Bandista

@@Samirax6 so happy for you -- some people have to really battle hunger in the early days and what a relief to have that dormant appetite. For me, the timing worked well for my first followup to assess for a fill. My surgeon had no calorie or protein goals for me during this time, just one directive: listen to the band. I spent a lot of time in those early days doing just that. Seeing if I was hungry, feeling what swallowing was like, going very slowly and just trying to notice everything. Good luck -- you are doing great!

@@paclift13 let's get this figured out -- don't give up! Do you have a good relationship with your medical professionals? Sounds like a couple of appointments are needed to discuss band-friendly diet to get on track and assess potential for another fill. It doesn't matter how many we've had -- we are either in the green zone or not. I think there may be some culprit like protein shakes or bars, sliders like chips etc.? How about writing it all down for a week so you have a record. Do you use My Fitness Pal or anything like that? You couldn't believe how many calories I can get into a protein shake, lol. Even the good stuff -- fruit, fish oils, flax, chia -- plenty of calories. And nuts -- I have to watch those. And meanwhile don't look back -- you have your band installed, that's a huge step, now maybe it's the right time to get it working for you. We have to be in the right emotional space sometimes to get our head I to the game. You are doing that -- you're here, you're reaching out, you want to get healthy. We are all routing for you!

On Mother's Day I decided I "deserved" a piece of cake. We were at a retirement center visiting with my parents and it's always hard to be in that environment. Anyway, my old brain wiring likes to offer up rewards in terms of food. The rest of the meal had not worked for me and so I decided to get dessert. It was yucky. One bite of that chocolate icing and I could tell it just wasn't going to be worth it, so I set it aside. That was a real triumph. The band! I think the moral of the story for me is that if I'm going to splash out like that on occasion it needs to be something that's worth it. And it needs to be in moderation. I can't put myself in harm's way by having certain treats in the house (or visiting a bakery in New Orleans, lol!). You are doing great and learned an important lesson. Your body doesn't want it no matter what the brain says ("Come on, just a bite!"). My brain really, really wants a wine and cheese party (pretty much constantly, lol ) and I have to watch out for that. Goes down so easy!

Congratulations on your surgery -- important to get the fluids in, of course. Some experience more inflammation than others. After surgery and now after getting fills I feel "tighter" and can't glug back my bottles of Water -- but then when the swelling goes down I am able to drink freely. Like many others, I do better with a warm beverage in the mornings. We are all different, of course, and you'll have your own mode. Just know you're still healing up. Best wishes to you!

You are adorable -- and what a beautiful smile! Amazing weight loss. I am so happy for you!

Statistics can be so skewed and it seems pretty obvious that science has yet to interpret collective data on obesity in a meaningful way. I guess a study is only as good as what goes into it and they are limited in the factors they can follow. I was so shocked at my sixth month followup to discover that I have almost reached my surgeon's goal for me, which I believe is based on a sixty something percent of weight to lose to be at ideal per BMI charts. I'm not even in Onederland yet! I was asked for a figure at the onset and I chose 148 for whatever reason (used to be 5'7" think I may be 5'6" now - see what I mean about numbers?!). Anyway, how irritating that they don't have higher expectations because I sure do. All I know is I don't want to be too skinny (or too fat!). Yesterday I saw a friend who has always been thin but now she's withering away in her sixties. I want to be strong and healthy, a little curvy and a lot sexy. Speaking of which, this morning I really noticed in the mirror (as I stepped off the scale at yet still same same weight after weeks) -- I have a waist, my "apron" is shrinking, not drooping over, and I can see down to the scale. Yippee!

Hi there and congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future -- it's such a powerful thing! I am six months out and so very happy. There is a kind of relief I did not anticipate, the relief of not having a food battle going on in my brain all the time. Should I have this, am I on or off, am I hungry -- I had no idea what hunger even felt like as I was such a mess from years of dieting. Happy to have a healthy sense of that now and when I'm hungry I eat (but when I'm not I don't and therein is the miracle for me!). Good luck tomorrow -- we have all been there and to tell the truth now I can hardly even recall the discomfort. The walking is definitely where it's at, along with the positive attitude which you definitely have. Best wishes and welcome!

