KingMoose

I grew up on veggies, I refuse to let them bother me. Hahaha I do notice a difference in my #2 but not bad and my stomach is ok as long as I do not over do it and take it real slow. It takes about 45 min or more to eat a 6" sub.

Thank you so much KingMoose and WannaBthinsoon for your words of encouragement. KingMoose please hear me when i cry for help...lol! WannaBthinsoon, your name says it all for both of us....keep me informed as you are going first. All the best!

@@Hightime Welcome! And congratulations on getting a surgery date! Mine is on the 23rd, so we're pretty close. I feel like you. I have only 2 pair of pants that fit. Holding out for a smaller size, because my closet is full of smaller sizes. I had to attend a funeral a few months ago, and was more concerned about what I was going to find to wear, than I was about being there for the grieving family. How self centered am I?? I have been preparing for my sleeve for about a year. I quit smoking 4-1-14. I met with my PCP once a month for about 7 months, just to be on the safe side(for Dr supervised diet). I had my sleep study done over the summer, and now use a cpap. I had my EGD, met with the dietition, met with the Psych, and got my clearance. The year dragged, but now the days are flying by, and I have this little happy butterfly in my tummy, that is so excited for sleeve day! All the best to you, and I hope to follow your progress as you and I both become healthier! Take care!

I drink a Protein Shake in the morning (after my coffee) after the gym I have a Protein Bar. Then lunch is where I have my carbs, normally a subway chicken or turkey sandwich with all the veggies. During the afternoon I snack on sunflower seeds (I know the salt is bad but I am a HS football and baseball coach so I am very active and in the sun a lot so I need the little bit of salt to keep from dehydration and cramps) dinner is some sort of clean Protein and veggies. Late night snack is usually a piece or two of beef Jerky. All day long I am drinking Water and crystal light roughly 80oz total. Plus if I want sweet I have a sf popcicle

Yeah, I drink Decaf when I need to warm up, but I'm afraid I drink coffee for the caffeine. It's the only vice I have left.

Sure I am in! My goal is 250lbs. My weight loss in lbs has slowed due to my weight lifting but I am dropping body fat still. So I will say 250 or 20% body fat. I am at 26% right now.
Oh my weight right now is 260

I am 6 months out and sometimes still have a hard time getting 1000 cal in a day.

I bought a 72oz jug an challenge myself everyday to finish it. Apps are good for many things but I feel good ol' competition works best for me.

There is going to be stalls and plateaus in you WL journey, it is inevitable. Just stick to you plan and maybe change up your exercise program. Remember the scale is not the only measurement of your success. Your body is changing daily and sometimes the scale does not show it. Take measurements of your body and track the loss there as well as the weight itself.
Don't become obsessed with the number on the scale, it will drive you crazy.

Keep your head up!! You guys have to remember, if you are exercising and lifting weights.....MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT!! So pound for pound you may be losing inches in fat, but tightening everything up and converting to muscle...which will be heavier!!! When you clothes fit differently, you know you're doing something right!!! You gotta hang in there, dont give up!!!
Jenn

I am almost 6 months out. No regrets, NONE! Even though I can no longer eat the way I used to that does not upset me. I am healthier, happier, and know I can do all of the things I have not been able to do before the surgery. Surprises: how sensitive my reaction to smell has gotten. The smell of anything deep fried gets to me, the same with sweet smells. Surprised at the looks I get now, it is no longer the "that guy is fat" look. I have also been told by the wife that she has caught women checking me out (says it turns her on). Surprised at the overwhelming support that is out there not just on these forms but in general, my circle is way supportive of me and helps hold me accountable. Biggest surprise is I have lost over 100lbs in 5 months, off all pain and blood-pressure medications and feel amazing. My energy is through the roof I workout multiple times a week both cardio and weight-lifting, I am starting to see definition in my muscles. Where I have always been a very strong big guy, I would get big but not cut, now I am getting both. I lost a lot of strength before, but, even with the calorie deficit my strength is coming back very quickly.
Good luck with your journey, it will not be easy, but it will be worth it!

I am almost 6 months out. No regrets, NONE! Even though I can no longer eat the way I used to that does not upset me. I am healthier, happier, and know I can do all of the things I have not been able to do before the surgery. Surprises: how sensitive my reaction to smell has gotten. The smell of anything deep fried gets to me, the same with sweet smells. Surprised at the looks I get now, it is no longer the "that guy is fat" look. I have also been told by the wife that she has caught women checking me out (says it turns her on). Surprised at the overwhelming support that is out there not just on these forms but in general, my circle is way supportive of me and helps hold me accountable. Biggest surprise is I have lost over 100lbs in 5 months, off all pain and blood-pressure medications and feel amazing. My energy is through the roof I workout multiple times a week both cardio and weight-lifting, I am starting to see definition in my muscles. Where I have always been a very strong big guy, I would get big but not cut, now I am getting both. I lost a lot of strength before, but, even with the calorie deficit my strength is coming back very quickly.
Good luck with your journey, it will not be easy, but it will be worth it!

