Bandista

Sounds like things are moving along already! I felt very impatient with the process over the summer but now, looking back, I can see that time was important for me. By the time I got my surgery date, I was so ready for the band and all the changes in my life. Getting the exercise equation in place was huge, and I also did a lot of journalling, lined up support including a therapist for discussing eating habits, head hunger, etc. I'm only one week banded but I feel like it's all happening now. The band is in place and I'm very happy about everything. Good luck to you in these coming months -- you are going to do beautifully!

I brought my CPAP machine to the hospital and they hooked it up afterwards, monitored the oxygen levels (as they do for every one) and I was able to sleep on and off that night. It was definitely not a big deal. I am really hoping to be able to ditch the machine at some point after significant weight loss -- that would be so great! But meanwhile it's a love/hate relationship. Love it that I can actually reach a deep state of sleep but hate having the hassle of the apparatus. My husband calls me Aqua Girl. Good luck with your upcoming surgery! Mine was a week ago and I am so happy! For me the absolute best thing was walking. When I had to get up to pee after the surgery I got my robe on and took that IV pole up and down the hallway each time. Continued walking at home, too, and now I am walking so much more in my life. I think this really helped with the healing and I know it's going to help significantly with the weight loss. Also I did not go the narcotics route. For me that's just more to recover from, the side effects, etc. And I don't like that out-of-it feeling. Was able to do fine on Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Best wishes to you!

Wow, you look great! Congratulations on all the hard work that brought you this success. I am very excited to be newly-banded, too, and stories like yours are so inspiring. Thanks for the lift!

I would call the doctor...they want to hear from you with any concerns!

Lovely ring! What a great reminder of the way you are taking care of yourself. You've got me thinking about a reward of some kind; that will be fun to mull over in the coming months. The band is definitely a gift to myself, that's for sure.

This is great! Love the "textbook" part. In other words, perfect.

Thinking of you, Terry, and sending best wishes your way. I'm sorry for your loss and all you've gone through; it's wonderful that you have remained on track throughout.

This is great! So happy for you. I feel really good, too. Wonderful decision. For a long time I have felt like there was some kind of betrayal between me and my body. Out of sync. Now it's like the band has brought me back to a sense of wholeness again.

Hi Tyler, good luck with everything! Nice that you don't have to be there at five, that's for sure. Are you staying overnight or out-patient? I am one week banded as of today and I'm so happy. Best wishes to you....

Hi Brown Eyes, there is no fluid in my band.....will see surgeon December 2nd to determine fill or no fill. So far no return of hunger.

Shel, I just have to say this is hilarious. Sounds like the plot for a funny play -- WLS enthusiast unwittingly stumbles on to a pro-fat site!

So happy for you! You are going to look great in those family pictures. You are beaming already -- thanks for the inspiration. I am just beginning -- today is my one-week Bandiversary. I already feel like a new woman inside. Add time, perseverance and enthusiasm to the equation and I look forward to being where you are now. Family pictures, hmmm. We have never done that. Maybe next spring I will work on arranging a shoot. Every one will be flabbergasted as I have run from the camera for twenty years. My husband says our kid won't know what his mother looked like. Maybe I can change all that. Good luck to you!

Hi there, hope you have an easier day today! It takes a few days for the body to let go of those addiction cravings -- you are cleansing now. Journalling really helped me, writing down my feelings. When I first started the process to get a band I decided to start seeing a therapist to talk over food issues and help me with head hunger, etc. It really helped me to figure out those times when I would turn to food. A stress eater, of course, an emotional eater, but breaking those down further was insightful. Identifying the patterns. All the ways I'd soothe myself with food. On a pre-op diet we let go of that crutch and things can come roaring to the surface. Remember to be gentle with yourself. You are choosing this because you're choosing yourself now, your health. Keep your eyes on the prize and that prize is you. You deserve to be healthy and happy, free from food jail. We all do, and all of us here could not get there on our own -- that's why we went though so much to get the band. Please don't feel alone! Best wishes.....

Great goal for March -- love your t-shirt! Let's see..... New clothes in the spring -- a dress or two! Get our whole family bicycling together. Beach trips next summer....lots. Feel good for our child's graduation next June. Onederland!

And getting up from a window seat to get out, etc. All that will be so much easier! There's a restaurant we like to go to once in a while for special occasions and the little tables are very close together. I like to sit on the banquette but getting in and out is such a squeeze. Looking forward to just sliding out without having to make apologies to the next table over or to my fellow airline passengers. So embarrassing.

A quote from the LB program coordinator at our local hospital (she is banded herself): "all the good stuff happens in the dark anyway."

So glad for you -- thanks for the inspiration. Newly-banded here and so excited!

I'm going to try your oatmeal tomorrow, thanks! Also forgot to mention those carton boxes of Imagine and Pacific brand organic soups are really yummy. We have them in the regular grocery store here. There's a creamy potato leek I've tried and a creamy mushroom. Organic, no dairy, etc. Only problem is I have a few spoonfuls and that's it. Today I had I a cooking fest and used up the opened cartons making stews, etc. for the family this week. I love to cook and am happy in the kitchen -- just no need to have the product myself, at least not now. I also steamed some beets and whizzed them up with a stick blender, adding plain yogurt to get the pourable consistency. This was absolutely delicious -- like a faux Borscht. I practiced eating with a baby spoon and the clock, one spoonful a minute.

