I am 58, will be banded hopefully around lat Oct or Nov, 2011 and live alone- to work and home. My family lives about 1 hr away and moving even further in a few months. They really live their own lives, I am having a hard time finding someone my age, to buddy up with. I go to the support groups and mostly the gals are much younger or married- anyhow, not open to being anyones buddy. I actually expected more people my age, now free to take care of self, to be there! Anyhow, I eat our of boredom, I do well at work , and when out and about, but after 6 PM , my hour of darkness begins. Anyone out there with same issues?

I am 58, will be banded hopefully around lat Oct or Nov, 2011 and live alone- to work and home. My family lives about 1 hr away and moving even further in a few months. They really live their own lives, I am having a hard time finding someone my age, to buddy up with. I go to the support groups and mostly the gals are much younger or married- anyhow, not open to being anyones buddy. I actually expected more people my age, now free to take care of self, to be there! Anyhow, I eat our of boredom, I do well at work , and when out and about, but after 6 PM , bmy hour of darkness begins. I am trying to see bout going to a Zumba class or something, but always "alone" and meeting no-one is like worse than going at all... yet i am described as having a bubbly personality. Thats why I stopped going to gyms. I have to get past this if this WLS is to be effective, Anyone out there with same issues?

Hi, my name is Melinda and I live in Eugene, OR. I am 54 and would be delighted to be your cyber buddy. Hopefully my surgery will be in October also. I have struggled with my weight for the last twenty years and now have developed the usual co-morbidities; sleep apnea, HTN well controlled though, arthritis--already have had both knees replaced, prediabetic and have degenerative disc disease in my lower spine There is strong obesity on my mother's side--she struggled all of her life with her weight. I have a cousin who had a bypass four years ago and has done very well, Her sister weighs probably close to 350-400 and is slowly losing her life and her mobility. My cousin who had the bypass is an RN and she suggested that I consider the band several years ago. I began to research it seriously this year but did not attend a seminar until the end of April. I met with the surgeon on May 26th and started my dietary consultations in late June. I have to have three months but will go more if needed. The surgeon has had the surgery and has lost around 70 pounds over two years. I have also been attending the clinic's support group and have been following this website for about six weeks now. I feel so much better following the high Protein and ldow carb diet that they suggested that I follow. I still need to lose ten pounds before surgery.

I am weak on exercise but am seriously trying to improve and have. I go to the gym at least twice a week but need to make it four to five. They offer Water aerobics and I am going to attempt that.. I just started on the treadmill but have been riding a stationary bike for several years now. I like to walk when the weather allows and have purchased a raincoat for this next rainy season.

I was on prednisone for too many years and thus the weight gain. But I have to take ownership and admit that I eat for comfort and out of boredom.. If I had known what I know now, I would have starved myself while on prednisone. It makes me so ravenous. I probably would have said to my rheumatologist maybe I have been on it too long. They finally discontinued it in 2008 after I had a psychotic reaction. Since then I have been in a world of hurt and I can't take anti inflammatory drugs anymore after I developed ulcers. They have since healed. I am just not able to lose weight anymore. I have done WW every year since 2008 but without much success.

I would love to be of support to you. I hope I haven't made this too long. Please write back when you can. All the best to you,

Melinda Hohenberger

Email me at mhohenberger@gmail.com Thanks