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There is nothing about the changes that I don't gladly welcome. The weight comes off....the physical burden.....the physical stress.......the threat of pending developing health scares.......all of that going away.....leaves one with a better frame of mind to embrace life and take on each day in much better manner than before surgery.

No....I never had such worries. I was in great hands. The surgeon I chose was top notch and a master of his craft. His surgical staff were all very experienced with bariatric patients....the wing of the hospital my room was in was 100% wls patients. This is what they do.....we are who they help on a daily basis. The risks for my sleeve surgery were pretty much the same as with my prior hernia repairs, ankle surgery, knee surgeries, etc. There wasn't much that concerned me about the surgery. There was, however, a great deal that concerned me with the physical state I was in BEFORE sleeve surgery. I was a wreck......a heart attack waiting to happen. Losing 50+ pounds during the pre-op time frame that led up to surgery had my confidence up....and actually feeling a bit better. I would go back and have the sleeve done again and again. It was a piece of cake. Now is the time to push aside any drama and relax. Focus on working hard on the pre-op diet and get in as much exercise as you can. You'll feel better for it and be able to sleep much easier. All good things are going to happen if you allow them to. Work hard.......rest hard......be at ease.

I feel like you'll be great in that time frame. You'll be feeling rock solid and ready for the world by 3 months for sure. You've given yourself plenty of time. That is going to be a fun trip. Have fun. I would simply make sure I had follow-up appointments scheduled just prior to the trip.....share your concerns with your pcp and your sleeve surgeon......perhaps they'll write you a proactive prescription for antibiotics and such to take along with you just in case. The traveling....airports and handrails and such are where you'll be most exposed to foreign germs. I really wouldn't fear the food so much. You'll be presented with a wide array of of tasty eats.

Everything by Chike has been golden. Their Mocha and their coffee Protein powders are outfreakingstanding. My next try will be the new powders by Quest Nutrition. I love their bars and chips......hoping their powders are great, too.

Holy Hell.....I'm lacking badly in fiber intake it would seem. Do any of you supplement with Metamucil or the like ???

You look great !!!!!!!!

Watched Deadpool with Teenage T-Rex yesterday.....funny flick. Watching Sicario right now. Great movie. Excellent acting. Benicio Del Torro plays a killer role. Really killer. Mile high club thoughts ?

Outstanding results !!!!!!! You have done great. How did it impact your golf game thus far?

This is a great question. I'm looking forward to seeing their daily menu as well.

My insurance would only cover 1/2 the cost....which would have left me out of pocket $24,000. By simply self-funding the surgery....my bariatric center only charged me $20,000. Evidently the drop the rates severely for self pay folks. That $20,000 also included a insurance policy against any type of sleeve related complications that may occur.

I was coached by my surgeon to eat a 1/4 cup of food per meal....3 meals a day at that point....moved up to 1/2 cup meal size by the time I'd reached 4 months. No real snacking. Just the 3 meals. I try to either measure it out with the cup or simply portion out what I feel is the correct amount....then eat just that amount and no more. I seldom have room for side dishes.....just the Protein.

On my days off I'll take time to cook some eggs, bacon and such. May even have a piece of leftover steak on hand, too. Work days.....I'll mix some Protein powder and Water in a shaker bottle and call it good.....that or a Quest bar.

Wow.....I used to love pancakes. These may come in handy when I overshoot my goal weight and am trying to maintain or add a couple pounds back on. Right now the carb count in them is just not to my liking. One day, however, I'll give these a try.

I've been enjoying coffee since my second month post-op. Real coffee, too. Very grateful for it.

You are going to do great. You are in the toughest days of it.....that first month. After that you'll kick off those training wheels and really start to coast....and in no time at you'll be jumping ramps. Much respect for your fast return to work. Remember to have fun along the way and do things that interest you.

Wow !!!! Wow !!!!!!!! You are killing it. Looks like your activity level is tremendous. Huge respect for the changes you've made and the health concerns you've headed off with your efforts. Great Job, sir.

Taken the day before my October 2015 surgery: Take a week or so ago....at the 6 month point:

Never been a big gum chewer. I did use it wen I was quitting smoking many years ago.....it helped then. Now.....I have mints or even the mint flavored chewable Vitamins.

She sounds like a petty childish pain in the arse who isn't worth the time of day. Who says stuff like that? She needs to get a life.

Oh......it will work. It will most certainly work wonders if you allow it to. All it takes is a desire and some effort on your part and it happens. Listen carefully to your surgeon and follow their guidelines and you will profit tremendously.

Has anyone received instructions how to avoid this ? I can't figure out how to correct avi pic downloads......they general come in sideways or upside down. Could use some help if you know how.

Not a stupid idea at all. I'd only warn that the pre-op two weeks can seem to last forever......I'd most likely live normal this weekend and then do the all liquid two-day at some point during your two week countdown. Congrats on your upcoming surgery. Best decision I've made in decades.

I'm still at the stage where I'm trying to lose weight at a high rate. Avoiding stuff like bananas and Peanut Butter at the moment. Last night's dinner is how I've been rolling....mostly all Protein and fat. Grilled tuna & lobster with teriyaki, butter and wasabi.

The first month is tough. You are getting shed of the surgical inflammation and Fluid retention. You WILL lose much unwanted weight. Your choice of foods that you eat will seriously determine what kind of weight you lose.....high Protein.....low carb.....will spare muscle and help you to burn fat and burn it a rate that will amaze you. The pre-op diet and the first month after are the hardest parts. Somewhere around 8 weeks out I began to feel like a new man.........and every day since. Relax......take deep breaths......you are headed for great places. Relax.