JeanZ_RN

I'm only about 8 weeks out, and I haven't started exersizing yet. I keep trying to talk myself into it, but I just HATE getting sweaty (unless there's sex involved LOL). As you can see on my ticker, I'm down 31 lbs since the start of my journey 10/7/13. Since I'm 60 years old, I suspect I'm eventually going to have to do some kind of exercise to keep my weight loss going... but I'm dragging my feet about it. And I, like many sleevers, am not nearly so hot all the time since surgery. So maybe it won't be as bad -- maybe I won't sweat buckets and be miserable -- with that change.

Pre-sleeve I took a prescription NSAID (piroxicam, aka Feldene - once a day dosing) for years for OA pain in knees, hips and shoulders. I had to quit taking it a week before surgery because it can prolong bleeding / act as an anticoagulant, and you don't want that in a fresh post op patient! After surgery my doc said not to resume taking it, because he was concerned about erosion of the stomach lining. At my 6 week check-up he said in one more month I can take NSAIDs occasionally, but not every day. The good GREAT news is, I haven't needed it! I am amazed at how little OA pain I've had since surgery. Damp weather used to make me ache nearly all over, even with the daily NSAID, but now I'm fine in any weather. And it's not due to weight loss - or at least not totally, because the change occurred immediately after I was sleeved. Weird, but I'll TAKE it!

I had not heard of it either -- THANK YOU!

What does the doc mean by chemical gastritis? What chemicals have you been ingesting (chuckle)? I mean, gastritis is gastritis, right? It's irritation / inflammation of the gastric mucosa. So once the meds get it resolved, you should be fine.

My surgeon was/is concerned not just about meds being absorbed well, but also about the pill/capsule getting stuck in the suture line. It is is bumpy (not a smooth line), especially in the first weeks after surgery. If a med does get stuck there, it could cause erosion. I have been taking Prilosec for years, and my surgeon said to keep taking it post op. I understand GERD / reflux are common problems for sleevers, so I just keep taking it. I mentioned to my surgeon at one post op visit that I had been tempted to try not taking it, and he just shook his head ... so I'm still taking it. But he did repair a hiatal hernia while he was in there, so I hope to be off the Prilosec some day

I tried a hold-you-in garment some time back, and it was hilarious. I'm only 5'3", and I didn't think to find out what height of a person the garment was designed for when I bought it online. It was obviously meant for someone several inches taller, because the extra material folded over by about 2-3" ... I took it as a sign that I should forget that idea.

If I recall correctly, CelebrateVitamins.com has a multi with Iron (which didn't have as much iron in it as my surgeon recommends) and one without. I chose the one without, and a separate chewable iron tablet. I actually like the grape flavor of their iron tablet. I order mine directly from Celebrate.

You look terRIFic!! Congratulations! My start and goal weights are very similar to yours, and I'm 5'3". How long after surgey did you reach goal? I'm guessing it will take me 6-8 months...

Remembering to take meds takes 1) resolve and 2) a system. I use pill minders... those containers with one or more compartments for each day of the week. There are several different kinds, and the one you select is normally based on the number and size of pills you want to remember to take. The system I use includes one 4-compartment container for each day of the month. The 4 compartments are Breakfast, lunch, dinner and Bedtime. I fill up all the containers at one time, once a month, and I can fit in all my post-sleeve Vitamins and minerals except the Calcium. For that I've purchased 4x4" ziplock baggies, and every Sunday I fill one for each day of the week. Each weekday I carry one 4-compartment container and one little ziplock with me to work, and I take the appropriate meds at the appropriate times. Hope that helps!

My NUT defines "soft food" as anything that can be mashed with a fork.

I'm 60, and was sleeved 11/13. Best thing I've ever done for myself. I'm almost totally off my diabetes meds, and will be off my BP med soon. The only thing I cannot have now -- carbonated beverages, and I do miss my diet root beer sometimes... but that's a small thing to give up for the health advantages. As for a drink once in a while - I had vodka and unsweetened pineapple juice at 5 weeks post op, and had no problems. I could drink any time I want, but I choose to avoid liquor for now because I think it would lower my strength of resolve about staying away from sweets most of the time at least until I reach my goal weight. You ask if one ever feels normal again. I feel mostly normal - just can't eat very much at one time. Best wishes!

What Oregondaisy said goes for me too.

Yeah, there's one person at work who now calls me Skinny Mini. It's not my favorite, and I'm hoping she'll get tired of it or just forget after a while... but I know she's just acknowledging my hard work, so I take it in the spirit she intends. When someone asks how much I've lost, I tell them with a BIG grin. I'm thrilled that they care (even if it's just curiosity) , and that I then have the opportunity to brag. No one has tried to touch me as reported above - Now THAT is weird! - and I would not tolerate it if anyone did. I would stop the person with a stare and a step away, and after a drawn out silence I would say, slowly and with intense eye contact, DO NOT do that again.

You look FABulous!! Congratulations! My starting and goal numbers are very similar to yours, but I was just sleeved 7 weeks ago. You are an inspiration! Thanks for posting!

Yesterday I got a bill from the anesthesiologist for $3,200. Surprise! Going to call the surgeon's office tomorrow to see if it's legit. I'm pretty sure nobody mentioned this before the surgery...

Good point. Thanks for clarifying.

Did I mis-read? I thought it was made of both whey Protein and collagen protein.

I'm 60, and was sleeved about 7 weeks ago. Best thing I've ever done for myself. One of my reasons is that I hope to find love again after years of being alone, and I think I'll have a better chance of it if I'm not obese. I would definitely date a 65 year old man, and I'd be a lot more comfortable about a long term relationship with any man who is interested in doing what's best for his health. All that said, though - you gotta do what's best for YOU.

Congratulations on that 100 lbs down goal AND for BMI under 30! Way to work that sleeve!

Another single sleever here, in the Dallas TX area. I'd love to be in a relationship again, but I'd really like to just skip the dating part - so uncomfortable! LOL! No, seriously, I'm eager to have my first date in years, just hope I remember how to act. When I get a bit closer to goal I'm going to sign up for www.loveafterwls.com.

Looks interesting! I just read their website, and it looks legit. I tried to sign up for a sample, but couldn't figure out how. I'm going to email them later tonight asking how to do that. I'm also curious about the formulated for men / women distinction. Have you tasted it?

Very NICE legs, too! I also gave up skirts/dresses years ago - for me it was because panty hose just felt awful, and since I hate being out in the sun I have no tan whatsoever so I will not go out bare-legged. Didn't help that I was living in central FL at the time, where the humidity is off the charts. Maybe I'll rethink that no-skirts/dresses decision when I get closer to goal.

The earlier post saying maybe he's concerned about not being able to resist once the package is open ... I GET THAT! I live alone (well, except for my 2 canine kids) and as long as I can leave a package closed -- and preferably out of sight -- I can probably resist. But once it's open it's katie bar the door and I'm sunk. Way before surgery I had stopped buying "normal" size packages of, say, Cookies and instead I would buy the little bitty package from the gas station food mart every 2-3 weeks. Just one little package, not several at a time. Portion control has always been an issue for me UNTIL I had the surgery. Thank you, Sleevie!

I envy you each having a significant other!

What RJ said! Go to group! You will NOT be the only one saying what you have to say, and the good part of a support group is.... support! And if you have only a few more pounds to lose before you get a surgery date - GO for it! Best wishes!