chef neil

Lanette- yes they have them... I think trek or specialized makes them. To me it's a gimmick- switching gears is easy- (sorry) it's a tool like your sleeve, to make riding easier... depending on your condition, I try to find a gear I can ride in 60% of the time... if you have a triple on the front, I ride ride middle/middle... then as I hit down slopes or up slopes adjust the gearing so I am still doing about 60-80 revs per minute... I want to keep my legs moving at all times- using these gears, one way or another helps. there are other ways- like standing or just pushing harder... I have clips on my shoes- so not only do I push but I can pull... the only way to learn this is by doing... get out and play with the gears, they should move easily from one gear to the next- if not go to your local bike shop and get an adjustment... while on rack- they should show you how to change gears- always pedaling.... there are too many types to talk about- some have numbers on the handle- 1 is easy- 9 is hard 2/5 is my normal... if ya want pm me- take a pic of your shifters and I can talk you through it... if you go to a bike shop and they are not friendly- find another- until somebody wants to show you... I was shuned because of my size- and pushed towards a bike i didn't want- I moved on and finally a guy helped me, I got the bike I wanted- it worked for my weight and has been great to me- over the miles... now I am lighter- I love that bike more. I have a bike with only one speed actuly I have two bikes like that one you rest, called a single speed- think back to the kiddie bikes- and the other is old school, fixed- still one gear but as long as the wheels are moving so do the pedals... it is the best bike to ride.. I feel like I am one with the bike... just don't stop pedaling... you go over the handle bars- or your knees get yanked out of their sockets... I only crashed once, first time out... now I can ride and enjoy it... Anybody wants to talk bikes- pm me... Bikes are my life-ok making wine too

Miralx- $23./bottle... Wow! first dose down... 30 doses... 1 a night...

Hi- not only that but some adverse side affects too... (PITA.) I started adding benefibre to my morning shakes... and that didn't help- so I started taking colace. And that didn't help... (still doing both) gave MOM. a shot- YUK! no help... last two days I drank big glasses of smooth move tea... not helping... TMI- I have gone- yet not very well- 'Roids are not fun! My next step is gonna be miralax... UNLESS ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY BRIGHT IDEAS... i am listening...

Hi- I brought this up to my Dr. She says it is similar to a gal being preggers, the weight pushes on the bladder, now my stomach is smaller- it is great not having the urges to just go all the time. I had tests to be sure everything was going ok- all normal... Doc. must be right...

Yea! Big Joe! I'm currently fixing up a C1979 path racer, it is a fixed gear, nothing pretentious about it, I just get on and go for a spin. It was a gift from a friend- I get out on it and head down town for a latte, or to the store for an item.. I have two other bikes, that I crank out the miles on... just love the wind in my face...

yikes- severe constipation here- and them bloody roids... thanks for the tip...

I was 10 days out and did a recon trip to my daughter's college... soup/chili- buying a yogurt and carrying it with me... taking two bites of my wife's dinner- mashed pots... tried a shrimp coctail- wast of $$... I donated it to the seagulls, half eaten and the rest... I would get shakes in a can at least you will get Protein. then take it real easy...

Hi- I had VSG, my wife had RnY. she has lost more weight continually -and has had less eating problems than I. she eats twice as much as I do. She is 9 months out and is eating normal foods, minus sugar and deepfried/ high fats. I had less weight to lose, and have a hobby that, well- I need to taste, Doc. agreed sleeve who allow me to do. I confess- I have tasted, we are talking tablespoons, not glasses... I sometimes wish I had RnY, my weight loss is sketchy, was great at first, now stalls out, then loses two... no rhyme or reason, I exercised hard for a week or two- and I have counted calories, around 500/day. and the day I do a road trip- I lost more... Gather your info- make a support group with your family/friends- lay it out- pros/cons... have you talked to the Dr.? Phsyc? what is best for you? I was on the fence during my pre-op 14 week program- which one- and do I want surgery... it became clearer to me as I learned the info. I do miss my salads... was vegan for two years prior... I may start adding spinach to my morning shake... what's the worst that can happen?

Thanx- I also have been eating 2-3 prunes per day... has anyone tried Pro biotics??

yes- the pre-op tests... Colyscopy... two bottles... That is what I am thinking... heavens no! wouldn't want that- especially tomorrow- 7 hours of driving... although I may chug some at the end of the trip...

Every day? how much? how fast does it work??

wedding band... way too big now- I just got a tattoo instead. some people I know, don't recognize me when I walk by. riding my bike, finishing the ride and still being able to walk etc. so far 25 miles is my longest post-op wearing old clothes that didn't fit before.

I feel better each day, however, Today I have been dizzy again. 8 weeks out +- and at dinner- had 3 bites and ended up vomiting it all. and so it goes... somedays are good- some are not so... the best part of the sickness- almost always gives me a weight drop

Hi- sunday or Mondays for me- can do Sac- rather be in Sonoma County...

ok- so dija make to a bike shop and test ride?

