CA712

Sassy, I too had so many fears going into this surgery. As I have stated before it took me 3 years to decide. I have talked to many people who have had this surgery, those who would do it again and those who would not. Like yourself I could no longer go down the road I was going down. I could feel myself losing this battle. I had/still have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, incontinence, bad knees(still do) out of breathe everytime I walked. It was just an effort to get out of bed every morning and get thru the day. I had no quality of life and the kicker was my very last blood test before surgery showed I was diabetic. OMG what would be next?? I even prayed about my decision to have this surgery. One day at home all alone I just stared out my backyard window and cried, how did I get to this point? What made me so fat, why can't I get this weight off by myself? What is wrong with me that Weight Watches did not work? nutrisystem did not work, Jenny Craig did not work. I had spent thousands of dollars trying to get rid of this fat. Weight loss has been an effort for me over the past 15 years. I have a slow thryoid and take synthroid. I became so depressed and my depression meds dosage kept going up on every doctor visit. I was told be so many people to not have this surgery but I hated looking at myself in the mirror everyday. By this rate I will be in a wheelchair in 3 or 4 years so after I was done crying and to the surprise of my family I decided to have the surgery knowing I could die on the table. At the rate I had been going I just saw a short life ahead of me anyway. How can I be good for anyone when I cannot be good for myself. I had the surgery on March 11th and I was so scared and all I did was pray that this was going to work out. My nutrionist told me I would be OK, my surgeon told me of all the could go wrong and that he would do everything possible to make sure there would be no problems and I would be OK. The nurses getting me ready for surgery told me I was in good hands and to relax. One nurse told me she had the same surgery 4 years ago and my doctor did her surgery. She lost 200 pound and has kept it off. I knew then that I needed to make peace with myself and God as I was wheeled into surgery. I prayed for all those having surgery in March and for those who had surgeries earlier in the year for all of us to have successful recoveries. I know you will have to make up your mind about what to do next and it does sound like you have an outstanding surgeon. I still do not like reading about horror stores since I am still only 7 weeks post op but things can happen. I took a chance and thanks to God and a great surgeon I made it thru so far. I pray for those who still have issues and hope that their problems can be corrected over time. Whatever decision you make I will support you.

I am not sure how to find the March sleevers on my FB how do I add my name to this list? If there is anyone who has taken the lead on this please add me too. Thank you. Cheryl cheryl.spinelli@yahoo.com

I want to congradulate all of you on your weight loss journey. You guys are awesome!!! I am now 7 weeks post op and have lost a total of 40 pounds. Can any of you tell me what were some of the things you did or did'nt do to get 100 pounds off in 4 1/2 months. Right now I need a little support. thank you for your help.

I have had the same issues. Hormones are going crazy with weight loss. I am 6 weeks post op but I did go to my gyno to make sure everything is ok. I had a pap test completed and he did a biopsy of my uterus to make sure everything is OK and it was. I need to have a complete blood work done once I am 3 months post op. I hope this helps. If you are really worried call your doctor and have a few tests done to give you peace of mind.

I just have a few suggestions, 1. Are you getting enough Protein in each day? It is important to get 60 grams of protein in and I do see that some folks who have been losing hair are told to up their protein intake to 70 grams a day. Also make sure you are hydrated too, 64 oz of Water each day. 2. Are you takeing all of your multi Vitamins each day, I do along with Vitamin D3, Iron and buffered Vitamin C. Maybe your doctor can recommend a really good Bioten product for you that helps grow hair and is good for your skin and nails as well. I am 6 weeks post op and have had some issues myself.

He was rude and for what reason Who knows but you have lost 37 pounds and I know you worked really hard to accomplish that. Ignore him, he might be one of those guys who have really " dry sense of humor". hang in there you are on your way.

I am happy that I had WLS 6 weeks ago. I still have a long way to go but I am happy even when I had a few bad weeks I would say I would do it again. I just want everyone to know that there is a Baby Boomer site just look for it and join. We Boomers need to stick together and we sure can help each other out.

