Fit in my 60's

I asked my doctor about the same problem. I thought he'd say to take fiber pills or stool softner, but all he said was to drink lots and lots of water.

I went to my dr. yesterday and he had a lot of trouble accessing the port. So in about 4-6 weeks he will do a procedure to secure it using a mesh since it seems to be tilted on its side. I actually felt the stitches pop one night when I was rolling over in bed, but didn't think anything of it. Guess I should have told the dr about that!

Hi Marianna, My surgery was the same day as yours and I get my first fill this Thursday. I was glad you asked that question because I wondered about it too. I was able to watch the dr. give my daughter a fill one time (she had surgery last March) and I did notice that he did extract the saline first to see how much was in it before putting it back and adding more. Not sure if every dr. does that but he did. Sorry you are having problems eating. I don't feel much restriction anymore but I have been able to eat small portions without any problems or hunger in between. For some reason though, I often get the hiccups after I eat and I also have a pain in my left abdomen when I eat sometimes. I will ask the dr. about it on Thursday. Anxious to hear some of the responses you get about the first fill. Congratulations on your weight loss so far! Debbie.

Toddy, thanks for the advice. I'd heard that in the past when I did Weight Watchers but forgot about it. It's so hard to eat more though now that I am used to eating so little. I guess it's the old "fat girl" mentality afraid that I will gain instead of lose. But I will take your suggestion and see what happens. thanks again.

I am 4 weeks out. I lost 12 in the first 2 weeks, then nothing for almost 2 weeks, then just yesterday lost another pound. I also get my first fill next week. I am keeping a journal tracking my Protein and also calories. My calories don't go over 800 and usually stay around 600-700 so I don't quite understand why I'm not losing more or how I could eat much less, so I guess we'll see what happens in a couple of weeks. The good thing is I really am not hungry and don't crave anything. And that's a really good thing!! Debbie

I take Centrum chewables, although my doctor told me I could just take 2 Flintstones. I also take the Viactin calcium. They're chocolate and I actually look forward to them twice a day. Also got Barleans liquid fish oil (even sounds gross) and I used to add it to my smoothies when I was on all liquids, but haven't started adding it to anything else. I just don't think I could tolerate swigging a spoonful, flavored or not.

Here's another example of how doctors' advice all seem to vary. My doctor said not to drink 15 minutes before or 30 minutes afterwards. Not sure why before; I keep forgetting to ask why that is. I would think you would need to drink water sooner, especially after your workout. It's hard enough to get in all the water they want you to do in a day, but with those restrictions, seems like it would be very difficult. Have you asked your doctor or nutritionist about it?

I was thinking it'd be thawed out enough to transfer to a glass dish before microwaving.

I think your system is good. Just bring an extra dish to microwave it in. Plastic does get gross when you microwave in it, and coming from a long line of breast cancer in my family, I was told never to microwave food in plastic anyway. Thanks for sharing your idea. I'm only 2 weeks banded and this sounds like a good plan to me.

I'm not sure that you would qualify. I calculated your BMI at 32 at 201 lbs. (would be more if you weigh >201) I read that between 30 and 40 you only qualify if you have one or more comorbidities, e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. To be sure, call the nearest bariatric office and ask. My BMI was 42 and I was on the fence for a long time myself. I went through the 6 months with my family physician just in case I did go through with it and we talked about it each month. It wasn't until the 6th month and meeting with the surgeon that I finally made my final decision. If my BMI was 32, not sure that I would go through with it. But then again, I'm only two weeks post-op and haven't seen a lot of results yet of course. Good luck to you and take time to research and really think it over. It is a major life change.

Wow! What a story! So glad everything eventually worked out but so sorry you had to go through all that. Thanks so much for sharing. I think the lesson to be learned here is to trust your instincts and if your own doctors don't believe you, get a second opinion.....somewhere else.

My husband has been great. He has been cooking his own meals so I don't have to which really helps. ( I'm just 2 wks post-op.) If he eats a snack while watching tv, he does so in the kitchen. He has been really good at making sure I get in the required 60 g. of protein each day. For the first week or more he was right there whenever I got up from my recliner or bed. Without going into detail just remember her stomach will be quite tender for a few weeks so some activities may have to be curtailed or altered :-) But the very best thing that he has done for me is to understand what I've been going through for many years trying to lose weight and being 100% supportive when I talked to him in the beginning about even having the surgery. Good luck.

I agree. I will be 2 weeks post-op on Wed. My dr. told me I could start eating mushy foods, basically anything I can mash with a fork. Tonight I had 2 oz. of fish and a spoonful of cauliflower, all mashed up. I ate very slowly and it actually filled me up. So far so good. It felt like a feast after all that liquid!! Debbie

My nutritionist told me about a product called Barleans. It's a liquid oil that comes in different flavors or plain. Sounds gross but I add it to my protein shake and I never know it's in there. You can google it and find where they sell it in your area.

