JoannMarie

Cathy, it's so good to hear from you! We've all been wondering... My date is coming up on Dec 4th - and my surgeon recommended the Realize band - she says her over-65 patients are doing better with it. I had researched a lot and could not find much difference in the literature; I was having a hard time making the decision. I was glad to get the recommendation as it took the decision out of my hands. I trust this surgeon - obviously, or I would not be hopping up on that table. She and her partners do both bands and recommend both - but apparently she prefers the Realize for those of us of the senior persuasion (teehee). I'm glad to hear you are in the sweet spot neighborhood and losing a couple of pounds a week. That would be fine with me! Glad you are back with us!

Apples, I really enjoy your notes. DH was a sales manager with a Minnesota seed corn company in the 70s and 80s. We lived in Danube, MN - little town of 500 or so Norwegian farmers - for a couple of years. We really did enjoy Danube and it's people. We lived facing west on the western-most street in town with nothing but prairie between us and South Dakota. We had just moved in when the first snowfall hit. We could walk on top of the windblown snow up and over our garage roof! The kids loved it! Their own personal sledding hill from the garage roof to the driveway below. It was packed in solid, too - it took major equipment to dig us out! We all have great memories of that nice little town. Thanks for the reminder of the corn harvest.

Sorry that posted twice. My LBTalk is acting strangely tonight...

I am here! I am here! I've been lurking for a few days, enjoying all your messages. It's been getting cold here in northern Missouri, too. We'll have our first hard freeze tonight, but the temps should moderate later in the week and we'll be back up in the 60's, says the weatherman. I am just waiting - 37 days to go as of tomorrow morning. I'm reading a book by a psychologist called The Emotional First Aid Kit, recommended by my band psychologist. It deals specifically with WLS patients. He recommended I buy this book so I have it to read now and refer to later after the surgery. It has really been helpful - lots of suggestions for dealing with head hunger, exercise motivation, dealing with parties and holiday activities, etc. I can see why he wants me to refer to it later - I know when I hit a wall I won't remember the valuable tip I learned last night when I read that paragraph... We are all such creatures of habit and it's really hard to redirect ourselves into new habits. Author says one of the hardest habits to acquire is to exercise. We find lots of excuses to avoid our workouts. It's also the number one most important factor in keeping this weight from coming back. To all of you who are so good about exercising - my hat's off to you. I believe that is going to be one of the most difficult things for me. I have 37 days. I will be on my recumbant bike for 30 minutes in the morning. I will check back with you and report in.

Hi All - I've been around, just lurking for a change. Imagine me with nothing to say... Today/tonight the cold has hit northern Missouri, too. Not the snow, thank goodness, but we'll have our first hard freeze tonight. By Wed the temps will be up in the 60's again for a few days, so I guess winter has not set in quite yet. Apples, I well remember the Minnesota winters. In these parts it freezes then thaws, freezes then thaws, a lot of ice but not much snow; seems like winter is just one long slush. We also don't have a lot of native evergreens in our woods. I miss that deep green color in the winter - woods around here are brown and gray and that gets a little old by January's end. By then we are anxiously awaiting the first redbuds. Our fall colors are still beautiful for another week or so - I am enjoying that. I have 37 days to go as of tomorrow morning. Time is flying by. It's going to fly by anyway - I might as well have something to look forward to! :biggrin:

Hi All - I've been around, just lurking for a change. Imagine me with nothing to say... Today/tonight the cold has hit northern Missouri, too. Not the snow, thank goodness, but we'll have our first hard freeze tonight. By Wed the temps will be up in the 60's again for a few days, so I guess winter has not set in quite yet. Apples, I well remember the Minnesota winters. In these parts it freezes then thaws, freezes then thaws, a lot of ice but not much snow; seems like winter is just one long slush. We also don't have a lot of native evergreens in our woods. I miss that deep green color in the winter - woods around here are brown and gray and that gets a little old by January's end. By then we are anxiously awaiting the first redbuds. Our fall colors are still beautiful for another week or so - I am enjoying that. I have 37 days to go as of tomorrow morning. Time is flying by. It's going to fly by anyway - I might as well have something to look forward to!

Hi All - hope everyone is having a good evening. It turned COLD here in Missouri today - and we'll have our first hard freeze tonight. I'm just trying to stay warm. Colder weather means DECEMBER is NEAR!! It's coming and we will soon be new bandsters going into a new year and a new life! We have had a lot of suggestions for names, and several have already put names on their signature blocks. I am going to list the suggestions that have been made and would like all of you to vote for your favorite. This does not mean that ALL of us have to go by the same name, but it's kinda fun if we do. Here we go... Winter Wonders Holiday Belles (that would be if it's chicks only) December Stars Holiday Hotties December Degrees December Losers Christmas Cougars Santa's Vixens Santa's Stars Any other suggestions are welcome..... My own personal feelings are that we should make sure our name presents a positive image to the banded world. I have put a name on my signature block, but can change it in just a few minutes if the group chooses a different name - no problem. I also want to make sure everyone is comfortable with the choice, so please express your preferences. If I forgot or missed any names suggested, please let me know. I apologize in advance!

