Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[mominlv13 1]

Mom, how great for you! Congratulations!! Dot

Thanks Dot!!

Fran

xoxo:thumbup:

[mominlv13 1]

Thanks Phyl..xoxo

[April410 0]

hi everyone.....I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for your responses!

I think as one you said, that I was just at a very low point when I wrote my post and of course when one is feeling that way, the negative posts will "speak" to you more strongly than the positive ones......so I think I was just letting all the wrong thoughts into my head.

Believe me when I tell you that I WANT the LapBand....very much so. I guess what I was trying to say is that I am scared.........not of the surgery, but of failure.

I think so many of us have been down the "diet" trail way too many times and have failed over and over again.....I guess I could not help thinking that I would fail again too..........I've done several diets but most recently Weight Watchers. In the past few years I lost 30lbs and gained it back. Lost 50lbs and gained it back. Lost 54lbs and gained it back.........you get the picture.

I know only too well that the real work is done in the head and the LapBand is just a tool. So I guess I was just projecting (negatively) that I would indeed lose the weight again then go back to old habits and gain it back.

Reading your responses really touched my heart. To read about wanting to ride horses or sit on the floor to play with a grandchild really reminds me it is about the simple things in life that others take for granted. Being able to take a walk or climb stairs or even ties your shoelaces without huffing and puffing is surely a bonus!

I am 59.....will be 60 next spring. I have diabetes II, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc......and am really terrified of being in such bad shape that I have to rely on a walker etc......or falling and breaking my hip........or God forbid, getting Alzheimer's like my mother (and I know that things like cholesterol and diabetes etc can contribute to that).

Thank you all again...........You have given me new inspiration and have helped me to stop making excuses and "git 'er done!"

Tomorrow is a new day........I will begin my Protein Shakes for Breakfast and lunch....a healthy dinner.....some salad and fruit. Hopefully in a few weeks I will be at the desired weight for surgery.....so I will be able to do this in January or February.

One of you mentioned about crying before going to the OR.....I can well believe that it must have been with a huge sigh of relief that you finally felt like you had another chance to get to a healthy weight.

I remember leaving my doctor's office (after my insurance turned me down the first time), clutching my medical records in my hands .....and sobbing and wretching when I got to my car! I felt so completely alone........and felt like no-one was going to help me.

But then............I realized...........I am the only one who can help me.

I hope to become a regular contributor here......one of the things I need is to feel connected to others who are going through the same thing. Thanks again to all.

[pj_txlady 0]

Hope you like it. I actually found it was tasteless, so I add losts of Splenda, which makes it palatable for my tastes. It's a fairly dense Cereal (lots of fiber). But it does fill me up, which was the point for me! :-)

Right now I'm eating All-bran yogurt bites...because DD didn't like it. It too works well, but I think it has more actual sugar (I don't need to add much Splenda.)

BTW - Splenda seems to be the most wonderful thing invented except the Band in my book. I love it. Now, I've read that it might not work as well to curb cravings, because the brain expects a sugar load because it's so sweet, then doesn't get it, and craves more...but that was just one study I think. I sure do like the sugar-free fudgsicles, and sugar free foods I wouldn't have touched before because of the artificial sweetener aftertaste, I know can't tell the difference, who it's a good thing in my book.

What is All-Bran yogurt bites? How much Protein?

My sister in law told me that she heard sugar free gum wasn't good to chew either, guess its for the same reason as the Splenda.

Congratulations on your weight loss. You have done great. I enjoyed reading your success story.

[Great2BThin 5]

April, I am so glad you came back and posted again. You sound like you are doing great. I was scared to death that I was going to fail at this just like everything else. After all when that is your only history when it comes to weight loss is losing then regaining, it's hard to believe things can be different. It's one of the main reasons I chose the band vs bypass. I've known people to regain after bypass as they stretch their pouch, with the band, hopefully I can forever keep some restriction. I cried going into the OR as well. It is such an emotional time. Part was fear and part was excitement and saying good bye to the old me. Any change can be scary, even good change. Two days before surgery I had almost completely talked myself out of it. Good luck to you. And keep posting here. I think it is key to staying focused and being successful to have the support of others going through the same things.

[lynnt1215 1]

What is All-Bran yogurt bites? How much Protein?

My sister in law told me that she heard sugar free gum wasn't good to chew either, guess its for the same reason as the Splenda.

Congratulations on your weight loss. You have done great. I enjoyed reading your success story.

I was told no gum since if you swallowed it it may get stuck..

I tried the papya enzyme tablets the other day when I had a small amount of something stuck. It really helped to relive the discon=mfort..

[JoannMarie 0]

April, I am so glad you posted again. Something about your note jumped out at me - the fact that you have stuck with WW and lost a lot of weight on that plan, then gained it back each time. Most of us can stay on a diet long enough to lose the weight. The trouble is we always drift back to old habits once the goal has been accomplished. The difference I see with the band is that - as Long said - you will always have the option of restriction. This tool will always be there to keep you company and help you avoid that drift backwards. As with the weight loss part of this journey - it will not keep you from making bad food choices and working around it. But if you concentrate on making this a lifestyle change (as IndioGirl teaches) you and your band will be able to work together to keep you in a healthy weight range. In all my research and decision-making process, that became the most important factor in my decision. I remember reading how restrictive this process is in terms of amounts of food allowed. The first thought that flashed into my head was - "I don't think I can live with that the rest of my life." It was followed immediately with the second flash, "You are going to have to live with that if you want to be a healthy person at a normal BMI." Exactly what is it I want??? I have already proven (20 or so times) I can lose weight. I have also proven I gain it all back plus more when I return to my old habits. All of a sudden it was a no-brainer. This tool and my personal commitment will help keep me from returning to those old habits. Yes - I am giving something up. But what I am going to gain from all this is my life back. As you said - the simple, every-day joys of playing with my grandchildren, riding a bike with my daughter (who, by the way, is an IRONMAN triathlete! - can you believe that???), and trying on sport shoes without embarrassment (because I can't tie my own shoes!).

