Dub

Well done, boss. That is some impressive weight loss you did prior to surgery. You are doing a really good thing for yourself with this. Getting into shape and staying that way will reward you in many life-enriching ways.

I didn't experience any gas pains during my sleeve surgery.....but did on two prior abdominal hernia repairs. One time was mild and passed after two walking sessions to the restroom. The other time was beyotch and took a couple days. Fortunately the sleeve procedure is one that leaves us with the ability to move around and work the gas out.

A french fry. Had taken my son to McDonalds for lunch on the run. I'd ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and a bottle Water for later. It was part of the combo with the intention of giving my son the french fries from my meal. I pulled them outa the bag and gave them to him....reached back in the bag for my sandwich (their Artisan Grilled Chicken sandwiches are really quite good. I toss the lettuce and bun.) and found a couple fries left in the bag. I ate them. At first they had that perfect crunch and then as I chewed I began to get past the salt explosion and something else came to the surface. It was the flavor of grease....oil......and it was overpowering. I finished those two fries and grinned....knowing that I was done with them for good. 'Twas a most excellent cheating experience as it allowed me to experience a food that I used to overeat.....and see that I no longer cared for it at all.

LMAO at "keeping them alive". My wife came with me to a support group meeting and I went back for two more by myself. I vowed to never....ever go back. Each of them were two hour spans of my life that I can never get back. Each of the meetings were dominated by 1-2 people who were complaining and griping the whole time. Every single time a person spoke up with a positive experience the outspoken jerks would rain down on them. I'll never sit through that crap again. I actually stood up halfway through that last meeting and told the loudmouth what I though of their bullcrap whining and bid them a good life and got the heck outa there. I trust that other places have better programs.....but the one's I attended were horrid. Some patients just want to stay mired down in their sorrows and drag other's down with them.

Wow.....a cheesesteak minus the bread, sauce, onions and peppers caused you to do that ? I wonder if it was food poisoning and not dumping ?

Meh......don't stress yourself out. Enjoy the diet sodas now. You'll forget all about them once you have your surgery. You won't even miss them....at least that's how it was with me. Almost 11 months out from VSG, I don't think about them at all. It's a non-issue. I've been cleared by my surgeon to have them if want, but I no longer really care about them. I was a hyoooooge drinker of Diet Dew and Diet Coke when I was pre-op.

I think I've had it really easy....certainly easier than some members here. The easy part is that I was brought to a point where life had humbled me in ways that I'd not seen coming in my 40's. A circulatory problem, a back injury and high blood pressure had each converged on my arse at the same time. I felt beat down and truly questioned my ability to ever see 50. Pain and fear are powerful motivators. It made it easy for me to opt for weight loss surgery in hopes of getting a large amount of fat burned off. It makes is easy to adhere to the the low-carb, low calorie diet that I'm following while in this this weight loss time period. I'm hoping that it'll make it easy to live and eat normally, but with frequent scale readings to monitor my weight, once I reach the maintenance mode. The smaller stomach and lack of hunger are very helpful in daily living while losing weight.

Thanks @@blizair09 The time between now and your surgery will pass quickly and you'll be healed up afterwards really fast, too. The weeks before and after are considered by most to be the "worst" part. I quoted worst because it's not that bad....just the boring liquid diet. Keep in mine that this is just a phase.....initially to shrink your liver pre-op....and then to allow your stomach to heal post-op. You will feel normal again in a few weeks afterwards. It's a new normal, though. A normal where you can't wait to step up on a scale and where you laugh at how your clothes are becoming baggy almost overnight. It is an awesome time and one that you'll laugh at. Be prepared to begin feeling better....about life in general.....really soon.

Yup......it is your own actions that have to be bari-friendly, lol. Any restaurant has something that will work out nicely. It is one of the cool things about this new way of living....healthy choices become ingrained in our thinking and guide our actions in an "auto-pilot" way. For example.....I'm fairly certain that I'll be going out to eat this afternoon. Not sure where we'll be going....most likely either Mexican (I hope), seafood or steakhouse (my least favorite). If we go Mexican then it's super easy. Wide range of items. Fajitas are always easy. I don't eat the tortilla shells, just the meat and guacamole. I normally don't even eat the frijoles n' queso, although they are considered bari-friendly by most. I'll ask for celery & salsa to enjoy as an appetizer instead of chips. They also have a shrimp soup that is stellar. Seafood....broiled fish is the first choice. Steakhouse.....grilled steak or chicken. The one aspect that may not be bari-friendly in many restaurants is the portion size. Never finishing a meal is pretty much a standard strategy for us now.....so we've learned to accept that there will be to-go boxes or we leave it on the plate and call it good. The steakhouse may be the easiest. A small filet is a great sized meal for me.

Hell yes !!!!!!!!!! Great macros. !!!!!!!

Damn........just damn. You are rocking your wls !!!!!!!!!!!!

