Froggie D

I know just how you feel. Once I got into the process, I was pretty certain the band would work, but I went through a period of time where I was sure I would be the failure, not the band. Afterall, I have failed at losing the weight for many years. Then I started worrying about being too old. I am almost 58 and I just started thinking I would not lose weight. I put out a question about age on this forum and got amazing respones from people up to age 72 who have been sucessful. It really helped. :thumbup: I got a lot of support from this forum and from my frieds and family and that has helped a lot. I have been corresponding with someone who felt the same way before her band and now a year later, she has lost over 100 pounds and is a size six. :cursing: She says once she got true restriction, it was easy and now she actually forgets to eat some times. She says she was obsessed with food, just like I describe and now she does not think about food constantly. I can't wait. Hang in there and keep working toward your goal. The odds are with us. It will take work, but the results will be so reinforcing! :cursing:

I found a "Blender Bottle" at the health food store. It has a metal egg beater sort of thing in the bottle what mixes things when you shake it. The advantage of the bottle is that it has a mouth sized hole to drink out of. When I put my mouth over the entire hole and tip it up, the foam continues to rise to the top of the liquid and I am technically drinking from the bottom of the liquid, with no foam. It is not like drinking out of a straw as there is no air to take in with the liquid. It works for me.

I feel the same way. I have lost the same 50 pounds 4 times in my life and in March was at my highest weight ever. :smilielol5: I am determined to give this all my best effort. I believe the band will work - now I just have to do my part. I know it won't be easy, but I am determined. Hang in there - I understand!

I have 10 days to wait but I am feeling the same way! Looks like you have a great start and are ready. We just have to take it a day at a time! I'm with you!

My name is Debra and I am 57 years old. I have been married to my husband for 17 years and he is supportive of my decision. I have a 30 year old son, a 27 year old daughter who is married and a 6 year old granddaughter (my son's). She is, of course, the best part of my life. :thumbup: I work as a nursing home administrator in a 60 bed building. I love my job, but it is very stressful and I, of course, respond by eating. :crying: I have been fat since I was 10 years old and I am an expert dieter. I have lost 50 pounds four times in my life, but each time I gain it back with more added. I was at my highest weight ever in March. :eek: I finally have developed diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, apena, reflux and joint/back pain. :yikes: I feel like this is my last chance to really impact my life and I am ready to do it. :rant: I am scheduled to have my surgery on April 7. I was not required to do a preop diet, but have been worried about them getting in there and my liver being too fatty, so I started my own preop on March 8. I have lost 15 pounds so far and still doing pretty well. :smilielol5: I am doing Protein drink for Breakfast and lunch and lean meat and low carb veggies at night. I have gotten to the stage on the low carb diet that I am not overwhelmingly hungry all the time. I do not find eating meat difficult and I hope with the portion control aided by the lap band, I will be able to lose and maintain. :yesnod: I decided to look into the band in October 2008 and have seen three different surgeons. I finally have found one I can work with and who is approved by my insurance and practices at the right hospital for my insurance. It has been a difficult journey, but I am finally there. :ack2: I am excited and nervous and worried and scared and happy all at the same time. I am unable to think about anything except my upcoming surgery. I feel obsessed. I want to get through this and have a new life where everything is not about food and weight. It is wonderful to have this outlet to express my feelings and help with my stresses. I am looking forward to taking the journey with some others on line here, so keep posting! By supporting each other, maybe we can all be successful together! Group hug! :cursing:

Dear Twinserely, Hi :smilielol5:. Have you found a journey buddy yet? I am being banded on April 7 and I would love to have someone to compare notes with daily. I am fully commited to doing this, but very nervous about it. I am not required to do a preop diet, but I started anyway just to make sure I don't get rejected for a fatty liver. If you are interested, send me a PM and we can get to know each other.

I can only imagine how hurt and angry you are feeling by what seems like such a betrayal. I know I would feel the same way. :cursing: It is really unfortunate that this happened, but you can make it worse by focusing on it and arguing about it, or you can focus on yourself and your journey and enjoy it.:rant: No one can make you feel bad if you choose not to let them. DON"T GIVE THEM THAT POWER! You can choose to ignore them and have the best journey. We all know how stress and anger can turn into hunger and eating! DON"T GIVE THEM THAT POWER! :thumbup: Just remember, "The best revenge is a life well lived!" When those pounds start falling off, they will all be eating their words and choking on them. :ack2: Then you can just smile to yourself and enjoy!:smilielol5: YOU GO GIRL! WE ARE WITH YOU!

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I get banded April 7 and I am so ready. Glad to hear from someone who is happy with her dicision so early.

April is almost here. I just wanted to say good luck to our "pioneer" April Bandster Bunnies who are having their surgeries on April 1st and 2nd. Best of luck to you and we will all be thinking about you and sending our support! Montynic, DeeDee, HappyTrucker280, Mamasugar, and anyone else who is this week, we are with you!

