CA712

I am happy that I had WLS 6 weeks ago. I still have a long way to go but I am happy even when I had a few bad weeks I would say I would do it again. I just want everyone to know that there is a Baby Boomer site just look for it and join. We Boomers need to stick together and we sure can help each other out.

Thanks a million Sassy, I love the name Sassy I could say it all day. I hope all your projects for school are coming along. I still have a long way to go but this is a great start. You have a great week and I will be here when you get a chance to converse. Thanks again Cheryl

I really understand where you are coming form. Before surgery I weighted 331 ibs and just getting off the chair to walk across the room was a major effort. I have lost 38 pounds in 6 weeks so I am 293 as of today. It is still an effort for me to exercise. I am 5'3 inches and even though I have lost this weight that I am so happy about it is still a struggle for me. I walk on a treadmill to help keep pressure off my joints but still 293 for a 5'3 inch person is still too much weight to do any real serious exercise without hurint myself. I am doing lots of chair excercises that have been recommended to me and check out chair exercises on MySparkle.com. My knees still are having trouble carrying all this weight around so I use the chair and I also use a swimming pool to do arobics to take the pressure off my joints. Hope this helps.

Just checking to see if all is well with the Boomers on this site. I am 6 weeks post op and if I can help just let me know.

I have no problem picking up the slack this week. I have been checking this Baby Boomer site and I am seeing that no one has made a posting. As a woman of the 21th century it is my honor to help. I am just starting my 6th week post op and starting to fill that I am getting the hang of things. I have started excerising but not the way I should. I have no Idea what my problem could be. I feel happy about my weight loss so far but I have such a road ahead of me. My knees still hurt when I walk (not like they used to) and I think that is keeping me from doing what I need to do. I keep telling myself when I get another 20 pounds off my knees that it will be so much easier to get around. Is anyone else having this problem? Maybe I am just lazy and do not realize how lazy I am. I have also noticed that I am really cranky anymore, short tempered as I am being told by my husband. I have always been a very funny person and get invited to outings because I have always been the funny lady but lately not so much. With having lost almost 40 pounds not one single person in my life had said anything about my 40 pound weight loss. I know I am still very heavy but for gosh sakes a 40 pound loss is a lot of weight. Has anyone experienced this? Take care Boomers and keep in touch this week. Have a good week Sassy.

There are bariatric iron pills available for people like us. You should ask your nutrionist to recommend one for you or go to a website that specializes in vitamins for bariatric patients.

I too worry about low iron. It has been 6 weeks since my surgery and I am waiting another 2 weeks before calling my docitor to have blood work completed. I remember my father always using and iron skillet to help keep his iron levels up and it sure did the job. Thanks for the reminder, I am getting my iron skillet out and will start using it.

I waited 3 years to make up my mind if this surgery was for me; I did not go into it looking for a quick fix to my overweight life. I spoke with many people at support groups including the nurses who run these support groups and had WLS themselves so I knew this was not a quick fix like so many uninformed ignorant people I know who seem to have all the answers without the facts. This surgery takes a lot of bravery on our part for just having it done and hoping a praying that all turns out well in the end. I am 6 weeks post op and I still have my ups and downs and wonder if I did the right thing. I know in my heart of hearts like so many of you we do question ourselves after having this surgery but I can tell you I am at a point in life that if I want to have some kind of life and failed attempts at weight loss on my own that I needed to do something about myself. I have sleep apnea, borderline diabeitc, sore painful knees and ankles, shortness of breathe everytime I moved or even taking shower in the morning and feeling of isolation and depression. At 6 weeks post op I am still having trouble eating certain foods, sometimes I feel like I have no energy at all even with 67 grams of protein a day but I can tell you that I am just starting to walk better so much so that I get on a treadmill 3 times a week. I can take a shower in the morning and I am not worn out and I can walk outside very slowly but this time I am not out of breathe like before. My blood pressure is getting better and I am no longer prediabetic. It is going to take me a full year to get my mojo back but I am welling to overlook and deal with some issues along the way to get to a healthier life style and weight. I would do this all over again!!!! A support group is really important to belong too and it is also really important to work closely with a nutritionist who works with WLS people. If you are really having some serious issues stay close to your doctor and work to get resolved. We can do this!!! Most of us have had the surgery and there is no looking back and beating yourself up just look to make it thru today and look to the future to better days and ask questions from those who have the right anwers or who can tell you who to talk with. Don't give up!!!!

