Bandista

Well you got the first chunk off, now on to the next! congratulations on stepping up and know that you're not alone.

Me, too -- wish I could schedule all in one day! Guess each facility is different and I'm sure insurance riders vary greatly as well. It's feeling like a long wait now. Good luck every one with the process -- and here's to learning all we can in the meanwhile. This site has been so great for that.

Thank you Adrienne, Jim -- so appreciate it! Finally found the right place to ask tech questions -- am getting my high-tech up to speed by participating on this forum, that's for sure. Going to disable Guests now so it's just members who can view. Don't know why I'm so hung up about privacy but there it is. Maybe I'll blog about it! Jim, I love that Simpson article -- read it before through another member's link and going back there now. Maybe I should memorize it! Best wishes for a great day.

Hi there, is it possible to disable blog sharing -- those FB etc. buttons at the bottom of blogs make me nervous about creating my own blog. I'd rather have it private within the LapBand Talk community....thoughts? Thanks so much!

This thread really cheers me, I have to say. Anything with "just" -- if you'd just go walking each day, if you just stop eating after 8PM, if you just go off wheat -- OMG, if you would JUST SHUT UP! I'm going to need some canned replies for when the weight starts coming off.

So inspiring -- thanks for posting! I'm pre-band and these stories are really helping me gain an understanding of what's involved. There's a lot of hard work ahead and I am up for that as I'll have that tool to decrease my appetite. Getting excited! Do you find you're not really thinking about food as much now? Thanks again and congratulations.

Good luck with your surgery! Keep us posted......remember to walk a lot.....

I'm with you guys, waiting, waiting......Lets get this ball rolling! Did the mandatory information session -- held every other month and I missed June so had to wait for August. Met with Program Coordinator a week ago, waiting for psych and nutritionist appointments to be made, then I meet the surgeon. Date gets set and there's one more meeting with nutritionist to get the 2-week liquid diet. Meanwhile, I have to stay fat enough -- I'm hovering at the required BMI of 40 and had to be creative at the weigh-in. Talk about stressful! Turns out the weight submitted to the insurance company is the weigh-in at the time of meeting with the surgeon. So I am not eating well or exercising properly, etc. -- would like to be trimming down and getting ready and instead I'm a ball of stress. Hate the wait (and the weight!)....

Almond milk makes a yummy shake......

Have a great day! I am looking forward to the pre-op diet only because that's a big giant step in the right direction and it will feel good to get some weight off prior to the surgery. Then the focus will be on healing up and leaning how to use the band properly. Getting excited!

So happy for you!

Yippee! So happy for you. Wonderful to get out of that pain and have the joy of movement again. Congratulations on all the hard work that got you to this place!

Okay, even though i hate the camera I'm going to figure out getting pictures of now (before) and during -- you are so inspiring! Way to go!

I love Spirulina -- thanks for the reminder. Putting it on my list of things to try once I get to that place. We go to a coop that makes a great green shake. Maybe that's something I'll be able to have (only sips vs. the extra large I can gulp down now). Looking forward to getting through to the other side!

Congratulations on your upcoming Bandiversary and a really successful lifestyle change!

Wow, great piece -- thanks. Fascinating the business behind weight loss -- and the names of these companies. So funny -- like drug names. Couldn't make this stuff up! I feel like I have new questions for my surgeon -- really want to be sure of that vital after-care piece. Thanks again!

Feel better soon! This is no fun but you will get through this -- so glad you're posting as there are so many people here who have been through what you're going through right now. Your body is healing. The heating pad recommendation keeps coming up and of course walking, walking, walking to get everything "right" again. Meanwhile I'd call it in this morning and hear from the doctors -- thats what they are there for -- and on the protein shake could there be something like a dairy intolerance? Can some one run out and get you a couple of alternatives to try? Keep us posted!

You are bringing up some profound issues here, Kelli -- thanks so much for writing this. I have worries about people liking me better when I'm thinner and that being more "acceptable" is just so screwy it gets my back up. Mis73 thank you for pointing out that this is not a badge of courage but part of a shielding system I've had in place for a long time. I want people to like me/love me how I am, of course, but when it comes time to help me celebrate my newfound health I need to let go of these old hang ups. It's okay to look better even if the real objective is better health. It's okay to be pretty (I have never experienced that feeling and it's hard to write this). Some one else pointed out somewhere that we all have a role and sometimes there is resistance from within as well as from our families, community etc. to a change in that role -- for whatever that is worth.

Congratulations -- I know how long it takes to finally get to the big day! Hip, hip, hurray! You'll be on the other side before you know it. Set yourself up nicely for a few days of lolling around and walking as much as you can -- and know that we're all thinking of you. Best wishes!

Tomorrow is Monday. How about giving the doctor a call and letting them know what's up? Regarding depression, so many of us have used food for a coping mechanism -- it's how I got where I am, for sure! Your body has been through stress - surgery and healing up - and now no comfort foods to tamp things down again. What can you do that is just for you -- like go buy a new journal or get your toenails painted, maybe a walk where you let yourself notice nature around you, sipping a favorite tea in a new place. I know I need to find new ways to soothe and comfort myself amidst the chaos and ups and downs of life. I'm hoping to switch up food addiction for walking and stretching. Just know that you are on the right track, you've made this decision to change your health and it's all happening one day at a time. Best wishes!

My weight struggles also began with Prednisone. Prior to a very bad posin ivy episode I had been a vegetarian 17 years and did a lot of juice fasting, etc. was always worried about my weight but I really wasn't fat. I think I set my system up for storage big time and when I was given IV prednisone in an ER I gained about 50 pounds very quickly. Then the panic dieting, the up and down yo yo series of diets always resulting in more weight gain. That initial 50 got a companion 50 over time and I've never been able to lose it. Instead I have about another 20 on top of that that fluctuates. I'll never get down to where I was but I'd like to be about 100 pounds thinner. Bring on the band! To the women above who experienced abuse, I am so sorry for your painful histories -- you both have a lot of courage. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Zinnia (you must be a gardener, me too!) -- this is not medical advice but I do know several people who got Shingles after chicken pox vaccine wore off from childhood. Hope you feel better!

Hi Kimberly, you are in the right place for gathering information. I've learned so much over the last several weeks from reading posts and asking questions. This is a very knowledgeable and compassionate group of people -- so glad I stumbled on this site! I am prebrand, going through the process of meeting with nutritionist, psych eval and then the surgeon as required by the hospital where I am having my lapband installed. I knew this was the right WLS surgery for me because it is least invasive and reversible. I can't wait to begin! Good luck in your process and look forward to hearing how its going for you.

Hope you feel better! I really, really, really hate to throw-up, which I hope will not be happening once I get banded and it's stories like these that I'm filing away in my brain. No bagels (whoops, sorry, I said the B word). Seriously, I'm so glad this did not result in something worse and I hope you recover well. Best wishes!

I'm considered by my insurance company to be low BMI and have had to beef up to qualify for the surgery -- mind warp! I am choosing Lapband as an additional tool. As soon as I decided to pursue this I realized I should get a therapist as well, just to help insure success with the switch from stress and emotional eating to a healthier lifestyle with minimal portions, etc. I ended up going with some one who does talk therapy as well as hypnotherapy and I think that is a good combination for me. I know what it's like to feel like professional life is suffering from being heavy, not to mention just not feeling fully engaged in my life, being happy to be out in the world, etc. You are in good company here. It's been helpful for me to realize how many people out there share my history, the feelings that go with the dieting failures, the health issues, shyness, worries, etc. and really reading people's entries gives a great sampling of people's experiences, challenges, etc. You will know what is right for you.