Bandista

So glad for you, Sylvia! You are on your way...

Congratulations everybody -- very exciting.... Love this time of year for new beginnings -- hoping to be right behind you. Way to go on successful pre-op weight loss, too-- nice head start!

Hi Jim, I really have to disagree with you. I think this is going to be a VERY popular rant. Well said! And Adrienne, the lunchmeat comment had me laughing so hard that now all I have to do is think of the word lunchmeat and that's it for me. My husband is calling down from his office, what's so funny? How to explain, but it's all wrapped up in that most predictable of human behaviors: stupidity.

Crusoe's Daughter by Jane Gardam -- love her character Polly Flint! Here's a review from a while back: http://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/27/books/polly-came-through.html Also taking a long time finishing a memoir called Mother, Daughter, Me by Katie Hafner -- I prefer fiction but a friend lent me this book and it's very compelling for any one who grew up with an alcoholic mother or some one in the sandwich generation of an aging parent plus a child at home -- here's a review: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/04/garden/mother-daughter-me-a-feel-good-experiment-that-wasnt.html?_r=0

For me it made it real to finally have that first appointment -- like it's finally beginning. I tried to write everything down as I tend to forget things that are told to me in a medical environment. Good luck to you -- look forward to hearing how it went! Best wishes.

Great idea! You're going to look great in your dress -- have a blast!

Hi there, I am pre-band but I did have my GB out in '99 and it was a very easy procedure. The symptoms leading up to it were very unpleasant, however; I was glad to get it done. Diagnosis for me involved a sonogram but technology may have changed since then. When I asked about not having one for the upcoming banding, the hospital program coordinator said that makes it even easier for installing the band. She also said she had just had her own GB removed, and she is banded herself. Best wishes to you -- hope you are feeling better and get this straightened out soon.

Hi Allie -- so happy for you taking control of your health like this! And fun to have you here on LB Talk. Love your painting of Darren Criss, though I have to confess I have no idea who he is. Boy, you really nailed the texture and color of the leather in the jacket -- the whole feel; gorgeous! And I love the collage work on the mask. You are very talented! Okay, I had to look up Cosplay, which I was reading as co-splay rather than cos-play. Costume Play -- of course. What fun! One hour with you would push my social and my tech skills forward about a decade, ha! But I'd rather have my hour with you out shopping once I reach my goal. Okay, make that a full day. I'm going to need some help finding some really fun clothes! Let's see, for music I love Pink Martini -- do you know them? If not, you will really love their big orchestra, a lot of theater. I am a band mom -- our son plays bass and classical guitar -- I love to go out and hear music but we live in a very rural area on sixteen acres. I'm a serious gardener and I work at home as a writer (for pay work these days is grant writing, mostly). Two dogs -- one is a real mess and on Prozac double dose every night; the other is full of pizzazz, a little too much at times. My husband also works from home (he's a techie) and I love the saying, "I married you for better or worse but not for lunch." I am pre-band, getting there in the process leading up to the big day. I am choosing the band because I have not been able to get my weight off in so many years and the self-defeating nature of that makes me so glad when I see some one young deciding to take measures to insure a high quality of life. There's so much life to live, so much fun to be had -- it's going to be work but work can be fun, too. Very glad you're here. Best wishes!

Hi there, hope you had a good night and that you're doing well with your recovery!

Congratulations! Long journey -- I am hopefully on my way soon and will be joining you in the new banded life. The five pound too light issue has been following me as well -- you are going to melt those five pound chunks in no time! Recover well, take it easy and thanks for posting for us pre-banders. Best wishes!

Hi Drea, my insurance company requires a BMI of 40 so I can't drop below that prior to my weight being submitted after I meet with the surgeon. I think most insurance companies allow a lower BMI if there are co-morbidities such as high BP, sleep apnea, etc. but mine does not. So this has been an issue -- basically I can't drop weight until I'm approved but then I can lose, including a two-week liquid diet for pre-op.

I think you're on the right track -- seeking out a new doctor and going in to see what's happening with the band. Something's not right and you know it -- whether it's the need of a fill or something else. I am seeing a therapist to sort decades of food issues. Maybe something like that would help while you're also on track with the LB doctor? Best wishes to you -- and thanks for posting. There are people here who really care about how you're doing!

Yippee! Way to go!

