nearperfectmess

AHHH! I just found out today that my surgery date is March 16th. 3 weeks from tomorrow. It all seems so fast. I just started this process with an all day appointment at Mayo Clinic in November, and the time has FLOWN by. I had my last visit with the psychologist on Friday and she signed off/discharged me then. I got the call from the surgical scheduler today and, I'm not even going to lie, started freaking out a little (okay, a lot). Anyone else with March dates? My birthday is March 10th, so I can't think of a better way to usher in 33 than a new me. I'm starting to get more nervous, but I keep telling myself that it's all for the better. One preop visit, one lab visit, one bypass diet visit and then surgery. I don't know if anyone else has gone to Mayo Clinic, but they do not mess around. I've had to keep a significant food log (with pre and post-meal feelings) since November, had to cut out any alcohol and most caffeine and had to significantly increase exercise in order to be discharged. Sorry, I'm kinda freaking out here. All of the forums here have been a massive help thus far, and I hope to post/contribute more as I go through the process. WHEEE!

GBLady41 is absolutely right. I worried myself SICK about loose skin prior to surgery (that sounds so vain, but it's a concern!). I'm 149lbs down and I have some pooching around my belly (fortunately nothing around my arms or legs), and I am DAMN PROUD of it. Maybe someday I'll look at getting that tiny bit removed, but I am so proud of that little bit of skin, b/c it means that that weight is GONE. That belly - is GONE. It sounds crazy now, because I was so worried about it before surgery, but you begin to focus on all of the positives afterward. Being health > a bit of loose skin any day of the week!

You'll start to even out. Don't get discouraged! I know it's hard. 2.5 lbs may not seem like a lot, but it adds up! I'm about 10 months out, and down 119lbs (SW 300, CW 181). That's about 2.64 lbs a week. The weekly average doesn't seem like a lot, but after 10 months, I'm a size 32 pant in men's and a comfortable medium shirt - I was a size 52 pant and a 2/3X shirt in March of 2016. I know it's hard not to focus on that number, but the more you don't let it rule your life and focus on getting proper nutrition (Protein, Water and all of that fun stuff) and setting yourself up for success, the better off you'll be!

How are my March surgery peeps doing? We're almost a year out now! Things haven't been without their set-backs (the broken feet, etc), but I'm excited to be almost a year out and see where things are. Especially now that I'm starting to get some hunger back and able to eat and drink things a little more easily. I've given into a few bad things, but still trying to stick to the plan! Down to 181 from my HW of 330, SW of 300. ONE lb shy of 150lbs down. That extra pound is driving me nuts! Me as of about a month ago:

March surgery peeps! How is everyone doing? I broke both of my feet and have been non-ambulatory, but I'm holding steady at 189. I'm hoping to get these darn casts off in a few weeks so I can get down another 10 or 15 (which is crazy, considering my ultimate goal weight was 200lbs - and now it's 175lbs). I'm sure it'll be hard with the holidays, but I'm trying! Hope all of you are doing well!

I broke BOTH of my feet. Both. I broke my left foot 8 weeks ago (the night before my first scheduled 5k!) and found out last week I have a stress fracture in my right foot from overcompensation. Now I have two boots on and have been homebound for the last 7+ weeks (I'm supposed to be non-ambulatory). Unfortunately, this has meant a LOT of time on the sofa in front of the TV. My accomplishment? I haven't gained weight. There have been times that I felt like getting back into old habits (ordering Chinese for lunch on GrubHub? That thin crust pizza from Domino's is SO cheap...! Oh em gee, Coldstone DELIVERS?!), but I've resisted. And even though I cannot work out, and my weight hasn't really gone down (it's been pretty stable for a few weeks), I haven't gained and haven't gone back to old habits. And I'm craving a good, sweaty workout. WHO AM I?! lol.

A lot of it has to do with what your programs really prepare you for, I feel. I went through a very comprehensive program at Mayo Clinic, and a friend went through a very short program at a weight loss institution here in Phoenix and was under the knife in less than 2 months from his first visit. My process was a good deal longer and required four visits with a psychologist before they would clear you. Alcohol dependence was a big part of the discussions. The suggestion from the surgeon was at least a year, but the team basically said that it was all about balance. One every once in awhile was not going to harm you, as long as you are mindful about the rest of the things that go into your body (and NEVER drive after even one drink. Things hit us a lot faster and a lot more strongly after surgery). Living in NYC, I would drink often socially, but not to excess. Moving out to the desert, I went out maybe once or twice a month. I've had the occasional drink since surgery, but I'm mindful of how much and what I drink (a vodka and diet cran, normally) and I never feel the need to drink more, or more often. However, I know if I feel like I had the inclination to drink more or more often, I'd have to stop myself and make an appointment with the bariatric group, as I know this is a real concern among weight loss patients. So much of our successes (or failures) are due to not being mindful of the choices we make. The good thing is - the roadblocks that stand in our way ALWAYS have a detour.

