wiredshut

Hi, I'm even older, 62! And yes, I am seeing more wrinkles, mostly in my neck. I haven't begun to think about it yet, because I don't know where I am going to end up. I was told not to think about plastic surgery until 1 year after I hit goal. I think that's because people don't usually end up staying at their lowest and we have to have our bodies "level out." I do know that I will do "something" about my hanging stomach, if only to take care of nasty yeast infections and overall discomfort, so a tummy tuck is in the works - someday. As for facial plastic surgery. I see a lot of turtlenecks in my future for the winter, which is funny, since winter is no where to be seen in southern california. As for the rest, it's a wait and see issue. Right now I figure I'll just enjoy good health and being able to do more. Good luck. Ellen

53 pounds as of this morning!!!!! I know I haven't really posted here, but I have been lurking and watching everyone's progress. Thank you all for being such an inspiration! For awhile it made me jealous to see what great weight losses everyone was having. I just had my second fill yesterday and feel so much better that I had an epiphany. I may only have lost 27 pounds, since the surgery itself, but I am down 53 pounds in all and I need to give myself credit for that. I was spending so much time feelling bad about staying the same weight for over a month and watching the tickers of those who had lost larger amounts since July that I was really depressed. A new fill; a new attitude and yes, I am one of those who gave up on my food journal. Since I'm on liquids for a couple of days, it's easy to go back to writing everything down. And when I get back to solids I am going to try to keep it up. It does make a difference, at least for me. Now, if anyone could give me enough inspiration to get on the exercise bandwagon?????!!!! Love, Ellen

Thank you all for your support. It's been kind of rough lately, but coming here has cheered me up. I also was lucky enough to speak with someone who is also losing slowly. I realize now that I am not alone on this journey. I guess I started out looking for a miracle that would do it all for me. Now I know that I have to put in my own good share of hard work as well. Have a nice evening. Talk to you all again soon. Love, Ellen

I can't believe I just found this board. Today I decided that I needed to spend more time on the various forums. I need HELP and I live too far from the hospital where I had my surgery to attend the support groups there. It is so inspiring to read about everyone's losses and about how hard you are all working. I needed to hear that. Here are my stats: Last March, I weighed about 210. I figured out I was probably diabetic and that scared me enough to switch to an Atkins type of diet to bring my blood glucose down. It worked. On July 9th, when I saw the surgeon, I was 184. On July 21st, I was banded. I weighed 174 that day, after being "emptied out" the night before. My surgeon only has you do a day of pre-op. So all in all, I lost about 36 pounds before the surgery. Today, October 20th, 3 months later, I weigh 159, 15 pounds less than the day of surgery, 25 pounds less than what I weighed at the pre-op appointment. That's a loss of only 25 pounds in 3 months, total. Needless to say, I am depressed. I have only had 1 fill and I called BEGGING for another, but the doctor was away at a conference and then away on vacation etc. etc. etc.... I feel like I can eat anything and everything, which makes me so sad. My next fill is November 5th and I can't wait. I guess I shouldn't be that unhappy. I have lost 51 pounds in all and only have 34 more to go, but it hasn't been because of the band. I could use some cheering up and some hugs right now. Any advice would be so appreciated. Ellen

Hi Janet, OK, here are my favorites: Group 1 - #1 Group 2 - #1 On a personal note, I LOVE black and white. It just seems so sophisticated. You have the same coloring as my daughter and she looks great in black and white, too. Love, Ellen

