New to the forum
Hi. I have been lurking around for the past few months. I am 60 and scheduled for surgery on April 8 and while I have thought about the surgery and done a lot of research I am terrified yet excited at the same time. I have no idea how I am going to make it until the 8th withourt losing it. I work and do try to kerp busy but my thoughts always stray to the surgery and my concentration is very short on any one thing. I guess my biggest fear is complications during or after surgery. Also, while I know this is a life changing experience I fear that I will not succeed. I know this is the best thing I can do for my health and to get my comorbities under control. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Welcome to OFF. I am too having WLS in 2 wks. April 11 I spent so much time on prep and getting approved and now I have anxiety about getting it all right. As a newbie I have been reading profiles in addition to the message board posts. It has helped me alot. Its my start of the pre-op and I am able to get some peace from the posts the others are sending me. I have a support group called TOPS, but none of them have had the WLS. Well I am at the same spot you are but you will be in my prayers on the 8th. Hang on! The OFF is here to help us. 
Blessings Sharon
Blessings Sharon smck_52
Dee,
Wishing you the best as you take charge of your health and begin the journey towards living life the way it is meant to be lived. . .
Advice, follow the instructions of your surgeon and/or nutritionist post-op. If you have questions, even if they seem trivial, ask them. Immediately post-op, getting out of bed as soon as possible will be key to getting rid of the gas associated with the procedure (if it involves laproscopic type surgery). Don't stock up on protein products, tastebuds are different post surgery, what tastes good now, might not later. Laproscopic surgery is still major surgery, so get up move around, but don't overdo. . . you might have some pain at the incision sites as they heal, feels like a pulling or ripping sensation. Very important to get your fluids and protein in. There are some forms of protein that come in 3 oz liquids that make it easier to get down, not necessarily tasty, but important. Take side profile and front pictures day of surgery, try to take it somewhere like in front of a door where you can take the same shots monthly, as often the pictures show us what we are not likely to see otherwise. Also take measurements and do monthly. The scale is not our friend, this journey does not always show up there, in other words, there will be times when you may not see desired results there, but the measurements will tell you a different story.
My last piece of advice is, find a good support group and stick with it. Support can be had here, but I personally like to have at least one group meeting per month where I can learn from others, as well as stay accountable. I think I saw that you are in PA, the PA forum is full of great support, also not sure where in PA you are from, but in the East there are lots of support groups.
Wishing you the very best as well as looking forward to getting to know you and experiencing your journey.
Laureen
Wishing you the best as you take charge of your health and begin the journey towards living life the way it is meant to be lived. . .
Advice, follow the instructions of your surgeon and/or nutritionist post-op. If you have questions, even if they seem trivial, ask them. Immediately post-op, getting out of bed as soon as possible will be key to getting rid of the gas associated with the procedure (if it involves laproscopic type surgery). Don't stock up on protein products, tastebuds are different post surgery, what tastes good now, might not later. Laproscopic surgery is still major surgery, so get up move around, but don't overdo. . . you might have some pain at the incision sites as they heal, feels like a pulling or ripping sensation. Very important to get your fluids and protein in. There are some forms of protein that come in 3 oz liquids that make it easier to get down, not necessarily tasty, but important. Take side profile and front pictures day of surgery, try to take it somewhere like in front of a door where you can take the same shots monthly, as often the pictures show us what we are not likely to see otherwise. Also take measurements and do monthly. The scale is not our friend, this journey does not always show up there, in other words, there will be times when you may not see desired results there, but the measurements will tell you a different story.
My last piece of advice is, find a good support group and stick with it. Support can be had here, but I personally like to have at least one group meeting per month where I can learn from others, as well as stay accountable. I think I saw that you are in PA, the PA forum is full of great support, also not sure where in PA you are from, but in the East there are lots of support groups.
Wishing you the very best as well as looking forward to getting to know you and experiencing your journey.
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Welcome Dee and you are normal with all your thoughts.
Just know you are doing this for your health, the weight loss will come and you will be a success.
Now start thinking about your terms of success. Is it taking less medication? Increasing your exercise? Eating more healthy?
Success...you will be a success always. You are a success right now this very minute. So embrace your new lifestyle change and be sure to go to bariatric support groups. Hugs Debbie
Just know you are doing this for your health, the weight loss will come and you will be a success.
Now start thinking about your terms of success. Is it taking less medication? Increasing your exercise? Eating more healthy?
Success...you will be a success always. You are a success right now this very minute. So embrace your new lifestyle change and be sure to go to bariatric support groups. Hugs Debbie
Dear Dee,
Good advice from the replies you have received. I had my surgery 2 and 1/2 yrs ago at age 61. I had diabetes and all the comorbidities that go with it for at least 15 yrs; felt like I was about 80 yrs old and did not expect to live to see 70. Well, that all changed!
