Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[luvsrocks 0]

Hi! I'm so glad I found this spot. It is good to have so much support and suggestions. I just received my insurance approval a few days ago so I am now waiting for my pre-o classes (a one day class required by my doc to meet with dietitian, exercise specialist, nurse, coordinator, surgeon, etc. preop testing and set surgery date. ) That is Jan. 30. I am hoping for surgery in mid to late Febuary. It's been a long road but I can nearly see the end.

StLouisGal, congratulations on your surgery date. I've read many of your posts and you have waited & worked so hard on getting the approval and now you have your date! I'm so happy for you!

Jan 30th will be here before you know it!:clap2:

[2bthinagn 3]

I THINK I HAVE FINALLY GOTTEN RESTRICTION! Hoping it lasts.

Thanks to all that answered my plea!

[DonHoll1 0]

Hi everyone. Just popped in to say hello and whine about how hungry i have been getting the last three weeks. I go for a fill next week and boy am I ready. Every time I lose 8 to 10 pounds i get loose and hungry.I guess that is a good thing though, to be losing I mean. Welcome to those who are new and congrats on your bands. Donna

[Sherrylea 0]

I everyone. I am 56 years old, 2 children and 4 grandsons. When my son moved to Wisconsin with his wife & 2 sons it was a rude awakening. Now I am concentrating my time, effort & money into taking care of Grammy (myself). November 4th I quit smoking, December 4th I was banded. So far I have lost a total of 35 lbs. I have been real agressive in my fills. Sometimes going in 2 times a week. I am now at what they call my sweet spot. Life is good. I bought a Bow-Flex and I am working out 3 days per week and 3 days per week on a stationary bicycle. The pounds started to melt off when I started excercising. I can't believe how easy being banded was/is.

[beckymein1021 0]

Sherrylea, you are an inspiration to all of us! You are making it look easy! Good luck and keep up the good work!

-Becky

[IndioGirl55 32]

I everyone. I am 56 years old, 2 children and 4 grandsons. When my son moved to Wisconsin with his wife & 2 sons it was a rude awakening. Now I am concentrating my time, effort & money into taking care of Grammy (myself). November 4th I quit smoking, December 4th I was banded. So far I have lost a total of 35 lbs. I have been real agressive in my fills. Sometimes going in 2 times a week. I am now at what they call my sweet spot. Life is good. I bought a Bow-Flex and I am working out 3 days per week and 3 days per week on a stationary bicycle. The pounds started to melt off when I started excercising. I can't believe how easy being banded was/is.

Welcome Sherrylea - I too find that exercise is the key to my weight loss. Glad to have you on board.

[ekgray 0]

I am 70, was banded on Oct 12, 2007. Have had a 4cc fill. only lost 15 pounds total so far.......what is wrong with me? This is very discouraging. My whole family is watching!!!

ekgray

[shortgal 5]

EKGRAY:

Are you tracking your calories and Protein?

Weight loss is harder as we age and as we age we generally are not chasing after kids and we don't have the heavy household activities we used to.

I totally relate to the feeling of everyone watching you.

You say you have 4cc, but don't say the last time you were filled, maybe you need more?

I would suggest you track your protein and calories for one week and then show it at your next Dr.'s appt.

Good Luck, you can get back on the losing track.

[momlambert 77]

I am 70, was banded on Oct 12, 2007. Have had a 4cc fill. only lost 15 pounds total so far.......what is wrong with me? This is very discouraging. My whole family is watching!!!

ekgray

Hang in there, ekgray. I'm a really slow loser but I'm losing, so that's good. You've lost over a lb. a week and probably don't have adequate restriction so you are doing fine. Do you mean you have a fill in your 4 cc band or that you have a 10 cc band and your first fill was 4 cc?

I use sparkpeople.com to track my food and exercise--it's very helpful. Sometimes those calories really creep up on you. Are you exercising? Lots of people say that is the key. Also, eat Protein first then veggies, fruits, etc. and then carbs if you really want them. One other rule that really helps with feeling full is to not drink with your meals or for two hours afterwards but be sure you get lots of Water in between meals.

I only told my husband and my kids so they are the only ones "watching." That's bad enough. My husband is happy that I am losing. My kids probably expected more but some weren't supportive of my decision so probably think it's just another "diet failure." It's a miserable feeling to feel like you are failing yet again. But you have done something great for yourself and you will succeed--it may be slow but you will succeed!

[Frisky1 0]

Hello Everyone! I will be 50 in April so I thought I'd introduce myself. I live in Colorado, I was banded on Dec 18th, I have 5 kids and 3 grandkids. (4 of those kids are still at home) I haven't begun exercising yet but I'm down 18 lbs. I haven't had a fill yet. I thought I'd wait until I quit losing. For those of you who've been banded awhile, are you able to eat everything? I don't see how anyone can have a full meal eating 1/2 to 1 cup at a meal. I usually eat only one thing per meal. Does everyone have trouble with bread? What do you use in place of bread? (sandwiches)

[C.N. 0]

Yes it is really hard to have a full meal eating 1/2 cup. That's how much I am eating. It usually is 2oz. of Protein and 2oz. of veggie. I am so not used to seeing it on my plate. But, I am satisfied with the amount.

As far as the bread is concerned - I have found a product called petit toasts. They are at Fresh Market here in VA.

They are like really small bread (cracker size) that are really like a cracker.

They work for me.

Good luck in finding out what can work for you.

C.N.

[StLouisGal 1]

A suggestion I read on a web site somewhere was to use a small saucer and an infant feeding spoon to help with Portion Control and bite size. It makes you think you are getting a plate full of food. My kids gave me a collection of pretty little plates and 2 ounce pinch bowls for Christmas so when I get my band (hopefully mid Febuary, I will be ready. I thought it was a good idea.

[Road King 0]

The infant spoon sounds like a good idea. I would think it would also help with eating slow. I'm on my 8th day of Optifast. I have my appointment with my surgeon tomorrow for my surgery on the 24th. 7 days to go, I am ready.

Dianne

[StLouisGal 1]

I'm not looking forward to the pre-op diet :pray2: but if that is what it takes, I'll do it. :thumbs_up:I should get my surgery date on January 30 when I go for pre-op classes and testing. I'm hoping for mid to late Febuary. I am soooo ready.

Take care of yourself and good luck next week.:wink2:

[NM Sunshine 1]

Hello Everyone! I will be 50 in April so I thought I'd introduce myself. I live in Colorado, I was banded on Dec 18th, I have 5 kids and 3 grandkids. (4 of those kids are still at home) I haven't begun exercising yet but I'm down 18 lbs. I haven't had a fill yet. I thought I'd wait until I quit losing. For those of you who've been banded awhile, are you able to eat everything? I don't see how anyone can have a full meal eating 1/2 to 1 cup at a meal. I usually eat only one thing per meal. Does everyone have trouble with bread? What do you use in place of bread? (sandwiches)

My experience has been:

The list of foods you cannot eat will increase after the fills. Yes, I cannot eat bread. Crackers work for me as a bread replacement. I have a hard time with eating food that has a lot of roughage. I peal my apples these days. I find the first few bites of food the most important to chew and chew and chew.

Good Luck