craigcu

been on the probiotics now for three weeks, seemed to have cured the .. Ahem.. Issues. Accident free the whole time.. But the axiom holds true still, never trust a fart...thanks all for turning me on to the probiotics..

Hi all, All, On my recent trip to Silicon Valley, I had an opportunity to catch up with an old acquaintance of mine, Joseph Rosenfeld. I know Joseph because during the period I lived in Silicon valley, I was working in some intense environments (technically speaking) and while running a couple large teams, I felt my image was not living up to what I wanted to project. However, as we all know, that image we feel inside was clouded/obscured by obesity, which at that time, I was at my heaviest weight of 421. Talking with Joseph then I think started me on the path to WLS, because as an expert in clothing/style/body image, he was aware the change I needed could not be helped by clothes alone. When I met Joseph this past Saturday for Breakfast (because I am considering working with him now that I have the WLS changes in process) he didnt recognize me, even though I had alluded to that issue when we discussed getting together over email. It was great to see him and he was quite surprised at where I was in my journey and success I've had. We talked at length about the challenges Obese and WLS patients face in overcoming body dysmorphia and the mental challenges that seems so much more difficult and insidious than the pure physical surgery, etc. I hope I represented our community well, and we discussed many things, but apologies in advance if you dont feel this is applicable to you. Well, Joseph felt my pain I think and since he does a weekly blog, decided to do this weeks post about many of the issues I brought up to him. You can find it here http://www.josephrosenfeld.com/category/blog/. Joseph's a great guy and has faced many of his own challenges and demons and I really felt comfortable in sharing my journey thus far and I hope starting to open the eyes of professionals in the fashion/personal image consulting area to the issues we are facing. Feel free to have a read and leave any comments for him. Or share them directly with our group here and I will pass them along. yours truly, Craig Cumberland

You don't see many pics from guys on style because some of us would like adult giranimals to match clothes together. It's like my style maturity stopped when I gained my weight.. Stuck at about 1990..

Thanks all for this great info. Started culture like today and ordered the Amazon ones delivered to my hotel for Monday..

@@LipstickLady, did you have any adjustment time issues or were you good to go as soon as you started on the probiotic?

im heading to a Water park and California and I CANNOT have an incident there.. I will shut down a whole hotel if so. I need these Probiotics tomorrow. Can I find them in stores??

So let me throw out a suggestion, meet at the fat to finish line booth in the expo area on sat. 10 am? How will we identify ourselves??

Aggie, I'm in Seattle as well and would be glad to discuss more in person or on phone if you want. I used pssc and was very happy. You should switch if you are not comfortable, as this needs to be a long term relationship.. Pm me and be glad to provide any other connections or info from my perspective.. Join the Washington state Bariatrics Facebook group as well..

I have been on several cruises, so here are my thoughts. If you have cruised before, don't go. That early from surgery, your mind will still be making connections to old paths and behaviors, while your trying to force new ones. I don't even want to go to restaurants I have been to before because of that issue and I'm 5 months out. If you have not cruised before, then go. But don't plan any strenuous excursions, etc because you most likely won't have your energy level worked out or (worst case) constipation incontinence problems. Stay low key, bring a case of protien shakes with you and make sure medical personnel on board know your situation. And always eat at the dining room, don't go to the buffets..

Scars show you have lived and usually are earned. My scars are a badge of honor. I'm fighting the fight and so are you ( so are we all). They will heal and other things will occur, then you won't even think about these again... You will be ok..

Amazing success.. And it was all you and hard work. U did it!!

How would a 6' tall shar pei look in one of these?? My wife tells me I look deflated.. Wonder could I cram some of this extra skin in one for purely cosmetic benefit?? Sorry, had to ask..

Yes, the mind is the hardest organ to fix. I wish they had cut into that more than my stomach!! The three week blues are completely normal. Happen to everybody. Going out to dinner, advice: don't go to your normal restaurants, pick new ones because the old habits and experiences won't be there. Great time to try small new things. But honestly, it's hard., the surgery was the easy part. But, I'm 5 month post op and ran my first 5k today and down 86 lbs. You will do this and more.. This too shall pass ( spoiler, the 70 lb stall is much more depressing!!

goto your local vitamin store and pick up some different singles and pick your flavor. Some isopure flavors I could not stand, glad I didn't order a case. So flavors were very strong, so I just added water in my water bottle tonitand it worked fine..

Huge congrats, can't wait to be where you are!!