Dub

Excellent thread topic. Glad to read the experiences. I'll certainly be getting this resolved as far ahead of time as I can.

Ill say this, people always look for permission from outside sources to resume the behavior that got them to the point they needed this surgery. It is kind of heartbreaking. People who drink a lot of beer , want to go back to drinking a lot of beer. People who drank alot of wine, want to go back to drinking wine, people who ate a lot, want to..well you get the picture. We look for validation in our bad habits. We want to know how many bad things we can "get away with", and still lose weight. Now of course some people can drink wine and beer in moderation , after they hit maintenance and will have no il effects. ,But for many doing bad things and expecting good results, is the cornerstone of failure. The difference is in what the term " moderation" means in your specific case and how that will work for you. Preach on, brother, preach on. Very well stated. Only idiots want to keep on idioting. ^^^^^^ I'm referring to those of us way away from reaching and maintaining our goal weight.....not folks that have reached their goals and are ongoing with the lifestyle they worked hard for. I'm far from being able to consider adding a drink or two back into my life. It will be a great 24 month anniversary celebration....a really nice cold draft or a rum drink. Long time from now. My surgery date isn't firmed up.....but shooting for late December 2015 or early January 2016. Depends completely on the insurance approval timing. I knew leading up to this that If I was going to consider using surgery as a weight loss tool then I'd damn well better do a lot on my own first. It didn't take a genius to figure out that alcohol and alcohol related calories were killing me in more ways than one. 12 pack of light beer knocked off while grilling.....more beer and tequila shots later on. Typical football game weekends. I had my last alcohol in April 2015.....figuring if I can't at least start with that then I was a fool to proceed with surgery. I fully agree with slb202's post. Let's face it.....many of us have been lazy and undisciplined for so long we have let that become who we are and are comfortable with it. I've got no desire to remain in that camp. I can better see now how WLS patients experience elevated divorce rates. Many go on to change and take on an active lifestyle that involves exercise and movement......they aren't interested in sitting around or gong to all-you-can-eat buffets with their spouses who have no desire to change. Only idiots want to keep on idioting.

Hell yes !!!!!!!!! Way to go. Way to own up to it and do something about it. Excellent success story. Now....post up some pics of your progress and let's hear some specifics on your plan to maintain this. Way to go, man !!!

It's going to be what it's going to be. The weight will come off where it comes off.....no such thing as targeting specific areas where it comes of first. A lot of initial weight will be "Water weight".....sure. The only way I know of to reduce the percentage of post-op "water" weight loss vs fat loss is to lose that "water weight" before you have the surgery. Some of us have 6+ months of pre-op time to do so. It's discouraging to see how few seem to lose weight during the months leading up to the surgery. I'm not referring to the liquid diet immediately before surgery.....but the months that lead up to that......the months that we are working with our nutritionists. Some have tremendous restrictions and physical limitations and can only work on their calories consumed. They need the relief in order to really get themselves kick started and in motion. I get that and feel badly for them. Others, though....have full capacity for exercise and just do nothing. It seems to me that if they can't get results leading up to their surgery then they'll likely have limited long term success. They seem lazy and awaiting a miracle. Sorry, I'll quit griping. It just gets difficult reading through some of the posts of people who whine and complain that they didn't lose 700 lbs in 12 months and want to dwell on the hardships and complications of WLS.....yet expend so little effort towards doing something to ensure their WLS success other than show up for the surgery. This is just a general rant and directed towards no specific members.....just the comments I see that seem to support laziness and whining. I know that I've been guilty of both this past year. It is very inspiring to see folks who hump it hard and work on both sides of the equation......burning calories in the gym as well as low calorie intake. No excuses....they just do it.

This bikini thread needs........MORE BIKINI pics. Great thread topic, too. Pretty amazing development: Women going from being pre-op to reaching the point where they want to rock their bodies in bikinis. Tremendous accomplishment. Speaks volumes about not only the obvious weight loss but also speaks to the healthy state of mind that's been reached. Huge respect, ladies. Huge respect. I promise to never show off pics of me in a Speedo suit......because, well......I'll never own one. Maybe I'll throw up some shirtless kayaking pics or such when I get there. Threads like this are huge inspiration. I know that when my 47th birthday arrives.....I'll be 9 months post-op and feeling much, much better. By the 48th birthday I'll feel better than I did on my 28th. This is going to be a fun ride............

