Bandista

Good luck today -- let us know how it goes. And congratulations on your weight loss and newly-banded life. Don't worry, this is a small hurdle and you did the exact right thing -- calling your doctor. Best wishes!

Hi there' isn't it great to have it over with -- all that anticipation. Now you can really begin. So happy for you! Try not to do too much too soon and enjoy the walking/resting. Best wishes!

Let's team up for support -- I have the same philosophy of not dieting as that has been so destructive for me in the past -- and not being hungry, looking for food, etc. It definitely takes a while to get to the right place fill-wise -- I'm so glad you're feeling it now. I have no idea how much I have in my band as the surgeon doesn't share that, but I had no Fluid in my band and am pretty sure he's of the small fills school of thought -- that patients need time to adjust behavior and experience "restriction" incrementally in order not to have negative repercussions. I think it becomes a very organic process, the lifestyle change, the reduction in calories, increase in exercise and......finally......serious weight loss. Also, of course, as we all know, the closer to goal the more difficult it is to lose. And for those of us who convinced our bodies the famine is here, it takes some time for the brain to get into the right mode for shedding. Let that dialogue begin in earnest now, and it's spring -- great time for health and healing.

I've got a shell hanging on a line in our bathroom and I noticed this morning that it looks enormous. This was my little sleeveless thing that I'd put under a jacket or something else to cover up my belly -- and now it's so big-looking. Time for a new little black shell for those occasions and rather than something ending in an X I think it will begin in an X, like perhaps an XL. And if there is a god, maybe, just perhaps, I could possibly take off the jacket and allow those arms to be exposed one day. Maybe.

Hi Emily, congratulations on your upcoming surgery and surviving the first days of the liquid diet. I'd say on the digestion/elimination question that you are probably cleansing but if it continues you should put in a call to the doctor's office or nutritionist to go over any ingredients that may be giving you a problem. I'm a pretty private person and did not tell very many people -- just my husband and our son (but only right before and I was a little vague about it) then a handful of friends. There are a couple I wish I hadn't mentioned it to -- not because of any negativity but just because I'd like it to really be my secret. Not sure why! I may end up blabbing it to the world, and certainly if there's some one I could help by telling them about my experience I would like to do that. I specifically did not tell my mother. She loves me but she would have been overly-involved and worried. She is thin but always complaining about her weight and I know my size has been a source of embarrassment to her over the years. Eeeek, horrible but true. Anyway, I'm glad you have good people around you and the ones who ask inappropriate questions or invade your privacy in any way should be told right away that you are not comfortable talking about it -- or however you want to phrase it. Just know that you are making a big step in your healthy future and choosing yourself now -- it's a wonderfully powerful thing. Good luck to you!

Hey TMF, this is for you!

I'd call your doctor now -- don't wait for March 3rd if you're having troubles of any kind. Migraines are awful. This may be off base but I'll just put it out there -- some people really react to artificial sweeteners. Sucralose, specifically, can trigger migraines for some. Best wishes to you!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery -- and I'm so sorry for everything you've been through. Still, you have done an amazing job with the weight loss. I'm glad you're in good hands and taking steps to ensure your healthy future. Best wishes to you and keep us posted! At least you know what you're in for -- this will be a piece of cake compared to what you've been through.

Put those medical professionals to work for you -- the doctors will consult and come up with a plan. A pharmacist may be the one to chime on pill sizes -- they can be very helpful. By the way, be very careful of any time-released medications as splitting/crushing can cause dosage problems.

My husband refers to me as his first wife, which technically I am but it does give pause. He has definitely lost some weight, but for him that's just skipping a little of the snacking here and there and off it comes. So irritating but I'm used to it after all these years. This is a season of comfort eating and we are both noticing how much that has been a part of our lives. Those habits of munching through the evening, etc. We have a teenaged son and both of them are definitely benefiting from my newly-banded life as they get the extras. And they are both stepping up to do more of the food prep because there's just not as much going on now. I am not just about the food anymore and if they are hungry they are realizing the chef might not be on duty. She is fickle, that one.

