Babalou

Hello all! I have been on the age-specific (sixties) support group blog, and just got around to reading all the entries in this 200+ site yesterday. A great source of encouragement. I started at 344# in Nov. 2014, had surgery Feb. 3rd, this year. Going in for my second post op visit today, and am down 70# total. At 5'8", I have at least another 100# to go, and after reading your posts, I know it is possible. Any suggestions for fighting the urge to "graze" while around the house? Not doing it yet, but the urge is surfacing. I have tried the old Weight Watchers trick of brushing my teeth when hungry, but over the years of trying to loose weight, I have brushed nearly all the enamel off. Is this just a phase I will get through?

Donna--How did it go? Doing OK--or floating away from drinking all the liquids?

Happy Senior: So good to hear that you are doing well. Amazing isn't it--like a new chance at life--well, almost. Today marks six weeks since my surgery, and I am down 25 pounds, for a total of 69 since November. And I can move again! Trimmed all my shrubs yesterday and didn't have to take a break every five minutes. I still eat too fast once in a while, and have learned to stand up straight when I am swallowing those Jurassic Park size vitamins, and they go down easier. Keep us posted.

Happy Senior, are you doing OK? Hope it all went well, and that you are home and comfortable.

Also, I was told to take the vitamins just before a meal. Having something on your stomach cuts the after taste caused by the vitamins. Even taking them with a protein shake helps.

You might try adding another 8 oz of water to the shakes to make them thinner and less sweet. It will add to your total fluid intake for the day, also, which is good. It may take an whole hour to drink one, though. After about a week, I started drinking cold fluids, and the shakes were better that way--just added a couple of big ice cubes.

K9nana--hope you are feeling better. I am five weeks out, and still drink too much water once in a while. Hard to swallow those giant bariatric vitamins without taking a big gulp. Let us know how you are doing.

I had never had anesthesia before, either, and was worried. Yes, they do take it out before you wake up. My throat was a little scratchy for about 48 hours, but not bad. I used Chloraseptic Max throat spray to sooth it, with doctor's permission. By day three, it was back to normal. I had my surgery Feb. 3rd, and am doing fine. Down twenty two pounds since that date, for a total of sixty -five pounds since starting the diet last November. One hundred twenty pounds to go. Just sip, sip, sip water all the time. And be sure to get the nursing staff to show you how to get in and out of bed without putting strain on your incisions. Best of luck to you.

Donna--did you get your date yet? Cardiologist on board? You may have to wait until the spring thaw up there to get it done. We are having a lovely ice storm this morning. I am still doing great. Two more days of liquid diet: a bowl of cottage cheese never looked so tempting. Incisions are nearly healed, just itching. Life pretty much back to normal, but no restaurants yet. My husband had been very supportive. I have a two week follow-up tomorrow afternoon--ice permitting. Keep us posted. Charlene

Diane63--Hope everything went well for you, and that your recovery is smooth.

Cococat: I like your attitude. I will be happy just not to be the BIGGEST grandma in the room. I will probably have my knees done before plastic surgery--but I would like to be able to see them first. I am just excited about the loss of weight, and am thinking ahead. I think I am going to be shaped like a bowling pin--tiny head, flat boobs, and a large base. Oh, well, I already know my family does't love me for my looks or money. And like you said, no one to blame but myself. Keep in touch. Charlene

Cococat: Thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately, our circumstances are different. I have always been "knock-kneed"--it shows in old photographs in the '60's. The orthopedic surgeon told me that at my age, my knees would be shot anyway, regardless of my weight. Explains why my normal sized grandparents all walked with canes. I thought it was a fashion statement--instead it was just bad genetics. But loosing the weight will certainly make the surgery go easier, then maybe I can get up and go. And I do have a nice collection of old walking sticks! Since you are farther along this road than me, may I ask if you are considering plastic surgery on you stomach--or maybe you won't even need it?

Cococat: It encourages me that you wrote that your knees are better. I just had surgery two weeks ago, and have to stay off anti-inflammatory meds for another month. My knees are hurting much more than the surgery did. One of the main reasons I had the sleeve surgery was I need to have my knees replaced, and it would be too risky with my obesity and related problems. I am having to use a walker now, until I can get back on the meds. Thank you for your post. I'm sure you will get past the stall you are in and will reach your goal.

Diane63--hope all goes well for you tomorrow. Be sure to have them show you how to get in and out of bed without straining your incisions--that was really the only pain I had. Good luck. C

Had mine done this past Tuesday, one night in hospital. Doing so much better than I expected. Very mild nausea controlled by a low dose of Phenergan twice a day. I am taking a half dose of the pain medicine--liquid Hydrocodone--before bed. May even skip that tonight. A couple of doses of liquid Tylenol twice a day does the trick. Only really hurts (and it passes quickly) when I get in and out of bed because it stretches the area where the largest incision is. I went shopping at Walmart on the way home from the hospital while they filled my prescriptions, and went back today and had no trouble or pain at all walking around for about 15 minutes. No problem at all meeting the liquid requirements. Hope yours goes as smoothly.