Dub

Hope things are going better for you. I am starting to see more and more how job stress can spill over into other areas of my life and muddy the waters making it hard to distinguish it from relationship stress. It poisons perception and becomes a negative filter that taints everything. I'm grateful that I see this more clearly now and am open to making constructive changes.

As I was approaching my surgery date I did have a few food funerals. Up until two weeks prior to surgery it was my belief that I would be having gastric bypass. There were specifics about my size, height and BMI at that point that had my surgeon encouraging me in the strongest possible way to have a sleeve instead. I took his advice and chose the sleeve at that point. He explained that in time....once I hit maintenance living that any foods and most drinks would be.....or could be, in moderation, on my personal menu. I realized that there was no need to say goodbye forever to carbs and such....but to simply follow his eating plan and work through the various stages. I have found as I near my 5th month that I have zero cravings for foods. Don't get me wrong....I immensely enjoy the flavors and smells of good food, it's just that I'm very content being a small eating carnivore. Tasty grilled Proteins in 1/2 cup sized meals are savored and that is plenty and satisfies me.

Outfreakingstanding!!!!!!!!! You have done super. Huge respect for your accomplishment!!!!!!

I'm sorry but that's total B.S. A woman may give good advice but there's also many women who give horrible advice and who have ulterior agendas. As an adult man we are supposed to be mature enough and wise enough to make our own decisions. My comments were based on my own experiences. The OP was being very rude with his lashing out and made a sweeping comment that I chose not let stand, thusly I replied. I could have simply been a dick and called his comment total b.s. Instead, I chose to talk to the young bro. I've lived a little longer than he has and hope that he can benefit from my mistakes. For the life of me I can't even understand why people get so wrapped around the axle over subjects and postings. There are some really fine people on here that I truly enjoy communicating with.......and I value their input.......regardless of where the thread originates. Then there are some I simply prefer to ignore and move on past.

Maybe your feet have become extra muscular LOL. Probably more like they're stretching out like lazy dogs laying in the sunshine........and saying, "Good Lawd, boss.......thank you taking a load off us". Speaking of dogs and loads..........I was recently in the per store getting some dry food for my dogs. I grabbed a fifty pound bag and walked through the store with it.....paid......and on across the parking lot. Way across the parking lot, too. Seems to be a new habit of mine....parking far away from entrances. As I was walking and carrying the food I thought about the fact that just a few months ago I was wearing the equivalent of 3 bags on my body. Damn. Just damn. I'm so grateful for the changes. No complaints from me about the difficulties in finding shoes in stock in my new size. No complaints. Mail order will work just fine for this dude.

I'm almost 5 months out............and am still the same wide width.........but have gained a size. I went from 13W to 14W or sometimes 15W on some shoes. Clearly there is some Voodoo in the mix here......but it's good Voodoo as with bigger feet have come a bigger..............shoe?

Folks.....Dr. Stapleton is a real treasure. I had the supreme pleasure to have her perform my psych eval while on my path to my wls. Sitting and chatting with her was a wonderful way to spend an hour. I only wish we had occasion to spend more time chatting. That hour with her helped me find myself. Her pre-work videos struck home some ideals and tenets that have proven themselves to be truth. @@Connie Stapleton PhD , I am very glad to see you here. You helped me in a big way. The wonderful people in this place have helped me on many days since. Do your thing and help us find our way so we can do ours.

Getaways are by far the BEST treat yo self treats! Somehow myself and one of my best nurse buddies at work got the same 5 days off at the end of the month... So we're going to Myrtle Beach! And we don't even have to use our PTO! Enjoy your trip.. Hope you bring something home to put on the grill I did. I will. Life is good.

I had to learn what 1/4 cup of food looked like. Then I had to learn what 1/2 cup of food, my current goal, looks like. I did this at home with the various stuff I grill, cook or otherwise prepare. A set of measuring cups will be your friend. In short order you'll be able to spot the volumes as they sit on our your freshly arrived plate of food in any restaurant. Once you see the portion size.........grab the knife and wield that puppy like a weapon. Slice off what you know to be the allowable amount. Take your time and eat that amount only.....and get a to-go box for the remainder that will give you future meals.

