vinniej3

Great job! Hang in there these last 3 days, and keep your eye on the prize.

Prayers sent! Congrats and best of luck!

Congrats and best of luck.

Congrats!

Awesome stuff.

Doing well. I've cheated once... I had a bite of a hot dog (no bun, just a small bite of hot dog my son left on plate). I'm down 7 pounds after my first week. Pretty pumped up. Congrats on your progress. That's awesome!

Prayers sent and congrats. I'm a week away!

Congrats!

I'm on day 3 of pre-op diet (sleeved on August 5th). I'm not going to lie... these first few days have been tough. Day 1, got through the morning fairly easy; by afternoon I was sluggish. I went home and had drained Healthy Request cream of chicken soup (which was surprisingly satisfying), and went on a family walk w/ wife and kids. When I got home, I could hardly keep my eyes open and crashed. I woke up yesterday feeling different... a good different. Almost like a cleansed different (I don't know if that makes sense, but it's the only way I can describe). Yesterday wasn't as bad as Monday, but was tough. Followed the same routine, but didn't crash last night. Woke up this morning feeling good, and we'll see how the rest of the day goes. Sure, the pre-op diet isn't pleasant, but I'm going to own it and become a better me.

As someone just starting the journey (5th day of pre-op), this is truly inspirational! Awesome stuff!

It's intersting to see the different responses here. At the end of the day, I guess it's just a personal preference or choice. Whatever works for you, go for it. But don't forget you have friends here on the board that are willing to talk through all the issues.

I struggled with this issue, but in the end I decided to tell my family and friends. Other than my mother and sister being concerned at first, everyone has been supportive. The way I figure, if anyone has an issue with my WLS, it's there problem. Besides, what are they going to say? Wow, he got skinny the easy way? If that's what they want to think, it's their problem... as many a rapper has said, "Haters gonna hate!"

Thanks for all the responses. The issue seems to have settled down. I have been drinking lots of water.

On my 4th day today, and (to put it nicely) things are really running through me right now. Otherwise, I feel fine. Anyone else have this issue?

Tcs, don't be scared. Remember, this is a journey, and all journies have to start somewhere. It's an adjustment for sure, but you can do it. About a month ago, I started substituting a protein shake for breakfast. I started making better choices and cutting down on portion size, but I also had some slip ups w/ some old friends (i.e. the good food that's terrible for me; pizza, cokes, etc.). Just hang in there and work the program your doctor gives you.

I'm on Day 4. You're going to make it!

Not sure re: soup. Just following my doctor's office plan. I've seen other plans where the pre-op diet is only one week and you can have meals. I think at the end of the day, you want more protein than carbs.

Kimmy, hang in there. Are you drinking plenty of water? I love to drink water as it is, but having a propel zero or two has helped out a lot!

I start pre-op liquid diet today. This really puts it all into perspective for me. I've made the choice to make a major life change in two weeks, and I know things will never be the same. It's so exciting, yet it's very intimidating. I'm nervous about the surgery, I'm nervous about the changes to the way I approach food (and drink), but I can't wait to get back to the activities of old (being able to really workout; getting back into running; getting back into hiking; fitting into my waders to go fly fishing, etc.). Something tells me this is going to be an emotional rolling-coaster (uh oh, I used the e word; can I even say that word in the forum). I had someone ask me the other day why I'm doing this. She wasn't being nosy or unsupportive, she just wanted to know my reasoning. I told her it was a very easy decision to make when I boiled it down to numbers. How many cokes are worth taking a picure with my family on my son's graduation day? How many beers are worth walking my daughter down the aisle? How many Cookies are worth making it to my 50th wedding anniversary with my wife? When I looked at the decision like that, it's a fairly easy answer. I have to admit that I've been very nervous about the operation itself. I'm 34 and I have a 2 and 1/2 year old son and a 6 week old daughter that mean the world to me, and I know that this is a major surgery. At the same time, if I don't go through with this, I will be shorting them on life, and likely won't live as long as I should. In order to keep my eye on the prize, I've come up with some NSGs (non scale goals; can I just come up with an abbreviation like that, or does it have to be approved first). Here are a few; 1. No longer having to shop online or at specialty stores to buy clothes; 2. Wearing my wedding ring again; 3. Running a mile w/o stopping; 4. Running in my first 5k in 9 years; 5. Being able to coach my son's/daughter's soccer team; 6. Going to Disney World with my family and being able to ride all of the rides; 7. Not having to request a table at every restaurant I go to (i.e. being able to sit in a booth again); 8. Not having to request the extendor when I get on an airplane; 9. Being able to sit in a chair w/ arms and not feel like I'm trapped; 10. Weighing what it says on my drivers license. These are just a few NSGs I have, and along the way I'm sure I'll have many more NSVs thay I'm not even thinking about right now. I'm ready to start this journey; I'm ready to start living again. I'm ready to live a life not shackled by fad diets and fast food. I want to thank everyone on this forum, because without it, I'm not sure I would have made this decision. It's scary, but I know I'm doing the right thing.

