Pescador

1 Excited, I was 66, almost three years ago. I prepared for the worst, but felt amazing being sleeved. My husband was sleeved two weeks later. We were on a really restricted diet of liquids, then soft foods, etc. seriously I went shopping within 5 days, and I remember taking a protein shake in a cooler, just in case. I do remember taking l pain pill at home. The surgery scares us, especially old people like me, but it was a sigh of relief feeling great. I spent hours rearranging cabinets and drawers, bored. I remember feeling like, when is it going to get bad, and it didn't!!!! Please try to relax and know a lot of people have little problems or pain. It is just the fear.

I checked in early morning, had the sleeve around l0 a.m., slept, walked, had a leak test and was home by 4 p.m. No problems, no pain, just thankful not to be in the hospital catching staphylococcus or MRSA. WOW that was fast. I was told no way will I be coming home same day. What hospital did you have your surgery? A big hospital in Jacksonville, FL. If there are complications of course you have to stay. We were told ahead of time, in the hospital and out the same day. I was in the grocery store two days later, reading labels on food.

I sometimes forget so many are so many young mothers here. I am 69 and don't have to have those foods in my house. However, I have many young friends raising their children on organic food, foods without dyes, gluten free, and with no junk food. The food industry has us by the neck with fast foods and junk food.

What works for me is having NO bread, pasta, crackers, tortilla chips, potatoes or packaged carbs like Mac and cheese in my house. If it is there I would eat it in a weak moment, maybe, but I cannot go there.

I checked in early morning, had the sleeve around l0 a.m., slept, walked, had a leak test and was home by 4 p.m. No problems, no pain, just thankful not to be in the hospital catching staphylococcus or MRSA.

Didn't tell, thank God, as my husband and I had to listen to too much BS about losing weight and Our "diet", and we did not want to spend the rest of our life discussing our sleeve with anyone. We have too many important things to do. Good luck, take it slow.

My husband and Imwere 66-67 when we had the sleeve. Scared to death. We had been going to WL seminars 15 years for him, and nothing ever felt right about it. One seminar with a fabulous surgeon, and since I had escalated to diabetes, asthma, and HBP, I had three comorbidities that qualified me for the sleeve. I weighed about 220 then, was 5'3"' and was short of breath and neuropathy was killing me. Not to mention the rescue calls for my comatose husband when his blood sugar dropped below 40 at night. I made the decision for the sleeve, and my chronically obese husband (size 3x) who starved himself to death a million times only to regain immediately, followed me into it. Today, 2 1/2 years later, he struts like a peacock in his size Large shirts, 34 inch waist, and not one rescue call since the sleeve. I can say the sleeve was life changing. We got off the sofa, bought kayaks, bought a second home condo in Perdido Key, FL, and we travel all over. Life is not perfect, I struggle more than he does with my weight, but I wish we had done the sleeve 20 years ago before the extra health problems came. Just do it and start living!

It will last awhile Roscoe. So loud at times you will think everyone can hear it!

We avoided situations where we would feel awkward and stayed home. You can always have guests and put out a few light snacks, or have a good soup or bisque, deviled eggs, or better yet a brunch with scrambled eggs. The friendship and get togethers are good for the soul. I have always gone to monthly lunches with friends of over thirty years, and only once did I have to say I wasn't feeling that great and took my lunch home. My husband and I regularly order one meal and still have leftovers. We barely missed our trivia groups about six weeks, and then just let food not be the focus of our evening. We live in and travel Florida extensively, and I would say grilled seafood is the best option ever.

That is the beauty of posting from the heart. We get to know others' trials, tribulations, joy and sorrow. I always like being reminded that no matter your journey, someone else is fighting a harder battle. Be kind. Be caring. God Bless Ann.

Even though my surgeon says don't eat three meals a day, and to eat apples, I am smart enough to know if I skip meals too much I will be starving. I am trying in moderation and keeping a notebook daily. I won't give up.

