DynamoMini

Debbie - Wow! They really did a number on your gut when you got the surgery. I am hoping to recover more quickly and get back into my exercise routine. I think I'd eat dog food for a while, just to heal quickly, but then after six weeks I crave crunch. I heard that celery and asparagus are difficult, but oh well, some people are mourning popcorn. We all know it isn't about the food, but how we choose to cope with life. I know I am preaching to the choir, and ME here. I am so glad the pain in your knees has lessened. I am currently really doing the icing, pain killer route and just know that my surgery and subsequent weight loss will help. Best wishes, Michelle

Belle75067 - Dieta, I think body image is a very difficult issue. It has psychological, physical and emotional overlays. I know that when I lose weight I have a difficult time picking out clothes that fit. I also go to the Big Sizes first, put them on, then see I am swimming in fabric. When I put on a smaller size that is snug to my body I feel exposed and uncomfortable. i am hoping this time to work through the body image stuff. I am not sure how, but exercise and working with a trainer in front of a mirror I think is helping. I love the me inside and hope to match it with the me outside. If that makes any sense. Best wishes on your journey - I think this is an important thread to keep writing to.

Hi Scarlett! Welcome. I think this is a great "over 50" thread for me. I agree. My knees aren't working well and the extra 100 pound "backpack" has gotta go. I am having surgery April 16th, so you'll have to let me know how yours goes. I am worried about the healing process, but the weight has to go. Good luck!

Conniesueb - Hi, thanks for the support. I live in Greenwood Village, south of Denver near the Tech Center. I am going to Dr. Kirshenbaum. He's a great surgeon with a supportive program (nutritionist and psychologist for monthly group support). A lot of his patients come in from other places because he has worked a special fee for those that insurance won't cover. I am one of those - BC/BS in Colorado isn't covering any WLS. If I were a lawyer I'd take them on, but I have enough battles of my own. So I will suck it up and pay. I'm worth it. Do many of you in Pueblo have a band? Are you using the web for support? You are doing really well, Connie. Congratulations! I am anxious to get going. I just had my visit with the nutritionist and am planning to get everything ready for pre-op and post-op proteins etc. Be well and my regular email is mich1550@aol.com if you'd like to write to me directly.

Molly aka waterlily1072, I had a similar experience with the mother - daughter going to WW. My mom became competative with me regarding the weight loss. Battlelines drawn, no way, I was going to do it her way, I rebelled through food. Of course, who did I hurt? Me. Even to this day when I told my mom about my plans for surgery I have set these ground rules around her discussing my diet and weight loss, basically she can't. It has given me room to grow, here I am 57, and still she can set off that rebellion trigger. Thank God I am in therapy. Congratulations on your weight loss and continued journey to a life of good health.

I also think that we are an exclusive club. We, over 50, think enough of ourselves and our lives to invest in our healthy future. Good for us!

Dxeln - I had some of the same thoughts, like why couldn't i do this myself, but come to think of it, the band is doing it by myself, too. It is just another step on the road to recovery from obesity. Best wishes,

I marvel at the self-confidence that many of you seem to have. That issue is my downfall. I have always tried too hard to be lovable, when I am naturally easy to love. My boundaries were crap - after lots of therapy and life experience I am of the mind that no one is worth giving up on my self worth to get them to love me. Either it is there or it isn't. I am not inviting or seeking relationships at the moment, I want to lose the weight, adjust to the new body and healthy lifestyle and then if someone wants to share life with me I might let them get close. At this point I am loving myself enough and am not looking for outside confirmation to be worthy. Man, it's taken me years and many pounds to get here. Smiles to all of you. Loving who I am at this moment is the most paradoxical thought to me. But that's where I am at.

I am having surgery this April 16th and I am 57. I am tired of losing the same weight over and over again. The band will help me not regain the weight in a moment of weakness. My doc is very supportive and has wanted me to do this for a year. I have tried so many other diets, yes they work, but I get "distracted" and binge eat once I have broken my perfect record. I think this will work and I like that I am not rerouting anything. I worry somewhat about the healing process, but then considering the diabetes, high blood pressure and somewhat high cholesterol, healing should be the least of my worries. I have asked many about my age and everyone seems to think banding is a great idea with the right attitude and willingness to change eating patterns. This is a great thread. It is good to hear about others in the middle years. Smiles and I hope to be 100 pounds down in a year and a half. I think that will be enough time. If I don't make it, some off is so much better. I am sooooooooooo ready to take this extra backpack I've been carrying around off for good.

DrewsLou - Yep, I hope to see you in May, then I'll be a month post op. Thanks for the protein info. I am really being silly about it, but I want to get my body ready for surgery as I have had healing problems. Keep on skating you rascal,

DrewsLou - I found out that I missed the support group meeting last night. The next one will be April 10th at 6:30. Unfortunately, it is the same night I have mah jong, so I may miss it and opt for the next one in May. I'm sure the groups will be helpful. My meeting with Paula was informative. What type of liquid protein do you use?

