SassySenior

Congratulations to all who made a commitment to turn their lives around. While outsiders may view this as "the easy way out," we know that's the farthest thing from the truth. I am so impressed with how we all keep trudging on, fighting the good fight, working with our new tool, and dropping the dead weight. It reminds me of when I had cancer. I found it hard/impossible to believe there were better, healthier days ahead. It's hard to believe in something that hasn't yet happened. But all of you help me and each other to believe in miracles. Thanks for being on this journey with me.

Hey August Sleevers, What's going on? It's Aug. 1, and we haven't had a post this week. I want us to go down the aisle together. I'm getting ready to start my pre-op, at the stage where I'm trying to figure out what & how much to buy. Since I rely on walkers and wheelchairs to get around, my best friend does a lot of shopping for me. But she is going on vacation today, and won't be back till Aug. 11. So I'm gonna order online. I've collected a bunch of info ... like a list of almost 100 recipes for Protein shakes. I've also got some interesting recipes for mushy and soft foods. But now I gotta focus on the full liquid diet. I'm wondering if I should order drinks or powder. What do you think? And what exactly is Greek yogurt? I tried Protein Shakes awhile back, but they did nothing to quell my hunger. Can I eat cheese sticks on liquids? I've never liked cottage cheese, but everyone talks about eating it. What can I mix with it to make it more palatable? Seems like a lot of people have blenders like Nutri Bullet, etc. They are kinda pricey. Any suggestions?

When I was a teen, I had a fabulous life. I was very active: In high school. I played basketball, volleyball, badminton, swam in competition, was a member of the Saddle Club, and was a "modern dancer." After I graduated, I went dancing 3 times a week, joined a Ski Club, spent summers on Lake Michigan and Wisconsin lakes, danced often in sock hops at roller rinks, went almost weekly to the world's largest amusement park, and had at least 2 boyfriends at a time. Interestingly at 16, I weighed 116 lbs., 120 lbs. at 20, 130 lbs. at 30, etc., etc. For the most part, I was pretty slim, never really had a problem with weight or eating for most of my life. In my early 50s a series of medical events led me on a downward path where I began to gain weight. Took steroids while receiving chemo, and began putting on weight like mad. Like others who didn't gain weight until a major life event occurred (having babies, etc.) once I started to put weight on, it was like a train rolling downhill. The more time passed, the faster the train went, picking up a lot of extra weight as it rolled along. By 2011, I weighed over 400 lbs. I'm about 380 lbs. now and my surgery is Aug 23. I'm grateful I didn't have to endure being overweight when I was young, but I've been morbidly obese for more than 10 years. I have a hard time believing I will ever be thin again.

Good luck to you, too. I'm excited about it ... I waited more than 2 years ... it's hard to believe it's real. Have you started to accumulate your shakes and vitamins? What, if anything are you doing to get ready for surgery?

Canary - I'm no expert, but I heard the main reason is with liquids you will not experience the feeling of fullness. Liquids make the food go down easier, you will not get the fullness feeling, and you can eat more. This is how to gain weight after you've been sleeved.

You are not alone! I'm Aug. 23, too. My pre-op starts on the 9th - 2 weeks.

Got the date wrong. I'm Aug. 23.

Girl, I think you need to rethink your idea of success because you definitely are one. My God, to lose 95 lbs. is a huge deal ... and you look amazing. I'm at 400 pre-op and I would be over the moon if I looked like you do. Give yourself a long overdue pat on the back Congratulations!

I haven't seem or heard of that one. Where did you see that? This is not a dangerous operation. I know of no one who died as a result of it. Surgery always carries dangers, regardless of procedures. I have several reasons to be worried, but I'm not. I am considered at high risk because my weight is near 400, I've had a previous heart attack and I'm over 60. But even with that, there isn't much risk from the procedure. If you seek negativities, you can always find them. I think the key to having a successful anything is to be positive. There is a strong mind-body connection. So keep your chin up. Connecting with others will certainly help. Good luck ... not that you need it.

I'm glad you posted. I am also a senior who's being sleeved Aug. 20th in Dallas. I understand your concern, but if you've been cleared for surgery and have a good doctor, things will turn out good. We'll have to keep in touch.

I had a similar issue with my surgeon's office and considered changing to another surgeon. Luckily, I started talking to someone who actually was willing and able to answer all my questions, even though insurance was her area. The bottom line for me was the surgeon. He's world-renowned, past president of the American Bariatric Surgery group and currently on its board of directors. He's the guy other surgeons send their problems to. With my age and my size, I was a high risk patient. It's like a man ... a good one is hard to find! <grin>

After waiting 2-1/2 years, I'm finally being sleeved in August. I had so much trouble getting to this point, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sure enough, the surgeon's office called, saying I needed to come in again for another evaluation. I said NO, HELL NO. Enough is enough. My sleeve date is Aug. 26 in Denton, TX. It's about 35 miles north of Dallas. I'm going to try and push it up to Aug 23, if possible. Can't wait to share this journey with all of you August 2013 Sleevers.