Hi Kim- take your classes, and just keep in mind, the big picture- which gets smaller diff. surgery for diff. people... My wife is a RnY, I am a sleeve.. she losses consistently, I drop big numbers and stall out... she has had very little probs post surgery, I have had my share...and then some... Other sleevers have had no probs eating. and other RnY's still eat softs 1 year out... focus- follow the plan- talk with the Doc. and the Psyc. and your answer will come to you in time... I made up my mind about 9 weeks into my classes, week 5, I wasn''t going to do it. week 7 and 8 I was a complete basket case... on the fence- off the fence... in fact I was not convinced, even though I had a surgery date. knowing I could back out... My wife, and the Psyc. gave me the answers I was looking for. the surgeon on pre-op visit- confirmed it all up. the week prior to surgery I was in total peace.

Chicadee- Your weight matters- however- do not let that stop you- I ride a road bike- and wear spandex I rode at 365# there are alot of bikes that can handle weight loads. Trek/specialized have hybrid bikes that are great for people like us- My wife has one- after her loss of 100+# she is now riding it- skinny tires- I pushed her- to get off her MTB style, she rides at a good clip- 12 mph. I believe as long as your out having fun on the bike- any style works- however- some peeps at bike shops are not good at fitting bike with people- I was pushed into MTB styles cause of my weight- they are heavy and hard to push... I found a bike shop- that didn't look at me as a fat man, traded back wheel for a heavier made one and have rode over 5K miles on it with no probs- now down 85# from then- I can push that bike over many hills, and I ride fast 22MPH on the flats... your best bet is to go to a bike shop and try different styles- then find another shop and try theirs... when you find one you like- ease of ride- geometry... then start shopping for like bikes to get a good price... seriously- most bike shops will push the wrong bike on the larger folk... which ends up with a waste of $$ and not riding as much as you would... riding should be fun, easy and a little challenging- first time I rode- I could barely ride 1 mile. 6 months later I finished a century (100 miles) pm me if you wanna talk more.

we are making fresh pickles at work- today I slipped and popped a slice into my mouth- OMG! scrumpcious- every chew... all 30 times flavor... besides it being heavy in sodium and having sugar- it was tasty! I can do it but will hold off as much as possible...

ust FYI (don't stress....they give alot of drugs and it really is not that bad - try to think about the good things (loosing weight) and not the bad (IV, cath). Exactly... Learning how to drink and eat are far worse than a hose in your winky...

Hi- 13 weeks. I pushed it out 4 extra weeks... I did it by the book- lost my 10% went to the 14 week class, hit every appointment, and all pre screening tests. I was lucky I just went through it all with my wife- she was 10 weeks, and she was by the book also- though she choose RnY, 6 months out she has no probs- and is over 140# down. she dropped over 5# last week while on vacation- I'm on a stall ... sleevers do that .

Yep- been having the same since the first week.. Surgeon says it isn't surgery, Nutritionist says I'm doing everything right. protein and hydration. I started drinking G-2 at work- and it seems that has helped- today I didn't drink it but straight water, today has been my best day, dizzy wise as well as food wise. PCF- says it's my body getting NORMALIZED, I'm a tall person- it takes a while for the blood to reach the top floor... what is confusing is- it happens sporadically, early morning, late night, after lunch... didn't happen after cycling 17 miles... I have been puzzled, I think it is getting bettter. hope you do too!

hi- I am also in a stall... I have upped my exercise, and was back to work, I started counting my cals. 450/day... so- am I eating too little? am I in starvation mode? I find this week- after work- I crash for two hours, I don't find my self tired- yet these afternoon naps, kinda come on- and I awake- and wow- my afternoon is gone. the upside- I stopped by where my daughter works, the owners were there- she said- wow-you look amazing... yur "like normal now" so does it really matter if the scale goes down or not? I look normal.. am I soo brain washed I want to be below normal? All I see is this fat tummy and flabby arms and legs...

Yea- I wondering the same thing... I waited a while then hit the SF pudding, and even a SF fudgesickle. the good thing- I always lost weight... now seem to be on a plateau ... should I eat something like raw veggies

What can I do to help not only my brothers but men in my community to get the necessary screenings and checks? You can be a good listener and support them- People won't change until they recognize the problem. Dr.s are also taught to treat symptoms, not the disease... Here have some pills- take this- that... What if you went to a Dr. and he handed you a bowl of GREENS to eat and said,"that is your prescription- 3 x day. would you eat it, like you would take a pill that cost you $2-3 each tab? I WISH SOMEBODY OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS WOULD'VE SLAPPED ME UP SIDE THE HEAD. All those Dr.s, should be banned from practice! hello! Fat man here! I take tylonol 3 x day... is there a problem? now add some bp meds... oh and go ahead - red wine is good for you... your a man- 1-2 drinks won't harm you... a man of your size- should be tired... AND now your 50... start taking it easy on your self... Sorry- My surgeon is awesome- the psyc dude was awesome... the care facility was awesome... I love my sleeve- but in all honesty, I wish I never had to get to this point. I am loving the new life I have... I cycled twice last week for 65 miles total. and my speeds are higher than ever. btw- I can't wait to eat a salad, a fresh apple and an orange...

Hi- I am back to work- and still on verge of dehydration. I drink at least 64 oz./day can't get (sorry for the TMI) pee to not be bright yellow, and don't GO while at work... but my work is warm, always moving- non stop, (I used a pedo and do about 4 miles a day) Today I drank 48 oz. while working and I started off with 20 oz. shake for Breakfast. I am seeing my PCF. tomorrow. I think the intake/output has something to do with my dizziness. so far all tests have revealed I am healthy...