Bandista

Mindfulness: it's where it's at! Great blog -- thanks so much!

Hi there. Here's to Not Worrying -- just knowing that it is all happening. It's all happening. You are in the long game, the one that matters over time -- not the day to day or even month to month but what about one year ago and one year from now. What do those look like?

Here's to courageous women standing up for themselves and LIVING. Best wishes to you -- choose yourself first!

I love the title of this blog as I sometimes feel like I lost part of myself along the way -- or that I'm in there somewhere under the extra weight that of course holds me back. I am so happy for you to have made this big new change in your life and I hope I'm right behind you. Thanks for giving a glimpse of what it's like in early days......I know it's going to be a big project, Project Me. Have fun cuddling with the cutie-pies -- best wishes.

I love the title of this blog as I sometimes feel like I lost part of myself along the way -- or that I'm in there somewhere under the extra weight that of course holds me back. I am so happy for you to have made this big new change in your life and I hope I'm right behind you. Thanks for giving a glimpse of what it's like in early days......I know it's going to be a big project, Project Me. Have fun cuddling with the cutie-pies -- best wishes.

Beautiful post! Thanks so much. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a lovely restful weekend ahead.

Beautiful post! Thanks so much. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a lovely restful weekend ahead.

Very best wishes! A whole new chapter begins.......

Thanks for blogging. I find that writing really helps with my stress load -- the naming what it is in my life helps me see it in a different way and that helps anchor me.
We have a "light heavy bag" (there's an oxymoron for you) in our basement for our teenaged son to pound on. You may be on to something -- that need to release stress hormones. I can only seem to get it with the treadmill on incline and really walking hard, which I can only do when I'm in shape enough -- a vicious circle. So looking forward to the band as a tool for getting weight off so I can exercise. So much release is needed!
Best wishes to you and thanks again.

I love autumn for the feeling of a new start -- must have to do with all the back-to-school energy. What a great time to get banded! You will be able to walk outdoors and by the holidays you'll be well into a good routine. So happy for you! Thanks for keeping us pre-banders posted. Hoping my hospital program gets a move-on so I will be right behind you. Best wishes!

I feel your pain, I truly do. Between being ravenous on the preop diet, and also off my nsaids, I was miserable.and in tremendous pain. But it was all worth it now that I've dropped 86 lbs. and became a good candidate for joint replacement surgery....which I wasn't able to do before losing the weight. I have to have several joints replaced, but after it's all done, I expect to be mobile and in much less pain than I've been dealing with these last two years. Good luck and I know you will do great!

Congratulations!!! I don't think you will be sorry. When I had my surgery they gave really strong pain meds, liquid, which may help with the arthritis.
I had to wash with special cleaner the night before and the morning of the surgery and never heard of the 'q'tip and the belly button. That is a new one.
​I couldn't have caffeine for many months after the surgery. I do limit it though. I am a tea drinker not coffee.
One thing I did not do before the band, take measurements or pictures. That is up to you, though.

I am still pre-band and love reading posts like these. Sounds like you are really doing beautifully and you're right on track. Your body is undergoing a tremendous adjustment -- not just recovery from the surgery but settling into this new mode of lower calorie intake. And it's so great that you can implement will power knowing that it is temporary. That's been the thing, really, an inability to sustain will power over appetite for long enough to lose the weight then maintain the loss. I could always make it a while on a new regime but without the band just couldn't keep it going. One failed attempt after another. So looking forward to this new tool to dim that appetite and allow me to lose weight and home in on my body's signals for hunger. The knowing how to stop. Best wishes to you and thanks for blogging!

i understand how you feel.i chose to tell almost everyone so they could become my accountability partners..but some have chosen to bash me on "if you only had the willpower " line..but that is okay i know they love and care about me..and I have chosen the lapband route because i believe it will work for me..i am 4 days out, hate the shakes but love the preliminary results...but my surgeon said the words that helped me most. He said a lot of people will consider you took the easy route ..but there is nothing easy about this...you have to work to log what you eat, you have to still exercise, you have to do lots of things people who are not banded don't have to do. However, YOU made the decision to change your life and YOU are going to have a better life because your health and your life will be better. CONGRATS on having the courage to change your life..not everyone can! warmly deb

Oh Arlene, you are just too funny. You said you had a wonderful time and still managed to bash the family. You are my kind of gal! L'Shana Tovah my friend. A happy and healthy new year to you.

I am pre-band but from what I've been reading your body in that first month is healing up and many people don't have restriction until the first fill. The tool is placed but needs to be adjusted for you. Don't worry, you're on your way!

Happy two-month Bandiversary! I am still pre-band and can't wait to get there. One of the things I'm really looking forward to is losing enough weight to be able to exercise more comfortably. I know I need the outlet of exercise to help me manage stress (treadmill on incline seems to release those hormones), and I know once that cycle really kicks in then it's such a healthy time for the body. Lose weight = able to exercise = lose more weight = HEALTH! Good luck with everything. I think you're doing great. Two months out is baby steps and you are making great progress. Go Adrienne!

You are bringing up some profound issues here, Kelli -- thanks so much for writing this. I have worries about people liking me better when I'm thinner and that being more "acceptable" is just so screwy it gets my back up. Mis73 thank you for pointing out that this is not a badge of courage but part of a shielding system I've had in place for a long time. I want people to like me/love me how I am, of course, but when it comes time to help me celebrate my newfound health I need to let go of these old hang ups. It's okay to look better even if the real objective is better health. It's okay to be pretty (I have never experienced that feeling and it's hard to write this).
Some one else pointed out somewhere that we all have a role and sometimes there is resistance from within as well as from our families, community etc. to a change in that role -- for whatever that is worth.

I am pre-band but from what I've been reading your body in that first month is healing up and many people don't have restriction until the first fill. The tool is placed but needs to be adjusted for you. Don't worry, you're on your way!

Thank you for this piece. I hear you on the stress -- it's not going away but how we respond to it can change drastically. Being on the outside looking in vs. being whirled up in it and (for me) having to eat to anchor myself in the storm.

Congratulations, yes, you are worth investing in I feel the same way. I still have my original band, soon to be 9 years old!

You are bringing up some profound issues here, Kelli -- thanks so much for writing this. I have worries about people liking me better when I'm thinner and that being more "acceptable" is just so screwy it gets my back up. Mis73 thank you for pointing out that this is not a badge of courage but part of a shielding system I've had in place for a long time. I want people to like me/love me how I am, of course, but when it comes time to help me celebrate my newfound health I need to let go of these old hang ups. It's okay to look better even if the real objective is better health. It's okay to be pretty (I have never experienced that feeling and it's hard to write this).
Some one else pointed out somewhere that we all have a role and sometimes there is resistance from within as well as from our families, community etc. to a change in that role -- for whatever that is worth.

Yippee! Imagine carrying around a bale of hay all the time. Oh, wait -- I have two. Good grief, going to have some ENERGY when I put those thi go down! Congratulations on all the hard work that got you to this place. Yippee!

Please know that you are worthy of all good things. It's so easy to get down on ourselves when we're exhausted. Please be gentle with yourself and take good care -- you are worth it. Thank you for posting. It really helps me to read what others are going through. Life can be so stressful. When I'm able to step back and view things from a distance, sometimes I gain insight.

Please know that you are worthy of all good things. It's so easy to get down on ourselves when we're exhausted. Please be gentle with yourself and take good care -- you are worth it. Thank you for posting. It really helps me to read what others are going through. Life can be so stressful. When I'm able to step back and view things from a distance, sometimes I gain insight.