matt1912

I am glad I am not the only one with the "Water is hard to drink" problem! I am 4 months post op. Pre-op and for teh previous 30+ years I drank water in large amounts EVERYDAY. Post -op i found water HARD and at times painful to drink. My addiction to water finally won out when I noticed that the temperature of the water was the problem...Really cold water was HARDER to drink than room temp water. So I only drank room temp water until my healing was more complete. Now cold water is easier but still not as easy as room temp. I asked my Bar doc about the cold/room temp issue and he said I may be constricting at the top of my stomach due to the cold temp of the water...He admitted that was an educated guess and not based on any facts he knew about, but everyones body reacts differently to everything - so it may be plausible. I say stick with sugar free sports drinks or another healthy alternative - the hydration is the most important thing!

Welcome to the CENTURY CLUB!

@HotButterFly Better?

Pre - 300 lbs Post - 194 Surgery date: April 17, 2014

... you actually smile in pictures. Because you now believe you can.

... you realize that you can't cut your belt any shorter without making new holes. SO, you go buy another...

Lets see some UPDATES! April 17, 2014 - Weight 298 lbs. (45.6 BMI) Surgery Day August 26, 2014 - Weight 194 (28.6 BMI) TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS- 104 lbs Waist Size Pre-Surgery- 46 in. Waist Size Aug 26, 2014- 34 in Shirt Size Pre-Surgery- XXL Shirt Size Aug 26, 2014- L (Maybe a Med. if i stretch it out.) Share your success!

... your "goal pants" are now too big.

...you open a glass door for the person you see walking toward you from the opposite side then realize that the "other person" is your reflection that you didn't recognize (true story)

If i can offer you some advice as a VGS sucess story and a blogger for 10 years, TYPE WHAT YOU FEEL. If what you are experiencing is motivating you to write for help, clearing your conscious, entertainment, or whatever...you shouldn't have to apologize for your feelings. I hope you don't feel like you owe anyone anything by stating your opinions, especially when you weren't intending to offend/harm someone else. You be you.

I couldn't agree more...Great post.

4 days post I was in same boat you are...now I'm 4 months post and 107 lbs lighter...GO SLOW, EAT SLOW, DRINK SLOW...it works stay strong

Thanks for all the good comments!

Ocean, to answer your questions: I was sleeved April 17, 2014 I was sleeved by Dr Byars in Oxford, MS I work out at least 3 times a week (at least 5 miles cardio and tennis) My diet is about 80% liquid and 20% solid food- protein shakes, sugar free Gatorade, a lot of water... My food rule is "if it has feet, I don't eat" - all animal protein is hard for me, with fish being the only exception. I am an accidental vegetarian- with a fish exception.

OMG THE DREADED BOOTH! Hated them -now I'm unafraid of the slide in

Sounds familiar... I had to change my pace of eating - even with the smaller bites... bite-chew- chew alot more- swallow- WAIT that is what I think about when I eat now

I was 300 lbs at surgery. I am now 194. I know I have lost 100 lbs. I wear much smaller clothes. People tell me I look great. I KNOW ALL OF THAT. However, my brain does not believe it. Let me try to explain this.... EXAMPLE 1: I was having a conversation with 2 football coaches last week. Both of them are very overweight. Coach 1 makes a comment similar to "I tried to jump to the left and just couldn't stop and just kept on going..." Coach 2 says "Maybe lose that gut and you might could" I chime in, "big guys like us aren't too graceful are we?" The tone until I opened my mouth was one of lighthearted fun. BUT- When I grouped my self in the "big guys" group - they both looked at me like WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU AREN'T FAT LIKE US. I honestly had to process what was happening. They OBVIOUSLY took offence to my statement about all 3 of us being overweight. I was uncomfortable and didn't know why. EXAMPLE 2: I am a professional tennis player. When someone hits a shot i cant get to- that I think i should have gotten to- I say "HUrry up fat*ss" sometimes out loud to myself. 2 nights ago I missed a shot and said that outloud - obviously to myself- and my partner walked over laughing and said "You know you arent fat anymore." TOTAL SYSTEM SHOCK I had not realized that other people don't see me how my mind sees me. I still mentally believe i am very very overweight...until I look in a mirror. I suppose i underestimated the mental adjustment that I obviously have to make when it comes to my self image. DO ANY OF YOU EXPERIENCE THIS? ANY THING BUT TIME CURE THIS? HELP ME OUT...

Thank you for all the positive feedback! I really appreciate it!

Starting weight on surgery date of April 17, 2014 - 297 lbs Weight on August 21, 2014 - 197 lbs 100 lbs total lost as of today at 5:00 am. Loving it. BEFORE TODAY

Don't wanna sound lame-can ya sum up the fitbit? I've seen posts but don't know what it does... Thanks and u should be so proud! Fitbit is a bracket type thing that tracks your movement. Mine is set to keep me on pace for 5 miles a day. It's completely customizable. It can track sleep patterns, food intake, Steps per day, active minutes , and track calories. Awesome tool. Bluetooth connectivity to phone and computer

How soon did u start working out? As soon as my body would allow - I played tennis 15 days post What kind of exercise? I run, play tennis, and really try to get at least 5 miles in a day- Get a fitbit - really helps

After reading your post something occurred to me. Tomorrow is my 4 month post-sleeve anniversary, and I feel completely opposite than people you referred to in your post. As my weight drops, I am more conscious of the BMI vs. weight ratio. I don't want to abandon the BMI stats at all - in fact the BMI chart is crucial to one of my goals - I want to be out of the obese category all together. I have lost 98 lbs in 4 months. It has been a hard, but a totally doable road to go down. I believe that when your mind is ready your body follows. GREAT POST

I almost weigh one hundred and something... Going to be a great week! STATS UPDATE April 17, 2014 - Weight 298 lbs. (45.6 BMI) Surgery Day August 13, 2014 - Weight 200.4 (30.4 BMI) TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS- 98 lbs in 4 months Waist Size Pre-Surgery- 46 in. Waist Size August 13, 2014- 36 in Shirt Size Pre-Surgery- XXL Shirt Size August 14, 2014- L (Maybe a Med. if i stretch it out.)

Dear Sleeve, As you know, I am a professional tennis player. I need calories to run. Please allow me to finish one softly cooked egg and some oatmeal for Breakfast. Yes, I know how much you hate breakfast. I would appreciate it a lot. Thanks, Matt #bariatriclife #justoneegg