Question:
Is there anyone 50/60 out there
Where are all the 50/60 people and those that are post or pre, i would love some info on the first week, how you felt what you could eat etc my surg is June 8, 2009 — Nancegee2 (posted on May 26, 2009)
May 26, 2009
I had my rny on 4/21. The first 4-5 days you will not come close to
getting your water and protein in. Do not be overly concerned. As week 2
comes, you will feel more like eating, you will not be hungry but you know
you must drink and eat some protein. I found the best way to get the
protein in on the first month is to use the Adkins Advantage liquid drinks.
They have 15 grams of protein so if you can get one down in 2 oz
increaments you will atleast have that in and it also counts as water. You
will get sick of them after about a month though. But by then, you will be
on soft diet and you will have more choices. I hope this helps.
— Kathy Thomas
May 26, 2009
I amm 54 and 4 months post lap RNY. The first couple of weeks are tough but
it gets better. Try to attend support groups pre and post if you have them
in your area. I found it very helpful. Initially just concentrate on fluids
to prevent dehydration :water, decaf tea,broth,SF ice pops. Then u can add
your protein shakes, soups strained are also very good. I found warm
liquids were better then cold. I also added unflavored Anywhey to
things(yogurt,oatmeal,protein shakes) to get more protein.Make sure liquid
is not boiling or it will curdle the Anywhey. It's hard to get all of the
liquid and protein in in the beginning but it does get easier as time goes
on and the swelling goes down. I was weak and swollen(they give you alot of
fluid IV in the hospital to keep you hydrated)so just do the best you can
and keep moving. I was able to return to work ( a desk job)in two weeks. It
wasn't easy but I survived. Just follow what ever the doctor and
nutritionist tell you and don't hestiate to contact them if you have
concerns. It was the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I have my
life back. Good Luck.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 26, 2009
Hi there! I will be 56 on Thursday, and yesterday was my three month out
date. I did extremely well with the surgery and recovery, was up and
around within two hours of returning to my room from the recovery room.
Depending on your surgeon, you will likely still be on a liquid diet for
the first couple of weeks after you get home, but that might include stuff
like jello, pudding, EggBeaters, cottage cheese, and thinned down refried
beans. You must also get in a LOT of protein (my surgeon says at LEAST 65
- 85 grams), so I had lots of Iso Pure 20 ounce bottles on hand - it
contains 40 grams of protein and tastes like adult koolaid. My favorite
flavor is grape frost, but the icy orange and pineapple orange banana are
good, too. I also had 4 flavors of the New Whey "bullets" on
hand, which I would mix with my fruity Celestial Seasonings Tea in the
morning. They have 42 grams of protein in 3 ounces, but the consistency of
the product is like slightly thickened jello, and alone, it was too tart
for me to drink. Mixed, it made the tea tart, but that was nice. I was
operated on Monday, and discharged Wednesday morning. The only thing I
wasn't expecting and wish someone had told me about was the diarrhea. A
couple of days after I got home, that part of my plumbing started working
again without warning, and I had two nasty accidents within an hour of each
other that were a huge mess to clean up, since they were dark and tarry
(from the normal bleeding you have during surgery). My surgeon told me
that I could take an Imodium to stop the diarrhea, which was a good thing.
As far as what to expect the first week.... just make sure you have lots
and lots of dressings and tape on hand (if your surgeon sends you home with
a drain still in like mine did). I ended up having to go almost every day
to the pharmacy to get new dressings because I developed a slight infection
around the incision site for my JP drain, and had to change the dressings
quite often. You will be sore, and if you have a recliner, you might
prefer to sleep there for a while, because it is very hard to turn over in
bed without straining, and your doctor doesn't want you to strain. Aside
from getting your protein and water in (your jello, Iso Pure, and New Whey
bullets can all be counted as water - in addition, the Iso Pure and New
Whey bullets can be counted in your protein requirements)....you will be
required to exercise daily.... they mostly recommeding walking as much as
you can, as many times per day as you can, with a minimum total of 30
minutes, but preferring that you build up to an hour of brisk walking to
keep your metabolism up. If you can't walk (like me, I have severe
arthritis in both knees and my lumbar spine), they say that riding a
stationary bike is good, so that's what I did. I started with 10 minutes,
and increased it by a couple of minutes a day until I was doing 30 minutes
at a fairly easy pace. Then, I started to slowly up the intensity. Early
this month, at about 7 or 8 weeks out, I began attending the gym with my
daughter, doing 30 minutes of cardio on both the "arm" bike and
the regular stationary bike, and then another 30 minutes of strength
training on the machines. The first week, though, aside from getting in
your protein and liquids, and doing your walking, you should just rest and
relax, and rejoice in knowing that in the coming year, your life and your
health is going to change significantly for the better. Good luck to you.
