greytz

I am only in the beginning of my journey but hypothyroidism and 2 years of oral steriods for a skin condition made it impossible for me to lose weight. I was climbing up the scale and quickly. Since banded on 06-17-09, I have lost 22 lbs. and cannot believe it. I am no longer on oral steroids, thank goodness, but still have hypothyroid and I am doing well for me. I have begun solids and am actually losing more weight than I did on mushies. I am really sticking to the program and working hard though. But oh what a feeling to see the scales move down!

Ditto to all. We all had the extreme emotions just before surgery but I can say without it doubt I have absolutely no regrets. Hang in there and keep moving toward your goal.

Just keep remembering why you chose to be banded in the first place and be prepared. Everyone I have read about on this forum has felt the same way just before getting banded including me. It is normal to get cold feet and worry about anesthesia, etc. I had just gone through several surgeries and other health problems and was worried about it but I came out just fine. They will give you medication to help you with the pain and you will go home with some as well. Good Luck and let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it.

There is also a thread on this forum for people over 60 that you might want to find and read. It is a good one and very positive. I am will be 51 in Sept. and was banded on 06-17-09 and love it.

Be able to get on the plane and easily fit into the seat and not be constantly rubbing the person next to me and be able to pull the seat belt over instead of worrying whether or not I will have to ask for an extension. Leave the big girl stores behind me. Take my after picture and compare to my before. Go have all my rings sized down. Go out to lunch with my sister-in-law who looks amazing and not feel like a frump. 16lbs away from onederland! Yeah!

I weigh every morning and no more the rest of the day. As everyone seems to feel I feel the same way. It keeps me focused. I think once a day is ok as long as you don't get too worked up about up and down a pound or two. Sometimes, I will eat something and gain two pounds the next day. Then, it makes me think about what I ate and what time I ate it and I avoid that the next time. Also, I have hypothyroidism and it really helps me stay on track with the band particularly since I am at the beginning of my journey.

My mother also has lived with Celiac Disease for the last six years. It isn't easy thats for sure. But, this can actually work in your favor since we have to eat low carb anyway. I don't know if you have been on this site or not and I in no way am affiliated with it, but we use the products from there all the time and they are fabulous. It is Bob's Red Mill. They have a ton of rice flours and cake mixes, etc. that you can get to make life a little easier. Also, there are websites dedicated to Celiac recipies. General Mills now has an entire line of gluten free cereals and there are numerous restaurants that if you ask, will give you a gluten free menu or they have a nutritionist that you can ask for and they will fix your meal choice totally gluten free. Also, there are a lot of Atkins recipies that are gluten free as well. I am sure you already know this but it is not only the grain allergy that you have to beware of. Celiac disease means that you are also allergic to a lot of food dyes particularly yellow food dye which is in a lot of the butters and margarines and tons of other food types. Good Luck and I hope this helped some.

I do weigh myself at the same time every morning before I do anything else. I don't fret though if I gain a pound. I always lose it back the next day usually plus some. I think it is ok to weigh yourself as long as you don't get hung up on the fact that you will go up and down a little bit. I like to keep track so I don't get off track to drastically particularly in the beginning. I have hypothyroidism and my weight can change in an instant. I have lost more inches than pounds and it feels good to have my clothes getting so loose. I went to a seminar night before last to give testimonial to those who are considering the band and afterward I told my surgeon I had not begun solids because I was afraid to gain weight but she told me I must start solids so I did. I have actually lost weight since then.

You do actually gain muscle mass as you exercise and you may gain a pound or two but it is ok. It is a good thing and you are burning off the fat. What is left will be lean wonderful muscle. It can seem weird and you think to yourself, (wait a minute I am exercising but gaining weight) but will be ok. And like delivered said, it could be anything such as water gain. Don't worry, sounds like you are doing all the right things.

My surgeon submitted immediately actually before my consult so we knew what would be covered.

I was banded just before you on 06-17-09 and my first fill will be 08-04-09. It is very difficult during this time. A lot of the people on this forum call it "bandster hell". It is a very difficult time when you don't have much restriction but you still need to be in control. I am very careful about my daily intake and what I eat. I got some protein flavored powders that you mix with water and I drink that inbetween my meals. I eat twice a day lunch and early dinner. I have a protein shake in the morning with a chewable vitamin and I do not snack in between. Snacking to me is a very dangerous thing and I just stopped cold turkey. It hasn't been easy but I absolutely cannot and will not go back to where I was. You have to make up your mind that you want this to work and you have to make it work for you. Hopefully, you will feel the restriction when you get your first fill but you still need to be in control and watch your intake. Good Luck!

