Bandista

Oh, and I can't see whether you're banded, sleeved, etc. May be different for sleevers -- what works well. Good luck to you!

Hi there, I'm not quite sure what you're asking about here -- do you mean Omegas, like flax seed oil, grape seed, evening primrose -- fish oils? I recently got fish oils suspended in a liquid to try (too sweet for me but not fishy tasting). I have arthritis and try to stay away from NSAIDS, etc. I put flaxseeds and chia in my yogurt or if I have a protein shake, etc. I do love flaxseed oil and think I'm going to try that again on applesauce or something. I can swallow pills but am nervous about gel caps. We are all different, though -- is this something the doctor or nutritionist can advise about?

I eat the whole egg -- it's funny but fried works better for me than scrambled. I would have thought scrambled egg would be a perfect food for me, but no. And I love a piece of omelet once in a while. Yummy, I think I just figured out lunch today, lol!

Great time to practice mindful eating -- learning how to take it slow and wait before another bite is such a good thing. Congratulations on getting to this next phase! I liked steamed cauliflower a lot -- wash a whole head really well, steam it thoroughly then hit it with the stick blender or food processor. I add broth to make it smooth and some seasoning, like salt and pepper, a little ground coriander. To me this was like a delicious savory pudding. And I think I am some one that needs veggie fiber, so there's that.

Oh, I am so glad for you! Get your band working for you dimming the appetite so you can make good decisions. Best wishes to you!

Hi Jenn, congratulations on grabbing hold of your health like this. We really do have to be our own advocates -- we are the ones living in our bodies and sometimes we have to heal ourselves. I am skeptical of doctors making lifespan expectancies as I've known so many people who have beaten all kinds of statistics. You are well on your way to better health! That learning to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew is something we all went through -- sounds like you're doing great. I did some eating with the clock. I'd sit with my little bowl and baby spoon and wait for a full minute to elapse before taking another bite. The hardest part for me was putting the utensil down. I didn't want to let go of my implement! I think those little practice sessions really helped me slow way down and learn to be mindful of all the many things going on -- not just hyper-focused on shoveling in the food as in the old days. Now I'm much more aware of everything -- how the food looks, tastes, how others around me are being, what the room is like, etc. Best wishes for an excellent recovery!

I was a volume eater, too. The size of the salads I ate were enough for a family and by the time I added avocado, cheese, sunflower seeds, olive oil dressing, etc., I probably exceeded the calorie allotment I have now for a whole day. But then of course I was still hungry, even after all that. I was always seeking the elusive feeling of fullness and I am so grateful to have that built into me now. Satiety, yippee! Sometimes I watch what other people are eating and I just can't believe it -- and of course that was me just six months ago, going back for more. No more!

I am such a label reader, but recently I fell into the sugar trap through the most unlikely purchases. One was a berry flavored aloe vera juice. The aloe I usually use (1/2 cup mixed into my bottle of Water along with a splash of cranberry) is 6 calories. This one is 55 and 13 grams of sugar. Crystalline Fructose. So sweet I can barely drink it. The other item that shocked me is a liquid Omega-3 fish oil concoction. 60 calories for a tablespoon and that tablespoon is disgustingly sweet because it turns out this product has xylitol in it! I am not into artificial sweeteners at all and can't believe it's in my fish oil for crying out loud! Recently I saw Steevia at the supermarket and thought to myself, "oh good, people will catch on to this sugar alternative -- it's going mainstream." But then I looked at the ingredients. This particular one is loaded with Maltodextrin. What a nightmare! It's not a sugar but it has an incredibly high glycemic index. So all those diabetics and people trying to deal with their health issues by switching to Steevia are getting Maltodextrin at the same time. Look for the 100% pure Steevia, people! Oh dear, I'm on a soapbox. Maybe because it's Easter and I just can't believe what people feed their kids.

Hey there, congratulations! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

When the number isn't shifting on the scale that's when I start noticing how my clothes are fitting differently and I take my measurements again. Comparing those numbers instead of the numbers on the scale has been very informative. As far as fills and satiety, I was one of the people who needed six fills to get to my green zone. Good luck to you -- keep all your appointments and don't forget to notice how far you've come.

