Hi Fab-forties!!

I am 46 yrs old and have started my lab-band journey!! I have not been banded yet, but I can't wait to start that new chapter of my life. I have a date set for May 1st. I have a few questions:

first, what is the average weight loss for everyone and how long did it take? I have been struggling with my weight since I was a child. I can't even fathom wearing a size 8!!! I am 5'3" and weigh 235. I noticed that StephC has similar weight stats.

I now have diabetes and severe sleep apnea. I am ready to take charge of my weight and get rid of these annoying conditions.

The reason that I am asking for support on this thread is because our metabolism in our 40's changes (not for the good).......

How about support from friends/family? Has anyone experienced someone who did NOT support them? So far this hasn't happened, but I am sure it will.....

Still trying to figure out how to do the weight tracker, etc.... I'm usually good with the computer, but this one has me stumped!!!

Any input or support would be greatly appreciated!!!! :teeth_smile:

A Hawaiian vaca sounds wonderful! I felt the same way about being in a swimsuit. We have a boat and I havent' ever Water skiied, that was my goal. So maybe this year I'll finally do it. I was at a hotel Easter weekend and I did get in the pool but I still have so much skin and flab that I was still uncomfortable. This tummy tuck is going to be so liberating for me.

My visit with the anethesolgist didn't take more then 10 min. I've had surgery several times and I'm a non-smoker so there wasnt' alot to be said. But every doc is different.

I tried my new CPAP machine last night...not too bad!! It's just a device that goes under my nose!! It will take a little time to get used to, but a good night sleep is my motivation!!

Did any of you who have already been banded gain weight before your surgery? I am afraid to step on the scale. I am going to wait til my pre-op visit on Monday and see what the damage is. I started my day today with a bowl of plain oatmeal and pink grapefruit!!!

Also, I know that I am paranoid, but has anybody asked the surgeon about MRSA and the steps that they take to prevent it? It is very scary to think about and it probably won't make a diff. if I ask, but it is in the back of my mind.....

Edited April 4, 200818 yr by bandfan1

what is mrsa?

I'm not sure what MRSA stands for, but it is a superbug that is impervious to antibiotics. It is most common in the hospital setting. It starts out as a staph. infection and can graduate to a flesh eating "bug".

I was watching Oprah the other day and they were talking about it. Also, my uncle who recently passed away was in the hospital for stomach pain. He died from complications due to MRSA!!!!

I guess I should just focus on the good and not the bad. I will ask what precautions Yale New-Haven hospital takes to prevent MRSA. No question is a silly question, right???:tt1:

Hello Bandfan1,

I have my first consultation with the surgeon on April 16th, I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life as well. I am lucky so far, I have no weight related health problems, but my doctor said if I didn't do something now, they were just around the corner. I weight 279 (recently lost 6 lbs) and want to lose 150 lbs. I am only 5' tall and carry the weight in my belly and butt...so it's dangerous for diabetes and back problems, not too mention achy knees and hips.

I wish you all the best in your journey! Cathy

Hi Cathy!! Welcome to the thread!!! You made the right decision to take control of your life. Do you have a surgery date yet?? I would imagine that you are younger than me (I'm 46).....In the last year I have been diagnosed with diabetes and sleep apnea. I am very disgusted, but also proud of myself for taking this step.... I can't dwell on the negative, just forward focus on the next chapter of my life.

All the best to you and keep us posted on your progress :regular_smile:

I have had mrsa 3 times (lucky me). It is a staph infection closely related to impentigo (I have no idea how to spell this word), a common infection with kids. Mine started with what looked like a small pimple on my leg (how attractive) but it hurt if touched. Within 3 days I had to go to the emergency room and my leg was turning colors!! MRSA is resistant to most antibotics and very contigeous. I have no idea how I caught it. However, my son did have impentigo (bad spelling) earlier that month and I had strep throat many times that year and was takng a lot of antibotics.

There is a special liquid soap I bough at Walgreens (per my surgens orders). It was in a blue bottle and in the disinfectant/medical area near neosporen, not bath soap. Also, I was told to wash with an antibaterial soap, like Dail. Hope this helps!

Edited April 8, 200818 yr by miss meliss

I asked my surgeon about MRSA. He said that I have nothing to worry about. He said that it is much more common in people who come into the hospital with open wounds.

I went to the hospital today for pre-admission testing: EKG, blood, BP, pulse and a thousand questions!!

They said it would take about 3 hours, but it only took about 2 and most of that time was spent waiting!!!!

22 days!!! I can't wait!!!!!

I was told by someone who worked for the insurance claims department if you have sores in the folds of the extra skin that will qualify you for the surgery. Without it there are all kinds of infections and skin diseases that can happen with the sores.

Hi Bandfan,

I'm 48, was 235 lbs and only 5'1" tall when I was banded in January. So far I have lost 42 pounds. I've been through so many sizes of clothes lately, lucky I never threw out the clothes that I "grew" out of, so now I go shopping in my closet. Good luck on your banding.

Phyl,

Way to go girl!! That is a lot in a short time. It is very inspirational to hear your weight loss. Have you been doing anything special? What do you think has be the main reason (other than the band) for your success so far? Thanks for sharing, it is good to hear about someone in your own age group doing so well!

Wow Phyl808!!! What amazing results you have had!!! I am inspired totally!!

I am very determined to report the same results here over the next few months!! I can hardly stand the wait. Only 12 days and it feels like a lifetime!! :biggrin:

Keep us updated on your progress and don't worry about the scale slowing down. Your body needs to re-adjust. Just keep following the "rules" and you will do fine.....

Just have to keep up with the excercise. I either walk on my treadmill, ride my stationary bike or do my resistance exercises (big ball, weights & elastic bands). My doctor has taken me off my diabetes meds and my sugars are normal now, I also don't need my cpac machine for the sleep apnea and he's starting to wean me off my other meds, the first one is the cholesterol med, next step will be my High blood pressure meds.

bandfan, i see that your surgery is this week! congrats to you! it is so exciting!!! are you having to do a liquid diet this week, and if you are, how's it going?

Calondra; NO, my surgeon does not require a pre-op diet. I am just eating light and avoiding fats and carbs. My doc has me on a pretty stringent post-op diet (after Clear liquids, only 1 slimfast per day for 14 days), so I am not going to do a stringent pre-op diet.........

I am looking forward to the surgery and learning new eating habits......

I'll be posting my victories here...stay tuned :smile2: