Healthy_life2

@@BLERDgirl - definitely not a deal breaker, just an honest concern. Id rather educate and prepare myself, instead of being caught off guard with anything. I look at some of the videos people have posted titled "i wish i had known this before sleeve surgery" or "my regrets after sleeve surgery" and i don't want that to be me.
@@jenn1 - it's not vanity, but it is. I'm trying to come to terms with all potential issues before surgery and this is one of them for me. I've started practicing eating slower, not mixing liquids and my meal, dietary changes. Make no mistake, Health is #1 blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pain, heart trouble.... Being here for my 5 kids and wife. That being said, I guess my question should have been worded differently.... Maybe what can be done to minimize excess skin and how men with my similar body type have been to dealing with excess skin. I'm not a swim suit model that's worried about how she is going to look in a two piece bikini ????... But i am a dad and husband that wants to know how much skin i may have to deal with... How much my wife will have to deal with. And what strategies men have used to minimize it or eliminate it. I'm just being honest

I've lost about 130 (down from 305) and I have a small amount of loose skin. It's under my navel and inner thighs. It's more like what a co-worker calls "crepe skin" (like crepe paper)...it's just a bit saggy, but not literally hanging.
I recommend doing strength training in your exercise regimen as the muscles will help push the skin out. Also, it can take up to a year for the skin to snap back, although it may not snap back fully.
But it in all honesty, some hanging skin is much better than diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or any other life-threatening co-morbidity that can manifest due to obesity.
Hanging skin can be fixed or lived with. Being dead can't be fixed.

a size XS.....*really* Thanks sleeve

@@Eli Alexander
Many life changes headed you're way. I'm excited for you.

@@Eli Alexander
Many life changes headed you're way. I'm excited for you.

Well, at just over a year from surgery, I finally reached onederland and I can see the finish line...... I just can't express what a great feeling it is.......

Diet food? Humm I just eat well.
I am a type one diabetic. My sugar drops I eat sugar to bring it back up. To manage my diabetes I also work with a dietitian and YES carbs are allowed for my situation. I eat brown rice, wheat bread and potato. All in small amounts. My bulk of my meal is meats/protein. I now hardly use insulin. I seem to have more low blood sugar moments with surgery.
I never go crazy on sugar or carbs. Mostly sugar free deserts. It's all a balance to keep my blood sugar and fitness level managed.
Love the world according to egg face and I attend amazing bariatric cooking classes through my hospital after care. food is fantastic. I just no longer abuse food. I use it to nourish and fuel my body.

@@BA-Fan
Sorry to hear about you're situation. For me it was about saving and prolonging my life. I had to make a decision before it was too late. I don't take my life or health for granted.
Some things to think about:
Would it be worse for you're wife to be in the situation to deal with you're death and figuring out life on her own?
OR Would it be easier for her to be uncomfortable with you're decision..and who knows she might be inspired to change.
Anyway..my two cents for what ever that's worth:)
Jenn

Preventing loose skin. I'm not so sure you can prevent it. You can tone by lifting weights. But after loosing 114 pounds at my age the loose skin is definitely there.

@@jenkbacon
If you were NOT nervous and excited I would wonder what the hell is wrong with you:). And now everything begins. So excited for you!
Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Jenn

Preventing loose skin. I'm not so sure you can prevent it. You can tone by lifting weights. But after loosing 114 pounds at my age the loose skin is definitely there.

@@jenkbacon
If you were NOT nervous and excited I would wonder what the hell is wrong with you:). And now everything begins. So excited for you!
Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Jenn

After surgery can you ever drink hard alcoholic drinks again? Or does it have to be completely cut out of your life?

I am in the same boat - I have no support from my husband, he thinks the surgery is "stupid". My initial consult is in a few weeks, so I guess the next he'll hear of it is that I have a surgery date, then I'm happy not to talk about it until "Hey, I need a lift to the hospital"!
I would get in touch with the support group and let them know you would be interested in any potential out of hours meetings/groups, and maybe also check whether any of the current members do meet up after hours where you could join them. Surely there are other people that daytime meetings don't suit - I know it wouldn't suit me at all, either.
Don't delay your appointment just so you can get in better shape (unless the surgeon requires it); why drag it out? You'll possibly find it easier to get into heavier exercising once you've dropped a bit of weight, anyway.