Once I had my surgery I lost my appetite and at 6 weeks post op nothing has changed. I have had several dumping episodes but that was because I ate too fast and ate to much. I have learned my lesson NO More Dumping for me. I take it real slow and take almost 30 to 40 minutes to eat Breakfast. This is why I had the Gastric Bypass it is keeping me honest and on target.

I am almost 6 weeks post op and I am having dry skin and hair issues as well. I am drinking 64 oz of water a day and 60 to 70 grams of protein. I have to agree with someone who said they think it is the lack of fat in our diets that is causing these issues. I use a soap that is high in moisture and a skin lotion after I dry off. I sometime let myself air dry since I live in Florida. I wash my hair everyother day and let it air dry since my hair is curly, the days I do not wash my hair I spritz water on my hair so it does not get frizzy. I am really hoping as I move forward and start to add more fat to my diet that this will resolve. I am thinking of also getting body oil to apply to wet skin after I shower and let it air dry. My legs and arms are starting to look like elephant skin.

I am almost 6 weeks post op and just staying with protein for the most part but today I had a V8 juice and I must say this has been the 1st day in 5 weeks that I had any king of energy. I felt like I could get a few things completed today withour feeling run down. I think I am going to start my day out the same way tomorrow. I miss my vegs.

Congratuations to everyone, I will be 6 weeks post op this coming tuesday and I am down 35 pounds. I think we all should be happy.

I think I am going to try this one. Sounds great.

Nella thank you. I think I need to slow down instead of 2oz of cheese I will eat only 1 oz. I am just beginning to realize how small my pouch really is. And, I will start to get some additional calories in each day. Thank you again. Cheryl

I have to agree with the others, your co worker is very jealous of you. Don't let her get to you. I am 5 weeks post op and I have a friend who has been very supportive of me since the beginning but now she can see some changes in me and once in awhile she makes remarks. If it gets any worse I am going to look for a new friend. Changes are hard on people!!!! Keep the faith.

I am about to start my 6th week in a couple of days and I am still having problems getting enough calories in each day. I DO get all my Protein in and I am still working on getting 64oz of Water in each day. I often get around 640 calories to 800 a day. Does this sound right to anyone? I am not sure how many calories I should take in each day. Should I get at least 900 calories a day or am I worrying for nothing? I also need to know how long it takes you to eat your Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day? If I eat my breakfast so should I say drink my breakfast in 20 to 25 minutes I wind up dumping, I am not sure what I am doing wrong and I need help. I need some insight from those who have been thru this. Thank you for your help.

Kendi Sue, I could not have said it better myself.

First, I want to say that I am so sorry for your loss. This surgery is not for everyone especially if you have a low BMI and no co-morbility. == Sorry my spelling sucks anymore>>> I am not sure what happened to your friend or should I say what went wrong. This is a tough surgery and not to be taken lightly. For anyone with a lower BMI like 35 or 40 maybe these folks need to take another route instead of WLS. I am 5 weeks post op and I am still scared of what can go wrong and I pray to Jesus that this will all work at for me. I waited 3 years to have this surgery tried to get the best surgeon I can afford and I work with a nutritionist very closely and I still have problems with dumping. You just hope for the best and hope that things get better down the road. I am hoping at some point that you start to feel better yourself and some of the hard issues you are dealing with can be corrected in time. I think it is really important to be proactive regarding your health and try to do research online and special with professionals that can help you overcome your situation even if it means you have to travel to get to the best help you can find. I wish everyone on the website the best, we all are united and we need to help each other thru our recovery.

Thank you searching: I know there were going to be changes after surgery and my husband was also afraid for me. He knows now that there are adustments he is going to have to make and I think he really did not understand how many adjustments he was going to have to make himself. Once a family member decides to have this surgery everything changes for the whole family. Food has been the center of all holidays and family get togethers all I am saying is we can all still celebrate them together but I will not be particiapating in the large family meals any longer. I sure hope as time moves forward that my hubby and family get used to me not eating. I guess they are all used to me eating large meals and it is an adjustment for them as well to see me not eating the way I did. I guess since I ate so much that it gave them permission to over eat as well and now that has been taken away from them.