To me the green zone feels like the chatter about food has stopped, or at least slowed a great deal, and the appetite monster is off my back. I can resist temptation and I'm not feeling like I'm dieting or being restrictive with myself. I have to eat slowly and really pay attention -- not going for full but satisfied. And the green zone means I need to be able to eat firm protein well-chewed but no baulking from the band, which would mean red zone. I'm still trying to figure out whether I may be a squinch too tight but this recent fill is very new and I know it needs to settle in some. If I find myself going for sliders like shakes, etc., then that will be a signal that I may have overshot and require a tiny unfill. We are all different and I'm very new at this, but that's my take for my body and what I'm looking for right now. I've been at the same weight for a while now but I know it will shift if I just keep doing what I'm doing, including walking for at least an hour every day. Sometimes I think my body wants to know I'm serious so I try positive self-talk -- I'm getting leaner each day -- that sort of thing. Hope this helps!

Wow, thanks so much every one for the feedback. I think for many of us it is a love/hate relationship. Love being able to sleep and it has become an automatic reaction now to sleep when I have it on -- but I wake up with head gear issues. Or maybe I just wake up! And I think sleep changes as we get older. I have the nose pillow kind of "mask" and feel fortunate for that, but the ongoing care for sleep issues has not been there. I had the sleep study, got the machine and now for years and years I've been in the hands of a third-party company that is just in it for the money. But I need to make this a project -- see if I can figure out the right settings and how to do that on my own, then get down thirty more and have a new sleep study just for good measure. Thanks for all the shared stories, advice, etc. You guys are great. Zzzzzzz.......zzzzz.....zzzz

Wow, amazing! Sometimes I wish I had a little more of that athletic spirit, but maybe that will come in time. I am exercising, showing up for my life, etc., but that kind of strength and flexibility is so incredibly inspiring. And body image is such an issue for one and all -- whether young or old, fat or thin. Thanks for sharing this inspiring blog!

Maybe go back to full liquids for a few days -- also it's allergy season so that could be a factor....Checking with the doc always a good idea! And congratulations on the band! It's really all about the signaling of the esophageal squeezes up to the brain so you get that satiety. Good time to be listening in to the body and learning your signals -- it will all come together. It you're still healing. Best wishes to you for a wonderful summer of health!

I feel so lucky to have gotten my band when I did as there are an increasing number of hospitals not doing it anymore. I'm sure it's all about the money -- paying surgeons for that pesky aftercare when they could be in the OR cutting, cutting.....and let's face it, it's the insurance companies making health care policy these days. Personally I love all the followup in these initial months -- average 11 visits with surgeon in first year. We don't spend a lot of time as I feel like I'm on course, but he would take whatever time needed to answer questions, fill/unfill, etc. I think there are still some surgeons who enjoy an array of treatment -- seeing patients may be a drag for some but others like the variety and to see the outcome over time.

Hi Debi, you have a lot going on! So glad you are in good communication with your LB surgeon so there's a medical professional putting all the pieces together. I had my gall bladder removed years ago and the laparoscopic surgery was similar to the band surgery -- seems excellent to have it all done at once versus two surgical interventions. Be sure to address the acid issue with all the doctors including the anesthesiologist. We have to be our own advocates sometimes -- keep speaking up and keep your surgeon informed of any developments, dental or otherwise. Good luck on the pre-op -- you are on your way! When I'm on antibiotics I always take a lot of probiotics -- may want to check into that so there's no yeast infection or UTI on top of everything else. But talk to your doctor -- maybe even roll in the PCP or your nurse practitioner, etc. for the big picture. Best wishes for smooth sailing! Let us know how you're doing.

Wow, you are seeing a lot in a short period of time! The Florentines have a wonderful term, Stendhalismo, for when the artwork starts to get blurry and you're kind of stumbling around drunk from all the beauty. I love Venice, too. Such a wild city -- all that unexpected mystery at every turn. And of course the ultimate walking city. I'm so thrilled for you! I think in choosing the band we are choosing to really show up for our lives and that is an amazing thing. Side note on food policy and regulations in US vs. Europe: McDonald's fries in London have three ingredients. Here in the US? Are you ready? Seventeen. The Italians would never put up with the GMOs we have in our food here and the corporations fighting against even labeling them for us. Scary food times. Makes me want to move to Italy! Have fun with your family -- what a trip and so many memories to savor over the years.

Best wishes to you both. And here's to the era of free long distance -- you and your sister will be comparing a lot of notes along the way. Such fun to be getting healthy together -- there's that whole mutual benefit equation where we do things for others we might not for ourselves alone, like exercising.

