*Kate*

At first they had me drinking Water out of the small plastic med cups, about an ounce or two at a time. They gave me a big supply of the cups so I could count how many I had used. Somehow small cups seemed a lot less intimidating than a large glass. I was tired and weak for a week. I just couldn't take in enough calories. Again I drank small amounts of Protein shakes all day, plus Jello. Just keep at it and this early phase will pass soon.

Congratulations toler! It's the start of a new life for you. Take care of yourself, rest, walk and drink lots of fluids and you will feel well soon. And in a couple months you will see your clothes start to hang on you - that's the best part. Well, that and just feeling healthier and more alive.

Good luck toler! Once the surgery is over you will begin a new, better part of your life. Well, the first couple weeks can be trying, but as long as your husband minds your surgeon things will be good. ☺️. For the record, I took blood thinners orally, no needles. And no drainage tubes.

Good luck toler48!

I really like the chocolate Premier drink too. It's my Breakfast every day. I tried the vanilla and it was waaay too, well, vanillaey (new word). They had 12 packs on sale last week for $14 so I bought three, the maximum they allowed. costco has 18 packs for around $25. They pack a lot of Protein in a reasonable number of calories. I went for my annual check up earlier this week. My surgeon was very pleased with my weight loss. He wants me to write up my experience to share with other 60+ people who think they're too old for the surgery. Made my day! Kate

I had the same problem about four weeks out. I tried everything with no "results", even a trip to the emergency room (which was pretty useless). I finally read the directions on the stool softener and laxative and found I was only taking one pill instead of the three I should have been taking. I had a day of untold misery, but finally all systems were clear... It had been a week and I learned to keep on top of things from that experience. I might add that my weight stall was over after that. Good luck, I know what you're going through. Kate

Toler48, I know that - like the rest of us - have put your mind to losing weight. Many times. With temporary success at best. In less than a year I've lost almost 100 lbs and have absolutely no regrets about having the surgery. I didn't do it to look better, though that's a bonus. I didn't do it to please my husband, though he's been very supportive. I did it for myself because I knew that if I didn't do it I would always carry around all those extra pounds. He may be like my husband, afraid that the surgery might be dangerous. He was very emotional when I went in, much more than with my subsequent knee replacements. Somehow losing most of your stomach just seems scarier. He may also be afraid you will change. You will, but in good ways. If your life revolves around eating good food and drinking fine wines you will find that those things just aren't important anymore. That can be a major challenge for him. Perhaps a talk with your surgeon will help him and answer questions he may have. at least you have a lot of support from others. Good luck! Kate

Congratulations zayifkadin! I'm happy it's going so well for you. I think almost all of us agree the sleeve was a great decision and have no regrets. It certainly changes your relationship with food, and your feelings about yourself. I have no doubt that without the surgery I would either still be yoyoing or, worse yet, just staying the way I was. Welcome to your new life!

The day of surgery I was totally craving a costco hot dog, in fact I was happy when they said my sodium level was low and they may have to postpone surgery. In time my levels came up and I had the surgery. However the craving was still there. I finally gave in at about three months and got the dog, complete with mustard, relish and onions. It was as wonderful as I had hoped. And after two bites I was satisfied. No problems with my stomach at all. I think I have purchased two since then and have never been able to eat more than a few bites. It's not the best thing nutrition wise, but I figure that an occasional indulgence is good for the soul. To Lady1Putt, congratulations you are doing great! And to oceanwaves60, welcome! I wish I had done this at 60.

toler48, do let us know. And good luck with your journey. Going to Colorado was annoying, especially since it just didn't seem right to have to travel to another state to have a necessary procedure done. But in the end it was so worth it! Both of my knees were bad and I hoped that losing weight would help. It didn't, so I had my first one done in late January and the second one will be done this Friday. Three big surgeries in less than a year isn't easy, but so far so good. I do think losing the weight has made my recovery from the knee surgery easier.

