judych

that sounds so good... you must have some really good biking trails that you can use there. i used to ride bikes.. im wondering if i could again. it would be better for me than walking.

can i ask?? how does your face and neck look now?? i hope im not being personal... i know im older than you... thats concerning me a well. Is it going to make me look ill in the face?/ i dont want that. i want a healthy face and body. im looking at going from an 18 to about a 10/12 fitting. i havent been that in 25 years. ,my age is 65

its wonderful talk and i love to hear it. im wondering what the sizes are like between Aust. and America ?? currently im a size 18.. i would love to be a 10 or 12.

..and its a very important point that you just made here. there are a lot more people out there who do have a thyroid problem than we realize. i wonder if you had a thyroid test done?? even then, i dont believe the readings that the drs accept are low enough. it would be really good if you could start on some thyroid meds. you can buy them over the counter.. .that is, unless you have seen a dr and got a script for thyroid meds. i take selenium. sometimes the adrenals can get really stressed when the body goes through trauma. selenium helps a lot. so does MACA root. its worth a try.

...lol... understood.. lol.

i see my specialist in a week. he will have a date for me then im sure. im hoping its in march. i hear you about the clothes. i think i will do the same. i have a wardrobe full of really nice clothes that did fit me 20 years ago... some of them are timeless. i will have to get them out and look at them again. its mainly around the house dressing for me. just two tidy outfits for when i go out. when i lose my weight... (im now 210 and want to get down to 140 ) then i will go and buy some really nice outfits for myself as well.... its exciting just to think about it all. ive had my moments, even now, ive wondered if im doing the right thing. then, when i get up to walk, my hip locks on me and i know I AM doing the right thing. it took this forum for me to really understand the seriousness of the surgery though. i was completely naive before i joined here. at least im going into it now pretty much informed. i live in australia so im wondering if some of the guide lines for eating are different. i will know soon enough i think. im getting a lot out of reading everyones experiences here. Where would we be without computers...lol.

..more on this, i was interrupted. its a positive experience to know that you can be with a group of people eating out and you can still be so disciplined. for me, lack of discipline has been the bane of my life. being retired for many years hasnt helped. lol. we just do what we like when we like. when it comes to eating that can cause big problems.

.. that would be very encouraging for you im sure..

you have done so well... and congratulations on a job well done so far. i hope that your weight loss does continue.. how fast did you want to lose?? is there a healthy limit or not??

it must have been faulty. how come he didnt replace it for you? perhaps letting him know that you are prepared to take it further may move hiim to do something.

...thats so right. i told my husband last night that he wasnt to expect more beauty from me as a result of weight loss but that i would better health. im 65, i dont know how weight loss is going to affect my muscles, my face, my neck. reading these posts i can see that protein is an essential part of diet, to the point where it is encouraged to be taken by powder or liquid. im assuming that this is to help with the muscles in the body... not sure about that one. Im certainly going to try and keep a healthy skin, im not going to neglect my appearance. does anyone have any advice here for maintaining a smooth skin after surgery?? weight loss can cause havoc with the face and neck.

...and i hope it fixed the problem for you as well... you need to feel encouraged not anxious.

thats great news... is everything working out with family as well for tomorrow??did you have to change anything?

thats great to hear... so in time you will feel on top of the world by the sounds of it. it must be exciting to know that having the band fitted is behind you now... every day is going to get better and better . have you been looking at clothes yet?? or is it too soon for you?/ ive still got to go through the surgery bit... i cant wait to be on the other side. then we can compare notes.

i have a bad reaction to the iodine thats used... and also to some of the adhesives on the dressings... so i need to be careful as well. using peroxide and air drying them is a good way to go. I will be asking before hand what they can do to stop any allergic reaction.

..so peanut butter is acceptable then?? we have ready access to that. im not sure about the sugar free choc puddings... i will have to do a search i think. its really hard living where i am in Tasmania, Australia. im going to try and find these though. thanks for this info.

it sounds wonderful... what about beef jerky?? im living in a country area where my choices are limited.. i can buy beef jerky though.

yep... i hear you... im writing down these snippits of into.... thanks for sharing.

antihistamine ?? it will ease the itch and help you rest.

there are a lot of people here who have had hiatal hernias operated on as well... its sounds like you had a large one. Its a good job that its mended now. i would imagine that just the surgery on the hernia would be painful enough but youve had a double whammy. im sure it will ease ... give it ten days at least before you could expect some real relief . maybe you wont have to wait nearly that long. i hope that it does ease for you very soon. its a bit scary, especially knowing that you have the band around your stomach as well. i can imagine that would make you feel a bit wary of so much pain. im sure others here will put your mind at rest. ive not had my surgery yet... its coming up.

so you dont have any problems with eating nuts?/ i did wonder about whether it would be possible to swallow nuts. how do you go with things like figs/ prunes? and salad items?? are they able to be eaten without trouble as well??

...i would ring here and have a talk. i know what you mean about having to make it work though.. lol.. even though my hubby isnt paying for it... its not worth the explosion here if i dont pull my weight (a pun?? lol. ) after the surgery. it has to work for me as well. when i have mine done, that is. hopefully very soon. no date set yet.

myluv2drive... are you losing weight?? has the pain gone now??

..i would love to know as well... and get some recipes. im writing down all the info that i think i need.... im going to have surgery hopefully in march myself. meantime everything im learning im writing down as i said. i want some recipes and ideas as well. its really good to have the notes to refer to... and i read through every now and again.

...and i would be angry as well.. in fact, i would be furious. how dare they. no one can say with honesty that your surgery is compromised because you are using ''a different brand''. its just another ploy to make as much money as possible out of patients. grrrrr...