Thanks a million Sassy, I love the name Sassy I could say it all day. I hope all your projects for school are coming along. I still have a long way to go but this is a great start. You have a great week and I will be here when you get a chance to converse. Thanks again Cheryl

I really understand where you are coming form. Before surgery I weighted 331 ibs and just getting off the chair to walk across the room was a major effort. I have lost 38 pounds in 6 weeks so I am 293 as of today. It is still an effort for me to exercise. I am 5'3 inches and even though I have lost this weight that I am so happy about it is still a struggle for me. I walk on a treadmill to help keep pressure off my joints but still 293 for a 5'3 inch person is still too much weight to do any real serious exercise without hurint myself. I am doing lots of chair excercises that have been recommended to me and check out chair exercises on MySparkle.com. My knees still are having trouble carrying all this weight around so I use the chair and I also use a swimming pool to do arobics to take the pressure off my joints. Hope this helps.

Just checking to see if all is well with the Boomers on this site. I am 6 weeks post op and if I can help just let me know.

I have no problem picking up the slack this week. I have been checking this Baby Boomer site and I am seeing that no one has made a posting. As a woman of the 21th century it is my honor to help. I am just starting my 6th week post op and starting to fill that I am getting the hang of things. I have started excerising but not the way I should. I have no Idea what my problem could be. I feel happy about my weight loss so far but I have such a road ahead of me. My knees still hurt when I walk (not like they used to) and I think that is keeping me from doing what I need to do. I keep telling myself when I get another 20 pounds off my knees that it will be so much easier to get around. Is anyone else having this problem? Maybe I am just lazy and do not realize how lazy I am. I have also noticed that I am really cranky anymore, short tempered as I am being told by my husband. I have always been a very funny person and get invited to outings because I have always been the funny lady but lately not so much. With having lost almost 40 pounds not one single person in my life had said anything about my 40 pound weight loss. I know I am still very heavy but for gosh sakes a 40 pound loss is a lot of weight. Has anyone experienced this? Take care Boomers and keep in touch this week. Have a good week Sassy.

There are bariatric iron pills available for people like us. You should ask your nutrionist to recommend one for you or go to a website that specializes in vitamins for bariatric patients.

I too worry about low iron. It has been 6 weeks since my surgery and I am waiting another 2 weeks before calling my docitor to have blood work completed. I remember my father always using and iron skillet to help keep his iron levels up and it sure did the job. Thanks for the reminder, I am getting my iron skillet out and will start using it.

I waited 3 years to make up my mind if this surgery was for me; I did not go into it looking for a quick fix to my overweight life. I spoke with many people at support groups including the nurses who run these support groups and had WLS themselves so I knew this was not a quick fix like so many uninformed ignorant people I know who seem to have all the answers without the facts. This surgery takes a lot of bravery on our part for just having it done and hoping a praying that all turns out well in the end. I am 6 weeks post op and I still have my ups and downs and wonder if I did the right thing. I know in my heart of hearts like so many of you we do question ourselves after having this surgery but I can tell you I am at a point in life that if I want to have some kind of life and failed attempts at weight loss on my own that I needed to do something about myself. I have sleep apnea, borderline diabeitc, sore painful knees and ankles, shortness of breathe everytime I moved or even taking shower in the morning and feeling of isolation and depression. At 6 weeks post op I am still having trouble eating certain foods, sometimes I feel like I have no energy at all even with 67 grams of protein a day but I can tell you that I am just starting to walk better so much so that I get on a treadmill 3 times a week. I can take a shower in the morning and I am not worn out and I can walk outside very slowly but this time I am not out of breathe like before. My blood pressure is getting better and I am no longer prediabetic. It is going to take me a full year to get my mojo back but I am welling to overlook and deal with some issues along the way to get to a healthier life style and weight. I would do this all over again!!!! A support group is really important to belong too and it is also really important to work closely with a nutritionist who works with WLS people. If you are really having some serious issues stay close to your doctor and work to get resolved. We can do this!!! Most of us have had the surgery and there is no looking back and beating yourself up just look to make it thru today and look to the future to better days and ask questions from those who have the right anwers or who can tell you who to talk with. Don't give up!!!!

