Bandista

"It's not easy being green," to quote Kermit the frog. She is probably scared of hospitals and the idea of surgery and she is hyper-focusing on you. Maybe let her know this is a very simple laparoscopic surgery -- nothing like old school abdominal surgeries -- and that you will be just fine if she doesn't turn you into a bundle of nerves beforehand? Meanwhile, good luck to you in this next 48 hours leading up to the big event. It's very exciting and you are going to do beautifully. Best wishes!

I'm not hungry in the mornings so I'm not eating until well after I've worked out -- though I do drink my cranberry Water and have tea. I wait until mid-morning or noonish and then have a Protein smoothie with lots of fruit, flax seeds, etc. It is an event. In the old days I used to feel like I had to eat or my metabolism wouldn't be fired up or blah, blah, blah. I have abandoned all of that thinking now. My body doesn't think it's starving -- it thinks it is time to burn off all that stored up fat! If you were just banded in December you are in a time that is difficult for most people. Hunger has returned and it's probably not time for a fill yet. This is the time to get used to everything and it's really wonderful that you are doing so well exercising. I think that is the magic ingredient to this whole process. Once you get your band at the right fill your hunger will dim and you won't be battling that. Just know you are on your way and you're doing beautifully. Best wishes!

I love eating with the cocktail fork and little spoons -- guess I always loved dollhouse and tea party as a child, too. We had some shrimp forks that were put away and I got them out and put them in our regular silverware drawer. Those are very helpful. And I'm with you on the stopping the moment anything feels tight. Best wishes! You are doing so well!

So happy for you! I like #4 -- not feeling tired all the time. That feels like the key to everything, doesn't it? Having the energy to make good choices, to be active and happy in our lives. Yippee! Keep at it -- you are doing beautifully.

Sounds like the January blahs to me -- this can be a tough time. Holidays are behind us, light has not returned yet, less opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. Know that you are doing beautifully. In getting the band you chose a healthy new future for yourself. And you're not alone -- we are all in this together, pecking away at old habits and creating new ones. Best wishes to you!

Hang on and don't despair. This is a tough time for many people. One of the great things about the LapBand is that it's adjustable but having to wait until healing takes place, etc. before getting fills can make for a frustrating few weeks or so. It will pass. You will get there! This is a great time for noticing. If you're hungry, then notice that -- the when, why and how of it. Check the clock. If you're hungry then eat something healthy. Try to assess any trigger foods or emotional eating impulses and don't forget to pat yourself on the back for how well you're doing. Do not worry about the scale right now. Best wishes!

I love these videos -- taught me so much about the esophageal signaling process. I try to think about that happening as I chew my food and swallow.

Hi Shelly, congratulations on your surgery date tomorrow. Exciting times! Won't it be great to be able to keep up with your little cutie-pies and not to feel fatigued, old before your time and coping with an increasing number of other health issues. I'm 52 and oh, to have done this sooner! I was banded November 5th and my life is so much easier now. Before the surgery I was worried about making changes, like would I still be able to throw wonderful dinner parties and enjoy them, could I dine out in restaurants occasionally and be able to eat, would I do alright at other people's houses, etc. It's a breeze. And when I heard about the one cup portions I was pretty sure that would never ever work for me. Would I be the one person who couldn't make the band work for me? Well, it works beautifully. It's amazing how my brain is not asking for more food now. I feel relieved of that constant chatter -- like I've been released from food jail. Good luck tomorrow and we can't wait to hear how you're doing. Don't forget to walk like crazy! That really helps in every possible way. Best wishes!

So happy for you -- whole healthy life ahead!

It's funny to think about what I was afraid I'd have to give up and how now none of that really matters. I feel so satisfied on what I'm having and very happy with the good choices. Mostly it is wonderful being freed up from all that thinking about food all the time. So happy for you, Debbie. You're doing really well on your Lapband journey and I love reading your pieces. Best wishes!

Have fun in Hawaii!

Christina, Eboni -- so happy for you both!

I'll be interested to hear -- I like to give blood when I can. My husband is a very regular donor. Has quite the t-shirt collection! He always feels great afterward and thinks it has to do with lowering his iron levels. Plus it just feels good to help out. He is some one who has used a lot of blood bank blood in his time and it feels good to give back. Thanks for being a donor!

So happy for you! I think I may be there as well and four was my magic number, too. I had another appointment today but did not go -- next check-in is in three weeks and I will be paying close attention to whether I want a little more then or if I'm really already there. It is very exciting, isn't it? To have that chattering monkey mind shut up about the food. I am feeling lots of space in my life now that I'm not worrying about eating and my weight, whether I'm "on" or "off" a diet. Just being. And that is a wonderful thing.

I had two wine events this week and it definitely stalls my weight loss -- plus I think I make poorer decisions about food. No wine this week for me either, and no whining! Have a great day -- and good luck tomorrow with your fill.

Congratulations! The new driver's license is a great present to yourself. Thanks for a very inspiring blog.

Hi AJ, I hope that appointment goes well today and you get some answers. The not knowing what's going on is so stressful, and then of course not being able to exercise or use the hot tub makes everything worse. I'm so glad you're back on the forum. We are here for you no matter how you're feeling. Sending best wishes your way!

