Dub

Simple plan is a good plan. Boring is good right now. Keeps you from concerning yourself with thinking about food or eating plans.....just have the shakes when you are supposed to and drinks tons of Water in between. It'll pass very quickly and you'll be losing at a great rate by the end of that first week, too. You are well on you way to getting into the shape you've wanted. You got this.

Ten months out from VSG surgery. I feel much better in many ways. At the time I had my surgery, I was having lots of back pain that was seriously impacting my ability to work and to enjoy my time off with family. I was also being treated for high blood pressure and taking lots of anti-inflammatory meds for joint pains. I was a couch potato....minimal movement due to my pain. I was really just a miserable feeling dude. I'm no longer on the blood pressure meds. My back issues are seriously improved and remain that way as long as I continue daily pt stretches and use very careful lifting techniques. Spending some time every day or so in the gym. Feels great. Surrounded by motivated folks. Before surgery, one of the things I really enjoyed was to cook & grill for my family. I had concerns that I'd lose this fun aspect of my life. I did lose it during my two week pre-op and for the first two months post op. Then, one day at around 8-9 weeks out I had the strong desire to fire up the coals and let it ride on the grill. I went to the grocery store and bought several types of meats and the sides for my tribe. During my stroll around the grocery store....I had to pull my pants up near constantly. My clothes were hanging loose on me and it was hilarious. Came home and had a blast in the kitchen and on the deck.....and haven't stopped since. Grilled food and my sleeve are a harmonious fit. Now I'm adding in some crunchy vegetables and life is good !!! Emotionally........in a much better place. Tremendous difference, bro. Tremendous. That being said.....I did go through a "crazy period" while the majority of the fat was burning off. Hormones and Lord knows whatever else that was stored in that fat was released and I felt like I was 18 all over again. I went with it and it was a wild ride. The "crazy side" is still there but I've learned to control it......at least on work days, lol. Sorta like Spiderman learning not to walk around and shoot webs impulsively. Controlling the web slinging now. Now...I'm in need of a shoulder repair, two knee replacements and have a hernia that's being monitored and will need repairing as well down the road. Add to that a tricky back. I still weight train and do cardio when my knees aren't screaming. The other day I took a kayak and put in at the river.....and went a few miles upstream. My goal was to make it ten miles to the dam, however, the Corps of Engineers began releasing Water from the dam and forward progress became impossible. still I was there....paddling my arse off....going nowhere. After I was spent....I turned around and drifted back downriver. What a cool workout. Opportunities like this come along and I jump at them. Looking forward to hunting seasons coming in.....I'll be out there climbing trees or wading into the swamp. Ducks and deer will be chased. I'm enjoying life and looking forward to the future in a way that I couldn't imagine prior to surgery. Life is great, boss. Come grab a seat on the Loser's Bench an mix up a pre-workout drink and get ready to do something fun that you've always wanted to do. Hell, you may even find yourself outdoors one night....and go with the feeling to howl at the moon and be a werewolf. Nobody will judge......go with it.

I completely agree. Great reply.

