stoongal

OMG! That is so terrific! 45 lbs! Gosh you must be proud of that! Keep up the good work, watch out for evil stalls and we will watch that ticker slide down, down and more down!

Well, I fly south on Sunday, have been on fluids for a couple of days now, trying out various protein and meal replacement drinks, and surprisingly not getting hungry like I thought I would! Even though I know it is rough at the start, I really am looking forward to life after the sleeve! Could I possibly ever get to be svelte? heehee. Tickles me to think of it. Does it ever come off much below the waist, the older lady spare tire thing? How are the rest of you seniors fending, getting some good shape back yet? What a lot of clothes sorting I am going to have to do! Up here, we have a definite winter wardrobe, long sleeves, warmer fabrics, cardigans, fleece things and warm outerwear. This time I can get rid of the 1 and 2X's for good, the Xlarges and size 20s will soon be a thing of the past. Can hardly wait. May have to dust off the camera and start selling on eBay again. Got rid of my career clothing that way. Lots of demand for inexpensive plus size wear there. Well chime in anyone, I will be back home here in a week's time. Cheers, Donna

If you liked the Noebook, check out Nights in Rodanthe starring Diane Ladd and Richard Gere...if you have seen that I have many more fav's I can share with you.

Haven't been sleeved yet (Mon, 28th) but when I had my knee replacements last year, I LOVED the fact they covered me with HEATED cotton blankets while being wheeled in and out of the surgical theater. And all the back rubs, hand massages, and bless them for letting me have a catheter through out, as I know I would have wet the bed otherwise! Please chime in with your fav's. :001_smile:

Great advice! I always wear gowns for sleeping anyway, so that checked good - I do have stretch fabric panties that fit below the waist - so good there too. I found a black stretch fabric skirt I had put away years ago, (I don't do skirts as a rule) and the elastic is totally shot around the waist so it is shaped like a big tube. I may have to pin it to the bottom of my bra to keep it from sailing off me while walking but I fill it up pretty good sitting. Decided to wear that with a loose top - I'll have someone take a pic of me in it going home. teehee. Just can't justify spending more money on a dress so big that I will never wear again. (yes I know - I am a cheapie. Goes with the territory of being this old and brought up partly thru the depression yrs.) Thanks again for sharing what worked for you!! Much appreciated, and thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. I am grateful to you all! Cheers, Donna:001_cool:

Thank Millie, glad you found the hemp hearts. Can I ask what size container and how much did it cost? Cheers, Donna

did you google that? They are just another Cereal crop here as far as I know. Starting to gain the attention of the nutritionists out there as they are SO healthy for you. What is missing so far in your post-op diets is the essential fatty acids. We really need them, they are called essential for a reason. I believe that the hemp hearts provide that for me, but do check it out - there is quite a bit about them on the internet. They are also high in Vit D, and of course Protein. $10 Cdn for a three week supply isn't an expensive thing and no grinding necessary. And as the last poster attested, they taste delicious. Plus nice soft stools every day ~sigh~ no more laxatives!

It lasts quite a long time, I find about 4-5 months for me, and there is no problem with storing it, I have the case in my front hall closet which is handy to the kitchen. These are supposed to be even better than flax seed, as the outer shells are removed leaving just the inside "hearts". Well worth it for the nutrition! Cheers, Donna

I just reordered mine and asked about prices to the US. It is the same! $90 Cdn per case AND only $10Cdn for shipping. Heck of a good deal! Try it out ladies, just give them a call! Donna

They sometimes do, but be prepared for a 40-50% markup. Check prices online first. I order them a case of 9, 1 lb cartons at a time, and it works out to $10 ea and that includes courier cost to my door. But then again - those ones come from the next province over in Alberta, thru Rocky Mountain Grain products. I would even phone and ask them their price to your address. 1 403 329 1380. Usually less than shown online even! They are truly good tasting and can be eaten with a spoon or mixed in yogurt, hot Cereal (my fav) or just about anything. They are tiny so we should be able to eat them with the mushy stage. I think. I have only 3 Tbsps a day and find that is sufficient. (12 gms Protein. They recommend 5 Tbsps for 20 grams protein, but at around 300 calories). I stick with the smaller amount as I also mix in 1/3 cup blueberries with my oatmeal. Very filling that way. After I am sleeved on Monday will likely end up with only a few spoonfuls of oatmeal and my hemp hearts. -if that. Hope that helps. Donna

Those of you who have reached your goal weights or close to it, have you noticed if your feet have shrunk enough to warrant a different size?Curious, as I had bought expensive but comfy shoes for summer as they are open mesh and opentoe and strapheels. I am concerned that they may be too big for me next summer. What do you think? anyone had that problem?