My surgeon described full liquids as those which would slide off a plate turned on it's side. Very soupy. I enjoyed potato leek soup during this time, though I was not very hungry. I was allowed to have egg drop soup and that was yummy. All programs are different and you'll want to follow the guidelines perfectly. I was told that if I'm not hungry, don't eat and not to worry about protein goals during this time. I had enough shakes on a pre-op diet that I didn't want those post-op. Have only just made friends with the blender again over the last few weeks or so! Good luck with coming weeks. It's important to know this is the healing phase and then the band will need adjusting to have it work properly once the appetite returns. It's a good time for behavior modification, recognizing hunger and nailing down triggers for emotional eating. Also the obvious need for slowing way down and noticing the body's reaction to food, how things really taste, etc. That will be important later. Best wishes!

So inspiring -- thank you for posting! You look gorgeous, healthy and happy. I'll bet you feel terrific!

Hi Nahila, congratulations on your upcoming date! Very exciting. I liked having a pillow in the car for the ride home -- something to press on my belly for comfort. Also good to hold it there for laughing or coughing. Best wishes for smooth sailing and an easy recovery. Keep us posted!

Hi T-Bear, we have a great deal in common and similar stats weight wise. I'm 52, mother of a teenaged boy, supportive spouse, my family doesn't struggle with weight issues, etc. And like you I have been an exerciser for a long time and supposedly carried my weight really well (this makes me guffaw now!). I'm not a baker but I am a dedicated cook. I'm happy to report I can still do that but I'm not hungry for the results. You will find yourself in good company here as far as compassion for addiction. Transference is such an issue and of course there are many people who switched up to sugary treats from some other addiction. I've been working on transferring to exercise -- a positive addiction. Let's just say I'm not afraid of going overboard with this one but I want to be thinking about working out and how I'm going to get my walk in the way I would have been inventorying the cheese in our fridge before or planning to stop somewhere for a treat. You are doing so well -- I can hear the clear thinking and honesty in every word of your post. I love my band. I'm just getting into the swing with a good fill and ten weeks in or so. I love having that appetite monkey off my back. It's like getting out of food jail. And choosing myself first has been a very powerful decision. Of course every one benefits when I do this because I am happy and healthy. These are exciting times and I'm really glad you're here.

My surgeon provided a Protein shake but it was heavy on dairy and I knew that wouldn't work for me over a two-week period, plus it had a lot of chemicals in it. I ended up getting a couple different pea protein powders from Vitamin Shoppe (permission of doctor/nutritionist). Then the second week I went wild and got a couple more. Like Cheryl, after I was banded I didn't want these shakes. I am just now using up some from last October. Lately I'm really into fruit smoothies. I make a Protein Shake and toss in frozen fruit, flax seeds, etc. Delicious! The first couple of days of the pre-op liquid diet can be tough but it gets easier all of the sudden. The hunger diminishes and it feels good to detox. Sometimes things come up once food is not available to tamp down emotions and the timing of this is interesting because of course we are all a little jittery before going for surgery. I found journalling to be really helpful during this time. I was also really glad I forced myself to up the exercise. This gave me something to step into post-surgery when the walking is really helpful. Good luck to you -- let us know how you're doing!

My husband says I look softer, whatever that means. Mrs. Winnie-the-Pooh had a hardness about her, perhaps. Or she was something of a linebacker. I am seriously happy to have gotten my stomach down and the jeans size is 14 long now instead of 18. Onward! Oh, I just thought old = tired. Maybe when we lose weight we are less tired and we appear younger. Maybe it's a happiness thing. I am happier to be carrying less weight. That is hard work, hauling that around.

It's not now or never, so if you feel like you do need one in the coming weeks/months it will be available to you then. There's that. And if you're doing well on your small portion but don't yet have the duration, there's that. The important thing is you are really listening to your body. I'm going to see my surgeon tomorrow and they will have the fill all set, ready to go. I'm not ready to go. I'm feeling good where I am. My next appointment after that is in three weeks then we spread out to monthly for a while. I don't know how much fluid is in my band. No priming took place and I've had four fills. I believe this surgeon is of the small frequent fills school. I know it's up to me to determine when the appetite is manageable or if it needs dimming. Good luck to you!

Hi there, it sounds like you're doing really well. This is such a good time to be really learning to listen to your body. It's so interesting to be mindful and to notice everything. The mind can be a chatterbox and often mine is asking questions it used to rely on, like "what else can I have?" This occurs before I've even had my food. I think I was always projecting to the next item in my little graze-a-thon and not focusing on what was in front of me. So by listening I found that out about myself, along with a lot of other things. Now I try to be very mindful of the food on the little plate, putting down my utensil between bites (this is hard for me) and then the sensation and taste of the food as I'm chewing it, swallowing it. I try to visualize it. The esophagus makes little squeezes and that's what sends the message to the brain. I can't feel this but I try to think it. Then there is often a moment when I feel like I've had enough. That I'm done. This is quite amazing considering the size of the portion but there it is, the magic of the band. Then I thank my lucky stars.