Sharpie

Hi I am 66 and I was banded on 1/15/13.. I had been overweight for about 30 years .. I started having some serious health issues.. my blood sugar was eratic. blood pressure too high and cholesterol and triglycerides too high.. I got to the point that I hurt all the time, feet, legs and back.. couldn't hardly walk anywhere.. I decided I did not want to live the rest of my life this way.. I am happy so far, I have lost 23 lbs and I feel better every day.. today I walked a mile.. doesn;t sound like much for me it was a triumph.. You are not alone and I believe this decision will be the best thing you can do.. join a support group in your area if you have one.. Meeting other people and getting involved will help you with your loneliness and keep you motivated.. Take Care

Jennifer, we have all felt the same way I am sure.. After years of dieting and really trying and failing your feelings are understandable.. I was banded on 1/15 and have lost 23 lbs.. since pre-op so, it will work.. Is it easy yes and no.. I have some days when I am starving.. and other days I cruise through on my 1 cup of food per meal... You will have to make up your mind that this is for the rest of your life and you will feel so good when you reach your goal.. No matter what you are taking a big step and you will be surprised at how successful you can be. Take care of yourself and don't think too far ahead..

yes I certainly can spell Microwave...I felt that some of the long term band folks might give me some ideas.. but that is okay I will figure it out on my own.. I am not stupid just new to the process... Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I cannot figure out how to keep my food warm.. I had an egg with some cream of wheat yesterday for breakfast, by the time I had only eaten a little bit, the food was cold.. how can you eat as slow as they want you to and keep your food warm? My nutritionist says to take 1 minute between bites.. well, your food is stone cold by the time you have eaten a little bit..I hate to keep re-warming my food everytime I eat.. what has everyone else done.. I start regular foods in a few days and I am not sure how that is going to work ... I had chili yesterday for lunch and it was stone cold in a few minutes.. yuk....

My Dr. Said 6 weeks .. normal walking was okay before but no lifting or tugging.. I plan to start at the gym after my 6 week checkup...

Bailey there is no excuse for rudeness, especially from someone who is supposed to be a care giver. You need to address this with your Dr. If anyone talked to me that way I would make sure everyone in that office knew it.. no matter what her opinion is not the only one...don't you give up and give in to a arrogant attitude... some people get carried away with their so called power.. It's easy to pick on someone who is already having a hard time of it...You have done well and its not unusual from what I have read to have a slow down in weight loss...make sure you journal everything...Best of Luck

yes even as newly banded as I am, (1/15) we had a family birthday dinner last night at a local steak house.. they have excellent steaks.. I used to devour steak, baked potatoe, (loaded) salad with blue cheese , dressing, rolls with cinnamon butter .. then be ready for cake.. last night I ordered mashed potatoes and applesauce (I am not on solid food yet) however my point is I was perfectly happy, I ate about 3/4 of my potatoes some applesauce and when they served the cake of course I did not have it. I didn;t feel deprived or anything.. I could small everyone elses food but it didn't make me hungry. love it...

I doubt it.. unless your surgeon can prove it's causing a chronic rash or some other health problem. it's considered cosmetic surgery so they won't pay... some say you can't even consider that until you are at least a year or two after lap band. I saw a post some time ago about using spanx to help with the tummy skin...good luck

I was banded on the 15th and today has been so great.. I had scrambled eggs and grits for breakfast.. drank some v8 before breakfast.. then I have cleaned house, washed my car and enjoyed the beautfiful sunny Fla. weather today...just ate my lunch of re=fried beans with pepper cheese melted ... ohh so good. however, when Mr. Band tells me to stop eating I am paying attention.. it doesn't take much and then you get the burp... however I feel good, not deprived.. I know after all of this I will be a much healthier happier person...

I live in Florida, We have Ken's Dressing here.. thank you for reminding me . I love their caesar dressing...

the third day for me was the worst... but it gets better every day. as far as the bm is concerned,, milk of magnesia was the thing that did the trick and trust me it will make you feel better. I had to sleep in my recliner for a few days until my pain got better.. I think about day 4 I got off the pain meds and took liquid tylenol. hang in there you should feel better in a few days...