It has been 5 weeks post op and so far I am feeling OK. I see lots of folks who say they now have tons of energy and feel great. I feel OK but my energy level is still low with a few periods of a little more energy during the day. I just need to know am I being too hard on myself? I am not sure. I get between 60 to 70 grams of protein a day and on most days I do get 64oz of water. Yet, I still feel that I do not have enough energy. I am still on protein shakes and have started on yogurt, swiss cheese, scrambled eggs (once in a while not everyday). I have been avoiding vegtables and fruits and I have been told not to heat any bread or ceral. I am taking all my vitamins that have been given to me by my nutritionist. Is there anyone else having the same issues? I am trying to wene myself off of protein shakes but maybe it is still too soon. Does anyone have any thoughts that could help me? Thank you

I guess we are not having a chat this weekend; I haven't heard from anyone. I hope everyone is doing well. As you know I am now 5 weeks post op and still have days that I feel like I am dragging ass. I get all my protein in now so I am not sure what is going on. I am at a loss for words. I am not sorry that I have had this surgery but it sure is tough. My hubby still wants to eat out everyday for breakfast and I don't want to go out and now this is causing a problem. He has lost is eating buddy and now he is mad at me. I have not idea what to think.

Skinnyplze, have you told your surgeon or family doctor about how you are feeling? I think that is where I would start first. After 5 weeks post op I do have days that I feel I am in a daze and do not have enough energy. Are you taking all your vitamins? I take 2 multi vitamins a day along with vitamin D, vitamin C and I just starting taking Iron supplements. If I am still feeling this way 3 months post op I am going to request a blood test regarding vitamin levels. I work really hard at getting my protein in each day and believe me I have to work at it. I just started walking everyother day and have joined a gym but I can relate to what you are saying.

Fluffy62 Thank you so much, you have made my week. I am here for you too and If I can help you thru a hard time I am here for you

I had my surgery 4 weeks ago after 3 years of deciding to go forward with this surgery. This is major surgery and not meant to be taken lightly but have years of yo, yo dietingm wieght watchers, Jenny Craig, LA weight loss and a few others I made the decision to have this surgery. I have had my ups and downs since surgery but slowly I am regaining energy and I am now starting a walking program for myself. I am just taking baby steps. I too have always used food for so many reasons and my social life always around food. I have passed up so many lucheons since my surgery but I don't care I need to do this for myself and if some of my friends don't understand than maybe I need to find new friends. I meet with a few friends at the park and we sit a talk, enjoy each other's company and we really listen to each of us has to say without worrying about food. I will go to the movies and enjoy the movie with a bottle of water instead of a coke. I have joined a bookclub and look for discussion groups on a variety of subjects at local colleges. So there really is lots to do that do not involve food. I realized since my surgery there is no going back, changing my mind I need to move forward without the food being involved as the main attraction. Eating is so enjoyable with freinds and family but it cannot be the center of my world any longer those days are over, I get a little sad about it but when I get on the scale I am happy that I had this surgery.

It has been 4 weeks since my surgery and I am still trying to get back all my strengh. I never have been one for excerise since I have been so out of shape and too heavy to move. When I did move my knees and feet would hurt too much and I became out of breathe so fast. I know I should have started excerising before this but I just want to be careful that I do not cause any problem with my incions. Well, 6 days ago I decided to take baby steps so I began (don't laugh) walking for 1 minute on my treadmill and did that for 3 days on a row then moved up to 2 minutes my 1st goal is to walk a whole whopping 5 minutes every day. I should reach that goal in a few days from now. I also bought myself stretch bands and started doing leg and knee excerises today. Once I reach my goal of walking 5 minutes each day, I will work up to walking an amazing 10 minutes each day. My ultimate goal is to walk 40 minutes each day. I really am not used to making time for myself so this is all new to me. Just doing something to help me for a change is going to take time so these baby steps are what I need to do. I am so impressed that some of you are already up and walking 30 minutes each day since your March surgeries. I am so proud of all of you for getting out there and moving.