Koofka

I am turning 65 next month and am seriously considering VSG. I am 4'10" and weigh 267 lbs. I have had both knees replaced. I take cholesterol medication and am prediabetic. That said, I believe VSG would be extremely helpful for me. I just have to convince myself that I am capable of going through with it and able to do what is necessary to be successful.
Since I am struggling with this decision, I can only imagine it would be a difficult decision for your parents. They have to be the ones to make this decision. It certainly would be good for you to approach them with your concerns and demonstrate to them, as I assume you have done, that it is a healthier way to go. I can see you love them very much and want to help and support them in staying as healthy as they can be. I'm sure your weight loss and subsequent improvement in health is a great inspiration to them. Ultimately, though, they have to want it.

I am 65 and was sleeved 7 months ago. I couldn't be happier with my decision and the results!

Hey all,
Recently had the parents out for a week long visit and came away from the time happy for having seen them but also fairly concerned by their physical condition. Both of them are having a variety of weight related joint issues, issues with stairs or walking for a sustained period, and issues with stamina in general.
For myself, at 42 years old and 5 months out of a VSG in December, it would seem like WLS could assist them both better then the various medical Patches they are currently using for their weight related issues. The straw that broke the camels back for me with regard to deciding on WLS was a persistent knee issue last year when I was hovering around my peak weight. 5 months and 125lbs later, my knee barely twinges and the activity I am throwing at it is greatly increased.
Suppose the question is that for them, being in their late 60's / early 70's - would the physical impact of a VSG be something that was unadvisable to suggest versus them staying on their current unhealthy path? Anyone out there have experience with VSG / WLS and older folks? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks for listening.

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Congrats Will.
The other day, finally broke the 300 mark myself on my 5 month anniversary and was pretty psyched about it too.
Had found in my past attempts at weight loss, pre-wls, that 300 was a mental barrier that usually marked the end of my losing cycle. Found myself slipping back into that mindset and was half convinced that the barrier would still prove solid. But, like a few other points where I felt I may have stalled for good, its looks to be just part of the continuing journey.

Hey guys.....thanks for all of the honest and open conversation. This thread is one of the best I have read so far. The willingness to share is wonderful.
FYI - I am having sleeve gastrectomy on Tuesday, 4/8/14.

I hate when total strangers address me as "Big Man". If I was 6'4", maybe I wouldn't mind. But I'm 5'6". "Big Man" is just their passive-aggressive way of calling me "Fat Boy".

Not being a 'big guy' was on my mind from the moment I started this process, yes. I totally get what you're saying.
I'm 6-6, and as you can see on the ticker, I peaked out at 362 (before and after shots in my profile). There was no "I'm just big-boned" about it...I was a big guy, and for a long time that was really how I identified myself, how others saw me, etc. I actually took a sense of pride in "Big Dog" shirts, etc. Men are supposed to be strong, tough, etc., right? It was part of my identity as much as being of a particular political persuasion, drinking my coffee black, the type of beer I drank, the meat I ate, and the kind of cars I drive. IT'S. WHO. YOU. ARE.
Now that I'm at (actually, below this AM...woot) my goals, 128 down, let me tell you, brother, you'll get past it. I'm still tall, so that hasn't changed, but let me tell you that I'm feeling like a stud right now, and the Big Guy is the old me. There was nothing wrong with him, other than the horrific health costs it carried, but that ain't me any more.
So it'll take some getting used to. But, at least if you're like me, you'll get used to fitting in pants you haven't worn in 20 year, you'll get used to not panting for breath climbing a hill, you'll get used to finding Mr. Happy is longer, harder and ready for more, and you'll get used to people saying every day how great you look, believe me. The adjustment has not been as difficult as I thought.
Now, for my wife...well, it's been an adjustment. I'm not the same person physically she married. Hell, I'm less than I was when we started DATING in 1991. So, it's been an adjustment. Some good, some bad.
Bottom line is, dude, we big guys are great, but not if we're dead. Take care of your body; it's the only one you get. Best of luck to you in your journey. Rock it hard, man.

2 things come to mind for me.
My Nalgene 32oz Water bottle with an aftermarket top for easier drinking. Pretty much my post-op security blanket as it goes most everywhere I do.
My treadmill desk setup - primarily use it for walking while gaming or watching tv shows or movies, but it certainly makes the time go by pretty easily ( currently do about 2 hours a day on it ).

2 things come to mind for me.
My Nalgene 32oz Water bottle with an aftermarket top for easier drinking. Pretty much my post-op security blanket as it goes most everywhere I do.
My treadmill desk setup - primarily use it for walking while gaming or watching tv shows or movies, but it certainly makes the time go by pretty easily ( currently do about 2 hours a day on it ).

