New 60+ Thread

[MaryD 0]

I will be banded in August - no date yet, but I turn 62 on the 13th. This is quite a present!

[Doddie63 6]

Congratulations. Keep posting as you will have questions that we may be able to help. Also, my BD is the 12th, we Leos should stick together LOL

[SueFromMichigan 1]

Carlene, I know where you're coming from. Being 67, I was raised by parents who went through the depression. Then we had six children and little income. So frugality is a way of life for me. I got my band just 2 months ago and I can't stand to just throw away the food we had in the house (and freezer). Especially when many of the low-fat, low sugar items now in the stores are so much more expensive than their regular counterparts. I break down and splurge on a few each week, gradually trying to use things up and replace them with healthier alternatives, but it is a slow process.

By the same token, I find I have trouble not finishing my food. I can't just push it away and discard it. I have had some success saving it for later and making the leftovers my snack a few hours later.

My DH is not dieting and still wants some sweets in the house. But I am able to keep my hands off of them as long as I drink plenty of our half-strength Crystal Light type beverage. It seems to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Like you, I don't feel restricted at all. And I'm not sure I recognize being full - at least I never get uncomfortable. I never did really eat because I was hungry - I ate because the food tasted good. So now I have to just stop eating after having what should be an adequate amount.

I was in to my doctor last week, expecting a fill. He had previously put 5 cc in my band. This time he pulled out what was there and said there was only 4 cc and he put 5 back in. So he said I should feel a difference and to call him in a week if I didn't. Well, I feel no change, so I will be calling.

[JoannMarie 0]

Carlene, I know where you're coming from. Being 67, I was raised by parents who went through the depression. Then we had six children and little income. So frugality is a way of life for me. I got my band just 2 months ago and I can't stand to just throw away the food we had in the house (and freezer). Especially when many of the low-fat, low sugar items now in the stores are so much more expensive than their regular counterparts. I break down and splurge on a few each week, gradually trying to use things up and replace them with healthier alternatives, but it is a slow process.

By the same token, I find I have trouble not finishing my food. I can't just push it away and discard it. I have had some success saving it for later and making the leftovers my snack a few hours later.

My DH is not dieting and still wants some sweets in the house. But I am able to keep my hands off of them as long as I drink plenty of our half-strength Crystal Light type beverage. It seems to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Like you, I don't feel restricted at all. And I'm not sure I recognize being full - at least I never get uncomfortable. I never did really eat because I was hungry - I ate because the food tasted good. So now I have to just stop eating after having what should be an adequate amount.

I was in to my doctor last week, expecting a fill. He had previously put 5 cc in my band. This time he pulled out what was there and said there was only 4 cc and he put 5 back in. So he said I should feel a difference and to call him in a week if I didn't. Well, I feel no change, so I will be calling.

Hi Sue,

I noticed that you have lost 30 pounds since banding 2 months ago. WOW! I think you have a lot to feel good about and you have been doing great! Maybe now you are just getting into the long-haul syndrome.

I am still waiting for banding so I can't speak from the banding experience, but I'm going to suggest a couple of things I've read from other very successful bandsters. All of these I've read about keep track of food consumed and activity during the day. Just to prepare myself for this life change I have gone to Fitday.com and begun to track my food and activity on a daily basis. (the first day I was shocked at how much I had eaten!) This has helped me look at where I could make changes that would help me maintain, and maybe lose some, before banding. Also, many diet programs and successful bandsters suggest weighing or measuring your food with a good diet scale and eating from a smaller plate. This way you know exactly what you are eating, and can control what goes onto your plate - you won't have to push away good food.

I don't know how your banding was paid for, but no matter how, it was a major investment in your health and well-being. Eliminating tempting foods from your house and purchasing more healthy alternatives may actually be more cost effective than what you are doing. You might consider donating to a local food bank rather than throwing the food away.

Like I said, I am not speaking as a banded person, but I have been on just about every diet known to man, and most of them make the same suggestions for success in losing weight and keeping it off. Shame on me I did not follow through as I should have on any one of those many diets in the past. I now see that this journey is a life-long journey, and I'm now doing those things I should have been doing all along. "Too soon old, to late smart...":blush:

Hugs,

Edited July 20, 2008 by JoannMarie

[phyllser 3]

Hi Sue,

I noticed that you have lost 30 pounds since banding 2 months ago. WOW! I think you have a lot to feel good about and you have been doing great! Maybe now you are just getting into the long-haul syndrome.

