Post Date: 11/6/09 3:54 pm
Topic: RE: New to this site. 2 1/2 weeks post-op.
Hi and welcome to the site.  I noticed that no one had replied to your questions and was just wondering if you'd found the lap band posters yet?  If not, if you look under Forums, Surgical Forums, there is a Lap-Band System Forum.  You might be able to get lots more help and info there.  Good luck in your journey!

Post Date: 10/27/09 12:59 pm
Topic: RE: Hey 40somethings, has weight loss aged your face?

Yes, I think so.  Since May I have lost a total of 66 pounds and there are more wrinkles around my eyes and on my forehead.  I have been thinking this is due to fat loss in the face.

No constructive suggestions to help here, I think the only thing that will help is a Plastic Surgeon!

Post Date: 10/27/09 11:29 am
Topic: RE: New WLS Documentary with 40+ folks
I wish I could say I'm sorry the film made you cry, but I'm also glad it's affected you like it did.  We're striving to produce a film that will move folks and also inform people about what really happens once folks have weight loss surgery.  Some of us have been less successful than others, some of us have been more successful than others and some of us have been successful, but still feel it's not "good enough".  I think most of us who have had weight issues for a very long time have the biggest mental challenge....the body may change, but, unless you work at it, the mind may not change....

It's all a process -- we showed the film at a recent NYC Independent film festival to distributors and funders and the response was extremely favorable.  We're excited about finishing up the project and getting it out to the airwaves!  I'll keep you posted on when the project is finished and when you can expect to see it. You can also keep track of it by signing up on the film's website (www.allofmethemovie.com) for updates and more info. Thanks again for viewing the clip and leaving your thoughts!

Dawn

Post Date: 10/27/09 9:19 am
Topic: RE: Hey 40somethings, has weight loss aged your face?
i can't tell yet, but it doesn't appear so.  i'm convinced being overweight made me look much older than i do now.  but, i can see where i'm going to have some sagging jowels.  my eyes looked very sunken and bruised when i was fatter, i think they are going to improve.

however i'm obsessed with finding effective skin care products.  right now my favors is developing to be the Jason line from Whole Foods (i also am obsessed with finding paraben-free and where possible all-natural skin care).  i have wicked sensitive skin.

ann bellina (http://store.annabellina.com/) has extremely high-quality skin care products at extremely good prices, mostly organic, all paraben-free last i checked, i really liked them but right now even at their relatively low prices i can't afford them.  i still have some of their eye serum which i use regularly, when i run out i'll probably go to Jason's ester-c if i am still a fan.

microdermabrasion and skin peels are supposed to be excellent rejuvenators, but you want to get them at a salon IMO, by an experienced professional. 

Exfoliating twice a week can go a long way to improving skin tone.  I use a papaya-gylcolic "gentle skin peel" (not really a peel but seems to be a pretty effective exfoliant) by earthscience.  i have been using twice a week for a few weeks and it hasn't irritated my face, which surprised me. 

I just ordered some jason ester-c face serum which i plan to start using daily.  i use jason's "nourish" line of face moisturizer which i love, and then the anna bellina eye serum (because it's handy) and then some vickery & clark eye cream - when that runs out, i will probably try the Jason line again.

i use vickery & clark cleanser & toner also (and used to use their moisturizer) just because it was the only paraben-free line available over the counter in my area, outside of whole foods.  so it was convenient, but they aren't stocking them anymore, hence my move to jasons.

i've also been using Jason's vitamin E body lotion and really love it so far.

Post Date: 10/26/09 12:35 pm
Topic: RE: New WLS Documentary with 40+ folks
I appreciate you getting back to me so quick.  I look forward to seeing more of the movie.  Tori

Post Date: 10/26/09 11:50 am
Topic: RE: New WLS Documentary with 40+ folks
This excerpt was wonderful.  Please notify me when this project is complete.  Thank you.