Keep us posted, and if you have any more questions, please be sure to ask.
— Erica Alikchihoo
May 26, 2009
I was 49 when I had my RNY, now I am 35! Check out my pictures on my
profile! Lesleigh07 I'd do it again a thousand times. Just wish I'd done
it sooner. Good luck!
— lesleigh07
May 26, 2009
I was 49 when I had my RNY. Now I am 35.. Check out my pictures on my
profile. Lesleigh07 The only thing I would have done different, is to have
had it done sooner. I'd do it again a hundred times. Good luck!
— lesleigh07
May 26, 2009
I'm 54 and have a tentative surgury of August 26, My only complaint it that
I didn't find my surgeon sooner.
— Kathleen W.
May 26, 2009
I am 60 & had my surgery 8/21/07. The surgery and recovery was perfect.
I expected to wake up feeling different but everything felt exactly the
same with exception of the tiny incisions. Eating was also a learning
experience and you must pay attention to the signals your new pouch will
give you. If you get a sensation that you shouldn't swallow even that one
little, tiny, last bite, don't swallow it. You will be miserable. I
learned to love that sensation because I never had anything to say 'stop'
eating before that surgery. On the down side - you will find it VERY easy
to eat small amounts or snack all day long. Shortly after your surgery,
you will be able to eat white carbs such as mashed potatoes, bread,
crackers,and smoothies, cream soups and some fruits, etc. You will even
continue to lose weight. BUT, keep in mind, you WILL lose weight more
slowly if you eat those things, and as long as you are still carrying all
those extra pounds, calories will be burned just because you are still
overweight. I learned that once I lost about 100 pounds, I quit losing (In
fact I have gained about 10 pounds back). I know exactly why. I don't have
that extra weight to help burn calories and your hunger does return. Even
though I can't eat very much at a meal, I can snack all day long. By all
means, snack. Just make sure it is the right snack. I find I am dealing
with exactly the same head issues I dealt with before my surgury - not
making good food choices and eating without thinking or telling myself it
is OK to eat even if I know I don't need it. It really is a head
thing!!!!!!! Had I used my healing time to learn to eat correctly and be
deciplined, I would not be struggling again. If I have discouraged you, I
apologize. I want you to know the surgery is the very best thing I could
have done for myself and I am so sorry I didn't do it many years before.
Now I am in the process of getting my head straight. If any of you would
like to email me I would love to hear from you. My email address is
[email protected]. Good Luck. Bonnie Platt
— BonnieP
May 26, 2009
Hello. I am 56 years old and had my RNY October 7, 2009. It is by far the
most proactive thing I have ever done for myself!! The first week was
rought with gas pains and fear that I would do somthing wrong and have
problems. I am very happy to say that things got steadly better after that
week and I returned to work half days on the 4th week and then full time on
the 5th week. I have gotten off all my diabetes medicines, blood pressure
med and my CPAP machine since the surgery. I feel great. The only
troubling thing for me was the thinning of my hair. For about 45 years my
hair had been the only part of my body that I liked and to see it become
very thin was upsetting. I have purchases a couple of wigs and now feel
like Meg Ryan!!! Good luck to you. An important word of advise.. do
EXACTLY as your support team tells you and you can't go wrong.
— psrd370
May 27, 2009
hello nancy i am 54 yrs young and i had my surgery on april 30th 2009. the
first week was full of emotions which went up and down.i made sure to get
up and about and took my pain meds faithfully.i was not to hungry but knew
i had to eat,so i did just as i was instructed by the bariatrics clinic and
today i have no regrets on my knew life.i went into surgery weighing 257
and today i am 219.i am feeling so much better and now realize i chose the
best thing i could have done for me and my health.i still continue with the
orders from the clinic and so far so good so just have faith and remember
the journey is for the best so always think positive and try to follow dr.s
orders.good luck and congradulations on your new life ahead of you.
