gowalking

wow...nearly at goal already. that's great. unfortunately, I can't exercise much. I've got very bad arthritis and it keeps me from doing much. I exercise in the pool 3 days a week because that's the once place where I can exercise without pain, but it's more for leg strength at this juncture, and not for weight loss.

Just saw your post. Sounds like you are doing very well so far. I also was banded on January 14th. I hope to lose 120 lbs. total and as of today I'm down 51 so far. I've tossed an awful lot of clothes...some of them I've had for years and I just know I won't need to hold onto them anymore...especially as many of them were suits and everyone dresses much more casual at the office these days... How about you band twin? How are you doing so far? Have you had any fills? None for me so far.

I have such a similar story. Also put on major pounds after stopping the smoking. Also have a very bad right knee due to arthritis and all the extra weight. I'm 54 and have three grandchildren who I cannot keep up with between the extra weight and the knee pain. I also have hypertension and my first 'intervention' was at the age of 13 with my first attempt at Weight Watchers. I also got control of my weight at certain times in my life but could never keep it off. I came close in the early '90s but a bad second marriage sent me right back to eating badly and it's been downhill ever since. Now for the good news....I was banded on January 14th and as of today (I weight in once a week each Sunday) I'm down 51 lbs. My knee is still giving me trouble, it may be beyond rehab at this point but even if I get a replacement, the lower weight will help me have a successful outcome. As far as the hypertension, I went from 90 mgs. of nifedipine and 300/25 mgs. of Avalide to only 1 med daily....20 mgs. of lisinopril. Good luck on your journey, I know you will be a success.

Can't wait to shop. Thank goodness I had so many items in the back of the closet that were too small so I didn't have to spend a lot of money, but I'm getting to the point where those items are starting to get big as well. Funny enough, I'm waiting till I visit the folks in Florida to shop as there are no Walmart, Target, or even Avenue stores in Manhattan (there's one Avenue left in Harlem since the midtown store shut, but I live downtown and it's a pain to get up there and drag clothes home on the subway or bus. I have plenty of weight to lose yet so I'm not looking to spend big bucks right now for 'interim' clothes so I'm trying to be fairly selective with what I need and what it costs. That's why I'm staying away from Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, Saks, etc. I loved your post CG....you have to make it up to Arlene in Boston, or me here in The Big Apple so we can go major shopping!

good for you. sounds like you are being positive regardless of the scale. the trainer sounds like something right up your alley as it's a bike and elliptical. I feel your pain litterally and figuratively. I don't have fibromyalgia (or at least it's not been diagnosed) but I do have alot of knee and hip pain due to arthritis and possibly an underlying auto-immune issue. I'm headed to the rheumatologist next week for further testing. The only exercise I can do at the moment is in the pool and right now, I'm not even doing that as my inflammation is so bad that the physical therapist wants me to just rest for several days. I know at some point my weight loss will plateau and without exercise, I don't know if I can lose all the weight. I hope you feel better soon and can use the trainer ASAP.

I've been banded since mid January and have not had any fills. I track my food and stay around 1,000 calories daily to make sure I'm not over or undereating. I do get hungry but I am almost always satisfied after I eat and can usually keep the head hunger at bay as well. I've dropped 50 1/2 lbs including the 17 I lost pre-op. My doctor does not insist on a fill as long as I am doing well without one. They won't give you a fill against your wishes and it sounds like you don't need one so don't stress it.

good luck Wendy. you'll do great!

double check with your dr. on that water thing. I have to wait five minutes before eating after drinking and 20 minutes after eating. I know alot of the docs have different guidelines but an hour before and after makes me wonder how you can get in all your water in a day...which for most of us is 64 ounces. I can't even get in half that though I try.

Same here Arlene. Reg manicure is $10. And waxing also $7. Not sure about the pedicure...my knees make it hard to get them. I'm in NYC so you're talking about millions of people living here but there is a nail salon on virtually every block, and often more than one. There are six I can go to within a two block span of my apartment. Yes, also either Vietnamese or Korean owned.

Must be a big city thing. Arlene (Dylanmiles) is in the Boston area and I'm in NYC. Everything in this town is unbelievably expensive except for mani/pedis and massages....but in low end type salons. Not Elizabeth Arden....LOL!

I have Cigna. I cannot for the life of me, remember how long it took but I know it was more than a few days. I even called them after not hearing anything from the surgical coordinator. It was a great phone call because the automated response told me that I had been approved. Then....after everything was set, I had to wait three more months because the hospital was damaged by Sandy and I didn't want to have the surgery at another hospital..

I tore the meniscus in both knees and have very bad arthritis in my right knee. I exercise in the pool...it's the only place where I can move around and not be in terrible pain. Try it....I always feel better even when my knee hurts bad just because it's good to feel like you are doing something positive in terms of having more mobility. Good luck, you'll do great with the band.

your readings will be good and you'll have your surgery..... know it. keep us posted.

unfortunately it's very common with the 'new' way of eating. I take a stool softener every day and eat salad fairly regularly as that is what my dr. said would help me to 'keep regular'. the salad must be fiber I guess....