I am certainly feeling better in many ways after shedding a good chunk of the unwanted weight. The things that still aggravate me are my knees and back. The back is something that comes and goes....I simply am very careful with it and continue to do my stretches learned in physical therapy. The knees....hmmmmn. Somedays I'll feel really good with them and am able to do some 90 minute sessions on treadmill (uphill walking) or elliptical. Other days....like this past week...I struggle. It was so bad when driving home from work last night that I had to reach down under my knee to lift and guide my leg as I transitioned between accelerator & brake pedals. Crazy, right ? It can be either knee on any given day. Both have been operated on when I was in my late teens. Football injuries. I've not been kind to them ever since. Tendon & ligament repairs, cartilage deterioration, severe advanced arthritis...fun combo. Normal stuff that I accept from living large for so long. Play stupid games and win stupid prizes. 5 years ago I was told by two specialists that I'd need replacements in five years, lol. Was hoping that the lost weight would be more relief. Maybe another 60 lbs will get me to a better state. Overall, I'm pretty much off all the meds I was on prior to sleeve. I am very happy with this development, however, I'm contemplating adding stuff for joint pain. My sleeve surgeon told me that I could use Advil with food...as needed. It was working okay up until last week....then it reach the point where it was not. I've recently seen my pcp, who knows about my sleeve. He prescribed Tramadol. I tried it and found little benefit. Granted, I was spot using it only on days where I was unable to bend either knee more than a few degrees without serious pain. Yesterday I had Advil at an alarming level that I will not repeat. I was simply hoping to make it through the day at work. Today I'll actually give the Tramadol another try. I'll do it with the dosing schedule the doc suggested. I've never tried Celebrex but am considering going back to see him and ask for some next level help. I work 13+ hour shifts with lots of walking (an aspect that I truly love). One of my peers is going out next week for hip replacement surgery and I intend on covering his spot on my scheduled days off. I need to get on top of the pain so I can do so. These next 4 months are going to be a grind and I need to be proactive (seems late in the pain game to use such a term): * Making an appointment to see my PCP this Friday to see what short term relief he can advise * Reverting back to the 2-week pre-op liquid diet, basically living off Protein shakes and Vitamins. Perhaps there is some easy Water weight that I can shed. Some foods seem to aggravate my arthritis, perhaps this will be a good workaround. It'll certainly speed up the rate of loss and get me to goal quicker. * Halting all cardio and preserving the knees for the long hours and long runs of consecutive days at work. * Using compression wraps on knees. * Research otc / homeopathic remedies as well. I have a buddy who swears by drinking a shot of apple cider every day. Sounds silly...but he is adamant that it helps his pain level. He's urged me to the the Bragg brand and give it a go. Hell, nothing to lose at this point. Gonna stop at EarthFare or Fresh Market this afternoon if I can make it there before they close. What's the harm in a shot of cider each day ? Sorry for the long moaning and groaning post. I'm hoping that there is a sleeve friendly medication that you've used to gain leverage of similar pains. Very interested in hearing what's worked for you. I'm not looking to medicate this way long term.....just get myself through the next 4 months and down below goal weight and then have those hard conversations about knee replacement or other preliminary treatments. Thank you !!!

We lose hair all the time. All of us. It's part of life. It grows back and the process generally goes unnoticed. During rapid weight loss, the hair regrowth simply slows. It'll speed back up once you level off.

I guess every plan has it's inherent differences. I was told to avoid Snacks up until I went in for my 6 month appointment. At this time the surgeon said I could add snacks of crunchy vegetables. Prior to then it was simply the three meals per day. Since there was no hunger (for me, at least. I know some experience what they perceive as hunger) it was no longer about eating for satisfaction, simply for nourishment. Snacks really weren't desired as it maintained food focus in between meals.

Thank you for your really informative replies here. I appreciate that. A swimming pool has much, much too offer. There are two facilities in the area that have pools.....but are perhaps a 30 minute drive from home and the hours of use are restrictive and always changing. I am a member of a massive gym with top notch gear....1.9 miles from my driveway, lol, but they have yet to add a pool. I have my fingers crossed that the day will come when they do. When I was much younger and recovering from the mcl/acl surgery on my left knee, I made use of the pool in the gym my family was a member of. Very helpful, indeed. I'm seeing now that much has changed....many advancements have occurred since my consultations with the knee docs five years back. I need to go see the knee guy in the ortho practice I went to for my back last year. Their spine guy was amazing. Same practice had their ankle doc do a bang up repair of my right ankle tendons a few years back. The place will be doing a full body overhaul for me when it's all said and done, lol. There is no doubt that the Tramadol does help ease me off and get to sleep. The first dose of the day doesn't seem to be too strong, but I'm offsetting it with morning coffee. The mid-afternoon dose is the one that is tough. Drowsiness is not needed then, but is a side effect. I'm done with injections of any kind, I tell ya. Did enough of that with my back to want to be free of that stuff. I agree on the chiropractor aspects, too. Not my thing. Perhaps I'm just chicken.....but all that popping and snapping is not something I'm willing to risk. I'd rather stick to the stretches that were learned in physical therapy. They seem to work for the back. I wouldn't mind trying out one of the gravity inversion boards at some point, too. Seems like it would feel good and provide a nice stretch. Not going to tempt fate with the back now, though. It's hanging in there so I'll keep on in this fashion until I need to adjust. I am going to make the appointments with the knee doc and see what is suggested. Thank you !

