Recycled

Relax, it's certainly not "TMI". Most of us have been there and others that are lurking are surely dealing with some sort of constipation. If it's not blocked yet, try the stool softeners. If it's past that, your might try Magnesium Citrate. You can get it a Walgreens or any drugstore in a small bottle like a flavored drink. Refrigerate it and try to drink it all down at once. (it' has a little bitter taste, kinda like unsweetened kool-aide) Then drink as much Water as you can afterwards. It will usually start working in a couple hours. It is very gentle and cleans you out completely. More importantly, it works. Quickly. I usually keep a couple of bottles in the Fridge in case things get past the point of no return........I consider it more valuable than gold.

OK, I dove in and read all four paragraphs.........phew... But now, I feel kinda ripped off. I know you've heard of the saying " a picture is worth a thousand words" (I didn't count but yours has to be over 10,000) So what gives.....where's the pics. After saying it worked like "magic"......I wanna see the magic. Without going into unflattering details, let's just say, I got the saggies too. Seeing your results would be very encouraging. c'mon.....get out the cell phone and take a few selfies. You can do it. We are all waiting...........

Keep the Protein up. I do the gym at least 3 times a week and try to get in at least 150g of protein a day. You will improve very rapidly as the weight comes off. Don't concentrate on just weights and ignore your cardiovascular. I hate the treadmill, but it burns calories and improves endurance........ and of course, cardiac health.

I have found that the goal I chose is going to be very much based on the level of my effort. For me, losing the weight started out fairly easy and slowed considerably as time passes. I have had to step up my efforts (mostly adding in more exercise) if I want to actually reach the goal I chose........ and this time I am going to reach it and stay there.

I really don't know what can be said here to offset what you are going thru and how tough it must be to deal with such a loss. So sorry for your loss. But aside from the grieving, you have stated all your pitfalls and potential weight gain issues. You know what is putting the weight back on. So I got nothing. You have to stop doing what you know you need to stop doing. Start with scrapping the coffee. Replace it with some Protein drink to fill you up. Or drink the coffee bitter with not creamer. Possibly with your loss you have developed too much solitude and sedentary idleness. Get out and get exercise. At least if any grieving thoughts keep creeping back in, you'll be burning calories and building up endorphin's. You're situation is textbook sliding back into old habits, (with the obvious additional depression triggers) Get a grip and get your life back in control. You can. It will get better. Life does go on.

You beat me to it....... Excellent advice...... word for word.

You'll probably have a small window of a few months to get the new eating habits down pat. Learning to both want and enjoy eating healthy foods. Add in a few new snack ideas, like almonds and Jerky and you should be good for the long haul later on. I'm not gonna blow smoke up your a$$.......it does get tough, so you have to as well. Hold on tightly to every pound lost and don't slide back into old habits. Your new eating habits will see you thru.

I'm 63...... instead of the stroke, I had a heart attack. I'm taking a ga-zillion pills, and I also had both of my knees replaced a couple of years back. And you are dead right.......my life sucked....quality wise. I was surely going to die, new knees and all. So I decided I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. (no pun intended) At the very least, the surgery would keep the new knees from wearing out or failing prematurely. Now that I could walk, I needed to be able to live........ And guess what......even at 63....it worked!! Good luck to you too......

No worries, Just always measure your food. nuf said.

Everybody have a great Thanksgiving......just stay the course and get thru it.....you can do it. You'll be thankful tomorrow. PS.... give away any and all leftovers......get them outa the house. And if you are visiting family or friends....don't bring any leftovers home. Pic is my whopping Thanksgiving dinner cooking........Turkey Jerky -- mmmmmm-good.

Surgery or not it has always been about me stepping up and making the 'effort' to change. And I will have to continue to maintain that effort. So mine is "Effort"

Solids.......schmolids.... once you chew it up, it's all puree anyway....

I know at first it sounds like a benefit......3 ounces and 40+grams of Protein........ But in the bigger picture as you and your sleeve adjust, it's not really necessary. My daily routine is about 1000-1500 calories and 8-10+ glasses of fluids. So with all that food and drink needed anyway, there is not much reason to cram all the protein in a gross tasting little 3 ounces of sludge. If it takes me 20oz. of a drink to get in my 40g.........so what.

If you weren't obese "all" of your life, what is it that caused you to become obese? Pretty much what has caused everyone else to become obese............Too much food....too little of everything else.

Actually since my surgery and basic diet changes......Thanksgiving is the one holiday I am pretty much, permanently crossing off my list of holiday celebrations.

(Andrew0929 said: I am getting close and finding those last pounds much more difficult to remove. This is of course causing me added concern about the maintenance phase. Will my weight stay off...??? How easily will I put weight back on? Went to my primary Dr yesterday and he agrees with my wife that I should stop losing weight and go into maintenance. After 11 months it's hard to switch gears as losing weight has become such a major focus of my life. But I'm grateful to be at this point and intend to work hard at successfully maintaining.) By all means, do not bail on us now that you're there. Please visit and keep us posted on the methods you develop to maintain your weight and any pitfalls to avoid along the way. I have a feeling this forum and others experiences will be even more important and helpful for maintaining, then it already has been for losing. Thanks. Oh, I almost forgot......Kuddos to your great success. Keep up your fantastic accomplishment

In time you'll recognize some of the signs of getting full.....like sneezing or runny nose or hiccups. But the best method is to practice with specific measured weights or volumes and stick to that. At your phase, I was doing about 3 ounces of food by weight or 1/2 cup if measured by volume. And try to be constantly drinking all day long to get in enough fluids.

It's invaluable to keep you on track....I track everything I eat and drink on there......

I just had a small Omaha filet mignon with shrimp scampi and Italian herb veggies & rice. Over 38 grams of protein. About 5.5 ounces total. You can stop calculating....I also threw in a half scoop of Genepro protein powder.

Nope, no salt added.

"Wearing Pro" is the brand. It's a cheap plastic unit, but it works pretty good. ($49) Comes with a little recipe booklet that tells you what ingredients you need for the marinades. I was eating a lot of store bought brands that were pretty expensive and quite a bit of every bag tended to be stale. This jerky is really good and very high in Protein. If I get good at it, I may invest later in a better dehydrator, but this one works fine for now. http://www.bjs.com/waring-pro-5-tray-food-dehydrator.product.279853

I picked up a dehydrator at BJ's and I make my own beef, turkey and chicken Jerky along with dehydrated apples, bananas and many other fruits. Tastes great, and great for Snacks. I'm experimenting at the present, so I expect I use it for many more items to come.

Been there and done that too......If you have any questions about the knees, I'd be happy to fill you in....

Toemato, Tamato --- You're worried about your health after the surgery.....I was worried about my health if I didn't get the surgery. For me the after part was a maybe.....but the risks of health issues or even death without it, were pretty much guaranteed. And finally, if you didn't have some concerns or second....and third and forth and fifth "guessing" your decision....... you wouldn't be normal. You'll pretty much be mulling it over right up to the "count backwards from 100" in the OR. Good luck

You find it easy to speak on here. And once you get started and see the interest from those attending the seminar, you will relax and enjoy the interaction. , The feedback from actual patients in my opinion is the most valuable. I know it was for me. I have been asked to speak several times and each time I just go in with some pics I gathered and ad lib the entire presentation. Nothing planned.....just recall my experiences. And while at first your might seem apprehensive or embarrassed to show such revealing pics to strangers .....all they will notice is your confidence and seeing the expression of joy on your face from your accomplishment. This is what everyone seeking this step needs. Go for it. You will surely enjoy the opportunity and the audience with benefit greatly.