PdxMan

Wow! That is a great article. Congratulations. Your quote, "This has gotta change, or I’m gonna die." was exactly what I said, too. The only way things change is if we make a change. I apply many priciples from a 12 step program I participate in. You are absolutely correct on that. I look forward to your race summary. Are you going to post a thread reference to the article? Do you mind if I do? Good luck!

I didn't tell. None of their business. If they get too nosey, just tell them you are completing the final stage of your gender re-assignment process. "Would you like to see pictures?" That should shut them up (or give them something really juicy to discuss!)

Everyone is going to be different on this. And what do you qualify as a "solid" food? Steak, chicken, tuna ... bread, Pasta, rice? I am a sweller, meaning, my stomach (inside) was very swollen for a few weeks. I was only able to drink about 8 oz of water/protein shake the first few days. Broths were my friend but then after a week I moved to purees, but still very thin. 6 weeks out, I was still solidly on purees and Soups. 8 weeks saw me practically liquifying tuna with ranch, but I was able to add soft cheeses. As time went on, I added less ranch. Without giving you my entire food diary, the bottom line is that you progress as your body sees fit. I was so swollen I could barely drink while you will read stories from people who had no problem drinking 32 oz then next day. Those folks will progress quicker than folks like me. What you have to know, though, is that you will return to normal eating. I am coming up on 20 months out and I have been able to eat anything and everything (smaller portions) since about 8 months out. Good luck. Keep reading the forum and post any questions you have.

I was a big Goodwill shopper for the first year. My sizes were changing so often, I hated spending $40 for a pair of jeans that was only going to fit me for a couple months. Same thing with shirts. I started at a XXL shirt and am now in Medium. From 40/42 waist to 32. I hated wearing baggy clothes and was elated to wear clothes that fit. $6 - $8 for a nice pair of Levi's and $4 for a nice shirt. Annnnd ... you are also helping out an institution that does some good. Many may question that, but that is not a topic for discussion here. I donate my clothes back and buy some new(used) ones. I look and feel great and it works for me. Now that my size has somewhat stabilized, I shop the department stores like Alex does. Castiel ... oye! Better look out. If you get too close to me I might take a swipe at you with my cane!

Caffeine is a diuretic, so with the relatively low consumption of liquids at this phase of your journey, most medical teams would recommend staying away from any caffeine for awhile. You will be able to have it again (I'm having a Caffe Mocha right now) so don't worry. Just do the right things now to avoid any compications.

I'm so glad to hear about this. Congrats! It was just amazing for me when one day, I could run 4 miles, no problem, but then 2 days later, I was seeing spots after 2 miles. It just didn't make sense until I looked at how everything added up in MyFitnessPal. The day after I had higher carbs, I could run longer distances. I applied it to everyday and what do you know? I could run further and further, faster and faster. I could work out harder and stronger and my fat just melted off. It is worked for me ... your milage may vary.

I think everyone is going to lose some hair to differing degrees. I started losing at the 6 month mark and it stopped at 9 months. 12 months out, you would have never known I had lost any hair. I was great with my Protein intake and took all my Vitamins, including Biotin. My calories were over 1,200 a day, protein and carbs well over 100g per day. Should have had everything covered. I just think it is one of those things that happens to most WLS people. Why? Don't know for sure, but I do know that fat holds a lot of hormones and hair folicles are sensitive to hormone balance. Ask any woman who has been pregnant how their hair was.

Eat more often, even though you do not feel hungry. I had to set reminders to eat. Worked for me.

Good luck!

I think this is completely normal. I, too, went through a mourning period thinking of not being able to gorge like I used to. I got so much satisfaction at Thanksgiving (and many other meals) having huge portions of Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls and all the accessories with pies and everything. Then 3 hours later, pulling everything out of the fridge and doing it all again. Loved it. Going into my first Thanksgiving post-sleeve in 2011, I wondered how I was going to do it. All I could think about was what I couldn't eat. What I wasn't going to enjoy. So sad. But, I made it through. What I began to notice, though after, was not what I was not able to eat, but what I was able to eat. I found such great satisfaction that I didn't have to gorge in order to feel satiety. I began to look around at what everyone else was eating and the portions and began to smile thinking, "I don't have to do that anymore. I am free of that 1,000 pound gorilla on my back." This past Christmas, I watched as the fellow across from me filled his plate 3 times and couldn't move later on when I was running around playing ping-pong and playing with the kids. Given the choice of who's shoes I would rather be in, I would now choose mine. I was able to enjoy my dinner and everything after. It will take some time, but as long as you follow the guidelines and try not to obsess on what you can't do, but rather on what you can, you will be fine. This, too, shall pass.