Sorry about that, the memory isn't quite as good as it used to be!:party4:

re: the emotions, are you grieving the loss of your favs like bread sweets etc? Or just grieving your old eating life in general? I worry about that too, but I did order the book the Beck Diet Solution that MacMadame (I believe) recommended for the emotional recovery afterwards. I am hoping it will be helpful. Perhaps your library carries it? Mine won't get to me until the week after my surgery (from Amazon) and that when I will need it the most I am thinking. How are you doing lately? All the best :thumbup:

A suggestion re the prunes. Stew them in some Water first for aobut 1/2 hr or more, then they will be soft and easy to eat, and the juice they are cooked in is very helpful, so drink it too. I plan on eating a few tbsp of tasty hemp hearts each day as they keep me very regular now. (I mix ithem in my oatmeal) They are full of Protein, Vitamins and essential fats and so very good for you. Also have you considered getting those little melting suppositories? Used them after my other surgeries, helps a lot! Do your health food stores carry Hemp hearts? they likely can be ordered online, try googling for them. Just don't get the hemp seeds, you want just what is inside the seeds, the hearts. anyway, good luck - I know I will also be doing this pretty soon now! :thumbup:

will do, Bookgirl! and now for another question about the trip home..comfy clothing...hmmmmI don't have a dress, everything else has an elastic waistband - all quite snug, bras I hate to wear at the best of time, I am assuming the incision sites are where you want the pressure off, right? are there any incisions below the waistband? If I pull up some of my longer pants so the waist band is up under the bra, will that be in the way of incisions? How did you manage this issue? Anyone?

check on Kijiji, look up under weight loss. You will find all the info there. Cheers:001_cool:

I was leaning towards only a carry-on too, but then decided that I wouln'd be able to take my pillow along then as it is latex and heavier than most pillows. So am taking one bag that will be checked, then I can have the freedom of arrying only my purse when changing planes and walking around Denver airport between flights. Please join us Wed for the meeting! the more the merrier!

so good to have you back, Shanda. I am so glad it all went so well for you. now you need to add one of those weight loss ticker slides to keep tabs on the weight loss! Keep well!

this one I believe is an informational meeting, BUT 2 of us are going to have our surgeries soon and, if you come, that will be three, so the support groups will start when we get back, first Monday of each month - I think she said. I want to go to this one as another resource person who has made the choice and found out many answers etc. Would you like a ride there on Wed? I live south of the city, and used to work at Cosmo Civic center many years ago. (at the daycare there at one time) As I said before call me if I can be of any help. 244 1452 Donna :cursing:

Thanks Oregan Rose, seat sale prices are something Air Canada sends me all the time as I flew with them last yr. I also checked with West Jet. Shirley, the patient coordinator for Emmanuel, found the prices good and the flights more direct thru United. It is something like playing detective, so many links to try thru Velocity etc. try googling when you are searching too. We will definitely keep you posted on our progress. So far I am the only one in the over 70 forum. Hope to be a good example for the seniors out there. I post pictures too, as you can tell, I am not shy! :cursing:

I am sure because of the recession, business must be down - as it seems that most are all having specials. look at the sponsors ads to the right. cllick on the one with the bright yellow sun. Call the number once you get to the medical center ad itself. Talk to Shlirley and see what she can do. I called 1st of the month and was able to get the best deal. But, seems they are all willing to deal right now, so check them out. I agree, anything that reduces the costs makes a real difference to many of ys! Good lluck!:thumbup:

What a great article, thanks for posting that. I am sure I will refer to it many times over the winter (ours here can be brutal) and will need motivation galore!:drool5:

I wished you had called me before you booked. I know there are seat sales. The ones I found were only $259 going down and $219 coming back. My flight is paid for in my $5000 as I got the special at Emmanuel Medical for the 28th. I called Sept 1st and was first to respond to the ad. How did you find out about this surgery procedure? Online or from someone else who had it done that you know. At any rate we are in two different hospitals so can't visit there in person, but please do give me a call. Perhaps I can be of help. We are getting together with others in Stoon for a support group and are meeting next Wed at 6pm at the Cosmo Civic Center, feel free to come! Donna

I forgot, yet another senior moment! ~sigh~

I live in Canada and have always felt blessed that I am never out of pocket for any medical expenses (plastic surgery and sleeve WLS are the only things that come to mind as they are elective) And even those, if they were a health issue (co-morbidities, eyelid infections) would be covered. As a senior in Saskatchewan the most I ever pay for any prescrition drug is $15. Period! We go to the dr's for most any symptom except for colds and it is all free to us. (Yes i know our taxes really do the paying, but it is for every Canadian, regardless of income) I have had three children, 2 cataracts removed, an ovarian cyst removal, a carpal tunnel surgery, 2 full knee replacements, and eyelid surgery - at no extra cost to me. My husband only has had a hiatal hernia repair, lucky guy, but we are getting on and it is great to know we are covered no matter what! Wait times have been drastically reduced these last few years, and I can make an appointment with my dr. with only a days notice. In a real rush - we have medical clinics staffed by Drs. round the clock. So when your president says that funded health care is the main issue, I have to agree with him. For every individual - it really matters! Thank God we already have ours. Donna