Post Date: 10/22/09 1:44 pm
Topic: 11 days till my Realize band surgery
I'm scared and excited.  I'm more excited than scared....LOL  I'm going this weekend to stock up on all the things I need to have in my cupboard and so I will be ready when I get home from the hospital to hit the ground running.  My house will be spotless and I can concentrate on just me and what I need to do for my well being. 

My surgery date is November the 2ND. 

Does anyone have any other advice I need to have ready for when I get home from the hospital.  Am I forgetting anything?

Post Date: 10/15/09 11:51 am
Topic: RE: New to site and 10 days post surgery
Unfortunately, I 've had a setback.  I was standing up and sneezed at the same time......at day 12, I felt like my innards were coming undone!  Since then, I have put on a backbrace backwards to help support, since I can't seem to be able to get a abdominal binder anywhere.  All pharmacies around my area want to have a MD order 1st.  As a nurse myself, I've never heard of this....anyone have any ideas?

Post Date: 10/15/09 9:21 am
Topic: RE: New to site and 10 days post surgery
Congratulations on a great first month.  You will fall into a slower wl pattern after the initial quick drop.  Perhaps stall a little until your body adjusts, then start loosing again.  There are several versions of normal so just be patient.   Some of us never got that initial jump start even following the rules to the letter. 

I hope you'll post here often.  This board needs some regiular activity. 

Post Date: 10/11/09 6:22 pm
Topic: RE: New to site and 10 days post surgery
Welcome and congratulations on your sleeve. I'm having mine on Tuesday and I can't wait!

Have you checked out the VSG forum under Surgical Forums? I really like that one because most everybody that posts on there have had the same surgery and there is alot of very inspiring people on there. 

See you on the loosers bench after Tue.

Post Date: 10/10/09 6:51 am
Topic: RE: anyone else in their mid 40s who has had hypothyroid and had WLS
hi, i'm 44 and was recently dx as mildly hypothyroid, started on 50mcg levothyroxine.  the levothyroxine does seem to help with my weight loss, although i was started on metformin for suspected PCOS at the same time and that might be what's turning the trick.  i have been a very slow loser, even starting with a pretty low BMI (36.5) which would lead one to expect a slower than average loss.  However, I am losing steadily especially now with the new medications.

Post Date: 9/28/09 10:02 am
Topic: RE: African American Hair Loss
I had WLS in April and my hair is beginning to thin around the edges.  I didn't notice  it at first, because keep it short in a wave style.  I hair is relaxed and I will continue to keep it relaxed.  I'm meeting with the nutritionist to find ways to increase by protein intake. I stopped with the protein drinks because I was sick of them, but I have to go back.     

Post Date: 9/19/09 7:41 pm
Topic: RE: Anybody here from Ottawa, Canada?
Hi,

I'm from Ottawa, I'm also with Dr, Graber; I'm still waiting for OHIP approval! I got the feeling they wont accept me.

They also asked my Doctor who would be the Doctor in Ottawa to take care of me after the surgery.

Post Date: 9/8/09 4:53 am
Topic: RE: 40 something, new to WLS and from Southwestern VA
Thank you for the advice!

Post Date: 8/26/09 6:19 pm
Topic: RE: pre-surgery weight loss
Katrina,

I am a patient of Dr. Lavine's also.  Have you met him yet?  Does waiting for the return calls drive you crazy?

I saw Chris and bought all of the PrescripFit.  I cannot use due to the artificial sweeteners.  She did not recommend a set amount to lose, just said lose.  Maybe I'll understand more after I see the nutrionist.

Do you have a surgery date yet?

Dana

Post Date: 8/16/09 6:04 am
Topic: WOMEN ONLY
I am 50 yrs of age and going through perimenapause, and am experiencing vaginal dryness making sexual relations very difficult.     My B/F is home only on weekends so Sat is fine but Sun sex is painful because of Sat sex.

I had a Pap last month and my whoo ha is fine , its is just there is no lube and the Ky doesn`t seem to fix the problem .