We won't fail - we can't fail. The price is too high.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I wrote a long message to April but then lap band talk went down last night and I lost it all.

But mainly I wanted to say that I am sure most or all of us had doubts that the surgery would actually work for us.

We will all be here for you. Sometimes it takes several fills to lose well, so don't get discouraged. It just takes time, even though we would all love to see a huge weight loss right away.

You have come to the right place! We will all support you as you go through this journey with us!

[fluffycat 1]

April,

I can relate to all of those feelings. Part of me--no, most of me truly enjoys food and I don't want to give that up. Hence, the very slow weight loss. I could do better with more commitment and discipline but slow & steady is just what I can live with right now -- the least amount of eating changes & food choices I have to make. That's what is do able for me. It will take me a whole lot longer than most persons on this sight but that's ok too. I am not in a race. It took me years to get to this point anyway so what's the big hurry now. The best part of my banding decision is knowing that the weight WILL NOT come back. I have always said for me to lose weight & keep it off, I would have to have my mouth wired shut or be put on a desert island somewhere. There has to be a reasonable solution that I can live with and that's what the band is to me. But let me just say that even with a small weight loss, the changes are fantastic! My clothes had been tight and now I am actually in a smaller size. There have been so many non scale victories since banding that it just renews my hope each and every day that this can and will work. My efforts since banding have been to relearn old habits such as taking smaller bites, smaller portion sizes, and chewing until liquid consistency. Believe me, I am still in the relearning process. The band does provide restriction--it restricts certain foods and the amount of food. It physically hurts for a few hours each time you fail your band. Sooner or later your brain will catch up and figure it out! The surgery, healing process, etc. is so minimal that it wasn't an issue for me. The issue is believing that the band can and will work. You have to believe and have faith. You can do this!

Sandy

[phyllser 3]

WOW!!

After all this time... 16 mos on Thurs, I am still here every day, several times a day, because of all the encouragement and inspiration here!

Love to read your posts!

April, so glad you came back and posted again! You express yourself so well, and thoughts and feelings we've all experienced! And the up and downs we've all had... WW, Jenny Craig, you name it!

This will work for you! Yes, it does involve lifestyle changes, but we can all do this! Portion Control, healthy choices, exercise!

Fluffycat... I can relate to so much of what you said, too! I am losing very slowly, too. And I know it would probably come off faster if I'd give up my afternoon glass of wine, but I've chosen not to do that.

[Kerry50 0]

:regular_smile:

I was told no gum since if you swallowed it it may get stuck..

I tried the papya enzyme tablets the other day when I had a small amount of something stuck. It really helped to relive the discon=mfort..

where do you get this papya enzyme tablets?As for the gum,thanks I'll remember that. Kerry

[Gypsy girl 0]

Dear April,

I have been down the same road many times. Too many times. I thought about the lap band for 2 years before making my decision. Know what did it? I was in San Francisco on a business trip and our company was going through downsizing. I was waiting for a call from my manager to let me know if I still had my job. It hit me that most of my memories of business trips or family events were based on my weight - how this dress was too tight, how my thighs rubbed......I honestly didn't care about my job at that point, but I did care about myself. SO, I googled the surgeon who operated on 2 of my friends, called her office from SF (I live in Ohio) and set up an appointment.

That was 6 months ago. 4 months ago, my husband and I had a near fatal boating accident. Since the accident, I have become incredibly free from worry because I learned that day that I am not afraid to die. I decided to really live an authentic life. The lap band was my route to it and I knew with everything I have and am that nothing was going to stop me. I also know that I will be and am successful.

I sailed through surgery 2 weeks ago and have lost 15 lbs. It's not all about the weight. I very nearly died and that is so freeing. I decided not to wait for anything and to do this for my happiness. My attitude is gratitude. Gratitude that I called the surgeon, gratitude that the accident was so serious and I learned so much from it and gratitude for this marvelous surgery that changes lives - if we only ask for it and step up to the plate.

You are never alone, April. You will have your surgery and you will be successful at weight loss. And I am just betting that you are going to be successful at all of the wonderful changes that are coming into your life.

My very best to you and stay in touch with this marvelous group of good people who care about each other.

[Apples2 19]

Gypsy...your message is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing. It is amazing that a few words and life experience can change lives. So happy that you and your DH lived through your experience and that you came through it with such a positive attitude towards life.

My moment of realization was one day not being able to walk 50 yards without my heart fluttering and thinking I would drop right there. I, too, made an immediate call to the LB surgeons office to start the ball rolling. I wanted to be around to live these years with my DH and sons.

I wish great success on this journey and many years of happiness with your newly banded stomach!

[Lizalee 1]

Thanks, PJ, and everyone else who replied. I guess I just want those of you out there who may be on the fence or think that you can't have the success that many of us have had to know that we are all just regular people with hopes and dreams just like you...with weaknesses and bad eating habits. If I can do this, YOU can too!

RE: All-bran Yogurt bites - gosh, I don't have the box anymore since it's all gone. But...here's web page. If it doesn't work, do a google search for Kellogg's All bran, and look around - you can find it. The have a link to nutrition info.

Kellogg's=

[lynnt1215 1]

:rolleyes2::regular_smile:

where do you get this papya enzyme tablets?As for the gum,thanks I'll remember that. Kerry

I got a bottle of 90, chewable at GNC, ($2.99)they are in the digestive aid section. I do think they have been halpful for those times I decide to eat that one last bite!!! that I knoiw I should not eat!!