Once I had my surgery I lost my appetite and at 6 weeks post op nothing has changed. I have had several dumping episodes but that was because I ate too fast and ate to much. I have learned my lesson NO More Dumping for me. I take it real slow and take almost 30 to 40 minutes to eat Breakfast. This is why I had the Gastric Bypass it is keeping me honest and on target.

I am almost 6 weeks post op and I am having dry skin and hair issues as well. I am drinking 64 oz of water a day and 60 to 70 grams of protein. I have to agree with someone who said they think it is the lack of fat in our diets that is causing these issues. I use a soap that is high in moisture and a skin lotion after I dry off. I sometime let myself air dry since I live in Florida. I wash my hair everyother day and let it air dry since my hair is curly, the days I do not wash my hair I spritz water on my hair so it does not get frizzy. I am really hoping as I move forward and start to add more fat to my diet that this will resolve. I am thinking of also getting body oil to apply to wet skin after I shower and let it air dry. My legs and arms are starting to look like elephant skin.

I am almost 6 weeks post op and just staying with protein for the most part but today I had a V8 juice and I must say this has been the 1st day in 5 weeks that I had any king of energy. I felt like I could get a few things completed today withour feeling run down. I think I am going to start my day out the same way tomorrow. I miss my vegs.

Congratuations to everyone, I will be 6 weeks post op this coming tuesday and I am down 35 pounds. I think we all should be happy.

I am about to start my 6th week in a couple of days and I am still having problems getting enough calories in each day. I DO get all my Protein in and I am still working on getting 64oz of Water in each day. I often get around 640 calories to 800 a day. Does this sound right to anyone? I am not sure how many calories I should take in each day. Should I get at least 900 calories a day or am I worrying for nothing? I also need to know how long it takes you to eat your Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day? If I eat my breakfast so should I say drink my breakfast in 20 to 25 minutes I wind up dumping, I am not sure what I am doing wrong and I need help. I need some insight from those who have been thru this. Thank you for your help.

I think I am going to try this one. Sounds great.

Nella thank you. I think I need to slow down instead of 2oz of cheese I will eat only 1 oz. I am just beginning to realize how small my pouch really is. And, I will start to get some additional calories in each day. Thank you again. Cheryl

I have to agree with the others, your co worker is very jealous of you. Don't let her get to you. I am 5 weeks post op and I have a friend who has been very supportive of me since the beginning but now she can see some changes in me and once in awhile she makes remarks. If it gets any worse I am going to look for a new friend. Changes are hard on people!!!! Keep the faith.

Kendi Sue, I could not have said it better myself.

First, I want to say that I am so sorry for your loss. This surgery is not for everyone especially if you have a low BMI and no co-morbility. == Sorry my spelling sucks anymore>>> I am not sure what happened to your friend or should I say what went wrong. This is a tough surgery and not to be taken lightly. For anyone with a lower BMI like 35 or 40 maybe these folks need to take another route instead of WLS. I am 5 weeks post op and I am still scared of what can go wrong and I pray to Jesus that this will all work at for me. I waited 3 years to have this surgery tried to get the best surgeon I can afford and I work with a nutritionist very closely and I still have problems with dumping. You just hope for the best and hope that things get better down the road. I am hoping at some point that you start to feel better yourself and some of the hard issues you are dealing with can be corrected in time. I think it is really important to be proactive regarding your health and try to do research online and special with professionals that can help you overcome your situation even if it means you have to travel to get to the best help you can find. I wish everyone on the website the best, we all are united and we need to help each other thru our recovery.

Thank you searching: I know there were going to be changes after surgery and my husband was also afraid for me. He knows now that there are adustments he is going to have to make and I think he really did not understand how many adjustments he was going to have to make himself. Once a family member decides to have this surgery everything changes for the whole family. Food has been the center of all holidays and family get togethers all I am saying is we can all still celebrate them together but I will not be particiapating in the large family meals any longer. I sure hope as time moves forward that my hubby and family get used to me not eating. I guess they are all used to me eating large meals and it is an adjustment for them as well to see me not eating the way I did. I guess since I ate so much that it gave them permission to over eat as well and now that has been taken away from them.