Sandra Nuelken

I did the WLS for me. No one else just me. I wanted to kayak again, I wanted to get my a... up the ladder on our dock and boat. I wanted to be able to keep up with my grandkids. I don't give a rats ass what others think. I wanted to be able to have fun again, life is short. I'm jumping off the boat, swimming, walking, and best of all my pieces and parts don't hurt. I'm happy. I also went on a 3-hour kayak trip last weekend. Not bad for someone that is 74.

The time goes by quickly. It certainly was worth the wait. I've never been happier. Good luck on your journey.

I did a lot of cottage cheese, tuna pouches, refried beans. Someone posted if you mix your 4oz cottage cheese with your small pouch of tuna it tastes like tuna salad, I add a big of onion. It really does.

Stalls happen all of the time, just stick with your program, drink your water and the pounds will come off. I think your body needs to hold and get used to the new weight then you have another drop. I haven't noticed if walking helps or not. I just focus on the protein and water. I'm just now getting to 600 calories, this is a year out. Good luck on your journey!

Learn to eat until not hungry, not full, just not hungry. I bought children's flatware and I sit and read and take small spoons of the food. It takes about 30 minutes to eat. I stayed with the same soft for days, then went to another. It is like introducing food to a baby. You should never eat more than a quarter cup. If you eat too much you get uncomfortable.

Sip don't drink. You can count your protein drink as fluids, broth, I did caffeine-free tea with a twist of lemon. Any fluid counts. Don't drink just sip.

I used 30, 30, and 40 proteins. Always trying to go high on protein.

I like Ensure protein. I have chocolate and drink one a day 30g. of Protein little sugars. After surgery, everything tastes bad so just stick with it. I pour it over ice every morning.

If you follow the instructions of your surgeon you will lose weight. The only issue I had is that they didn't say don't worry the first 2 weeks you will gradually start, I sipped protein drinks all day and if I got 3 down that was my protein needs. You have to sip all day. But I'm absolutely thrilled with my results and miss absolutely nothing about my former life.

If you don't bring it into your house you can't eat it. I have Outshine pop cycles, grapes, peaches, and almonds for snacks. I also use a calorie counter on my fitbit and stay true to my count. I have one "free" day and I have an alcoholic drink that day.

I was told 4 weeks for a pool and 6 weeks for the lake.

I eat Outshine bars with no sugar added. Really good 25 calories each.

I also had a lap band failure, banded for about 8 years. I got the sleeve a year ago and I am thrilled. I was 73 when I had the surgery. It took me 3 months to get Medicare to approve. Good luck as far as getting used to eating, it was like getting on a bike and felt so normal. No fills to worry about only focus on your health.

Hi, I had my surgery at 73. I'm happier than I have ever been. Even my doctor said that he could see my smile through my mask.

I'm up early this morning not for surgery, as I was last year, but for my one-year appointment. I am thrilled with the results and just can't believe where I was last year. I am an ex-bander and old for this journey, I'll be 74 this year. I have my life back, I can jump off the boat and get up the ladder, the same with the dock. I'm having fun with my grandkids again. I go for walks, swims, and move about without the aches and pains I once had. Food is no longer my joy in life, life is my joy. I eat to live and not live to eat. I reached stage 4 eating and just stayed there. I have a protein drink for breakfast, 4oz of cottage cheese for lunch, 4oz of protein for dinner with a protein snack or Outshine no sugar added pop cycle. Saturday is my "free day" I sit with my neighbors in the street to visit and have my weekly drink. Not being able to eat out this last 6 months has sure been a help! For those starting on your journey, the first 6 months are very important for both weight loss and to set the stage for the rest of your journey. I did not have a drink for the first 6 months. I have learned that your body will drop the pounds when it is ready. A lot of pauses the second 6 months that will drive you crazy. Good luck with your journey, I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine.

For the first week or two after surgery, I was lucky to get down 2 protein drinks. Just stay hydrated. I wasn't up to 60 gm of protein until week 3. Drink, walk and heal. The other goals will come but not right away.

At the age of 73, I had this done last year. I had no pain, no problems, followed the eating directions religiously. I've been more successful than I could ever dream of and will never look back.

You need to have a serious talk with yourself. This is not a diet, it is your new reality. You will eat like this for the remainder of your life. I ate none of my trigger foods for almost 8 months, with no alcohol for over 8 months. Just stage 4 eating. Then as the success was happening I realized food was not my friend, health was and food was not my joy in life. When I want something now it is after the 4 oz of protein. Every day it is the same, protein drink breakfast, cottage cheese for lunch, then some meat for dinner. If I want a bite of cornbread or a bite of pasta, savor it. But that is it. I wanted to lose the weight I've worked hard to lose weight and getting smaller clothes is far more exciting than food. I now have my one drink on Saturday and enjoy it. No more mindless drinking. You must become the power, and not let the food be your power.

Your surgery was about the same time as mine. I'm really happy too. You've done great!

I'm a former bander too. It caused all kinds of problems and then the weight gain. I had my sleeve done about a year ago and love it. I knew how to eat and what to do it was like riding a bike. I'm really happy now! Good luck on your journey!

I had the waddle removed, it loosened up again but not as bad. I'm 74 so my good ol' days have left the dock. I did have a caftan on the other day and my husband said is that your boobs way down there. God, he's looking for a miserable life. Just do what makes you happy but don't do too much.

When I had my lap band weight loss I too had loose skin, so I had a tummy tuck. Just remember this type of surgery is very dangerous, you lose feeling in the surgery area, ask ask ask before going ahead and get a great surgeon. It will cost, a lot, and is not covered. I nearly died as I threw 3 blood clots, which is common with a tummy tuck. My stomach is still numb after 9 years. Some days I say it was worth it, but death is a high price to pay. Approach this type of surgery with your eyes opened.

Good luck to the Class of June 2020. I had mine in July 2019 and it was the best decision I've ever made! I was almost 73 at the time and now 100 pounds down, no C-Pap, and knees are all better. Just go into this with an open heart, and I approached it as if my life depended on this, which it did and never looked back. Good luck on your journey.

It has been a journey, the last several months the hardest! The down 2 up 1 is driving me crazy after the dropping easier for the first 6 months. Now I struggle for 5 pounds a month. But today I'm going to sit back and enjoy the loss and feel very proud of myself. I never thought I'd be here a year ago. I was still trying to qualify for the surgery and gaining weight each day. Today is the start of my new me and new life. I can walk every day without knee pain and look forward to it too. For those of you thinking about it just do it. For those who think you are too old, I'm 73 and did it. Good luck to everyone out there and please stay healthy!