IndioGirl55

Carol CONGRATULATION !!! I was just cking post and see that you have lost 93lbs in less than 1 yr and you are in the 50 yr old club... That's REALLY GREAT. As you can see by the post above I just had my 1st appt w/dr. In someways it is a little discourging to read the post where people are 6 -9 - 1 yr post op and have only lost a small amount of weight and they say they are following the rules.. It's like why go through all this trouble if the weight isn't going to come off.. I totally understand that it's calories in vs calories out - I think that most of us could be diet doctors cuz we have done them all at one time or another. I am an expert on dieting - its just that I don't follow the rules for long enought so they don't work for me.. Again Congrates!!!

Welcome Beckie - Yes we all have had similar experiences and food brings us comfort and a habit - don't know what to do - oh yea i can eat - I also imho think that it is also a control issue for us - we can't control what goes on around us - but we can control/choose to eat. It's I'll show you kind of attidtute. This doesn't read like i want it to - i wish i could find the right words so I hope you get my drift. It's a habit we need to break and with the help of the Lapband - We can do it... This forum will give you alot of support and knowledge - Good Luck in your journey

Krystal, you are so right about it being harding to stay fat.. I got you beat on the heat 110 + here in so cali in the summer :0)... You can get back on this wagon - I have faith in you - You have that beautiful little girl to take care of.. These boards are addicting - i gotta go work tomorrow and at this rate I'm only going to get 4 1/2 hr sleep... C Ya

Helen - Losing almost 48 lbs 3.5 months and you are 51 and tall - you gotta be looking pretty good there girl!! - Thanks Great!!!! You gotta remember that we aren't kids anymore and can't lose the weight as fast as we did in our 20's 30's. Plus we have had years to screw up our metabolism. These words come from a 52 yr who is only 5'3 244 so I look like a round beach ball next to you :0) ... Give it time you have only 36 to go you are half way there. As to the Pbing - eat slower, chew more. How do you like all this advised from someone who just had their 1st consulation today :0). Well my doctor said i was very well informed about this -(i have bee researching for about 2 yrs on these board - GREAT PLACE TO GET INFO & HELP) As it's been said before, it's a tool not the magic wand that we all are looking for. My best to you

Hi Sheri I have spent the last hr on the phone with linksys trying to get my internet connection back. Then a girlfriend called about my appt (she has bypass) and then my daughter in law called... It's almost 9 and haven't really had a chance to sit, cook or eat ,... Appointment went really well, said i was a good canidate I'm 5'3 244.5 this is my very highest weight . 232 was my highest back in 93. I would be happly at 170/180. I have gotten there before but in about 2 yrs time i put the weight back on. i have to go to 100 doctors before the surgery the cardio, plumnatry, mamogram, pap, colon, sleep apnea, blood , shrink etc doctors... He said getting approved should be no problem with blue cross ca - since my bmi is 43.. the way he talked i could be approved in a weeks time. Gosh it seems like everyone here has had a terrible time getting approved or not covered at all.. Oh yea and he wants me to quit smoking (i am about half a pack a day) I guess his office helps me line up all these doctors - Once all those are done i will be good to go..- he will put me on a diet 2 weeks before to shrink my liver - he asked how long i have been considering this and i told him 2 yrs - and he said i was very knownledgeable about the lapband - THAT THANKS TO ALL THE LADIES HERE and on the other boards. I told him that the internet had a wealth of info on it and thats where i have gathered all my info. He said i would be off work for about a week. So maybe July i will be banded as long as all those doctor appts go ok. All my friends know that if i eat a big lunch or eat sweets i will get very sleepy.. Sugar is a sleeping pill for me I don't even get a rush - You are doing good on your weight loss - and the most important is that you haven't but it back on.. Well it's almost 9:30 and i am hungery havent eaten at all today.. and really don't feel like cooking - glad tomorrows friday at lease is casual day cuz it's suppose to be 105 here tomorrow - Here come the summer 110 + temp days (i live in the desert ) I am going to close for now - will ck w/you tomorrow ... Janet (p.s. couldn't wait to get home and share with you - i like these boards ) my gosh - i tried to post told me i wasn't logged in - thank god i copied this before i refreshed or i would have lost it all... ;(