Cackling Grapefruit -- that one is from the way-back machine (14 years old in a house of women dieting). eggs, grapefruit, then, oh look, more eggs! Eat Right For Your Body Type -- I even went to the D'Adamo Center for this one. What are lectins again? I'm not sure that science has held up. What a fun summer we had with a Type O, a Type A and a Type B in the house. Good grief. I did feel pretty good but that's because I always did well on most diets for a three month period before I couldn't continue the deprivation and restriction any longer and, like all of us, gained back plus some. juice Fasting -- Three years ago I did a three-week juice fast. Had to scrape me off the ceiling I was so high and so happy but of course one can't fast forever. You'll never guess what happened when I started eating again -- all came back. Plus some. Weight Watchers -- Humiliation in a group setting. Loved the comments above -- people eating crap and losing while I struggled along, plus the whole woo hoo element. Mostly though, I think the problem here for me is that I'd bank my points -- starving myself through the day so I knew I'd have enough for later. This is something I still struggle with in my behaviors around food. Fit for Life -- eating only fruit in the mornings, then a lot of salads. It was a good diet in terms of a lot of healthy foods but I never sustained any real loss. There's a part of me that really misses those huge bowls of salad and veggies, I'll tell you. The Zone -- my mother has always produced whatever new book is out at the time, so The Zone was one of those. How can I have read so much about metabolism and still not understand it? Oh, that's because they don't either -- we still don't really know how the human body works. Fat Flush -- I still drink a beverage from this diet so at least I got something out of it! I fill up 32 oz. bottles with Water and a splash of cranberry (plus I add some aloe vera). The cranberry water was a great Fat Flush thing for me, and also the flax seeds. Did I lose weight? Ummmm, probably in the beginning but up, up, up went the scale after. Atkins -- I don't miss peeing on a little stick and feeling all excited to be purple. That was a lot of Protein for me and I think I may be a cheese addict -- have to be careful with that. Heavy cream comes to mind. Oh, and avocados. Everything always felt like some new miracle, that I'd "get to have" such and such. Steak, blue cheese on a salad -- yum. I think a cocktail or two was permitted on that diet as well. Okay, I'll stop there. At 52 I guess I could probably come up with another half a dozen failed diets pretty easily. I do pride myself on never having been lured in by Raspberry Ketones (got to love the name -- so Atkins-y) -- but I have tried plenty of other products over the years. Iodine comes to mind. Things designed to deal with adrenal fatigue and cortisol issues. A homeopathic appetite suppressant. Super Dieter's Tea. You get the idea.

Great post! Choosing ourselves first and our healthy futures -- what a powerful thing that is. Thanks for the reminder of how lucky I feel to have made this decision, to have had everything line up the way it did and now to be on my way. I can feel my life changing in so many ways. Not just the weight loss but doors opening -- lots of energy and creativity. Have a great day!

I just chugged down a 32 ounce bottle of Water with a splash of cranberry -- and it was cold, too (just finished exercising). My band is tighter in the morning but I can still do this. I'm curious about people's responses here -- whether this is an indication of not being in the Green Zone (which I know I'm not yet -- was supposed to go for a fill this week but postponed due to snow).

There is so much variation -- some have no pre-op at all and others have three weeks, some are shakes plus a meal, others are all-liquid, etc. I think it's important to follow whatever your surgeon's protocol is but also to be an active partner in the process. Mine prescribed two weeks of shakes only (provided by the hospital). When I reviewed the ingredients I couldn't believe the crap in those particular shakes, so I talked to the nutritionist about using other shakes without all the chemicals. Later the surgeon told me he wouldn't use any of those either but that people are used to so much sugar they need something with a lot of artificial substitute in order to stay on. One thing seems to be true of all these diets -- every one agrees that the first few days are brutal but then it gets so much easier. And it's all for a purpose -- there's the excitement building (and also nerves -- nothing like going off food for the emotions to come up, too!). Keep your eyes on the prize and know that you will probably drop a nice little chunk to get you started on your journey.

Yippee! What a milestone -- so happy for you.

Oh sweetie, so sorry to hear this! Anything to do with the ribs can be so painful. And your knee, too. Oh dear. Please know we are all thinking of you and sending very best wishes your way. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

Peace and best wishes your way.....

Hey there, you are banded! Congratulations. Sorry about the gas pain -- some people get relief from a heating pad. Great that you're walking all you can. Tomorrow will be a new day!

Way to go! And congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I'm three months out and SO happy.

Hi Rick, I'm not a veteran but I've been reading through these Dr. Simpson articles as I'm really trying to figure out my mode and going this afternoon to discuss getting another fill, wondering what that will mean, how I should feel, not feel, etc. Jim1967 put this out there on another thread. I've gotten so much out of Simpson's take on how the band works. There are tabs at the top for other articles on fills, etc. that go into a lot of detail: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

So happy for you! Isn't it great to have it over with -- all that anticipation. I was very surprised at how much easier it was than I thought it would be. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and while I was very excited and feeling positive beforehand, I was also pretty nervous. Now at three months+ out I can hardly remember anything about it. I'm with you on the reasons for the preference doctors and insurance companies have for sleeve instead of the band -- it makes me feel lucky to have gotten my band when I did as it may be getting more difficult to find places to do it.

Blue Girly, way to go on the 53 pounds! Next time you're at the store, try to pick up a 50 pound bag of dog food. Yikes. I'm already feeling so much better to be 34 down -- really looking forward to that fifty mark. Have a great day!

I was having a Protein bar once in a while and definitely felt like I was eating a candy bar -- something I'd never have had pre-band. Found Target brand (Market Pantry) has 200 calories and 20 grams of protein or Pure Protein bars but they were setting me off -- the Sucralose makes me feel icky. I think I'm chemically sensitive. So no more bars for me.

A while back some one put up a list of what things weigh and I realized then that I had three 33-pound cinder blocks to lose. I guess I latched on to this because at various times I've had to move cinder blocks around our little farm and they are so damn heavy. The thought of carrying three of them around with me all the time is just crazy. Well, I'm happy to report that I have lost one of them now. That one was on my belly, I think. Quite the chunk! Now two more to put down -- can't wait.

!!!!!!!!! Way to Go !!!!!!!!