Bandista

Congratulations -- I am a month out and feeling great. Walking really helped me so much. Best wishes to you!

Wow, that was a lot going on in a very short period of time -- no wonder you got stressed out! What's really great is that you are noticing everything, listening to your body. And it's telling you it doesn't like that crap. And you're not going to let this pendulum you into being "bad" for the month of December and throughout the holidays into New Years just because you had some M&Ms, etc. You are a new person with a new attitude but some of our old programming is still there. I figure every time we overwrite the brain chatter with good dialogue, such as "oh Debbie, I am so happy when I exercise!" instead of the old conversations, "should I have this, oh screw it, I'm having it," we are getting healthier. You are doing well -- just persevere. Clean out your system and know that December is a long month. This is day 2 of a whole new month. Let's be healthy and happy!

*fill yet, not a fillet! Which I have had.

Don't give up! I am newly banded and haven't even had a fillet, but I know it takes some people many many fills to get there. What does your doc say?

I was given a set of papers to read and I marked it up while I waited for the doctor to come in -- circled anything I wanted to understand better, etc. It was really nice to connect because we will be seeing a lot of one another now that the weekly fill appointments are beginning. That felt important to me, the after-care element. Good luck to you -- very exciting times! I have been banded one month and I am so happy.

My understanding is the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver so the surgeon can get install the band efficiently. Alcohol is not going to help shrink the liver. Maybe a party without drinking is good practice for a new lifestyle -- not that you can't drink once banded but that there are going to be times when you need to make a healthier choice. This may be one of those times! Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery. Very exciting new chapter beginning!

that's Vickie -- sorry for typo!

Hi Bickie, I'm going on Wednesday. Let me know how it goes for you! Am definitely feeling more nibbly and hungry sooner.....will be good to nip that in the bud. I'm not sure what the post-fill protocol will be. Assuming a few days of liquids but not sure. In any case it will be good to get a little jump start for losing again. Good luck to you today!

Hi there, the post-band pre-fill time can be difficult appetite-wise -- many people gain a little during this time. Your body is healing up from the surgery and then when you're able to get fills and find the right place your band can go to work....

Hi Hayley, I am so sorry for what you're going through. I hope your medical professionals are able to work together with whatever medication you are prescribed and the nutrition/fill/unfill side of things. My only thought is that exercise would benefit your mood stability -- if you are at all able, can you get out each day and get some exercise. Believe me. I know this can be so hard when there is depression but it can make a big difference. I'm glad you are here on the forum. You are not alone in your struggles -- sending you best wishes!

Post away -- we need to inspire one another! And we will be glad later for the comparison. Thanks every one for the feedback. Weird feeling but good prep for once the outside world starts commenting. I feel so safe and sound here.

Thanks so much, both of you -- I'm happy to see the Winnie-the-Poo belly going down a bit and just feeling so much better now that I'm on my way. I have never known before that a weight loss program was going to work for me -- I had so much evidence to the contrary. This time I'm just sure of it and it feels so good. I am more relaxed and happy in my body than I've been in a long time. It's not just the 21 pounds down, it's more than that. I credit the band with a lot of mental change going on inside my head. Satiety may be about more than just appetite.

Oh dear, so sorry. I fear this -- just found a brand at CVS for fish oils called "Half the size." Hoping those will work for me as I need the fish oils for arthritic pain. Cannot do Tylenol now -- the oblong shape is no good. I read on some one's post about flapping your left elbow like a crazy chicken dance and how that can help. I have no idea but thought I'd put it out there. Best wishes to you!

These are some before and after photos taken at a seven-week interval. First ones are just prior to pre-op diet, etc., and the ones with snow were taken Thanksgiving morning. Hoping to stay current with pictures and measurements in order to keep myself motivated. 10/23/13 Bust 49, Waist 45, Hips 52, Thigh 28.5, Arm 17.5, Neck 17.5, Weight 248 11/27/13 Bust 47.5, Wast 44, Hips 50.5, Thigh 28.5, Arm 15.5, Neck 17.5, Weight 227 Lost an inch and a half from my bust, an inch off the waist, inch and a half off the hips, two inches off the arm -- neck and thighs the same. I've been working out a lot and will continue with that. Pretty sure exercise is the magic ingredient! Best wishes all. I am so happy with my band!

