Neoteric Verve

I have noticed several new things in life. Some people that I thought were friends really only liked me because I was the "Big Guy". I was safe to be friends with because I didn't threaten to take away attention from them. That hit REAL close to home. My own wife actually said that I couldn't do any better than her. WOW! REALLY? Now as I am going to prepare for work soon I sit here at my laptop. Mind you, my belly is still large. However, I have made some marked improvements. While I am still approximately 100lb from goal I feel great physically. Just to let everyone know, the emotional toll can be very tough. Moreso than the surgical aftermath.
I keep telling myself that there aren't many 440lb 80 year old men walking (or lying) around. What's the point in staying big to appease someone else's ego? People like that (friends or otherwise) don't care. As you leave they usher in your replacement. Do yourselves a favor and only be concerned about what YOU think. What makes YOU happy. What will keep YOU alive, healthy and in love with yourself.
Be your own joie de vivre!
Have a great day, VST!

And I have shed 85lb total. I was a bit stunned to see that I am 355lb and not 440lb. I have about 95lb to my goal but to know that I am nearly half the way there is cool. Maybe by the end of summer I'll be there or pretty damn close...

Awesome job!!! Congrats and keep up the good work! I'm a little over 5 weeks out and down about 24 lbs..

And I have shed 85lb total. I was a bit stunned to see that I am 355lb and not 440lb. I have about 95lb to my goal but to know that I am nearly half the way there is cool. Maybe by the end of summer I'll be there or pretty damn close...

And I have shed 85lb total. I was a bit stunned to see that I am 355lb and not 440lb. I have about 95lb to my goal but to know that I am nearly half the way there is cool. Maybe by the end of summer I'll be there or pretty damn close...

I have noticed several new things in life. Some people that I thought were friends really only liked me because I was the "Big Guy". I was safe to be friends with because I didn't threaten to take away attention from them. That hit REAL close to home. My own wife actually said that I couldn't do any better than her. WOW! REALLY? Now as I am going to prepare for work soon I sit here at my laptop. Mind you, my belly is still large. However, I have made some marked improvements. While I am still approximately 100lb from goal I feel great physically. Just to let everyone know, the emotional toll can be very tough. Moreso than the surgical aftermath.
I keep telling myself that there aren't many 440lb 80 year old men walking (or lying) around. What's the point in staying big to appease someone else's ego? People like that (friends or otherwise) don't care. As you leave they usher in your replacement. Do yourselves a favor and only be concerned about what YOU think. What makes YOU happy. What will keep YOU alive, healthy and in love with yourself.
Be your own joie de vivre!
Have a great day, VST!

I have noticed several new things in life. Some people that I thought were friends really only liked me because I was the "Big Guy". I was safe to be friends with because I didn't threaten to take away attention from them. That hit REAL close to home. My own wife actually said that I couldn't do any better than her. WOW! REALLY? Now as I am going to prepare for work soon I sit here at my laptop. Mind you, my belly is still large. However, I have made some marked improvements. While I am still approximately 100lb from goal I feel great physically. Just to let everyone know, the emotional toll can be very tough. Moreso than the surgical aftermath.
I keep telling myself that there aren't many 440lb 80 year old men walking (or lying) around. What's the point in staying big to appease someone else's ego? People like that (friends or otherwise) don't care. As you leave they usher in your replacement. Do yourselves a favor and only be concerned about what YOU think. What makes YOU happy. What will keep YOU alive, healthy and in love with yourself.
Be your own joie de vivre!
Have a great day, VST!