Hi Chula - I think the 16th Street Mall is a wonderful idea. There are plays at the Denver Center for the Perfomring Arts, Comedy Works, and restaurants on the mall. I'm not up on clubs, DrewsLou might know more about those. Where are you coming from? What do you like to eat? Will you rent a car? Where are you staying? If it is out in Aurora, then it is a ride into downtown. We now have a light rail system that can take you from Parker Road and I225 into town. Good luck.

Sunny - I haven't attended the support meetings but I imagine I will find out about them tomorrow when I meet with Paula. I am getting psyched. Keep up the good work and let me know when you'll be in town.

I am not banded yet, but have been working out for a year and a half. I try to do cardio (elliptical or treadmill) for 40 minutes now five days a week and work with weights two days. I hardly ever do all that, but mostly always get in four days a week and two half hour sessions with a trainer. I love it when I LEAVE the gym. I look longingly at those who are completed as I walk in, but I have to say that it really gets better, I am loggy when I don't work out. The discipline helps me psychologically and with my eating. I am happy that I have a layer of muscle going into the banding surgery that will help my body adjust to a lighter weight and look better. It really is worth it. Even if I never lost an ounce, working out isn't something that I will ever give up. I started out at three minutes on the elliptical and my heart rate was way up there. This is a place to map progress too.

I am scheduled for surgery April 16th. We could be the April Fools group. I am getting excited.

Thanks for the supportive note. Let me know the next time you are in Denver and we'll get together. I am retired and have time. I have lived here for about 30 years, but grew up in Illinois. I love Denver and am so happy Dr. K is right here. I mean it, let me know when you will be coming out.

Well Sunnysea, You are a month and a couple of weeks ahead of me. Let me keep hearing how things are going. I will be very interested in your progress. I think being busy will help you just get better instead of waiting for a twinge here and there. I meet with the nutritionist tomorrow. I have lots of questions. I will want to really study up on the protein shakes in a week or so. I understand I will have to order them from the internet. Best wishes and happy losing,

Congratulations Sunnysea, Glad you had a great experience. I am scheduled for April 16th with Dr. K and am looking forward to a thinning experience. Let us know how you are doing!

I will be so happy to stop taking the medications that I am on. My blood sugar drops and I feel awful some of the time. I just want to get back to "normal" whatever that is. I'm so glad that banding can really help.

I really don't know yet. I am in the meeting with the nutritionist phase. Let me know what you like, perhaps when I start on liquids then I will try the same proteins. Smiles and have an easy surgery,

Body image is a huge thing, also feeling very exposed after the layers are gone. It is great that you are reaching out to others for support, instead of eating to comfort yourself. Your recent breakup has triggered your worst fears is my guess. Of course you will meet someone who will love you, but first you have to love yourself. The guy is a jerk! Attraction is tricky business. I have seen great looking men with ugly women they think are gorgeous. So you know, it is in the eyes of the beholder. Back to you --- have you noticed that more people are looking at you now that you have lost so much weight? For me, a basically shy person, this is really hard to take. It is easier to blend into the scenery than be on center stage. But, not really. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to look good. So this time I am really concentrating on the concept of I deserve to live a healthy life. I will cope with discomfort (feelings of exposure) by acknowledging the feeling and talking about it. I hope that will help. Keep on journaling and realize the guy is a creep.

Sometimes it is really helpful to think of the little things that will get easier as I lose weight. I can't wait for the time where I don't have to awkwardly bend over to tie my shoe, prop my foot up so I can reach the laces, sit in one special step in my house so I can reach the ties..... but the day I can easily crouch down and just tie away without tremendous loss of breath. Hee...hee... Happy thought. Congrats on losing the extender! No more cutting lines around your bustline either when things are too tight. Good for you and thanks for sharing! :clap2:

It sounds like the doc needs to be more supportive and concerned. It is important that you are able to stay hydrated. Was acid reflux something that happened before banding? Is there another doc you can ask? I hope it gets better soon. Good luck.

i am thrilled to hear that everyone recovered from the surgery so quickly. My problem is usually with the anesthesia, so they must be using good stuff. I got my date - April 16th. I'm scared but psyched!

I am working with Dr. K and will get banded in mid April. I have a vacation to Mexico the end of March and don't want to be healing and unable to swim. I have been very impressed with his method. He explained the surgery in great detail with pics of what he does. A little icky! I liked that he stiches the band to the stomache wall, and seems very competent. I know that all of us heal differently, but I will it my goal to eat healthy and be ready for this. Good luck to everyone!