DropWt4Life

Make sure to pack some Gas-X strips, bullion cubes. The Gas-X strips are great for the two days after surgery, and I could have sold those suckers for $20 a strip. Everyone was asking me to share, which I did of course. The bullion cubes are good for your trip home. You can just ask for hot water, and dissolve those suckers in there while at the airport. Other than that, you will need the basics (clothing changes, toothpaste, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.). I was given everything that I needed by my NUT in Mexico. Propel, broths, protein water, coconut water, etc. I didn't have to really take anything. Once I got to the airport on the way home, I started to experience hunger for the first time. I got a cup of hot water from Einstein Bagels (I think it was Einstein Bagels), added 2 bullion cubes, and sipped the broth down. That held me over until I made it home. Congratulations on your surgery!

I was also allowed to have coffee. I was told to stick to decaf for at least the first week or so, which I did. After that, I started drinking half-caf.

Two weeks should be fine. I also have a desk job, and realistically could have returned to work after a week. I was tired for a few days after surgery, but that went away at around day four. At six months out, I can eat anything that I want. I try to eat clean for the most part, but do have "bad for you" foods on occasion. I had a few alcoholic drinks at 4 1/2 months out (New Years Eve). I was fine, and didn't overdo it. I haven't had drinks since, because I just haven't felt like it. I did make myself throw up once a few months ago. I normally weigh and measure my food, and on that particular occasion, I was out to eat with friends. I either overate, or ate too fast (or a combination of the two). Long story short, I ended up vomiting. I was really pissed at myself, because I tried hard to keep this from happening. Since then, I have practiced asking for a to-go box when my food arrives. I then pack away everything except for what looks like a handful. I eat that, and take the rest home. It is all trial and error, and you learn from your mistakes.

Start eating clean again. Avoid processed foods, junk foods and fast foods except for every once in a while (once every 2-3 weeks). If you don't currently exercise, start a routine. You should be getting several hours of physical activity per week. Track your diet, so you know where you are going wrong. If you are eating clean, watching your calorie intake, and getting in a reasonable amount of exercise, you should be able to rev up your metabolism. At 6 months out, I have pretty much stopped losing weight. However, I am still losing inches as I continue to work out. My body fat percentage is right around 15% now, where I was at 40% before surgery. A month and a half ago, when my stall began, I was at 17%, so I definitely have continued to progress. I know exercise, and weight training in particular is not for everyone, but it is awesome for changing the way that your body looks as well as helping to rev up your metabolism. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn 24 hours per day. Good luck to you.

No loss on week 2 was just your body catching up to the drastic changes that you have endured. Keep following your plan. Everyone will lose at a different pace, and everyone experiences stalls from time to time. You are fine.

People will definitely notice, and many will comment and ask questions. Eventually, it dies down, and things get more back to normal. I still get comments from time to time, and every long once in a while, someone will tell me to stop losing weight. I just smile, and go on about my day. On a good note, my health insurance company gave me $700 yesterday for losing the weight, and staying active last year. What a wonderful surprise! It was announced in an insurance renewal meeting, and a few comments were made, but positive ones, which is all good.

Thanks! I do hit the gym about 6-8 times per week. Huge stress reliever!

My wife was fully supportive of me having wls, but this is my mindset on the issue... Life is short. Time is the most valuable asset known to man...or woman. You are not promised anything tomorrow. All you can do is to do the best you can every day. When I die, I would hope that I was able to live my best life...That I made lasting memories with others...That I made a difference in the lives of others. It is a real drop the mic situation. Marriage is not guaranteed to last either. We try to suppress the things that make us happy sometimes to keep our marriages strong as it is all about compromise. I will not compromise my health for a marriage or relationship though. Let me tell a story about my wife's best friend... She was obese, pre-diabetic, in pain, and unhappy for years. Her husband loved her at over 250 pounds, and refused to support her having surgery. She stayed in the marriage for another 9 years. The marriage then ended up dissolving after an affair was discovered. She was destroyed. After the divorce, she had Gastric band surgery, and lost the weight. She is now happy and healthy in a committed relationship with a great, supportive guy. Her takeaway is that she gave up a chance at happiness and good health in her twenties for a guy that ended up not being there in her thirties. If she could change one thing, she would have had the surgery 9 or 10 years earlier. Do you. Don't let a husband keep you from being your best you. He isn't in pain. He isn't going through what you are going through. You can't worry about threats. Live your life. If he leaves, you will find another. Someone who believes in you. Someone who truly has your back. I wish you the best of luck.

Yes, you should qualify with a bmi of 40 or greater.

thanks!

You look great! Keep up the hard work!

My surgery was 6 months ago today. I am sitting at 228 pounds, which is 8 pounds from my goal. I have not eaten low carb. I have incorporated tons of weight lifting into my exercise routine, and have eaten 85% clean over the past 6 months. I am just BARELY under what is considered obese by medical standards even though I have a 34" waist at 6'3" tall. My takeaway from all of this is.....Don't base your progress on anyone else's. I am 98 pounds from my high weight (shown on left). I have lost only 61 pounds since surgery. However, you can see a definite difference in how I carry my weight. I am very happy with my progress. I am not at goal, but am no longer actively trying to get there. I am just focusing on my health. My diet consists of tons of vegetables, protein shakes and lean protein, super grains and fruit 6 days per week with 1 day of indulgence. Whatever I crave, gets eaten that day. I consulted with a bodybuilder friend of mine a few months ago, and he told me that the best way to lean up is to give yourself a day every week or so to calorie and carb load. This helps your body avoid thinking your are in starvation mode. Ever since I adopted that method, I have leaned up and increased my muscle percentage. Anyway, I do track my meals with MyfitnessPal. I do weigh my food to ensure that I don't overeat. I don't deny myself anything. I just wait for whatever I want that week, and prioritize. I am glad that mostly everyone is doing well. Just keep fighting for the life you want to have.

It depends on your plan, but you can probably get away with it if it is strained. However, it has tooonnnsss of sodium, and not the best choice. I was allowed any broth during this time, but I tried to choose lower sodium choices. When you are on Full liquids, and allowed cream soups, you can blend this up, which will just basically make a thicker broth.

Your nutritionist must not have a lot of experience with bariatric patients. Like James stated, you will have a period where you must eat "mush" foods after liquids, of course. Within a month or two, you will be able to start eating things like turkey, chicken, etc. I am 6 months out, and can eat EVERYTHING that I was able to eat pre-op. I eat crunchy vegetables all of the time. It is just important to chew your food well. Don't worry about it. You will be fine. Just take your time introducing new foods. Good luck!

Congratulations! I am glad to hear that things went well. Good luck on your journey!