Bandista

Steam a cauliflower and mush it up with the stick blender, adding in chicken stock to get a smooth texture -- yummy. Greek yogurt. Egg drop soup. Have fun!

I am three months out and have had four fills. Now I'm feeling the band doing its job dimming my appetite and speaking up if I'm eating too fast or too much. It takes a whole to get into the swing of things. Don't worry, you will get there! You are in the healing stage and just beginning with the process of fills to find the green zone and what works well for your body. Keep all your appointments and don't stress about the scale right now. This would be a good time to have some one take your measurements. Down the line it's nice to have that comparison of lost inches for when the scale isn't moving or to notice how your pants are looser, etc. Good luck to you and enjoy that walking!

Hi there, so glad you found us here! I was banded 11/5 and I'm so happy with my new banded life. You are doing beautifully -- don't let that scale rule your life. I go down then up a bit and down again a little further then level off. But it's coming off bit by bit! My goal is 150 and I have about 70 more pounds to go. Best wishes and welcome!

I seem to be eating a quarter of what I used to consume -- as far as how much on a plate, etc. And I was certainly eating more frequently, too.

Love it that this thread is active -- missing Missy!

Congratulations! You will feel better after some good sleep. And don't forget the walking!

Oh my goodness, what a great loss! Thank you for the inspiration. You are doing beautifully and I'll bet you're really feeling it. Best wishes!

Hi there, I am just shy of three months out and so happy with my new banded life. I was nervous about the surgery as I'd never been an overnight hospital patient before and I think we all get the jitters beforehand. Plus the pre-op diet kind of dials things up as we are not tamping down stress with food anymore. For me, the surgery was so much easier than I thought it would be. I was elated. Yes, some discomfort but it felt purposeful -- a great cause. Me! It wasn't like being ill or having to endure real pain. I knew exactly what was going on thanks to so many people here on the forum. A super positive attitude really helped me, and the walking. I walked and walked. This kicked off the healing in my body and helped me shrug off the anesthesia. I had a prescription pain prescription filled but didn't use it -- got by on Tylenol and Ibuprofen and after a few days did not need those. So much easier than dentistry in my book (and I've only had one root canal) or having my back really out, a cracked rib, etc. So much easier than any of that and quick healing with a laparoscopic procedure.

This makes me feel so much better -- that even the rock stars of exercise have the committee in their head giving negative advice. I can sense the dialogue slowly changing, though. For instance now sometimes I'm happy while doing it and I'm celebrating those moments even if five minutes later I have to go back to faking it. One thing remains unchanged: after I work out I am ALWAYS glad I did it. That never varies. I feel better physically and mentally. It's good for the arthritis and the self-esteem. Maybe I should write a memo to the committee and tell them they are dismissed.

Pandora is a great exercise partner. And it is wonderful you and your husband are on the same page. Healthy future ahead! Way to go choosing yourself......

Congratulations on your success and also figuring out that this is a long game....thanks for the words of wisdom!

I feel so lucky to have my band -- that it was available to me. Sometimes I feel like bands are being phased out, that sleeves and other surgeries have less followup care and more profit. I feel like I may have gotten my band just in time. Well, except for the wishing I had done it a long time ago. But I didn't know about WLS and I needed to have my BMI up enough for insurance to pay. That was all so complicated and I'm grateful it's all behind me. The one day at a time with the band is very manageable now. Here's to a new day of healthy eating.....

I was a dieter for such a long time that I find myself saving up for later in the day -- part of a restrictive mentality I am working to retrain. I am not on a diet! I eat healthy foods and only when I'm hungry with a few stumbles here and there. My surgeon has a fill schedule post-op that has put me at four fairly quickly. I have felt a tiny bit more restriction each time. I'm on a plateau right now but feel okay with that. Working on the protein angle, making sure I'm getting enough in each day. You sound like you are right on target for post-op return of hunger (can't see from your stats when you were banded) and one fill in -- but some have a primed band, we are all different, etc. Anyway, I can relate to the four o'clock -- maybe you are programmed for high tea!

I know that my surgeon is going for both and like you I am satisfied on the small size but don't yet have the duration. I don't want to be too tight either, but I do want the full benefit of the band. I skipped my last fill and will go back 2/10 for a possible small one. I've been wondering if this super cold weather has an effect on the band. Obviously it does on the body in terms of wanting to go in a cave and store up calories. Good luck to you. I hope your doctor will have some good advice for you, not in a rush, etc.

Very natural to feel nervous about starting back on foods. This is a great time to be practicing mindfulness -- really noticing everything, using small plates and utensils, taking inventory of what you are doing. Congratulations on your surgery and welcome to banded life. I am not quite three months out and so happy!

No "just" about it -- you WALKED TODAY, yippee!

one "like" wasn't enough... so....like, like, like, like, like!!!! Thank you so much! I just came on here tonight, hit "first unread post" and there is your nice message. It's freezing cold here and everything hurts (a lot) but I have exercised three mornings in a row and will go again tomorrow morning. This quells my desire to whine and layabout,

Hi there, I am new and just beginning to understand how my band works -- and at a time when peri-menopause is in full force. All I can say is that acid, heartburn and vomiting are not okay. Those are all signs that the adjustment is not right. Don't jeopardize your health or the band -- talk to your doctor about these symptoms so you can work out a good amount of saline. If it's a lot of filling and infilling during a time of hormonal transition, so be it.

I am so happy for you! Way to turn your life around. Amazing what happens when we truly invest in ourselves. Thanks for the inspiration!

Congratulations -- you are really on your way! I will look for the blog -- didn't even know MFP had those...

Just have fun! No need to tell him if you've had a root canal or your appendix out or anything else.

Great thread; thank you! Hope, possibility, relief, perseverance, inner strength, fortitude -- those are a few things that come right to mind, along with choosing myself and my healthy future first. And it's just early days here. Oh, one more word: gratitude!

I have not gotten my timing down yet. If we are eating at 6:30 then I need to have something to eat at, say, 2PM to hold me that 4-5 hours. If I've had my morning protein shake with fruit, etc. at 11 or so, I'm not hungry yet at 2PM but I'm pretty ravenous at 5PM. My body is programmed for wine and cheese party at that hour LOL -- years of calories during those evening hours. You know, the 5-10 PM graze-a-thon. Some of that is habit and boredom but if it is kicked off by real hunger I need to eat.

Very inspiring -- thanks so much for posting. And a very happy Anniversary to you! Here's to healthy living!

I know -- it's all so fascinating, isn't it? Congratulations Leepers! This was a milestone and another very positive step along the way. Yippee!