— meme1955
May 27, 2009
Hi. I will be 52 next month and had VSG this past Oct 2008. I did fine, I
am still doing fine. There are a lot of us out there and there is even a
group on O.H. just for us. Good luck on your journey.
— chell1957
May 27, 2009
Hi Nancy - I guess I am the oldest one who has responded to your question.
I am 63 now and was 62 when I had the surgery last August 18, 2008. I am
9+ months post op and I am loving life. I read the responses to your
questions. My own belief is that is you follow the rules, no matter what
they may be, you will be fine unless you have other issues that may cause
problems. Your worst enemy can be yourself. Like was mentioned before, if
you are told to eat 4 oz, then only eat the 4 oz, whether you
"think" you can add that last bite or two or not. Your body will
tell you if you have done something other than following the rules. Save
yourself a lot of pain and agony by not eating too much and definitely by
not eating too fast - again - follow the rules. I have lost 118 lbs in the
9 months and it has slowed down a great deal. My doctor said because of my
age, that as long as I continue from this point on to lose 1 1/2 lbs per
week, he will be happy with me. I don't regret for one minute going
through the surgery and, actually, I don't think the extra skin is too much
for me to bear at my age. I will not be winning any bathing beauty
contests but then I wouldn't be winning anyway. I am just happy with being
able to do so many things so easily that I could not do before - walking,
breathing easier (I "had" asthma & have not had to take the
meds since the surgery), etc. I am on a very small portion of blood
pressure medicine for which I am being weaned and I used to take at least
15 pills per day. The healing of everything went very well and it is
because I followed the rules. I have a huge book that my included in my
doctor's fees that outlines and describes the surgery and "the
rules" in detail so there was not doubt as to what to do. Good luck
to you.
— KathyStarling
May 27, 2009
I was one week from my 60th birthday when I had lap/rny. My story is about
identical to Bonnie's above. I did wonderful and now at 62 I feel better
than I did at 42.
— Muggs
May 27, 2009
I am 56 and I have had a less than stellar time of my VGS. I had a great
surgeon, but a horrible anethesiologist. It took me 2 days to be able to
stay awake and was groggy for the first week. I was still smelling and
tasting the anesthesia three weeks later. I didn't want to eat for a
month...had to force myself. Didn't get normal strength until 2 months
out. Two and a half months out and have only lost 30 lbs since surgery. I
am not cheating, overeating, or drinking water with meals. I don't drink
anything but sodas or booze. I am more active than before surgery. Doc
and Surgeon have no idea why I'm not loosing. They expected 2 lbs a DAY
loss. I'm lucky if I loose a lb. a WEEK.
— jtoothman
May 27, 2009
I am 52 and had VSG one year ago. I keep getting comments about how much
younger I look now. I KNOW I feel 15 years younger. What a difference it
has made in my life. Only regret...I wish I could have done it 15 years
ago.
— corky1057
May 27, 2009
I am 62 and had a VSG in Nov, 2008. Many of the people have said to stick
with what they tell you to eat and Iwould agree. I have chosen on many
occasions to eat things not recommended or to eat more often. In 6 mos. I
have lost 50 lbs. with 50 more to go. For me the most important part of the
process is to get into a regular form of exercise and not just walking. My
doctor advised weight training exercise for lean muscle development and
better calorie burning. I have felt great with just the walking but have
now started the more muscle building types of exercise. I certainly look
better, have more energy and can actually wear everything in my closet that
was too small. Now its on to the last 50 lbs. and a new wardrob. Best of
luck to you.
Candace Wilkins
— candace501
May 27, 2009
I had VSG on June 23, 2008, I'm 58, and have lost 150#. I am happy that I
can do so many things again, like tie my shoes, walk across the room
without getting short of breath, sit in a booth at restaurants, I have a
lap again. I didn't have any problem sticking to the liquid diet, and I
managed to drink 64 oz of liquids. I would do it again in a heart beat. May
God Bless You Abundantly, Kathie
— KathieV
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