Some advice for pre-bandsters/new bandsters! - Probably a repeat!

Cheri · 07-15-2006, 12:23 PM

Hey! I know this is probably a repeat, but it's something I wish I would have known to do early on in my band journey.

Take your measurements!!!! I'm talking EVERYWHERE - waist (I personally have 3 distinct waistlines...pooch1, pooch2, & navel), upper chest, breast, ribcage, thigh, neck, hips, saddlebags (if you've got them), ankles, wrist, bicep, calf, even your head if you want to!!!

I didn't think to take my measurements before surgery. As a matter of fact, my first set of measurements were done 1 month out and 20ish pounds later! And then, I only measured some areas. I added others in February, and I have just updated my list of measurements again! I really wish I could go back and have all of my important measurements from pre-surgery to the present. Doing the inches lost math is a GREAT motivator, and it gives you another tangible victory besides that dreaded scale!!!

Here's a list of body areas to help you track losses - since we are all different, some of these areas may not be of concern to you:
Neck (center of neck)
Shoulders (around the top of your shoulders)
Upperchest (underarms,above breasts)
Biceps (measure with arm hanging at side)
Forearm (same as above)
Wrist (on wristbone)
Chest (the biggest part of your breast area)
Ribcage (at the bra line)
Above waist (for me, pooch #1)
Waistline (for me, at navel)
Below waist (for me, pooch #2)
Hip (at natural hip)
Saddlebags (around largest area of hips/thighs)
Thigh (thickest part)
Knee
Calf (thickest part)
Ankle

To get an accurate measurement every time, wear as little as possible. I do my measurements in the morning before shower in my birthday suit, but I'm sure undies and a tee would be accurate as well. Hold your measuring tape tight, but not cutting into you. Always conduct measurements on the same side (ie. always left arm, thigh, etc.) ***If you have someone do your measurements, always have them do your measurements. I had my hubby do mine once, and I had measuremts way off from the way I did them, so just stay consistent!!

I try to do mine once a month, but sometimes I forget, and sometimes I do them twice in a week! Hopefully, you can be more consistent than I am!!

Well, I hope this helps someone out there in Bandland!!!!

Best Wishes!
~cheri

NJChick · 07-15-2006, 12:26 PM

OMG Cheri.... that sounds like a lot of work LOLOL !!!

Your right it is a good thing to do when the scale is not moving and you need some reassurance that you are making progress.

I did not take measurements..... *shrug*

Yoda · 07-15-2006, 01:58 PM

That is good advice. I started doing that right from the get go. My husband & I take each other's measurements once a month. We also put on our birthday suits for it!! LOL

We only take the fol: chest, waist, hips, thigh, calf and upper arm (ie. bicep). I agree...it is a GREAT motivator. Since 7 Apr, I have lost 22.5 inches. So, even if I don't lose lbs as much or as fast as I may like, I'm always motivated by the inches peeling off (as is my hubby....who is not banded but who has lost 23 lbs and several inches since I got banded).

LapBandit · 07-16-2006, 12:15 AM

I like that idea...I would throw in to take a "before" shot. Even though I would have HATED a full on photo of myself before surgery I really regret not having it now.

Veggestyle · 08-09-2006, 02:06 PM

Great idea! I was thinking about taking the before photos and obvioulsy the number that is on the scale is looming over me, but I never would have thought to take my measurements! Genious!

kmwwmk · 08-10-2006, 11:14 PM

:help: :help:

PLEASE HELP:
I was banded on August 1st. ( week and two days ago. Tonight I had a huge craving which I stupidly fulfilled: salmon teryaki with white rice. I think I ate about the same or a little more than I did pre-banded. I have such a stomach-ache. I feel soooooo sick. I feel WAY too full and like its NOT subsiding. (I finishes eating at around 8:45pm
I should note that since I was banded, I have had little to no restriction whatsoever.
Does anyone have any tips on how to feel better ASAP instead of waiting for this probably slower than normal digestion? Or why I feel so sick? i know they said rice may not be tolerated. I don't think anything is stuck in stoma or btwn band and rest of stomach.

thank you so much in advance for any and all suggestions.