sandi2004

So what is a sensible lunch and dinner? That means different things to different people. I have a few questions to try to help you start "working the tool": 1. Are you drinking with your meals? 2. How much protein are you having in your protein drink for breakfast and how much with lunch and dinner? 3. Are you getting in at least 64 ounces of water/fluids per day (besides the protein drink)? 4. Are you able to get in some exercise? The answers to these questions can help us all help you deal with the part of the hunger that is physical in nature. I'd be happy to help you so you can email or PM or just post.

This is great! I amenjoying seeing everyone's response. In 2004 when I was banded at 55+ there were not a whole lot of us. Apparently that has changed, and change is awesome. No more meds for me, arthritis pain minimized, no physical activity restictions, shopping in the normal size department, playing with my grandkids, riding bikes, swimming, diving, fishing. Just do it! Best move I ever made and we (those 50+) should band together (pun intended) and share our new found health and all of our wow moments. My latest Wow moment was last week, on vacation in Mexico when I realized the robe in the hotel closet not only fit me, but was actually big on me! Anyone else?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! (yes I was shouting) I was almost 56 when I was banded in May of 2004 and have lost 250 pounds and am keeping it off. I had hypertension, sleep apnea, asthma, arthritis- I was fortunate enough not to have yet developed diabetes, but I was certainly headed int he wrong direction at 424 pounds. I now wake up every morning glad to be alive and I am REALLY alive. At 61 years old I am in the best shape of my life. My only regret is not having htis surgery sooner. It saved my life, changed my attitude and opened up a whole new world to me. Please read my success story on this site- or read about my entire journey on my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story If I can do it, so can you. I'm here to help you in any way I can.

Congrats on making a choice to improve your life. Surgery is just around th ecorner. Yes, you have alot of hard work ahead of you, and it is on ongoing process, but you will have a tool to help you get there. The liquid diet before surgery can be difficult so eamil one of us, or post when you are frustrated with it. It will do 2 things for you- 1 is kick start your weight loss and the 2nd is make surgery a little easier for your doctor- These are both good things don't you agree? since you are so close you make find some useful information at my blog including the 7 things I wish I knew before having lapband surgery - you can get to it here: http://sandisbandedliving.com/7-things/ Please let me know if you find this useful

You are so right about the adjustable nature of the band being great, and about how we get to use that adjustability to maximize our performance in this journey of wieeght loss and good health. After losing 250 pounds and maintaining that loss for several years I KNOW I made the right decision. If anyone is deciding on which surgery they want to choose with a high BMI you may want to read my story on my blog as I go into details about how and why I chose lapband over other surgeries as well as my journey to better health. You can find it at: Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Or just post or email any questions you might have. I'd be interested in your feedback.

Hi Alyce: I'm almost 6 years out and "being all that you can be" is a great goal. Exercise is very important to maximizing your weight loss and getting thrown off for a week by being ill is no big deal. Just go back to the gym when you are feeling better. the critical part of mazimizing your success with the band is still working the "tool" for all it can do in regardas to food choices and portion control. I would be happy to be here for you to speak with me about the tips I've learned to enable me to lose 250 lbs and, for the first time in my life, keep it off. Sounds like you are highly motivated, and you are doing well. Reaching out for support from others is a huge step in the right direction. You can email me, or PM or use the forum. I'm here for you.

Thanks- You know where to find me- You are NEVER alone on this journey!

That's funny.I had a similar experience traveling on business in Florida. Was ina meeting with my rings one, went up to the room to finish packing and check out and when I was done only 2 of the 3 rings I wear were on my finger. I back tracked everywhere I had been and left my info with the hotel. The only thing I had not done was open my suitcase and empty everything out. I figured, it was lost or it was in there and the suitcase was best emptied at home in a controlled environment. Yup - the ring had fallen off and was wedged in my suitcase. I immediately took my rings in to be sized down (for the second time)...so all of you new skinnies out there- pay attention so you don't lose something that may be precious to you

Sue: I agree with you - the pain is definitely worth it. Thank goodness our brains are wired to forget pain so that by 3 weeks after PS you are more results oriented than remembering the pain oriented. I was able to tolerate the pain immediately after my lower body lift when the nurse who helped me to the restroom and held my hospital gown closed in the back exclaimed- You havea cute butt! He does such good work! Throuhg my drugged stupor after 11 hours of surgery I knew that I had done the right thing...I also love my flat tummy, my muscled arms and the girls are where they belong now. After all of my hard work I frigured if I could scratch up the money I DESERVED to really enjoy my new body.

