19sweetness69

That's what I ate before my surgery. I'm going to go back to it. It seems as if it's been so long since my surgery and it's only been 2 weeks and 3 days. I've tried some different foods - but I either just get so full or throw up. I think that I'm ready for some things, but I'm not. Well, let's see how Mich. does tomorrow against Rutgers. My son and his family live in Boston and they are driving to New Jersey for the game. I hope they won't be disappointed. He hopes that they lose every game this season so they will get rid of the coach and athletic director for sure. My family is made up of an ex-husband and 2 sons who are Michigan through and through - from undergrad through law school and medical school, and my present husband and 2 daughters are Mich. State through and through - so we live in a divided household (I'm Mich. too). I keep telling my husband that I wish Mich. would hire the State coach. I wish we could bring back the days of Bo!

I know Sleeversue. It was awful. I wish they would finally get rid of the coach. They have a number of really good players on their team, but the team is only as good as their coach - and he's awful as a coach. It's so hard for me to watch a whole game now. I really thought they would win yesterday. Big disappointment! When you started on yogurt - what kind did you use? I can't seem to stomach the plain greek nonfat - even blended with bananas and strawberries - it's just too sour.

Hi everyone - I think I began the yogurt, cottage cheese and applesauce too soon, cause it all kept coming back on me. Maybe I tried to eat too much - a few times. I learned my lesson. Do any of you recent sleevers get pains in you tummy when you eat? I, also, have been constipated. Think I'll take something, too. Well, I'm about to go for a walk before the University of Michigan football game starts. Have a great day to all.

Today is 1 week since the surgery and I'm already on nonfat plain yogurt (blended with banana & strawberries) in place of a Protein drink, applesauce and cottage cheese. Yea - real food! Things get a little better each day - but still some surgical pain - which takes a little time. Dr. said I was doing great! Beautiful day today. When my husband comes home from his 5 1/2 mile walk - we'll go out for my .35 mile walk. Doesn't sound like much - but it will get better. Have a great day, everyone!

Thanks reallyrosy and sleeversue - I am drinking the drinks. 4 days post-op and I walked 1/4 of a mile yesterday. I actually could have walked a little more - but didn't want to push it. My friends come over and keep making me laugh - and it hurts to laugh - as I'm sure you're both aware. I look like I've been hit by a big semi truck. I'm sure you remember that, too. But each day is getting a little better and I am slowly losing the weight gained in the hosp. - thank goodness. Thanks for all the support!!!

Hi Everyone - I'm 3 days post-op and home from the hospital since yesterday. SleeverSue - I am so glad you told me to bring big pants to the hospital - you were so right!!! I gained 9 lbs. in the hosp from all of the IV fluids. I was dehydrated and unable to urinate so they kept giving them to me. Oh my gosh - I still haven't lost all that weight. The truth is that I have a lot of pain and can barely sip - but each day is getting a little better. I'm not worried about it cause I know it will go away. The doctor wanted me to start on the protein drinks right away when I got home - but I want to lose the weight I gained there first. I've already been walking and will go out with my husband again today - for just a little one. The weather is beautiful and this is a perfect way to begin autumn - not being hungry!!

Thanks again so much - SleeverSue and others for the encouraging words. I have the surgery in less than a week and I'm really excited - and my husband is scared. He's been so supportive, but he's so afraid something will happen to me in surgery. My girlfriend, ( whom I didn't know until a few years ago when she began dating my ex {we're all really good friends}), had a very successful gastric bypass over 10 years ago is coming to sit with him to calm him. For some reason, I'm really not worried about the surgery. Maybe because I've been through so many surgeries - and I'm not expecting this one to be quite as painful as the others. Has anyone found it really painful? I'm 68 and have about 100 or even more pounds to lose. what I'm really looking forward to is being able to walk (so far, I've gone 1/2 mile every day) without having to stop to take breaths. I picture myself doing these high intensity workouts and doing Zumba with my mom. She's 95 next month and is such good shape. She still does kick boxing, Zumba, etc. Anyway, does anyone have suggestions about what they wished they had brought to the hospital that they didn't? Hope all of you are having a great day!

Hi Everyone - I've been off for a few days due to my stupid computer - but back on, at least for now. Chynna - glad to hear it's going well. Don't worry about how slow - at least it's going in the right direction! My surgery is on Sept. 16 at Sinai-Huron Valley Hosp. with Dr. Matthew Weiner. I really like him. Besides having a great reputation, he's really nice and personable - cute, too. Also, I've gone to the same hospital with all of my replacements and they are wonderful there. I've been on the 2 week liquid diet and I'm soooooooooooooo sick of all of the green veggies. Does everyone have the same 2 week diets? 3 Protein Drinks a day and lots of green veggies - no oil. I use the unsweetened vanilla almond milk and the unjury and Body Tech Pro 24 (from the Vitamin Shoppe), and I find them to be pretty good - along with the Unjury chicken Soup - which is also pretty good. Does everyone do the same thing? I use the chicken soup in place of one of the Protein Shakes - since it contains the same the same amount of Protein. Not sure if that's right??

