Bandista

Adorable photos -- both of them. So happy for your success. Congratulations!

I am very private about my surgery. I told a handful of people and a couple of those I wish I had left out -- not they haven't been supportive, but they just don't need that information about me. Now I have a new normal and I just want to be seen that way, not as some who got there through surgery. I'm some one who doesn't like a lot of scrutiny. My parents are elderly and I specifically did not tell them. My son and husband knew, of course, but I don't think my son processed it. He's a teenager and was at a self-involved place when I had my surgery. I never talk about my band with him and I suspect he doesn't really know. We do talk a lot about exercise and he's proud of me for how hard I work to stay healthy.

Go Walking, you are right on -- many of us have been so restrictive and black and white in our approaches to life. I was always either on a diet or off a diet and constantly beating myself up. Weight loss surgery, for me, was really about choosing myself first. Deserving to be healthy and happy. The old thinking still pops up and I have to rewrite the dialogue. I am worthy of all good things. @@CanyonBaby happy birthday! That was a lovely message to yourself and to all of us. I will be 54 this year as well and so grateful for a new set of skills to replace my old coping mechanism of escaping with food. My husband had a very difficult time a few years back -- multiple surgeries, one hospital stay was two and a half weeks and I was so strong but also so scared. Be sure to take good care of yourself during this time. Sending very best wishes your way!

Hi there, the links below in my signature really helped me understand that the band is not about restriction. The chewing and swallowing are what triggers the signal for satiety. You are in the learning to listen to your body phase. It can be hard to really slow down. I had to practice on a clock and force myself to put my little fork down between bites, chew, chew, chew and wait. Learn to feel every sensation. Pain is not okay. You will get there! Congratulations on this new chapter -- getting the appetite monster off my back has been amazing.

Stand like a Superhero and rewire your brain: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-superheroes/201107/superhero-stance

YIPPEE!!!! This is so great.....way to go!

@@Inner Surfer Girlf, I know, much to think about -- standing out because of overweight issues was so painful....the power pose that has worked for me came from watching a Ted Talk a while back. The crossing the finish line arms up in the air - yippee, I made it, I'm a success -- has changed the way I approach certain things (I use it when I get on the treadmill, for example). And Wonder Woman above is actually not in a power pose because that supposedly-sexy stance is one of weakness, the one leg down does something to the pancreas. And probably projects a message of "take me." Let's go back to school and become cultural anthropologists!

When I go upstairs I try to turn right around, go back down and go up again -- so it's a two for one on the stairs..... Planking. I've got to start doing that again. Thanks for the reminder! And have fun.....music definitely helps me get moving around the house. Dance it!

Great to have those communication lines open -- your medical professionals are your partners in this process. And it's a process, as you know. You are doing beautifully!

Hi there, I would call the doctor -- don't wait this out. It sounds like you had a primed band -- fluid in the band at the time of surgery. If you are sliming then maybe you are too tight.

Hi there, nerves really kick in pre-surgery and of course you had that false start on top of the usual jitters, etc. Try to find a calm place inside and breathe. It's important to recognize our behaviors, how we turn to foods etc., and you are doing that. It helped me to see a therapist to sort out food triggers -- plus I knew I was making a major life change and I wanted an objective third party to be able to discuss things with as they came up. It's really important that you follow the protocol so you heal up properly and learn to listen to your band. Getting the appetite monster off of my back was amazing but it took some time. Give yourself time and try not to panic and revert to old behaviors. Best wishes -- keep us posted!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/29/hacking-the-nervous-syste_n_7469526.html

And the being able to raise it -- another reason to get back into meditation.

Hate video chat, etc. -- it's the only time I'm glad of our poor band width....however last time I found myself staring at the person in the little frame at the bottom (me) and loving her collarbones. Collarbones, who knew?

Congratulations -- sounds like you're doing beautifully. I was not hungry early on and when I was it was time for a gorilla assessment with my doctor. I'm convinced the excellent follow up is where it's at. Keep all your appointments and keep listening in to your body. Best wishes!

Hi there, brands really differ and there are some that have other additives, like maltodextrine. I use the liquid from Trader Joe's and only a few drops as it is very sweet, much sweeter than sugar. Truvia makes me sick.

