POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
Cutting the String on my Yoyo! - English born living in Sydney, Australia, AU
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 61 and I've been yoyo-ing between size 12 and...
WORTH IT$5,500
I'm 61 and I've been yoyo-ing between size 12 and 18 since I was a teenager. Up and down this same 65lbs about 10 times in all. Every day is a battle and although I've won many days, the only inevitable loss I have at the end, is in the battle.
I've hit 61 and I just can't battle again. I tried the lap band on one down-swing of my yoyo, but I missed eating normally, as in a variety of foods, and mostly, I was always hungry. I had the port removed 5 years ago as it felt uncomfortable on the waistband of everything I wore as I settled on small regular serves of those unhealthy high calorie foods that I could swallow and keep down without vomiting, and in my foolish then slim confidence, thought I'd finally made it. Once band-removed, I devoured all the foods I could not eat while restricted, and although many of them were healthy choices with my volume was unrestricted, and yes, I was still always hungry and I could eat my fill (and that's a lot of food), in a couple of years my 65lbs was back with a vengeance. I lived in misery with it for a year of so before I picked up the yoyo and played again.
I took a year off work using all my accumulated annual, sick and long service leave and went to the gym and pool everyday for a minimum of 2 hours and after 9 months, my enemy, those 65lbs was gone once again. I was 59 and felt fabulous but in true yoyo fashion, I returned to my full time work, and my enemy, those 65lbs were back, within 18 months, without the time to exercise like a woman possessed.
So, I've sat around for 18 months holding 65lbs, reading my scales almost daily, having good days bad days while playing my mini-yoyo game but overall, sitting on those 65lbs.
I've tried them all, weight loss clubs of notable fame, and some dubious tea, grapefruit tablets and prescribed drugs, crash diets and healthy ones, and of course every type of exercise and if wishes and hopes could only keep me slim,I would be as I certainly have had my fill of those.
So, a month or so ago I let the sleeve option enter my thoughts. I've read and read everything I could find, including on this site, and argued with me the rights and wrongs of this chance often and whether I deserve it for failing so often, and at my age, and because insurance does not cover it.
I had to wait a month and a half to meet with the sleeve surgeon and my reactive plan for an immediate surgery date, before I could back out, was suddenly gone. The previous surgeon, who took my band-port out, had chosen to leave the silicon band on my stomach as it was more 'bother' to remove it when it would not restrict me un inflated, and I knew no better. My sleeve surgeon insisted it had to be removed first and then a 2 month break before the sleeve surgery. I took it well I think, but of course, I'm disappointed.
So band removal is set for 22 August, just over 2 weeks away and the sleeve for October 24th, 2014. Now, I'm actually glad for the grounding time so when I do go ahead, it is with a considered time and with informed decision making, and not the rash, rushed choice the day I called to see the sleeve surgeon after the scales numbers refused to drop once again.
I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm most importantly, I'm hopeful that at 61, I can finally cut my yoyo string forever and live a happy healthy life.
I've hit 61 and I just can't battle again. I tried the lap band on one down-swing of my yoyo, but I missed eating normally, as in a variety of foods, and mostly, I was always hungry. I had the port removed 5 years ago as it felt uncomfortable on the waistband of everything I wore as I settled on small regular serves of those unhealthy high calorie foods that I could swallow and keep down without vomiting, and in my foolish then slim confidence, thought I'd finally made it. Once band-removed, I devoured all the foods I could not eat while restricted, and although many of them were healthy choices with my volume was unrestricted, and yes, I was still always hungry and I could eat my fill (and that's a lot of food), in a couple of years my 65lbs was back with a vengeance. I lived in misery with it for a year of so before I picked up the yoyo and played again.
I took a year off work using all my accumulated annual, sick and long service leave and went to the gym and pool everyday for a minimum of 2 hours and after 9 months, my enemy, those 65lbs was gone once again. I was 59 and felt fabulous but in true yoyo fashion, I returned to my full time work, and my enemy, those 65lbs were back, within 18 months, without the time to exercise like a woman possessed.
So, I've sat around for 18 months holding 65lbs, reading my scales almost daily, having good days bad days while playing my mini-yoyo game but overall, sitting on those 65lbs.
I've tried them all, weight loss clubs of notable fame, and some dubious tea, grapefruit tablets and prescribed drugs, crash diets and healthy ones, and of course every type of exercise and if wishes and hopes could only keep me slim,I would be as I certainly have had my fill of those.
So, a month or so ago I let the sleeve option enter my thoughts. I've read and read everything I could find, including on this site, and argued with me the rights and wrongs of this chance often and whether I deserve it for failing so often, and at my age, and because insurance does not cover it.
