Lady1putt

Another step toward good health.....Got taken off one of my high BP meds today!! The other will be tapered off gradually.
It is SO good to be able to say that.
My blood sugar still hasn't come down, but cardio doc said that might take some time.
I never thought refried Beans and salsa (mild) would taste so good LOL
Still trying to get down all the Water and Protein. I think my biggest problem is the fact that I have never been an AM eater. I never (pre-surgery) ate before 11am-12pm. It is hard to get into the habit of eating or drinking as soon as I get up. I'm doing better, but still a struggle. Sunday, for instance, I got my first 16oz of water down and then forgot to follow through with the Protein Shake til almost 10

Patsy, that sounds good. I'll have to try it. I usually mix 1/2 and 1/2 Premier chocolate with FairLife Fat Free milk. It tones the chocolate down a bit.
Had a bit of a scrambled egg for lunch. It was too dry, gonna have to watch that. Hubby is fixing some cod for dinner, I'll mix it with some cottage cheese to "loosen" it up a bit.
Wow, bras are evil!! I was actually hurting until I got mine off this afternoon. I'm going out tomorrow and getting a sleep bra or sport bra. The "girls" need containment but not in a reg bra for a while.

vanilla shakes good blended with ice and cinnamin, like a milk shake

Yep, I still have one premiere Protein Drink for lunch almost every day. It really helps reach my daily Protein goal.
Nice going, Toler!

toler wonderful news, , yes dont drink sip if you drink 2 of those Protein shakes a day thats 60 gm of Protein keep up the good work

WooHoo 11 lbs down!! Doctor is pleased with my recovery. I do need to get more Water and Protein in, but it's getting there. I switched over to Premier Protein as advised by Patsy and it's much easier to get that in.
Still a little bloated but I think it's because I need to slow down, I'm drinking too fast. I've got a timer now and will try that.

bubbletoes you are doing so good, keep it up.. isnt it wonderful when you can buy smaller clothes and have so much more energy

@@Bubbletoes
Good for you!! Sounds like you are really on track. I will be so glad to get past this bloated feeling.

I had my four month follow up visit with my surgeon this morning and he was pleased with my 65.5 lb weight loss (me, too!). My blood pressure is way down, I'm on just a tiny fraction of the insulin I used to be on (I'm
type 1 so I'll always have to use insulin), and I feel amazing. I'm not losing hair (yet!) and my back and joint pain rarely bothers me anymore. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. He said I should be at HIS goal for me by the end of the year, but my goal is way beyond his. He said I was looking good! Yay! Now I just have to figure out how to rev up my metabolism a bit more to burn the rest of this ugly fat off of my real body that has been hiding underneath all these years. ????

I'm walking as much as I can around our back patio area. There really isn't anywhere out front to walk. I've been wearing my pedometer and each day I have more steps, so that is good. I know, baby steps.
Thanks Lady1putt and Patsy1947

Wow, what an experience! Went in at 7:40 as expected, surgery was supposed to be at 9;40. I finally went back at 12:30!! That was a bit frustrating to say the least.
Woke up in a bit of pain and nauseous. I think the dry heaves were the worst. They gave me meds for both, the pain and nausea. I was pretty much out of it until late this morning. Still had both problems, Again they gave me injections. Around noon they gave me two Percoset. The nausea stopped and pain subsided. So, they sent me home, about 2:30. Didn't fully realize something else. The bloat! From saturating me with saline or puffing me up with gas, don't know which it is, but I can't even get my undies on! I tried putting on my wedding ring, that's going to have to wait until this bloat goes down!
On an up-note, when I weighed in at the hospital I was down to 204!
Getting down sf-Jello, Water, chicken broth with no problems.
Just really tired.

@@patsy1947
Oh Boy, surgery is Wed the 16th, just a little over a day away! Getting nervous, excited, frantic, all of it.

I usually drink a lot of Crystal Lite too. I like the Orange but can't find it anymore. I switched to Orange Crush (it's just like Crystal Lite). I also like the Concord Grape by Crystal Lite.
I seldom drink plain Water, and don't drink anything in anywhere near the amount I should. I think that is going to be the hardest thing for me, getting the fluids in. My doctor's assistant keeps telling me how important that is, and I really do understand it is. They said they even have a room set up for IV fluids in the office. They say it happens a lot, especially here in Arizona, people just not getting in enough fluids.
I guess I should use one of the bottle holders I make and just hang it around my neck LOL
The possibility of my taste buds changing is why I won't stock up on anything before surgery.