I've been reading your posts Omfgmelly and I knew this was going to be a good reading just based on your topic. I manage data for clinical trials for diabetes meds and while I don't suffer from the illness, I know too well how dangerous it is and I also know that this surgery will make your type II, which I assume you have, go away. I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that all goes well.

Oh Lordy Barb...we all love to eat..LOL! It's why we're all here and on this site. I think that you have done great so far losing all that weight. It sounds to me like you just need to make a few changes by tracking your intake so you know what's going in, and also to get the bad stuff out of the house. If it's not readily available, you can work on pushing the craving away. You can do it...you're not new to this banded way of life so just take yourself in hand and find the success you've already experienced.

Welcome sp70. Glad to have you aboard. You've taken the first and hardest steps in this process but the rewards will be great as you see the weight drop and your need for meds start to lessen. I was taking 90 mgs. of Nifedipine and and 12.5 mgs. of Avalide when I was banded in January. Am nearly 50 lbs. down now and I'm off the Avalide and was switched to only 20 mgs. of Lisinopril. My sugars are perfect and cholesterol also in the normal range. Good luck to you!

congrats and welcome to the beginning of a healthier life. as far as spending the night....do it. you don't get any sleep whether in the hospital or home but at least in the hospital, the staff is keeping an eye on you and providing you with the pain meds you need. I stayed overnight and felt much more at ease than if I had gone home.

yes ma'am, I had synvisc shots. no good. I had steroid shots...only helped for a few days. I tore the miniscus in both knees, had arthroscopic surgery on both knees....the right knee is shot. I just got back from the pool. It's the only place I can exercise. I know that replacement is likely the outcome...I was just hoping to be in less pain as the weight came off. Again...I have a ways to go so maybe as more weight comes off, it will get better. thanks for letting me know your history. makes me feel not so alone.

Oh, I'm so glad I read this MsMaui. I have severe arthritis in my right knee...no cartilage left, basically bone on bone and at this point, my hip and leg are affected as well. The muscles are very weak and I'm in pain all the time. I need to lose a total of 117 lbs and I'm making progress...49 lbs. down so far. I was hoping at this point to have less pain and be able to walk more without the cane, but so far, that's not happening. I do have more stamina but that's more about the weight loss rather than walking easier. I see you have lost 90 lbs. so I am hoping I just have to lose more weight before seing some improvement. I'd give anything to just be off that damn cane....

Georgia, sweetheart....have him use condoms. You don't know about his health status, and the last thing you want is to get pregnant without his buy-in. I'm 54 and have been through these things with my own children who are now grown and married. Some years ago, my son was in a casual relationship with a young woman who was never going to be his wife, but when she became pregnant, this was suddenly a real possibility. There was no baby, and I'll not comment on that decision as it was hers to make, but if she had kept the child, it would likely have been a disaster for everyone. I thought I had made it clear to my children to be responsible about birth control but it wasn't until this scare that my son understood the impact this could have had on his life. If this young man you are seeing is the one you expect will be your partner in life, then that is wonderful and children will come when the time is right. Good luck to you my dear and know that the folks on this forum are here to support you and help you on your journey.

thanks for the support. it means a great deal to me.

I noticed that alot of folks who post say they are scared of being hungry. I understand that fear because when I am hungry, I make poor food choices. So....last night I wound up in an Italian restaurant, which is a challenging place to be as I am a carb addict. I'll happily forego chocolate for a bowl of spaghetti. Anyway...we sat down, it was a little late and I was hungry...and the lasagna was calling my name. But...and here's a big but...I'm doing so well at this point...49 lbs. down since the beginning of the year, that I didn't want to sabotage myself. I ordered the salmon with the house salad and mashed potatoes. I ate about 1/3 of the salad, half of the 6 oz portion of salmon, and no more than 1/4 cup of the mashed potatoes. By the time I was done with the salad, the hunger was already fading, and then there was no problem with the food choice I had made. I am so proud of myself when I avoid temptation and so happy when the band does it's work and it helps me to feel satisfied fairly quickly. At that point, I can deal with my trigger foods and stay in control. Oh, and by the way, we shared the tiramisu and the two spoonfuls I had were delish. Again, two spoonfuls, not a whole serving or even half. Then the best part...I decided this morning to go through more of my clothes to get rid of the stuff that is too big and I found that I was swimming in a size 24 Dana Buchman black slacks while almost fitting into a size 18 pair. It was just a tad tight in the waist. Five more pounds, and I'll be wearing them. So happy with the results so far and glad I made this decision to be banded.

used to live in Old Bridge. moved to Manhattan in 2005...but still work in North Edison (MetroPark).

find another doctor. you must have a supportive heathcare partner, not someone who makes you uncomfortable or feeling like a failure. so many of us on this forum worry about failure, you don't need the doctor accusing you of that. don't forget, he works for you...he gets paid from your insurance carrier. if you weren't happy with anyone else who provides a service to you, you would get rid of them, right? same thing for this guy..