Peggy Jean

I just started my two week liquid pre-op diet yesterday. I am glad it's here because it means I am that much closer to my surgery ,,. Aug 19th! You just have to make that commitment that you will do whatever it takes. Stay optimistic! You CAN do this. Like Jessica says, it is such a small blip of time in the big picture of your new self. I live with my sister (my best supporter) and she makes her own meals and I make mine. I used to do all the cooking, but just don't want to be that close to real food atm lol. I can't smell anymore, which at this time is really a good thing. Stay strong! It's so close now. By the way, not sure about your doctor, but my doctor allows Almond milk.

That is tough ... I am happy when I hit my 30-min a day mark!

I add a tsp of cocoa to mine and it makes it better...

Will be praying everything goes perfectly! Good luck!

I use a scale (i'm pre-op) but try to keep it to once a week. I also do measurements for those times you hit a plateau ... you can still see that you're getting smaller!

Wow, that's awesome Paula. That's more than I lost. You should be very proud of yourself! 27lbs is NOTHING to be disappointed about. You go, girl!

This is exactly the reason it took me so long to finally decide on getting this surgery done. I had surgery in 2007 for cancer and they did a laryngectomy. A week in the hospital at the most, they said. First off, they stopped all my meds when I went in, including several antidepressants. The third day post-op, I developed a fistula (an abnormal connection) in my new trachea and spent a week having it packed and treated. I had a horrible time with the new trachea, kept clogging up so I couldn't breathe and they kept having to suction it out. I had a stomach tube and they put me on some liquid stuff that was awful. My body didn't tolerate it ... I would drink for 5 days and have explosive diarrhea. By this time I was suffering from being taken off my meds plus the constant fear of not being able to breathe and dealing with not being able to talk ... for the first time in my life i actually had thoughts of suicide whirling around in my head. Then some funny things started happening ... they kept moving me around and eventually gave me my own room. I was constantly being asked if I wanted a bath. Like how many times a day do I need a bath? I'm not running the marathon here! Then I noticed a nurse bring in a lump of coal in a basin and putting it in my room. Not a word was ever said to me. After a week to 10 days of this I asked the nurse what was up. She finally told me there was a terrible odor problem. Then she asked if she could search me. I said sure. Well, she found an infection that had been festering for two weeks (it was actually life threatening at this point). Understand, I lost my power of smell with the surgery and there was no feeling left where they cut me. So I had no clue. The nurse said she told the doctors it smelled like an infection but they paid no heed. Well, I never saw the residents again who were attending me, just the Head of the Dept. I ended up with some machine probe in me draining the infection, I am diabetic plus have had radiation in the same area of my throat so everything takes forever to heal anyway. That was another few weeks added to the 'ten day' stay. Finally, they were letting me go. I had to do a test and drink some barium so they could test my esophogus. Well, they discovered a stricture. Well, I think they were so tired of me by then they just wanted to get me out of there. They released me a few days later with instructions to see a Gastrointestinal doctor. I WAS FREE!!! After six weeks I was finally heading home (4 hrs away). The next day I was in the ER having difficulty breathing. i was talking to the ENT doctor and all of a sudden my worst nightmare happened again. I couldn't breathe! I couldn't talk to tell the doctor! I was trying to cough but couldn't take air in ,. my sister was sitting with me and I was gonna die! I finally get one last cough out and dislodge a clot of blood. Air never tasted so good! This whole time the doctor is just staring at me ... truthfully, I think he panicked. Well, guess what. I was put into ICU that night, the doctor here called the doctor there and reamed him out for sending me home too early! So, the next day I am in an ambulance taking a 4 hour ride back to Shands. I spent another few weeks in the hospital (with another episode of not being able to take a breath) and they finally decide it's time to go home. I was so scared to leave but happy too. It had been two months! Over the next year I went through 2 dozen surgeries to enlarge the stricture in the esophogus (if it gets too small they can't enlarge it and you are stuck with a stomach tube the rest of your life). I would get it done and be able to eat and within 2 weeks the stricture has shrunk and I was back in having it done again). I finally ended up in NC with my son who took me to Duke University. A wonderful doctor named Dr. Esclamado corrected the stricture (several more weeks in the hospital). Ever heard of Murphy's Law? lol Sorry for such a long post but there is a point. You CAN get through anything you set your mind too. This too shall pass (I live by that saying). Just keep telling yourself that one day this will all be over and you will be watching the lbs drop off and it will be free sailing ahead. I KNOW it's hard, but keep looking at the big picture. Keep a POSITIVE attitude! Stay strong and keep your support system close. Reach out to people if you need some support. I will pray that your difficulties will soon end and that your new life will start free of problems. Good luck!

