Bandista

I'm going to be overnight, too (11days from now!). The hospital does a barium swallow the morning after to make sure all is well before I go home. It's a 23 hour stay so not a technical overnight.

I started in June and will be banded early in November. While the process at times seemed excruciatingly slow because I was so excited about moving forward, I think it was good for me to have that time to really learn about the band. I did that here, reading people's posts and asking questions, really delving into what the post-op life will mean. I recommend taking your time and learning all you can. That will help assure your success. Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!

Whoops, that is Yippie!, not hippie. iPad helping me, not.

Hippie! Such good news -- thanks for sharing. I am 11 days pre-op and this is so inspiring. Can't wait to be a month out! Best wishes to you.......

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Didn't you have a whole stuck event last night with the rice and then the stress of a job interview as well as a fill today? I don't know much about the band as I don't even have one yet (!) but that was too much all at once. Take good care and let yourself heal up -- that was terrible last night and probably the fill today should have waited a bit until you were really recovered from that. Hope you can put your feet up and rest.

Hi there, I had the psych eval and first meeting with my nutritionist on the same day. Each one took about an hour and I was glad to meet both of these members of the medical team. Psych eval sounds just like the one in the video above -- about 500 questions on graduated scale with an interview afterward to discuss food issues, etc. It was a piece of cake. Well, the only cake I am having for a while.

Happy Bandiversary -- you look great! And we wear the same uniform (jeans and black top). It's so encouraging to read your post. I am waiting to be banded and hope with just that same kind of relationship with food. And I'm with you on the "real" food.

Hi Sallie, two pounds could be anything -- don't get discouraged! But glad that you are getting back on the banded wagon. Just think what next month could be -- keep your chin up. And the legs walking, walking, walking.......

Wow! Happy happy!

I think clarity and true inner beauty are threatening to some. You are both of those things -- clear and beautiful, inside and out. I love how you did not use food to tamp down old feelings of unworthiness or anything else -- you took care of yourself. Sending best wishes your way!

Amanda, I hope you are able to get the medical care you deserve. I'm personally wary of linking to FB in any way because I'm not out there on FB with my weight loss journey. I guess in this day and age everyone is a little nervous but please know there is a lot of concern for your well being and best wishes for finding a solution.

Hi Donna, this is so easy and I crave it now. Husband had his spine rebuilt last year -- 17 days in the hospital (I don't think I will be whining much about my upcoming LB recovery!). Put pillows at end of bed -- I use two -- to get chest up. Face down, chest on pillows, Dangle shoulders off the end of the bed so arms are free and head is down. Pick up weights one at a time alternating with opposite leg going up simultaneously -- diagonal action. Like swimming the channel! I really notice it my neck but also lower back. Keep weights thumbs up like shakers. Getting hose legs up! Have fun! We then do the standard leg lifts and another somatic a style core builder I'm not sure I can describe. Thing is husband did these for about a year before I joined in. I have my own basement workout but this is a great warmup for the day. Spine care.

Thirty pounds, wow! You are doing beautifully. I don't know why I latched on to the weight of a cinder block (though we have a small farm and that is a hard thing for me to lift). That is 33 pounds. Nice to get rid of one of those! Way to go!

Losing the addiction to food is appealing, shutting down the chattering monkey brain -- I'm looking forward to that.

So happy for you taking charge of your health and your future. I wish I had not waited so long but I'm not looking back now, only today and forward. I want to feel really good in my body -- strong and limber. I'm 52 and arthritic, BP and sleep issues. Can't wait to be banded (less than two weeks!) and put down this extra weight I have been carrying so long. If a cinder block weighs 33 pounds I've been hauling around three of them. Ouch!

I am doing shakes only (broth and Popsicles okay, tea, etc.) and I actually think it's much easier for me to have food out of the equation. Nutritionist offered a plan with a sensible protein veg dinner but I opted for just shakes as it's easier for me at this point just to do liquids and not "diet" if that makes sense. I am on day four not hungry and working out a lot -- also doing some last outdoor work today before it snows.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery -- exciting new chapter of health and happiness beginning for you! I am going in 12 days for mine so I'll be right there with you as we learn how to use the tool properly. Can't wait!

Go Matt! Wow! Congratulations on all the hard work that got you to this place -- so worth it. You can tell from the picture how strong and fit you are now. Whole new lease on life...

Yippee! The pants really do tell us where we are -- congratulations!

Hope all goes splendidly today and you're feeling good. It's interesting to read about stress and the band, etc. But so sorry for your rice event! I think I'll have to hath away from rice. We make it a lot and I usually skip (such a dieter all these years). Asian kid, major rice house. But I hope I can tolerate some Asian noodles once in a while!

I am on day four of shakes only and I'm not hungry at all. First two days I was a bit irritable. Now I need to be sure I'm having enough -- important to get the four shakes in and not skip. All I can say is keep your eyes on the prize and that prize is you -- a healthy, happy you. I hope to drop a chunk on this pre-op because once banded that is weight that for once won't be coming back. I know that there is period just after the band and prior to first fill when I may not lose at all or could even gain a few as that time is about healing from the surgery. The band will be there but may not work yet -- I may not start really losing until after the fills. So I figure whatever I can do now puts me ahead of the game. Good luck and know you're not alone. Many pre-op diets are different -- just focus on your own and talk with your doctor's office if you are having any difficulties.

Beautiful post -- thank you so much for sharing! It's so inspiring to see some one recapturing their health and living their life fully with the help of the band. I am so looking forward to this. Happy Bandiversary!

Twenty-three down is great! Maybe you can celebrate that and relax a little, just keep doing all three right things and you will get there. This is a long game. Think about where you were a year ago and where you will be a year from now. It's a bit at a time and don't worry about the scale being off here and there. So many reasons for that. Time of day, time of month, clothing, water retention, aliens from outer space, etc.

This may be different but it sounds like an excellent plan as far as retraining to have the foods you will need post-band to lose weight (protein, veggies). Getting off the artificial sweeteners is ground-breaking -- there are many studies that show these are contributors to appetite and weight issues (that's just for starters). Maybe you'd like to talk to your doctor about Steevia if you have to have something sweet; it's from a plant and does not trigger the brain in the same ways as aspartame, etc. Sounds like he/she is trying to get patients off of fake sugars, soda addictions, etc. to prepare for a new way of eating.