OKCPirate

I don't think I will ever get a tattoo. Why? Because I am so paranoid I ask myself "hmm, why would I pay money to give the government a free way to ID for the rest of my life?" That being said, I know many do have a tattoo and most have great stories to go along with their tats. Care to share stories and pics?

Damn idiots who don't know or bother to quit talking inanely while in the security lines at the airport. For crap sakes, TSA sucks enough but you idiots screw up more. I jumped ahead of one idiot who didn't prepare in advance because she was talking and didn't get her stuff together. She yelled at me that I was "rude". Big mistake. I didn't hold up the line but waited until we we through with the scanner to let her know what a narsistic idiot she was who had no regard for anyone else's time and there was no rule requiring me to let idiots waste my time and if she didn't like it she could bite me or have her wimp husband take a beating f them,

To maximize your investment, look up the best time to take supplements and realize not all of them go together http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/dont-mix-calcium-iron

Two fiction books that I enjoyed listening to... Nookie Town- what if the wives who didn't have the energy for sex teamed up with the single women in a small NJ town? Funny and insightful The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo series is continued with a new writer and he is very good. The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Lisbeth Salander novel, continuing Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series

BTW, I know women out number men by a factor of 10 on this site, but loose skin is embarrassing for both sexes. My GF wasn't part of my decision to do WLS(we didn't even know each other then), but the excess skin on my upper thighs got in her way the other day and it was embarrassing to look down and see her moving it away, Not a great Kodak moment in my life. But the fact remains I am a highly functional, healthy boyfriend despite some excess skin, At 53, we are not going to be photo-shopped modes. But I'll take healthy and functional any day,

BTW, if I didn't really say it earlier,,, IT IS WORTH IT You don't know, but wait until you don't have to plan to cut your toenails. Think about it...inhale, snip, stand up, inhale, lean forward, etc, When you are past that point, you will realize pre/post op was worth it. JUST SAYING

Why do you say zinc? Not saying you are wrong, but please share what you have learned or links.

Start with this book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0 It was very helpful to me to start this journey.

Ok, not going to lie, it sucks giving up habits that we have enjoyed for many years. I weaned off Diet Mt Dew, coffee, alcohol,and then deliberately starved myself to shrink my liver so my surgery would be successful. AND IT WAS WORTH IT This isn't the easy way. It is a tool. BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. Just saying.

I am the odd man out on this...and while I loved the Harry Potter books and anything from Tom Clancy's team, I really like non-fiction. Some summer suggestions (and these are very well written and very entertaining) Sex at Dawn - an absolute game changer in how you see sex and relationships Confessions of an Ad Man - Classic book on selling and how you can learn to do it better Why Women have Sex - umm, if you still buy the old Victorian idea that women don't really need sex, READ THIS BOOK (and I don't care what gender you are). Big Leauge City, how OKC got the Thunder by David Holt...http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2013/8/28/4665362/big-league-city-an-interview-with-okc-state-senator-david-holt-part-1 If you want to understand modern sports, read this book. Plus I have a great deal of pride in my adopted home town and how much it has grown since I have been here.

OK, since it's true confession time Dad of four great kids, 3/4's are out of the house and my youngest daughter is entering her senior year of high school. Once she is in college I am heading out of Oklahoma (I love the people, OKC, is actually a very cool place right now, but the damn pollen is killing me). I was married for 21 years. 15 were happy. The last six sucked pond Water. My ex was hospitalized because of mental illness. I found a therapist with the idea of learning how to help her. To my surprise, I realized I was the one who needed the help (kind of like what they tell you on an airplane,,,put your own mask on first before you put a mask on your kids). Funny thing, when I realized what my problems were and I started to change, I realized just how toxic my relationship was with my ex. It took a few years, but we finally ended the madness. I am election/political professional. That means I really get into numbers as well as people. That helped me look at dating in a very skewed way, but it worked. I understand how to find the people I wanted to meet and worked very seriously to communicate to them. I really enjoy sex and intimate time with my significant other. I study this subject because I am serious about maximizing her pleasure. I have taken two classes on yoni massages. (look it up on your own and PM if you want me more info). MEN, it is damn fun to figure out how complex women really are, take time to study them. If you are a guy and you don't realize the sexual potential of a woman...shame. It will blow your mind, and I am convinced that if a guy will take the time to learn that potential, it will pay off more than you will ever realize...women's capacity for giving is greater than you know, but only if she trusts and cares. Nuff said there. I have the coolist job in the world. I have a virtual staff of over 500 people all over the world. I have a great team to make it all work. I get to teach future generations. I am very frank with my mistakes which helps the next generation do more than I ever could. I was a poli sci major, but my concentration was on the eastern block and the commies. I started my military career as a private (I was an MP), became a SGT (very cool job in the Army), but after I was commissioned I ended as a Cpt. (I literally am Cpt. Kirk). I am not bragging (and thankfully have never been called to do it), but I can take out anyone from 3/4's of a mile away with a .50cal sniper rifle, and I have enjoyed close in fights since taking Aikido and Karate for the last 15 years. I am exceedingly proud of my kids...one who is a restaurant manager at Disney, my oldest son is about to become a teacher, my next son is becoming a physical therapist, and my youngest is now in the top 10 of her class and is going to OU to study Geology and wants to work in the State Department. I love my GF beyond measure. We are a testimate that it is never too late to find a relationship that brings you happiness and at 53, we can still make a randy teenager green with envy when we are alone as a couple. (We both had 20+ year marriages, and tried to save them despite the dysfunction, but we also both grew from the experience and have used those lessons to help each other). I am very thankful that I found WLS as an option and have tried to honor it by being part of the greater community, and be an evangelist, mentor and teacher,