We use Ky but still I have a sore whoo ha, I read on line about REPLENS?         has anyone had any success or what works for you?

Post Date: 8/10/09 5:41 pm
Topic: RE: Aetna coverage
 thanks for the reply! i just saw my physician today & she started me on the 6 month plan before i go an see the surgeon. it was really hard to pick up the phone & call, but once i did it i felt happy. she supports me & thinks that having surgery will really help. now i just have to wait & see what happens....

i think i am leaning more towards gastric now after hearing some stuff about lap band. it seems that in the long run you don't get as much weight loss & there are many more doctors visits....

thanks!
Valerie

Post Date: 8/4/09 4:59 am
Topic: RE: 40 something, new to WLS and from Southwestern VA
Wonderful, that's great!
I'm still deciding on the surgery. I haven't had my consultation yet, so after that we'll see.
Keep up the good work (as I have read, it's work to it)!

Post Date: 8/3/09 5:05 am
Topic: RE: 40 something, new to WLS and from Southwestern VA
Good one! I have heard other people talk about their feet got smaller.
How long ago did you have your surgery? Was it a success?

Post Date: 7/28/09 7:10 pm
Topic: RE: RNY vs. Lap Band?
a lot of what it boils down to is:

1) what you can afford
2) the amount of physical change you feel comfortable with
3) the lifestyle you want to lead
4) the aftercare you are willing to put up with (including nutritional supplements, bloodwork, etc.)
5) the reasons underlying your weight problems
6) your current physical condition, including comorbities.  Some surgeries can cure certain comorbidities, some make them worse, others are uneffected.

i knew after my first seminar at my selected surgeons' clinic which surgery i wanted, but i'm glad i did a lot of supporting research.  there are a lot of people who say "if i just knew X i woulda done it different".  I don't feel that way at all.  I knew exactly what i was getting into.

this website is an incredible resource, so i congratulate you on finding it.  i don't think i would be doing nearly as well mentally or physically if i hadn't found OH.

Post Date: 7/28/09 5:18 am
Topic: RE: 40 something, new to WLS and from Southwestern VA
Thanks I will!

Post Date: 7/26/09 7:43 am
Topic: RE: RNY & MENOPAUSE
hi, i'm 44 and perimenopausal ****asional night sweats etc.) and i have an abbbbbyyyyyysssmallly slow metabolism.  I had RNY surgery.  My starting BMI is relatively low (36.5) and my starting weight was 205.  So my weight loss is targetted to be around 3-5 pounds per week *on average* (which means it's not steady, it's up and down).    So far i'm hanging around 3pounds a week (15 pounds lost over 5 weeks).  I'm looking at some ways to increase that, primarily making sure i get in my daily activity (walking) and starting to adhere to a low-carb, higher protein/fats eating method on the theory that keeping insulin levels low is key to fat loss. 

Post Date: 7/24/09 10:13 am
Topic: 40 something, new to WLS and from Southwestern VA
Hello,
Just now researching WLS, anyone want to post on things they wish they new ahead of time that happened.
terriblsd

Post Date: 7/23/09 7:02 pm
Topic: RE: Trouble drinking???
Hi Cherryl,
    I had my RNY in March 2009 and have lost 53 lbs so far . I too have trouble getting my water down. Protein shakes go down easier and also I eat a lot of sugar free or 100% juice popsicles.
If I get too hot outside I can drink water no problem though, lol. I get tired of the protein shakes and would love to drink sf tea, water, or other thin liquids myself. Ensure drinks make me nauseated as if they are too heavy on my stomach so I can only drink half of those at a time.
I do worry about getting dehydrated, especially in the summer months. I'm not sure why its a problem to drink water right now but am open for suggestions myself :o). My weight loss is slow but steady but I think I could lose more weight if I could just drink more liquids in a day.

      TerSue
      Louisiana

Post Date: 7/21/09 2:10 pm
Topic: RE: refreshing this page?
Yippee for you!