Amazing thread !!!!!! The folks posting in here are doing more to promote the benefits than a billion typed posts. Seriously. Everyone wants to jump in and give advice.....share this.....share that.....etc. It's all great and helpful.......but it's simply words....talk. The before and after pics nail it all down and motivate in a way that nothing else can. THANK YOU !!!!! I don't understand why more people don't want to post before & after photos.

Howdy everyone ! I want to pick the brains of our veteran WLS folks. I'm quite sure that I"ll experience much relief from knee and back arthritis after I'm 12-24 months post op. I'm very encouraged about this and am counting on it as one of the many benefits. My question is that for times when the pain does return and I don't want to address with prescription pills....is there a topical medication that you've experienced success with ?

Great points about a conversation. There are plenty of folks who need CPAPs that aren't overweight. Also.....losing huge amounts of weight doesn't ensure they'll be "cured".

Yup. No desire for them. Maybe in a couple a years.....a 1/2 a doughnut may be okay. For now.....up to the surgery.......and hopefully again in a few months after surgery.........the java is all I want from any doughnut shop.

I agree that their Diet Lemonade is awesome. I always order that with my grilled chicken sandwich.

Title says it all. Was out running some errands and couldn't resist hitting the drive thru at the doughnut shop......a place I know all too well. Not the way I'd spend my money there in the past. I truly have zero desire for the rest of their menu right now. I'm going to enjoy this for this duration of this week. I'm still 4+ months out from surgery so I'll continue to enjoy. Looking forward to getting through the surgery.....adapt to the new food intake and adding my coffee back to the daily grub. Love my java.

I hope it goes well for you and the problems you had all go away.

I fully understand not wanting to sit around.

Great news !!!!

Under Armor is the ticket !!!!

Hoping that all will go really well for you !!!!! Much better Thanks! Still have gas though so going for my first walk out of the house tomorrow in the hope the exercise helps move it The GasX strips were great in hospital but don't seem to do anything now. You will feel so much better once you are home, in your own bed. Don't overdo it!! http://www.gas-x.com/gas-relief-products/gas-extra-strength#ThinStrips Very glad to hear about this product. The pill version helped me during the past two hernia surgeries. Glad to see there is a strip version. I'll be taking these along with me !!!!!!!!!

Congrats for taking actions. This burden can't be removed without considerable sustained effort. You've demonstrated that with the steps you are already taken. You are so wise to do so right now in your life. Let me tell you a true story of two people: Person one: Successfully kept weight under control due to constant participation in athletics during high school. Went to college and gained the freshman 15lbs.....and then a bit every year since over the next 20+ years. Has lost tons of weight with various diets.....and regained them. Spent tons of money on clothes just to accommodate bigger/smaller/bigger again sizes. Dealing now with weight related health issues, severe arthritis in knees and back, pain and fear from doing a lot of physical activities. Is now finally going to use the tool of WLS to help get the weight off. Person two: Kept weight under control during early high school years due to parental nagging and participation in athletics. Went through college and gained a large amount of weight. Binged and struggled. Graduated and began working. First year on the job had WLS. Became someone who actually met their height-weight numbers on the charts and has lived slim-trim and fit the next 15 years. Over that time has employed small course corrections that would keep weight within a 5 pound range without some huge struggle or "new diet". Does NOT have weight related pains and is very active and has been since the WLS (bypass) some 15 years ago. These two people share the same parents and genetics. They are my younger sister and I. I am finally.....at 46 years old.....going to follow her lead and have the surgery in the next 5-6 months. My only regret is waiting so dang long to do so !!!!!!!!!!! Study up.....make the sensible changes all along.....plan well and take action. Spend the effort and profit from your hard work.

Did you do weight training and Pilates at any point before surgery? Does it seem like a good idea to jump into these 3 weeks after surgery? What does your doctor say about this?

