Paul11011

I think you made a wise choice Greg. Congrats and continued success!

Thanks for the outstanding replies people......keep 'em coming!

Last night I was feeling irrationally down because I had a goal in mind to be at by 6 months out and I did not quite get there. I say irrational because had anyone told me on the day of surgery where I would actually be at 6 months, I would have bet the farm against it. So as a way to get over myself I looked back in my weigh-in log book ( I weigh once a week and record it). It was looking back at the hard numbers that made me snap back to reality. Other "tools" I've used to get over such pity parties are periodically taken pictures, measurement logs and my "progress shirt" experiment. Good lord this is becoming a long post. So my request of y'all is: what things you've done to establish reference points along your journey? I strongly encourage all "newbies" to take a few of the suggestions that will be given and make them your own. The primary reason for this is that we will all reach points where it will be helpful to look back and realize just how far we've came.

Last night I was feeling irrationally down because I had a goal in mind to be at by 6 months out and I did not quite get there. I say irrational because had anyone told me on the day of surgery where I would actually be at 6 months, I would have bet the farm against it. So as a way to get over myself I looked back in my weigh-in log book ( I weigh once a week and record it). It was looking back at the hard numbers that made me snap back to reality. Other "tools" I've used to get over such pity parties are periodically taken pictures, measurement logs and my "progress shirt" experiment. Good lord this is becoming a long post. So my request of y'all is: what things you've done to establish reference points along your journey? I strongly encourage all "newbies" to take a few of the suggestions that will be given and make them your own. The primary reason for this is that we will all reach points where it will be helpful to look back and realize just how far we've came.

Welcome! Nice to have you here. I am on the other end of the 30s and I guarantee I will not be entering the 40s room until the day after I turn it.

Jenison represented here.

Wow, it's been forever since I wrote a blog on here. About time to catch up. Here's the random stuff happening in no particular order. I am now at a weight less than I've been in approximately 12 years. As of Monday June 20, I was at 312lbs. 180lbs less than I was on Nov 23, 2010. 144lbs less than I was on the day of my surgery, Jan 10, 2011. When eating at a resturant I no longer have a fear of being placed in a booth. I am now "light" enough to use the Wii Fit balance board. I have just completed my first college class since 1994. What a difference it makes wanting to be there and knowing I'm paying for the education. At the end of June I will be unemployed for the second time in 15 months and for only the 2nd time in my life. Believe it or not I have mixed emotions about this. The industry which has provided a life for my family and I for nearly 20 years is frankly in the crapper, new construction related building materials. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to reinvent myself and perhaps find my true calling. This should allow me to return to college full time and finish my bachelors degree by next April. My son just turned 18 and graduated from high school. He's now working at KFC and hates it. I am loving it. No better way to learn the value of a good education that having to do shitty manual labor. He can't wait to start college in the fall. I think that's the story in a nut shell. Take care and thanks for reading.

I was soooo looking forward to being able to have mashed potatoes. The first night I could have them I was so excited. I took about a half of a cereal bowl and started to eat. About 4 bites into it I was stuffed...I literally laughed out loud at how little I had eaten and was full. I think I ate from that same half bowl for the next 3 meals.

Sure can. It's usually a group between 18-26 surgical patients and a GHP staff member. We talk about issues we're having, how things are going, etc. There are those that have been post op for 4+ years and there are those that just had their surgeries last week. It is a peer led discussion session and always informative, not a lecture format at all. I usually get there about 4:30pm. I'm currently taking classes at GVSU so I have to cut out of group early, usually around 5:20pm, last week I have to do that, thank goodness. If you would like to try it out Monday I'd be happy to look for you, that way you have at least one person you "know" there. If your appointment is in the afternoon it would work great to hang around, like I said I'm usually there about 4:30. No problem if you're shy, talk as much or as little as you'd like. Check it out, it really is a great group.

Hi Madison Yes they are still happening. Every Monday night from 5-6pm at the GHP office. Also if you're on facebook we have a peer ran group page too. Both the meetings and the facebook page are terrific. If you want to find the facebook page search for GHP Support on facebook. Who was your surgeon? I had Dr Baker and can not say enough great things about him.

Stick with it, it'll come around. Yes, dear. Being very conscientious this week.

Girl?...lol. Thanks.