Please please relax and follow your plan. You are better off weighing once a week or once a month!

I had IBS and Diverticulitis before the sleeve 2 plus years ago. None since. Please see a doctor. Always remember friends, we are NOT medical experts. When in doubt call your doctors!!!!

Comfort and food - comfort food - got me fat, and still have a hold on me. Thank you a mama, I love you and chicken and dumplings. I battle every day, especially in winter. We all struggle. Food takes me to childhood in Georgia, cornbread, biscuits, gravy, when life was really tough. Fighting everyday I have left in my life to overcome. Thanks to grilled and blackened fish, I have a positive outlook.

And my surgeon says never ever eat unless you are hungry. Eat only an apple then. I am struggling. I slipped and gained 20 lbs on a 7 day cruise and a month of vacation eating out. He says there will be a time I cannot lose again. As I said, not an expert, just struggling.

Lose the scale - weight won't fly off!!! My husband is the only one who weighs every single day! I am serious, you can obsess with at scale!

You will have thousands of friends and a support group at your fingertips. I tried a couple FB groups me but nothing, and I mean nothing, will compare to the support you receive here. Every stage brings different fears, anxiety and questions. If you don't like an answer, move on. There will be so many people to reach out to you, and learn to rely on the veterans here to guide you every step of the way. Best of luck, it's awesome here.

My husband and I have a PCP for 15 years who is our lifesaver, when the sleeve surgeon failed. We have blood work every three months. I have been taking Thamine shots for three to four months or so, and still have lab work saying low in Thiamine levels. PCP says all other blood work is good, so not to worry too much. My husband and I are two diabetics and still have A1c tests that go up and down. I think blood work is critical.

Mryjo73 I get it. I am sick and tired of especially nosy neighbors who say you can't have this, you can't have that, you are dieting, that's not on your diet, GEESH, leave us alone. Then we go to a mutual club and one neighbor particularly goes on and on, they are dieting, look how much weight they have lost, and I literally want to SCREAM. I thank GOD my husband said it is MY business and don't tell anyone we are being sleeved, because I always felt I had to explain my life to people. Lesson learned. And loving it!!!

I have to add a P.S. As a mother who lost her 30 year old son to addiction issues as you mention, I get where you are and where your father may be. Addiction to each of us is food, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. Get some serious help but don't be so hard on your dad. My son's dad hit the road. Your dad is still there.

Please find a pastor or someone for support. I can tell you personally I have over my lifetime been in serious depression and financial problems but by the Grace of God and my family I see sunshine and happiness today. I met my husband at 45 years of age, and I will be 70 this year. I have peace and happiness, love and support, the best ever in life. I truly began living my dream in 1991. I am telling you this because you see no way out right now due to your situation, but the best is yet to be. take control. Focus. Find support groups, church, a pastor, go get it!!!!! YOU have to change it, no one else. Peace and prayer.

As much as I love potatoes I have learned no potatoes, pasta or bread in my house as I cannot resist. I craved things spIcy, so refried beans with a little taco sauce or salsa was great. My husband cured his cravings with broth. I needed more substantial things like yogurt and cottage cheese. It is well over two years since we were sleeved, and his loss has been much more than mine. He refuses to eat any carbs. Good luck!!!

God bless. I would not know where to start, but I know you need good doctors. So sorry for what you have gone through.

Honestly I do remember the feeling of anticipation and then urgency, and poof, surgery was scheduled (yikes), then done. What a journey!!!!!

At age 66 years old we told no one except l daughter and a nurse we had the sleeve. We go out to eat, sharing a plate, or get a go box, or eat light, because we are watching what we eat. I walked an entire mall five days after the sleeve, a little slow, enjoying myself. Because I was bored. Take a week off. No one has x-ray vision and can see you had surgery. Pack your lunch, protein shake, water, and broth. It was wonderful not telling anyone we knew about our sleeve. It was aggravating just to have them comment on our dieting and how woooooonderful it was.