Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[sunshine531 0]

Oh boy, I'm getting so frustrated! Or maybe just feeling sorry for myself. Surgery was 5/21/08, first fill 7/2 (2/5cc). Have had barely any restriction since day one. I have pb's twice, but I think because I was so hungry and ate to fast. I have no problem taking my handful of medication at one time, have an appetite of a horse, and am losing about 6 oz a week. Is this still "bandster's hell"? I have lost a total of 27 lbs since surg. but last 4 weeks has only been 2 1/2 lbs. I go for my 2nd fill Aug 2. Am I normal? (Boy that is a loaded question isn't it? lol_

Guess I just need some encouragement. Thanks for listening ya'll

[angelshere 0]

Hi Sunshine,

Of course, you are normal! Whatever that is....:thumbup: I also lose slowly and don't feel a lot of restriction. Until you get a good fill, you will be able to eat more. Your weight loss so far is good and you should be proud of that.

One thing they don't tell us before surgery is that you must always make wise food choices and eat the diet your doctor prescribes for you. Yes, I could probably pig out on ice cream or chips, but I haven't and I hope I never will again. I choose to eat a low carb, low calorie diet and it is (slowly) working for me. You have to decide what you want to do and just do it. And be patient. I don't know how much you have left to lose (I have a ton to lose!), but what you have lost is lost for good, due to your band. Us older gals have to work a bit harder to lose the weight, but it will go. I met an 80-something woman at my doctor's support group who had lost over 240 pounds and she looked fabulous (and was a tiny little thing!). It is doable, even for us! Keep up the good work!

Nancy

[sunshine531 0]

Thanks Nancy for the words of encouragement. I stillhave 111 lbs to lose. I have been doing pretty good with the food choices, in fact because I live alone, I tend to eat alot of the "Healthy Choice, or Smart Ones, or Science Diet, or Lean Cuisines once a day, basically for Portion Control. For Breakfast, it's usally 3-4 cups black coffee, and a slice of rye toast and maybe 2 scrambled eggs. dinner time is usually the frozen entree as mentioned above. lunch consists of a turkey, sand and a piece of fresh fruit. But I'm still hungry. I have for Snacks on a couple of occasions, eaten a handful of Wheat Thins with "Laughing Cow Light Cheese" Thats the limit of my cheating so far. But, boy is it ever tough. Am I eating the wrong things? My doctor has not told me how many cal. I should be eating. All he has said is stay away from sugar and carbonated drinks. Some advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Linda

[Great2BThin 5]

I finally lost some weight today!! After my fill 2 weeks ago, I promptly had lost 4 lbs. only to have 3 of them reappear. Those 3 have slowly been taking their time getting back out of here. But today the last of them were gone plus about a half a pound more. So I am at 44.5!! Whew!! thought maybe I was stuck or my scale was broken. LOL

My big plan today is to get a hair cut and grays covered. I am thinking of changing my hairstyle but not sure, I was going to do it at 50 lbs. but my stylist is having a baby in a few weeks and who knows when she'll be back to do it. Plus I've had a few issues with my hair falling out. The nurse assures me this is normal and not as bad as with a bypass patient and that it will stop at about 3 mos. I thought maybe if I got it shorter it wouldn't bug me so much, luckily I have very thick hair.

Anyone else having trouble with their fonts, font size, color and smileys working today?

[Great2BThin 5]

Rugman, thanks for the words of encouragement. You are right, my body does need a chance to catch up, I've put it through a lot of changes in the past month or two.

Dianne, glad you surgery went so well. I kept waiting for the pain to get worse too and it never did. I took one pain pill after being at home and that was the first night as I was sure it was going to get worse.

[jbflorida 1]

Sunshine--try to take the carbs out...no fruit, no Wheat Thins, no rye bread or other bread. Check the carbs on the frozen meals--and anyway, too much salt! I am not saying forever, but for now. Protein first! Fish, chicken, turkey, ground turkey, cheese, eggs... Then, if you have room, some veg.

Nancy and I have the same doc with the same food directions and we've done well. I was banded a week ahead of you and have lost 47. (38 to go) Also, exercise will bump up the metabolism. Give it a try!

Good luck

[JoannMarie 0]

Dianne, welcome back! You sure didn't stay away very long. I'm so glad it went well for you. You are right - you had more than just a few prayers headed your way. Let us know how it goes with the medications you have to take. I've got a couple of supplements that are rather large and have some concerns about them. Esp the fish oil - DH keeps threatening cod liver oil. ugh. He thinks he is so funny. Rest easy, Dianne, and heal.

OREA! You are up next and you are in our prayers for your surgery tomorrow. You have such a great attitude and you are so ready for this. I hope you will be back on-line quickly and letting us know how everything goes. We'll be checking...

