docsly

Rosie, I ate less than 1200 calories for one week and less than 1000 the second. Lo-fat food is the best way to do it. Just eat healthy and no sugars or heavy fatty food.

What a very thoughtful person you are. I hope you see success. I only wish the band had been available to me at your age. I have been in the 200s for 21 year and am now 61. I have a blog that might help you as you live this experience. It is healthierdocsly.blogspot.com I am writing more there because I believe it helps me and maybe others.

Best of luck to you. We were at about the same weight and almost have the same banding date. Hope all goes well.:smile:

Hi, I am 61 and just was banded on August 27. From reading your post, it looks like you are about ready to have the surgery. I am now three days out and it is going well. I have a blog about everything if you wish to read it. healthierdocsly.blogspot.com I am writing it to help others know they are not alone and it helps me face the challenge.

Hi, I am 61 and was banded on August 27. I have the same goal as you, I want to healthy.

Well I have been home for about 24 hours. No one tells you the bad parts. And I will try not to dwell on those but it is not a PICNIC! I checked in on time and nurse Kate took my vitals. The most vital to me was the scale. 234.8 Since you might not be keeping track, that is 8.8 pounds from August 6 which is the date when I really started modifying my diet to prepare for surgery. That paid off because CNP Tracy Sorenson said my liver was very small, easy to move, and see around. I didn't, don't have any pain except from gas. I was very bloated in the hospital and no amount of walking did the trick. The pain elevated my blood pressure and Vince was a bit jittery. Once again Sanford provide an excellent nursing team from RNs to students serving as aides (they have a different title but I didn't get it). I had Sarah and Sophia, Amanda and Deb, and Rachel and Amy taking care of my needs. Alexis was my case manager. Of course, Georgia came by to give me some diet updates and provide her encouraging smile. The surgical procedure took one hour and 30 minutes. I have five incisions on my tummy. One of them is quite badly bruised because that is where the band was inserted. CNP Sorenson explained that she had to inject that area with numbing medication so that I would not hurt so bad after surgery and that caused the bruising. That incision is about two inches wide. The port incision is also in the center of my stomach area and is two inches wide. The other three incisions are only about one inch. When I arrived back in the room, Vince was there to greet me. He had a gentle smile on his face and I knew it must have gone well. I was tired, a bit scared about what comes next, and somewhat relieved it was over. I had an oxygen nose gadget, I had a blood pressure monitor, and the IV feeding me liquids. I don't remember too much about things other than I didn't have to take that wicked H Pilori medication. All of the medications were given intraveneously except for an injection of heprin that was given right into the stomach to guard against clotting. I tried to walk often because I knew I would be fighting the gases. I walked three times on the surgery day and four times on the next day. My shoulder had the gas pain from the carbon dioxide they inject during the operation to open the cavity so they can see better. They brought in a heating pad machine similar to the one I used for my rotator cuff surgery (only that one pumped ice water while this one pumped warm water). That seemed to help as I only remember that pain for about six hours. When I finally had the full intestinal gas attack yesterday afternoon, they started a medication or two that restarted the peristalsis of the intestines. I had pretty immediate relief. Vince also monitored the breathing aparatus (this plastic contraption that you take a breath slowly in to ward off pneumonia). He put it in my face every six minutes because the respiratory tech told him ten times an hour. Vince wasn't paid any extra for this care but it goes to show you what a great guy he is. He also took off and put on the leggings that massage your legs to prevent blood clots when I had to get up. I seemed to feel really good for awhile and then really bad for awhile. That is when the famous expression they tell you about came up. "What have I done to myself?" I also had a visit from the exercise specialist. I am so glad I had already started this routine as much of what she told me, I knew Thomas was ready to commence. We left the hospital at 4:30pm and I don't think I slept all the way home as I so often have done. I would have to ask Vince. I slept pretty well in about three hours phases through the night. I would wake up and have to go to the bathroom. I had a little difficulty going back to sleep but would again wake up and find three hours had elapsed. Today I am still on clear liquids. The warm chicken broth really hit the spot. I went to the rec at 11:00 to meet my appointment with Thomas. He weighed me on his scales and I weighed 235 and this scale also gives you a body fat % and the reading was 71. Thomas said that was erroneously high because I still have a lot of bloating. I walked for 15 minutes on the treadmill and accomplished .57 miles. Thomas made me stop because my pulse was up to 143 and that is about my max. Vince and I went back to rec at 2:00pm and I walked again. This time I walked .43 miles so that is my first mile! Remember my purpose for writing this is to get it all out and if I can help someone else, I want to do that. I so appreciate all my well-wishers. The encouragement really helps. If you want to follow my journal you can go to healthierdocsly.blogspot.com:thumbup:

Hi, My name is Sylvia and I am 61 years old. I have five grandsons, the youngest is 13 days old. I have been working with a trainer three times a week and seeing a nutritionist twice a month for the last four months. I have July and August to go plus a psychiatric eval this month. Then, I believe the insurance will approve my lapband procedure. I haven't lost a pound in the past four months. I have given up caffeine, working on less diet pop, and struggling to eat more slowly. I am still working and I seem to forget to stop and smell the roses (namely meal time). I hope to have the surgery in September and then will be working hard to take off approximately 100 pounds. Thanks for this group!

I have a closet full of dry cleaned and ready to wear size 24 and 3X and don't know what to do with them. I am not interested in selling necessarily, just would like to recoup some cost of dry cleaning. Any ideas? I won't keep them in the closet to go back to.:confused2:

Thanks, I will try that. Most of them are professional clothes and I am certain they will sell.

How does one get the ticker on the page in this blog?

Karen, 12 pounds is wonderful. Just think, that is 72 pounds in one year. Everyone tells me that it starts slowly. But you must remember, if you take it off fast, it might all come back. Celebrate the 12 pounds. I know what you mean about exercise and water. Keep up the great work. It will pay off in time.

Pam, I am working with a nutritionist right now and she is having me work on small bites and taking more time to eat. So, I have started eating with those plastic baby spoons that you can now buy in a package at Walmart. It helps me remember to take smaller portions. One meal a day, I really concentrate on taking many chews.

Phyl, Good for you. Keep up the great effort. I get banded in September. Have to prove to the insurance that I am committed enough. See the trainer three times a week and the nutritionist twice a month. September will come soon. You look wonderful.

I am waiting for insurance approval! I went to a hospital program this week and met Dr. O'Brien. I want to have this surgery so that I can watch my grandchildren grow and spend many years with my family. I have been overweight all of my life and at 62, I think I may have found the tool to assist with this massive task. I have been exercising with a trainer for about 18 months and I really want to have a way to make that count.

What a great resource for her. This is the neatest forum. Everyone is offering such great advice to everyone.

I think I have found a niche. I am waiting for approval but I think I am ready for this. I am 61 so looks like I might be a little over the 50s but who cares. When I get started, I will begin to feel and act younger I know. Some really great advice on this forum!

This is a most interesting discussion. I am waiting for surgery approval by my insurance. In the meantime, I am trying to get mentally prepared. Physically, weighing in a 253 and BMI of 47, I am prepared. I am keeping a food journal because I know I am in denial of how much I eat. I could eat the quart of ice cream in one sitting or a bag of chocolate covered peanuts on a two hour road trip. I can't remember weighing less than 160 pounds. I have been working out with a trainer for 18 months now and no matter how hard I try, I have lost 10 pounds. I am hoping the band becomes my tool for self control.

I noticed your age and felt akin. I am 61 and waiting for the insurance approval but my go for it on our own $. I will have about 100 pounds to lose. Good luck to you. God speed your recovery and lease on a new life.