@@kitcrv
Congrats on the weight loss!
In the Fat Free FairLife you get 80 calories/13 g Protein in 1 cup. When you add some Protein powder you really pump up the Protein content.
I got my goodie bag from the nutritionist today with chewable Vitamins and Calcium plus some unflavored Protein Powder.< /p>
The only Protein Bar I've managed to like is Pure Protein. I got some Pure Protein powder and a shake to try.

I love Fairlife milk and that's the only kind I buy now. You get extra Protein and a longer shelf life. It tastes great (I buy non-fat). What's not to like?

Hi, My name is Linda. I return to doctor Monday March 16. To my best knowledge
I have completed the pre-op checklist after Monday appointment for ANX breathing
Test. Hoping to set actual surgery date for Gastric Sleeve. Keep me in your thoughts.
I have been reading the literature and resources available on line. (Love Bariatric Pal posts.)
Ordered samples of Protein from Unjury, Isopure and Synthesis nectar. So far feeling like I
am preparing for my next step. The anticipation is almost overwhelming!!!!
Trying to keep everything in perspective....thanks everyone!

Toler -- my surgeons office said that they have never had anyone refused on Medicare. It seems to be the best insurance as for as this surgery goes. Less hoops to go through than some other insurance. Guess there is an advantage for being older to counter the disadvantage of our skin not being as elastic as in the past. Hope you are doing better.

Well, I guess I've got a new mark in my favor to get the approval for surgery.
Woke up from my nap on Tues. afternoon with a headache, feeling shaky, never felt like that before. Did a finger stick and it showed 447. Went to ER and they gave me saline and got it down to 210 and sent me home. The ER doc was less than useless, started quoting the book to me about high BP, high Chol., high sugar blah blah blah, like I was a two year old. Never asked about history or anything! Hate doctors like that.
The only thing that was different for the day was the foot doctor had given me a shot that morning in my foot of Dexamethazone. He said it MIGHT have caused the spike.
Went to my PCP the next morning and he put me on Januvia. He said that would be a good thing as far as Medicare approval. Then after surgery I'll be able to drop it.
Just going to be so glad when all this is over.

Ok, passed another hurdle this week. Went in for my physc eval and passed. She said she saw no reason to hold me back from the surgery, that she saw no reason for me not to go forward.
Have to admit I was a little scared about this visit. Guess we all probably are.
So now, I have a second NUT visit and that same day I will have my fourth and final visit with the PA. This is on Aug 6.
Then! They will submit to insurance and I will keep my fingers crossed that it goes through and I get approval.
Phew, I also, after the ins approval comes in, have all the other docs and tests to get through.
Never easy is it?
Later friends

Hi! I think this is my first post on BariatricPal. I am 63. My starting weight was 250 lbs and I am 5ft3. After 3 months of my insurance company's required 6 months medically supervised diet, I have lost 16 pounds! I use MyFitnessPal to track everything I eat and to keep track of the protein/fat/carb ratio.
My goal is to have the sleeve surgery. I'm a bit concerned that I have a lot of adhesions which could result in needing an open surgery. I am willing to take that risk. More troublesome is that mu upper endoscopes have revealed a hiatal hernia in the past. So I'm curious to learn what my new endoscopy, next month, will reveal.
We live in Florida but travel in our motor home in the summer. Twice, am actually flying down to FL for my monthly weigh-in and checkups. In past summers I gained weight while traveling so I am tickled that I'm disciplined, this year. I'm glad for the traveling fun (and grandchild visits) that are making time go by fast as I wait for my receiving the surgery.
So that's my story, so far

That's the way to think, Toler! I can tell you I have been on countless diets throughout my life and I always started with resolve and the best intentions that each time would be the last. Unfortunately, I started out good, but at some point fell by the wayside, unable to resist temptation and would give up. After my sleeve, I still have days when I want a cheeseburger, a donut, or a handful or two of M&Ms, but now I have this brand new superpower: My sleeve! I just can't physically do it because my sleeve won't let me indulge. One bite too much and I have pain or nausea, two feelings I hate. It warns me what will happen which I never had in my previous diet riddled life. I have head hunger on one shoulder, but the thought of pain and misery if I cheat on my other shoulder always wins out! You will see and you will use the tool (yoursleeve) every day. Do this for yourself. This time you can do it because you will have an inner strength in that tiny stomach that will see you through!