@@Lexigurl82 first and foremost let me give ya a hearty Hells Yes for being a fellow Georgian. Much respect. You know heat & humidity and have endured. On a bigger level, let me say that you have my further respect for getting your sleeve and making the changes you wanted to make. I am saddened by your story. It is full of pain. You've endured a lot and that is evident. I am sorry that he didn't come around and instead chose to go a different route. He'll be reminded of how bad of a move that was after it dawns on him that it's too late. You have your priorities right, though....being a mother and also getting her health under control. Both will be rewarding in ways that you'll see down the road. Now, however, you are just making an investment in something that will become more tangible and pay great future dividends. He'll be left with whatever flames he can conjure up. You, however, will be a prize......a real treasure....that worthy dudes will come after in force. Stay the course and keep your priorities in order. You are doing right. Right will be done by you and to you. Hang tough and stay true to yourself.

Dayum..........I feel for ya. And yes....I felt some of the same pains. Hell......at almost 5 months out......I still feel some oddball pains. One could safely say that this dude's life is full of random oddball pains. Some of are my own doing.....trying to be a superhero in the gym or elsewhere....these are what I consider "good" pains. I caused them....I can pinpoint how they happened.....all is good. All will be well. Some, though, are the random pains that leave me scratching my head and going, "WTF?". I am so not joking. I frequently scratch my head and ask myself that very question.

@@BSanchez2016 Please considering slowing your roll, my young hombre. All is well. All is good. Take a deep breath and relax. You are at the tipping point........making a big decision about where to head next and what the implications are. I'm gonna drop some truth on you, boss. You didn't ask for this....but here it is, regardless: Every major decision I've successfully made in life......every good choice.........every single life goal that I've achieved.......has been when I took the advice and was inspired by A WOMAN !!!!!!! They are called the fairer sex for a reason, buddy. Dudes promote broscience and much of that deals with how to increase the size of our toolage and whatnot. It's true. We all wanna be bigger, faster, stronger........... It took a woman's encouragement for me to see that faster isn't always better. "Slow down, Pedro....the race isn't over until everyone reaches the finish line". It took a woman's intuition to help me see the benefits of having wls. It took a woman's encouragement & feedback to know that I'd done the right thing.......and was doing the right thing. Women, my friend, make the world go 'round. Know this. Accept this.....and roll with this. You'll be better for it. Now....I'm not a preacher. Therefore I'll come down off the pulpit and stfu. My hope for you is that you relax and get some good and solid advice for the questions in your head at this time. I know they are many and they are wide ranging. It's a very difficult time.....making the decision on wls. I feel for ya, mayne. I was right there just a short time ago. I truly get the concerns over having good wood. Trust & believe that I get that......but mainly trust & believe that your wood will be gooder once you drop any unneeded pounds you may be toting and embrace your health and fitness. It's all good, bro. The wood is gonna be all good. Guess what? You'll know when the wood's all good, too......know in the best and most sure way......because a WOMAN will tell you.

Dayum..... That didn't take long to escalate. So here's the deal, @@BSanchez2016 .....I'm a big dude, too. I'm not as big of dude now, though....thanks to the magical powers of my new sleeve and simply following my doctor's gameplan. I can happily say that my junk not only remained intact, but it's benefitted from the weight loss, too. Is it any bigger ? I simply don't have those stats to compare........and old Dub ain't posting any pics of his junk on the web.....so you'll simply have to take my word for it. Is it any bigger? In my estimation, yes...it is. The base pad of fat that you mentioned has diminished in size. This translated to more usable wood. Is it any better? Again, in my estimation, yes....it is. My vascularity is at a whole new level now. Blood flow throughout the body is amazingly improved. All over the body. My rooster will crow at the drop of a hat......a slight breeze and it's cockadoodle do. It's like being 21 again. I'm a simple dude, too. I'm all about the simple pleasures in life. I can't accurately rank the benefits in order of importance.....but I can tell you without hesitation that being 100% satisfied with my junk and knowing that the rooster will crow and stand up proud and loud......yeah man, it may not be my number one benefit.......but it is close to top of the list.