Hey jkppt.
On your question about what a treadmill desk is, mostly they are DIY type projects to setup a walking desk where you could potentially work or just use a computer / monitor for entertainment. There are all types of builds out there if you poke around Google. Mine was built around a treadmill I already had so the primary need was to fashion a desk that could lock onto the existing upper portion of the treadmill and support a mouse / keyboard. Fortunately have a friend who is a skilled wood worker and he was able to build a custom piece for it. Other main part was finding a stand that was the appropriate height and could contain whatever componentry you wanted access to.
There are some commercial options out there, but they seem to be quite expensive versus what people can generally fashion for themselves.
Attaching a few pictures of mine. Feel free to hit me with any questions.
P.S. I also agree with previous posters, a fitbit, an Aria scale, and myfitnesspal are all a great help.

Heh - at the moment almost primarily play a pretty heavily modded version of Skyrim on this. Gives a mildly VR feel when you are walking on the mill and walking around the virtual landscape.

Koofka, Love, love, love the treadmill desk!

Heh - at the moment almost primarily play a pretty heavily modded version of Skyrim on this. Gives a mildly VR feel when you are walking on the mill and walking around the virtual landscape.

That's a sweet set-up!

Are you kidding me.....when I'm on the treadmill, people are looking at me like they might need to call 911. It's all I can do to remain standing.....

I joined a gym when my dr gave me approval to start working out. I try to get there 3-4 days a week. Made that goal 80%of the time due to various kid sickness, school suff etc. The scale was not moving as well as I would like it to be. My friend started taking a boot camp class and said her trainer was going to hold a class in my town. She was having a lot of progress losing weight. I decided to try the class. 2 wks in the scale is finally moving again. The trainer is Ryan Ehmann who was featured on shark tank last year. He promotes using a heart rate monitor to get you in a fat burning zone. I knew about the theory, and thought I was getting in the zone but I doubt it given how nicely the scale is moving now.
For the first time in my life, I find working out to be something I look forward to.

Wife sent this via Facebook this morning.

That's pretty cool, I have a elliptical in my family room and have plans to add more equipment but everything is on hold due to my inlaws living down there for now.

2 things come to mind for me.
My Nalgene 32oz Water bottle with an aftermarket top for easier drinking. Pretty much my post-op security blanket as it goes most everywhere I do.
My treadmill desk setup - primarily use it for walking while gaming or watching tv shows or movies, but it certainly makes the time go by pretty easily ( currently do about 2 hours a day on it ).

Woah! Slow down! What? You are a week post-op and should be just transitioning to the full liquids stage at this point, unless your post-op guidelines are different from what mine were.
You may be able to nibble tiny bits of different foods but please remember you are still healing and will be for several months. You have post-op swelling internally and can't feel the full sensation yet. If you continue your self-sabotage you risk serious complications not just weight regain. So STOP IT!!!!!
Generally speaking the sleeve doesn't cause dumping syndrome but some people do experience it if they eat something excessively fatty or sweet. If you wanted dumping syndrome then you should have gotten the bypass. You can ask your surgeon about having a revision to the bypass but IMO you might want to consider seeking therapy to help you get control of your issues with food and eating. Any WLS can be eaten around eventually and the weight regained. you don't want that to happen I'm sure or you wouldn't have cried out for help here.
Take a deep breath and step away from the kitchen! I have to do that all the time!

Hey all.
Sharing a small milestone on my WLS journey - hit one hundred pounds down today in a bit over 3 months since surgery. Have dropped in pant sizes from 58's to 46's over that period.
Sadly, still have quite a long way to go and a bit uncertain I'll make it since I have hit a couple stalls over the last 20 pounds or so.
But still felt it was a worthy moment to share.
Thanks for listening.

Hey all.
Sharing a small milestone on my WLS journey - hit one hundred pounds down today in a bit over 3 months since surgery. Have dropped in pant sizes from 58's to 46's over that period.
Sadly, still have quite a long way to go and a bit uncertain I'll make it since I have hit a couple stalls over the last 20 pounds or so.
But still felt it was a worthy moment to share.
Thanks for listening.

Hey all.
Sharing a small milestone on my WLS journey - hit one hundred pounds down today in a bit over 3 months since surgery. Have dropped in pant sizes from 58's to 46's over that period.
Sadly, still have quite a long way to go and a bit uncertain I'll make it since I have hit a couple stalls over the last 20 pounds or so.
But still felt it was a worthy moment to share.
Thanks for listening.