karen353

I am 60 years old and retired 2 years ago Jan 31, 2012. My goal was to get in shape so I could go out and do things. I was 295 lbs and really scared I would go over 300 lbs and this usually triggered me to diet on my own or go to ww. I was really beginning to realize how much damage I was doing to myself. I would do good for awhile get down to around 270 or 280 and quit. My clothes fit better and I was not close to 300 any more. This time was different I wanted to be under 200 and knew dieting would not work as I had failed so many times before so I decided to get the sleeve surgery over a year and 3 months ago. I had to jump through a lot of hoops for ins but it was worth it. I had the surgery 9 months ago. The best decision ever. I lost some weight before the sleeve but after the sleeve it was so much easier. I had never done a high Protein diet before as I didn't think it was healthy. Since following the high protein, low carb diet after surgery, I have lost more and more weight. Being 60 I also thought it would be impossible to lose a lot as my metabolism is slower. Today I weighed 201 and am getting close to going under 200. I have lost 94 lbs and can't wait to the day I will be 100 lbs from my highest weight. I never thought this would happen. I have never had any serious problems since the surgery. I have never thrown up or had reflux. I followed the doctors instructions for the first few months and then gradually started pushing the limits. If I ate too much, I would get this really tight feeling and luckily it would pass in 30 min or so. I learned to not push myself and when I should not eat any more. I am 9 months out from surgery and can eat anything I want but in moderation. I gradually added food on special occasions. I have been far from perfect the last few months and haven't lost much weight from Thanksgiving to the New Year but I didn't gain. The sleeve stopped me from binge eating and allowed me to be normal. When I wanted to eat more and I did want to eat more, I knew I would not feel good if I did and I would stop. I am now losing again and following the eating plan like I should. I guess the point I am trying to make is that I do wish I had the surgery sooner and younger and while I was still working or when I first reitred. I wasted a lot of time but it is all part of my journey. I am happier than I have ever been. I very happy with my sleeve it is helping me control my eating and will get me under 200 maybe even under 180 or under 160. Even if I don't lose any more, I would do it all over again. The difference from 295 to 201 is amazing. I can walk and keep up with my kids and grandkids. I can walk on the treadmill and do Water aerobics. I can buy clothes in the store. I feel like a winner. I would encourage everyone who needs to lose a lot of weight to get the sleeve. Don't keep thinking about it. Just go out and look into it and see if it is right for you. There were a lot of hoops to jump through and times I hated Protein shakes but it was all worth it. I can't wait to the day I am in onederland. I am so close. I take two Vitamin pills and Calcium pills and all my bloodwork comes back good. I am healthier than I have been in a long time. Life is good with the sleeve!

I am 60. I was sleeved Apr 15 2013. I am doing great. I have lost 31 lbs since my pre op diet 7 weeks ago.

I am 60 and had the sleeve done Apr 15 2013. I have had no problems and only spent 36 hrs in the hospital. I went off meds when I got home so I could drive. I have lost 31 lbs since I started my pre op diet 7 weeks ago. I haven't lost as fast as some people but I have gone from 274 to 243 and I am feeling so positive that this will work.

I would like to share a happy story. I am 5 weeks post op and went out to eat for the first time as I am now allowed to eat almost anything. I went to Panera and got the pick two (brocolli cheddar soup and strawberry poppyseed salad). I was a bit scared so I slowly ate half the brocolli cheddar soup and had no problem. I had a few bites of the baguette and no problem. Maybe I can be normal. I took the salad home and had half and it was delicious. I was so happy that I was able to eat a normal meal (although much less than I would normally eat) and feel happy to go out with friends again. My sleeve is working for me. I have lost 32 lbs since my pre op diet started 7 weeks ago. I haven't lost as fast as some people but it has been steady and I am 60 yrs old. I am happy I had the sleeve surgery.

I did omeprazole too (generic prylosec) recommended by my surgeon. Worked well. I forgot I was supposed to take it and did have heartburn for a few days. As soon as I started taking it, heartburn went away and haven't had it since and I am 5 weeks out.

I had a drain tube and he took it out right before I left the hospital (36 hrs after I had been admitted). The nurse just pulled it out and it did not hurt. She put gauze and tape over it.

