MU DOG

Each day does get better and especially after one full week. You will be surprised. Sleeping is easier and getting down your fluids becomes easier. Good luck to you!

I am still on liquids and get to do first solids tomorrow. I get an egg tomorrow and they say I will probably only be able to eat a few bites. Each day I can introduce a new solid and those solids are restricted to tofu, cottage, cheese, tuna, deli turkey or chicken slices, along with liquids. I am getting in about 46 grams of liquid whey Protein per day and then drinking Water or g2 gatorade. I tried Jello but still not comfortable with that. I see on here where some people have creamed Soups? If people keep adding that would be great as I am willing to learn Thanks for your help MU DOG

At home and slept in my bed last night and it was the beginning to a new venture in my life. I am a little scared, but I know the pros out weigh the cons. I have the gas bubble and know that to will pass and difficulty geting down my fluides, however I weighed myself and know that today is the last day I will ever see 307 again. Dr. Hoen has been great and I highly recommend KCBARIATRIC. Thanks, Dennis MU DOG

So I figured I'd post a (hopefully) short note on what my life is like about 5 months after my lap sleeve, for any prospective sleevers. First, the bad news -- this is forever, and it's not a decision to be made lightly. This WILL affect the food choices you make for the rest of your life. It's probably the safest WLS surgery around (when you total up operative and perioperative risks, long-term success rates, M&M stats, and so on), but that doesn't mean it's risk- or hassle-free. Now, let me soften the blow: it's really, really easy. Every day, I take some multivitamins -- and I was taking vitamins before the surgery, so this is no biggy. Every day, I drink a protein shake for breakfast -- not because I have to, but because they're tasty and it's quick (I'm usually in a rush in the mornings) and that way I know I'm not getting protein deficient. I have changed my eating habits dramatically -- I've slowed down my eating and drinking, and I don't eat breads any more for the most part, because I find that bread gets "stuck." It seemed like an imposition at first, but now I don't notice because I've sort of been trained. I don't even WANT bready stuff any more, and that's a HUGE change from my pre-op mentality (I was a HUGE fan of doughy, bready stuff). I exercise, but I haven't been to a gym since my surgery, and I'm not sure I'm going to be. What I've discovered is that my activity level (or lack thereof) has NOTHING to do with my weight loss. Now, don't get me wrong -- I still do a fair amount of exercise, but that's because 1) it helps in so many OTHER ways -- I sleep better, I think better, my sex drive is better, and my occasional spells of anxiety or mild blues are pretty much gone when I'm exercising, and 2) now that I'm 70+ pounds lighter, exercise seems so EASY. I can easily run up three flights of stairs without getting winded! At 330 lbs, that would have (possibly literally) killed me! So, when exercise makes me feel so good and doesn't HURT like it used to -- why WOULDN'T I exercise? But again, my exercise "routine" consists of some push ups in the morning to keep my chest and shoulders from getting flabby, some arm curls while I'm sitting reading the news in the morning to keep my arms strong, and a 30-45 minute fitness walk at lunch every day. Honestly, it doesn't feel like I'm having to "work out" at all -- it's all so EASY -- and yet my stamina keeps going up, my arms and chest are getting very muscular. It almost feels like I'm "cheating" since there's so little work involved, but I wanted to show you that this is not like you're used to! You don't have to sweat for hours and hours in a stinky gym just to "maintain" -- post sleeve, you just have to do enough to be healthy, and honestly your body WILL reward you. I still eat sweets -- just not very much. I still drink an occasional bottle of beer or (more likely) a mixed drink or two -- just not very much (volume or frequency). I still have days or whole weekends where I just lie around on the couch and do NOTHING at all -- no fitness walk, nothing -- and mostly munch on snack-y foods. It's not like I'm some slave to my sleeve. And the net result of my hard, hard life? I've lost over 70 pounds with little to no effort. My weight loss shows no signs of slowing. My doctor is amazed how healthy I am at 40 -- my last blood test showed that ALL of my numbers were "within range." My sex drive -- which vanished in my 20's-30's when I was so fat -- has returned with a vengeance. My face looks much more lean and angular. My bones and muscles now show where fat used to bulge and roll out. I can easily walk over 5 miles without getting winded or sore, and could probably walk 10 miles or more -- in the right clothes and shoes, I think I could walk for days. I don't get tired. I'm already out of the "morbidly obese" category; I'm looking to be out of the "obese" category near the beginning of next year, and by the middle to end of next year -- if my weight loss progress holds steady at about 1-2 pounds per week on average -- I should be near or under 200 pounds. I started this at 330, and I haven't been under 250 in my adult life. And all of this without any real deprivation, any really hard work (aside from meticulously following the doctor's orders), and any real cost aside from the up-front cost for the surgery. So, I don't want to make you think this surgery is completely cost and risk free. Like everything in life -- especially everything worth having -- it has trade-offs and consequences. But as someone who has literally struggled with his weight his entire life -- 30 years, probably, and I'm only 40! -- I can tell you that this is the best medical decision I've ever made. I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, my only real regret is that I didn't get a chance to do this when I was, say, 20, instead of 40. But still, I'm so very glad I made this choice. Hopefully that will help some folks who are on the fence realize just how "normal" life after sleeve is. Source: Life After the Sleeve This is what I am looking forward to Dennis

Is any one ever really ready for what the road ahead brings? We can think and tell ourselves we are, but are we? Many questions have gone through my mind on this journey and I would venture that a lot of those same questions and thoughts have been shared at one point or another. For me personally, I have been contemplating this surgery since it was suggested by my doctor. Sure, she has always said you are overweight and there are risks and you need to diet etc.... I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Then I have had high cholesterol, then diagnosed recently with diabetes, next would probably have been a heart attack. I know this is about as perfect timing as it gets to get this done! I would foolish to not be scared for the surgery, and I would be more foolish for not making the most of this tool and becoming a healthy individual for the first time in my life. I am excited about the possibilities of setting up camp site with my family and not sweating so much that I have to take a cold shower, I am excited about cuddeling with my wife again with out the need of a c-pap in the way, I am excited about riding my bike again and making it up the entire hill. I am excited again to what the future brings! So to answer my first question, I am as ready as I can be- I have lost 20 pds on liquid diet and I have the Love and support of my family and friends. I look forward to this journey and sharing it with everyone.

Good luck on the liquids, it really isn't that bad. I get the boullion, jello, yogart, water, protein shakes and has went way better than I expected. Don't get me wrong I still want more solids, but get passed the mind set and go walk. Hang in there. Dennis

I am beyond ready. I was supposed to have the surgery in April, but my wife and I had to pay some bills down as I am a self pay patient. I thought the liquid diet would be difficult and the first few days were, but I have realized through discussion and it has been said to me more than once that I need to eat to live and not live to eat. I know this is the beginning of the journey and weighed 328 before the liquid diet. My pre op visit with my doctor went as expected. My labs were not the best. High Chol, I am Diabetic and have sleep Apnia ( I look forward to the time with out sleeping with the cpap so I can cuddle again with my wife). I am doing this so I can be healthy and be around for a long time to come. I want to be able to walk my daughters down the isle, of course they are only 13 and 11 now, but I want to ensure I did not continue down the destructive path of food oblivion. I know the timing is perfect and a GOD thing for me! I know obesity is just as bad as being an addicted to anything else. For me this a solution to a problem that will help me to be in control. I do not think I have ever been in control and look forward to a new healthy me! I also look forward to discussions on this forum and insight from others to help with those difficult times ahead. Thanks for reading! Dennis P. Clark Jr. MU DOG Go Tigers!