August 5th for me!

Well, I set my surgery dated for August 5th of this year, and I'm pumped up. However, for the past two weeks (since my first doctor's visit... insurance doesn't cover, so I'm going private pay route), I have gone on an eating rampage. I have eaten absolutely terrible. Given the choice between bad and worse, I've chosen worse every time. I think I was trying to get that one last "high" from all my cravings. I can't go on like that for the next two months, or I'll gain another two pants sizes. Has anyone else gone throught this? I decided earlier this week, it was time to put an end to the madness. I ordered some pre-made Protein supplements and some protein poweder and I'm going to start substituting Breakfast and lunch w/ high Protein shakes, and eat a very sensible dinner (I sound like a slimfast commercial...). I'm thinking a lean protein and veggie/salad. I really want to get some weight off, before the surgery, and I also want to "ease" in to the pre-op liquid diet. Any pointers would be appreciated!

Well, we had our second child today. A beautiful baby girl; 7 lbs. 6 oz. (at 37 weeks); 19.5 inches long. Mom is doing great, baby is doing great, big brother doesn't know quite what to think (he's 2 and 1/2). Words can't describe how excited I am!

It's official, August 5th!

Dude, you are an inspiration. I sold my bike about 4 years ago (hadn't ridden in about three years), and that's one activity I want to get back into.

Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm 34, and for the past 6-7 years, I've really struggled with weight. In high school, I played football and baseball and was very in shape. I went to college and struggled with weight a little, but got through it. In law school, I started focussing on working out and really got into running. I was never a speedster, but I loved the comradery of the running community in my area. Around late 2006 and 2007, I started getting busier with work, met my wife and got out of exercising. Sure, I went for a walk now and then, but I really fell off the wagon with exercise. In 2008, I quit smoking (yes, I know it's crazy that I smoked and ran, but it is what it is) and after that the weight started to pile on. Between 2007 and now, I went from the 200-215 range to the 360-370 range. There were some brief drops in weight when I went on the fad diet of the month, but lately, the weight has been damn near impossible to get off. The better I eat and the more I exercise, the more my body fights to keep the weight. It is very frustrating. Earlier this year, my doctor suggested RNY. I did some research re: WLS, and I really became intersted in the sleeve. Unfortunately, my insurance policy doesn't cover WLS. However, I'm blessed to be in a position to self-pay for the procedure. This is one of the reasons I'm leaning towards the selave. My wife is very supportive of me getting the procedure, but is concerned about the risks. That's another reason I'm leaning towards the sleeve. My father and my inlaws are also very supportive, but my mom and my sister aren't too high on the decision. In their words, they can't understand why I just can't lose the weight on my own. To be honest with you, I wish I knew the answer to that question. I went to the free seminar this past weekend, and stayed for a support group meeting for pos-op patients. I was blown away by all the success stories from everyone. Tomorrow, I have my first meeting with the surgeon where we will discuss my options. I have a sneaking suspicion he will push RNY, but after all the research I've done, I believe the sleeve is best for me. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. It's amazing to see so many success stories and such good advice from everyone. Here's to a good decision and a new life!