New to Posting!

Hello Everyone!

I am new to posting on this site, but not to trolling it for years! I posted on the general discussion board that after 10+ years I am finally starting my journey!!! (It appears the general discussion board is in a different location...I am learning my way around!)

I am a 57 year old female w/several weight-related health issues that made me sit up & take notice I can't keep thinking I can lose weight on my own! If I want to live I need to get this weight off.

I am just concerned about my risk given my age & health issues. I am also prone to anxiety about medical procedures so I am feeling really nervous. The upcoming endoscopy is stressing me out....God help me when I have the actual WL surgery!

Anyhow, I wanted to come aboard & join this group.

Thanks!

Kathy

WELCOME Kathy!!!! You FOUND the RIGHT board here with us!!!! I was 54 almost 55 when I had my WLS and my dr told me if I didn't do something soon I would die early!! Sooo here I am about 1/2 of what I used to be and my only regret is NOT doing this WLS sooner!!!!

So keep coming in and join our daily thread and get to know us and us you!!! And NEVER think your questions are silly either!! Remember...we were there once also!!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSS

Thanks for your reply, Judy!

It is so encouraging to hear from ppl who have already walked this path! I am envious of your success...I have never been able to lose more than 25 pounds in my life so to hear from members who lost HALF their weight is just SO inspiring.

I will try to visit everday b/c I need the support & reinforcement. My doctor suggested I use the next 6 months beginning to adapt my diet to how it needs to be after surgery while I have to attend nutrition classes plus get more exercise. I know the board has lots of info on diet & exercise. So I will definitely be stopping in.

I do have a question, though. Those of us who are older face the sagging skin issue more so than the younger members. How did you make out with that? I am not concerned from an attractiveness viewpoint, but I get rashes NOW. I don't know that I would consider plastic surgery for excess skin removal so I wonder how others have dealt with it.

Thanks so much!

Kathy

Kathy I have some sagging skin and I call my legs "elephant legs" with the saggy skin so I will not wear shorts above the knees!!! EWWWWWW My stomach hangs down somewhat but I do not get rashes from it. My arms have "bat wings" and really flap when I brush my hair so my hair is short...LOL What boobs that I have left go flat as a pancake when I lay on my back...OMG!!!!!! But I WOULD HAVE WLS ALL OVER AGAIN IN A HEART BEAT IF I HAD TO!!!!!!! I love my new me and wouldn't trade a thing!!!!!!!! I guess the slower you lose weight the better for the sagging skin??? I had so many stalls in my journey I thought I would never get there!!!! BUT I DID!!!!!!!!!! The main thing I did was WALK WALK WALK and DRINK TONS OF WATER!!!!!!! Adding some lemon to the water helped when water gagged me. I think I have my before and after pictures on my profile here...If you need to friend me on here to see them feel free to do so!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSS

Hi Kathy and WELCOME to OFF!!!!

We love having new members. Just jump right in and join us. Who ever gets to it first starts the daily thread in the morning. Then we all start posting. It is fun and a nice way to start our day or night!!

You are not to old for this surgery. You will be fine. Just follow your doctor and nutritionists orders.

We will be here to answer any questions you may have. Don't be afraid to ask anything. One of us surely will be able to help you.

I am glad you found us. We are fun and we really care about each other. You will fit right in!!!

HUGS....connie d 

Thank you for the welcome, Connie! You don't look old enough to be in this group...lol!

One of the reasons I came over to this group from the general discussion is b/c the caring is really reflected in everyone's posts. It'll be nice to become part of the community!

I will definitely be asking questions...I need to follow through and do this!

Thanks again!

Kathy

Kathy...I am so glad you have chosen to join us in our special group!! This is more like family then just some friends.

Hang on for the wild ride.... !!!!!

By the way....thanks for the nice compliment....believe me I am way older then you think...I am on Medicare so that should tell you something...LOL!!!!!

Love and hugs to you.....connie d

Hi Kathy,

i just started posting here this week! I too am pre-surgery and I'm happy to e-meet you! I have my endoscopy next week, along with my nuclear stress test and my sleep study.  I'm a little nervous about all of them but mostly just want to get them behind me so I can schedule the surgery.  

I'm 52 and my health issues are really concerning me, more so than the procedures and the risk of surgery itself. Only you can decide on that but for me, I've decided the risks and the hard work are worth it.  I am looking forward to breaking out of the prison I've built with this fat! 

So glad you found this board too. 

Christine

Hi Christine!

It is nice to have someone who is going thru the same thing at the same time. It sounds like you may be a little ahead of me as my surgeons office is in the process of scheduling my endoscopy...I have sleep apnea & successfully comply w/treatment so a sleep study was not ordered. I also have a cardiologist who is the one who strongly recommended the WLS so I'll ask her if she needs to do any more testing. I do need to see a pulmonary doctor and have a psychological exam.

If you haven't had a nuclear stress test or sleep study they are a piece of cake! and I'm such a baby about medical testing!

Like you, I just want to get thru these appointments ASAP. I am nervous about them finding something that is either serious or would make me ineligible for the surgery. My afib was only caught 'by accident' when I was ordered for pre-surgical testing for my 2012 cancer. Sigh...don't need something to block my way!

I really never had serious health issues except borderline HBP until 2012. Then I got diagnosed with uterine cancer, sleep apnea, and A-fib. I am now pre-diabetic. I used to be able to move...now I have problems getting off the sofa, and the afib& related meds make me very tired.

I am just a hot mess. I know if I don't do this a major stroke or heart attack are in my future!

So as scared as I am I know I have to do this. I know exactly what you mean about breaking out of this prison of fat...

Stay in touch!

Thanks!

Kathy

Kathy, 

I just posted to you on the RNY board so I won't duplicate it all here... But I am so glad to have an almost surgery twin to go along with my new friends here on this board.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family and close friends, but I don't know a soul who has had the surgery or even considered it.  This site is already a God send! 

Yes, same as you- I never had major health issues until recently.  My mini stroke (TIA) in 2012 was a wake up call.  Though I haven't gained weight since then I haven't lost any either.  Oh wait, yes I have: 5 pounds lost, 6 pounds gained, 10 pounds lost, 8 pounds gained... Etc etc etc.  time to get off the merry go round.  My father had a major stroke when he was 58 and they discovered he had arterial sclerosis, or hardening of the arteries in his brain, shortly thereafter. He had 6 more major strokes until he died in a nursing home at the age of 66.  I am 52 now and had my TIA at 50.  They discovered I had the initial stages of arterial sclerosis too. It seems I am walking a similar path as my father, health wise.  So, I have worked hard to get my cholesterol in check, but the next step is this weight.  Only God knows how much time we have left on this earth (or, this is what I believe at least!) so I just want to make the best of whatever time I have left!  And I want to do my part to take care of myself to maximize my life expectancy.  So, here I am.  Wish I started this 10 years ago! 

FWIW I do not think either of us is a hot mess.  We are taking major steps to take control of our health and well being.  It takes courage, dedication, and a lot of hard work... ESPECIALLY after 50.  All the ladies on this board are a testament to that.  I think you should be very proud of yourself.  Let's stay in touch with each other and with all the vets here to keep the nerves in check and stay focused.  

We can do this! 

Christine