Bandista

I know what you mean, Liz -- I can get grossed out watching people eat. Sometimes, well, sometimes it's just not pretty. In the old days I didn't notice because I was too busy focusing on my own food, which is a good reminder for me that people are not really paying attention to what I'm eating/not eating/doing. I can do what I want! Today we were out to lunch and I ordered a tuna burger with no bun. I didn't realize were were getting a complimentary appetizer so by the time my entree came I had no appetite. Instead of taking a stab at it I just left it whole to bring home. Newsflash, I don't have to worry about offending the waitress, my dining companion or any one else. I can do what I want! And what I want is to stop when I'm satisfied. Yay!

GREAT piece, Alex, and needed -- so many questions out there about Protein. Personally, my body just tells me. It whispers, "salmon" or I suddenly feel like I've got to have a fried egg. So I listen up and enjoy my Protein in food form.

Or little envelope upper right corner of ipad.....

Chili is such a versatile food -- I love turkey chili with black Beans, lots of fresh garlic, etc. There is "white" chili with cannellini and chicken, some people put cheese in that, cilantro if you like it, regular chili with kidney Beans and beef or turkey, or veggie chili. Etc., etc.
Beans are great. The other day I opened a can of garbanzo beans, put some spices and a little olive oil on them and ate them with a tiny spoon. Had a small bowl then later I had the rest.
Lentils, too -- yum. Those I do on the stovetop with chicken stock. First I saute onions then add in spices -- we like turmeric and other curry-type spices in lentils -- let the onions pick up the flavor of the spices and then add the lentils (rinsed), cover with chicken or any other kind of stock and let simmer. Maybe 20 minutes? At the end I add some raisins. The sweetness of those with the curry and onion flavor is quite delicious. Every one raves about this when I serve it at a party.

Chili is such a versatile food -- I love turkey chili with black Beans, lots of fresh garlic, etc. There is "white" chili with cannellini and chicken, some people put cheese in that, cilantro if you like it, regular chili with kidney Beans and beef or turkey, or veggie chili. Etc., etc.
Beans are great. The other day I opened a can of garbanzo beans, put some spices and a little olive oil on them and ate them with a tiny spoon. Had a small bowl then later I had the rest.
Lentils, too -- yum. Those I do on the stovetop with chicken stock. First I saute onions then add in spices -- we like turmeric and other curry-type spices in lentils -- let the onions pick up the flavor of the spices and then add the lentils (rinsed), cover with chicken or any other kind of stock and let simmer. Maybe 20 minutes? At the end I add some raisins. The sweetness of those with the curry and onion flavor is quite delicious. Every one raves about this when I serve it at a party.

Chili is such a versatile food -- I love turkey chili with black Beans, lots of fresh garlic, etc. There is "white" chili with cannellini and chicken, some people put cheese in that, cilantro if you like it, regular chili with kidney Beans and beef or turkey, or veggie chili. Etc., etc.
Beans are great. The other day I opened a can of garbanzo beans, put some spices and a little olive oil on them and ate them with a tiny spoon. Had a small bowl then later I had the rest.
Lentils, too -- yum. Those I do on the stovetop with chicken stock. First I saute onions then add in spices -- we like turmeric and other curry-type spices in lentils -- let the onions pick up the flavor of the spices and then add the lentils (rinsed), cover with chicken or any other kind of stock and let simmer. Maybe 20 minutes? At the end I add some raisins. The sweetness of those with the curry and onion flavor is quite delicious. Every one raves about this when I serve it at a party.

Hi there,
I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body.
I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times.
Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst.
I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward.
food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin.
Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

Hi there,
I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body.
I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times.
Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst.
I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward.
food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin.
Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

Hi there,
I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body.
I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times.
Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst.
I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward.
food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin.
Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

Hi there,
I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body.
I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times.
Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst.
I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward.
food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin.
Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

Hi there,
I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body.
I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times.
Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst.
I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward.
food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin.
Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

This is fantastic! Thanks so much for re-posting. I have not been on here as long but I sure am glad I found Lapband Talk that year or so before it combined into Bariatric Pal. I got so much great support from those who went before me.

Hi there @@rosemarie
chicken is one of those foods that many have trouble with -- too fibrous, I think. At home I cook thighs down in stock to soften and that is very delicious. The band is all about chewing, chewing, chewing. I still have issues with a lifetime of eating too quickly, especially if I am distracted. That's the main thing, for me, the awareness and really paying attention to what I am eating.
I love my band!