Just found this tread - Have already been in contact w/Pamela from P.S. since we are about 20 miles apart - I have my 1st appointment w/Dr. Bobbie today - My journey begins :nervous

Hi Cathy - Welcome !!! This is a great group - I really like the over 50 crowd here. We have been there and done that and you really can't pull the wool over our eyes. We have made all the mistakes already and are pretty much grown up (now you see I used the word "pretty much"} Cuz I can still party (every now and then) with the young set.. Yea I probably to have sleep apnea - i wake my self up snoring.. I am 52 (January 29) so Pre-Happy Bday.. I have always carried my weight well - one time went to the diet pill doctor and he thought i weighed less than i did by just looking at me - but the MENOPAUSE thing has just really piled alot more weight in my tummy - don't get me wrong i am fat all over - but this tummy weight is a big pain in the butt. I go to my 1st consulation tomorrow @ 3:30. Talked to my insurance carrier BC ca and they said it was covered as long as it was medically necessary - and at 5'3 240 something (i don't own a scale but my 18's pants are getting tight) high blood pressure - bmi 43 so I think i will qualify - my out of pocket is going to be about $9k - now this is hard part - I am lucky enought to have it - and need to wrap my head around the fact that I am worth it.. Well i really can't say I don't think that I'm not worth it Cuz i do love myself - it's just well i don't know how to say it. I will see the results so I can't say it's not tangible - I REALLY want to shop in the regular clothing - heck even a 14 - i don't expect to get to 120 again - would be happy with 170/180 - I look about 160 (or at least use to when I was younger)... Can't wait for tomorrow to see whats up.. I want to be around for a few more year ... Got to get this 16 grandson grown and i have 2 grandaughters (12 & 3) that i want to be around for too. I want to retire in the next few yrs and be able to do things like walk up hill without dieing. I don't want to be ashamed of how i look. and yes sometime I am. Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow (that's if i can get my computer to connect to the internet - right now I am on my grandson's computer cuz he's not home) Take care alll - talk at you later.... Janet

I have had my gallbladder out (22 yrs ago and this is when the still cut you open) on this board i was told i most likely would be ok - i guess it would depend on what surgeries you have had

Allwright - we have something in common being "Wright" :confused: I am here too cking on what my options are and what to expect. So many stories here I think we can all relate to - as no one execpt an overweight person understands our obsession with food. I don't think about it so much as others do - I don't wake up in the morning thinking about what I can eat today - Its just when i start its hard to stop. Just like that drink for an alcoholic - but the problem is we have to eat - it's getting portion control and eating the "wright" things. Like last night, had to p/u grandkids - got on the computer and was on till 9:30 - went to the kitchen to find something to eat (i hadn't eaten dinner or anything since lunch) Drank 2 cups of cran-grape jucie (light) - looked in the fridge and nothing look good or even sounded good, but i was hunger - so ended up eating about a cup of left over rice a roni - and went to bed. couldn't sleep was still hungery got up and made a pbj (plus 3 tablespoons of pb while i was making the sandwich) ate that and slept like a baby - My whole family are night time eaters - I don't think our Mom ever weened us from the bottle ;0) This board and others out there are really good places to get the info on being banded. Good luck on your journey - you will find your answers - Janet

Yes Momlambert - we just want to wiggle our nose and it be gone - we want to look like we do in our minds eye. Hope you are feeling better. I

Denise I am not much a doctor person - i don't get sick.. I am fine if i out and about - (i am guessing you know how that goes - have a pain in your head and all of a sudden you have a brain tumor) I figure that they will but me through a whole battery of test before the operate on me. I will be her often Thanks Janet

Sheri I really havent dieted since 99 - that the last time i was thin in my book (180) I have just given up. I hate being deprived.. I just want the control you are taking about - i need something to help me stop eating, You can eat bread - so many of the posters say they can't. I am not a big sugar person - but do eat it some - eating sweets at night is what helps me sleep at night - i am not taking about candy bars - but a pbj sandwhich, I over eat veggies - i am a volume eater - on weight watchers i was always about getting the most food for the least amount of calorieis.. I am not a fast food eater - i perfer home cooked food. I am also a nighttime eater. I am going on Thursday - How long have you been banded and how much have you lost - Thanks for your encourgement Janet

