PdxMan

In July, I will be 5 years post-op from VSG. I don't exactly know what my top weight was as my scale only went to 300, but I know I was at least 10 pounds above that (probably more like 20) and was very compliant during my 2 week pre-op diet. I flew down to Vegas (baby!) for my surgery and weighed in at 280-something. Over the next year I was very compliant with the Drs eating recommendations. I was down over 100 pounds, began running (never ran in my entire life) and participated in a lot of fun classes at my local gym. Personal issues struck and I did lose a lot more. Got down to a low of 156, which was way too low for me. I changed my eating habits and maintained a 175 - 185 range for the past 2 and a half years.
As is my norm, I do stress eat and this past year, I have been under quite a bit with marriage/family issues and new responsibilities at work I have gained to a 200-205 range. When I am depressed, I get the f**k-it's. But, I am working with a therapist and have re-committed myself back to the original eating recommendations.
Even though I am quite a bit thinner, I have to always be conscience of my triggers. I still have to live life on life's terms and not try to fill the hole in my soul with food. Getting the sleeve has not stopped me from being a food addict. I love food. Simple as that. But, while the sleeve does restrict my portions quite a bit, it does not have control over my choices or impulses. I do understand why I abuse food, but when I get the f**k-it's, I sabotage myself.
So, for me, the sleeve has been fabulous. But it doesn't end right after the surgery nor after you reach your goal weight. The demons are still there (for me) and I must continue to be aware of my triggers. As I mentioned, my restriction is still great, so I know I will be able to work with my sleeve (and therapist) to get back to my goal weight.

In July, I will be 5 years post-op from VSG. I don't exactly know what my top weight was as my scale only went to 300, but I know I was at least 10 pounds above that (probably more like 20) and was very compliant during my 2 week pre-op diet. I flew down to Vegas (baby!) for my surgery and weighed in at 280-something. Over the next year I was very compliant with the Drs eating recommendations. I was down over 100 pounds, began running (never ran in my entire life) and participated in a lot of fun classes at my local gym. Personal issues struck and I did lose a lot more. Got down to a low of 156, which was way too low for me. I changed my eating habits and maintained a 175 - 185 range for the past 2 and a half years.
As is my norm, I do stress eat and this past year, I have been under quite a bit with marriage/family issues and new responsibilities at work I have gained to a 200-205 range. When I am depressed, I get the f**k-it's. But, I am working with a therapist and have re-committed myself back to the original eating recommendations.
Even though I am quite a bit thinner, I have to always be conscience of my triggers. I still have to live life on life's terms and not try to fill the hole in my soul with food. Getting the sleeve has not stopped me from being a food addict. I love food. Simple as that. But, while the sleeve does restrict my portions quite a bit, it does not have control over my choices or impulses. I do understand why I abuse food, but when I get the f**k-it's, I sabotage myself.
So, for me, the sleeve has been fabulous. But it doesn't end right after the surgery nor after you reach your goal weight. The demons are still there (for me) and I must continue to be aware of my triggers. As I mentioned, my restriction is still great, so I know I will be able to work with my sleeve (and therapist) to get back to my goal weight.

In July, I will be 5 years post-op from VSG. I don't exactly know what my top weight was as my scale only went to 300, but I know I was at least 10 pounds above that (probably more like 20) and was very compliant during my 2 week pre-op diet. I flew down to Vegas (baby!) for my surgery and weighed in at 280-something. Over the next year I was very compliant with the Drs eating recommendations. I was down over 100 pounds, began running (never ran in my entire life) and participated in a lot of fun classes at my local gym. Personal issues struck and I did lose a lot more. Got down to a low of 156, which was way too low for me. I changed my eating habits and maintained a 175 - 185 range for the past 2 and a half years.
As is my norm, I do stress eat and this past year, I have been under quite a bit with marriage/family issues and new responsibilities at work I have gained to a 200-205 range. When I am depressed, I get the f**k-it's. But, I am working with a therapist and have re-committed myself back to the original eating recommendations.
Even though I am quite a bit thinner, I have to always be conscience of my triggers. I still have to live life on life's terms and not try to fill the hole in my soul with food. Getting the sleeve has not stopped me from being a food addict. I love food. Simple as that. But, while the sleeve does restrict my portions quite a bit, it does not have control over my choices or impulses. I do understand why I abuse food, but when I get the f**k-it's, I sabotage myself.
So, for me, the sleeve has been fabulous. But it doesn't end right after the surgery nor after you reach your goal weight. The demons are still there (for me) and I must continue to be aware of my triggers. As I mentioned, my restriction is still great, so I know I will be able to work with my sleeve (and therapist) to get back to my goal weight.

Let him read your post.
Let him read your post.

Those who don't want help simply can't be helped....
I was the same...
Didn't want help...
Certainly didn't NEED it...
As it turned out, I sorted myself out...
I hope he does too..

