nibble

When you got home from the hospital, did you need someone around for a few days to help you in any way? I live alone and am wondering about that.

Thanks, Danny, that's kinda what I suspected but wanted to check with those who've been there! My D-Day is 18 days away and just trying to get organized.

Here's my alltime favorite...so far! The goal is the road, not the destination. - Dr. Jamie Beckerman

How about changing that to "1. Add 1 scoop of protein powder to one food item each day?"

Then I stand corrected! Erase No. 1 on the list. :-)

Here a few ideas - modify them to suit your situation: 1, Start now having one protein shake meal per day. Just one. Make it the same meal each day. Commit. 2. Walk from your door to X and back. X can = mailbox, a plant, a tree, the next house or apt. Keep it short. 3. The next day, do it twice, walk from A to B and back. That's all. If someone says "What the heck are you doing?", just give a mysterious smile and say "Research!" and move on. 4. The following day, do it 3 times, etc etc. 5. When you feel ready, pick another point B a little further, maybe twice as far. Don't push yourself. Just do it. 6. During commercials, use a theraband or hand weight as you sit or stand. Commit. 7. If possible, see if your PBS station carries Sit and Be Fit - 30 min of exercises sitting in a chair. Tape it, then Watch & Do. Do what you can, rest when you need to. Don't try to keep up, but stay the course. 8. Start drinking 8 glasses of water daily. Can't do it? No prob- just track what you CAN do, each day. This whole journey is about baby steps. No reason you can't begin yours now!

Suspect that once your mom & sis see your results, they will get on board. May even express jealousy or envy, then ask for your help in starting their own journey. You will be the family trailblazer!

This is my response to anyone who does not support my treatment decision: I am having surgery to treat a disease I have had all my life. It will not cure the disease but it is the best treatment option for me currently available. In 2013 obesity was classified by the AMA as a disease - a chronic disease - a chronic, deadly disease. I call it a "gateway" disease, leading one on a pathway to pick up an assortment of other diseases, eg. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, endometrial cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart and circulation disease, bad joints, liver and kidney disease, respiratory issues. And more. I have some of those. I don't want any more. Insurance will finally cover the procedure, and at 70, this is my last chance for some relief and possible remission. Like cancers and many other diseases, a singular core cause remains elusive, but includes multiple factors like genetics, environmental pollutants, chemicals, pesticides, culture, the food industry and biology, as well as lifestyle and coping styles. I am treating this disease with the medical knowledge we have today. If I had not treated my cancer, I would be dead. If I don't treat my obesity, I will be dead soon.

My hospital has in print the cost for self-pay -- $22,000, which must be paid in full before the surgery will be scheduled. It's good to know that upfront for those without insurance.

Stay on this forum and keep reaching out when you feel weak, mad, sad or anything else. Emotional support is PRICELESS when you need a boost or a rap upside the head! We will offer our best suggestions to help, and if they don't help, they will help you clarify to yourself what needs to happen. Cannot stress this enough -- Stay. On. This. Forum.

Only your PCP/surgeon can assess that, so I won't even try to speculate. i would venture to say that hormones can do crazy things. We have put our bodies through an awful lot through WLS surgery. That alone makes for hormone hell, but to add menopause into the mix and wow, your body is struggling to find it's new equilibrium. Our bodies don't always like change, even when it's good for them. They can rebel!

Gees, I hope I have that same "problem!" Nice to know what is possible. I envisioned pumping the morphine every 15 minutes. Have they had you up and walking a lot? Appreciate your sharing!

What does "feeling awful" mean? Can you be more specific?

Our NUT said the 30-30-30 rule does not apply until you begin solid foods. The rationale at that point is to allow the stomach to become empty 30 min before you begin a meal. No liquids WITH the meal to prevent washing the food through the stomach before having time to begin digestion. Wait 30 min after for same - so nutrients can begin being extracted from the food for your body to use.