I use the Protein powder and turn it into slushies. I haven't tried any of the flavored syrups; just read about them yesterday. I combine the milk, orange juice ice and powder for my Breakfast shake and for dinner I use the powder, small amount of milk, ice, yogurt and a spoonful of cocoa ... yummy. I buy Centrum chewables as a Vitamin. I'm a bit ahead of you at 60 and this is exciting! Full steam ahead with no looking back!!!

Thanks for the post. I know it is something I will need to always remember. I hope i am as blessed as you have been; I am so looking forward to really being active for the first time. I know it is a very long, slow road; especially as I have other medical issues, but it is one of my goals ... just one foot in front of the other, right?

I am 61 and also scheduled for bypass on August 19. Started to get excited!

That is so awesome! I live about 2 hours away from Disney and it has been very hot. I am going back once I hit my goal ... it's gonna be so different not lumbering around in the heat with all this weight, being able to walk around without running out of breath and being able to fit on all the rides! Congratulations on your weight loss and I will pray for blue skies ahead and hope you have a vacation of a lifetime!

I'm in Vero Beach and my surgery is scheduled for August 19. Would love to be in a group!

You know, about 8 years ago I had to have a total laryngectomy because of vocal cord cancer. I now have a hole in my neck that I use to breath with. At first, I was mortified if I had to go out in public, but as time passed I came to the conclusion that if someone is going to judge me over a hole in my throat, I don't need them anyway. It doesn't bother me to have a child ask me what happened ... I just tell them in simple terms what happened. As I got older, it was the same with my weight. It's bad enough worrying about if you can fit in a chair, or are they gonna charge me for 2 seats, or can I fit on the amusement ride or all the other things we deal with everyday. Life is too short to waste to such dimwitted and closed minded people. I don't like to lie either. Besides, I would give someone a piece of my mind if they think this is an easy way out. It just shows their ignorance. But in the end we each have to do what feels right for us. Just decide what you will be most comfortable with. It's not like you can hide the weight loss, and both on-your-own and BWL are both difficult. They both come down to making a commitment and staying strong. Do whatever gives you peace of mind... Peggy

I'm 61, but my bypass isn't scheduled until August 19. I have back problems and a knee problem like yours. I am a little anxious as I have other medical problems, but I am an optimist and can't wait to get started on my new journey! Will be more than happy to keep you updated on how it progresses... Peggy

You just have to make a dedicated commitment to yourself that your ARE going to do this and then stick to it. It is not and will not be easy pre-op or post-op. You have to be strong and just remember you are doing this for yourself. Make little goals along the way instead of thinking of a year down the road, Get a buddy you can talk to. This whole web site is at your disposal ... that alone is awesome. You know the saying ... Whatever it takes! So find out what works best for you. Good Luck!

Mine was just scheduled for August 19th so I am gonna keep an eye on you two!! I am a little anxious because of some medical problems but sooo excited to get it over with ... and start on my new adventure!! By the way, I am 61 and in Vero Beach, Florida.

If it's the same as mine: *AM coffee 8oz skim milk 4oz juice (apple orange or grapefruit) 6oz - 8oz gatorade or Powerade 8-12 oz Protein liquid supplement (20 or so grams) *I make a shake with milk, orange juice and protein powder)** PM 4oz juice crystal lite drink 8oz light yogurt (plain, van, lemon, coffee flavored - no fruit pcs) 1/2 c sugar-free Jello 8-12 oz protein liquid supplement)** PM 6oz - 8oz gatorade or powerade 4 oz low-fat cottage cheese 8-12 oz protein liquid supplement)** 1/2 c sugar-free jello No-sugar added fudgsicle Drink at least 64 ounces of liquid a day **Approx 60 grams of protein per day

August 19!