ginnylee

Surely I am not the only person on this forum that is 60 or over having the sleeve surgery. I would love to hear from anyone that has had the surgery and how you feel now. My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 15th, Have had all the pre-op testing completed now just waiting for the big day to get here.

I know just what you are going through. I couldn't sleep or if I did I would wake up in the middle of the night in just sheer terror about what I was doing. As others have said you must do this for yourself and if it doesn't feel right then you probably should rethink having the surgery. Having said that, recently I was talking with a lady at the hospital during my pre-admission (my surgery is Monday, Nov. 15th) about I still wasn't sure that I was really ready to go through with the surgery. She asked me if I had tried other ways to lose weight and of course I have. She then told me "then be at peace with your decision." I thought about her statement for 2 days and continued to weigh in my mind if this is really what I should do. After 2 days of thinking and praying I realized I am at peace with my decision. Today I can hardly wait to for Monday to get here. Hopefully, you will feel better about your decision.

Seems that I have been posting in the wrong area. I have been so stressed out over this surgery that I did not pay close enough attention to where to post. I am peace with my decision now, no stress and no fear of the surgery itself. I have had 4 major abdominal surgeries and having been dreading the pain. However, I know it does get better so I now can hardly wait to get this journey started. I have been on my pre-op semi liquid diet this week and have lost 8 pounds so far. I am supposed to lose 12 before surgery. Think I will at least lose the needed 4 pounds and hopefully more. I have been concerned about the Protein drinks as I read so many articles as to how bad they tasted and as I told someone last week that I would not be obese and needing this surgery if put things in my other than what tasted good. A lady that I go to Church with had by-pass this July and has lost 56 pounds so far. She said she had tried several different types of protein and had found that High 5 was the best. I went to the store today in Rockwall, Texas about an hour and half drive from me and tried his samples. Got the banana/pineapple flavor. He does 4 oz samples and this was very good. Especially after be in able to eat fruit again, pineapple could be blended and a banana also, mix a little coconut flavoring and this would be wonderful. I have finished all of my pre op testing, got my protein and my Soup that I can have after surgery, have made arrangements for my dog to be taken care so now it is just a matter of keeping busy until next Monday. We live about 2 to 2/12 hours from the doctor and hospital so will be leaving on Sunday, Nov. 14th for an admit time of 5:30 a.m. on Monday. Can hardly wait for my jorney to begin in order to see where it takes me.

How would get a ticker loss post into my post? I just can't determine how to do this. Thanks for any help. Ginny

Thanks, will do. Ginny

Had my pre op testing done today. Was cleared by the radiologist after the upper GI today. Had surgery on my ankle several years ago and had a blood clot in my leg so I am at a higher risk for another clot so had to see a vascular doctor and was cleared by him yesterday. Now just waiting for the 15th for the surgery.

A couple of days ago I posted how scared I was/am to have this surgery. I had a couple of replies that I should do this for myself. I really wasn't clear on my fear and yes I am doing this for myself as I want to be healthy for the remainder of my life. Hasn't anyone else had a fear this was the right thing to do. In addition, I have had 6 major surgeries so that alone has given me some fear. My fear is due to previous hiatal hernia surgery (30+ yearas ago) which increases my risks for leakage and a prior blood clot in my leg which also places me at a higher risk for another one. I saw the vascular surgeon today and was cleared by him for the surgery. Now tomorrow for my pre-op testing including an upper GI. Have had an upper GI previously and not looking forward to that. I was concerned about the pre surgery diet. My doctor wants either Slim Fast (which I have done in the past) or Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes. Can't stand Slim Fast but the Carnation is good except cannot find sugar free vanilla and I am not a big chocolate fan. I have 5 shakes a day plus one meal of grilled meat and 2 cups of veggies. So far hasn't been difficult. If all goes well tomorrow the countdown begins for the next 12 days.

Hi Cindy, Thanks for your reply. Thanks for the Atkins advice. I will call tomorrow and check with my doc about changing. I would love to keep in touch since we will be having surgery on the same day. My doctor also advised about needing my liver smaller for safety sake. Ginny

Just heard about this forum on Wed while at my consult. I am in a daze at this time. I have been considering having WLS since 2003. My insurance would not pay back then. That was a good enough reason to say oh well cannot have it. Since then I have "thought" about having this done many,many times but always said that is too drastic so I will do what ever it takes and lose it on my own. Well that hasn't worked out well at all, as in I have lost and gained small amounts repeatedly but haven't really lost any amount worth "bragging" about. I will be 64 in Jan and have 6 grandchildren the youngest is 5. I have said that my goal was to live to see him graduate from high school. While I love all of my grandchildren equally for reasons that are too long to go into here that 5 year old and I have a special relationship. My daughter told me about a month ago that if anything happened to me, meaning if I died, this grandchild would be devasted. When I told my husband about this he added yes he would be and would think that I had just left him. As it is now he wants to stay with me all the time. I began to think about the surgery again. I thought about him and how I don't want to leave him or any of my family for that matter so this time I actually went to a seminar, received the insurance approval and have surgery scheduled for Nov. 15th. The night after my consult I couldn't sleep for the fear of what I had committed to do. Since then I thought I was ok with going through with the surgery. Now after reading several areas on this forum I am SCARED again. Not sure if I can do the 2 week pre-op liquid diet & if I can't do that how on earth will I be able to do the diet for the rest of my life? I know the benefits out weigh the risks of surgery, which I have a couple, and far out weigh my life expectancy if I have the surgery. I have had many operations and just the thought of having another one causes me great distress. I AM SCARED TO GO THROUGH THIS. Tonight I am thinking that I am calling on Monday and canceling but as I sit here typing this I can see that precious little face and him telling me "Nanny I love you so much" but still thinking that I can lose this weight on my own knowing full well that I can't. Maybe I shouldn't have read so much on this but I wanted to be informed before I take such a drastic step. I don't want to do this but I don't know what else to do.