For me this time was all about learning to listen to my body. I had to work hard on habits like eating way too fast -- it was hard for me to slow down and chew, chew, chew but once I got that down I began to get the signal for satiety. I'd feel bored and know I was done. The band doesn't prevent us from eating; it dims our appetites so we can make good decisions. I lost consistently but am some one who needed several fills to reach the green zone. I have to watch out for sliders as those don't give me satiety. Dense protein chewed very well is where it's at. The links below in my signature helped me learn how the band works and how to work the band. Now hunger is not my enemy.

This was so hard for me! I did some practicing on the clock -- one bite per minute. I did not want to put down my implement so it was good for me to notice that. And notice everything. I think it was important for me to remain very present so that I was able to receive the signal for satiety. To this day, I still say, "Oh!" and feel surprised. Like really, I can feel this way after so little food? Yup. Also as I have tendencies to be a grazer it was important for me to sit with the meal and have that be my meal. Have not completely conquered this but at least I am aware. The awareness is really where it's at. Are you aware how well you're doing? Because you are! Way to go! And have fun with that nine month year old. What fun.

Hi there, for me this process has really been about choosing myself first. I'm glad you are able to show up for yourself and get healthy now. You deserve the best! Put those medical professionals to work -- your band is probably fine but you may need to have a fill or perhaps all liquids for a short time to reboot, etc. get the information and take it from there. Here's to choosing happiness!

Hi there, sounds like you are ready to out your band to work! Nice thing is that the surgery is all done -- but until you are at the green zone the band is just sitting there. The links below in my signature are two sources that really helped me understand about the band. Maybe they will help you, too. So glad you are here. You are in good company. Call and make an appointment! When your appetite is dimmed then you can make good choices -- otherwise it's just a diet. We know how hard that was and why we needed weight loss surgery. Time to activate that band and learn how to use it!

Hi Rebecca, congratulations on all! I'm not on MFP right now but have been in the past. Just wanted to give a shout-out. You're in good company. Medication can be such a drag but your body will get the right idea. I have exercised for years (arthritis) but I think I was just under what I needed for my body to get the response going. I was sure I'd never have an endorphin high, that I just wasn't wired that way. Well I can and do now but I have to go four miles (I'm a walker); three wasn't hacking it. And I still have to make myself do it even though it feels good after. One thing that helps me is putting my arms up over my head in that crossing the finish line pose -- yippee! I watched a Ted Talk about how that creates positive messaging. So pat yourself on the back, tell yourself you're great (you are!) and put those arms up in the air. Then go exercise!

Yippee! For me the pants size is such a great indicator. I love it when they start falling off of me and I'm ready for new ones. Good luck -- you are doing great!

Hi there, congratulations on your surgery -- hope you're feeling better today. Sounds like trapped gas. The walking really helped me, and windmill arms. Anything to move the gas out -- we were inflated for the surgery and that gas can get up into weird places, often left shoulder. Karate chops seem to help. I used a heating pad sometimes for comfort, though I didn't really have a bad time as I was just so excited. I wished I had gotten ahead of constipation issues. I didn't use pain medication but still had to take something at day four or five. Felt better after that. Good luck and way to go deciding to choose a healthy future!

Men lose faster, no question about it......

Typically I do not eat breakfast because I'm not hungry in the mornings so I have an early lunch. Often this is a Greek yogurt with some mix-ins (otherwise, for me, the yogurt is a slider food -- it's the chewing and swallowing that gets the brain signal for satiety). I mix in chia seeds, sometimes a few chopped up nuts, a little gluten-free Cereal, sometimes a tablespoon of Protein powder if I'm feeling I need more protein....you get the idea. dinner is all over the place for me depending on whether we are home, entertaining or going out. We love taco night -- I make grass-fed ground beef with stock so it's all broken down and yummy with Mexican spices. I can eat one loaded taco and that is it (old days I'd do three or four plus other stuff!). I like fish a lot, salmon. Steak. I can't seem to do regular hamburger now but that's okay, I cook chicken thighs -- sauces are my friend now, not a no-no. There are a couple of links below in my signature that really helped me understand how the band works. I love my band and have had an excellent experience with it. Still have some weight to lose, but carrying around an extra twenty is so great compared to what I had before. Night and day. I was not prepared to do anything more drastic than the band and so am very grateful that, for me, it was just the right tool to help me lose weight. It has not been difficult. I am not in a diet. I make good choices most of the time and now I can stop eating -- no more going back for more, more, more.