I'm really glad I went to a therapist last summer while I was researching and going through the process leading up to surgery. It's not like I hadn't worked on all of these issues before (I'm 52), but since I was making such a major decision it really was so different. Some one mentioned the huge dose of honesty. I had to admit that I was unable to lose the weight without surgery. I had to give in to the weakness and that made me so strong, the choosing myself and my health first and realizing there was something out there to help me and, dammit, I was going to see it through to absolute success. The counsellor I worked with helped me identify my triggers and we really broke it down. It felt tedious but I'm glad I did it. There were so many ways I used food to prep myself for something or as a reward or to tamp down feelings. I journal a lot and that was helpful. Being aware of the extent of the triggers and my habitual reactions to them got me into such a new place with all of that. And you know what, the food as a salve didn't really work anyway. I'd just need more. I am so happy to have the appetite monster off of my back and that chatter turned off. That's what it feels like, like my brain and body are synced up again. I've forgiven the past betrayals and feel like I can love myself again.

Hi there, congratulations on getting your band. I know it can be quite a process to get there. It sounds like you're doing beautifully. I was banded five months ago and ten days -- still celebrating that big day and the choice I made for my happy healthy future. Best wishes to you!

Hi there, when will you be banded and do you have a pre-op diet? Many people lose a chunk on pre-op. The first couple of months post-band are really about healing, not weight loss, as you get used to the new lifestyle. If you are able to lose now before you get started, that's all weight that you shouldn't see again. The band is designed to assist weight loss by lessening your appetite so you can make good decisions. Once you have surgery you will probably get fills to reach the green zone so it is not an overnight solution. I thought in terms of a year rather than in months. Also exercise is really important so whatever you are able to do now, try to do more and work yourself into a real routine as that will greatly assist the weight loss.

Nice Valentine's present to yourself!

Hi there, so happy for you! I was banded last November and that initial excitement has still not worn off -- maybe it's just that I'm so happy now to have dealt with this big issue in in my life. I feel so free from all that brain chatter about what to eat, what's next, can I have more, etc. And of course losing weight and getting healthier, upping the exercise, etc. is all so positive. Big changes! Post-op some people don't have an immediate return of appetite whereas others do, so count yourself among the lucky ones. I was, too, and that was a wonderful taste of what it's like when the band is working properly. For me I did have a return of hunger and that actually timed out perfectly for my first visits back to the surgeon (they were weekly for a little while) and that's when I started getting fills. Now I am "there" at least for now, in the green zone. Even when I was not there, though, the diminished appetite is so amazing. I'm so glad I got this thing! And glad for you, too. Best wishes!

Hi Carmen, you are doing so well with your weight loss and of course as we get closer to goal it just naturally slows down. But you are on the right track with the exercise -- for stress management as well as toning and continued loss through building of muscle. Way to go! You are going to have to choose yourself first. You can still be an excellent caretaker and of course this is a very difficult time for your mother-in-law and all the family. When we choose ourselves first every one around us benefits -- it's so easy to take the backseat but that's not the path to health and happiness. I also love my treadmill -- it's in the basement. Maybe also it will be possible for you to pop out and do laps around the block or something like that? Whatever you do, know that you're doing the very best thing for every one by taking care of yourself. Good luck with all -- so glad you're here!

Hi Leepers, way to go on your weight loss -- you're doing great! Reading your post (we were writing at the same time so I didn't see it), we have a similar thing going on -- the not eating the exercise points back and heavier caloric intake days being due to alcohol. If we have a highly social couple of days I really take it easy for a couple of days after and it seems to be working. I'm very happy with my loss so far and look forward to getting to Onederland soon (please, please, please!).

Hi there, I am on and off of My Fitness Pal -- please feel free to friend me: SabinaDublin -- I think my feed is all banders; there are lots of us there! I never use the MFP exercise calorie allotment as part of my thinking, but that's just me. In fact when I am counting calories on MFP (which is less and less) I put in my exercise sessions at 1 calorie burned so that it doesn't throw my numbers off. Some one gave me that tip. And I also use 900 as a general calorie goal, although I'm also really trying to let go of counting as I have been very restrictive in my life and want to have an easier relationship with food. That's part of my goal for banded life. But this is because I am older and have done so much with diet and nutrition over the years and I know a "good" calorie from a not so good one. (By the way, of course all of this dieting was unsuccessful until I got the band!) I like to track my exercise on MFP as an added incentive for me -- and I love, love, love plugging in my weight even if it is up a few before it goes down a few plus one, etc. It's a nice app for me to see that it is, indeed, going down, down, down and if it seems slow of course it's really not. It's those decreases over time that really add up. And the community is nice, it's fun to follow how others are doing on a day-to-day basis. Good luck with your goals -- I'm pretty sure exercise is the magic ingredient. That and listening to our bodies to sort out whether hunger is real or an old habit.