Thing is, he has gone with me to the two PA visits and the 1 NUT visit. He was out of town for the very first visit with the surgeon. He says he has looked at information online, what exactly I don't know.
Yes, he can control himself food wise. He could stand to lose 20lbs or so, but no one in his family has ever had a weight problem.
He may not realize it consciously, but I think he is trying to undermine me. We have been married 45 years, so I can read him pretty good. He isn't controling, but it's more a passive-aggressive type of thing.
Wow, just realize I said the same thing about my friend, hmmmm
A lot of time I will back down and say ok I won't do that or get that, just to keep the peace. This time NO! I want this, I NEED this. This is for me and it's about time I do something FOR ME DAMNIT. Sorry for that but it's the truth.
Ok ENOUGH whining. Gonna put my big girl panties on and meet with the PA tomorrow and continue this journey STRONG.
Love all of you and thank you for YOUR support! I know I can come here and vent anytime.

Toler48, I know that - like the rest of us - have put your mind to losing weight. Many times. With temporary success at best.
In less than a year I've lost almost 100 lbs and have absolutely no regrets about having the surgery. I didn't do it to look better, though that's a bonus. I didn't do it to please my husband, though he's been very supportive. I did it for myself because I knew that if I didn't do it I would always carry around all those extra pounds.
He may be like my husband, afraid that the surgery might be dangerous. He was very emotional when I went in, much more than with my subsequent knee replacements. Somehow losing most of your stomach just seems scarier. He may also be afraid you will change. You will, but in good ways. If your life revolves around eating good food and drinking fine wines you will find that those things just aren't important anymore. That can be a major challenge for him.
Perhaps a talk with your surgeon will help him and answer questions he may have. at least you have a lot of support from others. Good luck!
Kate

I don't know what to do about your husband. If he thinks all you have to do is to put your mind to it, he is way off base. There are hunger hormones made in the stomach by certain cells that the operation removes or diminishes. Yes, those cells can grow back, but if you keep to your doctor's suggestions and the Vitamins he tells you to take, you will do well.
Living heavy is torture. Being tempted by carbohydrates is torture. It is compounded by those hunger hormones. Maybe HE does not have those hormones, but you and I do. Incidentally, it is well known that men lose weight easier than women do. I think it is because throughout human history, chubby women lasted through periods of starvation on their fat deposits and could reproduce children for the next generation. That feature is no longer so important. Certainly at our age it is not so important. It is more important that we slim down to remain alive and helpful to our grown children and grandchildren.
I had the support of my husband who actually was the one to suggest that I get the sleeve instead of the lap band. He said for me to go all the way, thinking about all the alternatives. I am glad he did. Both he and my family doctor advised the sleeve. I babied myself and thought only of myself and recovery after the operation. No problems. My husband does not mind eating frozen dinners. I still get guilty if I don't cook him a decent dinner once in a while. (We had meatballs and gravy tonight, but I eat about 1/3 of what I used to.) And I still take my chocolate Protein shakes (Premier Protein).
But I think he also has learned something about healthy eating and chooses Protein over carbs more now. We have gone to my support group and nutritionist meetings together. Maybe if your husband went to some of your pre-op meetings with your nutritionist and support group - if you have them - he might see how difficult it can be for us. Hearing other people's stories can help too. It is miserable and painful to be fat. Then, go to support group of post-op people and notice the difference in attitude and hear the health benefits they report. How can he deny you twenty points down on your high blood pressure?

Congratulations Bubbletoes!!!
You are doing so well! 3 months ago
On April1st I had the sleeve surgery.
Life is good! I am down 38 pounds
From beginning weight of 217!
Glad you are feeling great!
Linda