Hey there, so happy for you! And Luigi. You're going to be feeling great when that first chunk is off......good luck Thursday. Nervousness and excitement are very natural leading up to the big day. I found it all much easier than I thought it would be. And the result is amazing -- no more appetite monster on my back, all that chatter gone. I eat when I'm hungry and don't eat when I'm not hungry. Still love food, just in much smaller amounts at appropriate intervals. Still eat out, enjoy life and I am able to do so much more now. Best wishes to you for this new chapter in your life.

Hi Candace, congratulations on all you've done so far. Don't forget to pat yourself on the back as your weight loss is a tremendous accomplishment and you're really working it -- you're going to the gym, you're not eating sliders and you're dealing with emotional issues. Your weight WILL shift and you'll be heading down, down, down. It's going to feel really good to hit that next goal. Do you use My Fitness Pal or some other way of counting calories? I don't count regularly (though I love to plug the exercise in!) but this is such a good way of seeing if there are some empty calories sneaking into your diet. It might be good to sit down with a nutritionist for this purpose. Also some people mix it up with carb cycling, etc. Just know that you are on your way. We all level out for periods of time and of course it's very frustrating -- just keep with it and keep your chin up. This issue with the ex is serious. He is sabotaging you. I don't have any good advice about how to deal with this except to keep yourself safe. One technique that works for me when there are a lot of feelings involved is to step back mentally from whatever it is -- I sort of picture what is going on but pretend it's other people. This has helped me get through some situations -- like watching it as a movie rather than being wrapped up in the movie. Good luck and sending best wishes your way!

Way to go -- I see a big difference. Forty down is a lot! So happy for you!

Hi there and congratulations both of you. It's a nerve-wracking time, this lead-up to the big day. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and it was all so much more pleasant than I thought it would be. I took my sense of humor with me and that was good. Every one took such great care of me. I compared the surgery to other things like dentistry, which I hate, or the recovery discomfort to cramps, etc. and I found that helped me not get all wrapped up in the mind-game of how we receive pain information. I got my prescription for pain medication filled but did not use it as I find narcotics to be very constipating. I actually had that problem even from just the anesthesia -- it's something to look out for and to talk over with your medical professionals so you're not on here at day four or so saying help! The walking cannot be over-emphasized. It's just the best -- kicks the body into healing mode. When I woke up from the surgery and felt like I needed to pee I took a walk up and down the hallway with the IV pole. By morning I was doing good laps and then I continued once home around our driving circle. There were a few people who came to visit and I had them walk around with me. It not only helps with shaking off the anesthesia and releasing any trapped gas, it also will help with everything inside going back into place. Water, walking, sleep all so good for healing. Oh, the other thing that helped me was sheer excitement. It's not like being in the hospital as a result of an accident or illness -- this was something I was choosing. Choosing myself and my healthy future! So I felt very excited and empowered. It's a tremendous step and I'm so happy I did it. Six months out now and I can't recall those early days of incisional pain or the difficulty getting up and down from bed, etc. Just take it easy, keep thanking yourself for what you're doing and know that you're not alone. And come tell us how you're doing! Best wishes for a great day tomorrow -- it will be one that you'll be marking in the years to come. New Chapter!

So glad you're writing this -- I will be reading every word! And to have just a teaspoon of that hazlenut gelato. Heaven! Say hello to Piazza Michelangelo for me, Baptistry and Duomo. Oh my, you're so lucky! Keep us posted on your adventures, which we know will be involving a lot of walking -- on air and on the ground.

On my goal list -- time to saddle up!

Congratulations on your band! Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend. Walking really, really helps........

Congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future so you'll be there for your beautiful family. Very inspiring post -- you write so well and every sentence resonates. Good luck with the process. Keep taking deep breaths when there are a lot of appointments, etc., and you are going to rock the pre-op. For me that was the first time I lost a chunk of weight that I knew was never coming back. Best wishes as this new chapter unfolds! My life is so much easier now. It's wonderful being at peace with food.

@@JustWatchMe Buon Viaggio! I love Italy and what a great time you'll have with your daughter. So happy for you! Wish I was on that flight -- Primavera, Bellisima.

Nice to bring home all that swag without any extra pounds. You'll probably have a whole new wardrobe of polo-shirts, etc., frisbees, plastic water bottles, etc. Personally, I am a sucker for those little books of different-sized post it notes. Have fun! Ask them to please stumble on cure for arthritis between martini bars....