Bandista

Sorry you are having this pain -- many of us got the left shoulder/chest pain but it does get better. Mine hurt most getting out of bed -- I sleep on the left side. I was able to just ride through it, did do the heating pad thing and even ice, which helped a lot. My husband thought maybe the pain was positional from the surgery as well as the gas -- who knows. I did not want to take narcotics so just had ibuprofen and Tylenol. The thing that absolutely helps the most is walking. It's not easy sometimes to motivate but the twinges sure are motivating. My body needed me to walk -- a lot. I started in the hospital corridor then at home around our driving circle. One day I walked 40 times around the circle. It really really helps.

Sure sounds like perimenopause to me.....I skipped two periods prior to being banded but have had two since. Thought I might be done (I'm 52) but apparently not -- and I really wanted to lose the weight first anyway because I think it's harder after menopause.

What a great post -- thank you so much. You are amazing! So happy or you. And you too, Brittany. Wow!

Hi there, so glad you are here! I am fairly new but it sounds like a fill appointment is essential. Call them -- get that on the calendar. Watch out for slider foods and know that you are on your way to getting the next 30 off. We will be joining each other in One-der-land, which is what we call that sought after place of finally being less than 200 pounds. And we will keep going from there down to our goal weights -- because we are choosing health and happiness. Do this for yourself! When the band is adjusted properly your appetite will be dimmed and you'll have that monster off your back. It will be so much easier then to eat right, exercise and take care of yourself the way you want to. Here's to that!

Yippee! So happy for you!

Hi Weevie, I had a hiatal hernia, too -- found when they went in to do the band. Surgeon had suggested beforehand that this is often the case. I didn't realize I was having symptoms -- some discomfort, a pain spot size of quarter on left breast -- think that was referred pain from HH. Anyway, it was nothing surgery-wise -- I think all the walking really helped recovery all-around. So happy for you plowing through all the pre-op paperwork, etc. What a way to begin 2014! Glad you're here on the forum.....

Great post and what a lovely photograph -- your happiness is shining through. Lucky granddaughters to have you back and showing up for all the fun!

My surgeon does not have alcohol as a no-no but suggested hard liquor vs. wine due to the calories. I think transference can be a problem for some -- food addicts turning to alcohol instead as a tool for numbing. I am five weeks out and enjoyed wine at a party last weekend and will again tomorrow night. Each time I have what I consider a splash out my weight actually drops. And I agree about the cheap date -- we are definitely saving money. One little appetizer, please! I have noticed that at restaurants it's easier to order a water and just not drink it than to say nothing to drink. Waiters can't seem to process that.

December 1 - 227 December 7 - 230 December 14 - 224 Checking in from the North Pole, or at least NH where I looks like Winter Wonderland out there today. Have a great weekend every one!

Weight loss going well but know that it can take time to get the band working for you -- you may be ravenous after surgery or not interested in food. I was the latter but hunger did return and then I had a fill, and a second fill recently. Currently I am not hungry and 25 pounds down, which is one quarter of my goal. I started at 248, lost 10 on pre-op diet and 15 more since surgery. You will do great -- it's so amazing to be at peace with food.

Hi Jenn, what a wonderful gift to choose your healthy future -- here's to 2014!

Is your band primed? As in do you have some fill already? Would not hurt to touch base with your physician -- tomorrow is Friday. Put those medical professionals to work (while you walk, walk, walk)!

Hi there, are you walking a lot? This helped me so much with everything -- did some major walking in those first days and thereafter, too (as in who is this person?). Maybe you need to shake off all that anesthesia and everything else, release any trapped gas and kick the body into healing mode.....

The jean size says it all -- way to go! I am one size down and very happy. Looking for the next on sale so I can have them as an incentive. Or is that a form of torture? This time I know it will work, however -- don't know when but know I'm getting there a bit at a time no matter what.