Cococat, I have regular Medicare plus a supplement. I was surprised about it too because I thought coverage would be the same throughout the whole country. This was information given to me by the surgeon I was seeing in Scottsdale and was confirmed by my own research. Bariatric surgeons in this Medicare region were trying to get it changed to covered and I was wondering if it has been - not that it helps me now.

I had my gastric sleeve done last July at the age of 66. Since I live in Arizona, I checked with surgeons here and was told that Medicare didn't cover sleeves in some of the Western states, including Arizona, Californis and Nevada, except under certain circumstances - and that you wouldn't find out if you qualified until after the surgery. Medicare would, however, cover the bypass and lap band. That sounded a bit scary so I contacted a center in Colorado and was told I could have the sleeve covered there. So off we went to Colorado where I successfully had the surgery and have now lost 85 lbs. Question, is there still the restriction for sleeve surgery in some states? I believe it was states in the Noridian regions. It seems wrong that some Medicare patients have easier access to certain procedures. Kate

I have been using Miralax too, now. The "problem" kind of snuck up on me and I didn't handle it soon enough. Won't happen again, but I wanted to warn people to be aware. The best part of all of this is that food isn't important any more. After years of centering my life around food, it's so refreshing to just not care and eat to live, not live to eat.. I thought this would be disheartening, but it's so freeing not to have food as my focus in life.

I'm eight weeks out today and down 36 lbs. I was very weak for the first 2-3 weeks and could barely walk any distance, so you are doing very well with your walking. I really had little pain, though, so we are all different. One complication I had at about four weeks was the dreaded constipation. I kept thinking things would resolve by taking some proactive precautions, but after a week it was obvious that wasn't enough. I ended up in the emergency room, a less than pleasant experience. I learned to take more aggressive action much earlier to avoid this. Just be sure to monitor things. I've had some cravings, but one bite generally makes it go away. It's amazing how unimportant food is now. Old "friends" just don't taste the same anymore. I just hope this continues. Good luck on your journey! Kate

I'm now four days post surgery and feeling great. I haven't even had much pain. I've only lost a couple pounds so far, but I know that's because I had so much Fluid given during my two day stay. I know it will start coming off soon. They ran lab tests before surgery that indicated I had low sodium - low enough that they were considering postponing it. There was that old part of me that was thinking "Yay! Now I can go have a costco hot dog!". Don't ask me why that was my fixation! Fortunately they got my sodium up and surgery progressed. I'm so happy it did. A couple of my big concerns were unbearable pain, which didn't happen, and just not feeling like myself. I don't know how to explain that other than the sense that I would be different if I couldn't eat the foods I wanted when I wanted to. And perhaps that part of me is gone, hopefully for good. I don't want food cravings to control my life anymore. I still want to be able to enjoy food but not have it the center of my universe, if that makes sense. Inside I feel young and I look forward to having my body allow me to be young longer. So far there has been one major NSV, I'm off one of my blood pressure medicines and only use a diuretic now. My surgeon thinks I will be off that soon. Kate

Nurse Jenny, I'm having surgery with Dr. Long at Parker on Tuesday. Since I live out of the area, I'm having my pre-op at 7:00 am tomorrow. Good luck with your surgery!

Thank you. I'm looking forward to being on the losing side of this! Hopefully all will go well. One correction, I was thin as a child (not a "cold"!).

I'm 66 (67 next month) and having surgery on Tuesday. I'm "enjoying" my seven day pre op diet, but very committed to doing everything right. I thought about WLS before but wanted to have a lap band. I had two doctors tell me that it just wasn't a good idea and that I should have a RNY. After looking at that option it just didn't seem right for me. I'm not diabetic nor is sugar my downfall. I just love food - too much of it. When I heard about the sleeve I decided it was the best choice for me. I was thin as a cold and young adult, but started packing on the pounds around age 40. Like most everyone here I tried about every diet and program available and some worked temporarily, but the weight always returned. I have severe arthritis in both knees and need knee replacements. Although my orthopedist will do it without the weight loss I really want to be in top shape before I undergo that. We went to Europe on a cruise last spring and my knees were so painful I actually skipped tours in a couple of ports. Never again! I'm looking forward to a new, healthier life on the losing side.