Hello

Hello,  I am sjbmouse and have just joined your group.  I have started the process of having bariatric surgery.  I have met with the Dr., Social worker,Nutritionist and Insurance lady.   I guess my next appointment is to have a physical.  This is all so much to take in. I just turned 63 yrs old and am probably a little old for this, but better late than never.  The hospital has a support group; but It is out of town and too hard to get to.  I am hoping you can all help me instead.  Who knows, maybe I can help someone too.  I am really terrified when it comes to surgery.  It seems the risks are high when I am so heavy.  I suppose, though, that the risks of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep apnea are just as great.  Thats what I keep telling myself.  Before I became disabled, I taught cooking, nutrition and life skills to Food Stamp eligible homeakers and their families.  A dream job. (you would think I would have known better than to let myself gain all this weight, but it has been a lifetime battle)  Before that until I had gone back to school, I was a cook/manager in a family restaurant for years.
In my family, when I was growing up, food was the center of everything.  While I was married and raising children it was the same thing.  Food has been such an important part of my life forever; and it is going to be hard to change my eating habits.  I know that is true for a lot of people.  I am hoping to hear from them.  Thank you for letting me in,  sjbmouse

mouse, by the way, what is your real name.  i'm vick.  glad to see u posting on our site. you will do a lot of good here and hopefully we can help you also. surgery is a major deal, but look at what u are facing without it.  i  know i am healthier since i've lost weight. i still have sleep apnea but hopefully the next test i take on that will show it is not the case.   i am 56 so i am not so far off from your age.  try to get in a steady habit of exercising and eating properly with lots of protein. the protein will help u heal from the surgery.  hope everything goes ok with your visit with your physical. let me know if i can do anything to help. vick

Hello and welcome.  Support is so important to success, I attend a local support group and hang out here a lot for additional support.  Looking forward to seeing your posts and comments.  Hugs, Kathy

Welcome to our group / family. Thats really more like it. We are very close here and supportive asnd we all truly care about each other. I am glad you decided to join us! When my daughter had bariatric surgery, there was a lady in a class with her that was 69 years old. So.. trust me, you are not too old for this.

You were given good advice with increasing your protein before surgery, as it really speeds the recovery process. starting exercise was great advice too. You don't have to get crazy with it, just try to incorperate walking into your life. Start slow and steady and build from there as you can.

Surgery is scarey. It is always a risk. Obesity and related diseases and health issues are too! Your chances of suffering risks from surgery are much lower than the risks of obesity and all of its related health issues. Then there is quality of life to consider too. You just have to search your heart and soul and do what you feel is best for you. If you are religious at all, pray on it.

My surgeon told me that when a person has this surgery, gets off alot of the weight, and keeps it off, it adds at least 8 years to our estimated life span. The older I get the more precious an extra 8 years seems to me. Your surgeon should alert you if he / she  feels you are at a higher risk of surgical risks. Insist he / she be straight up with you on all info.

Welcome to our family here! I hope to get to know you and travel your journey with you!
Hugs!