Newbe

[Richard3]

Hi,
I'm Richard 3. I know almost nothing about posting on sites, blogs etc. I'm 73 years old and a complete computer idiot. Having said that, I don't even know if this will get posted.
IM having "The Sleeve" the 31st of July.

To be honest, since I started the pre diet, more than once I have considered chucking the whole thing. I am a great justifier, for instance," You are 73 years old, you quit smoking, quit drinking and lost a big part of the urge for chasing women. If you caught one, you would forget what to do with her. And now I'm gonna have most of my belly cut out."
The last few years my whole motivation has been food, sweet, salty, rare, butter saturated with creamy butter food.

I wont back out but it's not near as much fun as I thought it would be. Wondering if anyone else had those feelings before the surgery, and how did you cope?

[ghost_ryder]

Not quite those, but I wondered why I was going to torture myself by taking away everything I enjoyed. The simple answer was my grandkids. But the real answer was I was not giving up anything really. I found tasty alternatives and discovered I like getting out of the house and doing things.

Just enjoy what you are doing and realize it so you can be around longer to protect your kin.

[jcook2]

I wondered why I was going to torture myself by taking away everything I enjoyed

I had the same thoughts and I'm quickly finding out that I haven't given up anything but quantity. I thought I would die a few days ago when my husband was cooking chicken parmigiana and I couldn't have it. But I put a spoonful into a 1-oz medicine cup and ate it...3 bites of sauce with a baby spoon...and I was really, truly satiated. A few weeks ago that would have sounded ludicrous to me so I understand if you're skeptical...but that is my truth.

Best wishes with your upcoming surgery. I hope you go through with it. My mom is in her early 60s and I wish she would consider getting sleeved because I want her around as long as possible! You're definitely not "too old" to care about improving your health & quality of life!

[Richard3]

I'm gonna do it, just easy to talk myself outa stuff. That's how I got here now. Really sick of apple juice though. I'm by myself on this, I don't really have kin that I'm close to. Thanks for the response

[Sandra3]

You will find great support on the forum, you can just ask questions and people will answer, or you can also use "search the forum" (top of the page) to see what people already said about the topic.

The pre-op diet is not fun, for sure. But I seriously think you are doing a great thing having the sleeve. I wished my mother in law would consider traveling to Mexico to do it, she is 70 in 3 weeks and in France you can't get the surgery after 65 which is kind of silly! it will improve your life expectancy for sure!
I'm convinced that without the surgery I would not have been able to reach the next decade...

I'm a foodie and really good cook (from what people around tell me) and even if I focused on eating really healthy those past 5 years, the sleeve didn't take away good food, it's only now a question of quantity, which was my goal. Before the surgery I was always starving and could eat two plates of food, now it's less than half a plate and I'm satisfied! such an amazing improvement! because before surgery I had to restrain myself not eat a third plate! it was so bad!

Anyway, before the surgery I was always in pain and tired, walking 1 km painful and I was slow, 18 months later it's like a new me came out and I can walk for hours, I feel energetic and not really tired at all!

Those first few months post-op were not always easy but it got better, the most important is to follow our guidelines, try to eat enough protein, have enough water and never forget those important supplements and things will improve in a few weeks or months.

Best of luck to your surgery, I wish you an easy and fast recovery, and keep us posted!
take care!

[PokerGuy]

Everyone tries to find a way to talk themselves out of it.. It's human nature to try and find the easy way out.. But THIS IS THE EASY WAY OUT OF YOUR PAIN. My mother had the sleeve and 71 and still says its the best thing she has ever done.. It drastically helps with all the other issues of getting older. Arthritis, High blood pressures, joint deterioration. ect. Even in Mexico there were 2 people out of my group of 8 that nearly walked out and didn't do it because they were scared. (They did stay and have it done) Knowledge is POWER. Read this forum and ask questions. Once you know all the facts your decision will be clear and you will be at peace with making it.

[ghost_ryder]

I'm gonna do it, just easy to talk myself outa stuff. That's how I got here now. Really sick of apple juice though. I'm by myself on this, I don't really have kin that I'm close to. Thanks for the response

I hope this is not true. If it is find a good support group and start going to meetings. Connect with friends, be more social. That all helps so much. Best wishes for you next week.

[Luv49ers19]

You are NEVER to old to change! I'm really happy that you are going to stick to it. Best decision I ever made!

[Linda51]

Age is just a number. I was sleeved on July 12th this year, just 5 days after my 66th birthday. I had several motivating factors beside the obvious one of improving my health. I was in constant pain from deterioration of my upper and lower spine. Lugging around an extra 130 pounds was only making it worse. The most compelling motivation is my grandkids. I want to be around to watch them grow up and to be part of their lives. What really sealed my resolve was my oldest granddaughter announcing her engagement to a wonderful guy and the hint of great grandchildren in a couple of years. Life is full of the promise of wonderful things yet to come!

By the way, this is the easiest surgery I've ever had. You will do great, just follow the doctor's instructions to the letter.

[Richard3]

Thanks guys for the support. Like I said, I am computer stupid so I don't know if every body gets my response. Hope so.
Seven days out and I would kill for a cup of real coffee.
My son had the surgery about three months ago And I think he is doing ok, He had Gastric bypass here in the states. He said for his pre op he was able to have a lean cuisine once a day. God! what I would give for one of those. I can have three protein shakes a day, all the water I want (figures)
All I want power aide zero, sugar free pudding, jello, popsicles, chicken and beef broth (They smell and taste like when my granny used to boil them outside in a tub, if you ever smelled that you would know how much It makes you wanna vomit.)

I wonder if its ok to cheat and have a real cup of coffee once in a while? I am staying very strict to the rest of the diet. I will follow what you guys say, but I really, really wont like it.

Has anyone had Dr. Quinones in Mexico for their surgeon? The folks there seem real nice and give, I hope , good advice.

I'm not scared of the surgery (I have had many) just pissed cause I cant do the thing I love most, I know, I gotta change that attitude.

Time for my protein shake and pudding, YUMMMM.
thanks again for your support, its good to see how other folks are doing.

[Christie13]

A lot of people wonder if they can ever "enjoy" food again post op. I just spent 2 1/2 weeks in Italy and every day enjoyed all of my favorite foods...just in smaller quantities. And I am loving my fabulously fit and active life way more than the days when I enjoyed pigging out on food.

[Richard3]

Wow , good to hear, thought I was gonna be on broth and poweraid zero for the rest of my life. is there a way to reply to comments other than checking my email?

[Ann2]

Richard, to reply to threads here, just check in at this Web site. That's what I do, and I've been here almost four years.

Welcome!

Ann