It's funny how doctors give different advice. My doctor just called to check on me. I am one week out from banding. He told me I could start "mushies" on Sunday. And he said this, "You can eat anything you can mash down with a fork." Ha! First thing that popped into my head was a vision of me trying to mash down a steak!! Which, of course, I won't do, but still that advice gives me a lot of leeway I think. I will have to experiment with foods though to see what I can tolerate. It sure brightened my day. And I've lost 5 lbs in the first week. So far, so good.

I have had the same thoughts and sometimes feel depressed that eating will be completely different for me, but then again, that's what got me in this spot in the first place. And then I think of one of the main reasons I did this....my grandkids. When I see their faces I know I'd do anything for them, and if eating healthy is what keeps me around a little longer to watch them grow up, then so be it.

I was banded Feb. 8 by Dr. Tanner. I really like him and I especially like the whole Norton Weight Management experience. They take you through the steps and explain everything. By the time you have it done, you are very prepared and informed. The fee you pay up front ($300) covers you for the rest of your life whenever you want an appt with either the nurse, therapist, or dietician.

I don't recommend it. I tried it years ago and I did lose weight but at a cost. It all came back and then some, plus I didn't like the way it made me feel and literally kept me up all night. My dr. put me on Wellbutrin a few months into the 6-month supervised diet because one of its possible side effects is curbing the appetite. She's keeping me on it after banding for a while in case I go through some emotional stuff.

I was banded on the 8th and not really hungry. I sip on the protein shakes pretty slowly. In the morning I make a big one with protein powder, scoop of Greek yogurt, skim milk, banana, and fish oil (you can't taste it). It has 36 g of protein in it and I sip on it all morning. For lunch I have creamed soup, and later for dinner a low carb slimfast chocolate shake. I have sugar free drinks, jello, and popsicles for in between, so I haven't experienced any real hunger pains yet. I am sure that eventually this is going to get really, really old. Just glad my dr. is only making me do the liquids for 2 weeks, then on to mushy foods.

Surgery was Wed., the 8th and this is my first report from the other side. I am happy to say that all went well and not as bad as I thought. My last memory before the surgery was when the nurse gave me the "happy juice" or whatever meds it is that calms you down. I don't remember anything after that until I was back in my room. I understand that I said some funny things though right before going in. I've had bilateral mastectomy and implants and chose not to have nipples reconstructed so I evidently told the nurse to tell the doctors not to laugh at my funny boobs! Ha ha! I really don't remember saying that! The pain wasn't real bad but I was very nauseous all day afterwards. Nothing came up, just gagging, but when the nurse gave me meds for that it calmed down. Not sure what that was from. I've have anesthesia before several times and never had that reaction. Like I said, the pain was tolerable but then again I've lived through 2 knee replacement operations and mastectomy/reconstruction surgery so compared to those, it was milder. The gas pain did hurt in the neck and shoulder area like so many others reported. And beware of your first bowel movement if your doctor makes you drink that nasty liquid before doing the test to see if everything is okay and no leaks. Just be close to the bathroom when the urge hits is all I can say!! So far no hunger. Drinking Low-Carb SlimFast and made a banana Protein shake from powder Protein this morning. Had to blend it pretty well in order to blend the banana but it was pretty good. Planning on having some blended Soup for lunch and another shake later on today. Dr. wants me to get 60 grams of protein a day. So far no regrets but I'm only 2 days out. I have to say too that reading all these blogs and forums really, really helped a lot. You learn so much from other people's experiences, but you have to realize at the same time that everyone is different and so are the doctors. But it gives you a basic idea of what to expect and that is key is being prepared to this major life change. Debbie

My daughter had it done last March at another hospital and it was outpatient. I am scheduled for this Wednesday and my dr. requires overnight. I don't think there are any set standards because the doctors all seem to have their own.

To feel good about myself again. To get rid of all/most of my comorbidities To be around a lot longer for my grandkids....

I was wondering the same thing. My surgery is on Wednesday, but I figured when the time came I'd just order water and not drink it until later or not at all. I haven't told many people and not sure I can carry this off. I go to the movies every week with friends and only 1 person knows. We go to a deli first and I've already tested the soups to see which I could eat during this time. Will probably end up telling people but for some reason I am embarrassed because all of my other diets have failed. And these are skinny friends!! Stupid, I know.... So glad to hear that you all have lost weight so quickly b/c my nurse said not to expect to lose until my first fill in 5-6 weeks. Hope I can prove them wrong. Good luck all.

Thanks for the after surgery report. I am scheduled for next Wed., Feb. 8th and reading this helped me to know what to expect.

Hi Angel. I live in Ky too. I just got my surgery date today and its scheduled for next Wed., Feb. 8th. Who is doing yours? I have Dr. Tanner at Norton Weight Loss Mgmt. in Louisville. My dr. doesn't require the liquid diet 2 weeks before; only 1500 calories low fat. I've been doing that anyway so when they called I was ready to go. Hoping to get this journey started. Looking forward to a lighter summer this year! Debbie