Bandista

My post-op instructions were to have something only when I'm hungry and not to have anything if I'm not hungry. And mostly I was not hungry at all. So I had my tea, popsicles, broth, etc., then later on mushies I had more things but just in very small amounts and then I felt satisfied. The idea is to really learn how to listen to the body. Post-op can be a taste of what it's like to be in the green zone later. I still don't have a particular Protein goal for number of grams, etc., but when I'm hungry I go right for the protein automatically. I'm listening and that's what my body is asking for. For me, this really works, but of course every one is different. Also, I find the thickness of protein shakes to not work for me until a certain time of day -- and even then a really cold shake can feel like too much even when I am able to swallow real food just fine. Best wishes to you and congratulations on your surgery!

Lean, healthy, fit, strong.......increased self-esteem and as pain-free as possible.....appearing in photographs willingly instead of hiding behind the camera or running for the hills............I'd like to go snorkeling and maybe SCUBA....be seen in a bathing suit....not have my weight be in the way of anything I want to try......able to do Yoga again, bend, stretch and move my body comfortably......inhabit my body happily.....wear dresses again and pretty clothes....dance classes of some kind....feel whole and healthy....in sync and at one with my body.......

What a great blog! Seriously. Loved reading through your journey. I am so happy for you! Congratulations on all and happy bike riding. Happy everything. So wonderful to reclaim life like this. I also really hovered at the 49 down and wondered if it was psychological or something as it was also aligning for me with the whole Onederland thing. Now I think it was just my body's need to stabilize a little after that almost fifty loss. When it finally went, I lost a pound a day for five days. Whoosh. It is all very exciting.

I'm sure you've already thought of full fat yogurt instead of the zero -- and it's supposed to be so much better for us, that "good fat." Also I am surprised at how high in calories ground flax seeds are; I love those, the nutty flavor, and also very good for you. Now, can you go have one tiny piece of triple creme cheese for me?

Hi there, so happy you are getting back to your life in a healthy way. Managing pain can be difficult and you are very courageous to have dealt with your issues around alcohol. I hope your back is healing well and it sounds like things are coming together now. And a beautiful little eight year old at home. She doesn't need those Snacks in the house, or the ice cream. She can have her treats outside of the house but right now you need a clean pantry, fridge and freezer so you're not tempted by sliders. chips and ice cream are sliders and she will understand. You can have fun taking her for something special while you have a coffee or tea. Getting back to basics will really help and you'll save money. Do you like chili? When I cook ground beef I heat up the skillet first then put the meat in so it gets nicely browned -- add spices, garlic, etc. then when it is browned I kind of chop it up with the spatula and I add stock -- chicken or beef stock, either one, it comes in a carton at the grocery store -- and I cook it down for a long time then add Beans, can of crushed tomato, etc., whatever you like. This method makes the beef not stringy -- it breaks down and gets soft from cooking in the stock and it's very band-friendly. Sometimes I use black beans and make more of a Mexican Beef (can use a spice packet from the store but watch out for sugar in ingredient list) -- family uses this for taco night while I just usually have a little bowl, maybe with cheese. Other times I use the same beef method to do a red sauce for Italian. Just do the beef up and add a few jars of sauce. Family has theirs on Pasta and I have mine on a little salad or broccoli, etc. So yummy. All of these freeze beautifully so it can be very economical. Sorry to go on so long -- haven't had my tea yet! Sending very best wishes. I also wanted to say that a walking program might really help -- starting small and adding in a little at a time. Nice to get out of the house and great PT for your back.

@@Makinchanges4me Sorting out hunger was an issue for me -- I didn't know how to detect it, etc., as for years I was eating for other reasons. Now I welcome hunger -- if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not hungry I don't eat. That last one is the key to the whole thing for me. The goal of the band is satiety after a small meal and not hungry again for four to five hours. I forget about food now, which is pretty amazing. The band takes getting used to as far getting fills if needed, learning to really listen, slowing down, etc., but when it all comes together it's so easy. Best wishes to you as you pursue your healthy future.

I am seven months out and no problems with alcohol. Enjoy a drink or two here and there. Have to watch out for empty calories, of course, and transference can be a problem if people begin using alcohol the way they used food -- to escape, etc. Surgeons may differ on this. Mine has no prohibitions for alcohol and claims to enjoy a martini himself.

What a nice idea, a reminder of how far you've come. Congratulations on all and best wishes for a great summer of health.