What a challenging situation. I hope you go through with the surgery. My advise is just don't talk about it with her. Keep it to the basics. let her know when you have medical appointments and let her know your surgery date. Be prepared to do your own shopping and arrange your own ride home. Most of all do not become a healthy living proselyte. Her weight loss journey has to be hers and hers alone.
Contact the local support group meeting and see if there re any alternatives. If not perhaps arrange your affairs to make a meeting at least once a month. Come here and visit.
Now this: I was your size and my surgical course has been completely pain free and uneventful. There are many other like myself.
I hope you go through with it and I wish you well.

Sorry to hear about your situation. I am one of the lucky ones. I had my sleeve on Oct 20th and my spouse had Roux en Y on November 5, so we are doing it together. I would speak honestly with your wife and encourage her to express her fears and why she is opposed. Be well and remember we are all here to support you!

I applaud your wanting to make this change. I agree with @mrskaje. It's best to let sciatica calm down first before exercising or you risk making it worse. During that time off, you could get things rolling with the surgeon. Once you've been sleeved and lost weight, it's much easier to move around.
Sorry to hear that your wife is not supportive. I would continue getting support here, and if you want some more face-to-face support, I suggest checking with other hospitals. Maybe they have a support group with better hours. You very well could be a role model for your wife. Having said that, it would still be her decision whether or not she would want to get surgery.

I've got a lift to the hospital. My elderly parents have said they would drive down here (about 2.5 hours from where they live) to either take me and/or be with me at the hospital, even staying in a hotel for a few days because my wife and Mom don't get along. We've got 2 sons, one in middle school and the other a sophomore in college that I would like to be around for as they grow older.

@@jenkbacon
If you were NOT nervous and excited I would wonder what the hell is wrong with you:). And now everything begins. So excited for you!
Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Jenn

@@BA-Fan
Sorry to hear about you're situation. For me it was about saving and prolonging my life. I had to make a decision before it was too late. I don't take my life or health for granted.
Some things to think about:
Would it be worse for you're wife to be in the situation to deal with you're death and figuring out life on her own?
OR Would it be easier for her to be uncomfortable with you're decision..and who knows she might be inspired to change.
Anyway..my two cents for what ever that's worth:)
Jenn

@@BA-Fan
Sorry to hear about you're situation. For me it was about saving and prolonging my life. I had to make a decision before it was too late. I don't take my life or health for granted.
Some things to think about:
Would it be worse for you're wife to be in the situation to deal with you're death and figuring out life on her own?
OR Would it be easier for her to be uncomfortable with you're decision..and who knows she might be inspired to change.
Anyway..my two cents for what ever that's worth:)
Jenn

Hang in there, it will get better. I promise. Once I committed to surgery, I vowed I'd go through whatever it took to be successful. I knew there was no turning back once my stomach was gone. So I might as well make the most of it.
I have had people try to encourage me to eat the wrong things. Telling me, "Oh, just this one time won't hurt you." And I tried politely to refuse - 6 times. After the 6th time, I just got up and walked away. They just don't understand.
Unfortunately, so much of our family and social life revolves around food.
Make the Right Decision, Right Now.
Because when you do, you'll discover what I believe...
That change IS possible at ANY age and in ALL areas of life and in under EVERY circumstance. No matter how bad you feel it is going today, no matter what obstacles lay before, you CAN overcome these struggles.

Fantastic! I bet you are counting down the day's.

@@jenn1, thanks Jenn for the suggestions. I worked out yesterday and today and enjoyed it. I am going to do my best to stay on track. Not sure I will do an hour of aerobics like you :-) but time will tell. Again, thanks!

@@jenn1 my max is 1000..... I was thinking it was too much. I am so afraid of gaining my weight back smh!!! At times I find myself fulling up with Water only. My doctor say that I'm starving myself. THANX so now I know that 1000 max is ok