Instant pot ? Yes please.....on the day of my retirement............

Awesome success. You look great.

I think it'll change for you once you can get so more solid food......meat, eggs, fish, etc.

I was leaning towards bypass. My surgeon had a number of serious, real deal, no kidding, rubber meets the road type conversations with me and urged me to reconsider. He stressed that I'd benefit from the sleeve due to the ability to take the NSAID's and other meds for arthritis and pain in the future. I listened to him. I'm damn glad I did. This is a decision that you need to make after much contemplation and accurate information shared by your surgeon.....seek second opinions (I did, too) and be informed. Whichever way you go.....embrace that and nothing else. Stay strict to your specific plan and enjoy the results.

Yup.......overthinking for sure. Your health is the primary concern and focus. Everything else is a distant concern.

Felt no different for me. Woke up in recovery and was thirsty. Was given ice chips that first afternoon and they were glorious little thirst quenchers. Began Water and Protein shake intake that next morning. Hunger has never been an issue from that point through now (10 months post-op). The only time I've noticed as difference is when eating. The old tank fills up really fast....like after a chicken breast or can of tuna fast. I feel full and satisfied and can go just fine for 6 more hours until I remember to eat again. Zero complications or drawbacks. The hardest part of it was simply the 2 weeks of liquid only leading up to the surgery and that wasn't very hard. I did 4 weeks of the same diet post-op and it was a breeze. Seeing the scale move daily during this time was enough of an emotional bolster to inspire me to continue. Zero regrets.

My first NUT gave me a an initial calorie total to stay under each day and progressively lowered it each month. I wound up switching bariatric centers on the third month when I opted to self pay and have the surgery much sooner than waiting the 6 months + approval process time. After switching centers on the third month, I stayed with the prior calorie limit, but I went low carb with it. The final 14 days prior to surgery were limited to 4 Protein shakes per day only (under 600 calories). I lost 55 lbs in those 4 months leading up to surgery. I could've done better had I exercised more, but was recovering from a back injury (the deciding factor that nudged me into seeking wls) and simply trying to hold it together and get the weight off and get relief. It was easy and I kick myself in the arse for not doing all this much earlier in life.

Well.....last 24 hours was improved. I took the 3 doses of Tramadol, spaced throughout the day. Made it through and covered all aspects of my job. The ride home was not fun, though. I'm grateful my commute isn't another 5 mins. If it were, then I'd be stopping along the way home to get out and walk around. Stairwells are brutal right now. I even dodged two meetings simply to avoid the stairs that lead to them. I've been wearing a compression wrap but will get my hands on a pair of Tommy Copper "sleeves". This is not the first time I've had folks recommend them to me. I"m also going to begin a more aggressive approach to the diet and push harder to get that last chunk of weight off. It most assuredly won't hurt the cause. For now, my formal cardio is gonna be limited....therefore I'll work on the calorie intake side of the equation. So damn grateful for the sleeve and lack of hunger. Confidence inspiring. Gonna grab some Tumeric and get it in my system daily. Already started with flax seed oil and joint flex pills (chondroitin, glucosamine & other touted joint jazz). I no longer have the apprehensions over replacement surgery that I once had. I'm very grateful for the advice you each gave on your experiences. I agree.....relief now trumps waiting for retirement age for that relief. My biggest hangup over that is the time missed from work to recover from such. I missed a total of 9 weeks from work last year (6 weeks for back injury & 3 weeks for sleeve/hernia recovery) and am hesitant to miss another large chunk again. I'm hoping I can get some relief and grind it out another year or so and I'll be using FMLA to cover the knee replacement surgery. I was an idiot to not seek FMLA for my misses in 2015. In 21 years with my current employer the only times I've ever missed have been for surgery recoveries. The climate has changed there and everything is under scrutiny.....even an old dude who's served them faithfully in every way he could. Different environment for sure. Nobody gives a rip for your historical performance....it's all about what you've done this week that counts.....in my job, at least. I'm sure it's the same for most folks. At least the vacation time is good......just can't seem to use it. I've got 120 hours left to take this year, but no way to schedule it until at least November....which most likely won't be possible. Use it or lose it scenario. Argghhhh. Enough whining. Time to go pour another cup of java and then mix a Protein shake and get my arse on the move. I really appreciate the insight. Thank you !!!!!! #gonnarockthis #newkneedreams