I have told everyone in my family and my best friend about the lapband... my husband is a "feeder".. he's always feeding everyone.. of course he doesn't have a weight problem.. but some of his children do (previous marriage).. he has actually asked me if I wanted a donut the other day... lol I think out of habit.. he quickly corrected himself.. the other issue is I can't control everything he eats, he's a fried chicken, pork chop guy... so I told him if he wanted that he could cook it... I feel great.. I am feeling stronger everyday and you will run into sabotager's everywhere even in your own family... your co workers probably didn't realize that you had been banded, so their gestures were probably not meant to be rude just inconsiderate.....

how wonderful for you to have found the lap band.. you no longer need a cain to walk and you look great... just imagine if you hadn't have done it. Your pictures are inspirational to all of us new banded people.. I can see there is a llight at the end of the tunnell.. I have lost 20 lbs. since pre-op and I got to the Dr. on Monday for my 10 day checkup.....Thanks for posting

My Dr, advised at least 6 weeks without lifting over 10 lbs. I work at home so I am lucky...but I know just from going to the grocery store I was tired... take as much time as you can... make sure you take care of yourself.. after all that is why we got banded..

I was really shocked by the nurse who escorted me to surgery.. she said "wow they must have lowered the bmi requirements for this surgery".. you don't look that overweight.. I said well @ 5' tall and nearly 200 lbs. how fat do I need to be? I guess to some , I didn't look that big but I can tell you I felt it.. my knees and back hurt constantly... could not walk around the house without feeling winded... my diabetes was getting worse and my blood pressure stayed high..so regardless of what other people think your decision is what you feel is right for your future health and well being.. I had my surgery 1 week ago ,, there were a few rough days, but 18 lbs. downn and getting better everyday is worth it.. I know I didn't want to get any fatter... I told my friends and family it was for my health.. and a tad bit vanity.. I'm tired of wearing big ugly clothes... can't wait to shop til I drop...lol

milk of mag is the thing I used. it worked .. that bloated feeling was eased with a movement. pain comes and goes, I quit taking pain pills (had to grind them up yukky) I am taking liquid tylenol if I get uncomfortable... I am still on soups, protein drinks, oatmeal come thursday I will be moving up to puree's... not super hungry but miss eating....otherwise I am getting better each day.. I was banded on the 15th.

I have my surgery this coming Tuesday the 15th... I have been on the pre-op diet for two weeks and have lost 10 lbs.. fortunately my insurance did not require a long extended diet.. If I was a successful dieter I wouldn't need a lapband.. lol I have been on every diet known to man, I lost and re-gained hundreds of lbs. so hopefully with the help of my lapband I will be successful in not only losing but keeping it off.. good luck to all my band of sisters and brothers for January 2013...

Floridays, thank you so much for your post... I am having my surgery on Tuesday the 15th.. I have had sleepless nights lately trying to decide if this is the best thing for me.. reading negative posts and seeing the multitude of issues and problems people have had with their bands, I am still convinced that I have come to the right decision.. I want to walk to my mailbox and back (approx 1/2 mile one way) , I want to ride my horse again wtihout him giving me a dirty look..(lol),, I want to buy regular clothes and not all elastic waistands,,I want to have pockets in my pants again.. worrying about what will fit me has been a constant problem for years.. I buy more clothes trying to find something that might actually look good on me.. the list is long.. however the most important thing I have to do is get my health back .. I don't want to die from a diabetes related illness, possibly lose my eyesight, legs or have heart failure, kidney failure, etc. I have grandchildren that I want to attend their graduations, weddings and birth of my great grandchildren.. so I will eat baby food,, or whatever I have to but I am going to do whatever it takes to get to my goal....I am 66 and have some good years ahead if I do this now....

I have used Truvia for awhile... it doesn't have any after taste, it is a stevia based product. I am doing my pre-op diet the next 2 weeks.. surgery on the 15th of Jan. looking forward to 2013 .