Bandista

Hi there, quick question for the blog people. I am a new user -- have never been on a forum before. Is everything private? What about the share buttons at the bottom of the blogs? Could my stuff be shared by people to other sites like FB, etc.? I'd like to blog as a journal for myself and to connect here and there but not outside Lapband Talk. Can some one tell me how this works? Sorry to be such a dinosaur!

Some one somewhere here wrote about the people who want this more than anything and how that's what it takes. Here you are at that place -- very exciting. I am pre-band, waiting to begin -- maybe I'll be September, too! Best wishes!

Hi there, first of al, CONGRATULATIONS! I love to hear about the increased flexibility and I know what you mean about the body not getting in the way anymore. I am so looking forward to that. Yoga is on my list for what I hope to do when I get some weight off. I'm pre-band and can't offer any advice except to say that it sounds like you are at about a pound a week and that is impressive over the long-term. Some of us are just slower to lose but I do think that it is best to lose slowly (just not as fun!). This way your body and brain and emotions all move forward toward the same goal -- weight loss and muscle gain, maybe better for any loose skin issues, hair, etc. pat yourself on the back for the great changes you've made to your diet and the exercise you've introduced. Let your body know you mean business, this isn't a fad, you're in it for the long haul and it's okay to let go of the fat stores. It will let go -- wait til you see where you are at Holiday time. I predict you're going to need to buy some new clothes!

Congratulations -- you are doing beautifully! You are so inspiring to those of us still pre-band -- I can't wait!

You are doing great and you're not alone! I like the HALT saying, never get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. One and four, for me, cause the other two.

Out of the mouths of babes......

Best wishes for speedy recovery!

Time to rock 'n roll -- we GOT this! Still pre-band but mindset is ready -- bring it!

Thank you for this piece. I hear you on the stress -- it's not going away but how we respond to it can change drastically. Being on the outside looking in vs. being whirled up in it and (for me) having to eat to anchor myself in the storm.

Big changes must sometimes bring up a lot of stuff for the people around us. I worry about this in my usual way of banking anxiety in advance -- what will I say, what if people like me better when I'm thinner and that feels weird, unfair...etc. And so I love how out there you are with your colleagues -- it's inspiring me to be more open. Maybe. But just so you know I like the you on the left as well -- so glad for your health, your success -- congratulations on the results of all your hard work!

Way to go! You are really grabbing a hold of your health -- so exciting! Best wishes for quick recovery. Thanks for info on two-week liquid diet and how that went for you -- hope to be there soon myself.

Yippee! Relax and have fun looking and feeling great!

Hi there, I am also pre-band -- this has been a great place to get information and support as I've been going through the process of learning everything possible. Good luck to you!

My mother used to say guilt is a disease, throw it out the window. I like that image. We are all entitled to our privacy. I don't like being discussed and worry about this as well as whether people will like me better when I'm thinner -- I feel like this is a funny thing to be anxious about, but there it is. I am thinking I could say that I'm eating extremely small meals. Truth with privacy intact.

You are taking good care of yourself and it shows. Best wishes!

I've wondered what a cinder block weighs. So looking forward to stopping carrying around three cinder blocks each and every moment of the day. Good grief!

Yippee! So happy for you -- very inspiring for those of us waiting to begin. Congratulations on all the hard work you have done to put down that 50 pound suitcase!

Thanks for posting for us pre-banders! Have gotten such great information and support here.....

Yahoo! And congratulations on all the hard work that has led to this.......you are an inspiration.

Hi there, I worry, too -- will I be able to do this, is it right for me, etc. As I wade through the process (which is much longer than I thought it would be) I have time to over-think absolutely everything. Basically, I am counting on the statistics -- the overwhelming success rate. It's not as fast as other WLS and maybe no everyone reaches goal for one reason or another (I intend to!), but it works. I imagine that I will enjoy my three one-cup meals per day and still do the cooking I do for others (I love to cook) but that the difference will be in that feeling of satiety -- it's the missing link. When on a diet, I am unable to be satisfied. The band will allow that. I am not afraid of the hard work because I know how to do that -- it's just the hard work without lasting success which has been so exhausting, demoralizing. I imagine the hard work paying off and the scale going down, down, down and me getting healthier and having lots more energy. Energy that I can turn into exercise and the lifestyle changes I so need. Just know we're all in this together -- you're not alone.

I know every one's process is different, depending on the surgeon, insurance requirements, etc., but I thought it might be helpful if I wrote up what mine has been like. I have United Healthcare and the only requirement is a BMI of 40 -- there's nothing in the policy about co-morbidities but I do have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I am hoping, however, that I will be at the 40 so there is no issue, no appeal process, etc. One would think that 240+ on a 5'6" frame would be enough but I have to be at 250. Anyway, I made it today (with a little assistance) but it turns out the insurance company will receive the weight figure from my meeting with the surgeon, which is yet to take place. At that point I can switch gears from trying to keep at 250 to trying to lose weight in advance of the surgery. Here are the steps I have to go through: 1) Mandatory information session (done) 2) Meeting with Program Coordinator (did that today- love her) 3) Meeting with Psychologist 4) Dietician 5) Surgeon -- date gets set at this time (and I must be 250 at this time) 6) Dietician second visit to be given liquid diet (will be a two-week liquid diet; the shakes or whatever they are free, included). That's it! Hoping the Psych and Dietician appointments will happen quickly so I can get into the surgeon and get in line.

Thanks so much! I am pre-band and it is fascinating to hear about the whole soft stop concept -- the way our bodies are talking to us and we just need to find the signals and LISTEN.

So happy for you!

Hi Lauren, I am right there with you -- awaiting a date and worrying over insurance approval, etc. Hard not to over-think everything! My insurance company does not require a six-month process but BMI has to be 40 or an appeal process is required (and could fail). So I've been bulking up a bit on purpose -- can you believe that? Ridiculous! I think I will find out on Wednesday whether it's all a go and hopefully I'll be given a surgery date. Like you, I feel SO READY!

I was very inspired by the exercise info on this guy's website: http://www.loveyourlapband.net/198481756 Some one else posted it and I wish I could give credit -- but here it is!