It is just so unfair to yourself to compare to others. While you may not think so, you and your history are completely unique. As is said, get rid of your scale. It lies to you. It isn't measuring what you want it to. Are you looking to lose weight or fat? What does the scale measure? I weighed once a month and never had to deal with any anxiety with what the scale said. I highly recommend everyone do the same. As long as you follow the guidelines, you will lose. You just have to know that over time, if you consume fewer calories than you burn, loss will occur, both fat and muscle, so be sure to stay with the Protein. Also know that stalls will occur and it is completely normal. Even desired, if you think about it. Do you really want a body that doesn't have the ability to go into starvation mode and look out for itself? I'm happy to know that my body responds exactly as it is supposed to in these kind of events. Toss the scale.

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Don't worry. Not that unusual. We call them food funerals. Part of the process for some.

Go check out The Man Room forum (although I think there are more responses there by females). Ask us any question you like. Check out my signature for my weight loss history. This thing works.

Well, they are right. You have to keep in mind that when you do not consume as many calories as you burn, your body must turn to itself for calories to create glycogen, the fuel your cells actually use for energy. We would love to think that your body will solely use fat stores, but the truth is, a gram of Protein (muscle) contains the same number of calories as a gram of fat, which is 9 calories per gram. So, your body will choose what to consume based on factors I am not knowledgable enough in to comment, but I do know that muscle mass loss happens in this process. Eating carbs is not going to replace the lost muscle, only protein can and if your body is looking to convert protein to glycogen, perhaps it may turn to protein already circulating in your system, rather than your muscles ... I don't know for sure, but I know that if I am not consuming protein at the levels directed by our medical team, I am going to lose far more muscle mass than is necessary. So, keep that in mind when you turn your nose up to a protein option. Whatever you don't consume will be taken from your muscles.

I'm an Umbach'er. I though he did a great job. Not forthcoming with information on his own, but will answer any question asked thoroughly. I have those mason jam jars. The 8oz ones. They are perfect for storing Soups in and putting them in the freezer. On my way off to work, I grab one and by lunch, it is ready for the microwave.

I loves me some veggie soup! There's is nothing (except lima beans) you can't throw in there. Love it.

My insurance didn't cover it either, so I headed to Las Vegas for self-pay. $10,400 I took a second on the house to pay for it and have already realized that much in savings from medical costs and food. Have it all paid off. You say you have 3 kids at home to consider ... do you mean that you can't afford to have the surgery because of having 3 kids at home or you cannot afford not to have the surgery because of 3 kids at home? I have 2 young kids at home and I couldn't afford NOT to have the surgery.

Age and the length of time being obese are factors in loose skin. You have both working in your favor. Your elasticity will be far greater than us old farts who were obese for many years.

Are you drinking them cold or room temperature? The flavor definately changes. Whatever you are doing, try the opposite and see how that works. Make sure you shake it well before and as you drink it, if it sits for awhile, put your thumb over the top and give it a shake.

Depends upon how much skin you are talking about ... What is your BMI? If it is too severe, your insurance will most likely pay for a Panniculectomy as it would be needed for health reasons.

The CPAP machine just takes some time to get used to. Your body is not used to having the glottis kept open by this reverse pressue. Yes, you will have a few nights where your sleep is terrible, but in the long run, it will be totally worth it. I had so much more energy and was able to think so much clearer when I got my machine. Had only missed a handful of days since getting it. I don't require the machine now, being 19 months post-op, but I still use it as I feel so much better with it than without it. Just give it a week, surely you are worth that, right?

Don't worry about the weight loss. If you are committed to your exercise routine, the weight loss will be secondary and will happen. I pretty much choose the alternate route you seem to be embarking on. I became a runner and did heavy cross-training on non-running days. Got pretty good, too, as I was actually able to win my division in several 5K/8K/10K races. Check out my blog, http://vsgrunner.wordpress.com/. I haven't updated it in quite awhile as I have been dealing with a ruptured disc in my back and just had my second surgery 2 weeks ago, but I think the information is relevant. Bottom line, feed your body. Carbs are your source of energy, so don't do a low carb routine. It just doesn't work for serious exercisers. If you don't believe me, look at my signature. All my weight loss recordings are there. When I was thick in my training, I was eating no less than 1,800 calories a day, 180 grams of Protein and no less than 130 grams of carbs. And I lost weight like crazy. Low carb equates to low energy. Try exercising like that ...

Check out this link.

Was that in his signature? Don't have them turned on. If that's the case, give 'em H3LL