VDB

Yes, marriage is changing some since the big weight loss... and keeps changing always. And, we adapt to these changes by talking things out, by being open. Funny thing, she is less physical with me now than before, but I think this is tied to her own increasing (non-obesity, she is skinny) physical disability, not me. But, I certainly feel more attractive, more loose, easy walking, etc. Like Dub, I don't regret this surgery for a minute -- I recently rode a bike again for the first time in 20+ years, it was great. I walk the lab without getting out of breath. I got up flights of stairs without panting. I get flirted with again from women I don't know....I don't encourage it (100% monogamous entire married life of four decades) but I recognize it and smile!

I agree with ML Warrior. There are some things it is best to go cold turkey on. The only exception for me is something that I got fixated on, and it was best for me to have small amount of and move on. For example, I was in San Francisco, and got really fixated on SF sourdough bread. I just had a slice with butter, and saw that it was not that great, and not worth losing my momentum over... but normally I just used ML's tactic. I just love pie or more accurately pie crust. Just gave it up after I had a piece at 3 months out... none for 4 months now, don't miss it.

Come to California! We have non fried appetizers! Ahi Poke, grilled shrimp, smoked fish, sashimi, chicken lettuce wraps, grilled veggie and chicken stacks and skewers... I'm sure other states have them too, LOL! But honestly most of the appetizers at the restaurants I go to have lots more than the standard artichoke dip, blooming onion, fried mozzarella choices. And as far as fast food goes do you have a chick fil a? Love their grilled chicken nuggets! Jack in the box chicken fajita pita (I don't eat the pita) is awesome too. One Chick Fila in the entire western side of Colorado, but will try the nuggets, no Jack in the Box here. Thanks for the ideas.

If my wife is with me, we can share one meal -- I can eat about 2-3 ounces of Protein (fish preferred, chicken breast works, can't eat beef) and a few of the veges. If alone, I can get a take home box and get two additional meals from the one meal. In 7 months, I have learned that most appetizers are carb loaded or fried, but in asian restaurants, things like marinated chicken or shrimp on sticks in various forms works ok. In our part of the world, we have Sonic drive-ins. They have a grilled chicken sandwich. I can eat half the chicken and a bite of the bun, but it is quick and filling. There seems to be nothing at other fast foods that I can eat, Wendy's has a grillled chicken sandwich but it tastes old. I was with a group that went to Taco Bell, there was nothing for me to order except a small cup of refried Beans, which was tasty but am sure it had too much fat in the beans. Overall, when I have to travel, I stay out of pancake houses, steakhouses (can't eat beef, major problems with that as is typical of gastric bypass). Chinese is fine, there is always something I can eat. Indian is marginal but I have found a few things on their menus that work. Seafood restaurants are the best -- a small salmon fillet with a side of steamed veges is my favorite out meal.

I have been married so many decade I cannot remember a time when I was not married. I think of myself as a five year old -- and there she is! Some of the decades were tough, but the last couple have been wonderful, in our older years. I am now a much smaller guy -- have lost the equivalent of her weight, but for all those years she gave me unconditional acceptance. Sure, once in a while she would get really worried about my health, but her concern never had any strings. In return, I give her unconditional acceptance. She has a physical disability that means I handle 95% of the daily tasks of life, which she often feels guilty about but I give her the gift of acceptance. Works for us.

Thanks for this one, Dub. I, too have lost a lot of pounds and long lost mobility is returning. I was having trouble balancing in my fishing boat and could no longer ride my bike. At my heaviest (440) I was heading toward couch potato land. At 300, I can ride again, and when winter is over will be in the boat again. I find I can walk much easier, which the yellow lab appreciates. Just getting out of a chair is 100% easier. I am looking out my window at a 11,000 foot mountain that I am going to climb when I get to goal weight...

Funny, I am the opposite. Post by-pass, my sense of smell has decreased greatly, don't know why. I second what OKC Pirate said -- only now, six months out, have I realized what a daze I was in the first five months as the weight fell off and my body was changing.

Yes, great idea B-52! I will increase the treadmill time, more walking, more swimming laps...

My wife, kids, and I have always been thrift store junkies. She finds some unbelievable great clothes. I have never been able to clothes shop there, not many 5xl or 4xl things, or none is more accurate. Now, at a mere XL, I am starting to find some great clothes which helps me round out the ever shrinking WLS wardrobe. I found a great leather coat, size XL the other day. I also ordered a nice wool sportcoat on EBAY, where my size did not often show up.... styling here in rural Colorado!

At six months post, am 100# down, no real stalls so far until now. The rapid weight loss took a good 15-20% of my energy, but overall no problems. Now, four weeks with no weight loss, in some ways I did not mind much given the energy depletion, and energy is better. My Water is good, my food plan good, my blood and nutrient numbers very good... any ideas? Is this just normal body readjustment? Thanks in advance for your ideas.

I will second the Lady... over 200 pounds gone... or 800 sticks of butter as we say around my house. Amazing, how are you feeling?

