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I thought I'd write about my journey for the older folks out there considering this surgery. Last Nov I turned 71 and after regaining 50 pounds I had lost two years ago (the story of my life) I could see that if I didn't do something drastic I would spend my remaining years in a wheel chair. So off to a bariatric seminar I went. I was encouraged by all that I saw there and decided to take the plunge. I survived the two week starvation diet with out murdering my husband or eating the furniture and had my surgery on Feb. 4th. I started my journey at 298.5. The surgery was interesting I guess. As they put in the gas to blow me up, the gas hit my vagus nerve and my body slowed way down. 40 heartbeats a minute. They backed off the gas and did chest compressions to get me stabilized. Then contacted the cardiologist who told them to go for it so they compleated the surgery and then sent me to the cath lab for a heart cath. That came back normal. Surgeon said I gave them quite a scare. I wouldn't know as I woke up in the ICU and don't remember a thing about even going to the OR. Let me tell you, I used Tennova at Turkey Creek as my hospital and the care was outstanding both in the ICU and the bariatric wing. I couldn't have asked for better. Woke up only to walk far enough to get them to take the catheter out. My surgeon checks for leaks during surgery so I would drink as soon as I woke up. Yayyyyy. I could drink easily and like the very cold the best. I had no nausea or pain when still. When I tried to get up that was another story. Seems like when they blew me up they also disturbed the scar tissue from my mastectomies of 9 years ago and that gave me fits for about a week. The actual surgery part was a breeze. I have had no problem meeting my carb, Protein and Fluid goals daily. I can drink normally but not as much as fast. I'm on liquids for 4 weeks on then on to purees. I am so looking forward to some refried beans!!! So for you older folks considering this--go for it. I'm a two time cancer surviver and figured I had nothing but fat to lose and everything to gain. I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Oh, and I'm down 23 lbs. from the start of my pre op so that part is going well, too. Chris

Good luck! I had mine 15 days ago. Let us know how you're doing.

When you drink right after you eat, you flush the food through your small stomach and nutrients don't have time to absorb into the body. It's almost like wasted food, but the calories still count. You'll be hungry faster and want to eat again. Like anything else, you have to work at it to make it a routine.

Yes hypoglycemia could've been th culprit

I've got 165-ish to take off (roughly 50% of my highest weight) and I'm stalled at 20 pounds down on the pre-op diet. I'm struggling with hunger and impatience and defeatist thinking, but I'm trying to focus on TODAY. What can I "do right" today? This morning I got up and went for a 5k walk out in the sunshine, and thought about my goals of hiking and running and doing all my physical things. Then I drank some protein water and reminded myself again. I guess all I can say is try not to look st the huge overwhelming goal. Yes you're working toward that, but look at what's right in front of you. Do that right. And repeat.

What's limiting your ability to eat a full diet? Is it nausea, or do you vomit? And the same regarding liquids...do you have physical symptoms or do you just not drink enough? I 'struggle' with my liquids every day, but the struggle is getting my head to remember that I need to drink, not that water bothers me. I find myself wanting to eat easy foods and repeating the same foods over and over...it takes effort to say 'no, not having yogurt for breakfast, cook an egg'. You really need a visit with your surgical team/dietician to get you moved on to a wider range of foods. Your labs may be WNL now, but your body is telling you that you're not fueling it appropriately.

OMG I fear that too but for very different reasons. I started gaining weight in the 4th grade (my 3rd and 4th grade pics are like two different kids) and by middle school/freshman year I became more okay with my body. I learned to love my curves and have never wanted to be "skinny". I've had times where I dislike it or "feel fat" but it's not the constant. I WANT to be a curvaceous woman, I feel like it's meant to be and I never shy away from acknowledging my weight. I do it in a casual manner like "I'm obviously no size 2..." and I feel like I'm losing me with the weight but health wise I don't have a choice. I actually had the sleeve in 01/13 so the RNY petrifies me because what if it actually works this time but "too well"? For what it's with I'm actually a licensed clinical therapist who specializes in trauma as well as a trauma survivor and if you're not currently in therapy you should consider it. TBH I don't know what I'd do without therapy and know I gained these positive self images by engaging in treatment. You have a considerable history that you need to carefully address with a professional, don't go the journey alone if you don't have to. If you have the courage to start this thread than I believe you have the strength to overcome all of these things and be a happier, healthier you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have heard this as well. I got pregnant 5 months after surgery. I gave birth completely naturally without any complications or drugs at a birthing center. I didn't even get Tylenol! I got up and walked out with my baby girl 4 hours after giving birth and felt great. Labored in a tub got out and delivered on a bed. They did consider me high risk because I had a very healthy pregnancy. No issues and in range for all test while pregnant. YOU will have to educate THEM. They know nothing about bariatrics. I went prepared with papers and research on what I needed to do and what MY plan was to have a healthy pregnancy. Boost your healthy Snacks and do your homework and you can do it. Don't let anyone tell you you can't have the birth you want because you simply can't eat as much at once. Best of luck to you and congrats!!!!

Same with mine.

I'm 31 weeks and measuring a little ahead. Up 7lbs since I started. I am able to eat a lot more but have made it a point to keep exercising. Glad to hear people got their restriction back after delivery. Plan on breastfeeding so I hope that will go well. Congrats to everyone!