scared...what will happen when I'm an old lady??

[ms.sss 15,490]

During the early months it did take some effort to eat for ME. food aversion and limited stomach capacity were often at odd with nutritional quotas. I needed to set a timer to remind myself to eat.

As time went by, as well as the increased ability to just eat more and more often, it started to become less of a chore.

I’m 3.5 years out now and i basically just eat when im hungry or when i feel like it. No set times nor amounts or “rules” to adhere to other than to aim to stay below 2000 cals a day more or less (yep, i’m one of those trackers) , and not make myself sick. I have long ago learned what my limits are, eating-wise, and am pretty good at staying within these limits without thinking too much.

P.S. I too am a 50-yr old Canadian with (three) kids. Im also 5’2” so it can be argued that I’m a little old lady already! Lol. …and i’m doing just fine.

[ann2472 38]

I had surgery 10/18/21 and remember thinking a lot initially about this, like ok should I be drinking all the time when not within 30 minutes of eating???? You develop a routine and it works. Like others suggested, maybe changing one thing at a time like drinking more or eating at regular intervals.

My surgeon said I wasn't eating enough at 3 months, told me to increase to 5 times per day. That's a struggle sometimes but at 6 months I was at 77% of excess weight lost and I noticed it's better with less plateaus when I do that.

You can do it, and btw I was 49 on surgery day and now I'm 50 and in better health than I was at 49!

[Tony B - NJ 642]

On 5/6/2022 at 3:37 PM, traceymmm said:

Hi everyone, this is my first post, I'm a 50 year old mother of two from Canada. I was just about to pick my June surgery date when it struck me, what will happen when I'm really old and can't really manage eating/drinking every 30 minutes? Now I'm a bit scared. I have already noticed that I'm not as good at organizing and planning things as I used to be when I'm younger. Is it true for post-surgery, you basically need to either be drinking or eating every half hour or so to get in all your Protein and Water? Is this just in the first few years? I can't imagine when I'm in a home or over 80 (god willing!), that I or my care provider will be able to manage that type of schedule. How easy is it to get dehydrated if you don't take in any liquids for like half a day?

Thoughts? Am I just getting cold feet?

After about 6 months you are going to be pretty much normal except for the volume of food you eat. I eat 3 meals a day, just smaller. As far as drinking, you will not have to keep drinking small amounts throughout the day because you will be able to drink more at a given time so as long as you get in enough Water for the day, you do not have to keep drinking. I drink a 24 ounce of bottle of water in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening for a total of 72 oz. Then throughout the day I may have some tea, Protein Drink or additional liquids to add to the 72. It is really not hard at all.