55 years old and a newbie.

[MelbaM]

Hi!! I’m 50 and have surgery in a couple weeks. I’m super nervous and excited. It’s been a long road to get here. Nice to meet you. We got this!

Nice to meet you, ThisOldJenn! My surgery date is one the 29th, what day is yours (if you don't mind me asking!)? I think we could be surgery buddies and share stories!

 

[MelbaM]

Welcome to the group. I am 56 and had my surgery on Monday.

Nice to meet you too. How has the recovery been going for you so far?

 

[ThisOldJenn]

Nice to meet you, ThisOldJenn! My surgery date is one the 29th, what day is yours (if you don't mind me asking!)? I think we could be surgery buddies and share stories!

March 22…. Getting so nervous. I don’t feel ready. Like afraid I’m going to forget to have something already at the house. Luckily my husband is taking 10 days off work, so I know stuff will be fine. What prep have you done?? I bought 1 and 2 ounce condiment cups with lids to help ease the measurement of early portions.

 

[MelbaM]

March 22…. Getting so nervous. I don’t feel ready. Like afraid I’m going to forget to have something already at the house. Luckily my husband is taking 10 days off work, so I know stuff will be fine. What prep have you done?? I bought 1 and 2 ounce condiment cups with lids to help ease the measurement of early portions.

I feel the same way! Good idea with the condiment cups with lids! I'll have to add that to my shopping list for today. Just like Glad/tupperware? My hubby is taking 3 days off with me. I've bought all my supplements and LOTS of shake mix. My Dr. ok'd me doing the Glucerna Hunger Smart shakes. I do the powder mix because it's just more economical. I bought some Propel Fitness Water that my Dr. ok'd too. Today I'm buying the broth, sugar free Jello and popsicles. I guess we just do the best we can and let our hubbies pick up the rest. . How are you doing with the pre-op diet so far? I start mine tomorrow and am prepared to feel a little saucy (aka irritable/bitchy)! LOL My pre-op physical is today. Good luck to you my dear! Please stay in touch and let me know how it's going for you!

 

[MelbaM]

Hi, I had my bypass done last week and I am 64. I was nervous also but I have to tell you it was one of the most uneventful surgeries I have ever gone through. The first few days the gas pain was the worst part. But as long as you get up and walk around every half hour or so you will find relief. Surgery Pain is just annoying especially when they start itching, lol. Try to keep water with you at all times and take sips every 5 to 10 minutes. Take the gas-ex and drink as much protein shakes as you can. I found zero calorie protein water which broke up the shakes some and the zero power aid helped. I could go on and on. If you have any questions please ask. Good Luck and you will do great.

How are you doing after your surgery now, Mars? Hopefully doing well and recovering quickly. How's the liquid diet?

 

[MelbaM]

Melba, you didn't mention it, but when I had surgery, all my supplements, including vitamins had to be in liquid form. You don't really have stomach acid after surgery, so nutrients may be trapped in pills that don't break down until they get through the intestines. Did anyone else have this experience? Were you counseled to use only liquid supplements for a few weeks?

Hi Diane, my surgeon is having me take sublingual vitamin B complex, but said I can take my psych meds and other supplements in pill/capsules, they just can’t be extended release meds. I triple checked cuz if I can’t take my psych meds, I wouldn’t do the surgery

 

[mam]

Hi Melba, that's interesting. I take an extended release anti depressant, and I was told I can still take it, but just need to open the capsule and sprinkle it into yogurt.

 

[missyinacage]

I take a med that only comes in capsule form and I still pop it open and sprinkle, 3 years out. I was told, with the bypass, it can be hard to manage extended release drugs because they travel through our bodies slightly faster than before. I thankfully haven't needed any dosage adjustments, so I just continue to sprinkle.

 

[MelbaM]

Hi Melba, that's interesting. I take an extended release anti depressant, and I was told I can still take it, but just need to open the capsule and sprinkle it into yogurt.

It’s funny how things can vary from doc to doc. My shrink said no extended release too. Maybe it depends on the meds?

 

[mam]

Melba, did your surgeon have you do a consult with a pharmacist too? I bet it all depends on what the medication is.

 

[Healthier Me]

I take Bariatric Fusion once a day vitamins. They are big capsules, but I’ve never had a prob with them. My doctor didn’t let me start them until a few wks post-op. My anti-seizure meds are extended release. I was afraid of having to make adjustments to those, but thankfully have never had any prob.

 

[MelbaM]

Melba, did your surgeon have you do a consult with a pharmacist too? I bet it all depends on what the medication is.

He said to talk to my psychiatrist which I did. She agrees. Didn’t think about asking a pharmacist. I will though

 

[Loops]

Personal question..... I currently have an "apron" of fat that hangs down a bit. Anyone that had the surgery have the same thing before surgery? I'm just wondering if it will get smaller or lead to MORE of an "apron" from saggy skin. I am wondering not for (just) cosmetic reasons, but if it will get in the way of me walking, exercising, normal things. When I do yoga now, it gets in the way of me doing certain moves and makes it hard for me to breathe well.

If it becomes bothersome and your doctor recommends removal you might be able to get it removed and covered by insurance

 

[KathyLev]

I'm 69 and will be getting my sleeve soon I hope !!!

 

[Beachbound23]

Hello, I'm 55 and wonder if there is anyone else around my age that is going to have RNY or have had it fairly recently that can give advice? Surgery sched in April. I'm nervous about how I'll do afterwards given my age and having always been an emotional eater.

I'm 54 and scheduled for RNY on April 3rd. I feel the same way.

 

[MelbaM]

I'm 54 and scheduled for RNY on April 3rd. I feel the same way.

We should keep in touch since our surgeries are so close together. We can support each other through it.

 

[MelbaM]

He said to talk to my psychiatrist which I did. She agrees. Didn’t think about asking a pharmacist. I will though

So I did check with the Pharmacist when I picked up my meds refills and he said the same thing my surgeon and psych said, so I feel even better about it. They all said that my meds may need to be "tweeked" a bit after the surgery, but they will absorb. WHEW!!