Thomas

When I had foot surgery a few years back, I took a black magic marker and wrote on my lower leg, " operate on this foot " with a big arrow. It made me feel a lot more comfortable going into the operating room. Tom

Hi Pegg, You are not alone. There is a special age related forum section for those of us in our 60's and also one for those in their 70's. It never too late to start the journey for better health. I went to my seminar last week and got all the paper work. I'll have to wait until February for the operation as that is when my Medicare becomes effective. I never thought that I would be looking forward to turning 65 ! There are wonderful people on this site and a wealth of information to be gained. Good luck to you ! Tom

The one thing we all have in common is our good friend or enemy, the bathroom scale. I have been through many scales through my years and have never really gotten one that I like until now. years ago I bought a couple of digital scales which worked for a while and then seemed to go crazy on me. I would get on the scale five times in a row and get five different readings. I also tried a few spring scales. At my age with not perfect eyesight, it was difficult to read the numbers. Also I found that with a degree of " body english ", I could make the scale read different numbers. If I leaned forward, my weight would be less. If I really wanted to beat myself up, I would lean a little back and the weight would go up. Down deep I knew I was fooling no one but myself. With my lap band surgery in a few months, I wanted a scale that would be honest and one that I couldn't fudge the numbers. I bought a high quality weight beam scale, the kind the Doctors use in their offices. The numbers are eye level and easy to read and the results are honest. The scale reads my weight by the ounce, so if I only lose an ounce one day, I will know it and can celebrate the success however small. I would be interested to hear the scale stories of others and about the scales they use. Tom

Congratulations !! Good things come to those who wait ! I also have been waiting all year. My insurance won't pay for my lap band, but in a few months I will be on Medicare and they will cover it. Enjoy your new adventure and journey and the emerging " new you ". Best of luck, Tom

CONGRATULATIONS !!! Get a good night sleep and enjoy the ride ! A new start and a new you !! Best of luck, Tom

It's hard when you want and need reward and validation for your efforts and not get it. When we are heavy we want to disappear and not be noticed, when we loose weight we want to be noticed by everyone. Your friends are right, in time you will wow all of them with the " new you". In the mean time the mirror and reflections in store windows can be your best friends. They don't lie and will put a smile on your face. Keep up the good work and fighting the good fight. You are a hero ! I remember years ago I had a beard for many years. One day I shaved it off and went to work. People could not figure why I looked different - most thought I had gotten new glasses ! Tom

Hi Steph, Good luck in your research. This is a great forum for getting all your questions answered. I recently purchased the book titled, "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band " and found it extremely helpful in honestly informing me about the lap band. The book can be ordered online from Borders and I highly recommend it. Tom

No, I haven't had the surgery yet. I have to wait until February when I will be covered by medicare. I think the important points of the book are that the procedure is indeed safe and is reversible although it is meant to be there for life. There is a very high success rate for the prople that have had the procedure and that over a long period of time the weight does stay off. I am 64 and have dieted successfully many times and have gained the weight back even more successfully. At my age, to stay fat will be to die early. The lap band, by far, is the best option for me to finally get the weight off and keep it off. In preparation for my procedure I have bought a new beam scale. The kind they use in Doctor's offices and have my treadmill ready to come into service along with resistence weights. It will be the most important thing that I have done for me in my life and I can't wait to get started. Tom

This book is a new 2008 publication on the lap band which I have just read and would HIGHLY recommend to anyone considering having the procedure. The book is titled, " Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band ". It can be ordered online from Borders books. 295 pages. Tom

Hi Bernie, Congraulations on your decision. I have a 6 month wait until I get my lap band and my gradual transformation into a superb specimen of a man. I know what you mean by the last blow-out. I have visions for myself sitting down to a large steak pie with sticky toffee pudding to follow and large quantities of best bitter. I know I won't do this, but it is fun to dream about it ! I think the amazing thing that happens with many people with the lap band is that they really don't have the same taste or craving for the foods they once enjoyed and so the journey of weight loss is mentally easier to do. I have also found that virtually nobody regrets getting the band and wonderful success stories abound. Enjoy the final blow-out and the start of the " new you ". Tom

Sometimes exercise can mean all the difference if you are not seeing the pounds come off. Just a few miles on a treadmill each day can burn a lot of calories, but also speed up your metabolism. Don't wish the 65 pounds off all at once. Enjoy the journey and the triumphs you will have along the way. Good luck and enjoy the " new you ".

Hi Lucy, I am planning on having my lap band at Danbury Hospital in February when I will be covered by Medicare. Could you tell me overall how your experience was at Danbury ? I have been there for other procedures and they seem to be pretty good. Thanks for your help. Tom