Best of luck to both of you!

[Great2BThin 5]

Thanks Nancy for the words of encouragement. I stillhave 111 lbs to lose. I have been doing pretty good with the food choices, in fact because I live alone, I tend to eat alot of the "Healthy Choice, or Smart Ones, or Science Diet, or Lean Cuisines once a day, basically for Portion Control. For breakfast, it's usally 3-4 cups black coffee, and a slice of rye toast and maybe 2 scrambled eggs. dinner time is usually the frozen entree as mentioned above. lunch consists of a turkey, sand and a piece of fresh fruit. But I'm still hungry. I have for Snacks on a couple of occasions, eaten a handful of Wheat Thins with "Laughing Cow Light Cheese" Thats the limit of my cheating so far. But, boy is it ever tough. Am I eating the wrong things? My doctor has not told me how many cal. I should be eating. All he has said is stay away from sugar and carbonated drinks. Some advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Linda

(Yeah the fonts and colors are working for me again)

Sunshine, From the guidelines my dr. office gave me, you are eating too many carbs. I am supposed to have Protein first and that is to be 90% of my meal, then carbs like fruit and veggie type. then maybe some brown rice or whole grain, only if still hungry and only once a day at most. But I do realize every dr. seems to have a different variation of 'the diet'. And I get one cheat a week. Good luck to you in finding what works.

[Katarina 0]

Hi All -

First - can you see my message? I've posted on this 50's thread several times and never got a reply so I wonder if I'm doing something wrong?

Today is my 5th day post banding. Got it on Thursday the 24th. Thursday and Friday both were really fine. Saturday and Sunday seemed to be the sore days. Yesterday I was back at work and although tired made it through the day fine (desk job). Today is even better. I read those posts of people going places 2 days after surgury and I wonder HOW? I must be a weenie... Slow walking - don't lift anything heavy or you feel a pull, etc.

I remember a post many many pages back about the Protein bullets. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe yesterday and got several. Did you folks put them in your Water or drink straight? Use the 42 gm or the 25 gm?

Good luck to all those about to have the surgury and those that have.

Katarina:thumbup:

[Great2BThin 5]

Katarina,

I got the 42 gram Protein bullets. They are 3 oz. but I would have only 1 oz. at a time throughout the day right after surgery. I read (not sure of the validity of it) that you can only absorb so much protien at a time, so I spread it out. Plus at the time I really could only drink about an oz at a time.

[orea15 0]

Hi Katarina! I see you. Welcome! It is very common for the second through fourth days to be more uncomfortable because the nice stuff they gave you at the hospital takes a while to wear off.

I've heard that our kidneys get stressed if we take in too much Protein all at once, so there is another reason to spread it out a bit.

General note: I'm finally starting to feel excited! Tomorrow is going to be like Christmas! -- With a little twist! :biggrin2: I'm down to my last few Optifast shakes, which is cause for celebration on its own, in my book. I can hardly believe it's finally here. It has "only" taken about a year. But at least I put that year to good use.

Orea

[Katarina 0]

Thank you Long and Orea on your response regarding Protein needs. I had not thought of that but it makes perfect sense that your body could only handle so much at a time.

Good luck Orea tomorrow - we'll be thinking of you.

[Maggies 0]

Hi 50s and over. I would love to join you all. I am still waiting for my banding. I should be getting my appt. with the surgeon today, and the surgery in the next month or so. I was actually going to have the gastric bypass and changed my mind because it is to invasive. Any of you have problems with the band? Maggie:cool2:

[JoanieP 2]

Hi 50s and over. I would love to join you all. I am still waiting for my banding. I should be getting my appt. with the surgeon today, and the surgery in the next month or so. I was actually going to have the gastric bypass and changed my mind because it is to invasive. Any of you have problems with the band? Maggie:cool2:

Hi Maggie, :thumbup:

Whatever problems I've had with my band has been minor and was brought on by my own stupidity. I still, after 2 yrs., sometimes forget to eat slower and take small bites, which will lead me to get sick or have some pain for a while until it goes down.

I love my band, and would recommend it to anyone who needs to lose alot of weight.

I wish you the best and hope you get your date soon. Keep in touch!

Joanie :thumbs_up:)

[Maggies 0]

Wow, 2 years with the band. How fast did you lose the weight? I think I will probably be a slow loser due to age and manopause. But that is OK, this turtle will win the race. I have two grandsons, and I will be babysitting the new one who is just two weeks old when my daughter goes back to work, so I need more energy to keep up with a little one. will let you know when I get may date. CAN"T WAIT!!! Maggie:thumbup: