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Krista shouldn't the focus be on liking yourself? On improving your health? As far as guys go, they are chasers out there that may not be attracted to me once the weight comes off but I will be healthy and happy and when the time comes to find a partner in life I will hopefully find one who wants me the way I am.

Hi everyone, wanted to say hello and hopefully find someone experienced in this new life who can mentor me, as by this time tomorrow I will be sleeved and starting a new chapter, in not a new volume, in my life.

Hello Men!
I am two weeks away from surgery and I am currently on a pre-op Optifast diet.
I am getting very anxious as time approaches. My anxiety is mainly about have extra/loose skin. I've lost fat before using yo-yo dieting and my skin was not loose. That was about 4 years ago when I was 28/29. I am currently at 375 on a 6' 4" frame.
What has your experience been with loose skin? I know it's inevitable, but what can I do to help? Working out, lifting, cardio, yoga...whatever it takes I am willing to devote myself to it.
I'm open to suggestions and words to calm down my loose skin fears.
Cheers!

Thanks and I will.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hope All goes well.

I just found this group. I am excited to find it. I am pre-op right now. I am going through the 3 month medical weight loss process. I started in June. I have lost 54 pounds on the pre-op diet. They don't have a specific weight for me to lose but it's generally 10% of your starting body weight. I am about 4 pounds shy of that. But I want to be below the 500 pound mark. I have tried the gastric bypass process before. But each time the insurance always denied me. They said I didn't have enough co-morbidities. So because I didn't have high blood pressure or diabetes I did not qualify. Each time I lost on the pre-op and when they said no I gained all of the weight back plus more. I have finally have insurance now that will DEFINITELY cover it. So I am excited. For many years I was a very active obese person. The weight did not slow me down. But age stopped that. My body finally said enough is enough. And now I am not active and I am really tired of not participating in life. The surgery does not scare me at all. But being overweight and gay really sucks. I have found it hard to date. A lot of the guys that will go out with me are the extreme chasers. They want me to stay this way and keep feeding me. So it makes life a bit lonely. I have good friends and family so that helps. I am looking forward to getting life back. I am looking make friends to talk to about the surgery. The weight loss group I am in, at the hospital that I will have the surgery, is all women. I am the only guy in the group. So I look forward to hearing from guys in the group here.

Howdy! Long time no post! I've just hit my 2 month surgiversary and am down just shy of 95 pounds! (Still have ALOT to lose though) and loving it so far. I think so have the pouch of superman himself as I have yet to find one food that it doesn' agree with so I'm extra careful in what I'm eating. My lingering question though....I'm trying to save "private Ryan" to be humble as possible lmao and im inquiring to all my fellas if ya'll have had major changes when it came to that aspect. #FightingTheWarOneMonthAtATime

I'm going to be discussing with him the right surgery for me. I weigh in the 350 range and I'm really thinking about gastric bypass.
It's going to be at least 6 months because of my insurance but I think the nutrition classes will do me some good.
I hope everything goes well. I've NEVER been skinny. I've been down in the mid-200s but never lower as an adult. I'm already picking out clothes and it's going to be another 2 years before I am anywhere near my goal!
Also, for the guys who are starting/started around my weight, what did you pick for your goal weight.

How are you doing with everything? Personally I feel great only being 13 days out. I'm honestly surprised at how well I feel.... Still exhausting quickly but working on building that up. Completed a 2 mile walk around my neighborhood this morning[emoji4][emoji1377][emoji4]

I'm doing good. I've lost 70 lbs, so far. The recovery was a lot easier than I expected. After my surgery, I felt really good. I'm in a stall right now that is driving me crazy, so I've upped my Water and Protein, and have changed my workouts. I'm hoping that will kick start it again.

Gay male 46, with an extremely supportive husband. We have been together 18 years married 2. SW 282 CW 270 goal 180. The Sleeve for me today went really well. Able to eat Jello, drink broth and Isopure. All staying down. I do have discomfort but not crazy pain. Been on several walks today. Also an amazing nurse recommended ice packs on tummy area. Feels really good.

Yes swallowing is fine

Yes swallowing is fine

TMI I know but this is the LGBT forums.
Have you found any issues with swallowing...protein? (yes, that) Are you unable to eat/drink for 30 min/1 hour afterward? I know this seems like a joke topic but honestly curious. I know I'll have to be careful after surgery before being active to avoid hernias so figured, a less aggressive sexual activity would be better.

Thank you.

I'm in Austin also and had my sleeve 6/7/17!

HW: 265
SW: 250
CW: 204

As others have said... walk, walk, walk... it is one of the most beneficial things you can do immediately after surgery. Yes, prepare yourself for the liquids and post op diet regimen. I would also stress, Follow your Pre Op diet plan. Most programs provide it, and you owe it to yourself to follow it. Now, for some personal suggestions. Be prepared for stalls, they happen, do not get frustrated, your body is adjusting to the lower calorie intake . Don't trust your scale. HUH??? you might say? Take body measurements, they can sometimes be more truthful. Speaking of scales, Only weigh yourself on poop days, if you must weigh yourself. Why??? You are drinking Water and trying to get your Protein in, it is going to cause you to be less then regular. I've had friends, who have had surgery not go in 4-5 days... again prepare... Finally. okay maybe not, as I am sure others might add to this or make something I might have forgotten.... Never Ever Trust a fart.

Good luck on your journey....

As others have said... walk, walk, walk... it is one of the most beneficial things you can do immediately after surgery. Yes, prepare yourself for the liquids and post op diet regimen. I would also stress, Follow your Pre Op diet plan. Most programs provide it, and you owe it to yourself to follow it. Now, for some personal suggestions. Be prepared for stalls, they happen, do not get frustrated, your body is adjusting to the lower calorie intake . Don't trust your scale. HUH??? you might say? Take body measurements, they can sometimes be more truthful. Speaking of scales, Only weigh yourself on poop days, if you must weigh yourself. Why??? You are drinking Water and trying to get your Protein in, it is going to cause you to be less then regular. I've had friends, who have had surgery not go in 4-5 days... again prepare... Finally. okay maybe not, as I am sure others might add to this or make something I might have forgotten.... Never Ever Trust a fart.

Good luck on your journey....

Make sure you take a good before photograph. And after surgery when you are in the hospital remember Walk, Walk, Walk.

My surgery is next week and it's becoming more real. I started the process in February (3 month supervised diet, insurance approval and my surgeon is in demand). Any advice for a newbie?

I totally understand. I am a nurse and I work for a hospital that does bariatric surgery, but the exclude employees. Keep looking and I would encourage you to look at all your options. I ended up going to Mexico for my surgery.

Best of Luck Kendra!!!

I have had a similar experience to James (although I had a gastric sleeve). I had very low levels in my initial blood work post-op and have been taking a slow release Iron supplement ever since. That has gotten my iron levels back closer to normal & have not had any energy problems. In addition to separating iron & Calcium supplements, I was also advised by my dr. to talk the iron supplement with Vitamin C. The Vitamin C apparently helps with iron absorption.

After gastric bypass surgery, I had blood work done once per year to assess any deficiencies that might occur. It is a little like fine tuning a car. After my first annual review it was determined I was Iron deficient. As a result I have been taking an additional iron supplement once per day. I am 4 years post op and I would not describe myself as anemic because I have plenty of stamina (ability to perform physical labor). I just have an iron absorption deficiency.
A couple more points - it is important to space apart your iron and Calcium supplements by at least 2 hours. Because that will affect absorption. According to my nutritionist, if you are taking iron supplements, it should be ferrous sulfate for the best absorption.

Best of luck Blair... sorry to hear about your relationship.... and your dad... Thanks for sharing your story.

Hey guys,
For those that haven't heard my story before -- I started my journey March 21, 2016 at 397 pounds with a six month insurance-required diet program. I lost 99 pounds during that six months and weighed 298 on surgery day, September 28, 2016. This morning, I weighed 188 pounds. I am 4 pounds away from a normal BMI and 8 pounds away from my goal of 180 pounds.
Two weeks ago this Saturday, my partner and I ended our relationship after 8.5 years together. Things have been bad for a while and I just never wanted to admit it. He was mad at me for one thing or another every day, and that is no way to live. He actually broke up with me, because as the one of us who makes most of the money and has most of the resources, I would have felt like I was abandoning him. While I am heartbroken, I know it is for the best. I actually owe him a debt for doing it; I never would have done it and would have gone on being unhappy. While the massive weight loss isn't the primary problem, it was a problem for him. He lost about 115 pounds himself (with no surgery), but has gained back about 30 pounds over the past 6 months or so. I probably now weigh 35 pounds or so less than he does. Apparently, much of our identity was wrapped up in me being bigger than him. I knew that, but I didn't know at the same time.
So now, I become a 41 year old single gay man who hasn't been out in that "scene" for over eight years. It's a bit overwhelming. I have completely overhauled myself physically, and I am dealing with the emotional consequences of both that and ending a very long relationship. In mid-June, my ex and I moved from the French Quarter of New Orleans to the outskirts of Huntsville, AL to be with my parents for a little while as my dad has been battling cancer. So, I know no one here. While I am excited about getting back out there, it really is going to be a cold start -- going to the bar by myself and trying to meet people. Admittedly, I am very outgoing, and a good time, but getting this process started is incredibly daunting.
The funny thing is that food consumption is not even an issue. Since this happened, I have actually been eating a little less than I was. (I had gotten my calories up between 1600-1700, and I haven't cracked 1200 in days.) That will bounce back, I'm sure. It is nice to know that I have my food issues under control, and that such a life trauma wouldn't cause problems.
Enough rambling. Does anyone have any advice? I'm flying to Orlando this weekend to go to a friend's birthday party. I have tons of friends two hours away in Nashville (where I went to college and grad school and where I lived for 15 years). I am always welcome with any of them, but I need to be in Huntsville right now which means that I need to make friends here and build a life here. I don't think traveling every weekend will be healthy long-term.
Thanks for reading!
Blair