Bandista

Thank you, Tony! You know that's just what we all need to hear -- so inspiring. Best wishes.......

Sabinadublin -- sorry I can't add from here but feel free to add me. I am on pre-op liquids and this seems like a good time to get used to entering everything. Into MFP so if get into that habit. Have all my shakes in there, etc.

Wow, that's a great idea. I am not telling very many people but they will want to know I am home and all is well. I've been wondering what on earth to do about my parents. They are in their late eighties and I definitely don't want my Mom in on this. She has always been a champion of weight loss (mine) but in screwed up ways. She has suggested every possible diet over the last four decades and handed me whatever new book was out on the market. You get the idea! Yes, she's thin and petite. I love her but don't want her involved in this. So, maybe I need to devise some kind of scavenger hunt. Something to keep her busy away from me.

Hi Swanky, I've been using frozen fruit -- just keeping track of the calories. It's a nicer smoother smoothie with fruit than with just ice. Today I did just a half a frozen banana because I was worried about calories, which is ridiculous because it's day three and I've been under the target each day. I'm afraid I'd go wild with peanut butter!

Hi Donna, you're being banded the day before me! Missy, I just wrote all of that down. Again. My lists have lists at this point -- guess that's my coping mechanism. Preparation! SO EXCITED!

Hi there, glad you're feeling better. Happy walking! Will probably feel really good to get off the painkillers, too. Congratulations on all -- you are starting this new chapter and it's going to be GREAT.

You are going to have some fun shopping! Way to go -- so inspiring!

Hi there, day 3 here....going pretty well except I have been a little irritable. That seems to be getting better. I'm a tea drinker and probably wasn't having enough caffeine. I have a few different shakes I'm using so that mixes it up a bit. One is a greens shake - "Paradise" Protein & Greens 113 calories, 22 grams protein. It's not quite sweet enough for me so I've been putting a little Steevia in it. I'm also drinking a LOT of cranberry water. I fill a 32 ounce bottle almost to the top with water and add a splash of unsweetened cranberry concentrate and one capful of aloe vera juice. It's delicious and makes a better mixer for some shakes than plain old water. Also using Thorne brand MediClear shakes -- one is chocolate 145 calories 23 grams protein and the other is 180 calories 32 grams of protein. The non-chocolate one doesn't taste nearly as good to me but I feel really good from drinking them. Am also doing the Thorne liver cleanse capsules. Figure I may as well do as much detoxing as possible while I'm on this liquid stage. I have popsicles and had two the first day, one yesterday. They have mostly fruit but a little sugar in them. I don't do artificial sweeteners and prefer a little of the real thing if I'm going to have something. Yesterday I had some chicken stock, too, and that was delicious. Guess I needed something warm and savory on a cold, blustery day. I had two mugs of that -- calories are very low. Mixed in a little Umeboshi paste which is a salty flavorful Japanese plum paste that is a bit like Miso. Zero calories and delicious (high sodium, though, but I only had something like 1/16th of a teaspoon -- a little dab will do you). How are you doing with your liquid diet? Hope it's going well. My surgery is now minus two weeks. Every day is a winding road but we'll get there soon........Best wishes!

Sending good thoughts for all of you, and the other child who will be in another home. Meanwhile, I think It's a real gift for your daughter to have you guys to herself. My parents had over a dozen people with us on and off when I was growing up. Even though I was adopted as a baby it brought up issues of status and permanence for me. When we adopted our son I immediately wanted to do it again but then we realized just having him was what was right for us. All families are different. Your daughter is so lucky and I'm very happy for all of you!

Wow, way to go! Love what you say about the confidence.......rock on!

Look at that smile -- says it all! Congratulations on your commitment and hard work. You are an inspiration -- getting banded in minus two weeks. So looking forward to success.

Hi there! I am a November bander, too -- congratulations not his decision for a healthy happy future. I am very excited.

Best wishes -- you've got this!

