Dub

I am very interested in this topic. I'm hoping to preserve as much muscle as possible during this weight loss period. So much to learn.

I feel for you, bud. So many ways to be tormented on the road to getting this surgery. Good luck.

The pre-op liquid diet is no fun. It was the hardest part about it for me. Since my October 13th surgery, I am having 3 Protein shakes a day and lots of Water. I'm having no problem getting it all down and the 3 shakes are plenty of food to keep me from being hungry. No problems whatsoever. I see zero problems whatsoever with staying on this course for a couple more weeks until the next stage. My surgeon is very strict on the 2-week pre-op liquid diet and continued post-op 4-week liquid diet. When I was doing the pre-op 2-week deal I hit a wall about halfway through and wondered how the heck I'd be able to make it. No kidding. Now, though, I have zero doubts I'll make it. The surgery truly does work. Appetite is less. Hunger is all but gone. There is no urge to snack or graze. The weight.......it is falling off. It is a medical miracle. I'm very grateful and hopeful. I no longer see my surgeon as being overly strict. I see him as cautious and safe. The pre-op is tough......just take it one day at a time....don't look too far ahead. Get through it and KNOW that it truly does get easier.

It's not just a matter of weight loss.....but your health depends on it. Stay hydrated. No excuses. Do your best to get back on track with the plan. You just had major surgery in order to lose weight. You've gotta be smart and do the things that agree with your new stomach and support your progress. Don't sabotage your progress.

Simply amazing results. Way to go, man. Way to go.

Thank you so much. I'm obviously in the beginning stages of this thing but take great encouragement from someone like you that has pushed and pushed to successful results. Huge respect for what you have to overcome to get the results. Inspiring.

I found out about Quest bars a few years ago when I was on a hardcore weight lifting kick after losing 120 pounds. They were awesome and provided a great protein boost after a hard lifting session. I didn't know about the ingredient changes nor have I tried them since. This was pulled off their webpage from a random bar's nutrient label:

@ , great job on getting started. The seminars and classes can be very informative. Great time for serious Q&A. No silly questions as every question that someone asks is probably one that many had bud failed to ask. There is a great deal to consider and a great deal learn but in the end you'll be firm in your convictions and give it your all.

Congratulations !!!!!!!! You've gotta feel great being so successful with your progress.

Howdy, howdy. Fellow October 13th Sleever here, too. Wishing you the best in your recovery and onward towards your goals.

Thanks, man. I haven't achieved firecracker status yet......but I've been outside some each day and it really feels great. I've gotta get on the mend quickly because the return to work is coming soon. I see how the shake thing could get old, too. I've been doing shakes exclusively for the past 3 weeks with 3 more weeks to go...minimum. It's all good. No complaints here.

Well done. You've tackled a tough aspect right away. Huge respect for this. I was sleeved 8 days ago and have been very pleased with how smoothly the whole process has been. This place is great. The phone app is cool......but the full blown pc/mac version is awesome. You can get in and look at all the inspiring before and after pics and see cases where folks have really applied themselves and followed the plan strictly. The ones I really like seeing are the ones where the surgeries were 4+ years ago and the sleeve or bypass patients have not only maintained the weight loss....but thrived !!!!! Welcome and I hope you don't feel alone in this any longer. Congrats again on quitting smoking. I know from experience what that's like and am glad that urge is gone from life.

And you will have so earned those shopping trips. Get ready, because it really will be here faster than you think right now. This thing has a way of going from hurry up and wait to OMG everything is happening so fast.

I'm not much on yogurt, but I did stumble on that Oikos Triple Zero Greek stuff during the months leading up to my pre-op diet. I stress that I don't care for yogurt in general.....but this stuff is great. I'm glad I found out about it. It needs nothing extra to taste really good.

@@dlappjr I am not sure what your plan allows. I am very grateful that my NUT has the Chike Iced coffee on her list of 4 acceptable Protein powders we can have. It does have a small amount of coffee as an ingredient which surprises me that it's allowed. I do not mix it full strength as per the "recipe", however, I do substitute some into a scoop of chocolate Protein powder. It gives a nice mocha flavor and has become my Breakfast Protein shake. http://www.chikenutrition.com/buy-chike-coffee-mocha.html They make two versions of it. Both are great. I simply mix with ice and Water. I'm very, very grateful toi have this great product in my arsenal. Best wishes.

We're going to get the usual treats and I'm going to make sure they all are given out. The last bags will be sugar-free chewing gum so just in case it gets leftover.......

Thank you !!!!!!

Yup. I love them, too. Very calorie dense like you suggested. I need to be very careful with them once I can resume eating them.

You described it well. The wait is the toughest part. I wish I had a great suggestion. I will say this......stay as healthy as possible leading up to the surgery so you aren't dealing with multiple maladies. Incur no injuries in the gym trying to be a superhero. A lot of folks get powerfully motivated leading up to their big day which is great, but don't get over zealous and hurt yourself. One thing that I did was to place two orders for custom made items that I really enjoy. They were sort of gifts to myself and hobby items. One of them will be here in 3 months while the other is expected to arrive in 12-14 months. When I ordered them I thought of what I'll feel-look like in 3 months. First one would arrive with me hopefully making a nice dent in my weight loss. The second item would find me much closer to goal. The other thing I did was get aggressive on cleaning out oversized clothes from my closet. Kept my focus for a few days. Best wishes to you.

And I can't believe how dangerous some people are. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353716-any-bad-experiences-by-not-taking-vitaminsprotein-drink/ Threads like the one linked above are classic examples of what is taught in the "stupid" classes. Sadly, there are posts like this all the time. The rudeness began with your denouncing the very education that is designed to keep you healthy and prevent acts of stupidity that could hurt you.

I've got a six year old Trek mountain bike that's lubed up and waiting in the garage for when I get down closer to goal. There are some scenic flat trails nearby that are calling my name. If I proceed to really get a lot of use from it then I'll shop for a new one with updated bells and whistles.

If more people paid more attention in those "stupid classes" we'd probably see a lot more successful folks post-op and not see so many stupid behaviors engaged in. Some of them are very dangerous, too. Also, the goal is to lose weight right ? Losing weight prior to your surgery can only benefit you and support that goal.

Well said.

Knock it out !!!! You'll do great and feel like a million bucks in no time.

Outstanding !!!!!