LisaPunkinHead

@ -- try inches. You'll probably get 22 then !!!

Oh, darn it -- now I have to go measure!!!

My doctor and NUT said no caffeine, no alcohol -- forever. Period. Caffeine because the acidic content increases risk of a GI bleed, alcohol because it is something that we can become dependent on, since we don't have food anymore. I'm a recovering alcoholic, so the alcohol part didn't bother me. But I did not know if I could give up my 2 cups of coffee a day. But I did. I decided that doing this process the right way trumped coffee. I drink Decaf now. Stopped drinking coffee a week after I was told I would need to and didn't even have withdrawals.

53 when I had my sleeve in February. And I'm not too old -- I just bought myself another 10 years!!! And I am happy to be able to walk through it!

I'm 57 and had sleeve 6/11. Wanted to cry first three days but feeling pretty good last couple days. No complications. No nausea. 13 year diabetic journey "resolved" according to my doctors. I am home with wife and family and living on Protein Shakes and Popsicles ain't great, but that will pass. Romance with wife continues. All appears to be well. Just waiting for my first bit of food and a golf course. I took two weeks off work but might go in after seeing doctor Friday. Too old? You are a couple decades under that. Consider everything, but age is not an issue for you. I needed a pause in major life upheavals (new marriage, lost my mom, sister was sick, job displacement, college placement for kids, etc., etc.). When I saw a break in the action and still had insurance, I did the research, set up the appointments, and went in before I could back out. Good luck.

I was sleeved las t October at 54. Off BP and diabetes meds. Able to bend over and touch my toes. I don't get short of breath just walking across the parking lot. It's good to look better but it is awesome to feel better! I am looking forward to many more active years. This is the best thing I ever did for myself. Don't worry about age, you can be old at 40 and young at 60. My advice is go for it

Surgery last Dec at 62. I'm 5+ months out and down 72 lbs. No complications, very smooth recovery.
I feel better than I have in decades and my doctors are thrilled!
My surgeon has said that she finds her older patients actually do better than many of the younger ones. They follow directives and don't feel the need to "challenge" what she and the nutritionist say. I think this is because for us older folks we realize what is at stake. It's not primarily about appearance... it's about health. And at my age this is my shot to get it right. I picked my surgeon for her experience and the confidence I have in her. Best decision I could possibly have made!

33!!!! ????

It depends on what facility you are using. I was at South San Francisco, and I was referred just before Christmas, had orientation January 6, and surgery February 19. A friend of mine went through the program at the same time (we met at orientation) and she had her surgery 5 days after mine. I did not have to wait between appointments. I had my surgery sooner because I called to see if the psych had any cancellations (he was booking 6 weeks out). I only had to lose 12 pounds. I hit my goal weight, saw the psych, emailed my surgeon, and he scheduled me. It was a fast process but while I was going through it, it was slow!!!

I was 40C presurgery, 38D a month postop, and now 36DD -- My band size has gotten smaller, but boobs are exactly the same size. They are a bit saggy, but I'm 53 so they would be anyway.

I am sleeved they said a year before drinking! Now, what I seen is people wait a few months! The fear is is that your addiction to food will change to alcohol. For some people that is true! At this point in my life I don't a reason to fear alcohol! I take care of myself better than ever! No excuses! My body my choice! Do what is best for you always!

I know a lot of these are repeats, but mine are:

Realizing my driver's license weight is actually higher than my real weight now.
Running upstairs and not gasping for breath.
Having to buy all new bras and panties because I'm swimming in them.
Feeling ribs, collarbones and hipbones.
Running into my husband's ex-wife, who used to taunt me about my weight, and seeing her eyes get really big. I'm thinner than she is now. That has to be the best one!! LOL

Weigh and measure -- forever. Also, slow down. Wait a minute between bites (from the time you swallow to the time you take the next bite). Chew thoroughly. Just go back to basics. 10 weeks post-op is not very long. I am almost four months out and I still weigh and measure.

You can wear a pair of jeans with a designer's name label over the back pocket rather than labels that say "Pass" and "Don't Pass" over the back pockets.

Woo Hoo to all of your NSV! Mine this week was, for me, a biggie! The weight on the scale matches the weight on my drivers license!

I did my first sprint triathlon yesterday, and I finished!! (And didn't even need the aid car - wow!). A sprint tri is 1/4 mile open Water swim, 14 mile bike ride, 5k running - well, slow jogging by that time, and some walking...and I'm so proud of myself. I really wasn't entirely sure I could do it honestly, since I didn't train for it, but rather depended on being in good shape generally. Yay!

1. I fit in the seats at the ballpark and there is room on either side where my hips used to cram in and hurt.
2. I wrapped the towel around me at the gym on my way to the shower and it stayed on!

I sit here in tears thinking about how far I have come... how my life has changed for the better... how I have struggled emotionally to adjust... how I have had to learn to love me (good, bad and ugly)... how hard I have worked and continue to work in the gym 5 days a week... how good I feel... how good I look... I saved my life and I am so glad for the second chance. I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and I smiled and cried.

Weigh and measure -- forever. Also, slow down. Wait a minute between bites (from the time you swallow to the time you take the next bite). Chew thoroughly. Just go back to basics. 10 weeks post-op is not very long. I am almost four months out and I still weigh and measure.

Call the hospital and ask to speak to someone in "Risk Management". If they ask what it's regarding, tell them "EKG techs giving inappropriate medical advice."
if it's not a hospital, call and ask to speak to the Medical Director.

When I went for my pre-op EKG, the tech told me that I was not big enough for bariatric surgery and was taking the easy way out. I told her that she should call my surgeon right away and tell him that she disagrees with his diagnosis. That shut her up. When the Press-Gainey Survey arrived in the mail, I mentioned her by name.

Ignorance is the only natural resource we'll never run out of.
"Would you tell a recovering addict, 'i liked you better on crack'?"

I think my current favorite phrase applies here...bitches be crazy!
You look freaking awesome.

Weigh and measure -- forever. Also, slow down. Wait a minute between bites (from the time you swallow to the time you take the next bite). Chew thoroughly. Just go back to basics. 10 weeks post-op is not very long. I am almost four months out and I still weigh and measure.

I was sleeved on 6/11. Pretty miserable since. Today is better. Gas pain much less. I'm getting Protein and Water in. Not easy. My surgeon's PA tells me that my 13 year old Type 2 diabetes "appears to be resolved." !maybe this won't be so bad.