readytogoforit

I am 63 and thought the other options sounded way to scary for me. I worried that I wouldn't be able to recover well. This is a much more healthy option with less chance of complications. My husband was nervous about the other options too.

I had really given up. If I lost any weight it was an accident!! I was so embarrassed to be seen in public places. My paranoia was pretty bad. I quit going to parties with my husbands friends & hated to see the relatives at Christmas. My attitude was so bad, I was an angry woman; angry at myself for being so weak! At 63, my doc told me I had a hiatal hernia and I needed surgery. I had heard many weight loss stories but didn't think I could do it. Don't ask me why, it was my "I give up" attitude I guess, plus I was so embarrassed to even talk about it. Even with my doc, who I feel very comfortable. Well, when I started to talk to the surgeon about the surgery I had to have I jokingly said, "while you are in there, why don't you put a band on" then I laughed. I fully expected him to say no, we can't do both. Thankfully he said great idea, make it happen. I had to find a new surgeon ( he gave me a recommendation), started all the pre op work and am now 6 weeks post op. I feel so much better. what a miracle, that I work hard to make happen every day!!! this is not a free ride, if we don't work - it won't happen....

I had really given up. If I lost any weight it was an accident!! I was so embarrassed to be seen in public places. My paranoia was pretty bad. I quit going to parties with my husbands friends & hated to see the relatives at Christmas. My attitude was so bad, I was an angry woman; angry at myself for being so weak! At 63, my doc told me I had a hiatal hernia and I needed surgery. I had heard many weight loss stories but didn't think I could do it. Don't ask me why, it was my "I give up" attitude I guess, plus I was so embarrassed to even talk about it. Even with my doc, who I feel very comfortable. Well, when I started to talk to the surgeon about the surgery I had to have I jokingly said, "while you are in there, why don't you put a band on" then I laughed. I fully expected him to say no, we can't do both. Thankfully he said great idea, make it happen. I had to find a new surgeon ( he gave me a recommendation), started all the pre op work and am now 6 weeks post op. I feel so much better. what a miracle, that I work hard to make happen every day!!! this is not a free ride, if we don't work - it won't happen....

try to remember how important YOU are. they are just parties and it is just food. they life you will have "after" you decide to eat better is sooooo much more fun! I had my surgery 10/28/11. I lost 30 lbs by the time of surgery. the nutritionist asked me to try and stay at 1200 calories each day. I am so glad I did. Everything we change is hard in the beginning but, when the clothes start to feel too big on you WOW that is such a reward. check out a lot of the posts on this forum. there are so many good ideas. you CAN do this. ONE DAY AT A TIME. Believe it!

today went to return a pair of jeans that were too big!!! I found the next size down but, I was afraid to try them on. I thought "they will eventually fit" !! they fit now OH MY GOSH, I can't believe this. My weight loss has slowed recently and I was worried. I read about the times were we don't lose lbs. but do lose inches! I think I can love them both. I live in Minnesota, when the weather turns cold and the days are short I really have to fight to keep from getting "blue". I was so sure I must have been doing something sooo wrong. I haven't worn this size for so long, I can't even remember. thanks to everyone who has a positive attitude. you keep me going, and trusting that I am indeed doing the right thing and following the "yellow brick road" to a healthy me!!!

I am equally addicted to Taco Bell!! I have started eating the Fiesta menu items. They have carbs but not too bad. I sometimes save my carbs so I can stop there. the only thing I miss is having a diet pepsi with my food!!!!! I have not tasted the salad. You know they are happy to eliminate or add anything we want. Look it up on Calorie King they have calories, carbs etc. for a lot of restaurants.

I purchased a digital scale - my best friend!!! I never go over 4 oz. for my protein. I was told to eat between 50 - 80 grams of protein & no more than 68 grams of carbs. my doc told me not to eat white things - pasta, potatoes, rice. i weigh my pasta if I have spaghetti, 1 oz is really a smmmmmall amount!! the carbs are so high that it works for me! the nutritionist told me to try to eat a protein with at least 10 grams & my sure it is the 1st thing you eat. if you feel satisfied before you finish all the food, you are assured the protein counted!

everyone has offered so many good suggestions. I am glad you joined this forum, think what you would do if you didn't have anyone to talk to! I don't understand what your docs are thinking, the dizzy part scares me the most. you have been eating the right stuff, just not enough of it!!! please keep us informed as you start to eat more. praying for your health....