Great thread here -- thanks so much for posting! This whole process of transformation is very powerful and I know there is a part of me that fears that. This summer I started to see a therapist to make sure I was set for this big step of WLS. One of my issues has to do with resenting the idea that people like me better when I'm thinner. I've known this for a long time, that my physical acceptability matters to people who I think should just love me no matter what (mother, extended family, etc.). So there's that. Another thing in the back of my mind for a long time has been the thought that my weight anchors me -- keeps me in place. It's almost as though I'm afraid of what I'll do when I don't have that weight holding me down (back) anymore.

Hi Mel, I am right there with you. My appointment is Wednesday and I will be just over four weeks from surgery. Have not felt a return of hunger until very recently -- have noticed in last week to ten days that I am hungry again sooner, although I'm still satisfied on a small portion. My weight loss has stalled. Could be a small plateau or I am taking in too many calories. I look forward to discussing all this with the doctor. A bit nervous about a fill as I've been doing so well and don't want to rock the boat. Good luck to you Tuesday -- let's compare notes!

Name, real or screen~ Bandista Goal weight for December 31st~ 218 Weight on December 1st~ 227 Age~ 52 City/State~ New Hampshire Dietary goal for December~ figure out some go-to staples for this new life Exercise goal for December~ exercise every day -- 31 days of December Personal goal for December~ mindfulness, noticing where I am in the moment, reducing stress through breathing Date banded~ 11/05/2013 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 21 pounds Favorite Holiday Activity~ Stockings in front of the fire on Christmas morning

Candace, what a great post -- the thought of being able to do 45 miles! We are more amazing than we know. You are very inspiring! Enjoy your new boots, new chair, new life!

Hi Angi, my surgeon mentioned there are long-handled small utensils available on-line. I haven't ordered them because we already have small forks and spoons which I really like -- an oyster fork, for example, leftover baby spoons or demitasse. And while out I just ask for a teaspoon. I agree those soup spoons are enormous and it is too easy to lap up too much food at once. Know that people are not really scrutinizing you -- they are either busy eating themselves or in the case of the wait-staff they don't care.

Okay that's a weird bug -- I give up!

Sorry I didn't proofread -- all those asterisks should read "chink" -- put a chink into the habit that needs to be broken. Weaken it by taking a minute, not responding. Our brains are wired a certain way but we can change that, like getting water first or just not giving in immediately.

Hi Snoops, sounds like the correct fill is just a little harder to get to this time around but you will get there. And it sounds like you have good medical professionals to work with you to get back on track. I don't know if this would be helpful to you or not, but while I was waiting to get banded I started seeing a therapist. Like you I'm in my fifties so it's not like I hadn't read a lot of books about food and emotional issues, etc., but I felt like I needed that objective person to track with me for a while. I was able to identify some very specific patterns of overeating and get at those reasons I was seeking out food. I hate conference calls, for example, so prior to a call I would get myself some food to anchor me. And I used food as a reward for doing something I didn't want to do -- either as a distraction, a delaying technique or just carrot and stick. Emotional eating is difficult to break down into specifics sometimes, but it really helped me. Now if I have the impulse I take a minute to go a little deeper into why -- puts a chink into the habit so it is easier to break. Don't beat yourself up about all that has happened. You have today -- how can you be good to yourself in ways that don't involve food and how can you get a little exercise.....we are all in this together. I'm talking g to myself right now, which is what is so great about this forum. Glad you're here!

Interesting article, Terry -- thanks.

We have been going out or having people in more than usual due to the holidays, plus had a little getaway. I drank both nights on our vacation and here and there for about a week or so. Have not gained but I haven't lost either. I'm pretty sure the alcohol is stalling out my weight loss. Not worth it! I just need to remember that when some one offers me a glass. No thank you! I may need a rule for myself to take me through the season -- one night per week or something like that. As for transference, I am very happy to be planning exercise the way I used to plan eating. Instead of wondering about stopping off somewhere for a treat or thinking about that cheese in the fridge, I find myself worrying over getting another walk in before it's dark. This amazes me.

Like CG, I didn't expect to feel so happy -- relieved perhaps but also really, really excited. That took me sailing right through the temporary discomfort post-surgery. Incisional pain and even that dreaded left shoulder pain were tolerable because it was all for something. And not as bad as other pain I've had -- and not feeling ill at all, just uncomfortable. And the walking is so important. Did not expect to suddenly switch from exercising out of need to doing it out of want. Self-esteem increased so fast -- proud of myself for seeing this through and feeling very independent. Never expected a half cup of food to fill me up or to still love food but just in very small amounts. So happy about that!