I have noticed several new things in life. Some people that I thought were friends really only liked me because I was the "Big Guy". I was safe to be friends with because I didn't threaten to take away attention from them. That hit REAL close to home. My own wife actually said that I couldn't do any better than her. WOW! REALLY? Now as I am going to prepare for work soon I sit here at my laptop. Mind you, my belly is still large. However, I have made some marked improvements. While I am still approximately 100lb from goal I feel great physically. Just to let everyone know, the emotional toll can be very tough. Moreso than the surgical aftermath.
I keep telling myself that there aren't many 440lb 80 year old men walking (or lying) around. What's the point in staying big to appease someone else's ego? People like that (friends or otherwise) don't care. As you leave they usher in your replacement. Do yourselves a favor and only be concerned about what YOU think. What makes YOU happy. What will keep YOU alive, healthy and in love with yourself.
Be your own joie de vivre!
Have a great day, VST!

I have noticed several new things in life. Some people that I thought were friends really only liked me because I was the "Big Guy". I was safe to be friends with because I didn't threaten to take away attention from them. That hit REAL close to home. My own wife actually said that I couldn't do any better than her. WOW! REALLY? Now as I am going to prepare for work soon I sit here at my laptop. Mind you, my belly is still large. However, I have made some marked improvements. While I am still approximately 100lb from goal I feel great physically. Just to let everyone know, the emotional toll can be very tough. Moreso than the surgical aftermath.
I keep telling myself that there aren't many 440lb 80 year old men walking (or lying) around. What's the point in staying big to appease someone else's ego? People like that (friends or otherwise) don't care. As you leave they usher in your replacement. Do yourselves a favor and only be concerned about what YOU think. What makes YOU happy. What will keep YOU alive, healthy and in love with yourself.
Be your own joie de vivre!
Have a great day, VST!

Lost 180+ pounds in 6 months, ill find out how much more monday, I can truly relate to this post 100% SEX is BLESSED AGAIN!!!! hahahaha, at the weight I was in two years ago, sex was a work out for me...if OZ said for every 30 I lose I gain 1" then how much have I gained in total? and to think I have 140+ extra to lose which ill accomplish by mid summer im hoping! hahaha
Love this thread thanks for being open about the topic everyone.

^^^Best post I read all day.

LOL, you guys are great. I think a lot more men and woman might be inclined to get the sleeve if they used this as a marketing tool!

I'm soooo excited for you!!!! I mean, I am like extremely happy that you have made this decision!! I can hardly wait until my 3 and a half months are up so I can begin my LAS!!!! Blessings to you and keep us updated!!

One more day! You got this brother, blast the killswitch and sail away into your happy place. Im rooting for you.

Yes, it makes sense. For guys - the body fat % for athletes is 6-13%. The body fat % for fitness (as opposed to athletes) is 14-17%. So if you have 240 pounds of muscle mass, your body fat % would be:

at 15 pounds of fat (255 pounds total weight) you would have 6% body fat at 20 pounds of fat (260 pounds total weight) you would have 7.6% body fat at 40 pounds of fat (280 pounds total weight) you would have 14% body fat. It is going to depend on how much you want to exercise during your weight loss process and for the rest of your life what your ultimate ratio of lean body mass to fat is. Don't let it overly concern you at this point. Just be in as good of shape as possible (exercise wise) when you go through surgery, and start walking as soon as possible after surgery. Follow your surgeon's rules for when you can start exercising. After six months of weight loss, have another evaluation of lean muscle mass / body fat % and set your final weight loss goal then.

Awesome post!!!!

Good post, I enjoy reading different perspectives on low carb.

When i read your post i actually wanted to cry because i feel just like you...scared of everything, scared to move forward and scared oto stay as i am, but i really think by what you have said your ready for this, you just need the support and confidance to get though it. i weigh 377 and am female so very near your weight and i want to live and have a healthy future and having this op will give us our life back...so i say embrase it your/our feeling mean we no what were doing and have not made this decion on a whim!!!!!!!!!!
I really do wish you all the luck in the world and im excited you hear your journey...my surgery wont be till early next year.
stay positve

Who cares about reactions? Your life is at stake! Kick your fear in the butt & do what's best for YOU!

You owe it to yourself to feel better and look better. Don't be scared, what will happen if you do not lose the extra weight could actually be worse than anything you'd imagine. Please give yourself this chance. Find the strength in you, it's there.