Well this is a story with a happy ending, whatever you decide. I think at 52 I'm fairly philosophical about my body in terms of what my mother and grandmother called, "Hangsie-Downsie." Let's just say the fruit is going to hang low at some point no matter what.

Hi BoyMom, no worries you are doing great! You've had the surgery so the band is installed but now you are healing up. Don't worry about your appetite or calories -- just follow your doctor's instructions and you will get to the next step. It will work -- just doesn't happen immediately for most people. Main thing is to listen to your body. Hunger signals are not the enemy anymore -- and when the band is tightened the appetite will diminish. Don't worry, you're going to do beautifully!

Hi there, here's to another clean day and do you suppose they'd move that fill appointment up a bit for you? I personally cannot have a display of chocolate on my wall or a cheese shop in my fridge; just not ready. I know we will be in a place where we can have little bits of everything we like but until that appetite is dimmed through proper adjustment of the band I think it might be better to go get a PlayMobil calendar and say no thank you to all the sugar that gets pushed on us at this time of year. And fake sugar sets up cravings, too. Next year will be so different! Here's to a life without outlawed foods -- it's coming. But maybe not for 2013?

Congratulations Angie and KC -- great to see some December bandits....glad all went well and whole new life ahead. I am just five weeks out and soooooo happy. Best wishes for a fine holiday season.

Glad you took today off, too -- that's what the time is there for and of course teaching is such a stressful profession. You have a good weekend and feel better -- unwind and see where you are. I've read about the five day pouch test and know there are others on here who go all liquids once in a while to give their band a rest or give themselves a reboot. Good luck and enjoy your downtime - I find breathing helps me stay calm and with a name like Pura Vida I'm sure you're doing all that. Best wishes!

Being able to see some on regularly is going to be great. Can you call the place near your parents' house and ask what the fill schedule would be like for some one banded in July with no fills as yet? I am going in weekly right now -- can let go of an appointment if I feel like I don't need another fill yet but they are on the calendar. Have had two so far. I think this is fairly aggressive. Of course every one is different but the idea is to have a medical professional to track closely with you. The idea of Friday appointments regularly then moving to less frequency and having that whole Saturday option is pretty compelling. You want a relationship over time so if you're in college and life is crazy one thing you know is you can go for a fill when you're home. Call your insurance company or go online to make sure the new places you're considering are covered. Good luck -- you are going to do great! As for the twenty off, way to go. That is something to celebrate, for sure!

Yippee! I am five weeks out and so happy with my life. It's not just the weight loss but the getting out of food jail, the relief.....

Wow, Barbie nailed it -- frustration over other people having something and we are not having it, and so the soothing foods come out of the pantry.....this is going to be a great support group for you! I am trying for 4-5 hours between feedings and those need to be as high in protein as possible. No difference really between a snack and a small meal -- and they are all small now -- so gotta make it count. Grazing cannot be part of my formula or I will do what I've always done -- starve myself all day and graze all evening. Sure can pack it on that way!

Guess the post-fill time is also about really tuning Into the body so we can interpret those signals -- what is hunger, how frequent -- and, for me, are those just old habits telling me I should have something to eat? Good to sort all of this out and be willing not to have food. The band doesn't prevent us from eating, it just dims our appetite.

Congratulations! You are getting there......sounds like a pretty sweet pre-op diet to me. I was in shake works for two weeks. As for caffeine I think you will be fine on decaf which still has caffeine -- and your chattering brain if it's anything like mine may be happier without the extra stimulation. I'm really happy I forced myself to kick up the exercise prior to surgery so I could step right back into that after. All the walking post-surgery is so helpful for every reason. Best wishes to you -- and what a way to usher in the New Year!

Hi Flo, so happy for you! I am thrilled about my band -- what a great decision for health and happiness. Hope you are able to rest well, watch all the movies you want and walk like crazy. I'm pretty sure the walking is the magic ingredient, not only for speedy recovery but also kicking the body into shedding mode. Keep us posted on how you're doing!