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Had a similar experience while on a cruise this past April. At the time of the cruise I was off to a good start towards my goal weight......7 months into it and 3/4 of the way there. I hit the onboard gym most mornings as soon as it opened. I'd stop off at the restaurant near our cabin after my gym time. I'd sit and relax and enjoy some coffee and Water and read an iBook from my iPhone. Sometimes I'd look up and see the same folks making their way through the buffet lines for return trips with plates loaded down. I'd sip a few cups and then head back to the cabin for a shower and usually my wife would be ready then for us to go for a late breakfast/early lunch before doing the pool thing all day. While eating those late breakfasts/early lunches....I'd often see the very same folks form earlier going through the lines again with loaded down trays of food. It made me reflect on my own cruise dining prior to VSG surgery. I would have been found right there with most of the repeat grazers at the feed troughs. One thing I found interesting was how vasty different the appearance of the staff was vs the average cruise passenger. Almost all the staff were lean and fit......vs the rest of us. lol I realize most people blow it out on cruises......but from the looks of it....many of us engaged in that same blow it out philosophy in everyday life, too. I needed to see those behaviors and the results it yielded in my fellow passengers. It helped cement the changes I was making and how much better I physically felt as a result. I know that if I slip....and allow myself to continue slipping for any timeframe.....that I can easily return to that former state.

I can only answer based on my own experience since October 2015 surgery. 1) I took three weeks because I was also recovering from a simultaneous abdominal hernia repair. In the workshops, though, my surgeon suggested folks return after a week providing there isn't much physical demands. He said walking was great....and not to sit down for long periods. 2) I was a big fan of Diet Dew.....drank way too many every day. I've not done so since surgery even though I've been cleared to try them and see how I did. I simply feel better not drinking them. Staying well hydrated with water and my daily coffee is working for me. 3) As long as they are low carb, then most of the remade shakes are fine and convenient. 4) I was big beer drinking prior to a 6 months prior to surgery then I stopped them. I've not tried a beer yet...due to the carbonation and the fact that I simply do not ever again want something so caloric to return to my life. I do have occasional margaritas mixed with a zero or low calorie mixer. Vodka and diet cranberry works, too. 5) No experience. 6) I was a stress eater. I've learned new ways to deal with stress. Gong for a brisk walk, or hitting the gym. 7) One of the reasons my surgeon stressed VSG vs bypass for me was the ability to take normal battery of medicines. There is no medicine that I can't have in the future if needed. 8) I've experienced zero long term pain.....and actually almost zero pain from the sleeve surgery itself. The hernia repair was the only source of pain. 9) I heard my surgeon reply to that very question during a group workshop. He said he wanted to see his female patients wait a year or two after surgery before trying to have kids. 10) It is a diet. Good hydration helps with the weight loss. You'll have your water bottle along with you all the time. You don't have to slam down the water.....but you do need to keep at it and never go for long periods without drinking it. It truly was very easy for me to do as I don't drink all the sodas anymore. 11) I try to time my meals so that I'm done with any eating well before bedtimes. It just makes sense. I've never had issues with heartburn and think that this may have something to do with it. Good luck. I sure wished I'd done the VSG when I was much younger !!!!!

Superbadassness in evidence right there !!!! Well done, young lady. Well freaking done !!!!

I wanted to give it a go just outa the recovery room. My surgeon had three med student interns with him.....one of them was drop dead gorgeous. I was smitten when I said something goofy and she smiled and laughed. I gave it a few days before a test run. Wasn't able to maneuver so well due to the abdominal hernia that was repaired during the VSG. If memory serves me correctly I was able to kick off the training wheels after two weeks and enjoy things.

47. 478. 190.

Well said @@jenn1 The level of whining and hostility from new members does seem to be elevated. I am also seeing a lot of comments where it's evident they aren't committed to the effort it's going to take for them to be successful.

OUTFREAKINGSTANDING !!!!!!!! You are doing great.

The chocolate was pretty good. chicken Soup was okay as long as you don't let the Water get too hot (it clumps up). Their strawberry flavor was about the worst thing I've ever tasted in my life. One swallow and I tossed the whole can into the garbage.