Shoregirl - What are you eating?? Ice Cream - I have read that you can eat around the band. Like candy & ice cream. Are you able to eat the same amount of food as you did before the band? I am not banded yet but am looking into it.. This sort of scares me - the diff between banding and bypass is that in bypass you don't absorb the calories as your intestitnal track is shorten. the lapband is just supose to help you feel full faster. Meltini says she can eat pizza - all that i have been reading is that bread (dough) gets stuck. I am just more confused - please an experienced bander please reply. Janet

Tweetygirl I agree with you about the Oprah "there is something wrong deep down inside to make you eat" That's sort of b.s. imho.. Yea i have had issues in my life - but heck who doesn't. I am not going to blame my childhood for my adult life. I think i am pretty normal considering :0). I like food... I like the taste.... The only time i don't eat is if i am worried about something major - like someone dying or if i am out doing something. I eat alot out of boredom... I eat cuz there is nothing better than homemade bean dip with tons of cheese and homemade tortilla chips. i love the way food taste... I feel for me it is about the food. I am on the computer so i am not thinking about food this second, but if i had a bag of cheeto puffs i could eat half of the bag while surfing the internet. I was thin once in my life from about 16 to 25 and i use to make rice a roni on friday nite and eat it all weekend - now adays its only 2 serving in one evening... I think we like food... our metabolizim (sp) is all screwed up. gotta go p/u my granddaughter so will be back latter Janet

Hi Gang - I am 52 - going for my 1st consultation 5/31 - Was reading this board on Friday to see what lapband is like for us 50'er. Read alot of stories that I could identify with - I am scared to go to this appointment - I am afraid of not being able to eat and taking the easy way (i no it's not but - after reading the other post you understand where i am coming from) I am tried all the time I sleep the weekend's away - just don't have the energy to do things and it seem like as soon as i sit on the couch - the next thing i know i am asleep. I am sick of my big fat tummy - that menopause tummy .. Well I am going to keep that appointment - and i had to post to this thread as it is hard to find (so now i will get notices when new post are done). My lunch hour is over (ate 2 bbq ck thighs and could take a nap - eating does that to me) Will ck back to nite to hear all your words of wisdom.. I need them. Janet

Sheri Scared - want to back out... I have been on the 50 yr old board too (can't seem to find it again - but will look some more later) and I guess this is normal - I think i can do it myself and that I am taking the somewhat easy way... I know it's not but you know what i mean. Heck since i have made this decision all i want to do is EAT - i bet i will gain 10 lbs before this is done - Giving up my drug of choice is going to be hard... especially 4 weeks (pre & post op) liquid diet - heck when to i get that great last meal - I have read that this does help with the hunger issue - that instead of eating 10 cookies you can stop at one (this is what i need the control as I am powerless) well i am at work - gotta get back to it... will ck in tonite. Thanks for remembering me - that's very sweet - not everyone here is like you know who Janet

hottytoddy - OH stand for obesity help - it's another site about wls. as you can see by earlier post on this tread wasabubble has some issues with that site and people who come from it. Why I don't know. I have to say that wasabubblebutt is a smart lady - she stands my her opinion like mt everesst - and most things are very black & white with her. (imho) But I can tell you from reading these boards - she seems very knowlegable. Just a little strong and a tad bit abrasive and is someone who very much follows the rules and seems to make the rest of us (me) feel a lttle threaten. I read somewhere that she has had complications (i don't think it was stated what these compleication are from) with her band and is on about 800 caliores a day and has lost 70 lbs in 5 month. She seems very dedicate in her goal to lose weight and i wish her the best But I agree I wish she would lighten up a bit - lwe come here to learn and not to be scholded like we were in school - Before i get my hands slapped = I am not attacking as I do respect Wasabubblebutts wl efforts and the trials & tribuation that she has gone through.

