Thomas CPA

I joined a gym and got a personal trainer, helps for motivation and she keeps changing work out so muscles don't get memory. Also makes sure on my road back I don't overdo. Three weeks out of surgery only could do 1/2 hour on wednesday and today a full hour on the weight machines. I show early for walk on treadmill then workout then stretching for three days per week and at least hour walk another two to three.

I was scheduled 2 years ago and stopped because of wife, weight went back over 300 lbs. Got it done this year over her objections now down to 200 lbs and 30 to my goal 50 to doctors goal. She is jealous how all the women we know comment on my weight loss and a few gave me unexpected hugs. Jealousy is a bummer but remember you are doing it for your own good health and if she can't support that not much you can do. Hopefully she will come around. I did get her to go to a psychologist to deal with her insecurity issues. Slow and sure progress.

I finished options August 2010 had to wait because of backup and met with surgeons in January. Due to work schedule operation was August 4 with Belzberg at Harbor facility. Real friendly nursing staff, quick at getting pain killers when needed. Have a great procedure.

I was admitted Thursday would have gone home Saturday but opted one more day since I wasn't taking in liquids and try a day off IV. After two weeks follow up with doctor, put on pureed foods, next week is number 4 and officially put on solids again. Have Kaiser so cost is Zero. From what the surgeons said in preop meeting of patients avoid Mexico - here in Southern California they have a lot coming in for repairs. Get it done right, you don't want to end up in hospital a second time. Scars are minor, my doctor uses staples to make less noticeable but hey they will show. Sleeve best option if you wanting to lose 50 to 80 pounds, at least for me.

Women get ads for shape wear while men don't. Try Under Armour clothes. They have snug fit to hold the lose skin in place and support the body. Look for outlets as the t shirts alone are $28 each if you get direct. Been using for a week now and it makes a difference.

After two weeks my doctor said fine to go back to gym. Have personal trainer keeps eye in my. First day could only handle 30 minutes second session today did an hour on machines and don't have strength loss but I worked out up to three days before surgery and got back in third week. Muscles sore from layoff but feel good now. Agree with others about protein. You can gain muscle and lose weight but be careful of diet

Yup I got it on main incision. It seems to go away as time passes.

Sorry to hear you were off Meds. I'm also bi II and I was all over nurse for my meds day after surgery, skipped day of. Had to threaten to take the pills I brought. They got me 8 25mg to replace my 1 200mg. Can't imagine being off Meds. Glad your back to as normal as we get.

Think all weight loss counts. Part of back pain may be rapid weight loss in first two weeks compounded by reduced exercising/stretching and low protein intake. Human body not geared for that speed in changes. Feel little better now that I am back with trainer

May be outdated by now if you had surgery. I am on 200mg lamotregene and my psychiatrist isn't going to change due to weight loss it is what is needed for the mind.

You sound like your doing great and enjoying the new you. Keep it up!

I have had a personal trainer for some time and after three weeks off from surgery my muscles ached after getting back to her last night but it will go away soon as I work out more. It is really good way to maintain weight loss, stay motivated, and get proper exercise by using trainer. Keep it up, your doing good.

I have had a pretty consistent pain in lower right back just put on Salon Paz patches. I attribute some to lack of gym exercise in three weeks. Just back to my personal trainer yesterday and feeling a little better. May just need to get some stretching and massage, check with your doctor.

Good luck with the surgery and recovery.

It took awhile but I got referred to Under Armour t-shirts that really help to keep loose stomach from interfering with exercise and tennis. It helps to shape the body. It is a bit expensive at $28 shirt but I have been wearing them for a few days and really helped me mentally as it shapes the body and gives good form to wearing clothes. I notice there is an advertisement for women's shape wear but nothing for the guys, so I thought I would post this.

It's normal to have doubts, it is still surgery and a significant life change. Kaiser has us go through eight weeks of classes and suggest getting counseling to help with fears and help to mentally prepare for life after surgery. I am working on week number 4 and I feel great, losing 25 pounds in three weeks really improved both my physical and mental state. Best wishes on your decision and never look back either way. It is your decision and you be happy with it afterwards.

You come across a little hostile. Many of conversations are generic about our experiences take what you want or not want. Saying believe it or not... Sounds a little hostile like I am personally attacking you which I am not. Let's both just chill out

Don't take or make it so personal buddy. This is a friendly board and comments were general in nature. One of the great allies I have is my personal trainer who helped me lose the 70 lbs prior to surgery.

Don't fret, I couldn't even stand to drink water for a week and drank cranberry juice now at week three I am into solids, protein shakes and mixes - shop around for flavors you like, I found a 50 gram in strawberry and got to slow down drinking it.

My surgeon said that you should lose 10% of your surgery weight in first month and then about 8 pounds per month and total usually lost is around 50 to 80 pounds. I am starting week four and down 25 pounds and expect to lose about 70 total from the surgery. During this I have to do what I was doing before, control diet and exercise. I started at 305 and dropped down to 235 just through proper diet and exercise. You cannot expect the surgery is the cure all, it is just a device to drop major weight immediately and it takes long term diet and exercise to maintain. Remember you stomach is tissue and you can eat your way out of the surgery. Eat carbs before working out, you will burn the carbs and then start burning fat. Eat protein after. Get rid of fatty foods - use nonfat milk, cheese, cottage cheese. Eat lean meats - chicken, turkey and fish. Limit red meat, potatoes. Substitute fruits and vegetables for snacks. The other posters were correct, your body will react to starvation mode and stock pile fat for future use.

If you can get powder past security go to a bar at airport have them blend with water or milk and put in cup to go

18 days out from surgery and had a two day 400 mile, each way, turnaround. Fun stuff timing drinks to restaurants to eat. Dennys real nice about blending protein mix in milk. Having lost 23 pounds in last 18 days my butt is a little sore from reduced padding

It is possible to eat way out of surgery. The stomach is still tissue and will stretch. Just don't go overboard and enjoy having a little more room. Just count calories

At two week follow-up I told my doctor I wanted to get back to gym and tennis and he told me as long as I felt up to it to go ahead. Just get your doctor's okay, everyone is a little different.

Congratulations, looking real good in those pants.