Hi there and congratulations -- big day is almost here! Walking cannot be overemphasized. When I woke up after surgery and felt like I needed to pee I donned a robe and headed up and down the hallway. Each time I could go a little longer so by morning I was really cruising. The walking gets everything moving again and kicks the body into healing mode. At home I just did the same: napping, walking, resting, with lots of sipping in-between. I loved my Popsicles during this time, as well as warm tea, salty broth, etc. I filled my pain medication prescription but did not use it as for me the side effects of narcotics are worse than the discomfort. I compared the pain to other things like dentistry which I hate -- I'd rather have laparoscopic surgery than a root canal, etc. Or bad cramps, so for me it wasn't so bad and also it was all for a purpose -- not like being sick or injured but getting something I really really wanted. A positive attitude really helps as well as a sense of humor. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and it was a bit surreal -- the glamorous gown and booties, being wheeled on a gurney, those forms to sign, the anesthesia -- I was glad for humor. Even without pain meds I had constipation and needed to take something at around day four. I liked having a heating pad -- soothing -- and when the incisional pain kicked up ice packs were great. For the hospital I had flip flops for walking, and I brought my own pillow, was nice to have in the car in the ride home. Best wishes for tomorrow!

Hi there, I really benefitted from seeing a therapist. I wanted some one to go through the process with me as I went through all the hoops leading up to surgery. I was brutally honest about everything -- no more excuses for my weight (it was the Prednisone, blah blah) -- it was my dependence on food to tamp down emotions. We really worked on the triggers and it felt a bit tedious at times. The where and when -- and we broke it down to specifics. I'm in the kitchen, the phone rings, it's my mother and I look for food. Or I'm doing something I don't want want to do, like a conference call, so I find food to prep myself. And reward after, or before and after a meeting, etc. So it was anxiety for me, tamping down that emotion. Now I let it come up and it's not so bad -- that overwhelm that felt like a tidal wave coming is like a Brook now. I look at it and try to relax. The food didn't really help anyway. Good luck to you! You have chosen your healthy future, you are choosing yourself. Sometimes our partners are a little nervous about this. Mine is a gem but even he was worried somewhere deep down that I wouldn't want him anymore once I shed the weight. He needed a little reassurance.

@lcoolpix. This may be helpful to you, as well as other articles on this site. I reread this about a thousand times: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html This is a great time to practice mindfulness and eating slowly. I did some practicing with the clock and a small sized plate and shrimp fork and baby spoon (I still use these). I'd notice my breathing, what else was going on in the room, the color of the food, etc., then have a bite every sixty seconds putting my utensil down in-between. Just to get used to slowing down -- I was such a Bolter. Maybe your nine-year old could assist in some way to help make it a game. Goal is a twenty minute meal. He might think it's fun to help time you or whatever is a good fit for where he is developmentally. You could watch the clock together -- how slowly that second hand moves! Or make your meal time when he is occupied with a show or something. Don't graze in-between. And yes you'll need the help of your older children and other family members so get every one on board for the summer of YOU. Let them know how critical this is, enough that you had surgery. Once you're in your groove and have lost some weight you'll have a ton more energy and every one will benefit. But you have got to choose yourself first. They will help you but you're going to have to really let them all know over and over at first. Otherwise it's just Mom doing it all as usual. This is the your time, it has to be.

This whole thing is like one big high dive, and you are SOARING! So happy for you. I often quite Toad from Arnold Lobel's children's book, Frog and Toad: "I don't want anybody to see me in my bathing suit." It's all in the voice.

Congratulations, Di, you deserve this! And as for the whining, we are here for whatever it is -- celebrations, ups and downs, worries, etc. Bring 'em on! I remember reading once about how the body interprets stress and that "good stress" can be the same as the other kind. And of course we all want to tamp down that stress with food, our old habit. I'll bet all that exercise you're doing is going to pay off big time now -- you are rewiring your body for appropriate responses. So take it easy, pat yourself on the back and know that all good things are happening.

Wow, so happy for you -- down into the threes now. Way to go! You are reallly on your way. Best wishes!