That's amazing, man. Congratulations. I just hit 189lbs myself - feels amazing, doesn't it? Keep up the amazing work!

I'm one week shy of 6 months from surgery (RnY), and I've already hit my goal weight of 200lbs (this was the weight discussed with my surgical team and my own personal goal). My highest weight last year was 330 and my weight when I began the process was 328, so I'm about 130lbs down since October of 2015, 100 on the nose from surgery. So...now what? My surgical team advised it would most likely be 9 mos - 1 year before I hit my goal and would probably plateau many times along the way. i guess I'm kinda concerned that I've lost so much, so fast, and haven't really plateaued at all (even though I was mentally preparing myself for it). This isn't a boastful post in any way, shape or form. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has hit goal this fast and...where do you go from here? Did you lose a lot more past your goal? My bariatric NP said to enjoy it and lose as much as I can. I'm looking at running a 5k in the next few weeks, and I worry with the increase in exercise, I may lose even more, faster. Proper nutrition while training is also going to be a major concern, but my dietitian gave me the name of an RD that has a site - BariAthletes, who deals specifically with this. Thanks, all!

I hate to say it, but it's true. They did warn my entire bariatric class at Mayo that men do lose faster than women. It's interesting to see my post and where I am now. I'm now 7 months out from surgery and blew way past my goal. I'm 189lbs now (OMG), for a total loss of 141lbs since November of last year and 111lbs since surgery. And not too long after that last post I took a tumble with my dog and broke my foot, and have been in a cast since (and will be for another 7 weeks). I was nervous that I'd gain weight, but I'm still losing. So much that my NP told me the other day that I may get to the point that people start to say that I'm "too thin" or look gaunt. She said I will eventually gain some back and will even out, but to lose as much as I can (safely) so that I'm in a good position. Being at home for a few weeks was a good challenge to stay away from snacking and eating while bored. I had a snack here or there, but made good choices and somehow, I'm 11lbs under my original goal. I'm also REALLY sick of buying new clothes. lol

That's amazing! Everyone truly is different, but that's a great number, and one to be proud of. I'm 23 weeks out now and down 96lbs. I had a friend that was banded in October and is down about 70 lbs. So everyone's story will vary. As long as you're following the plan and feeling better, that's all that matters!

You look amazing!!! Congratulations! Mine is attached!

Hey all! RnY on March 16. First consult weight was 328. Surgery weight 300 even. Current weight... 220lbs. Ahhhhh! 80 lbs yesterday since surgery. 108 overall. I just...I can't believe it. I did not expect to lose this much, this fast. I've only just recently started getting better about exercise. I'm going about 4x a week. I'm determined to do a 5k here in Phoenix in September, so I'm stepping up my gym and treadmill time. I can't believe I'm even saying that. It was always a dream, but didn't seem possible. food wise, I've been cleared to return to a "normal" diet, but I still have trouble with some things. I have a Premier Protein shake for Breakfast, generally a leftover protein and some veggies for lunch and 3oz of protein with veg and sometimes a little starch (sweet potatoes have been HEAVEN). No real dumping, although I was bad last night and tried a few spoons of my partner's ice cream. That was a big NOPE from the pouch. Hope everyone is well!

Woohoo! You're so close! It'll all be worth it.

I think as I get further along, for my own sanity, I may need to start going to weekly (or every few days). This soon out, it's been a great way to get instant feedback on how the weight is coming off, but long term, I can imagine it could possibly make me anal retentive. But ultimately, unless specifically advised to do it a certain way by your clinical/surgical team, it really boils down to personal preference. Some scales now are connected via wifi and allow you to see your trends in real time - that's kinda cool.

@@RJC5197 - if you haven't already, start a new clothes budget/saving! I wasn't prepared for how much I would lose, so fast (surgery was in March and I'm down 77 lbs today). I've given away 6 bags of clothes so far. Congrats on the loss so far. I recommend keeping at least one pair of the big pants/jeans. I kept the jeans I bought like 2 weeks before surgery (size 52!) and have taken a couple of After photos in them. It's mind-boggling! I think I'll try to keep them as a reminder of where I was and how far I've come.