massindex

Both should be fine. Baseball will be interesting because if you are like me, I used to like to eat at the game. That won't be as easy. As far as the concert, chances are there won't be a mosh pit for the Beach Boys , so you should be good.

Egg Drop soup and Hot 'n Sour soup were my goto's post op before I could eat regular food.

I liked the both the Light and Regular Muscle Milk (vanilla and choclate, not the other flavors) and it was pretty readily available wherever I happen to be.

In a word - "Yes!" I traveled for business one week after my surgery. I had to go through terminals, finding a place to sit and rest, all the way to baggage claim. That feeling stayed for a few weeks.

You must be hearing the same things I'm hearing, like "You're half the man you used to be!" That's a great thing to hear

You are suffering the same reactions that some addicts suffer from. This is a reason we get this surgery. Without a smaller stomach, you would be overeating, feeling guilty about it, getting more depressed and then overeating again because of the pleasure you get from eating to combat the depression. It's an endless spiril we all have been through. Once you have had the surgery, this tool we have been given helps us through this period. Its normal. Your brain is focusing on the withdrawl. All you can do is recognize this and realize that this too shall pass. Stalls are normal and expected. Reward yourself occassionally for what you do, although not with food as you might have done in the past. Go do something for yourself.

I do this now with my wife now and she did it with me when I started - whether you are hungry or not, focus on getting your protein and eat. Your body will go into ketosis and start feeding on muscle. You have to keep the protein up to maintain you muscle mass. And don't forget to enjoy the ride, you will love your life.

Congratulations and welcome to your new and exciting world!

I eat pretty much whatever I want, just smaller portions, now that I'm at my goal. People who say these things about "not being able to sit down for a regular meal with my family" have no idea what they are talking about. If "regular meal" means tons of food and 6,000 calories, then they need to redefine the term.

I also did the Color Run here in Vegas. Great after party downtown, wasn't it?

I still drink soda but I do the following. I stir the soda very quickly, releasing the carbonization from the sides until the drink is flat. Ice helps release the CO2. I also open cans of soda and stick them in the refrigerator for a day or so until they go flat. But of course, always diet soda. I don't want the empty calories.

If you want some proof that more can be obtained, I'm your proof. I started at 427 and now weight 195, losing 232 pounds over all and 212 pounds since the surgery, With discipline and exercise, this tool we have can help you meet your goals. Doctors don't want overstate what is possible so they set your expectation on the low end. Mine was on the high end and that's what I'm doing.

Good luck! Remember to fuel up before, during and after!

Yep, Welcome!! We are just all prisioners here, of our own device (my Hotel California reference for the day).

The Color Run is so much fun, I highly recommend it.

I came across a great quote today that you need to look at whenever you feel frustrated. There’s a great line in the Desiderata by Max Ehrmann that says: “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.” Just enjoy the ride. I hit my goal and thought I couldn't lose more because I plateaued for a month, although I was losing inches. It's inevitable if we consume less and burn more, we will lose weight.

Non-scale victory, and they are the reason we really do this...

I use sweets as a reward for a hard workout. Yesterday, I burned 1,800 calories doing a triathlon so I rewarded myself with chocolate peanut clusters, a first (I still lost a pound for the day). The peanuts were part of my carb replenishment and the chocolate was a bonus. Everything in moderation is a good motto.

I travel a lot and find myself in a lot business situations like that. I'll order something, actually anything I might like, and eat a little of it and keep up on conversations, etc. Before long, the meal is over and I've got a plate of food left. Any questions and I just say that I got caught up in the conversations, wasn't really hungry, etc. They all work. Drinks are always the biggest issue because I eliminated almost all alcohol during my loss period. I'd order club soda or juice and just keep away from the empty calories. If the business situation called for it, I might have a glass of wine but probably nothing else.

I'm below my goal weight. I started on the journey at a high of 427, 388 the day after my surgery date and now weight 197. I don't think I'm normal however. Everyone loses at their own pace, they have stalls (I had stalls) and some medicines they take that make it more difficult to lose weight. I set some exercise goals, including doing a triathlon by my 11th month, and I have regular workout schedule that is pretty intense. Please don't set your expectations by anyone or anything that will make you uncomfortable. That being said I hestitate to give you these numbers, by month: 1st -50 pounds 2nd -13 pounds 3rd -18 pounds 4th -17 pounds 5th -20 pounds 6th -18 pounds 7th -12 pounds 8th -9 pounds 9th -12 pounds 10th -7 pounds 11th -6 pounds 12th -2 pounds 13th -4 pounds 14th -7 pounds I'll probably lose another 12 pounds before I stabilize based on my workout schedule.

I'm not lifting at this time so all my work is cardio. I'm still building bulk in my shoulders by swimming open water swims, 1-2 miles per day about 4 times a week. I also run about 3-4 5Ks per week and ride about 30-50 miles per week, depending on my schedule. My training is for triathlons so this works around for me. I just got in from doing a practice tri and burned 1800 calories over the course. The incline work you are doing intrigues me. My run today, after the swim and bike, was a sharp incline for the first 1 1/2 miles. I didn't have the stamina I needed for that so I'm going to include that in my work out and see if it helps. Thanks.

It's a great ride. Just rock your sleeve and listen to your body. Stop before you go that extra bite when you are eating and try to be anal about recording everything you eat and drink. It really helps when you look back.

The surgery isn't going to change your life. You are going to change your life. The surgery is a tool to help you get there but only if you want to get there. You can get out it what you are willing to put into it. Will people treat you differently? Some will and some won't, just like they do today. You will face people who would disapprove of your surgery and those who treat you differently k=now because you are big won't treat you the same in the future. I try not to associate with those who didn't treat me well in the first place. They weren't genuine people. As far as telling people, I waited 4 months before I told anyone. I wanted to make sure I was going to be successful because I knew that the surgery was a tool and if I failed, it was because of my lack of commitment. My life has changed in so many ways for the better. Your life will too. Enjoy the ride and remember that we are all here to help. The community here is great.

Also don't forget that some medicines you may talk may slow the progress also. Each of us has our own journey but we can get there.