heartmyself

I wanted good health, and feeling fit.......
I had one heart attack, Coranary Artery Disease, resulting in cardiac surgery, I was a diabetic taking 60units of lantus every night and oral meds throughout the day, plus I was taking meds for cholesterol, triglycerides, high BP, and things I cannot even remember.
I smoked 1-1/2 packs cigarettes per day since 1970......I could not walk up 5 stairs without getting out of breath....and would break out in sweats for no reason....along with my family's history, loosing both my brother and sister at an early age who had the same lifestyle, I too was at death's door...PCP words, not mine.
I was told time after time by my PCP, Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, etc...I need to loose weight and exercise or else..I told them I have been on every diet under the sun and nothing ever worked...I have no will power, and can do the "work" it takes to diet successfully....maybe for a few months, but then it all comes back like a land slide....
Finally, I had WLS, to do what I could never do on my own...wish someone told me I was a candidate years before......
Lap band surgery, for me, IS the Magic Remedy....it does take care of my eating, making it impossible to over eat, and in the end it does not matter because it also handles my appetite/hunger.....so I do not have any cravings, head hunger....I can take it or leave it....
I lost all my excess weight, no longer take the long list of meds used to...I still get blood work done every quarter and it is rock on solid, right down the middle.....I get a stress test every year and my cardiologist cannot be more impressed....he always encourages me to never hold back..give it all you got and go for it...I know other cardiac patients whose Dr.'s encourage them to take it easy and don't stress yourself.....
I go to the gym every chance I get, started out slow and easy, and after a few years worked up to running 3-5 miles, plus weight lifting.
I play 3rd base on a softball team with guys 10-15 years younger than me...I'm the oldest on the team, if not the league...
I am 62, soon to be 63, and I cannot remember when I have had this much energy.....I feel I can do anything, and I am not afraid to try....
All this, simply because I had same day Laproscopic Surgery
I could care less what others may say, or think, or what their philosophies about the proper way to "Work" this band, let them share their success stories and we can all rejoice together....or not..it does not matter...
Don't get me wrong, the first 6 months was pure hell!!! frustrating, feelings of failure..everything I read from beginners everyday....what made matters worse was well meaning people telling me it was Ok..don't expect too much......sorry, it is not OK...I have no other choice..... what else was I going to do but stick it out and stay with the program....and learn all the needed lifestyle lessons that go along with WLS...many of which I learned the hard way.....and I do mean the HARD WAY.....
Until that day, having found the right amount of restriction, the Green Zone, and finding my "Groove"...it has all been a free ride ever since, and it just keeps on getting better and better....
I got everything I wanted from WLS, and much more I didn't even imagine....coming up on 4 years, and other than the first and 2nd phases, I have not had a single complaint....

I am 5'4" and was about 209lbs on the day of surgery. I was overweight most of my life and struggled with losing and keeping it off.
I am now 3 and a half years post sx and I lost all my excess weight plus some. I no longer knee probs, am low risk for heart disease and diabetes, have a resting heart rate of 60 beats per second and am more active now than I have ever been in my life.
I changed my lifestyle. I did exercise, I ate well. And it worked, and it has stayed off. I now work on maintaining a healthy weight (as in not losing too much as opposed to gaining too much) and my band is loose enough that I can actually eat most things with ease.
It's ultimately your decision, but the band is an excellent option for low BMIers especially, so don't be scared to take that step.

I saw a YouTube video where someone drained the broth from chicken noodle Soup. The broth is a bit thicker and much richer than regular broth. She said it was filled and tasted like fried chicken. Lol.. I hope you find something that works. My date is in 3 days! I have to do 2 day clear liquid before date.. I'm gonna try that liquid fried chicken!!

That's how I felt, and still do almost a week post op. I flipped out on my husband for eating in front of me. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and remember it's only temporary, and for you own benefit. I tried different things like juicing, and broth.

This is gonna be great for all of us!!!! The end of searching for what works!! Let's stay positive and keep each other motivated!! My surgeon says to give the first year all you've got!!(since that's usually when the majority of weight comes off) Cheers to the beginning of the end of our weight struggle. My pre-op diet officially starts on March 12th but I've began incorporating some things into my diet now! Monday I will start 100% Monday. I figure why wait till then to start. Hoping I can get at least 20-25 gone before surgery date.