So Cal Kurt

They shaved mine, looked really funky. About a week or two out so I took out the clippers and clipped the rest of my chest to match. I decided to keep it that way in spite of my wife's initial negative response to it. A couple of months later she told me I need to trim it up because my chest hair tickled her nose. I guess she wound up liking it. Never too old to " manscape" I guess.

I should have remembered the post as pre-op, hence limited carbs. Post op is a whole different world.

I was also told never to have carbonated drinks. Lucky for me, no one told me no caffeine. I even asked about coffee because I am a shift worker. I was told as long as it isn't a 500 calorie latte I was fine. The truth is, after 10+ months of no diet coke, I have no desire for it. I would drink 6-12 cans a day. not to mention going out and swilling down 4 or 5 giant cups. I have tried a sip every now and then and it tastes terrible. I think just getting away from the carbonation and the artificial sweeteners alone are a big benefit. It never ceases to amaze me how every Dr has his own idea of what requirements should be.

I am a recent greek yogurt fan. My sister tried to get me to try the plain about a year ago and it was just nasty to me. To me all the difference is the fruit. I really like the strawberry and the blueberry varieties. The two that I think taste the best are Chobani and Dannon. I have also found some new protein powder, Isopure zero carb strawberry. I serving size is 2 scoops has 50g of whey isolate protein and 210 calories. I use one scoop for half of that mixed with 2/4 cup of 2% milk gives an addtional 6 grams of protein. I blend it with ice for an awesome 31g protein shake with right at 200 calories. That is a lot of bang for 200 calories.

First of all, congrats on sticking to your decision. Citing your health as the main reason kind of says it all. Looking back, I had my last meal the evening of my 2 week pre-op Dr's visit. My liquid diet started the following morning. I had a crappy Burger King meal that I didn't finish, At the end was disappointed that I didn't opt for something of a more fitting end to my lifetime of excessiveness. From my present perspective, the last meal is the end of your old life. Your new life is going to be so much better. A last meal is the bridge to a new life of deprivation. The truth is, you won't really feel deprived. The way I feel now the last meal didn't matter one bit. My new healthy life, free of medication and struggling with physical limitations is gone. The truth is, it won't matter in 6 months one way or another. Follow your Dr's instructions, he is the professional. Good Luck!

Any of you guys on Blood Pressure meds prior to weight loss? I went on them for about 8 months prior to my surgery. That seemed to diminish the morning wood and keep things from their full potential. I was glad to see things return to normal shortly after surgery and no more meds. BTW, I am 2 weeks shy of 49, I am just glad at my age, I still have it.

I read this post a couple of days ago and it made me think. (I must have a pretty mundane life) Now that I am in size medium or small underwear, I have quite a few that are fly-less. It is a lot easier to unbuckle and go over the fence than to try to reach in and grab it through the leg hole or over the top. Also, I don't like really loose jeans so if the drawers don't have a fly, there isn't a lot of reaching room inside my pants.

How far out from surgery you are what percentage have you lost? 10 months out, started at 299.7, now at 196. Dr's goal goal was 200. new goal might be 190 want 15-18% body fat. 85 -104% depending on how you look at it How many times a day are you eating? 4-6, 3 real meals and 1-3 Snacks. . What is the amount of normal food (non liquid) you are now able to get down? approx 1 cup What kind of supplements are you taking? Types and Brands Trader Joe's chew able Multi Vitamins 2 a day, Trader Joe's sub-lingual B12 with folate, Vitamin shop liquid Vitamin D 5000 units, Kirkland Calcium citrate 1000 units, fish oil 1000 units How much Protein are you supposed to be getting and how much are you actually getting in daily and what are your sources of protein (brands of shakes etc), 60-70 grams, mostly lean meat but I do supplement a premier Protein shake (30g) or a Protein Bar daily. How much Water you are actually getting down each day at least 48 oz, I know it is low but I break the rules sometimes and drink coffee and energy drinks. What is your exercise routine, type of exercise, and how often 3-4x a week. 40 minutes or more hard cardio Followed by weights. How is your energy level? Through the roof (for an old guy)

Remember, no aspirin or ibuprofen a week before surgery. Feel better.

Ditto to what Shontel said about the first 2 months being the hardest. For me, more mentally than physically. You will have stalls and even gains. The important thing is you get on track and back to basics when you encounter those. Protein intake, exercise and following your diet are key. When you approach goal, you need to be ready for your weight loss to slow to a crawl. The rewards so far outwiegh any negatives. I wish you the best of luck!

One thing I forgot, keep an eye on your urine color, as long as it isn't dark, you should be OK as far as fluid intake(if everything is working OK). Concentrated urine is s a sure sigh you are dehydrating and need to up your fluids. This is just a rule of thumb and there are other factors and I am not a medical professional.

You are only 4 weeks out, 800 calories seems like a lot to try to get in. I remember meeting with my dietitian at 4 weeks out and her telling me that in another month or so I should be eating 1200 calories. I didn't think I would ever get there. I am a newbie to the forum but am 10 months post-op and under my Dr's goal. For me stalls came for 2 reasons, not enough protein or not enough exercise. OK, there was a third over holidays called Christmas Cookies but I wont go there. I stalled at 4 or 5 weeks for a couple of weeks then rebounded and lost 30-40 more in the next 2 months. after that, things slowed down but my bmi was shrinking and I was getting closer to goal. It is all relevant so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Follow the plan, get your 64 oz of water and 60g of protein, you will succeed. Walk every day if you can, if you can't , walk as often as you can. And most of all take it easy on yourself!

Thanks, I have yet to attend a support group. I work a really messed up schedule and can finally make my first one from my surgeon in Orange a week from Tuesday. I'll hit you up for the info on the Riverside meeting.

What is it about peanut butter? It is the only thing I really crave post surgery. I guess it could be worse, I could be craving Ben and Jerry's NY super fudge chunk.

I am also a huge fan of the bagel thins, especially the everything ones. I even eat them with a little peanut butter. I find them now my go to bread. If I get a fresh bagel, I slice the top and bottom off and throw the middle away. BTW, I toast everything.

Hello all. I am a 10 month (June 9, 2010) post-op sleever living in Southern California. My start weight was 299.7, currently I am 4 lbs below my Dr's goal of 200 at 196. Feeling great and can't imagine living the old life complete with diabetes and high blood pressure. I stumbled on this site researching medic alert bracelets for VSG patients.