Hi - I am 5'6"" and my starting weight was 424lbs so my BMI was 68.4 - almost at 70, but not quite. I have lost down to 175 lbs with the band. My doctor didn't think i would do it, he was trying to encourage me towards bypass, but I refused- I wanted the band. I knew I could make it work. Now, he screens carefully, but does encourage bands for us high bmi patients and there are lots of successes in his practice. I was banded almost 6 years ago, it took 28 months to get the weight off (that's for those of you who are not yet at goal and consider yourself slow losers- you're not- we just have alot of weight to get off). If I had any regrests they would be that I didn't get the band sooner. I love my new life!

Hey Majj- checking in- how's it going? Glad to have a place where I can check in and say my knee hurts and all of you will understand. Have been on a work/vacation in Mexico this week and spent an evening dancing the night away with much younger folks and was sure I would wake up in alot of pain. Even though I am 250 pounds down and exercise every day, my body carried around all of that excess weight for alot of years and it still reminds me. Guess what? No bad pain. My arthritic knee just so of told me it was there, but a barefoot walk on the beach and a swim and that was better. To all of you working on losing your weight and for those of you just beginningyour journey I just want to say that it is worth evry nickel, every bit of hard work to get your life and your health back..My husband still stands back, looks at me, shakes his head and smiles..Just 6 years ago I could barely get myself across the room, let alone on a dance floor for 3 hours! :eek:

Hi Betsy- Doctors seem to have different pre-op diets so call and check back with the office to see if you have the numbers right- or look in any informational material you were given. However, there are protein powders that mix with water just fine and hav zero carbs..I found one that I like- it's called IsoFlex..there are other's- you just need to go to a health food store, a Trader Joe's type market (don't know where you live) or a Vitamin Shoppe or GNC and read the labels...That way you will not need to give up your roasted veggies:laugh: Good luck- when's surgery?

I just wanted to comment and make sure you are weight stable for at least 6 months before you have surgery. it's really important. Once the weight is off everything takes a while to redistribute itself. You will not be doing yourself a favor if you short circuit that process. I had a LBL and then did breasts and arms later and after the LBL it was 6 weeks before I wanted to start light treadmill again and about 8 weeks before I was in the Water swimming laps. It was a little quicker with the arms and breasts - I was walking after 2 weeks locally and on the treadmill by 3 weeks. Swimming was 6 weeks and boy was it weird....But I am full steam ahead now... As far as when I wanted to exercise, by 2 weeks after both sets of procedures I wanted to exercise because I hate sitting still, but I followed the doc's instructions..

Congratulations! You've made the decision now you are acting proactively to assist your success. I'm alot older than you but I'll be happy to help any way I can. You can email me, or send PM's or post on this board with any questions or concerns you have as the process continues. Don't be surprised if very soon you feel a little overwhelmed with information. Just breathe deep and sort through it and write down your questions. You may find some useful information on my blog, specifically the 7 things I wish I knew before having lapband surgery.You can find it at http://sandisbandedliving.com/7-things/ I'd be interested in your feedback

So there's alot of back and forth about what the rules are, and not wanting to be on a diet all the time, and portion control, etc. The common theme here seems to be that: 1. We chose this surgery to lose weight and keep it off 2. We need this tool at a proper adjustment to help us achieve #1 3. We also make the choices about what we put on our plates and int our mouths 4. If we remain accountable to ourselves to eat the foods we choose in portions that will keep us at 1200 calories a day or less we will lose weight, and learn how to keep it off 5. We do not drink while we're eating. Some of us are more open to "rules" than others. It doesn't matter what you call it, portion control, leaving the table when you are satisfied rather than full, choosing good healthy foods MOST of the time, diet or whatever. We have all committed to a lifestyle change pof some sort in order to help this band do its "job". Looks like those of us who follow the rules very closely are able to get the weight off, and fluctuating too far off course doesn't give you the best results. For me, at 424 pounds with lots of medical issues I stuck to my doctor's rules for the 2 years it took me to get the weight off. They included a glass of wine with dinner if I choose to have it, as long as I was aware of the calories and compensated for it. This is not dieting to me, it is learning how to be "normal". Most of the people I know who have always had a healthy weight are selective at times about what they eat. They dont stay "thin" by not paying attention. They also don't consume a half gallon of ice cream or a whole cake like I used to be able to do. It's a process for us, learning how to have a normal relationship with food.