Too bad a bunch of us can't go to Red Lobster and share one meal. I said goodbye to a lot of my favorite places too. My last meal before pre op diet was pecan pancakes at Cracker Barrel on Easter. I have been good since I started my pre op diet Apr 1. It has been a month now and I am down 20 lbs. I had my surgery Apr 15. I am happy being down 20 lbs although some people have lost more. I am the lowest I have been in 12 yrs. Now with the sleeve I feel I will keep losing insead of my old way of yo yoing up and down the same 20 lbs. When is your surgery? Good luck.

I just tried Kroger's carbmaster spice cake yogurt. It tastes like spice cake batter. It is really good. I put a half scoop of unjury protein powder in it and I can slightly detect it. Any way the yogurt is 60 cal, 8 gr protein and 4 carbs. With the half cup of protein powder it is 105 cal, 18 gr of protein and 4 carbs. I will say that I have been on protein shakes the last 3 1/2 weeks and have just been allowed to have yogurt so my tastes could be different than your tastes. Any way definitely worth trying one.

I was worried that I had stretched my pouch too. I never know when I am full and just stop. I had surgery Apr 15 so I was on liquids until tues and then full liquids. I am so glad to hear I am eating sliders. I wondered why I never felt full. I was drinking my Protein shake earlier and was watching tv and realized I had drank the whole thing in about 5 min.

I meant I am on day 10 post op. I had my surgery April 15.

Hi! I posted yesterday a pretty negative post as I am on day 10 pre op and this smooth liquid diet/liquid diet is very hard. I was regretting my decision as I am a slow loser. I did lose 11 lbs on the pre op diet so maybe my body is still adjusting. I am also 60 yrs old which means my metabolism isn't very fast. Any way I got a lot of positive posts and have decided to try to be more positive. This is a difficult time right after surgery. A lot of people say the hardest part is the month after surgery. I really miss chewing something even just a carrot. I miss eating and guess I am going through the mourning of my old life centered around my next meal or snack. Me and food were best friends and the breakup is hard. Now it is hard to want to overeat when your options are protein shakes, yogurt, cream soups etc. I can have popcicles and jello but for some reason they are now too sweet to me. I used to be the biggest sweet eater. Always bought a candy bar or two when I was checking out. I used to say I could just live on sweets. Now no cravings for sweets at all which is great. I guess my point is that the sleeve is worth it as it enables you to become the smaller, healthier person you want to be be but this isn't easy especially right after surgery. Every day gets a little better. In 5 weeks when I am allowed to eat almost anything in a much smaller amount, I think I will be so glad I did this but right now 10 days post op it is a struggle.

I was just reading that I can have protein smoothies in stage 3 of my post op diet. I don't think I have ever had one. Can you buy these in the store or do you make them at home? I would like to find one that tastes good and isn't too high in carbs. Any suggestions?

I do think that tracking will be a great help to me. The more I think about it the more I realize I may have been having too many carbs. I did start tracking on myfitnesspal.com this morning. I guess I have to accept that I am a slow loser. I did lose 11 lbs on my pre op diet. How many carbs do you think I should be eating? My nut says less than 100 but I think that is too many. I am thinking around 60. I am going to see if that helps me to lose faster.

I agree it drives you crazy weighing every day. I am almost crazy now but feel better since I posted and realized that I had unknowingly made some poor choices. I think I thought if it was on my list of things I could have it was ok. I now realize there is a big difference between drinks when it comes to carbs. Water 0, flavor enhanced water 0, Vitamin water zero 4 carbs for 20 oz bottle and G2 7 carbs for 12 oz. Going to switch to vitamin water zero for a treat. Need to drink water or flavor enhanced water which is 0 carbs. No more sf pudding which is 11 carbs and not worth it. I need to read labels better as I start having real food.

After I wrote the post, I looked at the labels again on what I had yesterday. I didn't realize G2 had 7 carbs per 12 oz so I may have had too many carbs. I had the low sodium v8 but it does have 95 mg of sodium. I am going to track everything on myfitnesspal.com to see if that helps. I kept track in my head and that probably wasn't as accurate. lol I have to make this work. I have put too much time and energy into this. I have told everyone about this surgery. I can't be a failure.