You have done great !!! Excellent post!

Thanks. Past couple days have been a rewarding reminder that I'm on track.

Great! I have a friend whos going to Raleigh to do it as well. I understand your pain, with Bojangles, it was my best friend too lol. Best of luck on your surgery, you're going to do great! Ah........good old Bojangles. I haven't had a Cajun fillet biscuit in six months or more. Never thought I'd be able to say that. When I hit Bo's now.....it's to get a large unsweetened ice tea or some of their roasted chicken bites. Crazy thing is that I don't even miss what used to be a frequent staple in my diet. Also.....former North Carolinian, here, too. GO PIRATES !!!

Welcome aboard. You jumped in ring in a big way. Sounds like your results and experience is very favorable at this point. Sounds good. I hope that everything continues to unfold very smoothy for you.

Well done. You are killing it. Huge respect for you going after it.

Yesterday's Breakfast was a midmorning Bariatric Advantage Protein shake. Today....not sure. Crashed early last night and woke up crazy early today. Morning coffee came really early, too. I may hit a local 24/7 spot for an omelette this morning.

Very, very impressive ! Man, you have really done great. Amazing year for you. Running in 10K races ? Are you kidding ? Could you have ever seen this happening a year ago ? Outstanding results, boss. Outfreakingstanding.

Biotin use here. My hairline on the forehead is already becoming a five-head. No want of any more thinning. I'm pouring the coals to the biotin supplements. Norelco Body Groomer makes short order any unwanted hair in any other area.....quick, easy and effective.

Very well said. I've found this to be the case. I'd go through my short 2-week pre-op liquid diet over and over again with ease if it gave me the benefits that it has. It seemed like it was so difficult then, at the time. It went by quickly and started the accelerated pace of losing that I was grateful for. Hang in there and stay on your plan. The benefits are very much worth it. It gets loads easier once you are post op. Much, much easier.

I've found that stalls happen quite often, in fact. I used to get freaked out by them....now....at 4+ months out....no biggie. I think you may have nailed it on the huge calorie deficit and your body hanging on. For me, in those cases, I look at the type of calories I am getting....protein being the main component, obviously, but so are type of macros along with the Protein. Initially I had tended to use more dipping sauces and such. I'd also use various creamers and flavorings in my coffee. In those early days my coffee was heavily cut with these, too. Now....I drink it in almost the same way I did before....strong. If I'd have a stall in the first couple months I would carefully measure and account for every gram of carbohydrate. It was interesting that I was drinking more carbs than I ever realized....plus the dipping sauces thrown in, too. I do much better now. I stick with the volume of food that I'm supposed to be eating at this point. Meals only. No snacking. Lots of Water in between. The scale does hang on for days at a time....even fluctuates upward on occasion but then will drop to a new low. It can be a weekly pattern.....or I can go multiple days of losing. It's just too hard to predict or pattern. I've been the type to weigh almost daily. Is it a good idea ? It works for me and it's among the first things I do when I get out of bed. I don't let what the number is freak me out. I just take it and roll with it. I need this in my head as I begin my day. Keeps me focused and on point. This weight loss has been a gift from God. I have a new lease on life and am in awe of the many benefits that simply getting shed of unwanted weight has had. Good stuff. Grateful for this. It's a lifestyle change that has taken root and I am the better for it in every single way. It is hilarious when I see the look on waiter's faces when I order. I'll nurse a drink or cup of water......and then order a meal that's basically an appetizer or a salad and eat the protein toppings from it.....or Soup and eat only the meat from it. Takes me just as long as whoever I'm dining with to eat their salad and full meal. I get asked if I am feeling good or if something wasn't to my liking quite often by the staff. I go out of my way to assure them that everything is perfectly tasty. Sorry.....early morning ramblings of a sleever who's sipping on a killer cup of java and super hyped up about the coming day's fun.

Remind me again why we can't use straws ? I forget. Could take 'em or leave 'em. I grabbed a diet lemonade from Chic-Fil-A the other day....next day a hyoooge tea with Splenda from another local chicken spot......straws in both.....used them due to being in my car and driving.