WHEW!!! Have been sending lots of energy your way, along with all of the others. So glad this is over the hump, you both deserve a great outcome.

Of course, since my long grey hair started falling out quite a bit and I cut to a buzz cut of 1/2" long, my scalp rolls and skull lines are now visible... If it is not one thing it is another. Soon, will dream of mullets.... when my hair grows back...

We eat fish several times a week. I prefer salmon, halibut, or catfish... simply cooked. I just put a teaspoon of good olive oil in a non-stick fry pan, saute a few scallions, chopped, and a couple of cloves of garlic, minced. 30 seconds of saute, then in go the fillets. Cook about 6 minutes per inch of thickness, don't overcook. Salmon is cooked the most rare, catfish is cooked until the flesh is soft -- if a fork is resisted, cook it some more. A dash of fresh lime -- salt and pepper --- ahhhh.... My tastes did not change with WLS... but no beer etc due to carbonation increasing the pouch size, I do miss beer...

Dub, good luck with your surgery. I think we tall guys do fine --- I notice even after 100# down I am still tall....

Centrum also made me sick. I now use Baratric Advantage in capsules, even with the Iron in it, no problems at all

Jacob, good on you for getting going on this when you are still young. I waited until I was 64, post heart attack etc. But, 100# down since the April RNY, and feeling very thrilled with the results. No real problems. The rapid weight loss leaves me a bit tired all the time, but this is temporary, says my Doc. I have had some hair loss but not too bad, just got it cut short and now don't notice. The main thing is that the diabetes, which was out of control even with good compliance, is 85% better, and many other co-morbidities gone or almost gone... I am much more in shape, enjoying walking, swimming, and soon biking again. Good luck on your journey to health, I don't regret the RNY for a minute.

Good luck, Steven. I had RNY the end of April, have gone from 55 BMI to 39, lost 100#, 4XL to XL. I was surprised the weight loss was so rapid, otherwise no real shocks, it has gone well. The diabetes is 85% better, the high blood pressure gone, the urge incontinence 90% better, edema gone, etc.... great results. You will do well!

My initial sleep test revealed 35 episodes an hour of apnea, which put me in the severe range, this was 8 years ago. Now, 5 months after gastric bypass, my CPAP pressure went from 18 to 13, I am at 5 episodes an hour average. My MD thinks I will always need it, as my brother and Dad, neither overweight, both have/had severe sleep apnea (my Dad's was never treated, his heart was likely damaged as a result, died at 91). I, like DJMOHR, am so used to the CPAP, it and sleep are very closely linked. I am 100# down, but likely even at goal weight (another 80#) will still need the CPAP. We will see!

I flew 100+ flights a year for 25 years, hauling my 400#plus body all over the world doing my work. I hated the flying and most of all I hated taking more than my share of a limited seating area, and hated asking for seat belt extensions. I finally bought my own so I did not have to ask for them, and then they made using your own extension illegal...I was back to having to ask the flight attendant again, to the stares of all of those around me. When I retired and left the road four years ago, I was thrilled to not have to deal with the constant embarrassment. This week, I flew from Grand Junction CO to Pittsburgh PA and back, four flights total. NO SEAT BELT EXTENSION NEEDED! I had gastric bypass in April, 100# down, BMI slipped under 40 finally, and I comfortably fit in the seat. Even though at 6'4" the person next to me knew they were sitting next to a great big guy, the arm rests were down, I did not "bulge" under the arm rest, and I did not inconvenience anyone. I still hate flying but what a change.... just getting around the airport was so much easier.

Major rolls for me prior to surgery in April. Now, five months post by-pass and 100# down, the rolls are almost gone.... I won't have any at my goal weight....bye bye neck rolls.....

What kind did you buy?

Once I was approved and scheduled, I started looking for sales on clothes, even close outs which might not be my normal preference. Now at 5 months post by pass, I have gone from 54Waist to 44 Waist, 4xl to xl shirts, etc, but I have had clothes to wear, I have got them down to 40 Waist waiting for me. I have only three changes of clothes, so do lots of laundry....but don't want to buy too many. I also live in Colorado, but bought my winter coat in a size XL even though in April I wore a 5xl coat. Got it out yesterday and it fit!

Dangermouse -- at over 400 pounds, I flew for 20 years 100 times a year, always with a seat belt extension.... aaarrrghhh. Now, 100 pounds down, flying next week after no flying for 9 months, fingers crossed that the seatbelt fits without an extension!!!

Whatever makes sense for you is what is right. Just remember, normally true healing does not start until a divorce is final. The average person has to heal at least two years prior to remarriage, or the risk for another divorce is in the 80% zone... one of my cousins got divorced after years of stress, waited 6 months, fell in love, married and at three years post divorce realized he had married on the rebound. It is natural to want to reconnect into a serious relationship. A therapist I know says one is ready for another serious relationship when one goes 24 hours without any painful memories of the other person.... that makes sense to me. Sorry for being preachy... just be careful, every instinct in you will be to get another relationship, get hitched, and that is not fair to yourself or the other person.