Bandista

Yippee! So happy for you. I am being banded Nov. 5 so we will be doing this near the same time. Great you got that twenty off. I'm hoping for a drop prior to surgery with the pre-op diet -- a little head start would be good! My hospital considers this out-patient because it is 23 hours even though they do have us spend the night to do the barium swallow the next day. Maybe yours is similar -- 23 hours not a "night." Whatever the case, you are indeed on your way!

Wow! Go, Catfish -- you Tri-Athlete! Do you have to carry the bike? This is the real deal. So happy for you!

Thanks for pointing out there will always be gaffes in a communication medium like this. Humor is particularly difficult to get across sometimes. I can't remember now who coined the lunchmeat comment a few weeks ago but when I read a post like this one I think to myself: Code Lunchmeat.

Whoops, I will go fix that typo! 2013 it is, thank goodness. November 5th...... I must have been projecting to November 2014 when I will be a year banded, healthy and happy, slim and full of energy. Yes, please!

I believe there is significant new data out on the whole breakfast thing which suggests non-breakfast eaters may be just fine (vs. former theories about that being why we are overweight, if we'd only eat a good breakfast and start the day off "right," fire up the metabolism, etc.)....turns out it's a lot more complicated than that and every one is different. I would say that if your body is asking for food at 11 then that's the perfect time to give it some protein. Pre-band here, but really looking forward to being able to listen to my body and interpreting the signals, ones I can trust. This is something that has really broken down for me over the years of struggling with weight issues. Good luck to you and let us know what you work out for yourself!

Hi Megan, congratulations on your success to date. Chewing machine! I am pre-band and trying to practice chewing a lot and mindful eating so I will ready when the time comes. Your menu choices sound delicious and nutritious to me and it's great you are in touch with your doctor regularly to discuss adjustments to the band if and when needed. Good luck with all -- you are doing beautifully!

I am pre-band but have been given this schedule for post-surgical visits: Surgeon, 1 wk Dietician, 2 wks Surgeon, wks 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 14 Dietician, 3 mos Program Coord., 6 mos with lab work Program Coord., 1 yr. with lab work

Hi Lu, put that medical team to work; they want you to be a success, too! I am pre-band but know it is a process, that our bodies change and the band requires adjustment. You can do this! I've been seeing a therapist to deal with food issues -- determining whether my hunger at the time is anxiety (big one), boredom, habit, emotional eating, etc. It is helping me to really notice what is going on. The band is intended to signal fullness but if it's not tight enough that won't happen, or of course it's possible to override. Hope you have an excellent appointment and you are able to get on track to meet your goals. Here's to our health!

I've been thinking about how I see myself -- the long battle with overweight has taken its toll on my self-image and I know many people here can identify with that. I'm really looking forward to being banded and recapturing my sense of self. Here's a Ted Talk I stumbled on recently that addresses this -- pretty fascinating! Thought I'd share it in case others might benefit from some of these ideas.

Go Bama, you are on your way! Yippee!

I am pre-band but have started on shakes -- I'm using Thorne Mediclear SGS, which is rice and pea-protein based rather than dairy or soy. It's got a lot of added nutrients and is designed for liver support and detoxification. 145 calories, 23 grams protein. I have the chocolate flavor but am about to order a plain version as well. I mix it with water and have been putting in frozen berries from our garden along with some ice cubes -- yummy.

This is awesome -- I've got a couple of cinder blocks that need to be moved out behind a shed. They weigh 33 pounds apiece. I can't wait to drop off about three of those babies off my body. Will be so nice to be free of that! Congratulations on your success -- 42 pounds is AWESOME!

Yippee! I am a 1961 baby also and I hear you on wishing I had made this change in my life sooner. Will be banded 11/5 and am so grateful for this kind of encouragement. You did it, and I'm going to do it, too! Best wishes......

Hi Kime-lou, I love the title of your post -- so powerful to be in reality vs. the land of fog or pretend. You are doing beautifully -- THAT is the reality. Thanks for a great post. Sugar is such a tough one. I am pre-band and currently outlawing some foods in order to get weight off before the surgery. Once banded I hope to not have that on/off or dieter's mentality but to be able to have a bit of something once in a blue moon. Ice cream, however, appears to be a no-no in my world. Just too easy to say yes, yes!

So happy for you -- thanks for the inspiration! You are doing beautifully. I am really looking forward to getting banded. Best wishes for great time with the mushies. I am a big fan of steamed and whirred up cauliflower.

Hi Courtney, I'm with you! My surgery date is 11/5 and I'm using these weeks to get off whatever I can in advance. My official pre-op liquid diet will only be two weeks, but I figure whatever I can do in advance will put me in such a better position later. I'm doing some cleansing, drinking protein shakes -- have removed sugar, dairy and wheat from my diet. Will do some juice fast days. Also upping the exercise -- I figure that will be good for later. Do you have your surgery date yet?

Hi Jakki, congratulations -- sounds like your pre-op process is moving right along. I met with my surgeon last week and will be banded 11/5. I had him show me where the port will go and I asked questions like can they remove stomach fat while they are in there (um, no, alas!), how does surgery compare with gall-bladder removal which I had a while back, what is medication for pain and will I really need it, etc. mainly it was so great to get to know this guy as we will be seeing quite a bit of one another over the next year. Good luck to you -- exciting times!

What is the matter with people! You are beautiful, inside and out.

Hi Kat, hope you have a nice easy day today -- congratulations on this new chapter in your life. Best wishes!

Hi there, I I have not seen this video -- looks hilarious. I LOVE juicing but it an be a lot of sugar. Apple, beet, carrot is my favorite. I just got my juicer out and plan to do some juicing as part of my pre-op -- wanting a good cleanse. On a juice fast I always have tons of energy, clear mind, etc. Hoping that once banded I can do a juice day here and there, an occasional fast.

Heading in the right direction alright -- way to go. Welcome to the forum. There are so many great people here.

Glad you are doing so well -- congratulations on all! So nice to have some one you really like to work with.

Congratulations -- so happy for you and your new banded life. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

I use natural progesterone cream -- seems to keep me even during PMS time.

Wowie-Zowie! Thanks so much for posting. I will banded November 5th.....can't wait. Congratulations on all your success and on the half marathon. Way to go!