I was a bit nervous tonight as I prepared for my weekly weigh in. The past week has been high stress and I know I did not get in all of my calories , exercise or water each day. I was expecting the worst. So as I slowly lifted my eyes to the digital scale display on the wall I see it............bam! 7 more pounds gone. Wow I love surprises like this. I am happy to announce I am now smaller than I have been in 10 years!

My wife and I decided to take advantage of a child-free weekend and go see the Hangover 2 at our local movie theater. I bought our tickets and we made our way into the theater. We selected our seats, right near the top as close to the center as we could and we sat down. It was then that I noticed something unusual. Something did not quite feel normal. Oh I know what it is, we did not have our hands full of snacks, popcorn, candy, pretzels, and soda. Hmmm, while that was true it was not the certain feeling I was trying to place my finger on. Then it hit me. I was sitting in the seat with the center arm rest down and my arms actually on the rest! What a different feel from the rolls of my belly being pressed against and flowing over top of the arm rests. That was worth the price of admission. Now as for the movie, if you've seen the first one, don't bother. It's the exact same movie.

Hi Jenny, Nice to meet you. I know where you are and more exciting for you,know where you're going. When I started my journey I was 492 lbs, that was last fall. I was sleeved Jan 10, 2011 and as I set here now I'm 336lbs. I have lost 120lbs post surgery. I love my sleeve for the opportunity it has provided me to learn how to eat properly. The road is not easy, but it is definitely worth the effort. There is a wealth of knowledge here on this forum so please make sure to ask any question you may have. Welcome.

This has been a great week. Monday I did my weekly weight in and discovered I'd lost another 6lbs which put me at 150 lbs lost! I'm not sure why 150 was so much more rewarding than 144, but t sure felt great. I'm now 55% of the way to my goal. Also on Monday I put on a new pair of dress pants, black ones. Well when I went to my closet to get a black belt it occured to me that the only black belt I had was from "before". Not having much of a choice I punched a new hole in the belt, about 6 inches down from the last available hole and put it on. I can only assume the extra did not look too bad wrapped half way around my left side.

I waited until I was in the recovery room. Your Drs discharge instructions should tell you their recommendation. Mine said 6 weeks, I think we waited until after 2 weeks. The important part is that you're not feeling any discomfort from the "activity".

Once again I must say, "Class of '90 Rocks!"

So funny that you would bring up MTV. I remember Real World 1 and before that when MTV actually played videos.

Here you go: paulsbiggerpenis.com. Hope you have a wide screen monitor.

It's hard to believe that it has already been 16 weeks since I was in the hospital getting my "sleeve". What a whirlwind of changes. I feel so fortunate to have been able to get this procedure done and get on with a more healthy, more complete life. I feel so much better and have increased energy. I find myself with a renewed outlook on life. I'm now beginning to believe things are so much more possible than they were prior to my surgery. I am returning to college to finish my bachelors degree. Why do I count that as a benefit of my WLS? At nearly 500 lbs the prospect of walking around campus and fitting in seats was daunting if not a complete impossibility. Now, though I'm still larger than the average bear, I know I can meet the physical challenges that previously would have left me short of breath, sweaty and ashamed. Now all I have to contend with is the reality of being the old man in class. I am playing golf again. I had not played the game in 2 years. It's not that I had lost the love of the game, as stupid as it sounds to say I love anything that causes me such aggravation (other than my wife), but rather that I did not have the energy or motivation to do anything remotely physical. I became perfectly content to spend free time watching TV or setting on the computer. Oh and my swing, so much better without the added weight to keep in balance. My goal is to walk 9 holes every Saturday morning this spring and summer, that is if spring ever arrives in MI. So the bullet points. What's different about me in the last 4 months. Down 6 jean sizes Down 2 shirt sizes Doing 6 days of dedicated exercise a week. I've found a smile, one with dimples in fact. I realize that my weight future is in my control. I'm a more useful Husband to my Wife and Father to my children. I care to do the things needed to improve my future. I've lost 102lbs (plus another 36 pre-op) I now realize the true value in sharing mutual experiences with others. Thanks for reading and following me on my journey.

Golf has been one of the joys I've rediscovered since my surgery. I had always loved playing but the past couple of years I did not have the desire to even try and swing a club. Now I'm at the driving range at least twice a week. If weather in MI ever cooperates I'll be out walking 9 on Saturday mornings. Amazing how much better my golf swing is with so much less weight to keep balanced.

Class of '90 rocks! I loved every minute of high school and would gladly go back in a minute.

Not sure what your news source is, but they're wrong, don't make be break out the charts, graphs and spread sheets.