Post-op I had very little pain and since I had laparoscopic surgery, went home on 2nd ppost-op day and back to work after a week. My blood sugars normalized almost immediately [even before I had lost any weight] and my lipids and high blood pressure all went down. I went from taking 9 pills a day to 1-and that one was for something entirely apart from the diabetes.
Today I am 64 and feel like I am 55 going on 25. I fully expect to live to be 80 (and will be mighty ticked off if I don't LOL). Life without diabetes is miraculous. I went from size 24 to size 12. I could lose a bit more weight still, but it will happen slowly because as I have reached "normal" weight range, it became clear that I would have to do it the old fashioned way-exercise more consistently and watch my calorie intake--just like the normal people out there. As my nutritionist said, "The long term success is measured with how you do once the honeymoon is over."
No one can predict how your journey will go after the surgery, but right now it is enough to be willing to take the risk and face the fears and go forward with what is an enormous step to improved mental and physical health. You really have to take it one day at a time, as they say in the 12-step programs.
One personal tip: my doctor wanted me to use Carnation Instant Breakfast, sugar-free post-op for my first weeks, but it gave me terrible diarrhea. He tried to blame that on lactose intolerance, but I had no problem drinking milk. There is something in some of these drinks that does not agree with me--it happened again when I tried Kellogg's shakes just a few months ago. My solution after sugery was Chobani plain Greek style yogurt. 100 calories and 18 grams of protein. At first it took me at least an hour to eat one 6-oz. cup. Within the bounds of the doctor's and nutritionist's recommendations, you should be able to find things you can eat and tolerate comfortably. Don't suffer with something that makes you ill. It is important to reach your protein and fluid goals each day, but not at the expense of your comfort and health. There are a lot of products out there; you should be able to find something that works for you.
I will be thinking of you on 4/8 and sending prayers and good wishes your way. Congratulations on embarking on this new health venture in your life!
Judy G. from Waltham, MA (aka Shelto1946)
Good advice from the replies you have received. I had my surgery 2 and 1/2 yrs ago at age 61. I had diabetes and all the comorbidities that go with it for at least 15 yrs; felt like I was about 80 yrs old and did not expect to live to see 70. Well, that all changed!
Post-op I had very little pain and since I had laparoscopic surgery, went home on 2nd ppost-op day and back to work after a week. My blood sugars normalized almost immediately [even before I had lost any weight] and my lipids and high blood pressure all went down. I went from taking 9 pills a day to 1-and that one was for something entirely apart from the diabetes.
Today I am 64 and feel like I am 55 going on 25. I fully expect to live to be 80 (and will be mighty ticked off if I don't LOL). Life without diabetes is miraculous. I went from size 24 to size 12. I could lose a bit more weight still, but it will happen slowly because as I have reached "normal" weight range, it became clear that I would have to do it the old fashioned way-exercise more consistently and watch my calorie intake--just like the normal people out there. As my nutritionist said, "The long term success is measured with how you do once the honeymoon is over."
No one can predict how your journey will go after the surgery, but right now it is enough to be willing to take the risk and face the fears and go forward with what is an enormous step to improved mental and physical health. You really have to take it one day at a time, as they say in the 12-step programs.
One personal tip: my doctor wanted me to use Carnation Instant Breakfast, sugar-free post-op for my first weeks, but it gave me terrible diarrhea. He tried to blame that on lactose intolerance, but I had no problem drinking milk. There is something in some of these drinks that does not agree with me--it happened again when I tried Kellogg's shakes just a few months ago. My solution after sugery was Chobani plain Greek style yogurt. 100 calories and 18 grams of protein. At first it took me at least an hour to eat one 6-oz. cup. Within the bounds of the doctor's and nutritionist's recommendations, you should be able to find things you can eat and tolerate comfortably. Don't suffer with something that makes you ill. It is important to reach your protein and fluid goals each day, but not at the expense of your comfort and health. There are a lot of products out there; you should be able to find something that works for you.
I will be thinking of you on 4/8 and sending prayers and good wishes your way. Congratulations on embarking on this new health venture in your life!
Judy G. from Waltham, MA (aka Shelto1946)
Best of luck to you. My surgery is scheduled for April 28th, and I am having the same feelings you are. It has taken me so long to get to this point and when they called and said when my surgery date was I panicked. It is like, oh my, this is really going to happen. I am excited and terrified too, but I know we are doing what is best for us. Good luck, and listen to what your doctor tells you!!!!
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