I have been taking Vitamin B in capsule form, goes down easily!

that is adorable, I want someone to say that to me!!!!! I've never seen NSV before, it's great!! thanks for such a fun post.

Realize is a brand name. my doc used it.

I agree with Jim1967, find the most reputable doc you can. this is a big deal and not all docs are the same. I went to the University of Minnesota and love my surgeon! he clearly answers all my questions. I leave the office leaving confident with the knowledge I receive. we continue seeing these docs for a long time after the surgery. we need to trust they are the best for us! go to a seminar, ask lots of questions, even the ones that seem stupid. try to stop eating so junk. take one day at a time, you will be surprised how much better you will feel. each lb, gone is a good thing. if you can, start walking. it helps with weight and also with the brain. I think you sound a bit scared, and that is normal. good luck and keep us informed! you have come to the right place!!!

WELCOME! wow, what a great start!!! it really shows that you mean business. this is a great forum for us, lots of info and lots of truth!! keep up the great work and continue to keep us informed!

I like to eat with others. it makes it easier for me to slow down, 'cause we are all talking. I guess I tend to over chew when I am with people but that is not a bad thing! I also know that in order to "make it in the real world" I need to trust that my "new" eating behavior will save me from returning to the old fat world, one meal at a time!!!

I was told not to bend or twist my body for the first 6 weeks after surgery. did they show you how to get up from bed? you really need to be careful while you are healing. I'm sorry you are feeling so much discomfort. I have some discomfort at my port site, it seemed to stick out so much I thought I must have hurt myself. mine is ok, hope yours is too. you are still on soft foods or mushies aren't you?

I remember when I first started eating soft foods. nutritionist mentioned scrambled eggs, I ate it with a little shredded cheese and salsa! so good, try it !! I was not a scrambled egg girl but I sure love it now. check out the section of food ideas, also there are many good sites with great recipe ideas. thanks for your honesty, but please care of yourself. keep us posted, we DO want you to succeed!!!!

I had surgery on 10/28/11. I've only lost 10 lbs since then, I also feel the clothing difference is much more. I think this is fine, I can see the difference and the weight will catch up. wonder if it is because we are eating all foods again? I bet you are toning up your body a whole lot with swimming, good for you! keep up the good work. as long as you know you are eating correctly, I wouldn't worry too much.

you are worth the changes we need to do. we became obese because we never said stop to food, right? now you have a new challenge, you are worth it. take one step at a time, take a breath and see what happens. walking will help you get your mind off the weight gain, start now. keep in touch with the forum. we want to see you succeed, you can do it. drug addicts and alcoholics stop using, so can you. I have been drug and alcohol free for almost 29 yrs. if I had looked at stopping everything past one day or even one hour at a time in the beginning I would never have made it. the best thing I did was get and use support of a group. I trusted others who had gone through the same issues, it works. smoking is not good for you, it is a drug. take care of you, you are worthwhile!!!

my mom always used lime jello, that was a delicious salad. we just talked about it at our Thanksgiving table!

wow, that's amazing! great job girl!! take care of yourself and keep hydrated.

that's the same thing I was told to do! go for it

yes, I occasionally us MOM. I hope I won't have to always do that but, it does do the trick and I don't feel so bloated.

thank you for such a great update!! it's good to hear about success. keep up the good work & continue loving your "new life".

it is really a good idea to start eating less right away. this is a big lifestyle change. you need to commit to all the changes. any weight you lose b4 surgery is a big bonus!! I know that it took a medical scare for me to really get going. I started dieting (1200 calories) as soon as I left the seminar. I lost 30 lbs. by the time I went for surgery, it felt so good. I had to get an ok from my insurance, went to several docs(sleep study for apnea, cardiac doc, shrink,and upper GI xray & phone nutrition sessions. at the time I started I didn't think I could ever get it all done but, I did. check with your insurance to see what they expect you to complete first. I went to the U of M as recommended by my clinic. I really like my doc and appreciate the honesty I receive from him! if you can start some sort of exercise right away that will help. most of us started with walking. it is surprising how fast you can build your tolerance & do long walks. you will feel so good and it will help your body! good luck and keep us informed!

trying to figure out what the doc office is thinking? why do they seem so reluctant? i know my insurance wanted a patient to be at 40 BMI or more. so you will not know if they reject if it is not submitted, obviously it should be submitted. at least then you will be able to ask "Why?"