sweetpea61956

Welcome! Let me see if I can help with some of your questions. I am 55 and married for almost 4 years after being widowed in 1999. 1) yes men and women will look at you different. that can be good or it can be bad. Some men don't mind overweight women, some do...having said that..some also want a woman that is willing to take care of themselves..so sometimes its not the "looks" but the care that makes them change. And women will be jealous...natural. 2) I was addicted to diet coke...while I don't drink diet cokes now I do drink diet big red...regular sodas were never a problem for me because I have been drinking diet for so long it was natural. My dr has no problem with carbonated beverages. 3) I can't speak very much about the coffee and creamer but imagine you will want a sugar substitute. Remember..this isn't a diet, it is a lifestyle change...so you can always have whatever you want...you just need to be aware of the consequences. 4) As far as eating out and social events. I still eat out. I just make wiser choices and usually eat off either the senior citizens menu or appetizers...But when I order a regular meal, it will sometimes last me 2 or 3 meals...I just get a to go box at the beginning of the meal and put what I don't want to eat in it. 5) They don't want us snacking but if you choose healthy Snacks..ie..carrots, etc...then you should be ok. 6) since you have a while...practice..eating slower, not drinking with your meals and changing the things you know you will need to change. Here's wishing you lots of luck in your new journey.

I would contact someone in your area and see what they say. They may be able to finance it for you. I know that True Results has a program where you can earn money by giving people a referral code. good luck

I had to see the Nutritionist starting in February so I figured if i was going to do this...I was going to do it right. So I started by cutting out all sugar (ie, candy, cake, regular sodas) and drinking more water. Good luck

I have a neck!

check into www.trueresults.com

on the Fills...some people don't get fills. I had my surgery on May 26th and have had two appts since then and didn't get a fill at either and may not at my next one. I eat lunch at 11:30 and usually don't get hungry until like 4:30 -5:00 but sometimes still don't eat until 8.

nachos are good...the tortilla chips chew down really small and you can put beans and cheese so that you get your protein.

I do water aerobic twice a week and if and when my weight loss slows down , I can increase the exercise. I don't like walking so you are one up on me there. Good luck.

are you still on liquids? if so call your doctor's office and see if they can move you to mushies or soft food. I found I was hungry with liquids but if I could chew I wasn't hungry.

for me...losing the weight has always been easy, but KEEPING it off is what I am hoping that the band will help with. Also, I haven't had a fill yet, but find snacking and eating too much are a thing of the past and its because of the band..not because I don't want to. hang in there!

I agree with everything everyone has said and like Cindy...I wish this had been available when I was 18 and I had been smarter enough to do it.

the pre-op diet you are talking about can be 1 to 2 weeks liquid (mainly protein shakes). Each doctor is a little different. Some doctors just require a low carb diet. I would talk to local doctors about followup and also check with the dr your mom wants you to go to...it is possible he might have someone in your area he recommends. Good luck.

I had my surgery on May 26th..but will be here if you need anything.

I drink diet big red, one or two a day, diet coke which I used to be addicted to...tastes awful to me. My doctor said that carbonation is ok if you learn what you can handle. it is the pressure from under the band that can be painful.

My surgery was May 26, 2011 and I don't have a fill. I am very much like you...as long as I am losing and staying satisfied between meals, I don't want a fill. I want to leave the fill for when I stop losing. Never had anything stuck, no pbing or sliming... life is good.

are you talking to the person in your office that does the insurance or the insurance company? I would definately call the insurance company and make sure THEY know what kind of "in network" doctor they have.

I think the manufacturers are screwy....I can try on the same size in the same style and they fit totally different..but take that size 6 and run with it! Congrats!

I don't think of this as a diet...I think of it as a lifestyle change. I don't want to be on a diet all my life and I won't be. I am learning how to eat and what to eat. I can still (or will be when I am ready) to eat everything I want....just not as much of it.

It may not be the first thing but it will go quickly. Good luck!

take what you can get when you can get it. There will be a time when it slows down. When you start solid foods again it will appear that you gain. Good luck

You are correct, most of the pain, for me came from the air/gas. But walking worked on that and it was completely gone, for me, in a couple of days.

I have Aetna too. I had to go to nutritionist for 4 months and prove that I had fought my weight for 2 years...but after that it took less than a week to get approved. And honestly the 4 months was time well spent. I learned so much about myself and my eating habits that I was really really ready for the band

I would suggest if you don't do liquids just try not to eat carbs. Congratulations!

congratulations on the beginning of your journey! Good luck!

I have had two c-sections and the hysterectomy...the lap band surgery is a breeze in comparison!