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

I find it amusing you chose this thread and commenting having a great time with it. There are a couple of men and a couple dozen women. Obviously, most men did not feel safe to comment.
As has been mentioned, the men, for the most part, are trying to be respectful and not post in The powder Room. Why can this not be reciprocated? If this were a forum I moderated, I would have closed this thread. It can be created over in a public, general forum so all can enjoy.
A point that has been lost is when a man has an issue they would like to post and get male responses, do they feel they can do it and feel safe? Not get a response from a female because she feels she has the answer or wants to leave a witty response? Bottom line is all of us can view each other's threads ... that is not the issue ... leaving comments, however, should be left to the gender of the room.
Respect each other and yourselves.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

Friends don't let friends wax. They guide them to laser hair removal.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

I find it amusing you chose this thread and commenting having a great time with it. There are a couple of men and a couple dozen women. Obviously, most men did not feel safe to comment.
As has been mentioned, the men, for the most part, are trying to be respectful and not post in The powder Room. Why can this not be reciprocated? If this were a forum I moderated, I would have closed this thread. It can be created over in a public, general forum so all can enjoy.
A point that has been lost is when a man has an issue they would like to post and get male responses, do they feel they can do it and feel safe? Not get a response from a female because she feels she has the answer or wants to leave a witty response? Bottom line is all of us can view each other's threads ... that is not the issue ... leaving comments, however, should be left to the gender of the room.
Respect each other and yourselves.

I find it amusing you chose this thread and commenting having a great time with it. There are a couple of men and a couple dozen women. Obviously, most men did not feel safe to comment.
As has been mentioned, the men, for the most part, are trying to be respectful and not post in The powder Room. Why can this not be reciprocated? If this were a forum I moderated, I would have closed this thread. It can be created over in a public, general forum so all can enjoy.
A point that has been lost is when a man has an issue they would like to post and get male responses, do they feel they can do it and feel safe? Not get a response from a female because she feels she has the answer or wants to leave a witty response? Bottom line is all of us can view each other's threads ... that is not the issue ... leaving comments, however, should be left to the gender of the room.
Respect each other and yourselves.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

I find it amusing you chose this thread and commenting having a great time with it. There are a couple of men and a couple dozen women. Obviously, most men did not feel safe to comment.
As has been mentioned, the men, for the most part, are trying to be respectful and not post in The powder Room. Why can this not be reciprocated? If this were a forum I moderated, I would have closed this thread. It can be created over in a public, general forum so all can enjoy.
A point that has been lost is when a man has an issue they would like to post and get male responses, do they feel they can do it and feel safe? Not get a response from a female because she feels she has the answer or wants to leave a witty response? Bottom line is all of us can view each other's threads ... that is not the issue ... leaving comments, however, should be left to the gender of the room.
Respect each other and yourselves.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

The forum name is in print at the top of the thread on the app and on the website just like every other forum. The fact that sometimes you can't see the blue button isn't a valid excuse. It is just laziness and entitlement. Even when women see it is a men only thread they will still post.
If guys happen into a womens only thread they will usually back out and apologize. Most of the guys that post here are older married, or formerly married guys and they are respectful of womens spaces.
The women that post here however don't care and run roughshod over the whole forum, because the forum is mostly women. There is one forum, one entire forum out of all the tens of forums here that isn't for them and they can't respect that, not even a little a bit.
It is a good psychology experiment on when minorities become the majority, they act just like the majority, no respect for other people.
Anyway I see it happening all the time and it is rude and annoying. It is one thing to make the mistake but like I said before when women see the the mistake they just keep going because they feel entitled. Men, especially since they are the minority in WLS on this forum and in the world, should be able to have a forum they can post in, and feel safe about posting without women popping in with their uninformed and unsolicited advice.

I don't visit here that often anymore as these types of exchanges have discouraged me from this site. But I thought I would pop in here with a history lesson.
Shortly after the Male/Female rooms were created, there were a few posts in the powder Room regarding breast size post surgery as well as questions regarding drooping labia. A few guys posted with some responses not appreciated by some readers yet others found humorous. Just like this thread, some ladies said it was good to read the male perspective while others lambasted the males as not having a brain as this was obviously a question for females. It was then requested the genders only post in their room. There have been problems with having the posts in the sidebar or when on a mobile device going to the recent posts and not realizing where the post was made, but the problems continued, as they obviously still do regardless of the attempts by the developers to put "safeguards" in place.
As I have often posted, it doesn't take too much intelligence to guess when a topic "may" be in one of these rooms. When you read a post about penis size or menstruation post surgery, what are the chances it is posted in a gender specific room? Even it isn't, check if the OP is new and contact and maybe report the post as being better suited in one of these rooms.
It is funny how easy it is to slip back into Middle School mode, no matter our current age. Ladies, unless you want men making comments regarding vaginal dryness post surgery (I have lots of information on that) in the powder Room, please don't add any comments to any posts in the Men's Room. Men, if you are wanting comments from the ladies, make your post in a General forum. If you realize after you have posted to one of these forums, go back and edit your post, removing your comments and apologizing for not noticing the forum.
Bottom line, let's use our heads and be respectful of each other. We don't know each other's stories our backgrounds. Don't make assumptions and love yourself and others.
As to the OP, @@Proud2BMe echos my experience.

