Mattymatt

For me, recovery was smooth from a physical standpoint. However, I struggled mightily (and still struggle on occasion) with the mental game. I became really depressed post-op. I recommend to everyone beginning this journey to seek out a therapist and begin counseling. Despite being in counseling, my depression still got worse. I can only imagine what might have happened had I not had access to a therapist.

I would rather not think about what being overweight has cost me because it is too painful. Instead, I want to think about what opportunities losing weight will provide.

For the win! You'll look even better come summer! :-)

Excellent work! It always feels good when you get to re-discover what you love to do but couldn't do it due to circumstances. I know I am excited to begin riding my road bike again.

You'll do just fine! Welcome to the losers bench.

My walk of shame was the phen/phen diet.

I love tea, especially the Tazo mint. It's naturally flavorful so it can be enjoyed without added sweetener of any kind. It can be even drank without milk or cream. Sent from my Z981 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks .... yeah, I am working on getting hydrated. I fell behind between a trade school visit and a doctor's appointment.

My stomach is mad upset this evening. Wasn't able to hold dinner down and I think I got a little behind on my liquids and boy am I feeling it. I just want to find a piece of furniture to hide behind. I forgot the nauseous feeling from not drinking enough water. It sucks big green balls!

Thank you for debunking the myths surrounding Dr. Atkins, @Creekimp13 and @FluffyChix. Moderation in eating is still very important. Atkins only caught on to the importance of enough protein in your diet. There is also science to show that diets low in sugar are actually much better for you. It doesn't mean consuming vast amounts of unhealthy foods. Furthermore, I don't know where they came up with the grapefruit malarky. There is so much junk science in the diet industry that it is disgusting.

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. I cannot afford to go to this program because federal student loans won't cover enough of the program and the interest rate for private loans is just too high - plus private loans require payments to be made immediately on starting schooling. Le sigh! It sucks but it is what it is. It's times like these that I am so grateful that I am physically unable to turn to food for comfort. All I do is create a new plan. I think I can get a loan from my parents for 19.2K which would fully pay for electrician's schooling. Becoming an electrician was my second option if automotive wouldn't be affordable.

I know you mean well by offering this kind of challenge, but given that people lose at different rates, it can be demoralizing if you don't measure up in the challenge. To me it rings too much of My 600lb Life and The Biggest Loser: both shows that I loath. Why not offer up some sort of fitness challenge instead? This is something that is more practical for everyone to meet.

Thanks, @Creekimp13! I am excited and a bit nervous because I am coming from no mechanical background. I have a troubleshooting background but that is apparently enough.

The pre-op diet is a miserable rite of passage. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about losing weight on the pre-op diet. If I am correct in my understanding, the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the size of the liver, ultimately making you safer for surgery. Each person's body is a little different and people will lose at different rates. Just stick to it, take it day by day.

I am a big fan of the bicycle, especially because my knees are a little shot from being obese just about all of my life. You get a phenomenal workout without the heavy impact. Dust off that bike, @Apple203!

I'd better not write checks that my body can't cash.

I forgot one dog breed that I like, the Belgian Malanois.

Mountain biking is real art in it's own right! They say a road biker will be lucky to be able complete half the distance that they're used to going on the trail. I am not coordinated enough and I have no desire to do trail riding. The road is just fine with me. :-) Keep that one up and those last 22 lbs. will come off you faster than you know.

With some of this new found positivity, I am going back to school full time starting on May 16th for Automotive and Diesel Technology. This opportunity opened as a direct result of being on a path to better help. I couldn't imagine doing this last year as a mechanic has a fairly active job and I did not feel terribly self-confident about being able to do it. I don't have a background using hand tools, much less doing complex rebuilds and diagnoses but the school is setup to take someone from very raw beginner to a reasonably competent tech in about a year and a half. 2018 is really going to be the year of change for me! New body, new lifestyle, and new profession. May our challenges be mighty and our successes even mightier.

Cool! I am sure your fur baby would love that activity!

Huskies and Malamutes are smart dogs too. I've always been more of a cat person but German Sherpherds, Huskies, and Malamutes are absolutely a-okay with me. I don't care for the small breeds as they tend to be needy and whiny.

Sounds pretty good! The seat on my bike is definitely not comfortable and my ass is going to be sore until those muscles get used to it again. Is your doggy a husky?

What kind of bike do you have? I have a Cannondale Aero 1000 which I basically had fully custom built for me. It's a-coming out of storage today.

This is the first week that I am really starting to feel like the depression is lifting. Physically, I've been doing okay. I began exercising two weeks ago. I had surgery on March 12th.

I wasn't either but I wished I had used my pre-surgery time more productively. For example, I see a therapist and I wished I had broached the discussion of the possibility that I would feel markedly worse after the procedure. I wish I had spent the time preparing for the mental difficulty. Instead, I spent the time thinking of the physical misery that I might encounter. In all irony, I had very little physical discomfort. My issues were all mental.