I had to wait a month and a half to meet with the sleeve surgeon and my reactive plan for an immediate surgery date, before I could back out, was suddenly gone. The previous surgeon, who took my band-port out, had chosen to leave the silicon band on my stomach as it was more 'bother' to remove it when it would not restrict me un inflated, and I knew no better. My sleeve surgeon insisted it had to be removed first and then a 2 month break before the sleeve surgery. I took it well I think, but of course, I'm disappointed.
So band removal is set for 22 August, just over 2 weeks away and the sleeve for October 24th, 2014. Now, I'm actually glad for the grounding time so when I do go ahead, it is with a considered time and with informed decision making, and not the rash, rushed choice the day I called to see the sleeve surgeon after the scales numbers refused to drop once again.
I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm most importantly, I'm hopeful that at 61, I can finally cut my yoyo string forever and live a happy healthy life.
Replies (34)
August 5, 2014
Wow. The theme throughout your story is you do not give up!!! What a trooper you are!! Thank you so much for sharing! It is stories like yours that gives me the confidence to continue on this journey to a healthier lifestyle.
August 5, 2014
I agree that you don't give up. I have a friend who is one year out from the Lap Band and has lost 75 lbs and doing well but she did say it was a challenge on vacation. She exercises like crazy too. I'm hoping your upcoming Sleeve surgery goes well and you are able to stick with the eating plan. Will be watching for updates. BTW I'm 65. We can do this!
August 6, 2014
So glad you're getting off the yo-yo wagon. I've been right there with you. I lost 50+ lbs 7 yrs ago for my sons wedding with NutriSystem. I've done slim-fast, Medifast,doctor supervised TOPS (take off pounds sensibly), and weight watchers more times than I can count. I'll be 60 in January and I soooo want to get some weight off before then. I'm going to a seminar on Aug. 9th (3 days from now) to get more info, hand in my paperwork and hopefully get on the fast track to surgery since I am doing self pay and won't have to wait for insurance approval.
August 6, 2014
Happy with smaller, yes, I feel at 61 every day must count and I'm wasting to many not participating as I could. I have a $5500 contribution here myself and my delay is the band removal op first or I'd be 'done' already. Still, I've something I feel is really positive to look forward to which eases the wait. Look forward to reading more from you!
November 7, 2014
I can relate with your uncomfort of the band. My band will be removed the same say as sleeve surgery. Once I got that band released I cant get satisfied nor full. I've gained 6lbs since June and im trying so hard not to. With Thanksgiving around the corner im afraid im going to over do it.
November 7, 2014
I had a 2 year break from not using band to sleeve and added about 40 lbs but they are coming off now, and I plan plus some too!
UPDATED FROM Zen lady
2 months pre
Reality check tonight!
Went to my long term personal GP today who didn't know of my sleeve plans and arrangements, and when I said I was likely to do it, he said it was a good choice for me! I also mentioned I had thought about it (only) to a friend over lunch today, and she too said with a warm heart, it would be good for me. Not the responses I expected, and perhaps I am putting my own feelings of embarrassment into the equation rather than trusting those that care about me. Anyway, I said a couple of days ago I'd put a photo or two up and I've not done so. Avoidance? More shame? I did get brave and took a couple but I posed, well dressed and that hid a multitude of my weight sins. So I've stripped off to my minimum but decent and oh, what a reality check it is! Usually, I can squint, flash a glance in the mirror or not look at all, but tonight I looked and it just made me that more determined.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Zen lady
2 months pre
More reality checking
Each time I play my own mind games I look more closely at me and remember why I must do this!
Replies (2)
August 23, 2014
I am dreading telling my GP of my WLS. I am booked in for a Sleeve gastrectomy on the 17 sept here in Western Australia. Please keep updating your post. It is really encouraging. My husband, children and 3 close friends know of my plans for surgery. They are all positive but I doubt I shall tell others. There is so much judgement that people put on you for your choices.
August 24, 2014
Elle Lizzy May, oh my my my, if your GP makes you feel that way, he/she is not the GP for you! We can't choose how our family and friends react, (I've not told anyone at all) but we can about telling them, however, our GP should be right behind and beside us or they are not the professional I would want in my life. And life is what you deserve! A life that let's you walk down Hay Street Mall in slim anonymity, only looked at for your smile! Or walk in David Jones or Myers and not look for PLUS of BIG WOMAN options only! To hell with those that might judge you, you'll look in the mirror and at your new body, and grin, more than a smile, a short term pain for a long term gain, for you as a Mum and a wife, but most importantly for you and about how you feel about yourself! Go for it!
Good luck with your band removal and congratulations on taking control again! It's not an easy decision to make or an easy journey to go through, but you're on your way! :-)