I am almost 6 months out. No regrets, NONE! Even though I can no longer eat the way I used to that does not upset me. I am healthier, happier, and know I can do all of the things I have not been able to do before the surgery. Surprises: how sensitive my reaction to smell has gotten. The smell of anything deep fried gets to me, the same with sweet smells. Surprised at the looks I get now, it is no longer the "that guy is fat" look. I have also been told by the wife that she has caught women checking me out (says it turns her on). Surprised at the overwhelming support that is out there not just on these forms but in general, my circle is way supportive of me and helps hold me accountable. Biggest surprise is I have lost over 100lbs in 5 months, off all pain and blood-pressure medications and feel amazing. My energy is through the roof I workout multiple times a week both cardio and weight-lifting, I am starting to see definition in my muscles. Where I have always been a very strong big guy, I would get big but not cut, now I am getting both. I lost a lot of strength before, but, even with the calorie deficit my strength is coming back very quickly.
Good luck with your journey, it will not be easy, but it will be worth it!

I am almost 6 months out. No regrets, NONE! Even though I can no longer eat the way I used to that does not upset me. I am healthier, happier, and know I can do all of the things I have not been able to do before the surgery. Surprises: how sensitive my reaction to smell has gotten. The smell of anything deep fried gets to me, the same with sweet smells. Surprised at the looks I get now, it is no longer the "that guy is fat" look. I have also been told by the wife that she has caught women checking me out (says it turns her on). Surprised at the overwhelming support that is out there not just on these forms but in general, my circle is way supportive of me and helps hold me accountable. Biggest surprise is I have lost over 100lbs in 5 months, off all pain and blood-pressure medications and feel amazing. My energy is through the roof I workout multiple times a week both cardio and weight-lifting, I am starting to see definition in my muscles. Where I have always been a very strong big guy, I would get big but not cut, now I am getting both. I lost a lot of strength before, but, even with the calorie deficit my strength is coming back very quickly.
Good luck with your journey, it will not be easy, but it will be worth it!

The only things that affect me food wise is Pasta and ground beef. I have not thrown up once (felt like it a couple times)but if I feel "icky" after eating I take a walk and that seems to help. As far as the ground beef thing, I changed to ground turkey and no problems. Eating fast is the hardest part for me. I have always been a fast eater so learning to eat slow is a every meal learning curve.

I still do not gulp, not that I can't but don't want to go from gulp to chug.

The only pre-op diet I had was the week prior I was on just Clear Liquids and Protein Shakes. This is mainly to shrink your liver to make it easier for the surgery. The day prior all I could have was Water till midnight. If you don't have a fatty liver you may not need to go on a strict diet.

I still do not gulp, not that I can't but don't want to go from gulp to chug.

Also if you use the blender bottles it will mix your Protein very well with minimal foaming.

I use Max Muscle MaxPro Protein as well as the Tripple Whey they both taste great but are a little on the pricy side. Both have 26g of protein per scoop the MaxPro has 140 calories, 10g of fat, 0g of sugar and 2g of carbs. The Tripple Whey has 130 calories, 5g of fat, 3g of sugar and 6g of carbs.

Mixing in Protein Powder makes it taste like a good for you pudding. Plus helps get the recommended Protein in without having to drink it and kind of feels like a cheat, but, it's not.

Also if you use the blender bottles it will mix your Protein very well with minimal foaming.

If you stay adequately hydrated daily then the "sipping just keeps you hydrated. During my harder workouts I make sure I drink more the day before and sip on Gatorade G2 during my workout. The key is to make sure you are well hydrated for a couple days prior to your event! It is MUCH HARDER to re-hydrate than it is to stay constantly hydrated.
The easiest way to Judge your hydration level is to check the color of your urine, it should be no darker than light lemonade. Preferably clear as you get closer to the event. GOOD LUCK!

You are doing this for you! Don't worry what anybody else thinks! They are used to the "old" you and people hate change.
The most rewarding experience I have had since my surgery is when I saw my nutritionist at my 4 month check up. I went to his office to check in, when he came out to get me he did not recognize me.

The first couple of weeks are the hardest! Boredom sets it with what you are allowed to eat. It is all mental once you can overcome all of that it will become easier to deal with. Over the 4 1/2 months since my surgery my mind towards food has completely changed. I still get cravings and take a bite here and there but I pay for it both physically but more mentally. But it is good for you once in a while to indulge in that craving but be smart about it. Most importantly be smart and safe.