I am still waiting for banding so I can't speak from the banding experience, but I'm going to suggest a couple of things I've read from other very successful bandsters. All of these I've read about keep track of food consumed and activity during the day. Just to prepare myself for this life change I have gone to Fitday.com and begun to track my food and activity on a daily basis. (the first day I was shocked at how much I had eaten!) This has helped me look at where I could make changes that would help me maintain, and maybe lose some, before banding. Also, many diet programs and successful bandsters suggest weighing or measuring your food with a good diet scale and eating from a smaller plate. This way you know exactly what you are eating, and can control what goes onto your plate - you won't have to push away good food.

I don't know how your banding was paid for, but no matter how, it was a major investment in your health and well-being. Eliminating tempting foods from your house and purchasing more healthy alternatives may actually be more cost effective than what you are doing. You might consider donating to a local food bank rather than throwing the food away.

Like I said, I am not speaking as a banded person, but I have been on just about every diet known to man, and most of them make the same suggestions for success in losing weight and keeping it off. Shame on me I did not follow through as I should have on any one of those many diets in the past. I now see that this journey is a life-long journey, and I'm now doing those things I should have been doing all along. "Too soon old, to late smart...":blush:Hugs,

Good advice, Joann!!

You're talkin' like a bandster pro!!

[carlene2008 0]

Carlene, I know where you're coming from. Being 67, I was raised by parents who went through the depression. Then we had six children and little income. So frugality is a way of life for me. I got my band just 2 months ago and I can't stand to just throw away the food we had in the house (and freezer). Especially when many of the low-fat, low sugar items now in the stores are so much more expensive than their regular counterparts. I break down and splurge on a few each week, gradually trying to use things up and replace them with healthier alternatives, but it is a slow process.

By the same token, I find I have trouble not finishing my food. I can't just push it away and discard it. I have had some success saving it for later and making the leftovers my snack a few hours later.

My DH is not dieting and still wants some sweets in the house. But I am able to keep my hands off of them as long as I drink plenty of our half-strength Crystal Light type beverage. It seems to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Like you, I don't feel restricted at all. And I'm not sure I recognize being full - at least I never get uncomfortable. I never did really eat because I was hungry - I ate because the food tasted good. So now I have to just stop eating after having what should be an adequate amount.

I was in to my doctor last week, expecting a fill. He had previously put 5 cc in my band. This time he pulled out what was there and said there was only 4 cc and he put 5 back in. So he said I should feel a difference and to call him in a week if I didn't. Well, I feel no change, so I will be calling.

Sue, yes, I know where you're coming from too. The people in China, and all that. (I do love the people in China, but eating all my food won't help them :crying:)

I seem to have a REAL sugar problem. If it is not around it's ok, but if it is, I seem to binge. My DH is a newly diagnosed diabetic and we are having a time finding what he can and can't eat, so we need to just get the sugar and Splenda out of the way.

I have little restriction, yet, but the problem is the nut behind the plate:huh2:

I just have to get me under control. Seem to have a bigger problem than ever. I think it is called rebellion, and I can't think of any reason for it, except just plain rebellion. Why do I rebell against what will help me?

DH is not able to use Splenda, it runs his blood sugar up. I can't use the other sweetners, they give me a dry mouth and throat, a headache and sometimes nausea. I think I'll just have to get over it, better than running his BS up. I bought sugar/splenda free stuff yesterday to make him some deserts with, hopefully that will help us both.

[SueFromMichigan 1]

Thanks, JoAnn,

I am already keeping track of all I eat - I use myplate.com. I also have a good scale (originally purchased for weighing packages) with which I weigh portions of things like meat and veggies. I limit myself to 900-1200 Cal. daily, which is why I think I am losing weight. But I am often hungry (especially in the evening), even after eating a meal of 1.5 - 2 cups of food. I know the band is just supposed to be a tool, but I don't feel I am getting much if any help from it. Thus I think another fill might be beneficial.

I agree I need to get rid of *some* of this food in the house. I just have to make myself do it. I have resolved to donate to the next food drive that comes along. In the meantime, my DH is eating it while I concentrate on eating the healthier alternatives. Thank goodness there are some items, such as milk and cottage cheese, where healthier does not equate to more expensive.

[SueFromMichigan 1]

Carlene, you certainly have my sympathy with the sugar/substitute situation. I don't know what I would do without artificial sweeteners. In some ways, I'm sure it must be helpful that your DH must also watch his sugar intake. Do you respond to all of the artificial sweeteners with the symptoms you describe? What about the diet products that already contain them?

[Doddie63 6]

Sue: All the advice you have received is spot on. The one area that seems to be missing is the frequency of eating. Are you consuming pure hard Protein every FOUR waking hours. For instance, a cup of tea, low fat biscuit with almond butter at 3:00 pm. My clinic has told me I can eat anything I want. Small portions of protein is what keeps you from becoming too hungry. Many try to get by the day with 3 squares and that is not always the best way. I find by having the meals a bit smaller, eating five/six times a day is not a hardship. Also, I try to have 3 oz of pure protein each meal.Also, try sipping on some warm liquid when hungry. My favorite is chicken broth. Good luck on your journey, you seem to be well on your way.