I only have a pc. No cell or iPad. Can I join this group?

Can't wait! And, for me, it couldn't be more timely for my upcoming August surgery!

Thanks, Isereno. I look forward to checking them all out. I do have a lot of information, both from my surgeon and compiled from the boards for 2 - 1/2 years. I have a huge amount of info, so if there's every anything you're missing, let me know. I'm getting sleeved in August, either the 23rd or 26th.

I would try to find a doctor who has a track record of success with insurance companies. That's ridiculous that you're being denied. Good luck.

Bye boys.

Sayonara.

Jim, Hope all went well on your surgery today. Here's a couple of suggestions for liquids: SF POPSICLES - Budget saver ones at WalMart - Blue Bell - Assorted pops by Oak Farms - Staci Powell "Love love lov Dryers SF Outshine popsicles ...eat one every night as my b4 bed treat " ALSO - supposed to work like a charm: Sheng Fa for hair loss I luv Jackson Browne, too!

How about some flavored instant, decaf coffee ala International Coffee (Now Maxwell House). They have a lot of great flavors. My favorite is Cafe Vienna, but not sure they carry that anymore. I Drink FranchVanilla now. It's creamy. Maybe you can mix some unflavored protein powder with it

Sooooo, how are you doing? I'm also in Dallas, but still a pre-op.

Recently, I had an unexpected and forced restriction placed on me and experienced for the first time what restriction was like. I received steroid shots in my knees and was told to watch my blood sugar carefully because steroids tend to make sugars rise. Sure enough, mine rose quickly, so I was forced to remove sugar and reduce anything that might have a lot of carbs or cause my blood sugar to rise. I have diabetes, and it has always been under perfect control, so I never worried much about what I ate. But when my sugar went to 313. it got my attention. I was able to.get it down and keep it lower by restricting what I ate. It was hard, but not terribly difficult to do. That plus what I did for my pre-op diet will hopefully help me to enter into this new way of eating. For the pre-op diet, my doctor told me I had to lose 20 lbs. in 3 months to qualify for surgery. Initially, I didn't think it was possible, but I went ahead and fashioned a weight loss diet for me. It wound up working really well, and I was losing 10 lbs a month., Basically, I logged all meals at MyFitnessPal.com. I became very conscious of what and how much I was eating. I reduced my portion size a tad, and I reduced my intake of fattening foods. I didn't really give up anything, but just became aware and accountable for what I ate. Up till then, I never wanted to know how many calories were in anything. Now I studied the labels. I couldn't believe it when I lost the weight. I stopped the diet once I met the requirement. I wish I had kept it up because it's been over a year, and I still don't have a date. Imagine how much weight I might have lost while waiting! I'm hopefully getting close to a date, just awaiting cardiac clearance. Paws and fingers crossed!

Wow. You like that? I guess that means you are ready! I fashioned a weight loss diet for me & I was losing 10 lbs a month., Basically, I logged all meals at MyFitnessPal.com I became very conscious of what and how much I was eating. I reduced my portion size a tad, and I reduced my intake of fattening foods. I didn't really give up anything, but just became aware and was accountable for what I ate. I couldn't believe when I lost the weight. I stopped because I had met the requirement. I wish I had kept it up because it's been over a year, and I still don't have a date. Imagine how much weight I might have lost! Recently, I had an unexpected and forced restriction placed on me and experienced for the first time what restriction was like. I received steroid shots in my knees and was told to watch my blood sugar carefully because steroids tend to make sugars rise. Sure enough, mine rose, so I was forced to remove sugar and reduce anything that might have a lot of carbs or caused my blood sugar to rise. I have diabetes, and it has always been under perfect control, so I never worried much about what I ate. But when my sugar went to 313. it got my attention. I was able to.get it down and keep it lower by restricting what I ate. It was hard, but not terribly difficult to do.

Coco - I love your attitude and appreciate your congratulating me on my meager loss. Water therapy sounds wonderful. Is that the same as water aerobics? Hey -- I need the skinny on your stats, i.e. Date of Surgery, specifically. Very happy to hear your surgery went ok. It is my only concern -- whether my heart will be ok. I don't yet have the final word on whether I need to do the nuclear stress test ... and that's "stressing" me out!

If your over 60, bop on over to our Baby Boomers group., It's still pretty new, so we don't have a lot of activity. But with more Bopping Boomers like you to liven it up, who knows what can happen!