Sher Thanks for the positive words. I am reading and reading everyones post I will keep you posted J

Hi Wade I understand hating exercise - I do too... And being afraid not to be able to eat. Food is my friend and I am afaird to give it up too. I am going for my 1st consultation w/the surgeron on 5/31. I have been going back and forth about doing this for a few yrs - It took a freind of mine to tell me "if this is what you want to do and you think will help - then do it" I am old enough to be your Mom and I have been struggling with my weight all my life - get a few pounds off then in a yr or so gain it back plus some. My biggest problem is portion control. You would think that i grew up not having enough to eat -but that's not the truth. I think it's from my Mom and others wanting to control what i put in my mouth - So once I became an adult - I figured I could eat when, where and how i wanted. (heck all that control made me sneak food as a kid). From what I can gather on these boards is that this will help as a tool but it's not that magic bullett that we all are looking for. It hasn't been invented yet Keep crusing these boards and ask questions - Everyone here is very supportive and helpful - Heck I have already connected with a woman in my area who has just been banded and we are going to get meet and talk on the phone. Most of the people i know have had the bypass surgery - so it's great talking to others who are banded or who want to. Good Luck -

Sher Thanks for the post - I called the Doctor today and have an appt for 5/31 for my 1st consultation. I am excited and scared (heck i cant spell) My fat tummy keeps getting in the way and i have no energy just cleaning the house makes me break out in a sweat. - I am lucky not to have acid reflux - I am just tired all the time ... I want this so that i will feel better and as you know being in your 50's - what's around the corner - i am vain enough to want to look good - but it's not about being 120 - heck with the fat loss and my 52 yr old body - the skin will never bounce back- those days are long gone and i don't mind - i just want to be healthly - I made that 1st step and have called the doctor. I have met one lady on line here who is a bander and lives about 20 miles from me... We only have one doctor locally that does this - so we are talking - I know of other people that this dr did bypass on but no lapband and i want the lap band ---- Thanks for your words and yes i am addicted to this board - it is alot better than the other one i was cruising - i will be asking questions and reading. Will do that ticker thing once i go to the dr. thanks again - take care Janet

Question - I just made my 1st appointment for consulation for the lap band surgery - The person at the Doctors office (Dr. Bobbie - Palm Springs) Once i get approved and come in for my pre-op visit that 2 weeks prior to the surgery there is a $6,000 fee the doctor charges for things not covered by insurance Such as 2 weeks prior he puts you on a liquid diet he supplies the shakes, stupid stuff like a pedometer, food draiy etc - and this includes fills for 5 yr. She just gave me a few of the items - they will give a list when i come in - so with my co-pay that's $9600 bucks - that sort of seems like a rip off the $6,000 for future services. Why wouldn't Doctor Visits be covered by my insurance - why wouldn't fills be covered too since it part of the procedure... Any one have any ideas.....

Thanks - now i know - another question are fills covered by insurance

Thanks Elisabeth - I go 5/31 for my 1st consulation w/the Docter here in the Desert (Palm Springs area) - but I am shocked to find out that he charges $6,000 up front for care that's not covered by insurance - like 2 week prior to surgery liquid diet - he provides the shakes - fills etc (why aren't fills covered by insurance??) I will see what's up then .. Thanks for your help... I really appreciate it.. Most people i know had the rny but i just feel that's too risky. I don't want to loose my hair . I don't know of anyone who is banded but you on these boards. So you guys are my only soucre of info. Thanks Again Janet

Question - I am looking in to getting banded - but had gallbladder surgery 32 yrs ago when they still cut you open to remover your gallbladder - does anyone know if that would interfer with getting banded. Also, what is sliming bping ?? Thanks,

Congrats on getting banded - I go in for my 1st consultation 5/31 - but am shocked to learn that my doctor (the only one here in the Palm Springs Area) charges and additional $6000 up front for after care that's not covered by insurance - that's going to be $9,600 out of pocket for me. Thanks a big number.... I wil go to the 1st visit and see what's up. Again - Prayers to you for a speedy recovery.... Janet