Bandista

Thanks, Terry -- that's reassuring. Worried that only one day clear might be too lenient but I will follow the doctor's lead. They've done plenty of bands. I'm a gardener and have been making some things for the freezer: applesauce, cauliflower smoosh, etc. Also those cartons of Pacific organic Soups will come in handy for the full liquids phase....

Hi there, I will be banded on 11/5 and have been given my instructions for post-op. Seems like there is a lot of variation between doctors on this and of course patients are all different, too. Here's mine: the day after surgery: clear liquids only followed by one week full liquids, then one week full liquids and smooth foods (mushies) followed by two weeks soft, moist foods. At that point I have a return visit with the surgeon to determine whether or not a fill is needed.

Take it easy -- I hope the soreness goes away quickly for you and you have an easy transition into banded life. I'm so excited to get the surgery and look forward to any advice you may have! What does your post-op regime look like?

Choosing ourselves first is so powerful. For me choosing to get the band is really a gift to myself, the gift of health, of reconnection with my body, increased energy -- I am so excited about this upcoming surgery. Getting all my ducks lined up, including the exercise component, which is huge. Also really paying attention to eating patterns so post-band I will hopefully be able to ride out tough times and know that I can do it. Happy Saturday everybody!

Oh, and my report! 20 recumbent bike (warmup), 40 treadmill, 20 Bowflex then so fired up from getting it together on a Saturday morning I got my husband to walk five times around our driving circle with me, a half a mile. Feeling like I can keep going is definitely new to me.

Sending thoughts your way, Sunnyside, and best wishes for a connecting, healing time with your family while you navigate this loss. And yes, the working out is essential -- these human bodies need care and attention. Time for all of us to step it up in the name of healthy happy lives for all the time we get to have.

Surgery videos? Oh dear! That explains everything! I think it's best to stay away from all that for a bit. I am getting banded 11/5 and very excited about this new chapter in my life. At this point I think I'm more afraid of not doing something and having long-term consequences from being overweight. And missing out on the joy of life -- I want to be healthy as possible and know I need the band to help me get there. You are going to be in good company for the ups and downs -- won't always be easy but we are going to rock this!

Wow is right -- congratulations! And so happy about your Mom, too. Way to go on all the exercise. I'm pretty sure that is the key to success. Your body must be so happy to be on track again. I'm so looking forward to being banded in a couple of weeks. This is very inspirational -- and I'm just off the treadmill. Best wishes!

The day after me -- yippee! I am getting very excited, a tad nervous and mostly just wishing I had done this long ago. Best wishes for health and success -- we are going to rock!

I think I posted on the wrong thread -- way to go, so happy for you. What a milestone!

Yippee! So happy for you -- what a milestone. You will be doing cartwheels one day, I know it. Congratulations on all the hard work that brought you to this place.

I hope you feel better soon -- pre-op here and no ideas for you except the obvious, like whether your pillows are weird and creating neck problems, and maybe you would enjoy a Popsicle carefully melted so no icy chunks go down but you still get the cold on your throat. Best wishes for a quick turnaround!

Yippee! The pants really do say it all. I think I'm going to use pants for my measuring stick, too, rather than obsessing over the scale. You look terrific -- living your life and HAPPY. Hip, hip, hurray -- go get 'em!

Hilarious! Just when I'm wondering what the he#^ll I'm going to wear to a dinner "thing" tonight. Love the description of looking like you rolled around in a children's birthday party -- been there!

Happy Happy! This is what I hope for -- that tuning in. Yippee!

GF is epidemic at this point -- notice how many restaurants have GF menus, etc. We were in Italy a few years ago and the public education campaign for celiac awareness was very evident. Our modern-day wheat is not what wheat once was -- it is hybrid, disease-resistant and making many humans sick.

Hey there, congratulations on your band over bypass. One day at a time! And here's to recovering self-esteem, to being clear and happy. I'm looking forward to that. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and gentle progress.

I catch myself thinking, "oh maybe I can lose the weight without a band." But then I realize I have been trying for twenty years to do just that and I have not been successful. For me, I think this is the missing link. A tool to help me do what my body wants to do anyway -- shed the weight and get healthy. In order for me to sustain a low calorie regime long enough to lose this much weight, I need something to dim my appetite. It's a way for me to learn to listen to my body again. I still plan to enjoy my food but a very small amount is going to do it for me. Today I met a nurse at the hospital who was helping me with another procedure (colonoscopy) and I told her I would be coming back soon for a lapband. She told me she has a band and then she looked sort of sheepish. She said it's been hard for her, that she hasn't lost all the weight she expected. BUT she has lost 60 pounds in the year she's had the band and has not gained any of it back. I wish I had lost 60 last year. Her disappointment is what I hear from others on this forum from time to time -- that they have slipped back into old eating habits, things like ice cream or chips, sodas. For me, I just don't get that. I feel like doing something as drastic as having a surgery to get a band is such a serious undertaking. I will not be compromising my band to satisfy momentary addictions and then feeling disappointed and unhappy afterwards. What would be the point? The idea for me is to have a whole new grasp on my health -- to be exercising and doing everything I can to take care of my body. Eating clean, sleeping well and getting back in touch with my body. It's missed me, but I'm showing up now. I can't wait.

You just made me sit up straight and get my pelvis tilted properly, neck back! What an interesting test, too! Fascinating, these human bodies of ours. Here's to that lean muscle mass and feeling good inside and out....whoops, just had to sit up straight again.

Hi Flipper, you are in good company here as far as overeating and having tried everything. We have all been there. I am getting ready to be banded and it's been so helpful for me to be on this forum for a few months of really listening to different people's perspectives and stories. I also decided to get a therapist to go with me through the process and it's been good to pinpoint the trouble areas for me (stress eating, anxiety, prepping myself with food before something I don't want to do, etc.). Just identifying those things has helped me stop doing them -- the noticing is huge -- and I know when I get the band I will be able to stop and think if I have those old instincts to head out to the kitchen for "something." I really want to be healthy so much more than anything else. I can't wait to drop the weight I've been carrying for a long time, even though I know it's going to take a while and it will be a project. Still, I think it's going to be easier than what I have now, which is a daily battle with food intake and the consequences of overweight. Best wishes to you -- look forward to hearing how your appointment goes. Keep us posted!

If people can fill out their profiles a bit that would be a good way to get to know each other a little better. Mine is quite vague and no real picture, but the stats are all there: I'm 52, live in the US, New Hampshire, 5' 6" 246.1 pounds today, goal 150, surgery date November 11th......WE ARE GOING TO ROCK THIS!

This is great! I found the invite and joined the group. Thanks so much. Looking forward......let's have some fun opening these new healthy chapters in all of our lives. Very exciting!

Wishing you a speedy recovery -- I am right behind you on the 5th of November. So exciting to be beginning this journey at last -- congratulations to you!

Well you've found them! Lots of great support and info here. I am pre-band but in less than three weeks I will be a fellow bandit. Can't wait! How are you doing? Best wishes for speedy recovery and easy entry into new life of health first.

Yippee! Here's to pants that don't fit for the right reason -- congratulations!