toler48

Cococat Hm, do I detect a fellow Trekkie? LOL Yes, she has so many health problems. What astounds me is that she has type 2 Diebeties. I have watched her test her sugar level before a meal, it will be like 180 or 200, and she will take her medication, then eat a meal full of carbs, sugar and fat!!! She seems to think the medication takes care of keeping her diabeties in control! ??!! What control??? You are right, this is for me, for my health, for myself! After all, I have two very active, beautiful granddaughters to take care of. Thanks

Hi all, haven't posted in a while, hope everyone is doing ok, seems us "over 65'ers" are busy with our lives LOL which is a good thing. Just had another "downer" from my friend, who I wish would consider surgery (she is over 300 lbs) but it is up to her to make that decision. Even though we have know each other for over 50 years, I was hoping she would support me in this journey. No such luck. She is one of those passive-aggresive type commenters. At least that is what I would call it. Today she sends me a note about one of our classmates from high school. Telling me that the gal had been dealing with some health issues and had lost over 100 pounds, BUT, died of a heart attack last week. Her last comment was "guess it was too much for her heart." I really don't understand why she feels the way she does. Her comments don't hurt, I've known her too long to let them bother me. It does bother me that even though she knows she needs to lose some weight, and talks about it a lot, but is always making excuses, always. I am so afraid I will be attending her funeral. I know it's her decision to make, and I keep praying for her. The only big difference between the two of us is that I have tried SO many diets and failed, whereas she has not tried at all. We are the same age, in fact I am only 4 hours older than her. We found each other in the 7th grade. Born on the 5th of July, 1948. She in Dallas, me in East Chicago. Been through a lot together and I hope she will be around for a lot longer. Ok, that's enough babbling. Just had to talk about that comment to someone. Sorry to bend everyone's ear. I'm going in for my third meeting with the PA tomorrow. All is good so far. I am really ready for this. Later

@@LovinSoul "weight dimension" Love it LOL As the song says, all you can do is "shake it off" To have stayed sane by this point in my life, I have developed a thick skin. Hey maybe that is part of my weight problem! Nah, I love to cook and am (unfortunately) a good cook and love my own cooking. That is one huge hurdle I have in front of me. Maybe I should just let my hubby do the cooking from now on. We are ALL BEAUTIFUL period!!

Why do people seem to have the need to make comments about things they have no business commenting on. As our momma's used to say, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything! Still a good rule to live by. And, if I haven't said it before, I'll say it now, livvsmom, you look FABULOUS DARLING!

@@livvsmum Hi, usually I post on the "over 65", but I saw your post and had to put in my two cents. I am in the middle of my 4 month supervised period. I'm 66, and Medicare requires the 4 month wait. I am hoping to have the sleeve surgery in Sept, if all goes well. I know what you mean about people's comments. I told the group that I play cards with that I was having the surgery and one of the women actually started crying. She just couldn't understand why I would have this done. Well, I'm at 214 now and don't care to get heavier. I'm miserable now, have several co-morbidities to go along with the weight. I just want the weight off and my health back! When you hear those comments, just hold your head high and be proud of what you are doing for yourself!

@@reallyrosy It says to drink 1-2 oz per serving, up to 8oz per day. You can take anytime during the day, with or without food. Says for digestive health, take 30 min. before meals. It contains 99% organic aloe vera juice. Keep in mind, this is the Aloe Vera juice from Lily of the Desert, made in Denton, Texas Other Aloe Vera juices may be different. I just take it once a day, before lunch, right now. I may take it again in the evenings later.

@@reallyrosy This is Aloe Vera juice from Lily of the Desert, made in Denton, Texas Per 2 oz cal=4 sodium=25mg carbs=1g calcium=25mg magnesium=4mg

@@patsy1947 Hey Patsy, I got some juice by Lily of the Desert at Sprouts. It's to drink, like the PA said. It's not bad at all, kind of a citrusy taste. They do have flavored by other makers. I have the plants in the yard that I use for burns, it is wonderful. The juice is nothing like the plant from the yard LOL. If you have ever used the plant for burns and accidentally gotten it in your mouth ICK ICK ICK nasty. That is why when he said to drink the juice I kinda thought he was nuts LOL Anyway, it is not bad at all. If he says, and online says too, that it will help with constipation, it will help with healing and any gastric problems, I'm all for it. It's actually easier to go down than the Metamucil. Try it!

@@reallyrosy Hi, I am going to stop by Sprouts tomorrow to get some of the Aloe Vera juice. I'll let you know how it is. Thanks all for the support!

