How is weight loss for people over 50? Can we still expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week with the band?

Hey there you newbies who are feeling scared, don't be. I was 57 when I had the surgery done. I was surprised at how easily it went and how comparatively painless it was thanks to the excellent pain control drugs the doctor gives you. I healed up really rapidly even though I smoke and that is a negative for surgery. The thing that caused me the most grief was the gas pains.:rolleyes

I was operated on a Thursday and I spent the next three days in bed reading and dozing off with the cat to keep me company. These were three of the most relaxing days of my life. Monday I had a bath, put on day clothes and hung out on the computer. I was only using the pain meds at night time and finally ended up with almost half the prescription left over. This came in useful whenever I visited the dental hygienist and during the Christmas period.:phanvan

As for PBs, I had my first one at Christmas, three and a half months after I was banded. You can limit them by remembering to chew, chew, chew, by not getting over-filled, and by loosening up your band in the morning by having something hot to drink.

In my opinion, the most useful tools post-op to have are a piece of furniture by your bed which you can grab in order to haul yourself up into a sitting position when you want to go to the toilet, a pill crusher, and lots of pillows to lie on. And you need a TV or books in order to really enjoy the bed rest.:biggrin1:

Debbie -

Wow! They really did a number on your gut when you got the surgery. I am hoping to recover more quickly and get back into my exercise routine. I think I'd eat dog food for a while, just to heal quickly, but then after six weeks I crave crunch. I heard that celery and asparagus are difficult, but oh well, some people are mourning popcorn. We all know it isn't about the food, but how we choose to cope with life. I know I am preaching to the choir, and ME here. I am so glad the pain in your knees has lessened. I am currently really doing the icing, pain killer route and just know that my surgery and subsequent weight loss will help. Best wishes,

Michelle

Green -

I am the same age as you and am happy to hear of your swift recovery. Thanks for the list of must have items. My surgery is April 16th, I keep writing it so I will not back out, although at this point it will be like my hysterectomy - a happy surgery - something I really want.

Thanks,

Green: Yes, I am glad, very glad that I got the band. There was a short period of time after surgery that I wondered why I was so weak and not able to diet successfully on my own. But I'm over that.

When we lived in Montreal, I had to have been the fattest person in town. I loved walking the streets of Montreal, poking around in all the little shops and cafes. People not only gave me dirty looks, they would whisper to each other as I passed by. And I weighed less then than when I got the band. And I was discriminated against in the clothing shops. Once I walked into a downtown shop and the clerk said, Mam'm! Mam'm, we don't have anything in here to fit you! I told her I was looking for my daughter (who's a size 2) but turned on my heels and stomped out. I think living there would have really gotten to me if I hadn't known it was a temporary thing. They are sure into fashion and being skinny up there, and having haughty attitudes!

I joined a fitness spa in downtown Montreal and all the gals would stand naked and talking to each other in the locker rooms. It was darned intimidating!

In Texas and Florida, I have been surrounded by other fat people. It was a curse, mostly because it kept me from feeling so uncomfortable in public situations and possibly slitting my wrists or getting the LB!

Yah, Montreal is much worse than Toronto for being lookist! And French women can be real nasty to outsiders. When I lived in France almost all my friends were men and other foreign women.

I finally got to go to a seminar that the hospital was a Center of Excellence. This is my 3rd seminar about the lapband. Called today and have a doctors appt. Monday. I'm really glad to get one so fast. Hope everything goes smoothly and fast. After reading on this site, it really makes me excited and anxious. I know I can do this! It really helps to hear your comments, good and bad. I don't like surprises especially when it comes to pain and discomfort.

Cblancha9 -

Good for you. I am amazed that at my age it seems to take more time, not less, to take care of myself.

You can do it. My surgery date is April 16th. I'm both nervous and excited.

