Bandista

Hi there, so happy for you! Great that you are getting your body into this mode of shedding, which of course will be so much easier once you have your band. Are you able to exercise also? That really helped me a lot. I was not an enthusiastic exerciser but since the band that switch in my brain is toggled and I am really enjoying working out and being a walker. I know that this is helping me in every way. Your perseverance is an inspiration -- thanks for keeping us posted!

Well, the long-anticipated first fill was this afternoon. It was over before I knew it! Very, very easy. Nice check-in with the surgeon and I told him how I've been getting hungrier and then hungry again sooner, etc. I did not have hunger immediately following the surgery and thought I might be one of those people who never require a fill. He thought that was pretty funny -- apparently that is very rare (except the plication banders). So this is what transpired: he felt around for my port and marked it with a pen (they don't use fluroscopy unless there's a problem), sterilized the area, gave an injection of pain killer (forget what it was -- Lidocain or one of the cains?) -- it was nothing! Then he was offering me an arm to sit up. He had already done the fill and I missed it because we were chatting. It was two and a half cc's -- no Fluid in my band at placement. I go back next week. I asked him whether we'd just be checking in and assessing how this fill is working for me or if I'd be getting a fill. He said definitely the check-in but most probably another fill. He described having a tennis ball size "meal" and not feeling hungry again for 4-5 hours as the goal. I drank a few sips of Water to make sure all was well and then downstairs in the hospital cafe I had a cup of tea with honey. Then I had a big walk around the hospital parking lot twice -- something I'm trying to do every time I go there, which is fairly frequently in these beginning stages. Tonight I will have a bit of the brothy part of a stew I am serving to family and friends -- we have kids over -- and tomorrow is supposed to be back to normal. Ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom.

I really loved my protein shakes pre-op but now I have no interest in them. Thinking of trying to fit one in, particularly if I'm getting the five o'clock hungries.....and we have so much fruit in our freezer. Maybe this is a good way to get more fiber, etc.

Nearly at Onederland -- yippee! So happy for you! How about something like a bracelet or ring, a pair of earrings?

A beautiful dress -- what a wonderful thing to be able to wear fun clothes that you love. Enjoy your new size, though -- it will be fun scoping out those size tens. You are an inspiration! Thanks for posting. I look forward to having a pretty dress or two next summer. That will be wonderful!

A robe for those walks, and slip-on shoes...... I had liquid Tylenol and liquid Ibuprofen at home -- was very glad I did not need the prescription pain medication even though it was filled and ready in case. Narcotics do such a number on the body. If you are prone to constipation you may want to take something for that ahead of time, and most definitely if you end up taking any narcotic medication. At home or if some one wants to bring you something: Popsicles! Loved having a popsicle -- a nice treat. I didn't bother with the fake sugar ones as I was having so few calories anyway. Teas...I am a tea drinker and enjoyed having tea as soon as I could.....Took my favorite teabags in a ziplock. Nurses got me hot Water and I had my only little tea party. Your big day is almost here! Best wishes to you.....I am one month out and so happy.

You're almost there! I'm with Karen on the walking -- what a difference that made. To the healing and recovery time but also walking in the hospital all I could then at home around the driving circle turned me into a walker. Now I actually look forward to doing it and let me tell you that was not me pre-band. The pre-op diet is so hard but you're getting your liver ready for a few days from now when the surgeon needs all the room possible for installing the band easily. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

Hi Emjay, I was allowed egg drop soup -- it was very satisfying. Maybe ask your nutritionist about that? Also potato leek soup. There's a brand sold in our regular grocery store called Imagine and they have several creamy Soups that worked well for the stage you're in. What you're feeling is very normal. Getting rid of the hunger is why we went through so much to get our bands. It's a process, though -- the adjustability of the band is everything. I'm going today for my first potential fill. I was lucky to experience the dimming of hunger post-surgery but then it arrived. Still, I know what it's like and I want that feeling back. Are you able to exercise? I've been focusing on that whole getting through the stages and I think it is helping everything. The weight loss (stalled for now) but also the mental attitude. I was not able to enjoy exercising before. I did it but didn't like it and now I'm doing at least twice as much and I can really feel that connection with my body. Best wishes -- you are not alone and it's called Bandster Hell for a reason....

I go today -- excited, not too nervous but wanting so much for it to be "right." Have been doing really well and just lately a return of hunger.

So glad to read this thread through again this morning. I am going in for my first potential fill appointment this afternoon. Have been feeling hungry and hungry again sooner, etc. Lately I have little moments of panic as I don't want to be on a diet. I watch what I eat, etc., but it's a careful balance not to go the deprivation route followed by the inevitable swing the other way. I know the band will prevent that but the fill is key. And I know I am right at the most difficult time, a month out. Time for Super Attitude and Perseverance. Joy, joy, joy! We have got our bands -- we will get there....and hopefully enjoy the process along the way.