Hi there, sounds like you all doing beautifully. As I got ready for surgery and read so many posts, I noted that around eight weeks out can be a tough time for some. The band and is installed, the healing has taken place but the excitement has also died down and there is this learning process, plus the getting to the right fill which can take a little time depending on how the surgeon schedules followups and fills. I definitely felt like I wasn't getting very far and that it was a little harder than I thought it would be, etc. But I remained excited and went to all of my appointments. It's all paid off and I feel so happy with my banded life. The weight loss but also that feeling of having the appetite monster off of my back at long last. It is also so powerful to have made this big choice for me -- choosing myself and my health. This investment in who I am and how I want to be is pretty wonderful. Best wishes for continued smooth sailing -- so glad you're all here on the forum so we can do this together.

Hey there, best wishes for next Wednesday! We are all learning as we go, that's for sure. The whole "know thyself" component is pretty amazing in this process -- sometimes I already know but do something anyway or don't do it, like the exercise I know I need to move. In the eating realm I really have learned to slow down and take a moment to notice, notice, notice. This listening in to my body has helped with so much besides food -- just stress in general and how life buzzes around me. I am getting a lot out of this process and can tell you are, too. Good luck with everything.

Hi there, congratulations on your surgery! We are all so different. I can still really honk on my 32 ounce bottle of Water with a splash of cranberry and aloe vera -- it's my comfort drink. Even if I am feeling "tight" foodwise I can still glug down the liquids just fine. Regarding bread, I avoid bread and Pasta for all the obvious reasons -- and when I do try a bit of something along those lines I often get a little radar blip from my band telling me to cut it out. Easier for me to avoid, plus my husband is Celiac so we don't do much gluten anyway. I've had six fills and think I'm definitely in the green zone -- feeling very happy with my band and with life in general. Here's to spring!

Hi there, I was banded November 5th -- sorry for all you went through this winter but I'm glad that you're feeling on track now. I am having hair loss as well, and taking Biotin, etc. Some one wrote that there is a correlation to anesthesia and that at around four months some people have hair loss. Mine is still pretty thick -- a lot of white hairs are appearing on every jacket, however, and it is a bit alarming. But I know from reading so many posts here that it's very temporary and so I'm not really that worried. Good luck to you -- glad you're here! We can hold up that November Bander flag.

Choose Lisa first! Every one else will benefit, of course, but the main thing is you know you deserve the very best life has to offer. Here's to good health! Way to go on making the doctors' appointments. And also on realizing the whole keeping busy, busy, busy, too busy for myself thing that so many of us do. I agree that noticing is the first step in everything. Let's keep listening in to our bodies.

Oh my goodness, this is hilarious -- the sneaking of the bacon. And her not noticing! You will be a very popular breakfast date, that's for sure. Seriously, congratulations and let's hope it always feels this fresh and new, the joy of being satisfied on so little. I know what you mean about the portions -- I've started switching plates with my husband quickly at a dinner party. He eats his serving quickly (like I used to) and is ready for more (like I used to be) and so now I pass him my plate with half or so left on it for him to have for seconds and suddenly I have an empty plate in front of me. No one seems to notice this exchange either. Perhaps we are just such scintillating conversationalists. Or, more likely, people are completely engrossed in stuffing their faces (like I used to be).

Hi there, you have all my sympathies for having to do the pre-op twice. Geesh. But you know what, you are doing GREAT. 57 pounds is fantastic -- and your surgery date is coming up and you'll be so far ahead of the game. The period of time following surgery and prior to getting to the right fill can be a difficult time for some people and the weight your shedding now will go a long way toward getting you through. I so totally get the whole connection to emotional eating and it seems particularly tricky to be on a restricted diet -- liquids, shakes, whatever -- when you're wrapping your head around the upcoming surgery and lifestyle change. I remember being worried about what it would be like afterward, would I miss such-and-such. I kept reading posts people put up saying they didn't miss what they thought they would but I didn't really believe it until it was me. I feel so completely happy and content with my band -- I honestly feel like I'm out of food jail. But boy, pre-op -- now that was doing some serious time. Just know you have got it in you to get through and you are choosing yourself and your health first. Sending very best wishes to you!