I'm on a high Protein, low carb diet now, because that's what I was on before my surgery, when I had this rude awakening that I had become a diabetic. I had finally done enough damage to my body, that any auto-immune deficiencies and any genetic predisopositions were kicked into high gear and I was now a member of the club I didn't want to join, Type 2 Diabetics. My doctor suggested diet and exercise first, since he knew I was going for the lap band surgery and he felt I could get this "somewhat" under control that way. What was interesting was that the ONLY diet that got it under control was a low carb diet and for me that meant few carbs before noon and only 15- 30 for lunch and dinner and only 15 for my afternoon snack. Sure enough my bg started to come down and so did my weight. My blood sugar is much better now that I've had surgery, am eating less and weigh less, but I am STILL a diabetic. I will ALWAYS be a diabetic. I might control it better; I might manage it better, but those little beta cells in my pancreas have been damaged beyond repair and to save the few I have left, I need to low-carb it forever. Sure, my numbers are better and if I cheat and my blood sugar spikes, it is spiking from a lower number than before. The meter reading may not be as scarey, but truth be told, it's still a spike; it's still going up more than a non-diabetic, even though the numbers look better on the screen. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, an Atkins-type diet saved my vision and kept me from having to go on insulin. Now hopefully losing the rest of the weight and exercising more will take me the rest of the way. I will never have a baked potato again, because my numbers still go up 40 points afterwards. I can only take certain allergy medications, because some make me go up 50 points. The final number may "look" like it's normal, but it's the spiking that does the damage. So for me it's low carb all the way!!!! I'd love to hear from other diabetics who have been banded. Thanks for letting me vent. Ellen

Dear Stephanie, Thank you so much for your response. You make me feel so much better and I'm actually a little less anxious, now that I've read what you wrote. So, I'm going to drink a bottle of water!!! And walk a bit more!!! And be soooooo grateful for this forum. Love, Ellen

Hi, I was banded July 21st. My weight that day probably wasn't realistic, since I had all that pre-surgery prep, which really emptied me out. Basically, given that weight, I have only lost 10 pounds in the almost 4 weeks since surgery. I had lost 35 pounds before it and that may be the reason why this weight loss is so slow. My first few weeks I know I was taking in too few calories and I'm probably not doing enough exercise, but it is still very discouraging. My starting BMI was 39. I have 40 more pounds to lose, which may be another reason why it's going so slow, but emotionally it is still very difficult, when I read how well everyone's doing. Any advice. One other thing, I'm 62 years old. Dec, 2007 - 210 pounds July 9th - 184 pounds July 21st - 174.5 pounds August 16th - 164.5 Sure could use some emotional support!!!:thumbup: (Now that I look at the above stats, I see that I've lost 20 pounds in 5 1/2 weeks. I guess that's OK!) Thanks for letting me vent. Love, Ellen

HI, For years I've suffered from yeast infections under the "apron area." I've been on Lotrisone, Nystatin, Nystatin Powder, Gold Bond and so much more. What I found was that when my blood sugar was in check (low), the infections decreased and were much more manageable. Well, 2 weeks ago tomorrow, I was banded. My blood sugar, thank heaven, is PERFECT! BUT, I have the worst yeast infection that I've ever had. I don't know if it was aggravated by the antibiotics from surgery or from the Protein that I've been having or from the milk component in the Protein shakes I have everyday. Does anyone have any idea about food being related to these infections? Thanks for the help. Ellen

HI! I was just wondering what size and types of band you have been banded with. My son-in-law's doctor uses a size 14. His father on the other hand was banded with a size 4. One doctor I spoke with wanted to use a 10 and another wanted to use the Realize band that expands to a 9. What does "expand to" mean?" Does that mean it isn't really a 9. I so want to make the right choice. Help! PLEASE! What do you have and what worked for you! Thank you

I wanted Dr. Paya to do my surgery since I don't live far from his office. I also liked him a lot; he spent a lot of time with me and was very kind. I was so disheartened when my insurance company sent me elsewhere. I'm going to a great doctor, but I still wish Dr. Paya could have done it.

No, my Dr. only asks for one day of Clear liquids before the surgery. I'm kind of grateful for that, since I am so nervous about the surgery. I'm having it on Monday at 7AM! In the meantime, two months ago I discovered that I was diabetic. I've been on a diet and exercise program for that and have lost around 30+ pounds. Everyone in my family and my internist, too, are saying, "Have the surgery." I'm excited, doubtful and scared all at the same time!! Thanks for letting me vent. Wiredshut