I'm a Newbie

Hi Folks

I am a Newbie, age 57, just found this board. I am retired with a hubby and lovely furry canine girl "Shadow", married 35 years this September.

I have sleep apnea, diabetes, very mild asthma, hypertension, incontinence and hypertension.
I finally decided to have this surgery when I found that I can barely walk more than a few steps without pain, pain, pain. I walk with a cane. Gave up cigarettes 20+ years ago and alcohol about 15 years ago.
 
I do go to the gym almost every day, work on a recumbent crosstrainer, do the aquafit and have a personal trainer that I work with twice a week, for strength and balance.

I am hoping to have this RNY surgery by the end of November, an early Christmas present to myself. 
I love to make Quilts and belong to a guild and also my church quilt group. I have no kids .

I read some of the posts on this board and you all seem like a great group. 

I have been to the orientation and met my surgeon, my next group of appoints are in another month. In the meantime I have to practice some of the new eating techniques.   \\ no pop, no liquid with meals, cutting down on portion sizes and keeping a food journal. So I will be busy with all of the prep work.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome...I have read you on the Ontario forum.   You will find that things are slower and mellower here, maybe age makes us more gentle with each other compared to what you see on other forums.

You will not regret having your WLS and will wonder why you didn't do it earlier.....Feel free to ask questions here and you will get our personal answers based on our own experiences. Some are real veterans, with their surgeries done years ago and have much to share if you ask.

There's a daily thread here, started by one member each day, and some of us post regularly others less often,  and the thread is a friendly social place.  Some of the members posting  are facing more than just WLS issues in their lives: cancer, family problems, their own major health and life  issues, and the thread becomes a place to vent or share safely...and it amazes me how tough and resilient they are, and makes me thankful for my own life with comparatively minor issues...I come here pretty much every day to read what the OFF Family is doing...( OFF=Over Fifty Forum).

Welcome, welcome, Debra!! I agree with everything Jennifer posted in her reply. I believe we have every type of WLS represented here. I don't think any of us have that 'MY type of WLS is better than yours'. I believe that the WLS you choose must be the best for you. You must have done the research!
Stop by as often as you can. We will be happy to get to know you!

Hello, I am a newbie as well. I too am 57 years old and just started the process of setting up the surgery. I have a SO for many years and have a daughter who is in her 30s and two grandchildren, 18 and 14.SO is very supportive of this and I am extremely grateful for his support!! 
 Have been battling weight since early 40s and have tried every diet known to mankind. I am looking forward to not having pain in my hip, knees and ankles after this surgery. Hope to have it in the fall but we will see how quickly it gets approved. I had my psyche eval this past week and that is all my insurance wants before approval. My doc insists on a sleep study, cardiac clearance and endoscope ( which she is doing herself). All these appts are scheduled for the next two weeks so I am on my way.
I have also begun using protein shakes and such to get my body use to the increase in protein and decrease is food. I will have to do a 10 day liquid diet prior to surgery day so I figured I should get this started now!!
The doc and I decided the best option for me is the gastric sleeve. I am nervous about the surgery but I have had other big surgeries and always do well so I expect this will be the same!
Hope to hang out here at the forums and get as much information and as many tips and suggestions as possible.

Thanks for being here!!

And welcome to you too!  Stick around and ask questions all you want. We are here to help and are friendly and non-judgemental.

There are oldies on here who have had your type of WLS surgery, with varying degrees of success (as is the case for every type of WLS)  so don't be shy and get all the info possible from people in your age group...

I'm a bit older ( had my RnY surgery at age 62), and things are different the older you are when you have your surgery ( and also as you get older on this interesting rest of your life trip !) so this is one of the places you want to ask your VSG (Sleeve) questions...

Best of luck on your WLS journey

 Thanks for the welcome!!

Hi Diane,
Welcome to OFF.  I'm Trish, and so grateful I had this surgery.  While I have had a regain at one point, I am back to losing and have reaped so many benefits from this surgery.  The weight loss and health improvements are the best, but also I have met some terrific people along the way.

Please check in often and share your concerns with us, as well as your joys.  We are a very kind and loving group.

Hugs,
Trish

Thanks so much, Trish! I plan on using as many of the forums here as possible. I believe that the more information I have the better off I will be once I have the surgery! again, thanks!

Great attitude, Diane.  I found the more information I had before the surgery decreased my anxiety going into the OR.  It also prepared me for what life would be like immediately afterward.

Your surgeon's name looks familiar.  Do you live in Pennsylvania?  I also go to the PA forum.

Hugs,
Trish

Yes, I am a Philly girl and am going to the langhorn Barix clinic!