Hi there @@rosemarie
chicken is one of those foods that many have trouble with -- too fibrous, I think. At home I cook thighs down in stock to soften and that is very delicious. The band is all about chewing, chewing, chewing. I still have issues with a lifetime of eating too quickly, especially if I am distracted. That's the main thing, for me, the awareness and really paying attention to what I am eating.
I love my band!

I don't know but I can vouch for the morning tightness. One thing I do know is that I don't eat Breakfast now and I'm very happy with that. All those years of trying to make Breakfast the most important meal of the day, blah, blah, blah -- now I just enjoy my tea and eat later, when I'm actually hungry. Those are the rules for myself -- to eat when I'm hungry and not eat if I'm not hungry. The first is harder for me, after all those years of dieting and restriction.

I don't know but I can vouch for the morning tightness. One thing I do know is that I don't eat Breakfast now and I'm very happy with that. All those years of trying to make Breakfast the most important meal of the day, blah, blah, blah -- now I just enjoy my tea and eat later, when I'm actually hungry. Those are the rules for myself -- to eat when I'm hungry and not eat if I'm not hungry. The first is harder for me, after all those years of dieting and restriction.

I don't know but I can vouch for the morning tightness. One thing I do know is that I don't eat Breakfast now and I'm very happy with that. All those years of trying to make Breakfast the most important meal of the day, blah, blah, blah -- now I just enjoy my tea and eat later, when I'm actually hungry. Those are the rules for myself -- to eat when I'm hungry and not eat if I'm not hungry. The first is harder for me, after all those years of dieting and restriction.

@@Treadmillwalker congratulations on choosing weight loss surgery and choosing yourself -- I love my band. It's been three years and no issues beyond my own behavioral ones (eating too fast, that sort of thing).
Happy Holidays every one! We have snow on the ground and it's starting to look a lot like Christmas.....

@@Treadmillwalker congratulations on choosing weight loss surgery and choosing yourself -- I love my band. It's been three years and no issues beyond my own behavioral ones (eating too fast, that sort of thing).
Happy Holidays every one! We have snow on the ground and it's starting to look a lot like Christmas.....

@@Treadmillwalker congratulations on choosing weight loss surgery and choosing yourself -- I love my band. It's been three years and no issues beyond my own behavioral ones (eating too fast, that sort of thing).
Happy Holidays every one! We have snow on the ground and it's starting to look a lot like Christmas.....

Hi, I stumbled across this post. I just had surgery in October (lap band and love it), and I would like to participate. Please add me if this is open to newbies too.

Well great....'cause that's what we are on this thread. Friends.
So you know....I've had zero issues with the band. I've gotten stuck a few times, had sliming/productive burping, all that fun stuff....but no GERD, slippage, erosion...all the stuff they talk about. I'm not saying it's because I follow the rules...but truth is...I follow the rules... I know folks on the boards, and in my real life who eat and drink around the band. Some of them have issues...and many of them gain the weight back.
I'm almost four years out and I can tell you....just like any other weight loss plan we follow...maintenance is the hardest part. Every day, I have to make choices. The band does not stop me from eating poorly nor does is always stop me from overeating. I have to avoid temptation same as I always tried. Most of the time, I do fine. Sometimes..I do not. As long as I make the right choice most of the time, I'm good.

@@gowalking - Thanks Liz for the welcome. At this time I don't have any questions. I'm early in my journey. I am wanting to connect with others who have the band. I notice a lot of folks appear to have negative opinions about the band. I did a lot of research, went through a bariatric center of excellence, and have a surgeon who has performed all types of WLS for many years. I'm happy with my decision and doing well. Just looking for friends.
Banded 10/12/16

Got a fill. Now I have 1.5 in a maximum of 4 band. It is an antique from 10 years ago but still works!! I am thankful

Speaking of vacations...here's my itinerary (courtesy of my sister the travel agent in training..lol) for our Scandinavia trip of a lifetime we're taking this spring. Couldn't have even dreamt of this before WLS.
Arrive in Amsterdam 5/18 am. 5/19 – cruise departs Amsterdam at 5pm 5/20 – at sea 5/21 – Oslo, Norway 5/22 & 23 – Copenhagen, Denmark 5/24 – Warnemunde, Germany (port town w/ access to Berlin) 5/25 – at sea 5/26 – Helsinki, Finland 5/27, 28 & 29 – St. Petersburg, Russia 5/30 – Tallinn, Estonia 5/31 & 6/1 – Stockholm, Sweden 6/2 – Reykjavik, Iceland 6/3 – Depart 10:30am for home.