WillInAtlanta

Thanks so much! Sent from my iPad using VST

In 20something years of off and on working out, I haven't ventured much from treadmills and ellipticals. What are some things that I can do to work on my core? Thanks in advance Sent from my iPad using VST

Here's a little background: The beginning of this year I met a great guy. We immediately clicked. We have the same issues, essentially have the same background, have the same hopes and fears. It wasn't until April that in a conversation he told me that he had gastric bypass last year and with the same surgeon I was going to use. I was sleeved 5/23. Post op I've lost 65# but still have a way to go. I have never felt such a connection with someone. For so long I never thought that anything like this was possible for me. He's the first person who makes me feel free and I completely trust. In the early stages we took everything slow. Mainly because we've both been guys who slept around so easily, not knowing we were worth more. I'll admit it was nerve wracking at first we went on so many dates and I couldn't even get a kiss outta him. I'm positive that for both of us to really open up, we had to know that the other one had no plans of leaving. We're both in therapy and it's made everything even stronger. Now onto the meat of the matter. We've progressed so much. We have crazy make out sessions and I know that he's ok with having sex, but I'm the one holding back. It's my belly. Post op it deflated, then dropped, now i almost have a crazy 360 muffin top. I know he's ok with my body, but my mind still isn't there yet. I workout 5-6 days a week and I know I'm barely 8 weeks post op. It's just maddening seeing everything else but my belly changing. Has anyone else had a similar relationship roadblock?

Wow. I had to reread what I originally wrote and I do agree...I do know it's all mental. In my head I can separate the challenges, but sometimes it's just so hard to not let the thoughts take over. Granted, he already opened my eyes to the fact that I'm still covering myself with big layers of clothes...we took some steamy showers together and on vacation 2 weeks ago I felt comfortable to walk around naked...there's just some block in my head that once we start to get intimate and I look into his eyes I don't feel like I'm at my best. I know in time that it'll come/get easier. I have a question for everyone. Post op, did you find yourself being more selective (dating, sex, and approaching things with work and family?) Sent from my iPad using VST

Thanks everyone. I knew I wasn't alone, but it sure felt that way. makemyownluck, I'm not sure how to approach that either. I guess I lucked out dating someone who told me about his surgery first. I've realized that whenever I tell someone, I have to do it on a case by case basis. I've seen many friends and family treat me differently after I told them. Many came back and asked if I've tried xyz diet or told me I should look into a personal trainer...and the list goes on. Been there, done that. I'd just say take your time telling him. Only tell him when you truly feel the time is right. Your friend is right, if it were all just about your body, he would have tried to push you into sex a longgggg time ago.

You look GREAT! Sent from my iPad using VST

You look great! You're definitely an inspiration to me. I'm only 8 weeks out Sent from my iPad using VST

I do fear that my skin won't bounce back because I've been overweight most of my life. My PCP told me a year ago when I mentioned the sleeve to start saving for a body lift... I'm too early in the game to think about plastics right now. I'll wait it out and talk to a trainer about the belly/muffin top issue. Thanks everyone!

This is my first time posting in this section... Here's a little background: I had surgery 5/23. 3 weeks later I was ok'd to start working out. I've been working out 5-6 times a week and I actually look forward to it. I've only been doing cardio because I hate using weights and then being sore for days on end. So, here's my problem. After surgery my belly deflated and dropped. Now it's dropped even more and I have a serious muffin top thing going on all around from the front to back. I'm 3 shirt sizes smaller up top. Is there any help or do I just need to wait it out continuing on with my cardio?

I was an introvert, but now I find myself approaching more people and starting conversations than I used to. Before, I'd have crazy anxiety at the thought of approaching someone. I even find myself complimenting people--I never would have done that. Sent from my iPad using VST

Sleeved 5/23.... Down 37 Sent from my iPad using VST

Nothing is helping me ether...and I was just breaking out on my body, but started breaking out on my face. I have a date tomorrow and with my luck, I'll end up looking like a total pizza face before then Sent from my iPad using VST

Has anyone experienced this post op? I'm breaking out and having new dry Patches like crazy now. I'm 3 weeks post op. Sent from my iPad using VST

Thanks! It's good to know I'm not alone. Luckily I have a dermatology appt Friday Sent from my iPad using VST

I've always been someone who has hard veins to get blood from. Recently, my docs office and nurses at hospital called me a "roller" because my veins tend to move and play peek-a-boo. So, I was sleeved 5/23 and the morning of surgery it took 2 nurses a good 30+ min to get my IV started...fast forward to 2+ weeks later that arm is still sore. It looked a little bruised the day after, but that's gone...it's just sore as hell. Has anyone else had this issue? Sent from my iPad using VST

Hey. Do you still have any jeans available? Sent from my iPad using VST

That's one thing I thought it could be... DonRodolfo: consider yourself extremely lucky lol Sent from my iPad using VST

Miralax has become my friend. I had no idea that being regular would be such a problem. Most days I look for more ways to incorporate fruits and veggies but honestly it doesn't help Sent from my iPad using VST

Wow. The day before surgery it took 3 nurses an hour to draw blood from me. Needless to say by the 3rd attempt I wasn't too happy. I tend to sleep on my arms, so the pain is mainly noticeable at night. It's irritating and just made me wonder if it was normal to still be sore. Good luck healing! Sent from my iPad using VST

At my heaviest I was 560. The day of surgery I was 530. After making up my mind that this time I was going to go through with it (I had attempted this in 2010 and 2011,) I told a select few friends and family. Most we're supportive, yet later most of them asked me why didn't I want to try diet and exercise...apply to be on the biggest loser...extreme weightloss...get a person trainer. It hit me hard that no one realized I'd tried things all of my life and had short term success, but then life hit me again. Now, I think they were foolish to ask about diet and exercise because hey had no idea how much I weighed. Being big all of my life I was able to still be active and camouflage the weight. When you think of almost 575, you imagine someone that is bed ridden and needing assistance around the clock. You don't imagine someone with 3 degrees, working in upper management that also works 14-16 hours a day. I know realize that they had no clue. But also in the time after I announced I'd be having surgery, people asked how much did I want to lose or my goal weight. I never gave an answer because I didn't want to have to think about how much weight I'd truly need to lose. For my height, I should be around 180-190...that means I need to lose 350 lbs. THREE HUNDRED and FIFTY POUNDS....I know that anything is doable, but facing the actual reality of it...wouldn't anyone be a little discouraged? I do plan to give this my all and I know that this trip is going to take a while, but I finally feel like I'm ready. Sent from my iPad using VST

SW: 560 CW: 510 Sleeved 5/23 down 20 since surgery Sent from my iPhone using VST

I haven't had that issue but taking bariatric advantage's Iron chewable makes me sick. I've even tried just swallowing it, buy after a while it still comes back up Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thanks & good luck cmunne! June 10th will be here before you blink. It's hard to think I'm a week and a half post op...but you can only take it one day at a time. Sent from my iPad using VST

I wasn't expecting all of this lol. You guys are awesome. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using VST