Good luck to Don tomorrow! You have certainly had a long wait, but it will be worth it. Lambgram, good luck to you, too. I guess it can't hurt to do the clear liquids the day before your surgery. That is what is recommended by my doctor and the hospital in the instructions I received from them last week. As far as the ticker goes - I had no problem creating the ticker - but never was able to make it copy on my signature page. I sent a note to Alex (chk back on the home page) and he was kind enough to help me out. He was very nice. God bless both of you as you start your journeys...

I did see it, you little HOLIDAY HOTTIE, you!! You are technologically with it! Somehow I managed to change mine, too...

Come'on Carol! You are never too old to be a hottie! Use a little visualization here and see yourself next year at this time. You will have so much more energy, a lot more smiles and laughter in your life, a little bit of wiggle instead of jiggle in your walk! You don't have to be 25 to be a hottie - just the "fire" of a new, confident woman who knows how to reach one of the most important goals of her life. I don't feel much like a hottie right now either, but I know where I'm going, and you will be right there with me!

My friends on this thread are such a source of comfort to me. I thank all of you for that. Clempier, I am reading a book called "The Emotional First Aid Kit," recommended by the psychotherapist I'm seeing for my lapband experience. It is written by a woman who has worked with WLS patients for many years. She has a lot of advice about the "head" issues, preparing your home environment, your support system, emotional eating, self-talk, mental rehearsal - too many topics to list here. Her book is easy to read, and has a lot of good advice/suggestions. As most of us do, I find it helpful to tailor her ideas to my own Christian belief system - self talk that becomes a prayer, mental rehearsal that asks for God's help, etc. Long2BThin and Phyllser (and many others) are such good role models for us, because they are walking the walk, and is being successful. This book is helping me address a lot of issues right now, and I hope it will for you, too. My psych doc suggested I buy this book, as it is one I will want to read now, and refer to later as I face challenges. God bless all of you!

Hi to All, "Patience of a saint??" Rosey, you are a sweetie! I am just limpin' along here like everybody else! It's coming down to the wire, my December friends! Nina and I have 41 days (actually 40 'cause this day will be over soon)! I am receiving lab testing information from the hospital, calls scheduling the last consultation with the surgeon from their office, calls from the coordinator, etc., etc. It seems things are really rolling along now, and it's coming up fast. I don't know whether to be excited or scared. I think I will choose excited. I hope everybody else does, too - because it is what you CHOOSE to feel that will determine how well you do. I think I have to go along with Goose and pick Holiday Hotties as my favorite of the names suggested. I figure I don't have to explain to anyone what a "Hottie" is - and next holiday season we will all be SHOWING everyone what a "hottie" is! Welcome to December, everyone. All of us will be banded people in just a few short weeks!

Janet, it's good to have you back. We have all missed you. I feel like we are all back together now. I hope you are getting along okay. I lost my big brother to cancer last year, and his daughter to cancer in early August this year. It's a tough time...

I am excited for you! I hope you have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery, and will be back to LBTalk to share your story with us soon. You'll be in my thoughts today.:thumbup:

Good luck to both of you. I don't know how you manage to raise your families on that amount of money. DH and I raised 3 kids with his income and I know how tough it can be, but there were 2 of us. You gals are seriously out-numbered! You have my admiration and my prayers.

Hi Denise - Forgive my curiosity, but the "after" part of "life after lapband" is of concern to me and I have been asking people who have reached goal how they are maintaining. You no longer want to lose weight - but how do you balance so you are neither re-gaining or continuing to lose? You are a good person to ask, as you seem to be successful at goal.

Hi Lynn - I am really glad to hear from you. My date is Dec 4, and our ages are within a year of each other. My surgeon is recommending the Realize band for me. Reason given - she is finding her patients over 65 have been doing better with the Realize. I have been trying to research both of the bands, but the websites (of course) each promote their own band. I tried ObesityHelp (their research found them about equal) and the new forums here for information, recommendations, etc., but on the LBTalk forums it seems there is a person who is so adamant about his/her position - which is against Realize - he/she made everybody mad and the conversation deteriorated to no help at all. I hate it when that happens. It is hard for me to understand why some people have to resort to "hate" tactics to prove their point. It only proves they are mean-spirited to me, and makes their point useless. I believe either band is good, follow the rules, be successful. If you have any insights or questions I should be asking, please let me know. Was your surgery covered by Medicare? Pls let me know how that went. I have not heard of issues, but I'm pretty detail-oriented and want to be sure I have crossed the T's and dotted the I's. Thanks for the help!

