Just beginning the journey

[RonnieRab 31]

Hubby and I had a long talk last night, and what started out as him being pretty much closed to the idea (some of it being due to cost, our insurance pays 80%, but that still leaves us with the other 20%, and the cost here in MN is between 20 - 23 thousand, so that means between 4000 to around 4500 for us, which is a big deal since I'm a stay at home homeschooling mom, so we live on one modest income, and already have about 10K in medical debt for hubby, kids, and me combined), but he also thinks it's such a drastic change, and that I won't ever be able to make family dinners or enjoy normal food again. My understanding is that after the first few months, you can eat most regular food, but in much smaller portions, and have to make changes like not eating and drinking @ the same time, no caffeine, no carbonated drinks, and mostly all healthy food. I shared some of the stats and articles with him about how much more likely you are to loose and keep weight off with the surgery than without if you are severely obese (I'm guessing this is even more true for me being a woman in my 50s with all the hormonal stuff). He's still not 100% there, but he's willing to find out more and to come with me to an appointment with a nurse after I get that health packet filled out. That's sure a long form! Guess they want to be thorough and make sure you're really committed!

In the meantime, last week I started working on drinking a minimum of 64 oz a day of plain Water (wasn't drinking any before, so I figure 64 oz is a good start). Exercise has been a challenge cuz of my knees. Even walking for 30 minutes was causing pain. Yesterday, though, a friend blessed me with a recumbent bike. I did 30 mins yesterday and today. It was tough cuz I am not in good shape and haven't exercised at all for a couple months, but I'm so happy that it didn't hurt my knees @ all. My legs and butt muscles are a little sore, but I know that will get better as I get used to exercising. For right now, that's really all I'm doing, but I figure it's a start. I know both those things will be important after surgery, so I'm trying to start now, so there won't be as many completely new things that are hard hitting me all @ once after the operation.

That's awesome! ! Good for you. It'd better than many.

[Rubytink 4]

Congrats, Inner Surfer Girl! That's quite an accomplishment! You must feel so much better!

[Cape Crooner 589]

I'm 63 and struggled with weight loss for 50 years. Over the years I would lose 20-40 lbs and then slowly regain to an average gain of 1-2 pounds - meaning a total of 80 lbs over 50 years.

One thing I can tell you is that losing weight gets much tougher after 50 and once arthritis kicks in, it gets worst on a rapid basis. I have replaced one hip, but suspect I'll have to replace the other and perhaps knees.

I started my journey on August 10, sleeved on October 6, and down 78 lbs. although 5 months is a long time, it's all been a bit of a blur and I feel that I'm eating and living a "normal" healthy lifestyle. We dine out, go to dinner parties, enjoy wine, deserts, etc, and I'm still losing weight.

I am also a home chef and while I now cook far differently, I still find it fun and challenging. Now I seek to create great flavors with far fewer calories and more Protein.

My wife is also delighted to have lost the 20 lbs that have been bugging her for sometime. Until a few years ago, she was blessed with a metabolism that allowed her to eat what she wanted and never gain weight. That changed after 55.

One thing I found in support meetings was a lot of women who struggled with their weight who were married to men who could eat as much a they pleased. Not sure if this is your case or not.

What about your kids? I have known many families with thin fathers, mothers who struggled, and kids who eventually became obese in their teens.

All told, it is a total non-brainer. Go for it. Btw, I can wholeheartedly recommend the sleeve.

[Rubytink 4]

Thanks for the encouragement! I plan on showing your post to my husband. I've struggled with weight since I was 7. I've lost and gained like you, 20 - 40 lbs, multiple times starting @ age 11, so 40 years for me. My husband is technically "overweight" slightly. I think his BMI is around 27. He looks fine though, and even @ age 60 is in good health. Not on any meds, which is unusual for that age. He eats whatever he wants and lots of it (much more than I do), but he's a guy and is fairly tall, 6 ft 2 in. But he's also willing to eat healthier, though he doesn't like when I cut out entire food groups. In the past I've tried vegan once, and another time, we did no grains or starchy vegetables or any kind of sugar. He doesn't mind some vegan or paleo meals, but he doesn't want it to be that way all the time. Unfortunately, neither he nor the kids cook unless absolutely necessary, and then it's usually convenience foods.

We have five kids, and their weights are all over the spectrum. Our oldest (22)is about average height and weight. Next one (19) is just big all over. He's overweight but also tall (close to 6 ft 3 in) and weighs around 260. 16 year old daughter is 5 ft 6 and a half inches and very thin 112 lbs. She has digestive issues, but has always been able to eat whatever she wants and has always been petite. 14 year old daughter is big but not overweight. She's 5 ft 8 inches and weighs around 145. She eats a lot too. My10 year old son is just all around average for height and weight. I would really like all my kids to eat healthier. They eat way too much sugar and junk! Even though my 19 year old is the only one who's overweight, I try to explain to the kids that they may have weight issues when they get older, but even if they don't, too much junk can still damage your body. But I also understand the draw of sugar. I have a hard time resisting it too. I'm hoping the surgery will help me to crave it less. I've heard some people have fewer sugar cravings after surgery, and that if they do have an occasional treat, they are satisfied with a very small amount.

[Cape Crooner 589]

I see and sympathize with your situation. All my life I've made note of people who eat whatever they want and don't gain weight while I'm eating salads and putting on the pounds.

The sleeve is the closest people like us can come to getting one of those "dream metabolisms."

I'll also tell you that sugar isn't the only problem food. Most simple carbs trigger hunger for more simple carbs.

My diet of choice was always Atkins style because it curbed my hunger. Now I'm on a variation of it because I have to focus on eating Protein in order to get 70 grams a day when you can only eat 12 ounces of food a day.

The difference is that I can now eat anything and stop because I simply can't swallow another bite.

The last thing I'll mention is that I've noticed that people who can eat anything they want tend to have more health problems than those of us in the 30 to 35 BMI class.

I don't know about you, but I have always eaten healthy food, but I ate too much. My thin friends tend all have high cholesterol, blood pressure, and some cases heart problems.

After the sleeve you'll be feeding your family healthier food and it will help them live longer lives!