When you go to church.......do you sit there and feel like you are a sinner and shouldn't be there? Of course not, everyone in there is a sinner. You all are better for being in there. Most that are going to the gym are in there to better themselves, too. Assume that they have the same agenda as you.....pop your earbuds on and get to work. Nobody cares if you are large. They do care if you don't follow proper gym etiquette, though: do not sit on equipment between sets....get your set in and wipe down the gear and move. Do not park your butt there. Make sure to always......always use the supplied wipes to clean up your gear as soon as you are done. Also keep in mind that not everyone is using their own iPods and just listening to the gym's piped in music.....they don't want to hear you sing.....enjoy your music silently. If you feel compelled to carry on conversations....then go to the gym's lounge area. Do not hold other folks up by camping out around gear and chatting. It's not that folks don't care what you have to say.....they just don't care when they are working out. Stick and move........stick and move........stick and move.........and wipe down you gear every time you get off it. Nobody is judging you in the gym......unless you break etiquette rules....then expect some rudeness to occur. It's nothing personal.....it's not that you may or may not be large.....it's simply that you've done one of the above items an incurred the wrath of others. It's like golfers who play slowly.......they are holding up the entire course. If they are beginner golfers...then they shouldn't be playing during primetime hours.....but getting their practice rounds in at non-peak times. If you feel that you are going to be slow or self conscious then consider going to the gym during non-peak hours a few times until you get into the swing of it. I will admit that there is a social thing that is undercurrent at all gyms.....at certain times of day. It's just the regulars acknowledging each other. Don't get torqued up about it you aren't part of it.....just keep going in there and doing your work and you'll be benefitting hugely.

The math of your schedule isn't working out for me.....but then again, I suck at math. Hope it all does come together on time for you.

I've got some serious questions to pose to my nutritionist next week. There is no way in hell it can be healthy for me to live at a daily deficit of 1,500+ calories......which is where I'd be on 400 calories eaten, working 13+ hour shifts and exercising on my days off. Dangerous for vital organs. I want to lose weight but do so safely.

Thanks. I'm not talking about anything crazy......just preserving as much muscle as I can and lifting to enhance it. I know energy will be low at first....just hoping I can get my Protein and Water down each day with no trouble.

Not only are we all different.......we are all different from our own selves, it seems. For example......five years ago I decided to get rid of my excess weight. At first my knees were the limiting factor. I could only get 1/2 mile of walking before one would lock up. Awkward when you are 1/2 mile away from home....... I then started using the gym only. Treadmills with hand rails.......adding incline. Remained disciplined in the kitchen, too. Weight came off over the next 8 months. Huge amounts. I reached the point where I was using elliptical machines for an hour at the time with little pain. Addicted to the weight loss and great new feels. Started lifting weights and really became addicted. Stupid me, though, though I could just jump in and start lifting like I did for high school football & wrestling. My calorie intake swooped upward.....mainly additional Protein.....but calorie dense stuff, too. Wound up making killer muscle gains, but created several injuries that are still needing repair. A double umbilical hernia ended things. Surgery took me out of the gym (lifting wise). I could have gone back to walking.....but had burned myself out. It had become lifting or nothing. The injuries kept me from lifting........so the "nothing" option was what happened. Fast forward four years of "nothing" along with poor kitchen discipline and most of the 125 lbs had come back. No problem, right? I'd just burn it off again over the next year......... Great plan.....but some new health problems showed up and derailed my plans to exercise. All I could do was cut calorie intake while being inactive during healing. This proved harder than I thought.....inactive and trying to lose weight. During six weeks of being knocked out of work.....sidelined......considering my future.......I decided to pull out all the stops and employ ever tool I could. It was then that I've chosen bypass surgery and proceeded with getting in a program. I'm still limited on exercise......but am losing small amounts. After the first 30 came off I can see a big difference in the end of day swelling in feet and ankles. Knee pain is much improved. As I make small gains with back issues I am able to walk more at work and short sessions on treadmill on days off. I remember how hard it was on the knees just 5 years ago. I can do a little more now...at the beginning stages than I could then. Limited only by back......which is improving slowly. I know that when my bypass surgery comes, I'll be trying to kill it during the honeymoon first year, too. The key is that I have to do it on a way that works for me......working safely with whatever my current limitations are at that time. I can't compare myself to others.....and really not to myself either. It's what I can do at the moment that matters. I truly hope the bypass will provide a lasting tool that will help me in a great way......not just to reach my goal weight......but to live at the goal weight for the second half of my longer life. Best of luck to us all.

Please be careful. Your calorie intake is so low that you are likely losing more muscle mass than you'd want to be losing. This can only escalate with the calories burned from exercise. I can only pause and wonder what I'd look like if I'd been walking 8 miles each day like you were while keeping my calorie intake to 1,800/day. I'd be at my goal weight........without the surgery. Your drive is impressive. Hopefully you'll find a way to up your Protein intake and find balance with all things. No doubt you are really dropping some serious weight.