I started out at 478 lbs. I lost 55 lbs in the 3 months that led up to my surgery. I could've........should've......lost more. I'm just under 200 lbs down in 10+ months. I could've done more.......

I lost 55lbs prior to surgery......then at 3 weeks I had my bp meds cut in half. Now.....at 10 months.....I have zero meds for bp.

Ice water is the ticket for me !!!!!!!

Yup.....very bariatric friendly food can be found in airports.......

well. I consider you an awesome success because you probably learned a lot about yourself and your triggers during those little side trips. and for long term success? that is a key component. 5 years from now I doubt it will matter to you if it took 12 months or 18 months, because I would hope and expect that your new normal will be a normal healthy weight. every day. I have learned a lot. Not all of it good.......but I've learned. Side trips were necessary to get me back on track. Thank you for your vote of confidence.......the new normal is what I'm looking forward to.

I stick to high Protein for the most part: eggs, tuna, salmon, Greek yogurt, and some veggies. On a not so good say I might add some rice or Pasta. I also have a drink from time to time. How bad do u think that affects weight loss? Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App I'd say that the "drink from time to time" is as wide ranging in impact to your weight loss as rice and pasta. Rice and pasta have zero value to you now and will certainly keep you from achieving ketosis (if that's a state you hope to get in). drinks, on the other hand, may not keep you out of ketosis for long. Depends on the type of liquor and the macro content of the mixer. I've got out for an evening and had vodka or tequila with a low calorie mixer in a 2-4 drinks......and used ketone strips the very next morning and found that I was still in ketosis and chugging along. You have to find what works for you and you have to establish priorities. For me.....my overall priority is to lose the weight that has been a burden to me. I am doing this to be healthy and enjoy my life. I can go out and have fun without losing sight of those priorities. I've learned that if I have the skinny margaritas or vodka and diet mixer.....then that is done in absence of any type of eating. Since the alcohol is empty calories....then I have to ensure I've chosen carefully earlier in the day and met my protein goals and also made some room in my calorie budget by burning some off in the gym. No longer do I go out....pound down beer and then order something horrible to eat later. My actions have to align with my priorities and have some fun times within reason. You have to find what works for you and figure out what you value. For me....it's to let pasta and rice go. I haven't missed them at all. I found spaghetti squash makes a great substitute.

I've had a couple knee surgeries and a couple abdominal hernia repairs. I had another abdominal hernia repaired at the same time as my sleeve surgery. The pain that I felt post op from this surgery was best described as minor and very easily controlled. While my IV was in I could simply press the button when I needed a shot of pain medication. It was removed the next day and I was released that afternoon. I had been given a prescription pain med (liquid) that I took the first two days at home and then I didn't need anything beyond that. The hernia repair was where I was experiencing the mild and easily controlled pain. It was so much less than what I'd had with the two prior repairs. Way, way less. I questioned my surgeon more than once to see if he'd even done the sleeve as it was never a source of pain. I'd have to say that this surgery was about on the same level as my vasectomy a few years back. No kidding....very minor. Had it not been for the hernia repair I'd have been able to return to work in just a few days. My sleeve has been a medical miracle in my life. I've lost a large chunk of weight that I wanted to lose....and am 10 months post op. I feel in control and confident to face the rest of my life with my sleeve and my newfound nutritional knowledge of what my body responds to. I am off the prescription meds for: blood pressure and pain (back issues). I now take Advil on days where I feel my back and knees need it.....but not everyday. I can't begin to describe the incredible way that feeling better physically translates to improved outlook on life. It is a side effect of the weight loss surgery that I didn't anticipate.....but it is occurring and I'm grateful for it. I did'n't realize how grumpy and miserable I'd been in that last year or two prior to my VSG surgery. Once the burden of weight began to lift.....so did my spirits. Truly a case of free yer ass and your mind will follow, lol. My low pain results are not uncommon. Most of us have strolled through this process with supreme ease. I can say this and I hope that it sinks home........it'll seem counterintuitive when it occurs for you.....until you take that leap of faith...it is this: When you are laying in your comfortable hospital bed.....waking up after surgery....warm blankets on you....pain meds in your system....comfortable and sleepy......and they tell you it's time to get out of bed and go for a walk......they mean YOU....yes YOU, lol. Gert yer ass up and do a few laps. It gets easier every time and it'll do wonders for your recovery rate. Keep on walking every few hours. There are lots of hurdles you have to get over in order to have your surgery.......insurance requirements.....financial concerns.......scheduling time off from work.......the logistics of getting to/from hospital.....etc. Do your part to get these nailed down and taken care of. Rock the pre-op diet. Don't let "pain" be a hurdle you think you have to deal with. The professionals at the hospital will take care of your pain management and it'll be a non-issue. Go forth and kick ass !!!!!!!!

This thread has made my morning. Big ole grin here. Well done @@SoExcited101 You are gonna blow away those that were negative about your decision. You will get be laughing at their reactions when they each see you again.....and again after various time intervals. You will continue to progress and get to the exact place you want to be. What a killer smile you posted. True joy at being in control of your health.....powerful !!!!