Edited July 21, 2008 by Doddie63
typos

[SueFromMichigan 1]

Hi Doddie,

Yes, my doctor is one who thinks people should eat 5-6 small meals a day, so I try to eat something every 3-4 hours - not always "hard" Protein, though. For instance I had a couple of microwave scrambled eggs with onion for lunch. Do you think "hard" is important? Do things like eggs slip down too fast? I always get my 80-100 gms of Protein a day in. I never seem to get hungry during the day, only in the evening after a supper of meat or fish + veggies. I wish I could eat more then (at supper) and I am still hungry several hours later, when it is time for my next small meal.

But then, this not being hungry during the day and eating mostly at night is a long-standing habit with me, too. I worked nights for many years because that's the way my biological clock seems to be set. I still tend to be up from 9-10 AM till 12-1 AM or later.

[carlene2008 0]

Joann, hang in there. Sounds like you at least know the principles. I know them too. Sticking with them has, for some reason, become just very hard. It is something I'm gonna have to work thru.

Sue, all artificial sweetners seem to make me sick, always have. Except Splenda. If I use too much of it, it even does.

I just need to get me under control. I hope that maybe coming here and reading everyone's posts will help me get it back together. I did ok for a couple of months, then got on a sugar jag.

I try to keep Snacks here for the grandkids. (We have 12, and keep a lot of them....helping to raise 4, which we have 16 - 20 hrs a day....the other 9 yo was here for 2 1/2 weeks, until yesterday....the 4 next door don't come every day now, since their Mom got laid off last week.) We really can't afford to feed them fruit, much, so it's sweet or salty junk food. However, I'm about ready to say "Eat your junk elsewhere, 'cause gramma and grampa can't have it if you want us around a while."

Maybe when I get the sugar monster tamed I can feed them goodies again, or maybe they will just have to stick with popsicles and Peanut Butter.< img src="https://s.bariatricpal.com/uploads/emoticons/default_unsure.png" alt=":unsure:" />

Edited July 21, 2008 by carlene2008

[Doddie63 6]

Hi Joann. You are obviously doing everything right so I would suggest your focus on the area where in you are having problems and that is at night. Number of reasons factor in such as triggers for hunger, watching TV, being alone etc.

Many banders do not like having food after dinnertime because of the possibility of a reflux action during sleep. I would suggest you have some skim milk warmed with a bit of chocolate mix. If you factor these calories into your daily usage, a treat such as hot chocolate should be enough to squelch your appetite. Tastes good too.

[JoannMarie 0]

Carlene, I am with you on the artificial sweeteners. They leave a very unpleasant aftertaste for me - and esp Splenda. My nephew suggested a product to me and I wonder if you have heard of it. It's called Setia, and it is a natural product, not chemical. You can find it primarily in natural food stores such as Whole Foods Markets (and others). I bought it in Cincinnati where it was in the Supplement aisle - here in Missouri it was in the same aisle with the other sweeteners. They have a small size bottle, and it takes a TINY amount to sweeten a glass of iced tea for instance. The bottle comes with the smallest spoon I have ever seen, and I suggest you go easy even with that spoon! At our local store I also saw it in a box the size of a box you would see Sweet'n'Low or Splenda in. I don't know if you could cook or bake with it. I've just been using it in tea and coffee, have not checked other uses. You might try a small bottle and see if that helps your sweet tooth.

OOPS! I gave you the wrong product name. Looked in my purse as we were leaving the house - the name of the product is "Stevia", not setia. Sorry 'bout that. I hope no one was running to the nearest health food market to purchase this!! tee hee.

Edited July 22, 2008 by JoannMarie
Gave an incorrect product name...

[MaryD 0]

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

[carlene2008 0]

Oh MaryD, I feel for you, but this too shall pass. At least you have a date now. I only had to do liquids for a few days before surgery, but different doctors/centers do things differently. You can do it.

We have been drinking a new product called Mon A Vie. It is a juice made from the acai berry, and I think, blueberries and grapes. It is supposed to help regulate your BS, among many other things. It seems to work for me. I think I have whipped the sugar monster, finally.

Yes, I have used Stevia. I just bought a box of the powdered packets. We haven't been able to find the tabs DH uses in his tea and I thought maybe he would try it. Haven't mentioned it to him yet as he still has almost a whole bottle of tabs.

Well, I can't think if there's anything I need to say or not, so I'll not.