Mike4132

Syntrax Nectar was the best Protein for me.

It is not thick or chalky and the fruit flavors are refreshing. (Grapefruit was, and still is surprisingly, my favorite.

1 year 3 months post op. Life is normal again!

1 year 3 months post op. Life is normal again!

Put on some of your old fat clothes and look in the mirror. It's a better indicator of success than the scale and an arbitrary number. (I stalled for almost 3 months and just started moving slowly down again. it's how I kept my mind and my scale from discouraging me.)

I eat at restaurants everyday with no problems. They all serve Protein and I take home what I don't finish.

I had reflux and still went with the sleeve. I take Dexilant for the reflux and it controls it. I now take less than I did before surgery.

Biggest factors in my decision was that the sleeve has less ability to stretch, it's less invasive, and if ever needed it can be converted into a bypass at a later date. (I don't see the need though as weight loss and maintenance is pretty easy with the sleeve.)

Congrats on your decision, I highly doubt you will regret it. Once you get used to it, WLS is a pretty easy (and very effective) way to lose weight and keep it off.......in my opinion. I'm only 6 months or so out but it feels longer because so much has changed. Life is infinitely better!

I wanted this surgery to change my life and help me do the things I wanted to do, but were too difficult, like sailing and kayaking with my kids.

6 months and 92 lbs later and now I'm doing it.

I just ate the toppings off two pieces of Hawaian pizza. It was good and I do it at least once a week!

I occasionally take a bite of the crust but like most starches/carbs I just don't like them anymore. I never thought that would happen as I was a serious carb addict prior to surgery. I also don't really care for beer anymore either. (And I was a 12 pack at a time kind of guy prior to surgery....)

I love my sleeve!

I eat them all the time. I can usually finish about 1/2 to 3/4 although at times I've been able to eat the whole thing.

For me they are a great quick meal when I don't have time to cook.

You will be amazed at how fast it melts off! I doubt you will have any trouble hitting your goal weight and then some!

The stalls suck but for me they are mainly due to reduced exercise. I was stalled for about a month and then after 3 days of strenuous work I dropped 5 lbs.

Overall, I'm down 89 lbs in less than 6 months so I can't complain! (And I feel better than I have in years.)

I fought with those same type of feelings at first also. It will pass once you begin to realize the restriction isn't going to go away!

The best rule of thumb IMO is to eat slowly and stop as soon as you begin to feel restriction and that will be the right amount for you.

Don't sweat it, it's a breeze! It's natural to be nervous though, we all were.

I had a lower BMI also going in (39) and didn't have any complications at all.

Quest Bars are good but not all flavors. Power Crunch is also very good and most flavors are excellent.

Thanks guys!

There was a thread earlier this year about getting Vitamins via prescription.

Does anyone still have the info on the company that this was with?

sugar free Popsicles. If I can't have 2-3 of them per day I get cranky.

I really enjoy thin crust Hawaian pizza every once in awhile, but I mostly just eat the toppings off a slice or two with maybe a bite or two of crust.

I drink it in moderation due to he high carbs. Tastes great and a lot more Protein than regular milk!

Try pressing a pillow against your stomach as you raise and lower yourself to take some of the strain on your abdomen.

I also needed to roll on my side and then do most of the sitting up by pushing up with my arms. When you do it right you can feel a lot less "pull" on the incisions and in your stomach.

Congratulations!! Incredibly exciting. I hope to share this same feeling soon! Bypass set for 4/22! Thank you for this post... Just what I needed to see as I felt like I was starting to panic a little with it so close. Best of luck to you and your wt loss journey.

Thanks! Hang in there, it's normal to have nerves before surgery. Try to remember that you made the decision when you were thinking straight and for the right reasons. In a few short months you will have a new life and you will have forgotten about all the nears, fear, and second guessing.

The physical part is easy, the head part a little harder, but if you are prepared, it's not that tough either.

I highly recommend this book which you can download. It really helped me be prepared mentally for the feelings and emotions that come about after surgery. When it's not a surprise, I've found that it's MUCH easier to cope.

TheEmotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide To Life After Bariatric Surgery.

Best of luck on your surgery! Let us know how you are doing.

I just realized this morning that i have dropped under the "obese" range on the height and weight charts and am now only "overweight"! I never thought I'd be so happy to be considered overweight. ????

What an amazing thing a sleeve and 4 months can do!

Congratulations on both your surgery and your courage!

Sorry my post above didn't come out right.

I meant to mention "ilikecake2much" as winning the unofficial best name on the forum contest!

@@ilikecake2much

@@Butterfly512 I feel the exact same way. And you know what? The truth is you (and I) probably CAN "do it on our own". But you know what else? We would probably also gain it all back and then some. What is making the decision easier for me is knowing the facts - about 97% of people who lose weight with diet and exercise will gain it all back. We are more likely to keep MOST of the weight off long term with WLS. That is what seals the deal for me. Yes, I could eat healthy and exercise and slowly lose weight. But I have done that so many times and it has always ended in me gaining it all back and more. Its time for me to try something better. Something proven to have a higher success rate.