Bandista

Hi Lu, great post and good luck with upping the exercise. I am pretty sure that is a major key to success. Sometimes I wish I could just be tied on to the treadmill or something. Have not been able to convert over to wanting to do it, but I do feel great after I've worked out. It's so worth it but each day I have to make myself. But here's to that, the doing it anyway. Results will be fantastic. Best wishes to you!

That is great! Way to go..... I don't remember what I weighed when I got married, etc. but I do long for the day I weigh less than my husband. Ack, so embarrassing!

Hey Sweetie, so happy for you! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! I am right behind you in a couple of weeks -- can't wait to begin this new chapter.

I got my EKG today, too.....one more trip to the hospital for labs again next week then the following week finally the real deal. A lot of lead-up to this thing! Getting very excited now.......

My husband had his spine rebuilt last year and they went in through the front -- a 17" belly scar. He used Vitamin E and that has worked well for him. Trader Joe's makes a nice one that isn't too sticky (and no sticker shock either).

A year ago I knew nothing about the band and now I'm two weeks out from the big day. I was at the hospital this afternoon getting my EKG and I mentioned to the nurse that I this is because of the upcoming surgery. She told me that she is banded herself over a year now and she gave me such a great pep talk by sharing her history. And last week I was at the hospital for yet another test. That nurse was banded, too! We're everywhere! I have to say I am really very reassured that so many medical professionals are choosing this path. As a layperson, it makes me feel like this is an excellent decision. Oh, and since I'm on my pre-op diet I had to go buy another blender while I was in the city anyway. This was not strictly necessary but it seems to go with the territory. I went to two places and looked over all the appliances. I really have to have glass so that limited my choices. Now we have a brand new little glass blender that specializes in smoothies, chopping up ice, etc. Guess I can put the other one in the basement. Kind of ridiculous but there it is. Happy Monday everybody!

Hi there, did not mean to "like" the part about the headaches! Could this be detoxing or perhaps caffeine-related -- just a thought. Hope you feel better soon......

[quote name=krissy ' timestamp='1382321126' post='2064198] Missy... I just read the article by The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction- Dr. Simpson, that really seemed to answer some questions very well! I read this over and over again to help get me prepared for banded life -- so much good information there! Good luck to you, Krissy, you are going to get there!

Hi Rose, just read through your blog -- you are so ready! Look forward to updates. Very happy for you and we will be bandits together as I go in for surgery two weeks from tomorrow. Best wishes for smooth sailing and speedy recovery!

So happy for you! Work it, baby.....

Yippee! So happy you are finding this place of recommitment. Keg that switch in your head toggled in the right direction. I find fall is a good time for healing and hunkering down -- let's all work our you-know-what's off this winter and have something to celebrate in the spring. And Irish Eyes, it sounds like you are really lining it all up -- glad you're going in for a fill and weaving in the exercise component, too. I have a feeling this is the secret to success. Best wishes to all -- you, too Bulldog and Songstress (hey, that sounds like the name of a band or a children's book!).

Congratulations -- so inspiring for those of us waiting to be banded! I feel like I'm carrying around a boulder or two.....can't wait to put them down for good. Welcome to the forum, so nice to have you across-the-ponders chiming in!

Me, too -- I am sabinadublin (I can't add from this iPad)...looking forward to getting the MFP thing together. Have my exercise and shakes in there now and I'm just starting the pre-op diet, so that's a good time for me to get into the habit of adding up all the intake each day. Thanks for the boost!

I've been using hypnotherapy techniques to get at my emotional eating -- breathing and relaxation. Was surprised to find a hypnotherapist on my list of preferred providers from our insurance company -- it seems to be working for me. Maybe try some deep breathing or mindful meditation? Good luck to you and please don't ever hesitate to post. We are all in this together and many if not all of us are here because of emotional eating and the results of that.

This is great -- no more crap!

hi there -- sabinadublin is my MFP name....can't add you from my ipad, I have to be at a desktop for that. Love to connect with others -- trying to get that working for me!

Continuing with PT exercises -- the "swimming" in bed, great workout with weights. Now to go do my five laps around the driving circle (1/2 mile) while it's still light out. Beautiful fall afternoon -- got gardening done, etc., but I've got to get a walk in, even a short one. Tomorrow big workout day but am really trying to do something on all seven days. Important. So out the door I go!

Wow, that is awesome! Congratulations on everything -- an inspiration for me as I count down to 11/5. Can't wait to be a month out......coming soonish. I figure by the New Year I will have been banded almost two months and I'll be on my way. 2014 is going to be quite a year. Best wishes to you for continued success -- you are doing beautifully!

Hi Susan, I'm going to be banded in just over two weeks -- so excited! I look forward to still enjoying the good nutritious food I enjoy now, just in very small amounts and at certain times (vs. the grazing and going back for more after probably having too much in the first place, etc.). I recognize there may be some things that don't work for me once I'm banded, but by then I'll be on such a roll I won't care. What I really want is to feel good and to be a thinner version of myself. Good luck to you as you move forward with your research. I am so glad you found this forum as it's been such a great place to get information as well as support. People have been so wonderful about answering any and all questions and I can honestly say that's why I feel so ready for getting the band. Best wishes!

Hi Allie, I loved reading this update and seeing your pictures -- so happy for you! Congratulations on all this success. Your enthusiasm is infectious, you know? New clothes, wah hoo! You look terrific. (I particularly like the roses coming out of your head -- or is that Bougainvillea?) I have to say, it's pretty exciting to be in on your progress like this -- I'm so glad you are posting here!

Hi Blue, welcome aboard! Thanks for the great post. We have similar stats except that I am 52. Congratulations on stepping up now to do all the research to make a plan for your health. For the last twenty years I have struggled with so many different weight loss plans only to find myself a bit heavier each time. My surgery is a couple of weeks from now and I'm very excited. I started researching in June and have found this site to be a great place to learn about the band. Once in a while there are posts that create a ripple of nervousness, but by now I can spot the reasons why it hasn't worked for some people -- mainly non-compliant eating over the band or having slider foods like ice cream, etc. Some people are not able to give up their addictions. I decided to get a therapist to make sure I am in good mental shape for this change. It's been helpful to examine the various roles food has played in my life -- soothing, anchoring, prepping for something, etc. Stress-eating, tamping down anxiety, rewarding myself or just plain old over-indulging. Of course I've read so much already and done a lot of work on myself around food, body image, etc., but in tandem with getting banded I am doing it again and this time it seems simpler. I think that's because I'm finally getting some help outside of myself and my own battles with will power. I'm having a band installed and it's going to help with the appetite issues that have come along to clobber any successful food plan I've ever been on before. It's a tool that I plan to use well to finally get this weight off!

What about chicken stock with a spoonful of Miso in it -- an Asian breakfast.

I am pre-band but how about smoked salmon? It's soft, has all those good oils and full of protein.

I start liquids tomorrow -- technically should begin Tuesday but I'm going to jump in Monday because, well, it's a Monday. 15 days. I didn't want to use the product provided by the hospital because it's milk-based and has ingredients I don't like to put in my body, so I got one called Thorne Mediclear in two flavors plus a greens shake and one other that is on back-order (thought variety might be good). Also taking liver cleanse herbs for detoxing. Plus I have my juicer out on the counter -- have to watch calories with fresh juice, though -- I am trying to stay at 900. Husband and son will have to fend for themselves and we have no social engagements lined up, etc. (I am not telling very many people...). I'm working out all I can to set my body up for burning and just for optimal health going into this project, Project Me.

Here's to new chapters opening in our lives -- I can't wait to put down this extra weight I've been carrying for so long. It's going to be FREEDOM!