I started my bariatric program at 478 lbs. I'm down ~185 or so now at 10 months post-op. I've clearly got another 50+ pounds to lose. Doubtful I'll make by the 12 month point......but I WILL get there by the end of 2016. I don't consider this awesome success because I know I could have lost more. There were times when I strayed off course and learned to find my way back. Had I stayed true and on plan.....I would have made the goal by 12 months....easily. My tips are to weigh often......know where you stand.......know what corrective actions that you can take to get to where you want to be. Measure your food & drink caloric intake on myfitnesspal or similar. You have to have accurate ideas of what you are consuming. Exercise as frequently as you can. On occasion, make that exercise on either a treadmill or elliptical machine where you can input your weight and it'll calculate your calories burned during that session. There are some powerful thoughts generated when you see and feel how hard it is to burn 750 calories......how much you had to sweat to do it. This knowledge will come to the forefront of your consciousness when you are faced with snack food and garbage calories.......you'll be more likely to kick that crap aside. Keep in mind your ultimate goals and let your daily behaviors be driven by these. Learn to have fun along the way and find comfort in your progress and new abilities......not find comfort from food.

Thank you......and yes...feeling much better. Pain was a powerful motivator for me to have wls......and is a sweet blessing to have diminished a great deal. That is supercool !!!! Oh.....and I can flip a jig into an opening in the brush pile.......or skip a topwater plug under a boat dock and make it walk the dog back to the boat.................but I'm lacking any surfcasting skills and won't even try to upstage a maestro. I'd look foolish doing so. Better I know my role and take the lessons as they are offered. I don't think it gets any better than this, sorry. That's the main reason I had this surgery.....to live long enough to see my future grandchildren and to spoil them rotten. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App Amen to that !!!! Lookatdat sexy grandma right there !!!!!!!!!!!!! Being an active grandfather is one my biggest goals in life. Getting this weight off......and keeping it off....is crucial to achieve this goal. Thank you. That is very sweet and I am glad to be on this side of the Loser's Bench and holding down a spot for the remainder of my days. Got a ways to go.....but not as far as I've come. It's been an surreal experience at times. Being around motivation like you've demonstrated.....is what keeps my fire lit. I thrive off the motivation that others put on display.....it makes me want to push myself and get moving. You have been a source of such motivation, drive and determination. Well done, young lady......well done.

I detest cottage cheese. Always have. Probably always will. Also.....I didn't trust myself during the puree stage.....didn't like the idea of returning to foods that I'd already learned to abstain from since pre-op......didn't want to have to start and stop 'em again. As a result.....I bypassed the puree stage by simply staying on the Protein shakes for 4 weeks and then advancing to soft Proteins. It's all about implementing the strategy that will work best for you. You hit on something, too....with the spicy foods. I avoided them for the first three months....then slowly tested the waters. All was well. Now I enjoy hot sauces and jalapeños quite often. The key to the whole diet is realizing that it's broken down in phases that coincide with the stages of weight loss we are targeting. As long as I keep this in mind things went well and I never felt like I was having to give stuff up....simply delay it for a while as the weight is coming off and I'm learning more about what I can enjoy later on within reason.

For me....I had questions about: What will my maintenance diet look like.....once the weight is lost and I'm living lean ? What are the complications, if any, that may occur and how are they typically resolved ? What type of weight loss can you expect to have ? Will I be able to take meds afterwards ? Will I be allowed coffee? What type of ongoing support is recommended ? Which procedure seems to be a best fit for me ? What are characteristics of your most successful patients ?

Outstanding results. You have done great.

Yup......don't do like I did, lol. Once I lost a bit of weight (a few years prior to my wls & the regain that occurred ) I transitioned from cardio to lifting hard on free weights. I simply went back to the routines I'd done in high school with some added isolation work on certain muscle groups. I was overly enthusiastic and soon had the injuries to show for it. My form wasn't strict and it was dangerous. The isolation work....on top of the other lifts....were a very bad idea. I should have stuck with a basic 5x5 routine and gradually built from there......gradually. My advice is to use the machines for lifting. Use a weight that allows you to get at least 10-12 repetitions of each and limit it to 4 sets per. The machines have the safe range of motion built in...so long as you properly adjust it for your height. Form us virtually assured. Keeping the rep count up will mean that you are not overloading yourself with too high a weight. It is very important to go at this smoothly and with long term vision. You want to allow your tendons and connective tissues time to develop and strengthen....if you shortcut this just to get the "muscle pump" feels....then you run the risk of serious injury. Long term vision. I lacked that....and dumbly thought I'd simply pick up where I left off.....25 years prior. Bad strategy. Hernias, wrist damage and torn rotator cuff in shoulder were resultant. Now having to work around injuries because I didn't go about it carefully in the beginning.