New Life at 63

Thanks Denise, I already sent a reply to your post but I can't find it. ??? I found a thread that explained how to get the Ticker. I'vce written to you before in the over 50 group. I live in Coquille. I was banded by Dr. Tersigni.

Thanks Denise, I found a thread with instructions. How have you been? I haven't been on the forums for a while. bye for now.

I am so sorry to hear of your experience. You will be in my prayers. God bless you, Charlene

Hi, I'm an Oregonian. I had my surgery on September 20,2007 by Dr Tersigni in Coos Bay. I've been doing well, lost 26 lbs since then. Had my first fill on the 31st. I like Dr. Tersidni too. How did you get your "ticker" I went to the web site, got it all set up but didn't know how to post it here. Help! Thanks, Charlene

Hi all, It's been a while since I've been here. I haven't been useing the computer too much lately. I wrenched my arm about 3 weeks ago and trying to stay off the computer to heal. I have to use the computer at work but usually I would be on it all evening too. Well I became a "Bandster" on 9/20/07. I'm doing great and have lost 19 lbs. But I do have a problem with pain at the waiste line below the surgery site. My Doctor said it could be a nerve that was iritated by the placement of the band. He says it should go away in about 2 months. In the mean time I can't wear anything that has a waiste band. I don't like to wear dresses so I have to wear my pants pulled up over my belly. That feels very strange but it works. Has anyone had this problem? So far, I haven't been hungry and I'm only getting about 300 to 400 calories a day. I'm supposed to eat 3 ozs of someting every hour but I keep forgetting. How many calories did some of you eat while on the liquid diet? Well the pain the the arm is reminding me to get off the computer so I will say so long for now. Charlene

Sunshine, My doctor's orders says to eat nothing thicker than the consistency of yogurt. I have been eating, or rather drinking the soup the doctor sells, cream chicken and tomato, Low Carb Slim Fast, Jello, Yogurt so far. Thanks to all who answered my last entry and your encourageing words. I have a suggestion for measureing your foods. The little cups you use for the Bathroom are exactly 3 oz. And because it hurts when I been over to pick up something up from the floor, my sister suggested useing long bar-be-que tongs. Works great untill I drop the tongs on the floor. I'll have to be more carefull. Charlene

Hi, I was banded on 09/20 and so farI'm doing fine. I have pain and bloating but not bad. I haven't had nausea or heartburn. But I'm not getting enough protien. I'm on a liquid diet for four weeks and they want me to have 3 oz liquid every hour or two. I'm finding that difficult to do. I'm drinking high protien but only getting about 300 calories and 30 grams protien. I'm assuming the stomach is swollen or something. I have not been hungry, only an occasional craving. It's funny for me to say I'm not eating enough but I'll have to eat more often during the day so I can get more in. So far so good though. I have lose 5 lbs since surgery but I realize this is probably water loss only and not actual fat. I'm excited about looseing the weight and improving my health. Charlene

SallyJo, I can't even imagine being a size 10. I've never been there unless you count children's sizes. lol I was a size 18 when I graduated from HS. When I was a child the sales clerks would direct my mother and I to the "Chubby Department". I have always hated shopping for clothes, probably because of nightmares of that dreaded "CHUBBY DEPARTMENT". LOL I will be banded on 09/20. I hope I will do as well as you but any sustained weight loss would improve my health and hopefull take away the pains in my hip and back when I walk too much. How long did it take you to loose it? Thank you for shareing your story. It's very encouraging to us "soon to be banded". God bles, Charlene

Hi Denise, Funny meeting you here. I think this thread is a great idear. Thanks for starting it. Now I'll be checking both the threads. More info the merrier. God bless, Charlene

Sunshine, I didn't think that Blue Cross would pay for any plastic surgery. Blue Cross of Oregon won't even pay for the Lap Band surgery. Fortunately I have Blue Cross of California through my previous employment in county gov't in California. They will pay for the Lapband If they will pay for "apron" surgery along with Medicare, then I'm all set. That'll be great. God bless, Charlene

Sunshine, That's what my doctor said. I guess Medicare's decision will be based on the doctor saying if it is medically necessary, not just cosmetic. As far as my having plastic surgery, it will depend on how much Medicare will pay, when I'm eligible, and what my finances look at that time, about two years from now. I'm mostly concerned about the "apron" since I already have one. (No doubt due to the many times I have lost and regained the weight. My skin gave up the battle with gravity. LOL. Has anyone had a lot of medical, not cosmedic, problems due to excess skin? God bless, Charlene

Thanks to all of you for replying to me. That's a lot of info. Yes, my doctor will have the final say and I will follow his diet, but your comments provides me a basis from which to comnpose questins for him. My insurance requires the surgery be done in the hospital. I will go home hat night unless the doctor feelsa I need to stay longer. Lady HR, Losing hair is what I'm afraid of. I lost hair befor after loosing 60lbs on the Atkins Dies a long time ago. ( of course I gained it back). Thanks for the tip. Sunshine, Thanks for expanding on your list and the additional info. I doubt if I will have plastic surgery unless it becomes medically necessary. It will be hard enough paying for the part of the Lapband surgery the insurance doesn't cover. My insurance will not cover plastic surgery but Medicare will. I'll wait untill I get medicare to make a final decision. I may not look too good under the clothing but I'll be healthier and wearing smaller clothes. I can always cover up the bad parts. Bikinis aren't my style anyway! Charlene

Hi Sunshine, The list should be a big help. I'm wondering about the cottage cheese, pureed meat and applesauce. I was surprised they would be on a liquid diet. Are they OK for right after the surgery? I';m sure the surgery center will explain it all to me but I like to be prepared and well informed. Thanks, Charlene P. S. I like the new name.

Hi Phyl, It's Myrtle Point. My sister lives there too. It's about 10 minutes from here. Have you ever visited here. Coquille Hospital is small but very nice. I'll be haveing my surgery in Coos Bay though since that's where my doctor is. Coos Bay is only about 15 minutes west of here. Charlene

Hi Denise, I am planing to attend the support group once or twice. Are they in the day or at night? Thank you for the offer of sending private messages. How do I do that? I found Dr. Tersigni in the Lapband.Com web site but I already knew about him since my sister had her cancer surgery. She said he was very nice. If I get to one of the meetings, I look forward to meeting you. Charlene