Had my sleeve for ten months and I've yet to dump.

Thank each of you for your suggestions. Just getting home from work and settled down. A hot shower and some sleep with pre-dawn coffee will have me looking further into each reply. Thanks again.

I can see the little red number above the notifications symbol but when I click on it the symbol pops up and simply spins, never listing the notifications. Not sure if something needs to be reset or if there's something else I can do on my end. Thanks

Cool. Thanks. I'll give that a try when I log back in after work this evening.

My only fear was with the high-carb puree choices that were on the "approved list". I didn't want to open the door to that garbage, even though it was in super small doses. I just stayed with Protein shakes for 4 weeks until cleared to move on to flakey fish and moist soft meats and continued to supplement with Protein Shakes.

It's absolutely achievable. Stay on track and adhere to your pre-op diet and lose all you can prior to surgery.....exercise frequently......and don't add in high-carb foods on the puree stage......stay with quality Protein and you'll do just fine. Stay on track. Stay motivated. Eat only to live, not live to eat. Move as much as you can, as often as you can. The one thing you have total control of is what goes into your body. Own this. Give yourself the gift of Onederland for Christmas this year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sorta approached it that way, too. I'd done the short term diets and scale monitoring over and over again prior with mixed results and zero long term progress. I decided to have wls surgery and joined here. I was willing to follow the often given advice to "embrace the stalls" and to "not worry about the scale". Well....that didn't work for me. The pre-op diet was where I kicked the who "embrace" attitude to the curb. I knew there would be monthly weigh-ins with my NUT and I couldn't stand the internal drama from anticipation as to what those monthly results would be. I bought a superbadass scale and kept check on it myself. No drama...just a steady move in the desired direction. I was then able to walk into those weigh-ins with a smile on my face...secure in the knowledge of what the results would be as I stepped up on her scale. This weighing was very effective in validating results in food choices post op. There is a good bit of experimentation with our simple post-op diets. The scale helps to show the results of this. I believe, at least at this point, that the scale will be a very effective tool for me once I reach the fighting weight that I want to live at. I will be able to see upward trends and take corrective actions. Simply gauging based on how my clothes fit isn't a good method for me. The scale will identify where I am and help me stay in the narrow weight range that I intend to live. Everyone has different ideas and theories on the scale. I began this process with similar thinking that you describe. I quickly changed my thinking though. The scale is a vital tool. I hope you have successful results and are able to find your stride and get dialed in on what works for you.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^ I wish I'd done it sooner....much sooner. It would have improved every aspect of my life....only sooner. The sleeve is more than just a survival tool...as I first thought of it. It's a life enrichment tool that I'm so grateful for.

Therapist will be great for when you can get a series of appointments.......but right now you have to consider your safety. There should not be anything resembling food going into your mouth at this point....in my opinion. liquids only this early out. Allow yourself to heal. Please be very careful.

Somewhere prior to three months my surgeon allowed me to have coffee again. It's something I enjoy daily.