dms724

Dr Snyder was my gastric sleeve surgeon in Jan 2015. He and the entire staff there are phenomenal. Highly recommend!

That's me! Had PF and 2 Achilles Tendon surgeries in the year before my sleeve surgery. My foot pain was the #1 reason I decided to have the sleeve. I went from working out 5-6 days a week to barely being able to stand in the shower.
Here is what I can say 6 months post-op: it is SO MUCH better! I have lost 53 pounds and it makes the world of difference w/ my foot pain. It isn't gone completely and I continue to work with specialists and therapists to get it back to 100%. But, losing weight has helped a ton!
In the meantime, I recommend a night brace to help keep foot stretched and help with early morning pain. Footsmart.com
Also, reflexology for PF helped a ton pre-op!
Good luck to you!

@@dms724
Soon enough it will be more than one bag, depending on what your goal is....I felt the same way trying to go up the basement stairs with a bag of "used" cat litter....how on earth did I do it? And I'm closer to three than two bags!!!! Joy to the world, indeed!!!!! Congrats!

Isn't that great? It is the NSVs that mean the most.

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I've had two very impactful moments this week that I thought I would share!
Last weekend, I was carrying a very large and very heavy bag of potting soil from the car when I wondered just how heavy it was. I heaved it on the ground and noticed it was 25 lbs. I am nearly 5 months out and down 48 pounds. Realizing that this bag weighed half of my weight loss, I was compelled to pick it up again and walk a few more feet. Wow, was that a powerful moment! I could not imagine carrying two of these bags around all day, every day! But I did. Amazing.
Then, yesterday, I was at the pet store and picked up a 42 lb bag of cat litter. Yet another super powerful moment. No wonder I felt so tired and everything was so hard pre-op.
It's a great reminder for me when I feel I should have lost more by now or that 48 lbs isn't enough. Next time I am feeling that way, I will pick up a bag of cat litter or potting soil!
????

I was sleeved on 1/20/15. To date I have lost some 48 lbs in the 11 weeks since my operation. I hope this will inspire some of you that this operation is not something that will handicap you but will actually free you to a much more enjoyable side of life.
One of the things my wife and I enjoy is cruising. Pre sleeve it was all about the food and the beer. Life has changed now as my 2XL body is just now adjusting to a “lumpy” but comfortable “L” size. My eating habits have become healthier and less the big part of my day. The thing is…. I couldn’t in all fairness to my wife stop vacationing (my wife is not overweight). Veterans of 23 prior cruises over the past 16 years, I had to see if it was possible, and as soon as possible. We booked a cruise on NCL Sun out of Tampa to coincide with my transition into stage 5 (solid foods). I learned a lot this week. And I like what I learned. BTW it was the best cruise ever. No alcohol, small portions…. I had my doubts. But I stuck to the plan. It was easy and doable. Here is what I learned, how I coped, what I did, how I ate and how I did weight wise.
1. I decided on day one that everything I ate would be quality….no bread or Pasta. I ate steak, shrimp, chicken or pork for lunch or dinner, no sandwiches , no sweets… I want to emphasize that there are and to my surprise always were good options on every buffet…..especially for sleevers!
2. Breakfast everyday was eggs, cottage cheese (yes the had it) and if I had room a little yogurt. After which we sent for coffee from room service to enjoy later on the balcony.
3. My day started on deck six everyday with my wife ….which has an open air walking track (on most boats ) for 8 to 10,000 steps….about an hour of leisurely walking. By day 3 I was actually jogging small stretches of the track.
4. Dinner every night was a small bite of an appetizer or a few bites of salad and about half the portion of meat. No dessert, instead I would treat myself to a single espresso after my wife finished her dessert
5. I drank ice Water, skim milk and occasionally made myself an ice coffee in my waterbottle everyday.
6. I drank no….yes zero alcohol!!! It did not bother me a bit. My wife did drink and I got all the exercise going to the bar for her….lol
7. At night we took in as much of the activities and shows as possible.
8. Late night occasionally we would get a small bite at the late night buffet. Most nights.
9. I challenged myself to do a shore tour ( I never liked doing things because of my weight ) We did cave tubing in Belize and snorkeling in Roatan Honduras. Which is “not” like me.
10. I think the toughest thing on the cruise is the looks the waiters give you when you don’t finish your meal….I got a lot of…. “you no like? I bring you something else?” I gave a simple “I’m fine…it was delicious!” which works everytime.
11. I think my smartest idea was though to bring a nice water bottle… it was very handy.
12. I bought a new T-shirt in every port in my new size “L” That was a great feeling.
So what was the end result? I was never hungry, slept great, ate some tasty things, met a goal of at least 10k steps every day and still lost 3.2 lbs. It was the first cruise that I actually fit in the clothes that I came on the boat in. I hope this blog encourages you to get out there……but you have to follow the plan and be strong enough to stick to it. It wasn’t hard at all.
LOVING MY SLEEVED LIFE
John M

40 pounds and 8 weeks has already truly changed my life! I feel like it is a miracle that I never REALLY thought would happen!!
I have a way to go still but I am already living the life I could only dream of for so many years!! sniffle sniffle


This was taken yesterday while we walked 5 miles in Atlantic City!!

It does get better!! I'm 6 weeks out and each week is easier.
I found that adding fat free milk to the Premier shakes helped me. Otherwise they are too thick for me to stomach easily.
Also, for something different, I would heat a Premier chocolate with Some milk for a "hot chocolate". That is now my morning ritual (instead of coffee).
Hang in there ????

@@dms724 you may have just saved my life! I love hot chocolate! I added a little unsweetened cocoa powder to it and I'm in love!!! I'll get this down in no time and still be able to eat something! THANK YOU!

It does get better!! I'm 6 weeks out and each week is easier.
I found that adding fat free milk to the Premier shakes helped me. Otherwise they are too thick for me to stomach easily.
Also, for something different, I would heat a Premier chocolate with Some milk for a "hot chocolate". That is now my morning ritual (instead of coffee).
Hang in there ????

My doctor's recommendation for this phase is a minimum of 40g Protein with a goal of 50-75g. He suggests gradually increasing protein each day which is what I've been focusing on doing. It's hard but I'll get there!!

Tomorrow at 9am!!!
I am ready - let's do this!!!!

Tomorrow at 9am!!!
I am ready - let's do this!!!!

Tomorrow at 9am!!!
I am ready - let's do this!!!!