AnnaRabbit

Day two-better already. Nice to feel hopeful again. One day at a time!

Haven't been here for months-banded in November, three fills, only 12 lbs down. And yes, it's me who has failed band. Sporadic and rare exercise. Stuck on scrambled eggs, but manage to eat bean burritos, a lot of eggplant parmigiana, and binge on chocolate. So, as we can only move forward, my question for all of you awesome banders is- is it too late? Did I blow it or can I start again - what is the best way to do that? Thanks so much for advice/support. I don't like myself much.

Thank you both for the encouragement. Did get up and walk today, and did get started on 5 day pouch test. Set some goals too. It's important for me to come here and check in. Thanks again. Hope today is good for you.
I read something this morning - have to sacrifice who you are now for who you're going to become.

Hi. So happy to see forum for women in fifties. I am 55, will be banded tomorrow. Am pretty nervous, but desperate to use band as tool to restart second half of my life. Have 95 lbs to lose (my goal, not my doctor's) so I stop feeling like an old woman, and have more confidence in my life. I too have an incredible husband, so lucky there. I just cannot imagine how I will fill the space food has taken up in my life, but am determined to try. Would love to hear positive stories from other 50+ women.
Best wishes!

Hi. I was only banded Nov. 8 - was worried too because it is surgery, but easy in and out, and I agree with others - only minor discomfort afterwards. Though I've only lost 12 pounds (20 days), I do feel like a new person. I feel hopeful, in control, and so excited. If you decide to do it, commit to changing your life, eating the right foods et cetera.
good luck!!

I think you women are awesome! I find such great support and inspiration at LBT. Just two weeks out, and so much is changing - as one of you just mentioned, it's about changing the relationship we have with food. I've been feeling a lot of feelings lately that I would normally stuff down with food, but that's okay - better than being numb and also it's part of the journey. We have such a marvelous opportunity to rebuild broken lives - I'm going for that with every thing I have, if I have a chance to like myself again, and it means no more Bagels and cream cheese or no more seconds, well my happy life wins. For the first time in my life, I can walk away from the food - this is a magical chance. Thanks to all of you veterans here for showing us how it's done. Have a great night.
Anna

I think you women are awesome! I find such great support and inspiration at LBT. Just two weeks out, and so much is changing - as one of you just mentioned, it's about changing the relationship we have with food. I've been feeling a lot of feelings lately that I would normally stuff down with food, but that's okay - better than being numb and also it's part of the journey. We have such a marvelous opportunity to rebuild broken lives - I'm going for that with every thing I have, if I have a chance to like myself again, and it means no more Bagels and cream cheese or no more seconds, well my happy life wins. For the first time in my life, I can walk away from the food - this is a magical chance. Thanks to all of you veterans here for showing us how it's done. Have a great night.
Anna

I think you women are awesome! I find such great support and inspiration at LBT. Just two weeks out, and so much is changing - as one of you just mentioned, it's about changing the relationship we have with food. I've been feeling a lot of feelings lately that I would normally stuff down with food, but that's okay - better than being numb and also it's part of the journey. We have such a marvelous opportunity to rebuild broken lives - I'm going for that with every thing I have, if I have a chance to like myself again, and it means no more Bagels and cream cheese or no more seconds, well my happy life wins. For the first time in my life, I can walk away from the food - this is a magical chance. Thanks to all of you veterans here for showing us how it's done. Have a great night.
Anna

I think you women are awesome! I find such great support and inspiration at LBT. Just two weeks out, and so much is changing - as one of you just mentioned, it's about changing the relationship we have with food. I've been feeling a lot of feelings lately that I would normally stuff down with food, but that's okay - better than being numb and also it's part of the journey. We have such a marvelous opportunity to rebuild broken lives - I'm going for that with every thing I have, if I have a chance to like myself again, and it means no more Bagels and cream cheese or no more seconds, well my happy life wins. For the first time in my life, I can walk away from the food - this is a magical chance. Thanks to all of you veterans here for showing us how it's done. Have a great night.
Anna

I was on the 2nd day of my pre op liquid diet. I had a headache from hell... I was starving or so I thought and and I was pretty ticked off I had to cook for 15 people when I couldn't even eat! I was feeling pretty sorry for myself but I busied myself in the kitchen and plowed through the day. I cannot tell you it was the best day of my life but I put a smile on my face and kept reminding myself the sacrifice would be worth it.
Fast forward 2 years and I am in the kitchen cooking again anticipating the 10 people hungry people who will arrive in a few short hours. The food will be plentiful but I will be eating about as much as my 17 month old granddaughter...probably less. But this year I could care less. I am enjoying everything these days. I am thinner than I have been since I was 12. I am thankful for my health and the support of my friends and family who have lived through this journey for the past 24 months. I am thankful I can dress stylish, not sweat in my kitchen because I am so fat.... And stand at the kitchen sink for hours with out actually sitting to peel the potatoes.
I am telling you this because many of you are just starting your journeys or are in the middle of them...and I just wanted to remind you that this is the best decision you ever made....and for that you should be thankful.
Have a wonderful holiday

first, Happy Thanksgiving to all. Not to be corny, but I am soooo thankful for my surgery and this chance to live the life I've imagined, and also so thankful for everyone who shares and cares on LBT. What an awesome support system..
14 days out - Protein Shakes and maybe turnips, applesauce for me. Like all, company matters most! Enjoy!