Hi September Sleevers - I have my surgery on Sept. 16 and just started the liquid diet. Leenie - you asked for suggestions. I am allowed 3 protein shakes a day, lots of green veggies (raw or cooked, but only green), clear soup broth, crystal light, tea (decaf), coffee (not sure if that has to be decaf or not, so I'm playing it safe and using decaf), SF jello and SF popsicles. I kept asking over the internet and lots of places about which kinds of protein drinks taste the best. I have to have at least 17 grams of WHEY (no soy) protein, about 10 1/2 oz. and not more than 150 calories. I can mix them with almond milk unsweetened vanilla. So far I have had the unjury powder, the Body Tech (from the Vitamin Shoppe) cookies & cream powder and A powder made by Jay Robb called Tropical Dreamsicle. The 1st two were pretty good. The Dreamsicle (which I'm having for lunch right now) is just fair. I added a little vanilla extract to help it. I also bought at the Vitamin Shoppe a bottle of Apple Melon Isopure whey Protein drink that looks good - but I haven't opened it yet. Please keep me posted on things that you find.

Is your liquid diet the same as mine? That's fantastic that you lost 50 lbs. before your surgery. You have a really good start! Good luck.

Hi Everyone - My sleeve is set for Sept 16 and I just started my liquid diet today. Wondering if everyone's is the same. 4 Protein drinks/day (minimum 16 grms. of Whey Protein, under 150 calories, about 10 1/2 oz./SF jello, SF popsicles, Broth, and all kinds of green veggies - raw or cooked, no oils. If yours are the same - what brands of whey protein are you having? My doctor's office is closed today, but does anyone know if you can have different flavors of extracts - like banana, vanilla, etc? I'm in Michigan and Dr. Matthew Weiner is my doctor. So far, I have had one shake - the Unjury vanilla mixed with almond mile - unsweetened vanilla. Not bad. Yes, it is great to have support, since we're all around the same time. I wish all of you good luck (including myself)!

Thanks Sleeversue - I appreciate your comments. I had thought about it briefly - until my son (a G.I./Liver doctor) absolutely said no to the bypass. As he said - no matter how much weight you lose, it's still a win. I've been on my doctor's program for 3 months and have lost some weight - and beginning Labor Day, I'll be on the liquids - so that 65% will be looking pretty good. I appreciate your advice. Have a great Labor Day week-end.

VSGAnn - you're doing GREAT!! You're right - one step at a time. Sounds like you have good control. Keep it up.

Hi Everyone - I, also, find it inspiring to read all of the 65+ comments. I will be having my surgery on Sept. 16 - so I will begin the liquid diet on Labor Day. I'm still trying to find the best tasting high whey Protein drinks and chicken broths. Any suggestions?? I have had in the past 10 years - 2 total knee replacements, 2 total hip replacements and one total shoulder replacement. I waited until my daily living chores, etc. were so debilitating that I couldn't do anything. Although painful, the hip replacement is the least painful. Each one of the surgeries requires diligent physical therapy - but it's certainly worth it. I was just 68 and went to my doctor yesterday. He said to expect to lose only about 75 lbs. I came home thinking that maybe I should go for the bypass so I could lose more, but so many of you have lost more that it is encouraging to me. My BMI is 48 - so I hope it will go down to the 20's by this time next year.

Hi Chynna - So? How's it going with you? How are you doing? I hope everything went okay. Looking forward to hearing about it.

That's great Lindalue! There's lots of over 60's who have been extremely successful - and I plan on being one of them!!!

Wait - I think I read that wrong - it's this Monday. I read "this morning instead of Monday. Well, I still wish you the best. I began my liquid fast on the 31st of Aug. So again, let me know how you're doing.

That's great Chynna! By the time you read this, you will be all finished with the surgery and on your way. Best of luck and let me know how you are doing

Hi Everyone - I'm fairly new to this site. I was just 68 years old. I had been thinking about getting the gastric sleeve for a while, but while my husband was working, our insurance didn't cover it. He lost his job and we're both retired with Medicare - and Medicare covers it as long as I qualify as an inpatient. So I've been through all of the requirements and I am scheduled for Sept. 16. I'm very excited and would appreciate any likes or dislikes regarding the Protein drinks. I have had 5 replacements - 2 knees, 2 hips and 1 shoulder. I still have 1 shoulder to go - but I'm waiting on that for a while. I have at least 100 lbs. to lose, so I am very committed to this. Any suggestions from you would be great.