It's gonna kill some of us. I was recently talking to my brother and told him I was getting WLS, The Sleeve in particular. The guy is 6'1" and weighs 500lb. Already a BMI in the 60's I believe (or very close) and is on dialysis and a Type II Diabetic. I for years have urged him to do something. He always replies "you're nearly my size, who are you to advise me?". And I've tried my share of diets, exercises, hypnosis (yes that too) and anything else to lose weight. When VSG came into my life I was again interested in WLS. Before, I had no favor with Gastric Bypass or the Lap-Band. When my doctor began her rundown of the various ones she bored me until she began talking about the Sleeve.
I got very interested. Started doing my "homework" and decided to inquire further with a surgeon. Well, long story short, I'm on my way. My brother says that if he wanted to lose weight he could and would. Also he points out that he's in good shape.

ARE YOU SERIOUSLY F'N KIDDIN' ME?????
He meant it. I wanted to choke him. Bro, you're 50 years old. You weigh 500lb. On dialysis. Diabetic. What part of those last three are cool?? Which one makes you think you're doing just fine? He feels that a real man doesn't need surgery. I should be able to just drop any amount I need to and keep the days rollin' on.
It's that kind of mentality that is going to kill some of us. Even beyond surgery, we won't go to the doctor to get routine check-ups. Are we too macho for our own good? Do we float around in our lives with a false sense of invincibility and chinks in the armor? I can't get my brothers to get checked for prostate cancer, breast cancer (you damn right I get checked for that too), and to have a general confab with a REGULAR physician every six months. To me, one year is too long in between Dr-Patient meetings. If something pops up in January I sure as hell ain't gonna wait until December for it to be detected...
I believe our (as men) thought processes sometimes get in the way of our potential longevity. What do you guys (and gals that roam here) think? What can I do to help not only my brothers but men in my community to get the necessary screenings and checks?
Now I could be completely wrong in this next statement (correct me if I am).
Aside from a "Y" chromosome and a reverse Testosterone:Estrogen ratio, men and women are virtually similar. So why do women on average live longer? It could be a biological phenomena but I think it's simpler than that. They don't have foolish male pride and they openly COMMUNICATE. Now these are stark generalizations but only serve to prove a point in that some men are afflicted by them. Some of us really believe that whatever problems we have will eventually work itself out of our systems. Yes, brother, it's called death. You gotta please stop the machismo and get real about longevity. I looked around. There aren't many 500lb, 85-90 year old men patrolling the retirement golf courses or anything else for that matter.
We have to do better. We have to do it now. Put aside pride. Be proud of living. Now is where some would say "do it for your kids if you can't do it for you". I say this is the PERFECT time to be selfish. If you can't do this for you then you have no hope of doing it for anyone else.
Sorry for the elongated rant, but my brother had me a bit cross this morning. I hope he changes his mind. I wouldn't mind having him around for another 30-40 years...

Hanging knee raises, and pretty much anything Shaun T has on DVD. He and Tony Horton (both BeachBody employees) have great programs. It seems that what Tony does in 90 days, Shaun does in 60.

Hanging knee raises, and pretty much anything Shaun T has on DVD. He and Tony Horton (both BeachBody employees) have great programs. It seems that what Tony does in 90 days, Shaun does in 60.

I posted this in another forum on VST but I realized it may be more fitting here.
I was looking around the web and saw this guide on VSG dietary guidelines. If anyone wishes they can click the attachment and save it, print it or just read it. I made a copy and am thinking of taking a few to my next support group in case anyone wants one. I think it's only 14 pages (well the 1st page is the title page). I am reading through it right now. Enjoy.

I credit Liz Goldenberg MPH, RD and Jaimie Sherry MS, RD, CDN of www.cornellwls.com for the booklet.
dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

Hello all. I was sleeved on May 23, 2011 in beautiful San Diego, CA. I feel really good about my decision to have the VSG. Thank you so much for having a place for those of us of color to virtually meet. What a wonderful idea. Best to all.