Pedro Valle-Inclan

NIcely done!!! @ PSVZUM.... wow, you're right, being 28 days TILL surgery I cannot visualize being full so easily. Can't imagine it, after a lifetime of gluttony

This sounds good, but folks, as one can imagine I can barely do the simplest exercises so are any videos geared towards 60 yr old men in woeful condition? I just find all the work out videos I've seen way too advanced thanks

I have noticed that most posters who write in with topics like this invariably just don't want to do EXACTLY what they tell us to do. I guess I am just so afraid of screwing up up that I'm doing everything they say to the letter. Like my aunt use to say when we''d complain about her horrible cooking, "Oh that's fine, it's okay that you don't like it, just EAT IT....!" She was a charmer...

oh boy, well at least some women always thought Yul Brynner was handsome....

Hi, this is the second post regarding hair thinning or loss and I'd never heard of that as a potential side effect. Is it always? I'm darn near bald now, wou;d hate to lose the rest, what's the scoop? thanksp

Well, thank goodness it's not a big deal in the least; I mean, who cares if we have to cut some things out that were never good for us anyway, like sugar, fats, processed foods, booze. What's the big deal? I'm just doing what the doctors recommend

I was told to pretty much not drink anymore, period.

Good Luck!!

Now obviously this topic has been rehashed quite a bit but almost always from the perspective of women and the new found often un-wanted attention of men. But I'm sure most of you know that men don't have a monopoly on superficiality; in other words, intellectually I realize that as I get closer to the "normal" somewhat slender man who can buy clothes off a store rack, I may start to receive attention I haven't in years. Anyway, I imagine that for both men and women there can be an element of "what,you never looked twice at me before, buzz off!" but also that it can be a bit bewildering. Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated, Signed, Counting his Chickens.....

Thank you, James. I found your little blog very helpful and inspiring. And PATRICK, your story is very much what a fear happening to me, thanks for venting

yow!! had to feel fantastric!! Hey so in that month I assume you've followed the program to the letter with diet, exeercise, etc? How difficult have you found it to follow the program? thanks pedro

Thanks so much, I haven't bought anything yet, no protein shakes powders or vitamins but I guess I should soon. My surgery is Feb 10th, in 36 days... oooh just saying that gave me my very first touch of nervousness. Part of it is that I'm a big baby (and a recovering addict) and am concerned about pain and its management. well I've already got people in place who will dole out any pain meds that must come home

Wow, this sounds great if it's doctor approved. 20 bucks a month is very cheap

Seems your questions have been well addressed here. Well, My team and I have never discussed this, but reading this I just decided to weigh myself ONLY once a week like I do now. What do others do??? thanks

Thanks for the above comments, plus a friend who is five years out and looks great said that the cost of protein powders and vitamins is way offset by the save in medications as mentioned above but also by how I'll save in food, that did it! That calmed me down and I believe her. Starting to get a bit nervous/excited for surgery on Feb 10th@@

Thanks for sharing this, I didn't realize there were little stalls occasionally but iot makes sense. My first thought is to really become a walker and a healthy eater (even though I've never eaten very heqalthily for long) Mine is Feb 10th, I can't believe it's happening, I'm so tired of being a big heavy guy who is exhausted by the least amount of physical exertion

Hi everyone and happy new year!! Hopefully it will be my last one as this big heavy guy... This subject just dawned on me for the first time. My surgery is Feb 10th, and I just realized I have NO idea what to expect in terms of cost for the Vitamins I'll be taking the "rest of my life," and what type of vitamins. I just haven't heard this discussed yet. So, obviously it's part of the whole deal so what are we talking money wise?? I'd love to hear what people's experience is here, and also if insurances help at all (I'm guessing no...)., Thank you all antemano, I just LOVE this site because people here are really helpful, the best, Pedrito

No, geeez... But in terms of such a problem thank god I'm a guy lol But seriously, I am curious about what other possibilities are in terms of Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, things we don't often hear about

