mduvall123

Dear Thin Again Jann....Dr. Tersigini in Coos Bay did my lapband and I am 68. My BMI was 42 (higher than yours), but I agree with Denise, that I think he would do it. I had some problems over Christmas (gained about six pounds, but I've lost four of them). I have another fill planned for Jan. 23 and am hopeful that the "sweetspot" will be found. Even though I gained some, I am still down 28 pounds from Oct. 15. And, if I hadn't had the band, I'd have gained many, many pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Now I need to get to the gym or walk or something!!! I'm feeling stiff and awkward...I know it's just getting started and building exercise into a habit. Any 60 bandsters have any thoughts on exercise? I need some motivational stories. Happy New Year to you all!!!! Thanks, marilyn

Hi, ladydi....so happy to get your message. I did get another fill this week and I'm feeling much better....still not as restrictive as I think it should be, but I'm not having that hungry feeling all the time. This will get me through Christmas without worrying so much about gaining everything back. If you say the third time was the trick for you, I hope it will be for me, too. Merry Christmas to you....have a wonderful holiday and let's say that 2008 will be a terrific year for all we "banders". Marilyn

Dear LadyDi, Foxy Grandma and others. Thank you for letting me know that sometimes you don't feel any restriction after the first fill. I think, Lady Di, that you said it took three fills for you until things started to work. It has been a little over a week since my first fill and I can eat anything and nothing gets stuck and I only feel a very, very slight feeling of fullness (usually just in the morning). I called the nurse and she said that they don't like to add saline quite so close to the first one, so I guess I'll eat protein and veggies and stick it out until after Christmas when my next fill is scheduled. I hope it doesn't take too long to get it right. But, I'm encouraged from those of you who say that things are going well. Keep up the good work. Marilyn

Hello Everyone. I had my first fill yesterday and I'm not sure what kind of a "feeling" I should have. I ate breakfast this morning (oatmeal)...it was kind of chunky and I didn't chew real well and I'm not having any problems getting it down. However, I am a little hungry. I'll wait a couple of days and call the doc if I don't feel I have enough restriction. Anyone else out there who had to have more saline added after the first fill? I surely don't want too much added so that I can't get the food down. Since this is my first fill, I'm not quite sure what to expect. Thanks. Marilyn

Hi, Indio Girl and Denise....Yes, sorry, I do have a list of foods, but I wasn't sure how much I could eat. Your telling me that you eat 1-2 cups per meal is helpful. I am so afraid of gaining back the weight I've lost before my first fill (in 2-1/2 weeks). By the way, my doc had me on four weeks of liquid protein, which I've just finished up....so glad to be past that!! Thanks for the information...didn't mean to sound like I didn't know what to eat...I just didn't know how much and how that worked for you. Marilyn

Help!!! I was banded four weeks ago and it will be 2-1/2 weeks until I get my first fill. I am very hungry and am unsure what/how much I can eat until my first fill. What did any of you do during this interim period? I have lost 18# and I don't want to gain any of it back before my fill. Would appreciate any words of wisdom and any menus/foods/amounts you could send me. Thank you so much.

Thanks for your good thoughts and wishes on my surgery tomorrow. I was telling my daughter about artificial knees, hips, etc., and she said she agreed and that people are also getting boob jobs, butt implants, etc., so what's the big deal about a band around the stomach....we are doing this to get and stay healthy!! Marilyn

I have my surgery tomorrow....am scared and excited at the same time. I have told just a few people, because I, too, have found that some people are judgmental...taking the easy way out and putting foreign into your body. However, I had a friend tell me something yesterday that made sense. She said that people are getting knees and hips replaced, they are getting pacemakers and defribilators put in, stints, etc., so why not do something that would help not having to get those things in the first place. Marilyn

I was going to have a colonoscopy the same day as banding; however, the anesthetist wasn't too hot on the idea. He thought I'd be too dehydrated. He said they'd have to do the colonoscopy first and keep my hydrated during the procedure and then move on to the banding, but he said he wouldn't recommend it. My surgeon was going to do both, but, since the anesthetist didn't agree, I've decided to wait to have my colonoscopy in January. Why can't anything be simple? I don't like having to make these medical decisions.

I haven't yet met with the dietician, so I will find out more information then....about clear or creamy soups or whatever. It's strange how some doctors are so strict and others not so much.

Hello Foxy Grandma and you over "60" friends. I am a little "scared" of the liquid part after banding. I have always been so hungry. Even getting ready for a colonoscopy and being on a liquid diet for ONE DAY was so hard. Any encouraging words. Do you just "tough it out" or do you actually get a little less hungry after awhile?

Dear Foxy Grandma....I'm so happy to hear you say that you are no longer consumed with thoughts of what you will eat next. Hunger (either head or stomach...who knows anymore) has been such a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It will be good to not have that. I will be banded Oct. 15. Am a little nervous. It's bad enough to have surgery that one needs, but to have elective surgery somehow just doesn't make a lot of sense...but I'm forging ahead!! Marilyn

Hi, Maggie...I elected not to go the Medicare route because at the Center of Excellence I visited, I was told that it would probably be two years before I would be banded. They take pre-pays first, then insurance and then Medicare. So, I decided to have a local surgeon do the procedure. I didn't want to wait until I was 70 to have this done (and maybe they wouldn't even do it at age 70, I don't know). Let me know your decision. I'm wondering if other hospitals can get you through faster than where I visited. Good luck!!!

Hello Everyone. It is encouraging reading messages from we "oldies". I am 68 and will be banded on October 15. I'm sure I will have lots of questions as time goes by. In the meantime, please continue writing because I enjoy reading about your challenges and triumphs. I enjoyed Jack's comment that we don't feel 60 very long after banding....that's my goal!!! Marilyn

I seem to be the oldest person on the message board. I am 68 years old and will be banded on October 15. Elective surgery is a concern; however, being fat is much more of a risk. This will be a huge life style change for me (as all of us), and I have some trepidation about the liquid diet. I haven't been to the education class yet and I'm sure I'll get more information about it then. I'm just used to eating what and when I want. Is our metabolism a lot slower than the youngsters? Is there anyone out there my age who has a success story to tell?