7 Things I Learned About Plastic Surgery I’m Sandi. I was banded almost 6 years ago and have lost 250 lbs. I love Banded Living. Needless to say I was left with a lot of excess skin, so I chose to have plastic surgery, and I’ve been really happy with the results. I’ve had a lower body lift, breast lift and augmentation, and had the batwings under my arms removed. I’m glad I did my homework before surgery. Here are the 7 things, I learned about plastic surgery after weight loss surgery: 1. Interview several doctors 2. Easy access to your surgeon is important for follow up care. 3. Experience with weight loss surgery patients is critical. 4. You must be totally comfortable with this doctor. 5. Let your weight stabilize for at least 6 months before having surgery 6. You want a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 7. Make sure the surgeon uses an accredited facility. If you would like to learn more, check out my blog at Sandi’s Banded Living I’d be interested in your feedback.

I’m Sandi. I was banded almost 6 years ago and have lost 250 lbs. I love Banded Living. Needless to say I was left with a lot of excess skin, so I chose to have plastic surgery, and I’ve been really happy with the results. I’ve had a lower body lift, breast lift and augmentation, and had the batwings under my arms removed. I’m glad I did my homework before surgery. Here are the 7 things, I learned about plastic surgery after weight loss surgery: 1. Interview several doctors 2. Easy access to your surgeon is important for follow up care. 3. Experience with weight loss surgery patients is critical. 4. You must be totally comfortable with this doctor. 5. Let your weight stabilize for at least 6 months before having surgery 6. You want a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 7. Make sure the surgeon uses an accredited facility. If you would like to learn more, check out my blog at Sandi’s Banded Living I’d be interested in your feedback.

There are so many questions tied into your post, let me try to answer some of it for you. First, I paid cash myself and was just as worried as you that I would fail at this, just like I failed at every other attempt to lose weight. But here I am, almost 6 years post banding having lost 250 lbs and maintaing it. I LOVE my new life. Just getting started- the liquid diet immediately before and after and the surgery itself contributes to kick starting your weight loss, especially when we have LOTS to lose (I started at 424 lbs). Then you are almost afraid to take your first bite of soft food, but you do. Just follow the rules of the band and you can do it. it is not easy, it takes effort on your part, but it is certainly worth it, and you can get and keep your weight off. Second, about exercising- at 424 lbs exercise was getting out of bed. I didn't begin anything besides walking a little more (and it really was just a little) until I had lost almost 100 lbs. Then I figured I could do something- and the Water was the only solution since I had a bad knee. I started swimming. First for 5 minutes a day 3 days a week, slowly working up to 15 minutes and finally getting to swimming 7 days a week for 30 minutes to an hour. You are not, even if you are very young and I wasn't, going to be able to exercise hard for an hour or more right at the beginning. Nor will you find th emotivation to do uch. it's kind of a why bother thing, right? I should do this and I should do that.....Let me tell you, Once the weight starts coming off and you realize it is actually happenning you suddenly start feeling better about yourself and want to do good things for yourself- good things that DO NOT include food rewards.LOL.......Stop beating yourself up and start thinking about the first day of the rest of your life- If you want to read more about my story of the trials and tribulations of losing 250 lbs go check out my blog at : Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story I'd be interested in your feedback

Hi all: It's Sandi and I'm currently on vacation and really getting to enjoy my new life. I just realized that the beautiful robe in the hotel room closet actually fits me, and I can walk on the beach FOREVER. This just gets more rewarding day in and day out, even though I still struggle daily with food choices- especially on vacation away from my regular routine. I have my husband "trained' to allow me to order an appetizer for dinner (like shrimp cocktail or tuna tartare or ceviche), but when I am done and there is still food on the plate- delicious food that I didn't have to prepare- I have an argument with myself and either give it to my husband, or have to do something to "ruin" it so that I will stop eating. It's amazing that the need to "finish everything on my plate" has not yet gone away after almost 6 years of working with this tool. I guess it is first, foremost, and always about portion control and choices. I'd be interested in other opinions.

