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Hi, I had weight loss surgery when I was 63 and I am now 65 . I have been sleeved of 2 1/2 years. I lost 105 pounds on my journey. So I do know a little about what I am going to say. I have done what you want to do or have already done. So I have been thinking about this. WHY do so many of our friends not say Yay! or I am happy for you? 1. They know NOTHING about weight loss surgery let alone when we say we are have the "sleeve" done? 2. They have not heard of any positive things about WLS. 3. They are scared for us because we are having some kind of surgery they no nothing about. 4. They think we are having gastric bypass (we know it isn't but they don't) and they have heard nothing but bad thing when it comes to this surgery. Dumping, malnutrition, people gaining weight back again, because they have stretched out their pouch. 5. The are sure we are going to die during the surgery.:thumbs_down: 6. They have never had a weight problem in their life.:censored: 7. They view this as the easy way out--it take more courage to have this surgery than to do nothing at all, but they beleive it is the easy way out. 8. How will you stop losing weight. 9. Is this healthy--they are sure it isn't.:hurt: 10. It cost too much money and you will never keep the weight off and WHY if you are over 60 would you want to do this to yourself? So those are the top ten reason I can think of that the people are thinking all these things. I think if we are willing to talk more about it to them "AFTER" we have had the surgery and explain things to them--I say educate the uneducated friends that we have, they may be more willing to listen. There are so many people that just can't image that we would have surgery to lose weight, so they really have to see with their own eyes that you are OK and healthy and this is working for you. I know you want their support, but honestly sometimes it is just not going to happen. This isn't something that we just woke up one morning and said hey I think I will have someone remove 80% of my stomach and then I will solve all my weight issues. We thought about this for a long time, we did some research, we checked with other people and joined web sites to educated ourselves. So, don't let the uneducated people in your life stop you from doing what you know is right for you. If you had a tooth ache you would go see a dentist to get it fixed--and they would think that is the right thing to do. We have an addiction to food and an emotional connection to food. What is wrong with going and getting the help we need to stop our addiction. This is our tool that we are going to use to accomplish the weight loss with. It isn't a magical cure by any means. It takes time, work and effort on our part to become successful. A little support along the way also helps a heap! Finding the right doctor to trust our life with and one who is highly skilled in the field of WLS is the next step. For me that was Dr. Aceves, and I can't say enough kind words about him and his skills and he GREAT staff and wonderful hospital. I knew at 63 if I was going to take this giant step, it had to be with someone that I trusted and that had done a lot of these with no complications and was a skilled surgeon. So when the next person you talk to rolls their eyes around because you are over 60 and going to have weight loss surgery, please just have some patients with them. The are very UNEDUCATED. We will work at educating them and letting them know that this really isn't about them at all. It is ALL about you and you have earned and deserved the right to have this surgery. You will be making a lifestyle change and not be on a diet any more. You are going to put yourself first, for the first time in a long time. I want you to feel good about what you are doing because it is going to be a life changing event that is going to be so fabulous. Someone is going to call your "skinny" for the first time and you are going to smile and say "yes" I did it. I am here every step of the way to assist, you and help you. I will answer your million questions you may have and help you deal with the emotions that you are feeling. I want you to know that you are doing the right thing by wanting to become healthy and add years to your life. Hugs to you and you go for what you want in life. If not now then WHEN???? Suzanne

My surgery is 5 days away.... I'm excited and nervous at the same time, I keep look at this body that I've had a love/hate relationship with since I can remember and now I see it in a whole new way. I look at it and feel it and think "wow.... I've struggled with you for so long and now, you'll be gone" I'm scared y'all! What will it look like after, will I struggle with the "new me" will I miss myself? I keep reading horror stories about hair loss and tragic, excess skin.... is it all worth it? My primary goal for surgery is to aliviate my chronic back pain, knee pain and other body disconforts and live a healthier, active life. But, will it be like I hope it will be? I don't know and that is one scary thought[emoji20]

I'm having my psych eval today at 2:30 and also my health assessment will be done

I agree with u whole heartedly-- but I'm happy for my decision if I could just get past this first month I think I will be great-- the band taught me portion control -- now the bypass will make me make better choices on the small portions

Hi La La, I'm still on commercial Protein shakes twice a day (I like Jay Robb whey protein with unsweetened almond milk), but Dr. Matthew Weiner makes a good case for not using them long-term. He provides a more natural recipe here: http://drmatthewweiner.com/a-better-protein-shake/ Hope that helps!

I lost 8 lbs the first 2 weeks and then didn't lose any the next 2 weeks. It's called a stall. I am now 4 months out and I have had as many weeks of stalls as weeks of losing weight. It's part of the process. 20 lbs in 2 weeks is a HUGE amount of weight loss!!! You HAVE to be patient. I am 4 months out and I've lost almost 70 lbs. It's worth the patience.

On the go cheese - babybel, laughing cow, cheese sticks Jerky Lunchables (don't eat the crackers) Okios triple zero yogurts (cup or drink) Ready to drink Protein drinks High protein chips/crackers like Quest, WonderSlim, Medifast etc. I make unflavored Protein added puddings and Gelatin. You can buy 2-5oz cups and lids at your local restaurant supply store. At home meals I've made shrimp (ground) curry with zucchini, chicken and cheese stuffed crepes, Korean bbq, swai with again glaze, crust less quiche. They all have 300cals or less per serving with 17g protein or more. Homemade protein fudgecicles 12oz fairlife milk and 2 scoops GENEPRO. Mix well and pour into 6 pack 3oz popcicle mold. Makes 6 serving 54 cals and 10g protein. Can add in things like PB2, banana baby food, instant coffee, sugar free syrups or ground freeze dried strawberries for only a few more cals and carbs.

Morning Everyone! So I don't know about you but since my surgery my poop and gas smell worse than ever. Especially my poop. So while at Bed, Bath, & Beyond I decided to pick up a bottle of this as I had seen it advertised before and was curious but now really needed it to work. To my surprise it works perfect! So I thought it was worth recommending here especially for those of us who have spouses and family in the house Hope this helps someone!

You can make it yourself. Google the recipe. It'll save you a ton of money.

Itchy for sure is a sign of healing. I find wearing the binder I got at the hospital cuts some of the soreness by stopping my stomach from moving around when I walk or pulling with gravity. I also put a heating pad on them a few times which felt good.