CalGuy64

People treat you much nicer when your thinner. Even other fat people do this. Its actually lowered my estimation of my fellow humans. I might me turning into a cynical ass.

I started back at the gym (weight training) after 4 months. Its scary the amount of strength you loose -- but it feels good in a strange my whole body hurts sort of way. I did squats for the first time in forever today. It was a humbling experience -- 115 pounds on the bar kicked my butt.

That's an easier question. I was up and about after 10 days and went back to work after two weeks.

The only way I've found to meet people is to -- well -- get out and meet people. There are lots of ways to meet people -- it takes a bit of trial and error to find which ones work for you. For example; I'm not religious so meeting people at church functions wouldn't work for me but it may work for you. Best of luck.

My wife had WLS in 2012. She lost over 350 pounds. She then had several reconstructive plastic surgeries. So far so good. Unfortunately once she had a new body she decided to get a new guy too. This doesn't seem to be unusual. I've read that over 85% of couples split after WLS. Finding myself newly single I decided to have WLS surgery myself. So far I'm down about 90 pounds. A little over five years between our surgeries. Sorry, I know this is probably not the type of outcome you were hoping to hear about.

Definitely some vanity sizing going on with guys clothing. I dug out some clothes that had been in a box since the 80s. My old size 46 pants fit like today's size 42s. Old 3X t-shirts fit like today's XLs. I recently bought a vintage Levi's jean jacket from the 70s online. It's a size 46long which in today's sizing would be big on me at my present weight -- but its still far too small to wear -- another 40 pounds and it should fit.

The whole texting back and forth forever thing just doesn't work for me. If she doesn't want to meet IRL I just move on. Seems a lot of people of both sexes just want to mess around online.

Weight issues can really mess with relationships. My ex had WLS and lost lots of weight. Then she pressured me to have WLS too -- I resisted and she left me for another guy. After I got over the shock of the divorce I did have the surgery. Its amazing how differently people treat you when you're not fat. When you're dating this is an issue since in the back of your mind there's alway the realization that the person who's sitting across the table from you smiling today may not have given you the time of day last year. Anyway, best of luck with your surgery. I don't have any regrets. Hopefully you won't either.

Going through my closet and packing up old cloths to donate. I stopped a couple of times to try on stuff that used to be too tight to wear -- they're all huge. I was in total denial about how big I'd let myself get. When I was my fattest I'd convinced myself that I really wasn't THAT big. Its amazing the fairy tails we tell ourselves.

Since I've lost weight post-op I've been noticing a very significant increase in body hair -- especially on my back and shoulders. I'm starting to look like a sasquatch. I'm thinking its my endocrine system adjusting to my new weight. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. They took blood for labs on Friday -- including for a testosterone level test. Its going to be interesting to see the results.

I'm reminded of The Simpsons episode where Homer is mistaken for Bigfoot.

Yeah it sucks when your partner doesn't bring her A-game. Looking back this was a sign of the impending end of my marriage. Once a woman looses interest in physical affection its not a big leap for her to loose interest in staying married.

Many movie theaters sell unsweetened ice tea (at least here in California). Or you can pay the extra $$$ and go to one of those premium theaters were you can get (somewhat) better food and drink.

Starting at three months I've had the occasional carbonated drink -- usually in social situations -- I make sure to drink it really slowly -- hasn't been a problem. But for the most part I just drink unsweetened ice tea.

I tell the type of person the OP was describing that "I'm over 50 I didn't have the time or energy for that stuff. I needed a quicker fix." Shuts them right up (and isn't really a lie).

I was married and my wife left me for another guy so I had to figure out how to start dating again in my 50s. I pretty quickly found that there isn't much of a market for old fat guys -- it was almost impossible to get a date. I was pretty damn lonely and depressed. After I had surgery and lost weight (about 90 pounds so far) it was suddenly much much easier to get dates. The first several were nothing special. I recently started seeing a woman who makes me feel like I'm 17 again. When she smiles at me and holds my hand I feel all warm inside. I'm pretty sure she's feeling it too.

Its a great area. When I was a kid my dad used to take me hiking and canoeing in the Adirondacks.

My new girlfriend took me on a five hour hike up and down Marin County hills. I managed to keep up for the first four hours -- the last hour really kicked my butt. Pre-surgery I wouldn't have been able to keep up for 10 minutes.

In a few minutes I'm going to go meet my girlfriend for a hike she's planned in a local state park. The hike is 9 and a half miles. I hope I'll be able to keep up -- it would be real embarrassing to have to ask her to slow down. Definitely a date that doesn't involve food!

I'd start by trying to be more active. Exercise is good for depression. The sad truth is that divorce is very very common after WLS. My wife had the sleeve (her second WLS) and after plastic surgery got down to 160 pounds (from 522). With her new body she quickly found a new guy. I've spent the last two years putting my life back together. It sucks but it has to be done. I started by just going out for long walks. Good luck.

My ex-wife went from 522lbs to 160lbs -- so it certainly is possible. My ex had to have several reconstructive surgeries -- they took 22 pounds of skin off her abdomen alone.

I just eat the toppings off a slice or two -- and have one bite of crust if it looks real good.

The hunger may not be related to your gall bladder surgery. For the first couple of months post surgery I really didn't want to eat anything. Now my appetite is coming back. Im dealing with this by upping my activity level (which is easier given my weight loss). Good luck.

My skin hasn't changed much but I'm growing more body hair. Got to say this is kind of strange. I'm thinking changes to skin and hair are both related to bodies rebalancing endocrine systems after weight loss.