Hope you feel better and can relax, get some sleep!

Yippee! So happy for you -- isn't it something, this bureaucracy? Oy!

This is great -- so inspiring! Way to go on all the working-out and working your band -- many congratulations to you and best wishes.....

Welcome back! I am glad you are getting your health issues sorted out -- these bodies can be complicated sometimes. I have had my gallbladder out and am waiting for a date for LB surgery. Best wishes to you -- thank you for posting!

Beautiful post! Thanks so much. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a lovely restful weekend ahead.

Wow! Had not heard of this and just watched this video: http://www.ddpyoga.com/ incredibly motivating. Time to find the yoga mat!

Hi there, great idea! Years ago I asked an anesthesiologist to "hold the room" when I had my gall bladder surgery. He had no idea what I was talking about and I'm sure he thought I was out of my mind. This was in groovy Vermont, too, but kind of a while back. I can see his face now. When I started this band journey at the beginning of the summer I decided to look for a therapist so I'd have an objective person to go through the process with me. When I got the list of providers from our insurance company, I couldn't believe it when there was a hypnotherapist listed. I studied hypnotherapy about twenty years ago when we lived in California and I respond well to those relaxation techniques. Also Mindful Meditation, etc. My eating issues are so connected to anxiety -- stress eating, soothing myself, etc. I really want to sort out whatever I can ahead of time so I am really ready to go once I am banded. I know there will be head hunger, but when it comes I will be ready! I will definitely ask the anesthesiologist to plant some healing information in my brain -- and I'll do it myself as well. I think I'll write it up on a piece of paper to make it easy. I think of the band as a gift I'm giving to my body, the help it needs to get healthy. I have needed to make friends with my body again and what better thing to do than offer up a gift like this?

Hi there, thanks so much....I do currently exercise (pre-band). I have to or could not move! Arthritis. We have a treadmill and a bike in basement, and a cousin who comes over 3-4 times a week in the AM. We switch off 15 mins on each for 60 mins total, try to keep the treadmill on incline. What I don't currently have is the LOVE of exercise. I think that's because despite regular 60-minute workouts at least 3-4 times a week for years and years (sometimes 5-6 times a week) I don't see an ounce of weight loss. Not to mention all the dieting, etc. It's mind-boggling, really. Plus we live on 16 acres and I work outdoors a lot. But that's why we're here, right? The traditional diet and exercise formula just doesn't work for some -- certainly not for me. I'm wondering if there are specific kinds of exercise recommended for Bandsters and for what reason -- like building muscle underneath the fat so when it sheds there is muscle there, something to do with the skin not being so loose later, or just the regular cardio benefits and increased weight loss. I can't wait to get my band! Thanks again for chiming in and good luck every one with their exercise routines. We have a very underutilized Bowflex but I don't do much with it besides pull-downs and the calf lifting up thing for the knees. Might be good to explore the many things that can be done with that. Can't wait to lose some weight and have more flexibility, energy and the VERVE -- the get-up-and-go -- the excitement that comes from a program that is working. So defeating to do it with little result day after day.....that's just not fun.

Hi there, can you elaborate? I am hoping to replace food thoughts with exercise and just looking for all the inspiration I can get (still pre-band but I think it won't be long now).....right now I kind of dread exercise but I do it -- want to WANT it!

Hi there, so great you lost that chunk of weight before your overseas adventure -- 66 lbs. or so is a big suitcase to not have to carry around anymore! Maybe you can become an exercise freak in your new environment -- I am hoping for that for myself, that I will think about exercise instead of food. Keep us posted! Get that band working for you!

Yippee! So happy for you. And you sound very ready for this new tool. I sure feel ready -- a long wait. I hope to be banded in October, too. Can't wait to begin! When do you start your pre-op -- what does it consist of? Best wishes! Lauren, so glad you're doing well!

Hi there, congratulations on your success so far! You are on your way. I think this can be a tough time of year. We just have one child and I can't imagine two times the breakfast and lunch-making then out the door on time, homework balanced with activities....it's a lot! Tomorrow is Friday and hope you have some YOU time. How about getting your toenails painted or buying a potted plant for the kitchen counter -- something to celebrate how beautifully you are doing. And just think, next year with a significant drop in weight you are going to have a ton of energy. They will be trying to keep up with you!