angelshere

Happy Birthday, Don! Don't worry...you will get your band. The waiting will just prepare you for success after you have the band. Nancy

Hi Rosie, Actually, it wasn't that bad, as I usually froze the Optifast shakes so they were the texture of soft ice cream. I drank lots of tea and water and was sooo looking forward to getting my band! I knew that this is my last chance to get healthy and I was anxious to get going! I think the level of my commitment made it easier for me, but I had to wait 6 months for approval from my insurance, so that probably strengthened my resolve, too. I struggle now with head hunger much more than I did then...:smile: Nancy

Hi Don, I have a dear friend who is on Medicare and she had to wait over a year for all the red tape and tests, etc., that Medicare requires. She had a laparascopic bypass July 18 and has lost 56 pounds since then! I spoke with her today and she feels and looks wonderful. She says that in retrospect it was worth the wait and she would go through it again for this new lease on life. I know you will also have happy results, Don, and I encourage you to hang in there! It does and will, get better! Nancy

My doctor has told me not to eat celery and to eat primarily protein. I do focus on protein, but I also eat salads and celery every chance I get! Each day, I try to eat either an Activia yogurt, a Liv-Active cottage cheese, celery or a salad, along with protein. I know it's not 100% protein, as my dear doctor would prefer, but it's necessary for me, at my "advanced" age to remain regular and healthy and feeling good, and still losing weight! Nancy

Hi Rosie, My doctor put me on Optifast for 2 weeks---that shrunk my liver really well for the surgery! Nancy

Congrats to the new bandsters. Phyl and Indio....love reading your posts. You are so inspirational to many of us. I finally lost another pound (thank God!). I've had a cold and the weight loss is going so slow lately....last month, I only lost 1/2 pound! I'm hanging in there and staying with low carb, per my doctor's instructions, but I have to admit, it is sometimes frustrating to lose this slowly. Guess my body just likes hanging on to all this fat! Sooner or later, it has to come off. I am walking several miles a day (at least), and my calories are never over 800, and often under 500. I drink tons of water, except for the past few days, with this cold and sore throat...the water and everything has been hard to get down. Keep up the great work, everyone. Nancy

Jazzey I feel your pain...I've been there and it's so nice when it starts to get better! When I started out, I could barely make it to the mail box (even with a cane). I promised my surgeon I would walk a bit each day, and at first it wasn't much, but I did it, first thing every morning. Once I could get to the mail box and back, the next step was the corner and back. Each day, I pushed it just a tiny bit more. Honey, I weighed 327 pounds when I started this. At 5' 5 1/2" and 58 years old, that was a nightmare! I was banded June 10, and have only lost 46 pounds, but I am 100% better now. You will be, too. Just believe in yourself and take small steps. If you follow your doctor's instructions, this will work for you, too. Good luck! Nancy

I have to say something about exercise. I am the worst about that. I belong to Shapes and love water aerobics, but don't go nearly enough. I do walk every day. I am teaching resource this year, which requires me to walk (a LOT) everyday, back and forth from one end of the school to the other (and our school is 4 buildings long), so that is a lot of good exercise that I need. I should wear a pedometer to track it; the p.e. coach gave all the teachers a pedometer and I always forget to wear mine. I know that any exercise is better than being sedentary (which I was before the band). As for aches and pains and physical problems, I have arthritis (have had it since early childhood), have no knee caps (really! it's bone on bone), have a bad back and before the band, I was barely walking and used an electric scooter to get around at school. I was on 14 meds (also had ridiculously high bp). I am now off all meds and walk just fine (the pain in my knees is tolerable--someday I will have artificial kneecaps put in, when I reach my goal). I feel like a new woman and cannot wait until I reach my goal, but it's probably a year or two off. Nancy

Hi Ellen, You have lost 46 pounds in barely a month and you think that is slow??? Your definition of slow and mine are miles apart! I've only lost 46 pounds and my surgery was June 10! LOL! Congratulations for finally doing something good for yourself. You deserve to be healthy and take the time you need to get there. Your parents, grandchildren and husband will have you around a lot longer if you are healthy and happy. Keep up the good work! Nancy

