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The internet ? I assure you that those pics came from my backyard grill or my kitchen. I enjoy grilling, cooking and such. The only problem is that I usually had loud music playing and beer close at hand when doing this. No mysteries where the weight came from on me. I only posted the healthiest stuff I cooked. Typically, I'd do unhealthy stuff....... Have you never heard of reverse image search? It will tell you every site that you visited to "borrow" these images. Such as Kamado Guru or Georgia Outdoor News grilling forums????? Look at the poster names and you'll see that I was the poster on those sites. I use imgur as my photo file storage. Anywhere else those pics exist is due to someone steeling MY pics. Get over it. I would not post bogus pics. I resent even being questioned about it.

Oh yeah.......I haven't used the first gas-x strip. Doctor asked me not to. The surgeon's nurse said they went to great lengths to remove the gas. So far it's been fine. Zero gas pain. I am truly fortunate thus far. I see evidence of why this bariatric center is rated top notch. Surgeon is a wizard. His staff are each supernice, great hospital they use, too. It's a smaller and older hospital in the heart of Augusta, Georgia. Modernized and updated, but old school demeanor. Many representations of Christian believers: Crosses everywhere, staff led prayers throughout the day, Christian artwork and sculptures and more. To say you feel immediately at ease is an understatement. Did I mention the fine meds students? Lawdy Moma those were some beautiful women with megawat smiles. Sorry.,,,,couldn't help but notice.

Thank you, friends. Just made it back in bed from another walk. I'm up to 15 laps. I need to stress to everyone that I have felt zero pain or discomfort from the sleeve or the nine holes. Zero. The only pain I'm having is from the umbilical hernia repair.....and even that is much less than my two prior open umbilical repairs. Furthermore the pain is only when I sit & stand. The pain meds are working well. They also gave me Toradol injections that have helped resolve swelling of my abdomen and it's worked wonders in my back and knees, too. The nurses here are great, too.

I hear ya, Boss. I actually just asked her to head on back to the house and get a good night's sleep because Big Daddy was coming home tomorrow and it'll be time for Rompus Room sure enough. My Surgeon must be a player. He arrived this evening with five medical students tagging along. Five gorgeous female med students, I might add. Oh yeah. I'm in great hands. This wasn't the meds talking. In fact, I'd just made it back in bed after my walk.....pain was rising.....and in they walked. For a second there I thought I was in trouble and seeing Angels....... They brought the gift of ice chips.....glorious ice chips.

Thanks gents. It's been a long day but everything has gone extremely well. He was able to do a bang up job on the umbilical hernia repair......he termed it as "solid & permanent ". He'd said before he didn't think he'd be able to do it so well. I'm grateful for this!!!!!!!!!! The sleeve went well they said. I just made 6 laps around the hospital wing. My nurse, Richard, is one strong hombre. I was able to pull up against his grip and sit......then stand. So grateful. Mouth is dry and my IV alarming. Time for a new bag. They told me I have 9 holes in my gut. I'm already conjuring up some cool stories to explain their presence. ......... Gonna let the pain meds work and relax for a while.

Prayers sent. I know you're going to do great !!!!!!!!

I really appreciate everyone here. This place is tremendous. So much support. Thank you everyone. I'm getting as hydrated as I can for the next hour and then cutting it off for the night. One more glass of Crystal Light and then it's several glasses of Water. It just dawned on me, pun intended, that the next time I see sunlight I will already be on the mend. Sitting up in the hospital bed and savoring the sunlight through the hospital windows.....healing up from the surgery. I got a call from my nurse this afternoon confirming my 6:00am arrival time. By 6:10am, she assured me I'll have already had a Valium and be 1/2 nekkid. Sounds promising............ I'll see you fine folks on the other side tomorrow. Save me a spot on the Loser's Bench. I promise I'll take up less space each week so I can make room for other folks who'll be joining us. Good night all. sleep well. Thank you!!!! I"m ready. Thank you. Prayers for your surgery to go smoothly. Awesome. Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to the grilling days again. It'll be funny...... a wing vs 8 of them. 1/2 boneless breasts vs more.....etc. Funny times ahead. Thank you so much. It's going to go well. I've got a heap of weight to lose and am very grateful for this opportunity to gain a huge tool for this job. Wow. Great dogs. Great big dogs, though. Hopefully you can work with them on keeping down and staying clear of your midsection. Mine are mainly just going to be a problem when I'm in the bed.

