Texy

Hi trekker, I'm 64y/o, 6 months post op and live on the Gulf Coast with similar hot weather issues. My goal is to lose 90lbs, I've now lost 60lbs and I'm considered a slow loser....many seem to lose much faster. I've done really well with no complications or issues. The first 3 months I did a lot of walking and used my home Elliptical. My surgeon suggested I look into more "resistance" type exercising to speed weight loss. I joined a Crossfit gym and began working with a personal trainer. Crossfit gyms are not air conditioned so I didn't think I would last very long. I've just completed 3 months and I'm amazed at the transformation. I'm physically so much stronger and have gone down 2 sizes with very few pounds lost. Yeah....it's been tough....that first month I was so sore I didn't think I could get out of bed some mornings but I did and just kept going. It's all been worth it....I'm becoming a new person. If I can do this, you can too!!! After surgery just start walking and when you're able.... get on that bicycle You'll get stronger and find other ways to exercise. This surgery and losing weight has a way of motivating you......your life is about to change and I'm sure you will have no regrets.

Cathy48, Yes, yes the dreadful sweats will soon leave and be replaced with new found energy! I'm doing things now that I haven't done in years. My husband bought me a bicycle, today and we're going to start riding together. I'm 64y/o and haven't been on a bike in over 40yrs so this should be a real adventure. Next week, I'm starting at a gym with a personal trainer...I hope my new found energy doesn't exceed my physical ability. I was on 3 blood pressure meds and the side effects were ruining my life. Now, two of those meds have been eliminated and that has a lot to do with my since of a "new lease on life". Yes, you will be able to glide into spaces you never thought possible.

Cathy48, I had sleeve surgery 12/30/15..... right before my 64th birthday. I have sleep apnea and chronic high blood pressure due to my weight. The sleeve was the smartest decision I've ever made and should have done it a lot sooner. I wasted many years being so overweight and damaging my health. Good luck with your surgery......I'm sure you will have no regrets. I honestly do feel like a have a "new lease on life"!!

I've been using the sugar free liquid Coffeemate French Vanilla since the day I came home from surgery and my NUT has no problem with it. I've also used the sugar free Italian Creme and Hazelnut.

I drank decaf for the first three weeks and then started drinking 1 cup of caffeine coffee each day. After one cup, if I want more.... I'll go to decaf.

Bariatric Advantage Multivitamins were gross....stopped taking those after 4 days. I love, love, love the Calcium Chews. I'm using patch MD and feel great....I'll have blood work done in a couple of weeks.

No problem with my Cigna. I was approved very quickly.

I'm 7wks out and I had the same problem. I discussed this with my NUT and she insisted I needed to increase my daily calories to between 800-900. She said I was stressing my body by keeping my calorie intake to 650 or less a day. I did this plus added extra magnesium. I began taking 100mg mid morning and again about an hour before bed. The past two weeks I've been sleeping much better, falling asleep much quicker and no mid night wake ups. Not sure if it is the calorie increase or the magnesium buts it has greatly improved. The magnesium tablets are huge...I have to cut them in 4 pieces to swallow but....it's been worth it.

I'm just now 4 weeks out. 2nd day was my hardest. I slept in the recliner the first two nights and then everything began to get better. I used nausea med on the 2nd & 3rd day and only recall using the liquid pain med for a couple of days. By the 4th day I was feeling much better and in the kitchen cooking, a little for my hubby.

Sleeved 12/30.....I'll send a request, too.

I'm on day 5 of a 14 day pre-op liquid diet. The first 3 days were just awful, my stomach was growling and I couldn't sleep. Yesterday afternoon, something clicked and I no longer felt the anxious growling in my stomach. Today, I awoke feeling good and no growling. I think I can do this and am feeling much better with more energy. I'm assuming this is the result of my body going into ketosis as my surgeon so often explained to me. I'm determined to get through this.....surgery on the 30th.

Hi Jim, My surgeon sells the Bariatric Advantage, too and he highly recommends it however gives other options also. EAS Myoplex Lite Card Control GNC Total Lean shake 25 Isopure Protein Meal Replacement powder unjury protein powder Chike Protein Powder I prefer Syntrax nectar protein powder and Egg White protein powder. My surgeon is aware of what I'm using and didn't seem to have a problem with it. I had a tough time finding one I could tolerate....tried many...spent a fortune. I'm sure you're probably not tied to one brand. Talk to the NUT or dietitian.

Hi gsusser, Crock Pot is just the name brand of a slow cooker. Just pick the one that has the features you want. Personally, I've always purchased the "Crock Pot" brand because it was the first of it's kind and has always been very reliable. Don't stress over it....a slow cooker is a slow cooker.

glitterpockets, you & I seem to have a similar issue. I cannot tolerate milk & milk protein and I'm lactose intolerant. I don't have a surgery date, yet but I'm sampling protein powders & drinks and so far.... I've spent a small fortune to find what I cannot tolerate. No kidding....I've already given away about $200.00 worth of protein products. Ugh.. just couldn't tolerate it...caused severe congestion & stomach issues. Now, I think my adult son has pointed me in the right direction. He avoids all dairy and is gluten intolerant. On his recommendation... I'm trying "MRM vanilla egg white protein powder" 23g protein and 0 sugar and has no milk protein or soy. Only comes in vanilla, chocolate & unflavored...so none of the fancy flavor choices like the others. I'm using the Torani SF syrups to change up the taste and it's working great. I don't know what my surgeon & NUT will say but I had to find something I could live with and so far....this is it.