Well said !!! Well damn... Aren't we just the epitome of self control and discipline?!? If u were so good at it then you yourself wouldn't have needed surgery to begin with, with that said. I'm not on here be criticized or to be pitied. I searched for a forum to be informed, to find out if I was the only one going through things and to educate myself on something that I am new to. So please spare me with the self righteous bullshit! You and evry1 else who feels The need to taller about me Or My situation like u knw me. Everything is learned, unless u are so damn special that u were born knowing already. Gastric Sleeve Surgery 6/15/16 Miami,Fl 33yrs/mother of 2boys /5'6" highest weight 300s in 2002-03 lowest weight 193 in 2014 I've lost 100 pounds. I've been below my goal weight for 14 months. I weigh 135 pounds. I am 70 years old. I got to this point in the last two years -- by which I mean I have accomplished my WLS goals -- by being compliant with my surgeon's instructions. Period. You can have your big fat hissy fit if you want to. And you can keep eating bacon if you want to. Or eat any damn thing you want to when "life gets too tough." See how far that gets you. Nobody has it easy after WLS. Not you. Not me. Not anyone. It's tough. So get tough. And you'll win, too. Excellent response!!!!! Awesome story and spot on advice. Thank you.

@@Kindle I am sorry you are backing away, but I think I understand. I've sorta done the same thing. My posts pretty much are now limited to the success story section. That's what I enjoy reading and hearing about. I'm burned out over a lot of stuff in other sections. Pizza, bacon, beer, cigarettes two days post op and challenging anyone that tells 'em it is a bad idea. They don't want advice....they simply want someone to tell 'em it is okay and no real change is needed on their part. I really do need the wisdom of the vets and hate to see you leave. I'm not a vet.....but hope to one day be able to look back and know that I've been successful and have maintained the new lifestyle and can take pride in doing so year after year.

Well done !

My snack in the theaters is the one on the right......... Is that vodka I smell in that bottle? You wicked, wicked wench. Most excellent idea !!!!! Future tipsy movie goals will be achieved.

I love fish. Thanks for the tip.

My snack in the theaters is the one on the right.........

It was all about volume for my surgeon......not calories or macros. He wanted me to eat three 1/4 cup sized meals at that stage. Meals consisted of chicken, steak, fish, seafood. No Snacks. Getting closer to 6 months he wanted me at 1/2 cup sized meals.....same composition. Targeting a year and beyond he wanted a full cup sized meals of mainly chicken, steak, fish, seafood with some fresh vegetables to finish out the cup.

No. Not a good idea.

Sounds good to me. Only 8 months post-op now, but look forward to reaching that one year mark.

I tried two of the support group meetings. Absolutely hated them. Too much whining and complaining and excuses, excuses, excuses. Hours of my life that I can never get back.

Embrace exercise and cut out the oatmeal and toast. One month out my meals were 1/4 cup in size. 3 per day and no Snacks in between.

A smoked pork shoulder butt that is then shredded into pulled pork and sauced with my homebrew sauce. That way I know I'll have my Protein goals met.

Very, very sorry. Bodyweight maneuvers are hyooge now. Your gonna need your strengths as you are recovering from this repair. I would guess that tricep strength would be important. So.....sitting in a chair......Lift yourself out of it as much possible.....get some reps in. Work on the muscles you'll be taxing heavily in the near future.

Good follow up. Hoping that you'll now follow through and fully commit to the wls and kick ass and safely reach your goals and be proud of what you've done.

Sounds like a post right outa bodybuilding.com's forum. Much respect. What body fat percentage are you targeting ?

I'd post me at my worst as my avi pic......but there's no way all that flab would fit within the confines of the tiny avi pic spot. That's why I put it in my profile pics. Fat, tired, hurting and about broke down......just 8 months ago. No flattering angles....just a front and side pics of a guy who was ready to break free from that and reclaim his health and activity level. Now......life is much improved. I can't even begin to imagine how much better it gets by Summer 2017. Yup.....everyone please keep the faith and stick to your plans. You will be so glad you did. Life gets so much more fun and easy when the pounds melt away.

I've tried all the Chike flavors and can recommend each of them with high levels of confidence that you'll probably like them. The absolute worst powder I ever tried is unjury strawberry. I thought I was going to hurl every time I tried it. Into the trash the can went. Never again.