Great thread idea. I've got to say.......as a guy about to have sleeve surgery it fills me with confidence to read through this thread and see the success everyone has had. As you make your decisions, take into account the nutritional savvy of those that haven't lost significant weight. I see an alarming number of posts that indicate there is a lack of basic nutrition understanding. It's scary, too. Folks are having surgery without an inkling of how to proceed afterwards. Good luck. I think you are going about things in a very smart way.

I was literally salivating lol The internet ? I assure you that those pics came from my backyard grill or my kitchen. I enjoy grilling, cooking and such. The only problem is that I usually had loud music playing and beer close at hand when doing this. No mysteries where the weight came from on me. I only posted the healthiest stuff I cooked. Typically, I'd do unhealthy stuff....... The key to the artichokes is to boil them a minute or two prior to grilling. Brush on some olive oil and stuff with your favorite cheese.

Outstanding link !!!!! Do the machines arrive with an adjustable range of pressures or are they pre-set ? Very nice to know there is such a store. Thanks for the link.

Thank you. The dogs will have to be kept at arms length for sure. They tend to jump up and do the lap dog thing every chance they can. Taking precautions with this. Also going to put their toys out of reach so they don't become trip hazards. i don't know if this is going to be enough.....but it's all they had after searching through two stores: Getting ready to get my bag & spare C-PAP packed. Going to walk a couple miles later on this evening. I think I'll skip the gym and simply do a few laps around the neighborhood instead. I've got the germ-fear thing kicking around in my head. Weather report is good. Fresh air will feel good. Staying seriously hydrated.

Mix with Water and slight amount of crushed ice. shake vigorously. It'll be served cold. No need for milk.....that's just needed sugar and calories.

Were you already losing weight prior to the surgery ? If not then it may take a bit for your body to adjust to the new fuel intake and volumes.

I hear ya !!!! You are going to hit a home run this time around. The results will be so impressive and the changes so fundamental that you're old ways will be tossed aside. You are already well ahead of the game. I'm excited for you and look forward to seeing your progress through the months ahead.

You've really done well. You hit the mark in a year !!!!! I'm very interested in the responses to the thread.

Maybe this would scratch the itch......... The flavor is great.

Thanks. Through the last couple years the ability to laugh at some grim stuff has been a relief. I'm really looking forward to working through the next year or two and getting dialed into life at goal weight.

Huge thank you. Thanks. Been feeling much better about things lately. I truly believe that this is going to an extraordinary tool to pave my way to good health. So very grateful.

That is awesome !!!!!

Absolutely !!!!! Gotta go with what works for you. I'm encouraged to see such tasty eats that are working. I'm simply going to avoid flour and milk like the plague for a long, long while. I'm really weak willed and would expand that to pizza, Cookies and other stuff. Maybe I can use the Bob's Red Mill low carb flour for when I really get an overpowering urge to have that type of stuff. High protein-low carb is what has worked effectively for me in the past.

Thank you. I promise that it will be here quick. The time is broken up by the different events you have to attend along the way. My biggest regret was that I wasn't very active during that time. Work and rest. Sort of limited due to healing up some injuries and didn't want to incur any more. Being active on frequent gym visits would have really made it fly by....as well made me feel more empowered during the prep time.

So much truth right there ! Well said. You have my complete respect and awe. I could not have cooked for anyone during this last two weeks of liquids. Nope. Too weak willed. You are tough as nails to be able to endure that. Best of wishes for you tomorrow. I hope it all goes really well and you are feeling good and on the mend this time tomorrow night. Hang tough !!!!!

Hilarious !!!! Thank you. I can't get The Final Countdown outa my head. Funny stuff. I appreciate the laughs. I'm a little stressed about missing the time from work.....but I'd be out anyway with hernia repair. I'll return as soon as possible and know that I'll be much better equipped to handle future challenges. I only hope my new boss is patient and understanding.

Oh yeah. I really like the G17. My favorite Glock, though, by far.......is the G19. Same 21' two-handed hold stance A younger shooter with better eyes and a steady hand could shrink this group considerably. POWERFUL Thank you so much for this. I am very encouraged by this !!!!

Good deal on being so close to the big day. I can surely relate to the yo-yo thing. I haven't had too many folks say anything along the lines of "just do it yourself". Most anyone that says anything at all says something supportive. They know that I struggled internally with the "Do it yourself, man" stuff for quite some time. My prior successful weight loss runs took both kitchen discipline as well as lot of hard work in the gym. The medical issues that I've had this past year have made it almost impossible to do my job, much less gym work. The surgery is a tool to help supplement this deficit. As progress occurs....hopefully mobility will and so will the leverage over the weight loss through greater activity. You've counted the hours. It won't be long. Looks like you've got a good start on the losing, too. Best wishes !!!!!