As always, thank you all for the good information about lifting, though with the weight and the resultant back and joint pain I long since stopped trying to lift much of anything. A question: how do you all put that little graph up there, the "body weight ticker" -- is that automatic or do I have to download something>?? thanks, pedrito

Damn, that's what I needed to hear!! Thanks so much, CHMD, that doctor comment is great, much better than what runs through my mind; hellI was already thinking of telling them once near my goal weight to establish scholarship funds for the school where I work in my name (I'd heard the cancer questions when I'd gotten way down once before...).. ..No, I really appreciate that little re-direction of thinking, of who to be listening to, etc/ happy new year

Hi, I'm waiting to hear the answer to this as well. my surgery is in 40 days, and I'm doing Atkins right now to lose weight before surgery, I'm down almost 20,but my big beef is that the various Protein powders I've been using are pretty darn expensive. Also, because I have no problem eating the same things over and over, coupled with my anticipated "fear" post op of messing up! I'm sure I'll be The Protein shake Kid for quite a while, I admit I'm nervous, and mainly about a lifetime of poor neurotic eating habits and how these might sabotage me post op. The difference now is that I have the best support team around me in terms of the Bariatric weekly meetings, traditional therapy, a walking and meditation program in place, etc Here's goes the next phase of my life only now I can add another very powerful behavior mod tool to my aforementioned arsenal.. Good lu k to us all!!

Thank you so much for responding, this huge major life change is kind of happening in a quiet vacuum, so it's great to hear of others' take ion all this. I look forward to reading the articles, thanks again, pedro

Hi friends, my RNY Gastric bypass surgery is in 46 days on Feb 10th, I'm an odd mix of excited and nervous but not scared... yet. From reading many people's profiles on here I realize I'm on the lower side of the obese scale. I'm 6' 2" and I'll probably be around 250lbs come surgery day. That makes me under the 35 BMI I started at (at 278lbs) but I have every co-morbid symptom in spades. l have very wide shoulders that have tended to sort of "hide" the weight beneath them, but my point here is that every time I've lost my now ritualistic 50 or 60lbs (a good 6 times) and get down around 220lbs the comments start; stuff like ok that's low enough, your face is too thin, blah, blah... heard that crap a million times (just feels like it), so I'm sort of worrying about that nonsense as I am certainly going to go well below 220 this time, so I know that's coming as especially at 60 years old one's face and neck really show the effects. I'm not telling people at work and really only a few family members know. My cover story is I'm having gall bladder surgery over the Feb break from school (I'm a teacher).So any suggestions on how to fend off such unwanted commentary? Then the matter of goal weight. Somehow that just hasn't come up. My doc did say that the BMI charts for 23 BMI would indicate around 190lbs, which would be wild!! Never been THAT thin. Might even see my.... TOES again!! lol. Any commentary on goal weights and those seemingly suspect one size fits all BMI charts, thanks so much antemano, the best, happy new year, all!! pedro

Dar, you have NO idea how much I needed to hear that, I actually got teary. I kin d of vaguely had heard those things but couldn't verbalize it to myself exactly let alone to Alice, who I love dearly but just has no clue about this issue. Thank you, thank you, thank you.... and yes I do intend to take any pain meds in hospital and even have roommate take them home in case I'm really hurting. We're good, folks.. Merry Christmas!!!!

Hi, well I hope by now you're felling better after you wrote that post. my surgery's in 45 days, and I'm a mix of excited, nervous and a little scared but that could change dramatically as it gets closer. I have an ex-wife/best friend who is the only big naysayer who is almost pleading for me to cancel it. That's not the most comforting thing in the world. I'm definitely expecting this to be pretty tough, that I'll feel awful for a while and probably have my "No Pain Meds" dictum put to a real test. I'll have 11 days post op (February school vacation)and then have to be in front of my high school classes, which I expect to teach sitting down for as long as needed. That's my biggest worry, that it'll be real hard being back at work, especially without anything stronger than liquid Tylenol. Well feel better, and I'm right behind you here! Merry Christmas to you all!!! pedrito