I wrote earlier that I was waiting for the process to even begin, but when it started, it went fast. I saw the surgeon, and the next day they sent it to Tricare, and it was approved by the next morning! I have my pre-op next week and surgery will be sometime in mid April. I am working things out with my job, so I asked to wait that long.

One thing that the surgeon said was a little disappointing. He said that many people over 50, and I am 61, lose less weight than others. He kept giving examples like. " You are not as active as a 20 year old." Well, duh!! He said 40% of my goal would be considered success.. But in my mind I am going for the gold, and the heck with that 20 year old.

My main fear is that I will play all the games with myself that I have played before with food. It is almost unreal that I am having this surgery, and I consider it a blessing. I plan to use this blessing, but still there is that side of myself that I don't quite trust yet.

I went to a support group at a hospital last Thursday, and got some good information. Then we broke up into groups, Lap Band and Bypass. Since I was a new person, they answered a lot of questions, but the LEADER of the group, said "You can cheat too, by eating ice cream." :confused2:

Well that is not what I needed to hear. I guess it takes all kinds.

Mary Jo

Hi Mary Jo, Sounds like you'll be in band land before you know it. Don't listen to that Dr. Lots of people over 60 have fantastic results. It might take longer for some but we can all get there eventually if we really work the band. Of course you can cheat with ice cream.....if you have it all the time. Yesterday I was at the clinic and this very large woman was there with a McD milk shake, probably about a quart huge. I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. Later when I was finished getting a small unfill I realized it was almost 3, I hadn't had anything since 8 and I was starving. Guess what I stopped and got? Yeah a McD shake. (But it was the small size. ) Anyway maybe that was all she could to find and had a long trip....or maybe she is just non-compliant. We all have a choice and I think the amt we lose depends on our choices.

Thank you Sharon for the encouragement. I know I am going to be working very hard on this new life, which I call The Fight of My Life. After a cd that I have. The first song ends with " I am READY for the Fight of My Life."