Sounds like that's why we are all here and if we count on each other and reach out to each other we will all be successful on our journey of Banded Living..I am currently on vacation, and even over 5 years after being banded I still have Wow moments- I can just open the closet at a hotel and put on the robe that's been left inside and IT FITS! Find silly little things that are in fact huge achievements and encourage yourself with them. Email, call, write, just stay in touch with supportive people and it will help. go to support group if there is one you can get to. I still attend, and I still elarn things. I figure it took me 56 years to get to 424 pounds, 28 months to get down to 175 and now the rest of my life to stay there!

I'm glad you are making an appointment with a therapist. That's a great step to take, and certainly tells me that you are serious about getting a hnadle on this weight issue. You are not "needy" just because you're asking for support. This weight thing is something most of us have been fighting with all of our lives, and if we could do it by ourselves we certainly would have by now! You are SMART for reaching out for help. I'd be more than happy to offer any support and encouragement that I could. I know how hard this journey is- I made it, and almost 6 years later I am still on it. It is a struggle every day. Just because I hit a somewhat normal weight does't mean I don't have to think about what I eat, how often I exercise and make important choices about this daily. And, sometimes, I don't make the best choice for me. However, what I have learned to do, is not give up, but rather say something ot myself like" what's done is done- your next choice will be better" and then plan carefully for the next meals. If it's really difficult to be making those good choices I start back at square one- eating dense Protein, and vegetables and writing down everything I eat and drink. Boy, that really helps me be accountable to myself. And then, I reach out to my buddy/mentor and am accountable to her as well as myself. all this helps me. If you would like to try and write down everything you eat and email it to me daily for a week and see if that helps you "kick start" a rebooting effort I'll be glad to receieve your emails. Another thing, while you're writing down everythin, include your feelings. That sometimes helps you pinpoint what is going on whenyou look back at it. You may find some useful information on my blog, or on my buddy/mentor's blog...If you like, take a look at: Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Let me know if it was helpful, and stay in touch.

You are doing the right thing by reaching out. If we could do it with diet and exercise we would have! I'm here for you. You have reasonable goals and with lifestyle changes and support you will achieve them- surgery is a bit scary- can I suggest you take a look at my blog so you can see what I felt like before surgery and download the "7things I wish I knew before having lapband surgery" for some tips and tools to use- here is a summary of the 7 things: · Number 1 · With a band, everything we have always known about how to lose weight finally works. · Number 2 · Finding the right surgeon is even more important than I realized. · Number 3 · Don’t underestimate the adjustable nature of the band. · Number 4 · You can eat a wide variety of the foods you love with a band. · Number 5 · This life-changing decision really impacts spouses, partners, and those close to you. · Number 6 Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful and finally Number 7 If you do decide to have a band, prepare for surgery You can find the blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Good luck!

Just so all of you know what "normal" is for me after just short of six years - I just got back from a week's vacation and each and every day at this all inclusive resort I had to make choices - breakfast from the buffett- donuts, sweet rolls, eggs, bacon, fruit juice, smoothies, granola, hot chocolate, all of the above, none of the above- the same for lunch, the same for dinner- too much food, ll the liquor I could drink, and too many choices. bottom line- IT WAS HARD! I worked every meal at making good healthful, but tasty choices and left the table after each meal satisfied. I did have a glass or two of wine with dinner, but kept breakfasts to egg white omlettes to balance, and, because it is almost sacriligious not to, I did have one frozen rum drink - I hated it, too sweet! It is interesting to me, that as my daily choices become more and more part of my life, I can avoid some (notice some- not all) of what would have previously been weak points for me. Moral of the story - it is all doable! We cn enjoy food without eating everything in sight and maintain a normal weight!

OK - you ask a whole bunch of loaded questions. First and foremost, everyone is different. There is no formula for how much the excess skin that you have removed is going to weigh. I lost 236 lbs, was weight stable for about a year before I had surgery, my weight kept redistributing itself and I kept changing my mind about PS (I was chicken) and when I finally had my LBL (which was a circumferential lift and does not really include legs- just a little outer thigh work) done my surgeon removed 14 pounds of excess tissue. My friend who lost about 80+ lbs had about 9 lbs of excess tissue removed. So, as you see, no formula. Your best bet si to have your first PS consult after you have held your weight stable for about 6 months, no less. It is critical to wait that 6 month period once you have achieved weight stability. If you want to learn more about the process I went through go to my blog post at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story or just ask me directly.

Great resource. Thanks for sharing ! Sandi