Sheesh, had my second of four meetings with the docs assistant yesterday. Now he tells me I need to lose weight during this four month period!! First they say don't lose any weight, now he says lose! Wish they'd make up their minds. I only have one shot at getting this approved by Medicare and I sure don't want to screw it up. I'll make sure I lose a couple pounds by the next visit. I still have the ESG procedure to schedule. He said to wait until ins. approves the sleeve surgery before scheduling the ESG. I also have to have a colonoscopy and will have both done at one time. I am weening myself off my Diet Cokes. I only have one a day, and by the middle of August, or earlier, I will be off them completely. He put the fear of God into me about dark colas of any kind. He also told me to start taking Aloe Vera juice. He said it would help with healing later, plus it would help with my acid reflux and maybe I can get off the pills for that before surgery. The other benefit of the Aloe Vera juice is it will help keep me from becoming constipated, which is a very good thing. He showed my hubby a video of the surgery. I thought it was fascinating, my hubby didn't say a word LOL. That's the latest from Tucson Hope everyone is doing good, post some updates folks!

Hi there, I was at Sprouts the other day and decided to try their Whey Protein powder. They have single serving packages, $1.99 each. I got the chocolate and was pleasantly surprised, it was good. It has 18g of protein, 2g carbs, 1g fat, 1g sugar. The protein/calorie ratio is great, 18g protein to 90 calories. This is in 3-4 oz water or milk. I mixed with 1% milk. I don't think they have plain, but they do have vanilla and strawberry. This is the only one I've tried, but like I said, it was good. I bet it could be frozen into kind of a fudgecycle (sp) that would be good, especially in this summer.

@@Bubbletoes So glad you are doing ok. The scar tissue from previous surgeries is something that I am concerned about also. Guess they don't know until they get in there huh? Sure hope age doesn't make a difference, I will be 67 when I have the surgery. Still don't feel like I'm that old though. I feel the weight though. Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Yes, I've noticed that also. It amazes me though. You would think, being active and on their feet all day, that weight wouldn't be a big problem. I mean they have to be able to help patients and move fast. Guess it depends on where in the hospital they work.

@@LousPeachy Waiting is the worst!! LOL in my doctors office there are "normal" gals, which, admittedly is much more comfortable. Good luck!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

My prayers are with you and your dear hubby. Stay strong. Cathy (toler48)

Another thing to think about. What about the other women who will be subjected to this person? You will be fighting for respect not only for yourself but others.

CanyonBaby "The pen is mightier than the sword." Write to the hospital and let them know how you were treated. There is NO excuse for a "professional" to treat anyone the way you were treated. If hospital staff cannot treat a patient with compassion, then they should go to work for McDonalds. I am writing this from the prospective of knowing many nurses and doctors and NONE of them would treat a patient like that. Please don't let them get away with this. Think about if it was a child that this person acted that way with, and how that would make that child and it's parents feel. No excuse, none!

@@LousPeachy When I had a sleep study done a couple years ago, I was able to do it at home. They do have the ability to do that. So you might ask about a Home Sleep Study. Never hurts to ask. Let us know. If you do have to go there though, I'm sure, like Cococat says, that they will be able to help you.

I may have asked this before, but, what brands of protein are you all using? Is this Unjury protein any good? I'll get a nutrition pack from the nutritionist pre-op, so I'm interested in seeing what all they give in that. Does anyone have any good shake or smoothie recipes? Might as well start collecting recipes and ideas now.

@@LousPeachy Hey LousPeachy, great to get a new member! Where in Texas do you hail from? I was raised in Dallas and Hubby was raised in Houston. I have Medicare and United Health. I'm getting covered by Medicare. Our UHC doesn't cover bariatric surgery, which is foolish. It's a process of hoops to jump through but hang in there, you'll be fine. Everyone in this group is super nice. Ask any questions you have and one of us can probably answer.

@@Sherry S Medicare requirements for surgery: I have to go in and have a medically supervised weigh in once a month (for the 4 months), and I can't lose any weight during that time. Yes, that's right I can't lose any weight. I laughed and told them that that probably wouldn't be a problem. Then there is the Psychological Evaluation, one visit. I have to meet with a Nutritionist 2 times pre-op and 2 times post-op Then there is the Cardiologist clearance and sleep study (I'm hoping I can do the sleep study at home) Lots of hoops to jump through but it will be worth it.

Ok, met with Dr Monash this afternoon and I'm on track! I've started my 4 month period required by Medicare, so surgery will be in Sept sometime. Really like Dr Monash, he explained everything so well. I really liked the staff people that I met today. My daughter and a good friend (a recently retired TMC nurse) were there and asked their own questions also. He said that the sleeve is what he would recommend for me, so that was a relief since that is what I want. And so it begins!

Do you find you can eat more volume now than say, 6 months post op? I know I've read where the stomach can stretch back out again.

@@woo woo I have to agree with you. I'm at 213 right now, and I know that may not sound really obese to a lot of people, but to me it is. I don't want to wait until I'm 250 or 300 to have surgery. When I told my husband what I wanted to do, he said, "well, I would think that would be a last resort." Well, that is where I feel I'm at, the last resort. I don't want to try "another" diet. That is what got me where I'm at now. I went on Dr Gann's Diet of Hope. Yes, I lost 30 lbs, then I had shoulder surgery and it slowly crept back up, plus a bonus 10lbs. Also, I do have co-morbidity problems that add to the problems. I know I'm not going to get back down to 125, I don't really want to get that low at this age. I'm going to let my body dictate where it feels the best. I just need the tools that surgery will give me.