AV8ORnTX

I have a bag of either turkey or beef jerky for a meal just about every day. It comes in convenient small plastic bags and 3 ounces is normally about 33 grams of protein. You just have to be careful of the sodium content...there are some brands that are less sodium than others. I realize not everybody likes jerky but for me, it's filling and works great as a quick, easy, protein filled meal.

Just a quick clarification, the comments made to me by my friends (and family) aren't really an issue for me. I think Rootman said it best..."We're so accustomed to seeing people of size it is the new 'norm'". That cultural change in our perceptions is what I believe is sad. And unfortunately I believe that change in our perceptions will continue to contribute to the obesity epidemic from simply the higher level of acceptance of obesity being the norm.

The topic title above isn't referring to my surgery experience. I've been one of the very fortunate ones that was sleeved with zero complications and actually reached my goal in just under 4 months. The surgery has literally changed my life and was unquestionably the best decision I've ever made for myself. What I can't believe is the reaction I now get from so many people that know me well. Most say that I look "way too thin" or even ask if I'm "sick" (yes, one person has even asked if I have cancer!). I realized recently that all of these people have only ever seen me the way I've been most of my adult life...obese. Which gets back to my original statement...It's sad. I believe it's sad that our culture has mentally adapted so much to the epidemic of obesity that someone can now be viewed as "too thin" or even "sick" when they're actually just within their "normal" weight range for their height and build. JMO

I'm right there in the same boat with you. I also work from home and am so tired of staring at the walls with my only human interaction being via phone. But it's a catch 22 for me too...taking a job outside the house would cut my pay dramatically. If you find anything that helps with the boredom, please let me know

Here too [RAISED HAND].

Congrats on your first month loss...19 lbs is great! And take it from someone that's now two and a half months out, if you stick to the plan, it will only get better. p.s. Who did your surgery? We may have had the same surgeon.

From a guy's perspective, it's unfortunate but this behavior isn't isolated to women. I met up with a close friend a couple of weeks ago to watch a football game and he mentioned that it looked like I had dropped quite a bit of weight. I explained about my surgery and I could sense that his attitude instantly changed. The rest of the game he was a bit stand-off-ish and since that day, I've tried a few times to get in touch but I've not heard a word from him. He's gained a LOT of weight in the past few years and I kinda feel like maybe he's pissed, jealous, etc. that I'm not part of the 'fat fraternity' anymore. It's sad.

Let me start by saying I'm not a doctor, psychologist, or anything like that. But being now 7+ weeks post op, I'm starting to develop a theory regarding hunger. Before surgery, my hunger was a mix of "head hunger" and actual "physical hunger". And after years of not paying close enough attention to the different signals, I'm fairly certain I wasn't able to distinguish between the two. But now that the "physical hunger" is all but eliminated by the VSG, I'm able to see much more clearly how much "head hunger" I actually have. My theory is, since there's no longer any other type of hunger to confuse it with, I know that pretty much any hunger I have now IS "head hunger". And for me anyway, it's a bit scary how much "head hunger" I actually have. I also have to believe now that "head hunger" most likely made up the biggest portion of my total hunger prior to surgery. For me, this is yet another advantage of VSG in that it's put a clear spotlight on something (head hunger) that I now need to get started addressing.

I'm still a long way from goal, but I'm beginning to be able to look in the mirror and be pleased with what I see instead of feeling ashamed. And being single, I'm starting to realize how important that is in how others see me.

I hope a guy's NSV is ok to post here too. I'm about 4 1/2 weeks out and have resisted the urge to buy any new clothes yet. I've been VERY fortunate in that I'm already halfway to goal but I know anything I buy now won't fit when I reach goal. I've moved a couple of times in the past few years for work and unfortunately have some of those boxes of stuff that don't get unpacked and just get thrown into the 'junk room'. Well yesterday I stumbled onto one of those unopened boxes and found about 8 pairs of jeans that were supposed to have been taken to goodwill a few years ago because my (previously) fat *ss couldn't fit in them anymore. Well I now have 7 additional pairs of jeans I can wear and the 8th pair should be wearable soon. Oh, the little things in life that make you smile.

Hey Tex - It sounds like Dr Kim changed your life....literally. I wish I had seen this thread prior to my surgery (Dr Kim on Oct 31)...you're a great inspiration. And I hope to be joining you in onederland real soon. Congrats on your success.

I've had a great experience with Dr. Kim. He and his staff have been great every step of the way so far. He completed my surgery on Oct 31 and I've had zero complications. I've dropped almost 30 lbs already, including the liquid pre op diet. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I'll be glad to help in any way I can.

Any good suggestions for someone that 1) will be in the soft/mushy post op stage at Thanksgiving and 2) has no idea how to cook?

October 31st (12 days out now). 10 lbs lost pre op, 14.5 lbs lost so far post op.

Congrat Dania! You'll probably be so busy with the holidays, January 2012 will sneak up on you and be here before you know it. I prefer the EAS Advantedge (ready to drink) shakes...but there's a section on here dedicated to only Protein drinks. You should check it out. Regarding how much Water to drink, I'll share my experience. Before my surgery (Oct 31), I was doing my best to drink at least a gallon of water a day. Sometimes I fell a little short but my point is, my surgery went off without a hitch and I recovered really fast. I have to believe that staying that hydrated for so long before surgery has to have had at least some influence on my fast recovery. I'm not a doc so use that experience however you see fit. Regardless, just keep reading on here and asking any question. This site helped me big time in getting educated and prepped prior to my surgery. Best of luck with your adventure! It's been a blast for me so far.