I suggest having this discussion with your PCP first. You don't seem to have enough info to make an informed decision at this point. I'd be scared, too if I didn't do the homework. In the end your decision will be based on a rational, educated, calulated risk assessment, and your PCP is your first team member in that process. Everything has pros and cons in relation to your individual health and emotional situation. I wasn't ready for this surgery 5 yrs ago. Today I am ready and have no doubts or misgivings. You can begin by researching gastric sleeve on google. Even watch surgery on youtube. Reading posts here can help, too.

Jules, what's making it rough?

Thank you so much Nibble! My hospital didn’t give me any lists so I very much appreciate you listing yours!! I will be bringing all of that stuff! Plus I love the notebook idea because I always forget things like that so easily and I definitely don’t want to this time!! I appreciate your time to explain that to me! 😆 Three more items I forgot to mention: 1) Biotene Oral Gel - we will be dehydrated after surgery. The morning after, they will test me for any staple leaks; if OK, only THEN I can begin Sip&Chip (water & ice chips). Biotene is used to help against dry mouth from meds and I use it daily. 2) a few Q-tips - just in case, for whatever. 3) facial moisturizer and/or body lotion; again, we'll be dry dry dry and I hate skin itching...

Yay!

Keep us in the loop when you can. Thinking only good thoughts for you and all as your NEW DAY arrives!

I'll have to get back to you on that, say - mid-September! I went through menopause 20 years ago, so I've just forgotten about that aspect of things. My mom used to say that it was harder, too. I'm tickled for you to be just a week away from surgery. Are you feeling good about it? I guess another aspect/challenge for me is arthritis. They don't want me taking Celebrex or NSAIDS with my new stomach - could cause ulcers - so will be working with my PCP on that one. Without that med, I cannot move around much and exercise will be difficult. Without NSAIDS I guess I'm not allowed to have a headache now and then either. Geesh.

Let us know when you get your date! Woohoo!!!

I don't feel older pts have any more issues to deal with than any other age. They are all just different. Every person doing this will have a different story. The cool thing about the forum is that we find and lend support in our common ground, and can share things that worked for us that might help someone else when they reach out and ask for ideas or suggestions. Are you struggling with challenges you haven't seen covered in the forum topics? You can always start a topic or ask. It seems to be a large group here and it's hard to imagine not getting feedback to a concern. Yes, Chattycat, boomers rock. Boomers will always rock!

Well thank you very much! I'm happy to be a card-carrying member of the lodge! How many members do you have at present? I think POTUS failed the vetting process for an elite group such as this one.

It's a breeze. They'll start an IV in pre-op area, ask you tons of Qs over and over, wheel you into OR, give you a small amount of liquid to gargle and swallow. Tastes bad. It numbs the throat and aids in sliding in the scope once they put you in la la land. 15 minutes later you're back where you started and they monitor your vitals and bring you juice. No pain, just a moment of Yuck when you gargle. They send you home and you take it easy the rest of the day to to the anesthesia, cautioning you to avoid spicy foods or foods too hot. Ice chips are good as I felt dehydrated.

The hospital should give you a list of stuff for hospital. The list I was given includes deodorant, toothbrush/paste, shampoo, soap (if you have a preferred brand/type), hairbrush/comb, non-skid slippers, contact/glasses case, (+ denture cups, c-pap machine if you use). Optional: own gown or pjs and robe, pillow, and really comfy clothes to go home in. Others on this site had good suggestions: lip balm, extra long phone charger cord, and one gal took a small clip-on fan as she was waay too warm and uncomfortable. Since I can't have sugar-free jello/popsicles, I am taking a few teabags - green, ginger, peppermint, and earl grey. Those were suggestions for easing nausea - ginger & peppermint. There are likely more suggestions I haven't run across yet. I will also take my pen & notebook to record pain, mood, and any other thing -- questions to ask, etc. I won't be able to remember much due to anesthesia, so jotting it down is best. I will also get a hospital visit from the nutritionist and just hope what she tells me will also be on a handout. Cool that you have your own private fridge!