POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
On my Way, Hoping for a July, 2015 Surgery Date. - Dover, Delaware
ORIGINAL POST
I'm a 71 year old that's battled my weight for...
caleeMarch 13, 2015
I'm a 71 year old that's battled my weight for many years. Since retiring 15 years ago I've developed arthritic knees that have limited my activities and increased my battle with weight. In Dec. 2014 I attended a Bariatric seminar and decided to change my life. I had a consultation with my surgeon on 12/23 and began my new adventure. My bariatric center has a coordinator who arranges everything, appointments, etc., making the entire process a breeze. Two months into my six month pre op and I've completed all the requirements except the required 6 monthly nutritionist meeting. I've read everything I could find to prepare for my new life and have already lost 14lbs. I hate this 6 month wait requirement but it will be well worth it in the end. Keeping my fingers crossed for a July surgery date.
UPDATED FROM calee
I think I've got this !!
caleeMarch 22, 2015
Hey everyone, how are you ? It's early yet as I'm only two months into my 6 month pre op preparations but I'm pleased with my progress. I started out on 12/23 at 338 lbs. and as of 3/21 I'm at 317 and feeling good. I've reduced portion size, eliminated bread, pasta and potatoes. My diet consists of meats, veggies & Progresso soups, snacks are celery, cucumbers with small amounts of dips. The hardest adjustment has been eliminating fountain diet cokes, I am accustomed to two 32 ouncers a day......I'm missing my carbonation and caffeine ! I committed myself to adapt to as close of a post op diet as I can now to ease my later transition. So with that said..........I got this !!!
Replies (8)
April 21, 2015
Just FYI you won't be able to drink carbonation after surgery,it just doesnt go down well at all, the Dr. said that's what expands your stomach and then you eat more.(bad thing) but I drink black coffee and have no problem with that, it's learning how to eat all over again, but so worth it.
April 22, 2015
Thanks for the input Mom1976, it wasn't easy but I've already broke my diet coke addiction. I figured that would be my biggest test, LOL, so that was the first change that I made. I still have 2.5 months to go and I can't wait.
May 25, 2015
I had the surgery when I was 69. My highest weight was 283 and my weight when I decided to have the surgery was 273. Surgery date was October 22, 2014. I am down to 177 now. The thing with carrying around a lot of weight for many years is the excess skin that remains after the weight loss. I probably have 20 lbs of skin that I will carry around the rest of my life. Even with that extra weight, my life has changed for the better so much. Health issues are resolved and I have so much energy and am able to do so much more. Just wish Gastric Sleeve had been available to me earlier in life. There is more to life than food and eating! Good luck with making the needed changes.
May 25, 2015
Wow, you've done so well. I too wish I had done this sooner, thanks for the encouragement, I'll be super pleased if I do as well as you have.
May 25, 2015
I am so happy for you. Those changes you started making already in your eating habits are crucial
To be successful after the surgery. It's amazing what you've accomplished so far. I'm in the same boat as you but I'm just now into my second month of the 6 month requirement phase. It's hard to wait but it is what it is. We look forward to hearing more updates from you and when you have your surgery date.
This is the best thing you can do for yourself.
May 25, 2015
Thanks, I'm just 2 months ahead of you, starting to get excited.......I'll be sure to update when the day arrives.
July 24, 2015
Finally got my date, seemed like forever........8/6/15 my lucky day. Started my 2wks of OptiFast today and it tastes better than I expected, chocolate's the best, of course I'm sure my thoughts will change after fourteen days.
UPDATED FROM calee
Finally........I got this, the sleeve, that is.
caleeAugust 15, 2015
Well my sleeve finally arrived on 8/6/15. I'm late with an update and it shall be brief. As I mentioned previously I'm 71 at the time of my sleeve and I've had a few complications. The sleeve surgery was flawless, everything went well. Prior to entering the OR the surgeon wanted me to be better hydrated delaying the operation a couple of hours.....no big thing. I also had hernia repairs completed at same time and all went well. I was originally scheduled for a 3 nigh stay but was held for 4 nights.
I have a history of occasional gout attacks, it usually happens in either foot and lasts a day or two...........for those not aware, gout rates slightly below childbirth for pain. Well as luck would have it my 14 day pre op protein diet triggered an attack in BOTH feet within hours of arriving home. It seems that Protein is a major contributor to gout attacks.
So now being totally unable to get off my back I wasn't able do the walking/exercising that I needed and finally after a few days forced myself to try and shower......bad news, collapsed and taken to hospital for treatment of gout and dehydration.
I'm going to break this update short for now but will return with more later........please understand that the sleeve procedure was flawless and NOT responsible for my complications, I'm just pointing out that things can into play that would be the last thing one would expect.
Cheers, my friends
I have a history of occasional gout attacks, it usually happens in either foot and lasts a day or two...........for those not aware, gout rates slightly below childbirth for pain. Well as luck would have it my 14 day pre op protein diet triggered an attack in BOTH feet within hours of arriving home. It seems that Protein is a major contributor to gout attacks.
So now being totally unable to get off my back I wasn't able do the walking/exercising that I needed and finally after a few days forced myself to try and shower......bad news, collapsed and taken to hospital for treatment of gout and dehydration.
I'm going to break this update short for now but will return with more later........please understand that the sleeve procedure was flawless and NOT responsible for my complications, I'm just pointing out that things can into play that would be the last thing one would expect.
Cheers, my friends
Replies (4)
August 16, 2015
Oh no Calee. I'm sorry to hear of the issues with gout. But how will the post surgical diet work for you then when protein IS and will always be your nutritional priority ? I hope all this passes soon so you can be home and start to recover and rest. best wishes and best luck on your recovery.
August 16, 2015
Hope you feel better soon and all your worries will be behind you. Then you can start your new life. HEALTHY!!!!
August 17, 2015
Thank you mom1976, I'm looking ahead to the near future as I'm slowly getting stronger. The darn gout and dehydration knocked the recovery schedule out of wack but it's coming along. I see nothing but positives down the road. I'm down 15 pounds since surgery (8/6) and 60 pounds total since I started my 6 month pre op plan......I'm a happy camper.
July 19, 2016
Omg I am in the hospital right now with my boyfriend who had the sleeve and on the early morning right after discharge developed excruciating pain in his right knee. Swelling is down his leg into his foot. Pain so bad that you can't even touch it. Not sure what caused but bariatric coordinator mentioned something about maybe the heavy protein diet possibly causing a gout flare up. Please let me know how this was resolved for you.
Replies (5)