Liza: You have lost nearly 110 pounds in 4 months? OMIGOSH! That is just awesome! You have got to be so proud of yourself! Just look at yourself in the mirror, try on new clothes and feel good about such an accomplishment! You will lose the rest, but if your body slows down a bit, that is not a bad thing. You don't want to lose so quickly that your skin (and head) can't keep up with all the changes! And I have never weighed less than the weight on my driver's license! That is quite a coup! You have shown that you can do this; now you just have to believe in yourself. What a wonderful example you are for all of us who are trying to get healthy! Nancy

Kathy, you are right about the PB's. But I do think it is entirely my fault. Either the bites are too big or I am not chewing well enough. It always happens on Proteins (ground beef or chicken---one time it was deli roast beef). This is the first time I tried fast food (and it was just a burger, w/o the bun and all the carby stuff---just a few little pieces of lettuce and a slice of tomato), and I thought if I was careful, it would be ok. I do eat at restaurants a lot with friends, but usually have fish or something easy to handle. I am trying to get better at this, really I am! LOL! Indio: I think you are correct. I am not sure if the bite was too large (I doubt that, as it was really small), or if I didn't chew enough (I think that was the culprit), but my goodness, you would think I would learn this lesson, wouldn't you? I am so phobic about deli roast beef that I tossed a bunch of it. However, I did make some roast beef in the crock pot (very, very tender), and it is just fine, as long as I chew well and take small bites. Oh, a lovely NSV: one of the little ones at my school today didn't think my last year's picture (on my ID) was me! I told him it really was, but I was trying to get healthier and had lost some weight. He nodded his head wisely and said, "my mommy is always on a diet, too." These children are so adorable! Next year, I hope to look even less like my ID photo (that I just had taken a few days ago)! Nancy

Welcome Marie! This group has helped me so much; just keep reading and posting. Someone (or several) will always respond to you and it helps sooo much! Speaking of losing slowly....I'm all about that. And lately, I pb every other day. Today I did it on a whopper (just the meat and cheese and lettuce and tomato); I ate about half and didn't feel any chest pressure (that's how I know I've had enough), then the next small bite and I thought I would die! Thank goodness, it came up and I felt 100% better. But until it did, there were massive tears, gasping, pain, yikes! I hate pb's! Each time, I swear I won't let it happen again. It is not the type of thing you want to experience more than once. But, just as I am a slow loser, impatient in my old age and occasionally (LOL!) impulsive, I am doomed to learn things the slow, hard way! Oh, and good news.... Since I am a resource teacher this year, I get to run back and forth through several buildings, many times each day. Hectic, but lots of good exercise and I love it! Maybe I will lose a bit more soon....:wink2: Best to all, Nancy

I agree with several others that this 50's group is the best. I do check out (and occasionally post) on other threads, but this one is my favorite and my primary support group. Thank you all for sharing. I love our acceptance of each other and our support and encouragement for everyone. It's ok to agree to disagree and everyone's opinion counts, but here we all have the same goal: good health. Our common goals and struggles unite us.... Yay 50's group! Nancy

Misty: I think a lot of the size variance depends on where we carry our weight. For dresses, I sometimes need a 24 or 22, to get the top to fit. I also like my clothes loose and my pants fairly baggy (I am a teacher and way conservative in my dress). A dear friend, who carries most of her weight in the middle, gave me some pants to wear that she had "undergrown".....I put them on and they fell off! So I put them in the closet, to give to someone else next time I clean out the clothes that are too big. I thanked her, but didn't tell her how big they were on me, as it was a kind gesture and I didn't want to offend her (it was a friend at work, not a close friend). My size 20 jeans practically fell off, and I am embarassed to wear them anymore. I refuse to buy pants until I can get a 1-digit size (ok, maybe when I can wear 10's I mgith buy a pair). The tops are the big problem for me. Eventually, I hope to have a breast reduction, along with all the other plastic surgery I will need (and at my weight and with 150 pounds to go, there will be a lot of needed p.s.). I can't imagine having a normal, evenly proportioned body. That seems almost an impossible dream. However, I am working on it....:thumbup: I may be 60-something before I get there....:Banane34: Nancy

My dear friend, who is 63, also has Medicare and had to wait "forever" it seemed and they put her through so many hoops, she began to get discouraged. Finally, mid-July, she got her bypass (she had too many medical issues for a band), and has lost about 45 pounds (or more) already! She is thrilled and is doing really well. Just hang in there, if you are still waiting. Do what your doctor tells you, and the procedure will go well and you will be successful and get healthy. Nancy