Yea! I got my date for surgery today - Sept 16. One more appt. at the doctor's to fill out paper work, get all the info for before and after surgery, etc. Very excited!!!

Wow! SarahJane79 - that is FANTASTIC! You should be very excited and so proud of yourself. That is just great! Chynna - thanks for the info regarding the peanut powder. I will definitely try it. I'm not into the pre-op yet - maybe on Monday it will happen. What are HMR shakes?

Thanks for all the info annmarie50. I'll try out the protein drinks before I begin the 2 week liquid diet. I wasn't aware that there was a non-sleeping phase. I have to take Xanax to get to sleep as it is - Well, guess I'll be up all night reading and watching tv. Sounds like you're doing well. I'm glad to hear it. I plan on going to the support groups after my surgery. I thank you for the prayers - and I will do the same for you. I'm will be going to Huron Valley in Commerce Township. I've had all of my 5 joint replacements there and they are absolutely wonderful. My husband (he's had 2 replacements there) and I can never say enough good things about that hospital. The staff is just great. As I said previously, I hope to get a date for the surgery on Monday when I go for my appt. Are you in any pain? Are you able to exercise?

Hi jayb30, You seem to be putting so much pressure on yourself from what seems to be coming from outside of you that it's hard to stay focused. This is the time for you to be thinking about yourself - and what's best for you. Something has to click within you to say to yourself that you're ready to do this. I know that before I went to the doctor, I was (as most of us) on every diet known to man. I would, literally, begin in the morning - and be off of it by 2-3 in the afternoon. Or, I would see the next day that I lost a pound and start eating again. I don't really know what that something was in me that made me think that I'm ready to commit to a new lifestyle - maybe wanting to be able to cross my legs again, play on the ground with my grandchildren, whatever... I decided that I wanted to have surgery. Before my husband retired, our surgery didn't cover the surgery, but since we've been on Medicare, I'm told that the gastric sleeve is covered. I made an appt. with a doctor who was recommended to me by my primary care doctor. We talked, he was wonderful. While I was in the room waiting for him, I saw a book that he had written called, "A Pound of Cure." I began reading it and was really interested in it, so I bought it and I have been following it profusely. Sometimes I am so surprised that I am able to follow it, since I am a chocaholic, a bread eater, all candy, etc. I can't believe that my cravings for these things have really gone away. Please take some time for yourself and go to his website: drmatthewweiner.com and listen to some of his seminars. I find him very inspirational and very thorough. I love his book and have read it a few times. I've just completed my 3 months that Medicare requires and I see the doctor on Monday, so I hope I get a date for my gastric sleeve. The most important thing for you is to have a good support system. Try not to put these threats on yourself- that you have to go back to work, etc. Put on some music and dance around a room when you began to worry about things. I will be 68 tomorrow and finally, after so many years, I'm ready. I laugh with my husband - that after I lose the weight and if I have plastic surgery, I will be a 69-70 year old with perky breasts. Won't that be funny!! Good luck to you and all of us!

Hi Everyone - I was off for a little while. My doctor found a small thing on my echo, so I had to have a cardiac cath. I was so bummed thinking that I might need a stent which would have delayed surgery for at least a year. But, thankfully, I'm good to go. I've completed all of my pre-requirements for Medicare, so I hope on Monday when I see the dr., we can schedule surgery. Why is it that some of the time you can't tolerate foods that you once loved - and vice versa? Also, what shakes taste the best?

I'm hoping that Medicare will approve mine after 3 months (on Aug 18). That's what they say the time requirements are - among all the other regular test - psychologist, cardio, ekg, echo, etc., which I have completed. I'm just waiting for my cardiologist to write his clearance letter. What carbs did you stop eating? I haven't eaten any wheat, bread, dairy. white potatoes, sugar, artificial sweetener, etc. for almost 3 months now. I've been following the program in the book my doctor wrote, "A Pound of Cure." It's really a good book and I've gained so much knowledge from it and from all of his seminars on u-tube. I fine it very, very difficult to eat a lb. of vegetables a day. Any suggestions? I have to start walking more. I walk for about 15 minutes/day. But, I just bought some good walking shoes that I will wear for the 1st time today. So I promised my husband that we would walk longer today. I was with a close friend of mine last night who had the gastric bypass in 2003 and has done wonderfully. One of her friends was there , also. She had the bypass about 7 or so years ago and regained most of her weight after 3 years. She said that she did everything wrong - especially not exercising. So, I applaud you for doing it so often - and I'll applaud myself after I begin doing more vigorous exercises.