I'm new and I want to get on the bench.

This is all new to me so if I make a mistake I hope you will bear with me.  I've never been on a forum before as computers are not my thing (news, bank & e-mails only).  I found Obesity Help about a month ago.  The main forum is good but at times it seems to have too much drama.  I found that the Mens Forum is more structured to what I'm looking for.  I must say that I find everyone here to be an inspiration.  My moniker is "oldman" as I'm 67.  It seems that most of you are at an age that I wish I was.  I've read back almost a year here and I have a few question that I hope someone can answer.  I'm on oxygen part time.  I don't need it when I'm in my recliner but when I do anything involving physical exertion (shopping, exercise, carrying weight etc.) I'm suppose to use it.  Was anyone here ever on oxygen before their RNY and were they able to get rid of it?  I'm scheduled for RNY on May 17th and to be honest with you I am scared.  I don't want anyone here to hate me but I didn't find out about RNY until Mar 20th and I had approval Apr 18th and they wanted to do me May 3rd.  I told the surgeons office that was too quick as I had a "bucket list" of old habits I had to do first.  I start my 14 day protein diet on May 2nd.  Any help you can give me will be appreciated.  Thanks.  Jim  

Welcome--yeah, too much stuff happening over on the Main, which is why this one was set up.

There's a lot of older guys here, so don't feel too alone. Don't worry too much--there's a bunch of good doctors out there and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that yours is one of them.

Get some protein powders for getting your intake up to the required amounts; your doctor should have guidelines for those.

Then hold on for a wild ride!!!

Thanks for the encouraging words.  Sometimes it seems like it's coming too fast at me.  I just read something from the main RNY forum that someone suggested a book for people with doubts.  It's "An Experts Guide To Weight -Loss Surgery By Dr Garth Davis".  Found it on Amazon and for $6.40 new.  Hopefully it will answer most of all my questions.  Has anbody read it?

I've heard of the book (haven't read it) and the doctor--both seem to have good reviews.

Welcome Old man,

First, I'm just a few years behind you so no worries there.  I have some form of COPD ( or what they call it when they don't really know ). I was pretty dependent  on oxygen myself and still have problems with extreme exertion on simple things.

I have, however, literally stop all use of oxygen in the last 3 months.  I'm not sure if that will continue, and it right by my bed. But hopefully it's for good.

I'm halfway to my goal and I feel it's only going to get better.

Good luck

d

That's just what I wanted to hear.  To at least have a chance to get off or reduce the oxygen.  I didn't mention that I smoked for a total of 47 years but I haven't had a drag since Oct 2nd the day they brought the. machines and cannisters.  Just one more thing to work for. 

Uhhhh.... What exactly is it that you want to do on your old habit "bucket list" that is more important than breathing?

Look dude, I'm not one to force my patients into anything, they have better buy-in if the decision is theirs.
But look here, the window of opportunity is closing rapidly for a 67 year old ( esp. with what sounds like heart failure or COPD). If you eat your self silly for a month or two, they might refuse to operate you .

Give up the bad **** NOW!
This instant.
Do the preop diet and get your surgery.
You read these posts. You see what a fulfilling life awaits you when you drop a hundred pounds.

Go for it and never look back - you won't like what you see back there!

You still have some fun, fulling life to live!

You are soooo right!  The things on the bucket list have only put me where I am today.  And I sure don't like it.  COPD, sleep apnea, acid reflux to just mention a few.  My bathroom cabinet looks like a pharmacy.  This why I joined the forum.  Unlike my family and friends who don't really understand everything I'm going through because they don't have my problem.  They all want the best for me but they have never been where I am (6' 332 lbs.) or where I'm headed.  You do know and I can't bs you.  We've (my wife of 46 yrs in Jun) have gotten rid a lot of crap over the past 2 weeks but I still have things to eat.  It's that old mentality that I've had since we were raising our 3 kids.  That I was the human garbage disposal because I don't want to waste the food.  I can give it away because I don't need to put more weight on my bad knees and feet before I have the life saving RNY.  Pre-op diet starts now and the protein starts Wed 2 May.  Thanks again, I needed that slap!

 Attaboy Jim! That is what we like to hear... Throw the excess food out if you must, a small price to pay for starting on the right track today!

Ditto on what has been said.  I was dying and needed to get my RNY done as fast a possible.  I was pushing through the hoops for the surgery...Time was short and I had to move fast or die!!  I have (had) congestive heart failure.  I had an ejection/fraction rate of 35%...Not good at all.  I was hovering around 300 pounds eating junk.  After surgery (see profile pictures), my ejection/fraction rate rose to 59-60 percent.  On the treadmill I was in the 95% for my age group.  Just last month my injection/fraction rate was 49-50%...Normal for my age group (5 1/2 years out).  Push hard for the surgery...It's proven, it will change your life and you should enjoy life a lot move with many more years to come.  No guarantees...There is none in life...But having my health is priceless to me...