Bandista

Hi Manda, good for you listening to your body! And love the bit about the fitness direction. I am pretty sure that is the magic ingredient. Thanks for the reminder that too tight of a band is something I really, really do not want.

Walking really helped me, and the heating pad is a great suggestion -- soothing. I also felt much better after I was able to go to the bathroom. Needed a little help with that even though I didn't take narcotics. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Hi Mandy, just thought I'd mention that some people have trouble with artificial sweeteners triggering hunger. There is research that the brain gets the message that food is on the way. Good luck to you!

Hi there, sounds like you are detoxing. Just think how great you're going to feel when you are stepping on the scale a month from now! I know what you mean about the variation in protocols. Just stick with yours and you'll be good. He relationship with your surgeon is long-term -- aftercare in first year very important. Think of yourself as a team. My pre-op was two weeks liquids then post-op was one day clear, one week full liquids, one week mushies then smooth foods. I worried because I didn't have the clear liquid protocol for a week like some others but I just did what was in the plan provided by my surgeon. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. Keep your eyes in the prize and that prize is a healthy happy you!

I need to take my measurements again -- thanks for the reminder! Three months ago I was in size 18 jeans and now I'm in 14 (same brand). I like that muscular feeling in the back of my thighs from exercising -- the feeling of being toned. And my arms are stronger. I won't be going sleeveless anytime soon (eeek!) but I can see that happening for me this summer if I keep at the weights. Plus I'm so in this for myself now and not caring what others think, etc. that I will just be comfortable in my own skin no matter what. Love that feeling! Good luck with your upcoming surgery and congratulations on this decision for a healthy future!

We went to a fabulous wedding reception last night. There was an amazing array of food and then of course the cutting of the cake. I was handed a lovely slab and stood there with it for about ten minutes before finding a place to put the plate down. I had zero interest in that cake -- I just wasn't hungry. In fact I didn't eat much of anything all evening but did a lot of dancing instead. This really is a lifestyle change and I'm so happy to have the self-control the band is providing. I wasn't denying myself anything but I just didn't want it. This, for me, is huge.

Hi there and welcome! I have learned so much from the people on this forum -- much more than any material from the hospital, etc. I'd say it is important to have excellent after-care -- an aggressive schedule post-op to check in for possible fills, etc. As far as what I didn't expect, I don't think I realized how much this would change how I feel about myself. It's not just the weight loss -- though I am happy with that -- but it turns out the dimming if my appetite has freed me from a kind of despair I was carrying around with me. I used to try so hard to diet, eat well, exercise, etc. but I wasn't getting anywhere. That was wearing me down and now I feel a sort of lightness inside. I like myself so much better now. Good luck to you! Choosing yourself and your healthy future is powerful and exciting -- I am so happy for you!

I take fish oils and found a brand called "Half the Size" and they are just that. I am looking into a liquid form, however, as I worry that the gelatin capsules are too sticky. Don't want to get stuck on fish oil, gack. Good luck to you -- follow your instincts!

Fun!

Hi there, it sounds like you are doing very well. I thought I might be in the green zone but it is a bit elusive -- or maybe it was just a little honeymoon period and I wasn't really there there yet. Today I measured my food and it was more like a cup and a half to satisfy, even eating very slowly and intentionally -- plus I am not really lasting the 4-5 hours without being hungry again. I can make it fine -- I can actually go for a long time without food -- but that's not the point. The idea is to be at that place where a small serving holds me well and I'm not even thinking about food. Or dieting. I really want this to be a lifestyle change, not another diet, and I know I need the right fills for that. But without being too tight. I definitely don't want that. So it's baby steps for me. I am going to watch everything very carefully the next few days then call the surgeon's office this week to see about another fill. I've had five, but I think they are very small fills -- that my surgeon is of the small fills often school of thought, giving the patient time to adjust to various stages in-between each one. Good luck to you! We are getting there. Of course even without being in the green zone I am eating so much less than before, and notably less food-obsessed. That is such a pleasure, the freedom from that. Best wishes with all that is ahead!

I have no post-fill protocol, just a "take it easy." I've been considering going all liquids for a few days here and there. I know some long-term banders do this and it appeals to me. I've been thinking about getting my juicer out. Hmmmm.....maybe this is the weekend to get that together. I can pretend I had another fill and have absolutely no cravings for anything, no desire to eat even when stressed, etc.

Some one mentioned on a thread a while back that seeing a dermatologist may provide some options -- special shampoo, etc.? Skin and hair, so that makes sense. Good luck to you!

Hi there, I am in New Hampshire -- cold here this morning, that's for sure! I started my process last June and am happy to have stumbled on this forum. I've learned more from the people here than from any of the materials provided by the hospital. It's different for every one, it seems, but I went to a mandatory information session then met with a program coordinator, had a psych eval and nutritionist meeting (same day) then at last met with the surgeon and got my date. I was banded November 5th. It's going very well and I am very happy with my decision. Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you're doing -- and fire away with any questions you might have. Every one will answer as best they can. I have found most people here to be very knowledgeable and compassionate. And successful.

"Before a 5K last weekend...." -- who gets to say that? YOU DO! Wow, I am very impressed. And your weight loss is impressive as well, yet the thing that really stands out is how you are not beating yourself up over things anymore. I feel like I am becoming more empowered, too -- that getting the band and getting my appetite under control have given me a new way of treating myself. I am more gentle with myself and I appreciate who I am, how I am. Choosing to have weight loss surgery was such a powerful decision. Yes, it's about the weight, but more than that is the way we have chosen to put ourselves first. Finally. Best wishes to you!

I pour the whey into the dogs' dishes....

Interesting!

Some kind of slip on shoes (I had flip flops) to walk all you can after you wake up, and a robe -- but they probably have them at the hospital. I brought a few tea bags as I I am such a tea person. You will do great!

Wow! This is very exciting and inspirational. Just like YOU! Congratulations and I think you are very wise not to show the outside of your house, etc. as you do not want to have paparazzi calling, or have to hire security staff like Julia Roberts et al. Thank you for sharing your story for all of those people out there and thanks for being our friend here.

Speculating.......what if you've been hovering near the green zone for years but never really quite there....and you've been working hard to lose weight and maintain.....but you are not at the proper fill and if you were (when you are) you will find yourself in a whole other place?

Congratulations on taking this step to turn your life and health around. I'm so happy for you! It is a very powerful thing to choose ourselves first.

I know nothing -- just banded in November. But what about five day pouch test, or a few days juicing, etc.?

I really liked a potato leek soup made by Imagine -- found in the natural foods section of our regular grocery store. Delicious, creamy, satisfying. Comes in a carton. Mix it up with tuna for a casserole when you're at that stage. Good luck and congratulations -- we are turning our lives around!

Anna, you are adorable! Thanks for posting. Catfish, too! I will see what I can do in daylight. Hate idea of photos going out into cyber-space, and of course I'm pre-frantic about photos due to history of overweight and horrendous visual accompaniment.

You've been dealing with a lot -- way to go pulling this all together. I look forward to hearing how the five-day pouch test goes. You are doing great -- keep at it!

So happy for you, khelm, and you, too, Secret. Yippee! It's very exciting tracking with people over time -- the pre-op and now here you both are on the other side. I am three months out and we are all new together. This is going to be our year of healthy change.