Regarding the original question of this thread....
It all depends on how much fat you have in the pubic fat pad. If you have a lot of fat stored there then losing weight will wow you. If you were fat your entire life you may not know just how big you truly were. However, if you don't have a large fat pad then you aren't going to notice much difference.
I maybe gained maybe an inch or so. However, what really shocked me was my nuts. My nuts seem bigger and hang lower for some reason now. I have no idea why.

I'm sorry but that's total B.S. A woman may give good advice but there's also many women who give horrible advice and who have ulterior agendas. As an adult man we are supposed to be mature enough and wise enough to make our own decisions.

Hello all!
Before you come at me sideways with your remarks realize this is simply what happened and I do realize that I should have done much differently. Hindsight is simply what it is... Hindsight. So save it!
My surgery was on Thursday the 25th of February. It was actually moved from the 18th of February because I was sick and told my doctor I wasn't able to follow the diet accordingly. He moved it back a week. Still even when I felt better I didn't follow it like I should.
I was to be on shakes 3 times a day for two weeks prior to my surgery. I only got a few shakes I'm per week and for the rest of my meals I was not only eating what I shouldn't have been but I was eating worse than how I ever eaten before. Of course I didn't want to tell my doctor the truth because I wanted to just get it done as I figured it would be much easier to follow the post op diet.
Man I had wished that I got my surgery pushed back. I ended up with a ton of internal bleeding. I vomited blood shortly after my surgery while I was in recovery. My vitals were out of control and they had to call rapid response. Turns out I lost a litre of blood and I had to go back under surgery again to fix my issue.
While the surgeon didn't say that not following the diet caused such complications, I know that if I had choice again I wouldn't even think about going off the preop diet. The pain and scare from internal bleeding was so unbearable I wouldn't wish it on anyone and for what just a little extra junk food?
All is ok with me now. I had to stay in the hospital a couple of days longer than normal but I'm out and following my diet as I should be. So if you're reading this and you're preop and you're tempted to go off your diet... Please don't make the same mistake I did. My medical team was amazing but I put myself at such great risk just to get some junk food in. Please share any thoughts or questions!

This is an interesting question, for sure. What does it mean ... to reach goal?
I started at around 300 pounds and my goal was 200 (or whatever amount it takes to loose my moobs). I thought that was kind of pie-in-the-sky, but why not? Well, I started exercising a lot and was pretty anal about following the sleeve rules and hit 200 after about 5 months. I still had some belly fat, so I reset my goal to 190. That number came and went after a few more months (moobs gone, btw). So, I wondered, too, what was going to be my final weight? I eat whatever I feel like, but know that I eat pretty well. I am not a saint ... I had a bowl of Reese's PB ice cream tonight (1/2 cup).
So, what is life like? I eat whatever I want. I don't worry about my weight at all. I did weigh myself the other day and I clocked in at 175. I figure my body will find the weight it is supposed to be. I don't count my calories or my carbs. I didn't get sleeved to be a slave to a diet. Just the opposite, actually.
So, my suggestion is to not set a target that you feel you have to reach and if you don't, you're a failure. Let's not beat ourselves up. Just do the best you can to follow the guidelines and find the foods that work for you. Find an exercise routine that works for you and do it ... a lot.
You're body will find the place it needs to be and you will be heathier for it ... physically and mentally.

Well, as I said, I knew I was going to come across as judgemental, but I really didn't mean to, but I don't see where I was rude.
Quitting smoking is very difficult and stressful, which adds to the difficulty. Going through the first weeks after VSG is difficult, stressful and scary at times. For me, even having a few puffs would make me crave it even more back when I was quitting smoking. Some may say, "A few puffs won't hurt", but I think it can. It made it more difficult to make that total separation which I needed to finally quit. Stress, eating and smoking are a viscious cycle for some and was for me.
I just want you to be successful with your VSG and to do that, we have to set ourselves up for success.

From what I understand, smoking can really impede the healing process. Big time. You are talking about your stomach here and you are OK with it not healing properly or taking twice as long? I'm sure your surgeon talked to you about this, assuming they knew you were a smoker.
Oh, boy ... I'm sure I'm going to come across as judgmental, but, I just have to say ... if you are not going to be compliant in this, how do you think the meal plan compliance is going to go?
Sorry, but you may be in for a rough road, then.
BTW, I am an ex-smoker and I know the demons. If you got this surgery to make a change, then make a change. If not, then I don't know what to tell you.