Hi - can someone please tell me how to put a ticker on your sig. page? I went to tickerfactory and created a ticker and then couldn't do anything with it. Think I might be having a " senior" moment -/

Anne

Hi - can someone please tell me how to put a ticker on your sig. page? I went to tickerfactory and created a ticker and then couldn't do anything with it. Think I might be having a " senior" moment -/

Anne

Try going to your User CP at the top of the page then to edit signature. Scroll down towards the bottom and there's a place for a URL (it says Enter URL to Image). Maybe it goes there.

Hey guys!!

May I join your group of 50 youngsters? I will be banded the 15th. I am a complete ninny that keeps wishy washing about the whole thing. I keep reading supportive posts to keep myself up and then I know I am doing the right thing. Then my eyes wander to the throwing up and sliming and its panic stations again. I really have no choice in the matter, my arthris is slowing me down and I know the weight is not helping. I know when I get this 100 pound evil twin off my back my joints will thank me.

Welcome!!:welcome2::welcomeB:

I am always so happy to see someone new join this thread. It's completely different for those of us over the age of 50, than those youngsters trying to lose. It comes off so much easier for them.

I have never thown up or slimed, if that helps you at all. My surgery was a piece of cake. I have had problems with food getting stuck, but I have learned to chew and chew until it's completely liquid in my mouth. I always ate too fast anyway!

I am happy to report that I finally lost 2 lbs. I am so afraid I will mess up this weekend. It took me a month to lose these 2 lbs but one bad weekend, and I will gain it back.

crabcake: It took me almost 6 months. The first 30 came off easily. The last 10 have been much more difficult. I have been in a learning curve and the process of losing needs to be slower so that we can really learn how to deal with food by eating smaller portions, eating much slower and making healthier food choices. Everyone preaches "it's a process" and I finally am understanding that.

Whoever made the popcorn comment, I just got back from seeing "Wild Hogs" and had some popcorn with absolutely no problem. I didn't have the whole bag of popcorn, like I used to, but I probably enjoyed it much more than in the past when I absent mindedly shoveled it in.

Thanks Denise!!

Denise: I have found that if I have a really hot shower in the morning before breakfast, then breakfast is not much of an option. If I wait to take the shower, I have no problem. Go figure.

A have a PB anymore. Woo, hoo! :clap2:

Bjean, I don't understand what you're trying to tell me here. Are you saying if you take a shower, then you skip breakfast? Or are you saying a hot shower makes breakfast go down easier. I am sorry I am so brain dead. I call it meno fog:phanvan

no girl, i'm quaking in my boots as it is!!! i'm really just going through the motions right now and hoping i won't chicken out when it's time! :biggrin1:

You'll do it! My bandster buddy Jane and I just looked at each other as our plane was taking off for Mexico and said "Are we CRAZY???", but we've both agreed that it's the best decision we've ever made and the best money spent.

Devana: Wanna join the club? You can be our leader and show us how to take a town by storm!

I've read articles about women who buy little travel trailers, fix them up and travel all over, camping out and whooping it up. Sounds like fun, only without the campers and in luxury hotels with spas. Keep the whooping it up part. I remember Green's fondness for a nice Chianti and fava beans. Oops, make that scotch.

Absolutely! However, be warned that my laser wit has been dulled into fuzzy bunny wit by a bout of post traumatic stress disorder that I'm only now coming out of. That's alright, I guess, you guys have enough to make up for my lack!

Scotch sounds good. It may entice me to give up my membership with Margarita Sluts International.

Sharon: you didn't address your question to me, but I started losing hair a few weeks ago. The dietician said that I need more protein. I haven't been religious about taking my vitamins either. They also say that the surgery itself with the anesthetic, etc., can cause a loss of hair. But I don't know about that.

My advice is to take your vitamins!! Be sure you get plenty of protein and don't worry! Even if you lose some hair, they promise that it will grow back. (My surgery was in September, like Green's)

Thanks for your input, I just worry. Seems like now everytime I shower I lose wads of hair. I just cant imagine losing more. I do take vitamins now, so that wont be a problem afterwards.