Dub

I chew sugar free gum all the time. I simply don't see a risk.

Congrats to all the smokers who have taken action to quit. I've lost track of how long I've not smoked.....12 years....15 years? Not sure. I do remember how I felt progressively better each week that I was smoke free and that it became easier as time passed.

Perhaps you'd better read up on everything from much more reliable sources of information.

Cranberry sauce, Jello and pudding. Used to like 'em all.........now, though....won't touch them with a ten foot pole. Disgusted by them.

Guys in NCAA Football and the NFL would go apshyt over gaining 10 lbs of muscle in a year.........

This link has nothing to do with anything in this thread other than "snowflake" reminding me of a cool movie.......

no rushing, @@Dub too easy to hurt yourself that way! True dat !!! I tend to break down on form....the very thing BigViffer is trying to demonstrate for his bride.....when I rush. That sounds like an ideal gym. I'm wishing that was the case with mine.

See, that is the one thing that will bother me the most. I definitely don't want to be seen as the poser that hangs in the gym for vanity's sake. However, I believe most of the people in my gym would see it for what it is intended. But that thought would be in the back of my head for sure. I doubt very seriously anyone is gonna think you are a poser. You've got the muscle credentials to prove them wrong. I was merely thinking of the impatient denizens who are working through the sets and ready to jump on the gear. My local gym has grown to a membership level that, in my opinion, far exceeds it's capacity. It takes forever to get a session in sometimes. I guess I tend to have a low tolerance for things that impede my old man routine as I'm going through my session. It's funny.....took me years to get my butt back into the gym....and now I rush when I'm there.

Well said @@jintycb Well said. I agree, completely. I think that timing and acceptance has a lot to do with some of the basic and oft repeated questions. I think these are factors as much as laziness is. I remember the workshops and classes I attended during my pre-op checklist. There were some really lively and heated discussions among the groups over base level stuff when it was presented. It was obvious that some simply were not ready to accept the changes and effort that was being asked of us. Later on.....after some time has passed......things get real and the questions resurface and get asked here. Over and over again.......... It's all good, though. When it ceases to be....I'll just scale back my coming here.

I hope to one day be able to answer this with, "My abs". Today is not that day. Today is, however, a day that I'm doing some indirect work for my ab development. Burning the fat....and doing some gym work. One day.

Total agreement.

You may get some funny looks from folks in the gym..... Just do it at non-peak times when folks aren't waiting for the gym equipment and all is well. Bodybuilding.com also has some great form pics & videos and detail of each specific exercise.

My VSG was self pay and I had the BLISS insurance. Didn't need it.......but glad it was there. It was a large factor over having the surgery at another facility that didn't offer it.

lol......that's why I only button a couple of them......

Never had them.

VSG was 8 months ago. I've seen some welcome developments: returning to the gym and feeling like I don't stand out, sitting in any random airplane seat and having zero issues, sitting in any booth with room to spare, unable to wear any of my old clothes....completely new stuff.....and much of that is too big now, much, much more mobile. I've been very fortunate for the loss thus far. It came at a great time in my life, too, as things at work have become insanely stressful. The already long hours are longer each day....the time between days off is longer, too. I tackle it and sometimes wonder how in the world I'd have done so with my body from 8 months ago. Crazy scenario, very glad to be more streamlined and able to get through it. What I'm looking for next......well for short term goals....say over the next month: My goal by mid July is to fit comfortably into the new clothes I just bought...5 shirts and some jeans. They were all ordered a size down from my current size. I really want to be in them in time for a vacation that's coming up. Mid range goal: To arrive at my 1 year appointment wearing whatever I"m dressed in that day and proudly step up on the scale and be BELOW my goal weight. It is not going to happen unless I get a bit more aggressive with my cardio efforts. Longer range goals: Live long enough below goal so that my abdominal muscles develop and tighten to the point where my surgeon feels confident in going in and doing what I hope will be a final umbilical hernia repair (my 4th ) and then begin making plans with a plastic surgeon to address what needs to be addressed. I'd also like to get my torn rotator cuff repaired at some point during this, too. It's seriously screwing up what I am trying to do in the gym. I couldn't even shoot hoops with my nephew last month. Sucks ! I'm looking forward to some beach vacations next summer.

Maybe I'm wired up differently.....once I came home from the hospital....the absolute last thing I wanted to think about was food. My response to food make me the morbidly obese guy that I was. It led to me having surgery for weight loss. Let me repeat that.....it led me to seek surgical undertaking in order to gain better control over weight loss. I wanted nothing to do with food. I was now on a new plan....and have been ever since. I eat to live. I no longer live to eat. Simple concept, but huge in scope. For the record.......since the date of surgery the absolute only hunger I've had is "head hunger". There has been zero real hunger.

Juices are full of sugar and can be acidic. I'd avoid them at all costs. Right now your diet is a very, very simplistic formula to follow. Protein shakes and Water. That's it for the next 2+ weeks. You have to get past the desire to eat until you are full. That is over with. You will get that full feeling later on once you are eating real food. For now, though....it's just those liquids. You'll not be dealing with hunger anymore from this point forward. Use that to your advantage in losing the weight. I I remember correctly....they suggest I have an ounce or two of Premier Protein ready mix shake every hour along with the same amount of water for the first two days home.....after that I was to work my way up to 2-3 Premier Protein Shakes each day along with water. By the end of the first week I could handle 3 shakes a day with no problem. Now is a great time to stay out of the kitchen and really break away from a food focused life. Be patient and allow your body to heal. Try to get up and walk every two hours and be disciplined on getting in your water. Sip everything carefully and stay on track. You had the surgery for a reason. Get your mind wrapped around that start to enjoy the weight loss that you'll be seeing as soon as the post op inflammation eases up.

I'm feeling pain in my lower back, which makes me think my back is trying to compensate for my lack of core strength. This may provide me with a natural "slow down". Thanks for your advice! Sent from my KFASWI using the BariatricPal App Yup. One day that very slow down became a halt when I went too far. Be careful. Slow and steady....consistent cardio and very, very careful lifting (high rep count, low weight, perfect form). I feel you on this. Not fun at all.

Mine isn't proper. She's ancient and but I love her. Her name is Princess Otter and we have been so many places together I can't let go. Kayaking is awesome- there is something very therapeutic about bobbing around, watching the world float by. I'm pretty sure these guys were laughing at me doing absolutely nothing in their backyard. ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1466128160.068513.jpg Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App It's all good so long as I can tote a Glock to deal with the local gators & snakes.

Awesome !!!!! Looking forward to seeing many more of your outings. I really, really should invest in a proper kayak.

Let your new stomach heal properly...........before taking on new challenges like alcohol. Let it heal. Be safe.

No. I self paid. Dollars made through sweat, pain and hard work. Forgive me if my opinions on VSG are harsh. I got there through lots of personal effort.

So tired of the bs that is on this site.

So this finally happened......