first, Happy Thanksgiving to all. Not to be corny, but I am soooo thankful for my surgery and this chance to live the life I've imagined, and also so thankful for everyone who shares and cares on LBT. What an awesome support system..
14 days out - Protein Shakes and maybe turnips, applesauce for me. Like all, company matters most! Enjoy!

first, Happy Thanksgiving to all. Not to be corny, but I am soooo thankful for my surgery and this chance to live the life I've imagined, and also so thankful for everyone who shares and cares on LBT. What an awesome support system..
14 days out - Protein Shakes and maybe turnips, applesauce for me. Like all, company matters most! Enjoy!

Everytime I come to the forums, there's a perfect conversation! I'm 1 week out and still on liquids till i see my surgeon tomorrow, then one week pureed, then one week mushes. Today is the first day I've felt as if i wanted to eat something - and not even a lot of anything - just some hot thick Soup or a soft boiled again.
I too am afraid of overeating when I can eat, so I'm going to be sure to measure everytime! I'm going to ask my surgeon tomorrow if he wants me to drink my Protein or eat it (after pureed stage). In any case, love reading all of the advice offered here. Hmm. Shall I break my liquid fast with pureed bean soup or hummus (on a spoon?) Wonderful!
Have a good night all!

Congrats to all! I was banded on 8th and am soooo exited, happy, and hopefull. Following surgeons rules to a tee. This is going to change our lives! Reading these posts is awesome. So much good advice and camaraderie. Lots of Water, constant sipping, heating pad helps, and walking too. Before surgery I was too ashamed to walk in public and oddly since surgery, I'm totally ok with it cause I m on my way. Even picked out a 5k to run in May.
Put your goals out there everybody. Lets share. Hooray for us. All is good!

I started walking at over 400 pounds. It sucked and I felt like a complete moron as I huffed, puffed, and waddled down the street- but I did it.
Honestly, I started going to the end of the street and back. That was seriously all I could walk and I'd be major pain and exhausted when I got back. But, I kept doing it a couple times a week. Over time, my endurance got stronger as my body got lighter. The end of the street went to around the block. Around the block turned to two blocks. Two blocks turned into a half mile. A half mile turned into mile.
Now, I walk about 2 miles with ease. In fact, I truly enjoy it. I find myself even braving the cold and wind because I truly like and need my walks.
It took months to get here but I'm so glad I stuck with it! Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. All that matters is that you are doing something wonderful for yourself.
Here's one of my favorite motivationals because it's SO true!

1 cup of food per meal. Protein and exercise is the key to success. I eat 80+ gms perday. Agree with all statements above. Something else that is key per the people responding to your post. We all have followed the rules pretty much to the letter and we don't eat sliders or junk.

I have lost over 100lbs now.
I don't have any unhealthy or trigger foods in my home.
Exercise, exercise, exercise. I work out 5 days a week, at least 30 minutes. Elliptical, weights, Wii fit or a fun class. I see a personal trainer 1-2x a week for an hour.
I drink 1-2 glasses of skim milk a day. I do not go more than about 4 hours without eating. If I need a snack I have Greek yogurt with fruit or almonds.
I try to be aware of the thoughts that lead me to overeat in the past. I share my successes with positive friends, and cut out the toxic BS.
And of course, follow doctors orders and don't miss any appointments.

Very simple actually....
I didn't cheat on my pre op or post op diet
I counted calories and tracked everything I ate starting when I went on mushies
I drank 8 cups of Water every day
I ate 1000 calories per day for 23 months
3/4 oz of Protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 c starch at every meal... About 300 each calories for Bfast, lunch and dinner...
I limited 2 Snacks per day to fruit and a treat not more than 50 or so calories
I took my Gummy Vitamins
I visited my dr monthly and got fills when the above food didn't keep me full for at least 4/5 hrs at a time
In a nutshell I followed my dr's orders and made up my mind this would work for me!

In a health magazine I stumbles across this recipe that I have been using this last month and went from loosing 6lb a month to 10lb a month
8 oz pineapple juice
1tbls yogurt
1banana
3 strawberries
1 scoop of Protein powder.
A couple tricks. I freeze the banana and strawberries helps give more of a shake consistency. And I buy the pineapple in pre measured 6oz. Cans. I also use a little less than 1 scoop because it sometimes get too griddy. I Also put the powder in very last so it doesn't get stuck to the side of my magic bullet. Hope you enjoy.

Awesome. Thanks for encouragement Lassie! My date is 10/30, and even though I'm excited, I too am afraid of screwing it up - at 55 feeling same way about having to get it right now. So positives are really appreciated!
By the way, do I have to give up coffee?

This forum made my day! My date is October 30, but my biggest worry was not being able to start the day with coffee!

I was a coffee drinker prior to surgery and still am after surgery. I was banded 13 months ago and I am down 100 lbs. On the way home from the hospital I stopped to get some coffee. I can't imagine life without coffee.