Hi K, congratulations on your surgery date. Boxing Day! What an amazing gift you are giving yourself. I just got my band (tomorrow is one week) and I am so happy. For me it's about choosing myself and a happy, healthy future. Glad you're here on the forum. I think every one is nervous leading up to this..... And as for pre-op diets, a lot of people don't have one. Every surgeon has their own protocol. Best wishes!

Yikes -- just realized I am on the wrong forum! Still getting used the changes here -- I am a Lapbander. Best wishes!

I had my one-week followup today and the surgeon was a little alarmed when I told him I had Tylenol and Ibuprofen caps and wondered if that is alright. I saw his face and said, "I guess that would be a no." He concurred. I'm glad I am not in any pain now as I really don't like the taste of the liquid stuff. The children's Ibuprefen in particular, blech!

Great post! Thanks so much for a real lift this morning. I am going in for my one week post op followup today and already I feel like this is the best decision I've made for myself in who knows how long. Major, major life choice. Choosing a healthy happy future! Thanks also for reminding me how important it is to let my spouse know what I need from him. He's incredibly supportive but also a little clueless and I tend to be so independent. He has some weight to lose, too, and I'm sure that will fall of of him now that we are not grazing together each evening. After reading your post I realize he needs to be allowed to help so I'm letting him drive me to my appointment even though I am fine here on day six. You are an inspiration, Sandy. I always love to read what you post but this one takes the cake! Best wishes!

Hi there, my protocol was one day clear then on to full liquids. Some people are on clear for much longer and mostly I found In these six days home mostly what I want is clear (I was banded last Tuesday). I have tried protein shakes a few times but don't want them. I have a favorite tea and I am enjoying that which gets a lot of fluid in; I drink water with a splash of cranberry and aloe -- my comfort drink. All goes down well for me -- have not had any problems with swallowing, etc. I have no fluid in my band. I've enjoyed broth -- that savory saltiness -- and yesterday I made egg drop soup. Even though eggs are not on my list for a few more days, the surgeon made a hand-written addition of egg drop soup to the full liquids list. That was yummy -- I kept those strands of egg in my mouth a long time and worked at the whole slow slow slow thing. I only had a tiny bit but it was delicious. I set up a placemat and napkin, sat at the table with my husband, who had thirds on the soup. Unbanded me would have been right there with him! I don't do artificial sweeteners -- for me having a little bit of sugar is better than the other stuff so the Popsicles I have are higher in calories. But not that much and I am so under the allotment it's fine for now. So I've enjoyed a few pops every day. Favorite has been MiniteMaid soft lemonade which comes in a box half raspberry half lemon. Those are delicious and gone. Kids in the house have been enjoying as well. I did get some things in the fridge like Muscle Milk and another pre-made drink high in protein but so far they are just sitting there. My hunger has not returned yet. Good luck to you -- we'll be thinking of you on the 21st!

Hi Ya Ya, the pre-op is, well, so pre-occupying! And just when there is so much going on -- the getting ready mentally, etc. I will be thinking of you on the 18th. Do you have a hospital overnight? This was my first time with that (and I'm 52!) and the whole experience was so much better than I expected it to be. As soon as I started getting up to pee I started walking up and down the hallways and I did that each time up and down as many times as possible. Then I'd go drop off for another couple of hours and repeat. Saline and Ibuprofen drip, so I had to relieve my bladder (or felt like I did). I would think to myself after unplugging from the wall and getting IV pole rolling, I may as well put my robe on and do that walking! I think it really helped a lot and I have continued at home. The thought that I would turn into one of those voluntary walkers and be enthusiastic about it is astounding to me. I'm going for my one-week followup with the surgeon this morning and I'm feeling so good about everything. Not hungry at all, though I'm prepared for that return. For me, Popsicles and teas have been really nice as well as salty broth. I keep trying a protein shake but I guess I had so many of those pre-op that now I am not interested. I will need to start focusing on protein but the doc said not to worry about that this week. Oh, just so you know there is some fluid gain after the surgery and then that releases -- in my case the fifth day. Probably better not to get on the scale but of course I had to do that. Also be sure to stay on top of your digestion, especially if you are prone to constipation. I didn't do narcotics and am so glad -- for me better to endure the discomfort and handle any pain with Ibu and Tylenol rather than have the out of it feeling of narcotics and the body shutting down just when I need it to heal. Every one is different, though. If you do take narcotics be sure to talk to your doctor et al about stool softeners, etc. (sorry to bring this sh*t up!). Good luck to you -- keep us posted!

Hi Lois, I'm new at this but while waiting for surgery I read so many posts from people having difficulty just at the point where you are now. It's like clockwork! There is a natural leveling off and you are doing beautifully. Some people even gain weight post-surgery and prior to finding the right adjustment. Don't get discouraged -- be proud of yourself for everything you have accomplished thus far. We are in this for the long game!