TOO COOL! You should be sooooooooo proud! Do keep posting and help the rest of us keep motivated. :tt1::party::eek:

I would start with the insurance requirements. What does the 6 month program consist of? If it is a medically supervised diet, they probably want you to have a first appointment with a PCP and then six monthly followups to see how you are doing and track your weight loss. I would have all that info when I went to see the PCP. Since you do not have a PCP, you might want to go to a seminar and ask for a referral to a doc that the surgeons know and recommend. Then you will not pick a PCP who is anti-lap band. My insurance required a letter of medical clearance from my PCP and if he had not been supportive, that might have been difficult. One surgeon I spoke with said if we had to do a six month weight loss program, to be sure and not lose weight because they could deny you saying you could do it on your own. Not sure if this is true or not. I did not have to do a 6 month progam, but has to show evidence of structured weight loss programs so I joined Weight Watchers and did not lose. I have tried many other programs over the years and have lost but not kept it off. I really think they are looking for a commitment. If you can jump through all their hoops, they will take a risk on you. I can assure you, it gets long and frustrating. I first picked a doctor who was ok with my insurance but his hospital was not. I made an appointment with his partner who practiced at the right hospital and then decided to drop his privileges there before I would have surgery. then I picked aurgeon who was ok and his hopotal was ok but his staff did not follow through with getting me approved. I fainlly have found a good surgeon who is ok with my insurance and at the right hospital and I am scheduled for April 7. I started my journey in Oct 08 and I did not have a 6 month program. So the moral of the story is, keep in close touch with your insurance, do everything they tell you to do, and keep the faith. You will get there!:thumbup:

Wow, CONGRATULATIONS to both of you who have hit the 100 lb mark. That is fabulous! I am tying to get a visual of that - 100 one pound packages of hamburger in the grocery store - 100 one pound boxes of butter. Unbelievable! I am getting banded April 7 and I have over 100 lbs to lose. I can't wait (weight). LOL How do you feel physically and what medical changes and medication changes can you share with us? :smile:

Has anyone had the flu with vomiting or food poisoning after getting the band? How did you survive it? Did it cause damage to your band? :smile:

Got my fingers crossed for you. I know how hard the wait is!!!!:smile:

There are lots of studies out there about how losing weight, including weight loss surgeries, end up saving huge dollars for employers because employees get healthier. My employer added weight loss programs and weight loss surgery and are pushing it really hard to help employees be healthier. You might research this and present it to the employer. Good luck.:smile:

I agree! Your patience will be tested over and over. I decided to move forward in Oct 2008 and I am finally getting banded on April 7, 2010. It has been a trial, but has given me plenty of time to consider, reconsider, learn and learn more.

Taht is so fabulous! I am getting banded April 7 and hope to be sharing my milestones soon.

I would just talk about how great it is and show off how good you look! Generally people do not like a zealot, regardless of the cause.

I have BC/BS Anthem and they were very helpful and supposrtive. She my stuf was finally all ready and sent it, it only took three days for approval. My surgwon's office found out first and emailed me.

Wow you are doing great for a "self inflicted" preop!:laugh: I am doing the same thing since I am only required to do 48 hours of liquids before my surgery. I have now lost 12 pounds. I just do not want to get booted out due to fatty liver and I don't need the sugar withdrawal along with the surgery discomfort. :tongue2: I want to be at my best for the surgery.:smile:

I am allergic to dairy so I use a soy protein powder (vanilla) in unsweetened soy milk. I add a Crystal Light kind of packet to it (acually I like Propel mix better). I found a "Blender Bottle" at the health food store that has a small wire "egg beater" in the bottom that works to blend up my drink just with shaking. I have bought 4 of them now so they are everywhere. I also get the soy protein powder at the health food store, their own brand. I shop at Whole Foods Health Food Store. :laugh:

I started using Propel mix. It is less sweet and intense, but adds some flavor. I like it better too because it is made with Splenda rather than Aspartame. Aspartame makes my joints hurt. I did not believe it at first, but I have tested it by going off and starting up again three times.

I think it is much worse because: Food is legal Food is everywhere you go Food is everywhere you look Well meaning people push it on you at every corner You are supposed to eat when you are happy and celebrating (birthday parties, Christmas, etc) You are supposed to eat when you are sad (people bring food to you when someone dies) We use food to reward our children If you don't eat enough, people worry about you. I could go on and on. At least with drugs you can remove yourself from the scene while you are going through withdrawal and not have to watch other people enjoying it. I guess you have to find a reason that motivates you enough to change. I am still looking for that, too!

I thought I was being banded last August and was doing great. Then I had problems and had to change surgeons. I have been doing "last suppers" for months since. Now I am finally set to get banded on April 7 so I ended all that almost 2 weeks ago and I am eating low carb, lean Protein, with Protein powder shakes. I am hungry but I feel better already. I have lost 11 pounds and am counting down the days. I figure when I have the surgery, the better eating won't be such a shock to you system. Congrats and best of luck to you!

Congrats. It does finally happen!