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

I am so excited 7/17 is my tenantive date - Dr's office called right now - said all they needed was my shrink evaluation - which is tomorrow and she will submit. My insurance should be no problem BC CA covers as long as medically necessary and is preformed at a Bariatric Center of Excellance - Which Desert Hospital is - she should have approval in a week.

Date could have been 7/10 but my mamo appt isn't until the 12th... I was figuring August is when i would get a date... I am so happy...

I guess as long as my shrink - colon - mamo - stress test come out ok - I am a go for the 7/17 !!!!!

I go for my pre-op dr visit 7/6 - my doctor said 2 week pre op diet - but this is only a week out so i guess that's all i will have to do which is just fine with me....

Just wanted to share my GREAT NEWS.....

Janet

Janet,

This is wonderful news! You go, girl! I can't wait for my surgey date -- my hospital requires an echo cardiogram --- I got the test results today -- and I am normal --- I had the sleep study test - chest x-rays -- and a mamo --- need to plan for the upper GI series and ultrasound --

All remember -- you deserve the best and the best is yet to come!

Hi Phil,

I am Anni -- new to this forum -- but, have started my journey to a new me -- have had appointments and some tests -- surgery will probably be in Sept/Oct.

Question: -- What is your crash pre surgey diet?

Thanks so much,

Anni

Hi, Anni,

When the surgeon's office told me I had to lose 10% of my body weight before they'd schedule me for surgery I knew I had to do something drastic. So I've been having a Protein drink in the morning & then mostly veggies & fruits the rest of the day, and strictly low carb. I've only had strawberries & pineapple. Veggies I've been eating are asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, french style green Beans. I did have 1/2 cup of cottage cheese today for lunch & 1 oz. of ground turkey at dinner, but I don't usually eat any meat or cheese at all. My husband & I are retired & he likes to do all the cooking, so that makes it easier on me.

Tonight we had our daughter & son-in-law for dinner. So he made spaghetti for them, but he made mine separate... my fake spaghetti. He browned my 1 oz of ground turkey with some garlic & onion, added 1/2 cup of canned diced tomatoes, low sodium, Italian style, & served it over 1/2 cup of fresh steamed french style green beans. Really pretty yummy & very low cal. Will undoubtedly have to cut down the amounts after banding. It all fit on a little saucer, but probably more than I'll be able to eat after surgery.

I had my surgery in January 07, and have stayed slightly above 10 lbs. a month...which is my continued goal!

Hi All,

I think it is interesting the variety of approaches to the lapband that various docs. Many of us who are overweight haven't seen doctors often or only in crisis. I think it is wise for the doctors to be cautious and make sure the individual wants to really commit to a different eating lifestyle. I get a little nervousn when I hear about people starving themselves pre or post band. My take is that I am creating a new eating pattern and lifestyle.

I found I was obsessing about weight loss and not focused on healthy lifestyle. It's the healthy lifestyle that will sustain the weight loss, but I get into the mentality that "I want it NOW!" My trainer, psychologist and acupuncturist all agree that my obsessing will ultimately undermine my weight loss, so I am taking it one day at a time. Eating healthfully without obsessing, exercising 45 minutes five days a week (not 6 or 7), and working on positive statements to myself. There is a part of me that is the cynic. "You really think this will work?" I believe, for me, it is the only way to sustain change.

Are any of you struggling with the "big picture" ? Long term commitment? Really changing, not just to look good for the big event? :heh:

Hi everyone. I am new to this group but recognize several of you from the Lucky # seven group. I, too, and 52 and look forward to being healthy, looking better, and living better. My insurance is reviewing my information and hopefully I will be approved in the next week or so. I am excited to see weight loss is steady, even if sometimes slow, over 50. I did worry about that. I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to join your group if I may. I am 64 and I'm waiting for insurance approval to set a "date". I hope I hear soon; I am ready to get in the groove.

Well, I'm back. Had surgery on Monday. Still feeling sore by the port area. I'm trying to get use to how I feel with the band. I'm feeling bloated but not drinking very much at all. I have a pain in the left side of my back. Is this normal? Also, what would it feel like if the band sliped. I have a pressure in the middle of my chest also. Is this the pouch overfilled? Just drinking liquids and jello.

Hi Ladies

My Primary doctor (who is super) gave me some advice the other day when I was getting my check up. She told me to stop taking my Estrogen at least a week before my lap band procedure because the medicine thickens the blood and can increase your chances of a blood clot. I have not heard this before, and wanted to pass the information along to anyone else that might be take estrogen as a harmone replacement. Of course talk to your doctor, but it might be a good thing to check. My doctor also told me that after a few weeks I could start taking the estrogen again.

God Bless

Have a great evening.

I think I have a ticker now. I hope it appears.

<a href="Weight Loss - Diet Ticker">

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Cblancha9 I doubt seriously if your band has slipped this early in the game. Slippage comes from repeated vomiting. The pain you are feeling is more than likely gas pain. They fill your body up with gas to do the surgery. Walking is the best way to get it moving. That and a heating pad will make you better.

I think I have a ticker now. I hope it appears.

<a href="Weight Loss - Diet Ticker">

<img border="0" src="<A href="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wBZs4k4/weight.png"></a">http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wBZs4k4/weight.png"></a>

Trish,

When you paste the ticker into your signature, use thr bbCode and not the HTML. Once you get it in there, every time you go back to the site to update your ticker, it automatically updates it on yout signature.

Hi, everyone:

I've posted some on the June 2007 Bandsters forum but since I am 56, I think this location will be helpful to me also.

I had my surgery June 22 (two days ago) by Dr. Marsden in Hurst, TX. It was great that three of the surgical team have been banded and were willing to share their experiences - helped my husband a lot to talk with them.

I'm doing very well and move around frequently. I can do almost anything comfortably except pick up something off the floor - the port site pulls a lot!

The pressure feeling (gas) is very annoying but walking and heat does seem to help.

I'm very encouraged at this point and don't feel my age was a deterrent in any way for this surgery. Looking forward to reading your posts....

Marlena

Marlena

Welcome to the club! I have been banded 11 months and lost 100 pounds. It is an adventure. Just fo what the Dr. says and you will be fine! Blessings on your new life!

Welcome, LadyHR. This is a good thread for us older bandsters, and I am sure that you will find the band a positive experience.

I still take HRT and haven't heard that it thickens your blood and that's why there is a danger of blood clots with estrogen. I am afraid to get off of it, although I am way past the menopause age range. I had a hysterectomy many years ago. If I thought getting off HRT would cause me to lose weight, that would certainly be incentive to try it.

Both my mom and my sister died from breast cancer, however neither of them took HRT, so go figure.