Bandista

Hi Melinda, you are in good company here -- thanks for sharing through your blog. I am finding it very helpful to keep a journal as I prepare for the process of getting banded -- it is quite the process! Very helpful to read so many stories of others who have similar issues. Best wishes to you!

Congratulations to both you new banded ones -- I am waiting for a date and just going through the posts as much as possible to prepare. Thanks so much for your updates -- it's so helpful to know how it's all going!!!!

Congratulations and thanks -- very reassuring to hear these stories. Happy recuperating!

Keisha, I don't have any advice for you as I am behind you, still waiting for date, etc. but I can see that you are very committed and ready -- I think emotions run high on a liquid diet as there's not the usual food to tamp things down and you don't have your new tool yet, the band -- and of course pre surgery is stressful as well -- that chattering mind is very natural, just know that you are not alone and this is a beginning of a whole new chapter. Who wouldn't be a bit jittery?

Wow! And thanks for sharing your story. Looking forward to putting down a couple of heavy suitcases worth over the next year or two -- and to being able to romp with children, feel good on a sailboat, bike for fun, etc. As I'm waiting for a date to begin it all, this kind of update is so encouraging.

Yippee! 45 on the treadmill is great!

Maybe your body is just stabilizing before dropping the next chunk -- less stressful to your body to go in stages. A 40 # loss in a year seems very healthy, now to regroup with docs to get fill right for next round. Pat yourself on the back -- you are doing really well!

Onederland! Congratulations on all the hard work and commitment going forward. Thanks for keeping us posted -- i am waiting for a date and remaining inspired by the posts here.....

Congratulations -- keep us posted!

Congratulations and best wishes!

Hi there, I am 51 and live on 16 acres, no farm animals, though. So looking forward to losing weight and having a return of energy for serious outdoor life. I have been on here for a few weeks now, learning so much about everything to come. No date for me yet but I feel ready and willing.......

Congratulations! And re: telling family members I, too, am trying to figure this out. My parents are elderly -- my mother is 87 and my father will be 89 this year. Problem is they live in a neighboring town and we stay close, but this may be too difficult for them to understand. Or my mother may be too much in my life over the whole thing when I'd like to have more privacy as I find my own way with the band, etc. And then we have a seventeen-year old son. I definitely want him to be included as I don't want to have secrets in our immediate family -- if I want him to come to me with anything of course I have to do the same. Maybe when I get that surgery date.

Two surgeries and now multiple fills must feel discouraging but know that you are almost there -- sending best wishes, you can do this thing!

Me, too -- congratulations. Right behind you! Going for mandatory information session on August 6th at which time the paperwork begins. Have checked with my insurance company and that part should go fine, so it's just a matter of getting the actual surgery date and going through whatever rigamoroll is required in advance of that. I am really looking forward to this big new change in my life. Even though we all know it will be a lot of hard work, won't it be great to have RESULTS from the hard work?

Hi DDavis, I am thinking of putting some D-cell batteries in the pocket of my bluejeans for weighing-in. The absurdity is just hilarious, to think that at this weight I am not fat enough for something! I do take high blood pressure medicatoin and have a CPAP and hope those will throw me into the approval line. It's slow, this process -- I am waiting for an August 6th date just to get things started and then will know more about a timeline after that. One of my first questions has to do with the weight reported to the insurance company -- when that happens, whether they keep getting reports, etc. Assuming then I can start slimming down in advance of the surgery.

Congratulations and best wishes......New Beginnings!

Today I am going to see a hypnotherapist. As I wait for a surgery date I am working to get all my ducks in a row. I decided to do some therapy to help me sort out the different kinds of hunger as well as self-image issues, privacy about who I am telling, etc. I went through a long list of providers covered by our insurance and was surprised to see a hypnotherapist listed. I have had hypnotherapy before and love the feeling of bypassing my chattering mind to fully relax. That kind of mindfulness is what I need to bring to my banded life as I will be working hard to make excellent choices and avoid stress eating. Just wondered if any one else has used hypnosis or meditation to help with reinforcement. I'm preparing a list of what I want to address in these sessions: S-L-O-W eating, very slow and mindful. Put down the fork between bites. Look at the food and enjoy the colors, the smells, the plate itself. Listen for hunger sensations and notice fullness. Eat three meals a day, no grazing and snacking. Any thoughts are welcome! Thanks so much.

Congratulations! I can so identify with what you say about another person inside. I look at photos and just can't match that image up with myself. Yet!

Congratulations! On everything -- very exciting. And such great progress in the weight loss department.

I have been making a list so this is very helpful. I don't have a date yet so it's all preliminary, but I want to feel prepared. In my notebook I have questions, one being whether its possible to fill prescriptions ahead of time so there won't be any waiting at a drug store on the way home from the hospital.

Hi Audree, so glad for you to have new insurance so you can get the full use of your band again. I am borderline BMI waiting for approval and am creeping my weight UP for approval. How weird is that? Can't wait to start -- so helpful to read others' thoughts, stories. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on getting back on the bandwagon.

Thank you! Am still trying to learn how to use this web site -- made you a friend so i can find you again. Excited about the journey ahead. Look forward to this resource and to getting out of food jail.

Thanks for keeping us posted -- I am waiting for a date and want to learn all I can. Glad you are doing well!

Wow! Congratulations on all the good decisions and hard work to make this dream become a reality. I keep thinking about the weight like two big suitcases I'm going to be putting down -- it will be wonderful not to have to carry them around any more.

Thanks for bringing this issue up as it's something I've been wondering about while I wait for a date to get banded. I guess the empty calories and potential for transferring addiction from eating to drinking are enough to keep me away from wine and spirits at least for the first year or so while I get myself in a new rythmn with the band. Maybe after I lose the weight I could have a very occasional glass of wine.....a reward for the journey ahead.....but in the early days I am going to want to stay very clear and be sure that everything I'm putting into my mouth is good for my body. Alcohol is just sugar, sugar, sugar.