PJ: I haven't tried popcorn yet. I've been stuck on proteins and it was not fun....guess I am afraid of popcorn, even though I loved it before the band. Sunshine: The sizing thing must just be because all of our bodies are so very different. I carry most of my weight pretty much all over, so it takes a long time for it to show up on me. Then, when I lose more, I tend to keep it (ugh) in my legs and top, which makes the clothing issue difficult, since that is awkward for clothes to fit correctly. I have a few dear friends who carry most of their weight in the middle and when they lose, their dress sizes drop instantly. Also, I see a huge difference in stores, manufacturers and types of clothing. For example: I weigh 281 pounds now. I wear size 20 pants, and 2x tops, but that can vary slightly depending on where I shop. Men's clothing sizes are so much more uniform and understandable than women's sizes, aren't they? Nancy

Hi all, My previous PCP told me "you suffer from obesity and at your age (I was 57 at the time) there is really nothing you can do about it---you are NOT an appropriate candidate for a lap band and I will not assist you in that direction". Needless to say, I quickly found another PCP, did lots of research, followed my doctor and insurance companies rules and June 10 I finally got my band. I struggled to lose every ounce before the band. It didn't matter how perfect I was on a diet, or how much I exercised. If I was lucky, I would lose a pound now and then. Frustrating. Now with the band, I still lose fairly slowly, but it is coming off and it will. As Dr. Rehnke said, does it matter if it takes a year or two or even more? Slow loss is supposed to be better for your skin and your body has time to adjust (I keep telling myself this), but any loss is wonderful. I am now off 14 meds (I had shocking bp before the band, along with arthritis and countless other problems) and feel like a new woman. At this point, I would recommend the band for anyone who struggles with weight issues and has a significant amount to lose; age should not really be an issue here. Good luck everyone! Nancy

PJ: I've had grilled steak and pork chops, but they were not too dry. Grilled chicken is often too dry---when I added a bit of salsa, it was ok. Before the salsa (the day before), the grilled chicken got stuck after a few tiny bites. You will probably be ok with grilled meats, as long as you take tiny bites and chew carefully (and it is not too dry). Long: congrats on the NSV! I love it when clothes get to big, don't you? Speaking of stuck, I got stuck with some shrimp scampi that I made. After a few small bites, I felt this pressure in my chest and it was not gonna happen anymore! So, I have leftovers for today. We'll see if it goes down; if not, I'll just toss it. Getting used to just throwing it away is hard for me, but I am learning. Nancy

My doctor sells them (bariatric vitamins) on his website: Dr. Ernest Rehnke , but I think the texture is too sandy and I take chewable Centrum Silver, too. They are much better in taste and texture (for my tastes, at least). Nancy

Haha! Thanks, Judy! I agree completely. School lunches should be banned from schools. They are terrible...why don't they feed our children healthy food? I always take my water, protein, salad, protein shakes or yogurt. When things get stressful, I have iced coffee, and maybe some cheese or almonds. This is gonna be a good year, both at school and in my quest for good health! Nancy

Oh, Mary, you poor thing! This year I am doing resource, so in between running from class to class, I will also run to the bathroom in between! I hope to get in a lot of exercise this school year! LOL! Nancy

Ooh, the sloshing reminds me... the kids come back Monday and I will then face the teacher's perennial conundrum.....do we drink all the Water we want, knowing that breaks for the bathroom are rare and not often coming, or do we not drink much all day and then try to get in a ton of water after school? Hmmmm..... I try to find a compromise and never pass a bathroom without using it! Sorry if this is TMI for some, but teachers will understand.... Nancy

I agree with you, Charlene. I love the Protein Water. strawberry kiwi is good, too. I drink one every day or two, along with tons of crystal lite and water. ... slosh, slosh....:thumbup: Nancy

Losing my husband in '94 is what made me gain weight. Menopause happened along the way (I think), but I was so busy medicating myself with junk food (and I was grieving, too), that I was oblivious if it even happened. Like Long, I had a hysterectomy and still have my ovaries. As for bread, I haven't tried it yet, as I am afraid of it. I have so much trouble losing anything, even when I am really good, that I fear I would gain weight with bread (or most carbs). Nancy

Gwen, please let me know what happens with you. I don't have purple spots, but I do have a bumpy rash and the pcp told me it was due to my weight. Good luck, Nancy