per day. My feet take me there. I'll make 'em take me right down to that treadmill instead! Good luck with all your working out -- you are very inspiring.

Willing Willing Willing -- you are doing it. You are willing! Here's that Ted Talk. When I get on the treadmill I do that raised arms thing as though I'm crossing a finish line, yippee! Instead of the dreading that used to go on. And you know, I think it's working. I am actually looking forward to exercise -- I plan it and execute it. Who the hell is the person? Definitely happier. And definitely losing weight. I'm pretty sure exercise is the secret ingredient. Best wishes to you. http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

You should definitely be able to eat most foods -- time to see your surgeon! Don't worry, you can just get a small unfill. They will work with you and this is good information for them. That's the whole point of the band -- adjustable. Best wishes -- you'll be back on track soon.

I'm going to readjust my goal for this month down to 202 - the weight seems to be finally letting go. That will be two pounds per week. I think my body finally has the message now that it's time to shed -- that famine isn't coming after all. Now to get down to the basement to work out harder than ever. That's what's working!

I can still drink quite fast but it can't be too cold.....

Survey has some problems -- if I pick 'other' it doesn't see that as an answer and won't advance the survey -- thinks the question is unanswered.

Hi there, so sorry about your Mom and of course life with new babies can be overwhelming at times. Twins! I think you are doing a great job of identifying what's happening, the reasons you reach for food. Noticing these triggers is a huge step in the right direction. I worked hard on this and ended up going to a therapist. We broke down the behaviors to very specific events. I knew I ate to quell the whirring of anxiety inside but when I really examined the occurrences I was able to get more information. One example, I work from home and when I have to have a conference call I used to get so nervous I would prep myself with something to eat ahead of time. This turned into eating every time I went to sit down at my desk and do a task I didn't really want to do -- I'd pop up and run to the kitchen to get something to eat while I was in front of the keyboard. So I had to change that up. Now I have a big bottle of my comfort drink instead (Water with splash of cranberry and aloe) and I drink up. That's just one instance -- point is I had to look at each of my triggers like that. In the car and wanting "something" -- is it real hunger (ha!), boredom, sadness, despair -- why am I feeling the way I feel? Even when I wasn't stopping each time I got to notice what was happening and this led to incremental changes. And of course having the band at the right restriction so that my appetite monster wasn't cheering me on in the eating department -- that has made a world of difference. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your husband and let him know how much you need his support and that you can't have the junk and comfort foods in the house. Period.

Fantastic progress! You look happy and healthy -- doing so beautifully. Yippee!

GREAT post! And so happy for you losing twenty. Yippee!

Cheryl's answer was my immediate response to seeing the title of the post -- absolutely call. Don't ask us, a bunch of people on the internet. Ask your medical professionals!

Hope you feel better today -- I am a big fan of zinc lozenges and ginger tea. Maybe this is your body detoxing and you can help it along with lots of liquids, plenty of rest. I don't do dairy or anything congestive when I'm not feeling well. Best wishes!

. Great list! And links at the bottom -- I emailed it to myself so I can go back later. Thank you. Magnesium keeps coming up for me.

Yippee! Congratulations on your success and what a fun time you are going to have.....

I am really hoping for an easing of joint pain from reduction in weight load -- has not happened yet but maybe at 50 down. There's some incentive for me!

I'm thinking if I'm going to be an exercise queen we are going to need to move to a more suitable climate. My husband keeps reading forecasts for other places. Seventy degrees sounds lovely! And bike and walking paths, oh my. But of course we love our place. Under all that snow are lots of garden beds and in a couple of months we will be surrounded by flowers. Sigh. Meanwhile, the basement with treadmill, recumbent bike and BowFlex. I'm so lucky to have it right here. We live in the sticks so gums are far away and I like it that I can be a slob when I work out. Have increased incline and hitting a whole new set of muscles -- the rear. Back is sore and only thing to do is do it again today. Happy exercising everyone

I don't notice mine much -- no tenderness. Just after surgery, however, it was the largest incision and sore. I used an ice pack once or twice and that seemed to do the trick. Good luck as you continue to heal up!

Way to go on all the yoga -- your body is changing a lot and the weight will drop -- meanwhile you'll be so healthy and toned! 1.5 per week is just what I have as a goal. The closer we are, of course, the slower the loss. But I think it's better this way. One of the things I wanted from the band was a healthy loss, not drastic with all the loose skin, falling out hair, etc. There is so much mental adjustment learning my new lifestyle, not hyper focusing on food all the time and enjoying exercise, not beating myself up, etc. It's probably good that it takes a little time.

Yikes, I would call the doctor's office ASAP. Can you swallow warm tea, etc.?

I get set off by artificial sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda) which tell the brain more is coming. When I have an uncontrollable craving -- like at PMS time -- I can usually trace it back to something like a bar that had a long list of "diet" ingredients or having used Muscle Milk in a shake, etc. Sigh, I loved that Muscle Milk but after a shake like that (with lots if frozen peaches, yum!) I find myself hungrier than ever and questioning what was the point. I have those 100 calorie packets of nuts which seem to do the trick stopping the nibbles rather than opening the floodgate of appetite. And I get the 100 Greek yogurts that have fruit with Steevia, a plant-based sweetener that works well for me. Good luck -- there's not one of us here who doesn't know what you're experiencing and sympathizes with you. Personally I wouldn't worry about the piece of cake -- don't beat yourself up! I am not on a diet -- the on or off mentality is a hard thing to break. It's what made me want to have all I could if I went off a diet because I knew I'd be back to depriving myself.