Bandista

So funny! Did you give him a good tip? Maybe a quick ESL social graces lesson......

I got myself stuck today. I'm rarely hungry in the mornings and today I think I waited too long and was really hungry -- it was 12:30 or so. I went for some leftover fish, thinking that Protein was such a good choice. It was a bit over cooked and I didn't even heat it up -- cold out of the fridge. And I probably ate it too fast. I knew when I got that solar plexus pain that I was in for it. This had only happened once before but, boy, there it was. As with that time, today I progressed I to rather violent hiccups and then finally after about 20-30 minutes up it came. There is the saliva needing to be spit out beforehand. I certainly couldn't do this out in the world or at some one else's house. These hiccups are something -- loud! So then guess what I did? After I was settled back down I decided I'd have a Popsicle. I figured that would make me feel better. There, there, Little Bunny! Well that turned out to be an idiotic move as I started the whole cycle and it had to be seen through -- the solar plexus pain, saliva, violent hiccups and then the spitting up. Good grief. Learned my lesson there! I hope, I hope. No cold protein first thing, have something softer, don't over cook anything, and don't reach for something cold after an episode. Later I had some warm tea and that went down well, then much later some yogurt and applesauce. Didn't even entertain the idea of eating anything more substantial, no way.

Summer in New Zealand! Now that sounds lovely. It is decidedly not summer here, sigh..... Enjoy some warm breezes for me!

Isn't it great to be free from thinking about food all the time?! So happy for you. I am noticing more and more that I am not hungry or that I'm disinterested in the food I thought I was going to eat. Not that I still don't love food -- i do. But I'm not living for it and more and more often I can leave it instead of take it.

Hi Billie, I hope you feel better today and that you're able to get some sleep. Walking can really help. If you have any one come over, get them to walk with you. Or when you get up to lee do some laps around the house....keep us posted!

The respiratory therapist or sleep center staff need to help you find the right mask, the right fit -- sometimes you can change up head gear, etc. I just have nose pillows which are much less intrusive. Keep at it until you get it right -- it's not one size fits all! Sleep is so important.......

The five bite trick sounds good -- had not heard that. My surgeon describes a tennis ball sized portion. Once you've eye-balled for a while it becomes second nature. What we are looking for is our bodies indicating we've had enough. Good luck to you!

Such a love/hate with my CPAP. I think I had apnea prior to being so heavy but it could have been another disorder -- I sure look forward to losing enough to consider not needing it anymore. But for now, I am so grateful for sleep!

Congratulations -- what a great way to start the new year! Good luck with this next stage.

Yippee! Congratulations -- that is quite the milestone!

I've been braising a lot for the falling apart meats with rich broth and veggies. Just did a standing rib roast in the Le Creuset -- amazing.

Hi there, I'm with Joanne and Karen -- put those medical professionals to work! The after-care is very important. Meanwhile you wan to eat protein first then veggies. Practice chewing very well and eating slowly. This is a time when were learning new behaviors but also your band has to be adjusted properly. That's the whole idea. Best wishes!

Sounds like you're ready for that appointment! Congratulations on your surgery and healing phase which is now followed by working to get the band adjusted properly for you. Here's to a new year of healthy weight loss!

So glad you are feeling better -- and that immediate relief, phew. It's great that you have that connection to your band and know the esophageal pain is an indicator of too much restriction. No need for that! Great post -- words of wisdom for those of us new to our bands, getting fills, listening to our bands and seeking that green zone. It's a zone and it's got to be right, not too tight.

Yippee! What a great moment to have the doctor do a double-take. You have turned your life around -- so happy for you!

Pixie, you may be surprised at how little it takes to fill you up!

Claireabelle, I was banded on November 5th, too! Do you have little forks and spoons? I think those have helped me take smaller bites -- and using a very small bowl so I am not taking too much food in the first place (being a finisher is not a good thing -- I need to stop when I'm feeling I should stop, not when food is gone as in the past). I have practiced some eating with the clock. A sixty second wait is excellent mind training. Mindfulness has to be learned but then it becomes subconscious. The hardest thing for me is putting the utensil down and waiting to pick it up again. I want to load my fork again right away. That's a no-no. I try to notice what my hands and mind are doing when I'm in-between bites and the way the food changes in taste the longer it is being chewed. There are several factors -- how big the bite is, how well it is chewed and how long between bites. The esophagus sends the signal to the brain that it's getting full. We need to give the esophagus time to do it's little squeezes to accomplish that so the feeling of satiety takes place. And we need to stay aware so we can listen and watch for the signal to stop. If you're overriding that and having a little too much then you will bring it back up. I have a horror of throwing up so that is working in my favor, I think. I don't want to get sick so I'm on guard. Still loving food, which is good, just in small amounts. It's the intervals I'm working on now as I don't need to eat again for 4-5 hours but of course can go back much sooner. Good luck to you, and don't get too tight if you're still having difficulty at the stage you're in! Jim, I'm going to go find that app!