No, Kindle, that was the beginning of your beginning. I've always had this theory that I swear to be true:-----most men suffer from "HGS" when it comes to being compassionate and caring of a woman's heart. "HGS" stands for "Hanging Genital Syndrome". It has always occurred to me that when one's genitals hang freely from the body, it causes drag throughout the body--eventually the brain. Dragging of the brain causes cellular damage --leaving one cold hearted and obsessed with one's damage causing hanging parts. Of course, not all men suffer from this ailment---just those insensitive sods out there in Never Never Land. God told Adam I have some good news and some bad...the good news is I am going to give you a brain and a penis. The bad news is I can only give you enough blood to operate one at a time

I can't read and walk either, but I am an auditory learner, so I pick up a great deal just by listening.

I trick myself by getting into an audio book I really like. But I don't let myself listen to it unless I am exercising. It seems to jump start things. I'm an odd duck on this though, but give me a good Tom Clancy novel and I am going to walk/run/lift for an hour or more.

Geez, this stuff is everywhere: But this is my typical straw fail...

You can make Protein Fraps coffee chocolate flavored protein from GNC I add vanilla stevia to mine I also put in half a oikos triple zero vanilla yogurt Dang tastey, and I like the energy boost.

Umm, little early for the two hour marathon sex. Hard on the core and staple line 10 days out. But in 20 more days watch out, if you follow instructions, the hormone level will make that a very pleasant possibility...see: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219760-sex-oh-my-god-sex/. I would not have even considered any more that walking for the first month. Only gentle sex until your stomach has healed.

I have a great deal of respect for your ex making that effort and for you for taking him up on the offer.

@@gowalking - "I'm 57 and have had children. Between those two things, some loose skin is not a deal breaker." Any guy who has been around and dated women his own age and is over 45 realizes gravity wins, and having kids changes things. (Though I wish I had the child bearing excuse ) It has taking me months to get my GF to realize I really do think she's really hot (and she is, she is great looking, and surprising young 53). But it is very cool that she has no problem sharing a meal when we eat out. She knows about the surgery, and she doesn't eat much at a meal either, so one entree is usually enough for the two of us. Thankfully we like the same food and she trusts my choices. Occasionally she sees something on the menu that sounds great to her and so we do two Entrees and to go boxes. I'm glad you are finding a new normal. That is a nice change.

@@jennmonterrozo - I used my lunch to practice eating slowly, small bites and many chews. It was good practice for week 3 post op. I like to grill extra's and use those for lunch. Worse comes to worse, ham roll up works great.

His parents divorced and did it the wrong way. When his daughter was born they had negotiate visitation times so the parents were not in the same room at the same time. He was nice enough to share the story to remind me not to make that mistake. I don't want to put my kids in that situation so I bite my tongue and remember the goal.

@@Sophie74656 - there is an a** for every seat. I like Quest bars in an emergency and keep it with me when I travel. I am in the minority and enjoy Isopure drinks, even though I admit, most can't stand them. So find what you like, but realize it is a rescue food, not what you need everyday.

Scared of the 8 days of no pooping post surgery...yes that too shall pass. It turned out to be a non-problem. It sucked that I gained weight post surgery, but it went away quickly after the IV fluids left my system. I really hated that I had pizza 8 weeks post op, that crap got all stuck and ended up retching. (Never again). But over all, not getting it done sooner. But I'm a hard ass who thought this was the easy way out and didn't really look at it in a significant way until two years ago.

Read this section, it has been going on for five years for a reason...it will make you laugh, cry, and think...which is a perfect thing to happen in a day. And prepare you for the changes that are coming... http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/195065-you-know-you-lost-weight-when/

@@Christinamo7 - no appologies needed, it is a great juxtaposition example.