Hi BrownEyes, so sorry about this difficult time. What a trifecta -- your friend dying suddenly, having to put a pet down and Thanksgiving on top of it all. Sending best wishes as you recover from all that and start your process with fills. Good for you to be getting some exercise in and noticing already that you're feeling better. I can't believe what a difference it makes to my mood and energy levels, plus I know it will help with the weight loss. Take care and keep us posted!

It's interesting that he has gained quite a bit of weight himself -- maybe there is some self-loathing and sabotaging behavior going on. You deserve a loving and accepting partner in life, not some one who compromises your happiness through hurtful behavior. Just know that choosing ourselves first is the most important thing we can do. Putting other people's needs and desires ahead of our own has a way of whittling away at our self-esteem and undermining the joy of being happy and at peace with who we are. Best wishes as you sort out what you want to do about this relationship. Whatever you do, do it from a place of self-awareness and don't talk yourself into anything you don't want to do.

Hi there -- I hated the waiting, too, but now it seems like it went by in a flash. Time can be so weird! I started the process in June and had to attend a mandatory info session to get the ball rolling -- only they didn't have another one until August 6th. So that was a big delay and then all the appointments -- program coord, nutritionist and psych eval, then finally I got to meet the surgeon and was given a surgery date, November 5th. All in all a five-month process. One thing I'm really glad about is that I used the time to step up my exercise routine so once banded I had that to fall into right away -- and the band really changed my attitude and ability to work out. Long walks, etc. So that's good. And I got a therapist, too, and started journalling a lot -- just to get at those eating patterns and food issues to be sure I was as ready as possible. You sound very ready and I wish you the very best -- it will all happen and you'll be on the other side before you know it!

Great list! Getting a band was all about #15 -- time to put myself first and get healthy. Best wishes to you. My father has dementia and it certainly does change the perspective -- being in the now and celebrating one another, loving ourselves and others -- all so important. Thanks for a lovely blog today!

So happy for you! What a way to begin 2014.......

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Oooh, thank you!

So happy for you. I feel the same way -- why didn't we do this before! It feels so good to be getting healthy. And I feel very relieved, too, just more at peace.

Hope you feel better soon and get to the bottom of this. Lyme and co-infections did a number on my immune system a couple of years ago but I'm healthy now and very grateful for that. During that year and a half I got everything that came along. It's good you are noticing what's going on -- get tests run to see if something is up. I'm a big believer in whole foods and lots of garlic, ginger, etc. We eat healthy veggies and buy organic as much as possible. Very concerned about chemicals in prepared foods, etc. And I don't eat or drink out of plastic. Plus I take an array of supplements. So I'm definitely on that health food nut side of things -- have to be. Exercising has really helped boost my immune system tremendously -- even though at first I was just exhausted. Could barely get out of bed, coping with fevers and extreme fatigue, joint pain, etc. Watch out for things like caffeine and sugar, and adrenal fatigue. Are you having plenty of water and do you use humidifiers -- all clean filters, etc.? Just throwing stuff out there. Take good care of yourself -- your body is asking for rest and it's going to get it one way or another.

Hi Donna, sending you very best wishes. I'm so glad you have good medical professionals and a clear diagnosis. Knowing what you're dealing with is a big step in the right direction, though it's overwhelming at first and now a new medication adjustment. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

This first month is all about recovering from the surgery. My surgeon told me not to eat if I wasn't hungry and when I did eat in the beginning I got full very quickly. I still have to take it slowly and put the utensil down, wait, come back, etc. As soon as I get a feeling in my chest I stop. For me this means I've been reverting to eating too fast or bites too big. Food has to be very mushie so needs to be chewed a long time. If you are having pain you should contact your doctor.

Hi there -- sounds like you're doing great. Congratulations on new banded life.

Hi Jamie -- congratulations on getting banded! We are just a few weeks apart. That's how it was for me, too -- a few bites and that was it. Same feeling in solar plexus. This went on quite a long time but now my appetite has returned and I'm hungry again sooner. Tomorrow I meet with my surgeon for a first fill.

Hi there -- maybe you are eating too fast? I agree learning to listen to the body's signals is difficult. What is hunger vs. what is habit, and for me slowing way, way down. Also the food has to be absolute mush when it is swallowed so that's a lot of chewing!

Yippee! Finally! So happy for you -- I know this was causing a lot of anxiety. Now you can let yourself get excited. Congratulations on this new chapter in your life beginning.