OKCPirate

Get them early and often. Remind any significant other that it will help with loose skin. http://allwomenstalk.com/how-to-tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/6/

I posted this is in another section, but it makes more sense here: This is my opinion based on my observations of testimonials and stories of WLS patients that I read prior to getting my surgery - most of the hoops that third party payers (people with insurance) are forced to jump through are ways of weeding out those who are not motivated to properly use the tool. Part of the testing is CYA stuff that we do in the US to prevent lawsuits. While this is an observation, it is obviously not universally true...there are some highly motivated people on this site who jumped through the insurance companies hoops to have their surgery, and they did so quickly to get the show on the road. But if you were motivated enough to put your own money into WLS and go down to Mexico, odds are you are highly compliant and ready to make the change. So which ever route you take, self-pay or insurance, those who make it through the initial process, eh, already have skin in the game. The people who are not disciplined enough to get through all the steps, are probably not good candidates, and those who have someone else do all their work for them, or were pressured into surgery are often the biggest whiners that "it doesn't work." It's just a tool, you still have to do the work.

That is great. Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

GAS-X Strips, music, earbuds

That will make your blood pressure go up Here's to a swift recovery (lifting my little shot glass of water)

That is too freaking great. I know how you feel, I get kicked off a ride because they couldn't get the bar thing over me. Humiliation city ;-(. So glad for you on that one. Hmmm, I think I have time this summer for schlitterbaum.

My ex -wife of 21 years was bipolar (though in retrospect I think she was a borderline). So I feel your pain. Give yourself lots of time to heal. There are many trolls and lowlifes who seem to be able to sense when people are vulnerable after a break up. So protect yourself and heal. And I hope you will blessed by this board. Many supportive people from a large wide variety of backgrounds.

One thing I didn't expect, but I am most gratified with is my kids are inspired by my weight loss and change in lifestyle. They are changing their way of living and are now exercising and eating healthier. Two told me just how exciting it was to see the changes I've made and they want that in their lives. It's great to be a good example and not be a nag.

I would seriously suggest starting there before investing in the equipment for the reasons stated by others, but also because you don't seem to know yet what you like. If you were into biking or running, that would be an easy call, but your body is changing and who knows what you are going to like in a few months. I do like my gym. It is always open 24/7, lots of equipment and I get to try new things.

I chose Star Medica facility in Juarez, Mexico. The facility is a newer hospital and is the official hospital of the U.S. Embassy in Juarez. Huge private rooms and the lowest rate of infection I could find (that is US and Mexico).

Check with them, but I think you are correct.

@@nicolewilliams - "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." Albert Einstein. In other words, a simple change in diet or exercise is really not the solution, but instead you might want to take a look at your underling issue with food and the comfort it give you. This is a long term battle, not a short term fight.

@@Invictus No, you didn't make a mistake. Your first two weeks are for healing and getting dehydrated would be a mistake.

Thanks very helpful. I thought it was just me

@LipstickLady- sorry about the creme Soup, to each their own. I stand by my cheese comment though

Were you stitched or glued?

Congrats, can't wait to hear more. Walk as much as you can and scan the posts, lots of good wisdom in these hills.

@@cat268 - True, I still drink my water at room temp

@@UnbeSleevEable85 - I still turn even though I don't have too. Too many years of doing it the other way

Just keep a bottle with you and sip constantly. It's important to keep any gall bladder problems from happening. You just have to go slow at first, your stomach is healing, but keep working it. You will be able to drink normally in a week. (OK, hopefully, that was my experience).

As long as they don't cook it until it's dry I'm good. No problem with oysters, lobster, crab, shrimp et.al. Should go without saying, but stay away from breading. If you want a crust, use hummus. It's fantastic on fish or chicken. Further note, I have not had a problem with Sushi or Sashimi either.

@@cube68 - Keep your big shirts http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/345874-fun-use-for-big-clothes/

At some point, the scale and tape measure became very unreliable. I knew I was putting on muscle, but the scale wasn't moving. Excess skin made the tape measure unreliable too, so I got a set of plastic calipers off Amazon and started doing skin fold body fat testing. That told me what I suspected, my percentage of body fat was dropping, but my weight wasn't. So that is what I am watching, do the test every 10 days. If I stay the same for 20 days, I go over my diet/exercise log and see what needs to be tweaked. I am thinking of doing some experiments from the caloriecoach.com site and if I come up with any results I'll pass those on.

@@rgodfrey09 - Makes sense. Keep in mind that when you are getting Protein in the form of a shake, you are getting the necessary Water to protect the kidneys with the shake or drink. If you start increasing exercise your protein needs will increase. I noticed I was losing hair when I started doing heavier weight training. I realized that the protein recommendations from my NUT was way under what I needed. Google "protein calculators" for more insight.

@@tinab08 - If you friend me on myfitnesspal.com (handle: thekirkshelley) you can see how much exercise I get on any given day. But a big part of it is where you are physically. I was a fairly active fat guy, so doing two three mile walks a day didn't bother me, but might be too much for another.