Hi Everyone! I’m a newbie and this is my first post. I’m 63y/o and probably one of the oldest living that still has a Molina Band in place. The surgery was in 1985 and that sucker has been useless since about 1988. It did work for the first couple of years or so….I lost about 75lbs. I went back to Molina in 1988 to see if anything could be done and he just humiliated me. He made it all out to be my fault and insisted I had abused the band and not followed the instructions. He said I needed to have a revision and a new band put in place. I declined, left his office in tears, felt I had failed and it was all my fault. From that day forward, I worked like crazy from one diet to another and managed to keep most of the weigh off until I hit menopause………. slowly all the weight came back and more. I never had the serious medical issues with the Molina Band like many others had. For me, it just stopped working and in some ways, I was relieved. I was so tired of all the “stuck” episodes, the pain, staying up all night, pacing the floor and trying to throw up….I never ever want anything like that, again. Back in 2002 I was considering the “stomach stapling” weight loss procedure. My primary doc sent me for a upper GI…no restrictions, at all and it appeared the Molina Band was probably held on by adhesions. The radiologist said I was one of the lucky ones because so many Molina Bands were removed by emergency surgery. The surgeon “freaked out” about the Molina Band and would only consider it by doing two separate “open” surgical procedures. I was not willing to be “cut open” twice so I gave up on having any type of revision surgery, until now. Back in 1985 I had the Molina Band surgery because I wanted to be skinny, now…….. things are very different. My reasons for surgery, now are all health related. I have very high blood pressure that has been difficult to control, chronic sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint aches and pre-diabetic. I’m on so much blood pressure medicine I can barely function. I retired early, last year because I just didn’t have the energy to keep working. I’ve changed blood pressure meds several times during the past year and the awful side effects have just about turned me into an invalid. I want off all the meds and I just want my life back. Do I have a chance for a revision to a gastric sleeve? I’m told maybe……. because my band was done in 1985 when Molina was using a material that is much easier to remove than the mesh band he used in the 90’s and I haven’t had the complications that many others had....I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I’m very grateful for this website. I appreciate all the info and I love the success stories and before & after pics. I really need that now because I’m very scared, nervous and anxious. I get so happy and feel so hopeful after reading all the success the posters are having and then I end up in tears because I’m so afraid it will not happen for me. My emotions are just all over the place. Thanks for being here…… Texy

Hi katybelle7, Thanks for the response. Yes, I'm very nervous about my first meeting with the surgeon. I hope my age is not an issue, I've worried about that, too. At this point, all he knows is my name, age and insurance info. He has no knowledge of my extensive past history with the Molina Band and that's what I'm really afraid of. I haven't found anyone that's had a revision after having a band in place for 30yrs. I really dread the endoscopy and finding out what shape my stomach & esophagus are in. Thanks for the support. Texy

Hi Cococat, Thanks for the response. My band is known as the "Molina Band". Dr. Molina began the surgery in 1980 and it was a real nightmare for many people, I guess I was one of the lucky ones. Some almost died from the band and many had emergency surgery for removal. I've never had any adverse effects that I'm aware of. I've been told that the surgeon will not know what condition my stomach is in until the endoscopy is done. I'm real, real nervous about that. Texy

Hi Joanne, I'm new here, too....just starting the process. I don't see my surgeon until Aug 20th. I've talked to my insurance and they will pay when I meet all the medical criteria. I'm 63 and I took early retirement, last year. My main reason for wanting the surgery is medical, too. I have severely high blood pressure and all the med side effects are killing me, I feel like I have no life. Plus I have other issues on top of that, too. I love to travel, too and I haven't been able to do anything since I retired....I feel like life is passing me by. I'm very anxiously awaiting the appt with the surgeon after he returns from a 2wk vacation in August. Least, I'll know he is nice and rested. LOL Texy

Hi...I'm new here and 63y/o. I'm glad to have found others in my age group. I'm just beginning the process and will not meet with my surgeon until Aug 20. I'm hoping for the gastric sleeve however will have to address an old gastric band in place since 1985. I had an upper GI about 12yrs ago and it showed no restrictions and the band appeared to be held in place by adhesion's. I'm really nervous about this and afraid of what the surgeon will say. I get so excited reading all the success stories and seeing all the pictures and then end up in tears because I'm afraid it will not happen for me. What is a surgeon going to say about a gastric band that's been in place for 30yrs? I'm so afraid I will not be a good candidate for the sleeve. I'm scared and can't wait for Aug 20th,,,I need to know. Texy