PdxMan

6 to 8 weeks is a general guidline. I believe it is to ensure that you do not injure your staple line in any way and cause a leak. There is a whole forum on exercise on here.

I don't eat very much processed foods getting a lot of my nutrition from natural sources which, they say, have more nutritional content. I am hoping that this will help me not be a slave to the Vitamin regimen, but as many non-sleevers take daily supplements, I suppose I can too. I believe the one thing that separates us, though, is the B12 issue. B12 is one of those Vitamins that is absorbed through the stomach and with 85% of it gone, I know that I will need to be a slave to that one. I am going to ask my PCP for shots at my physical next month. I will monitor my blood test results and go from there.

Vegas, Baby!

My surgeon did not do a leak test. He said it really doesn't do any good immediately after surgery. If I were to truly have a leak, it wouldn't show up for a week or so once the swelling went down anyway, so what good would a test do immediately post surgery. That made sense to me, so I didn't worry about it. I think if you read the boards, I can't say I have seen anyone with a leak at surgery time. They only present themselves once the swelling has gone down. Folks who have had the leak test immediately post surgery and had a leak, please post your experience on this thread.

$10,400. Outpatient. Everything covered and in writing. No hidden fees or undisclosed costs.

I started driving once I was off pain meds, about a week out.

Well, I'm 45 and started with a BMI right around 40. My first goal weight was 200 as I had been 190 about 18 years ago and it was crazy difficult to get to an maintain that weight. I looked great and had a 6-pack, but I knew I could not maintain that realistically. I blew through the first weight goal and before I knew it, I was floating around 190. I reset my goal to 180. Couple months later, I am bouncing around that weight. My BMI is 24. So, I reset to 175, but the bottom line for me is ... I still have fat around my waist. So, I would like to get rid of that and be whatever weight it is. So, what do I do? I work out a lot. I run around 20-30 miles per week and cross-train with high intensity aerobics. Do some weight-lifting a couple times a week, too. I am currently taking in about 1,400/1,600 calories a day. I basically eat all day long to do that. It is not easy. (crazy, huh?) I think I look good, but I KNOW I feel good. Energy, stamina and just all-around attitude have all seen new heights. What is realistic for us? I think it is what our schedules can handle. My wife has been supportive of my efforts which affords me time to maintain this routine. Sometimes, the whole family will go out for a jog (my warmup) or go for a bikeride. It's not easy, for sure, and I don't know for how long I can maintain it, but I am making hay while the sun shines!

You know, when I first read your story, Candyman, that is exactly what I was saying to myself. "He should just jump on a plane and do it. Deal with the aftermath later." It's not their life, it is yours. Good luck and if they still don't support you afterward, then screw 'em!!

The only way to get rid of it is to have it absorbed into your bloodstream. The more you move, the more your bloodstream moves, the more ... Whatever it takes to get your blood pumping. You choose. Walking, leg lifts, twists, dancing ...

Debella is correct. If you are wanting to add some muscle mass, increase the weight and work to fatigue. You should not be able to complete the 3 set of reps. When you can, bump the weight. Adding muscle mass will take up some of the space the fat took thereby decreasing the amount of extra skin. I would start with the machines first to get the correct motions down. Move slow, steady and consistent. Once you are able to move up to the next weight level using machines, then try to integrate free weights where you can. Depending on your gym, you may not have a lot of options.

There is a difference between men and women. Really ... there is. I am almost certain of this. What is important to a woman, may not be important to a man, and vice verse. These expectations may have been communicated to the other party, but that does not mean the importance of them has been. Lists are great for this. They can be prioritized and certain items starred. Believe me, I don't want to make my wife crazy. I don't want her upset with me and I certainly don't want her making broad, sweeping statements on public forums generalizing me as a dork or a jerk. My list of priorities is different from hers. Communicate this to me and I will do the best I can. While this is posted in the powder Room, the topic still does get posted on the sidebar and the New Content pages, so it is easy for a bumbling man to stumble his way in here.

Our highs are in the low 50s here ... don't even talk to me about nice weather ...

Premier from Costco, here. Ready to drink and taste great.

It all depends on how you use a straw. The issue is getting a bunch of air in your stomach when you drink causing distress. Myself, I suck the air out of the straw before I begin to ingest the liquid. If you can do that, then use a straw.

Yes, I used to love me a couple eggs, over medium. I've tried them several times over the past 8 months. Early on, I couldn't tolerate them. Now, I can eat them, but they just don't taste as good as they used to. I'm sure it also has to do with my love of a piece of toast with them, too. I can eat bread now, but not all that much before I am just too full.

I consulted with my NUT after experiencing the same. She suggested I add more veggies (carbs) into my diet. I was pureeing Soups, so I added more carrots and potatos. A couple days later I did notice a huge improvement. Our bodies need carbs for energy. A lot of sleevers drop carbs down low to increase weight loss, but I did not. Having the energy helped me exercise and be active, which I believe helped my weight loss.

As far as the foam, it sounds like the slimes to me. Do a search on this site for slimes if you are not familiar. If it is, then it means you are drinking too much or drinking too quickly. Try taking it down a notch and see if that helps.

I didn't notice this personally, but with our Fluid intake being so off, I could easily see where this could happen. I'm sure it will correct itself once you normalize. Keep us updated on this.

Uh ... Wheetsin, I think when she called you a bi, it wasn't a sexual reference, but rather a word that rhymes with witch.

Unless they want to go in through your eye, yes, she must mean laparoscopically. The only time I have heard of someone not being a laparoscopic candidate is because of too high of a BMI. What is your BMI? Is this the reason or what other possible reasons are there? Otherwise, they would have to do an open procedure, which, then you are talking about at least another week for recovery. Ever have a C-section?

You may need MOM more than once for the action to start. Once it does, then return to a normal dosage, but don't stop taking it. Be preventative. Once a day in the morning. I did this for about 2 weeks until meeting my fluids.

Dreams can easily turn into nightmares. Listen to your body, yes, but don't push yourself too much. You won't win any medals advancing quickly to the next stage. If anything, take it slower. Your dreams will still be there.

Well ... it depends ... what is your favorite meal? Now, if you're going to say fried chicken, cheesy steak nachos and fried cheese sticks with a chocolate malt ... then yeah, you are never going to be able to eat your favorite meal again. (at least you certainly shouldn't even try) The thing is, everything changes. For me, it was for the better. I loved nachos. Pile on the cheese, Beans, guac, sour cream, meat, chicken ... but now, I have really no desire to eat that. Sinful desires I do still have? Ribs. BBQ. Had them twice last week. I could only eat about 3 of them, but it was enough. Every person is going to be different with when and what they can tolerate. For me, breads/pasta/rice was the last thing that I had issues with. I can eat all of them now without my stomach rebelling, but again, I only have a bite or two and I am satisfied. This occurred around 7 months = 28 weeks. So, 28 weeks of a few restrictions for a lifetime of health ... not a bad tradeoff, if you ask me.

There are a TON of threads on this topic. In the upper right hand corner of the web page is a search box. Do a search for hair Loss. I believe it is nutritionally related and it is very difficult to prevent. I was getting in all my Protein, liquids and Vitamins but still had hair loss from months 5 through 8. It has just recently stopped falling out. From my research, there is nothing to actually help regrow hair when the cause has been dramatic weight loss. We just have to ride it out. It will grow back. An option may be to research conditioners which make the hair you do have fuller and healthier. Good luck and please post any research or discoveries.

Yup, protein drink as I walk out of the club.