I am the immediate voice being banded on 06-17-09. Just like jodi said, if it were that easy we would all have already done it without surgery. Like you all here have done the diet rollercoaster. And as you read through these threads you will find people who have had a less than supportive doctor and most end up finding a doctor who WILL support them. My doctor was supportive and wrote up all my necessary paperwork and my family was concerned but supportive. Please don't allow one person even if he is a so called professional to keep you from making your own decision. There are other doctors out there who will support you. I was banded on 06-17-09 and have lost 22 lbs. so far. I was a low BMI but I had no problem getting approval and surgery. I haven't regretted a minute of it. Good Luck!

I totally understand jealousy in the workplace being a victim of it myself. Fortunately, I am retired now. Here is the thing, I would not give advice solicted or otherwise. This could get very ugly very fast. There is no such thing as a friend in the workplace plain and simple. When she asks you about your weight just say you haven't weighed in awhile or something like that and move on and away from her as much as possible. She appears to be one of the misery loves company crowd. Very detrimental to your goals.

Hi Katie2, You are in a good forum for support. Best of Luck and let us know how your surgery goes for you.

I am 50 and will be 51 in Sept. No grandchildren but I rescue greyhounds and I am active with them. I hated being tired all the time and so out of shape. I have just begun my journey and I am loving so far. Good Luck to you and kiss those grandbabies!

Hi Lingra, You will do fine. Just hang in there and begin to look forward to your new life journey. Good Luck. Let us know how you are doing.

You have to really work at getting the protein in each day. At least, I do. I think it is common because it is a lot of protein. My surgeon recommends 1200 calories a day and 50 grams of protein at least.

Good for You! But don't be too nervous. It is the beginning of a journey that will change your life with your help of course. Good Luck and keep us posted after your surgery.

I am in the beginning of my journey with the band but years of yo-yo dieting help me understand what you are going through. I would think it is time to get in touch with your band doctor or find a new one if you don't have one. I went to a seminar last night to answer questions for the audience and one of the things my surgeon said was she felt bad when a patient feels like they have waited too long and are afraid to come back and see her and they just continue to spiral out of control. Then, by the time she sees them again, they almost have to start over. She said she wished they would just come in and she would be so happy to help them get jump started again. Also, have you considered a therapist for a little while just to help you through this rough spot? I really hope you go back to your doctor and get him/her to help you. Good Luck.

My B'Day is in September also. I am going to visit my mother and my little mini goal is to lose 17 more pounds. That will put me in one-derland! Yeah! That is an awesome B'Day present for you and I am glad you found some decision making info in these posts.

We will keep them crossed for you. Good Luck and keep us informed.

I was never blessed with children but love them all just the same. I cannot imagine what hell you face everyday with the loss of someone you care about so deeply and for it to be such a useless careless loss. They are all bad but drunk driving is just so wasteful. I hate the fact that in a lot of the cases, you find out that the drunk driver has been in and out of jail many times for the same offense but they just keep letting them behind the wheel. It's outrageous. I am so glad you are moving ahead and finding new ways to continue with your life. I am proud you are taking control of your weight and got banded! Good Luck to you and God Bless!

I have already noticed my shoes getting looser. I was a size 8 when I was thinner years ago and now I am a size 10. I am sure I will lose a size when I continue down the road on my band journey. I agree with Reneek, I have a lot of shoes that I love and now I may have to give some of them up. Such a small price to pay for freedom from the torture of being overweight!

Red tape and incorrect paperwork makes me crazy. I just recently retired and it took them a year to complete everything. I canceled my insurance and went with my husband's because it is cheaper now. When I got my backpay (because it took so long) they had taken a big chunk of money out for insurance I didn't even have. I already had my new insurance card and everything. I called the retirement office and they told me that I have to redo everything. I said you've got to be kidding. I knew for a fact (spoke to the insurance company) that the insurance company could not have cancelled me without the proper paperwork from my retirement office. What a pain. I jumped through hoops in the beginning to ensure they had everything and they still messed it up. I still don't have my back pay, etc. etc. It is always something. I am so sorry you have to go through that but hopefully you can get it straightened out and be on the road to the band life. Good Luck!

A support group will so totally help you. I am glad you are going. The mushies are a wonderful change from the liquids. It made me feel human again. I am sure you have proabably already heard on here and may already have one but a Magic Bullet is a lifesaver while in the mushy stage. I decided to stay on mushies until my first fill even though I am allowed to go to soft solids now. I don't want to find myself eating too much and there are so many foods I can eat while in the mushies, I don't feel deprived at all.