This may be unpopular, but I believe Americans are overly-obsessed with Protein. My goal is to eat protein first, then the veggies, etc., but I don't have a goal for getting a specific number of grams in..... Having just said that, I do jack up the protein in my Greek yogurt by adding a tablespoon of collagen, which I'm taking for arthritis. This adds 6 grams to the Greek yogurt for a total of 18. It is tasteless but thickens it up a little more, then I add a few nuts and tablespoon or so of gluten-free Cereal of some kind. This makes the yogurt not be a slider for me and I enjoy all that texture, the chewing slow, etc. so the message for satiety passes between the esophagus and brain.

I'm going to be 53 and working on loving myself, including the lumps and lines. I wouldn't resort to plastic surgery but have been applying a lot of face cream to my décolletage and doing funny mouth exercises in the car. Chin up!

This can be a difficult time -- pat yourself on the back for choosing yourself and your healthy future, for getting the band and deciding to change your life. It's all happening -- it can be hard to see on a day-to-day basis sometimes. I am seven months out and while not on a diet I have to be a little careful of what's in the house. Less so than before, but I try not to have temptation there beckoning. Can you clear out the pantry, car, desk, whatever? Chips and chocolate banned for a while? And be sure to keep all your appointments with your surgeon for follow-up; they are there for you. The most important thing right now is learning how to listen to your body, listen to your band. Later, when you're in the green zone, when the band talks you will have to listen so it's great if you can begin picking up on signals now. Hunger is not the enemy. As for emotional eating, you are in very good company. I think that's how most of us got to where we are. I have finally learned to let the feelings come even if I am overwhelmed and it's interesting to find out that they are not so bad. Tamping them down was such a temporary fix anyway. Best wishes to you -- glad you're here!

So happy for you!

Well I don't know what LOLRH means, lol. Actually for a long time I thought Lol meant Lots of Love. Took me a while to figure that one out! Wondered why the people who were saying that in emails were being so personal! LoL....

Great post, Jim, and thank you for all the inspiration and help you've given me over this last year. I joined last June to learn about LB and you are one of the people whose posts I've been following since. Now I've been banded seven months. You have helped me get through the ups and downs -- so glad you're here!

Way to go @ -- you are amazing! Love it that you envisioned this and took it all the way, helping others and feeling the strength and vitality that you have now. Very inspiring! I am on a new medication for arthritis and doing well with that -- giving me some hope for being able to participate in other kinds of physical activity. I walk a lot now, workout in basement, etc., and while I'm not a candidate for any kind of race, etc., I am thinking perhaps I'll be able to do things like dance and yoga that I used to really enjoy. Meanwhile, today I am rocking a tiny skirt that I cannot believe fits me. The last time I wore it was in 2001. It's above the knee (eeek!) but I think I look good. We are off to town to do errands. I feel like a girl playing dress-up. Finally got into Onederland the other day and now I'm at 197. Loving this.

I am not in your position (only halfway there) but I think you're on to something with the mindset dilemma. I did wonder if there could be some kind of food sensitivity issue. Wheat allergies are rampant here and can cause all sorts of gastrointestinal problems. If it's in your system it can cause reflux for days so there could be some kind of vicious cycle going on. The yogurt would be soothing. Just a thought, may not be it at all but worth throwing into the mix....

Hi there, I think surgeons really differ. Some prime a band, others do not, some have a strict protocol, others are on their own, etc. I believe my surgeon is of the small frequent fills school of thought. He does not share the amount so I have no idea how much is in my band. Each time I felt a little more restriction but then it would sort of wear off and I'd go back for another. I'm glad it took a while because I had to really learn about stuck episodes, etc. Finally at six I really got the green zone. Even then a couple of months later I needed another fill. I have been very cautious about not being too tight and I always discuss that with the surgeon. I got a teeny seventh fill and feel like I'm just right for now. It is so nuanced, this part of banded life. Goal according to surgeon is a tennis ball sized portion and not hungry for 4-5 hours. I would have one but not the other. Not that I couldn't eat for fun in-between, or keep going, sliders, etc. But I don't. The band at the right fill dims the appetite so I'm not fighting that and can make good decisions. Hope this helps!

Sorry, that's not a question mark -- my iPad won't let me edit...... So happy to be a dainty eater now!!!

Yum, we'll be right over! Congratulations -- and here's to being able to do the things we want to do, just a little differently. I am secretive about my band but still entertain and go out frequently, I agree with @@kll724 that it's easier to host but I am becoming accomplished at moving food around my plate, covering with lettuce leaves, etc. And of course still enjoying my food, just in a small amount. So happy to be a dainty eater now?