Hi Pretty Thick, your life is coming together in all sorts of ways and I'm so happy for you. I think you are tapping into flow. Your self-esteem is higher and you're exuding happiness. Other people like to have those people around them. When we are in that place of flow we find ourselves receiving all sorts of unexpected rewards. It's about energy and connection. I'm sorry some others felt the need to rain on your parade in the name of society's tendency to overlook heavier people when it comes to promotion, etc. You earned every penny of that and you know it. You are smart, talented and you've put in your time. Because we still have a society where men are paid more, receive the better jobs, etc., we need women like you to be making it up the ladder into places of power and decision so you can help equalize the playing field and create a better society. Here's to asking for something. I think that's what this NSV is all about. You held up your head, marched in and made a request -- and it worked! Congratulations on that. You are advocating for yourself and for what you want, which is to create a new life in the same geographic region with some one you love. I think you are saying that having your band and losing the weight gave you that confidence. That is a tremendous NSV. Maybe it's good to be aware that not every one will be happy for you and you will need to protect yourself from others sometimes. Maybe this forum is a little microcosm of that. You don't need to make any excuses for the industry you're in or the man's world we still all find ourselves in despite years of feminists working so hard. We are not going to get there by dropping out or saying no because existing conditions aren't yet what they should be. Here's to saying YES and to asking for what we want and need. I am really proud of you.

Hi Billie, your big day finally here! Congratulations and best wishes.

Yippee! I can hear your excitement -- all that positive energy is where it's at for healing up and starting your new banded life. You're going to do great!

My surgeon describes a goal of being full on a serving of food the size of a tennis ball and not being hungry again for 4-5 hours. I've had four fills -- small, I believe, but the surgeon does not share the amount with me. This time I feel different -- after the fourth. Tighter but not in a bad way -- eating and drinking fine but getting full quickly and disinterest in food at times. Having to look at habits such as grazing in evenings, etc. but feeling much more at peace with food. Satiety is the feeling of having had enough food for now -- I tell myself that. I can have food later, when I'm hungry again but if I'm not really hungry, I'm experiencing satiety. That was the goal of the surgery!

I hope you feel better today! Those first few days can be hard getting used to everything -- hope you can really rest with good intermittent walking. I would call the doctor to ask about any medication you take. They may have suggestions for liquid or powder versions, etc. Best wishes!

Hi there and congratulations on your surgery. I was banded 11/5 so we are a month apart. I'm sure it's different for different doctors, but this is what my first fill was like. The doctor asked a few questions about my appetite. He describes the goal as a tennis ball size portion of food being enough and then not hungry again for four to five hours. I had no Fluid in my band at surgery. He had me lay back on the table with my arms over my head. He located the port, marked it, cleaned the area and announced a "pinch" which was an anesthetic. Before I knew it he was offering me an arm to sit up, I couldn't believe how quick and easy it was. Now I have had four fills. Easy-peasy. A d now a free the last one I'm feeling it -- the lack of appetite, a slight tightness, disinterest in food (what!?). I experienced some of this post op when I was swollen and recovering. It's a great feeling to have the appetite monster off my back. For some people a fill isn't needed (though I'm told that is very unusual but some have primed bands or Plication); other people need several fills. The surgeon does not share the amount with me as it's different for every one and I guess he doesn't want me obsessing over that. Like every one says, it's different for every one. You will get there!

Great post! What a relief to have food not be front and center anymore. And getting off meds, too -- so happy for both of you.

This post-op pre-fill time is very hard, but the good news is your surgery has taken place and your band is installed. Now to get it working properly, which is the adjustable part of the LapBand. Be frank with your doctor and get a handle on the appointments you'll be having over the coming weeks. For me there are 11 appointment with my surgeon in the first year. Not all for fills, obviously, first one was surgical post-op and others will be just to touch base. It is a partnership and the after-care is very important. You will get there, don't worry!