Hi Kelly, so excited for you making this decision to take back your health! There is a group of November banders for you to join. If you look all the way down in forum topics? Sorry I'm not a sophisticated enough user to give you better directions! My date is 11/5 and I'm doing pre-op liquid diet now. Very excited that it's all happening at last. Started my journey in June. Started my battle with weight twenty-two years ago.

Oh, and Starfish, that made my day. Drill Sarge! And don't we carry our weight so well? If any one tells me that in the next ten days I might slap them. But really the liquid phase is not bad at all. I am not hungry, just a little irritable and need to get those shakes in. I think it's the combo of the low caloric intake in tandem with pre-surgery jitters (even minor ones) that make this a little more challenging. Or I'm just moody this week, probably have PMS on top of the usual. Something else to worry about for surgery day!

Ramble on -- we will look forward to the blog! I hope I was too crabby up above. It's the pre-op day three and hadn't had my shake yet. My family will agree I'm a little grumpier than usual, plus I wonder myself if I'm doing the right thing, etc. YES, I AM! 245 on a 5'6" frame is fat enough. Gee, now I'm yelling with all caps and everything.

I am on day three of my pre-op diet. It would be nice to get a little chunk off prior to the surgery because I'd like that head start. I am able to be successful on a short-term plan -- even for a few months. I've gotten twenty or thirty off over and over again but I always gain it back because I can't sustain the ultra-strict dieting it took to get me there. That's why I want the band. I need something to help control my appetite. Maybe you were not a Yo Yo dieter so you have a different perspective. We are all different. I am not on death's door with obesity. I am fairly tall and can get away with being this fat even though you would probably think I'm not heavy enough to go through something this drastic. I have had the discomfort of overweight for twenty years and my health is suffering. Should I wait until I am even worse off? Let's not judge each other for not being fat enough. There are a lot of people here considering whether or not to do surgery or recovering from being banded. Who gets to decide what is right for them? They do, along with their doctor.

Hi Misty, my insurance company's only requirement was a BMI of 40+ and I was borderline for that -- had to be creative. The hospital's LB Coordinator did an intake and sent info to them which included a statement about how I have tried many weight loss methods without success, etc. All the insurance companies are different but the hospital/weight loss center will work to meet their requirements on your behalf. Good luck to you!

Good luck to you tomorrow!

Yippee! So happy for you -- and now you're in Onederland, too (under 200). Congratulations on all. Keep us posted!

I would write down everything you have tried -- just like in your post. Calorie-counting, low-carb and whatever else. I think they just need a statement for the insurance company but not formal proof. I'm 52 so my list was extensive -- WW, Atkins, Blood Type Diet, The Zone, Fat Flush, Cackling Grapefruit -- you name it! Good luck to you. Exciting to begin this journey!

Hi there, very excited for you! I've been on this forum for a few months and have learned so much from the people here. Now everything is falling into place and in two weeks I'll be banded. I look forward to being on the forum together!

Defeated? Not at all! You have lost twenty-five pounds and have not even really begun yet. I have not had my surgery yet but my understanding is that the band has been installed then comes the adjustable part of your adjustable lapband, the fill. You are doing everything right, the protein, the exercise. Your body is healing. The weight is going to come off but this is a time many people have a hard time with -- the in-between time. Keep up the good work and November 12 will be here before you know it. In about 5-6 weeks please remind me of all this when I am in this place! I hope I'm 25 down then. That's 25 you'll never see again.

Do you know Umeboshi plums? They are a Japanese staple available in health food shops and many grocery stores. You can get them whole (packaged) or in an Umeboshi paste. Very salty, so that's something to watch out for, but known for reducing sugar cravings, high in iron. If you like savory flavors, Umeboshi is amazing. You need very little - a teeny bit on a small spoon - to feel very satisfied. I just had some with my chicken broth (about an eighth of a teaspoon) -- on day two of liquid diet and needed something satisfying to help me through.

Hi JMJ, looks like you unwittingly stepped on to a minefield. Sorry I don't have any information for you but maybe some one else will. I hope you find insurance to meet all your healthcare needs. Best wishes!