Hey Lori - cute picture, but the thumbnail was so small I could hardly see you. I could tell you look happy, though. Are you getting past the issues you had after your folks left? I think playing with your daughter makes you happy. Playing with my daughter always give me a lift, too.

Thanks Terilynn. I feel better every time I read of successful surgery with Medicare. I have not heard anything from an actual post-surgery patient that would lead me to believe there might be a problem with Medicare coverage. That's encouraging! Also good to hear they pay for fills - the one question I had forgotten to ask... duh. I love your picture - what a great little family. I bet they keep you just a little busy.

Nina, I think it's a good idea to talk to the psychologist. The one I've been working with wanted to have 3 more meetings with me. He feels everyone going through WLS can use the help in understanding the commitment it takes, as well as tips on how to handle emotional and stress eating. I am glad to be seeing him. Funny - 45 days does sound better than 6 1/2 weeks, doesn't it? I think the big calendar is a great idea - marked off with a big red crayon! I'm down to just an occasional soda - I started to give up that habit several years ago, so I don't see that as a problem. I have been practicing the small bites and chew, chew, chew. That's harder than I thought it would be. All of a sudden DH seems to eat faster than ever - I've always been slower than him. Now he is finished almost before I start! I'll have to retrain him I guess. As far as carbs are concerned, I LOVE THEM! But they have been my enemy for a long time and I will just have to turn my back on them. Fortunately, I love Protein and green and leafy vegies, too. I think I can do this. I'm afraid my issue is going to be exercise... I now have a recumbant bike here at home and will have to get it in gear. We also belong to a gym with a pool, so I'll have a few options, esp as I lose and my knee starts to feel better. It is a matter of DOING it! Good luck - time is flying by!

Sue, you are setting quite an example with your weight loss! Let me know if that tactic works with your daughter. It has not been the best tactic to use on my 3 children - ever! They now know EVERYTHING there is in the world to know... Gotta love 'em. My daughter could use it, too, if her insurance would pay. Let me know how that goes. My arthritic knee leads me to use a cane when shopping - I've been tempted to use it for more than my balance at times. Wonder how it would work in a line of teenagers at Circuit City? Good luck!

Hi Kharadriisa, I have a couple of questions for you. Are you on Medicare because of a disability - and if so, does that disability have anything to do with morbid obesity? (this might be the co-morbidity the surgeon's office says you need) However, the Medicare rules on the their own website state that if you have a BMI over 40 you are eligible. Under 40, you would have to have co-morbidities, such as high BP, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and I believe some others. If your BMI is 42, it sounds to me like you should be covered. Consider calling back and asking to speak with the supervisor about your specific case. My surgeon's office had me go through all the testing, paperwork, psych evaluation, nutritionist, sleep study (for over 65), etc., etc. The coordinator told me they follow every recommendation and guideline Medicare requires, then submit a letter on my behalf. I was unclear whether or not they actually receive an official "approval" from Medicare, but she said if they have followed all the guidelines Medicare will pay. I have had my consultation and been given a date for surgery, so apparently the word is go. I went out to the Medicare website and read what I could find. It seemed pretty cut and dried to me, but I know government-speak can have different interpretations depending on who is interpreting. (that's what worries me about gov-run healthcare!) Check out the MC website and "arm" yourself with whatever information you can get on your own, then talk to the supervisor. Good luck!

I hope everyone is doing okay and not getting too impatient (or nervous) as our date with surgery approaches. Nina - I believe we only have 45 days to go! (yes, I'm down to counting the days...) I have not received the diet plan/liquid diet instructions/etc., yet, but had a call from the surgeon's office last week and they were putting all that paperwork in the mail for me. My surgeon is about 80 miles away, but we keep the mail and the phone lines active. My appointment for the pre-op lab work is the day before Thanksgiving, so I am not sure what my TG meal will be this year. My surgeon told me in our first consultation I would probably have just a week of pre-op liquid diet. Maybe I can squeak by TG with some turkey and green Beans... and that's okay by me. Anybody for "Holiday Hotties?" I would not mind trying to add a name to my signature block. I think Goosefraba had a good idea, seeing as how that name is more gender neutral - "guys can be hotties, too!" Everybody have a good day...

Sue, I'm having some difficulty just finding a Wii and WiiFit - much less at a good price! Seems they come into the store (whichever store) and are gone very quickly. I have not tried on-line, but that might work. I've put this on the Christmas list, hope DH is up to the task! If I do hear of a bargain, I'll let you know.

Hi Roxie - welcome to this group. I have a December 4th date for surgery and I am counting the days (46 today!:biggrin:). I've started a thread on the December 2008 forum - check us out. I think it will be helpful to keep tabs on each other as we walk this road together. Lambgram, welcome to you, too. I hope everything goes well for you with your surgery and you have a speedy recovery. Check in on this thread often. Folks here are very supportive.