David_L

To give my boys the gift of being a potential "Grandpa" to their future children, should they decide to have them. It's something they didn't have much have in their lives. I also want to enjoy "golden" years in a healthy way with the wife.
I also want to break free from the prison cell of nearly 350lbs. We're flying to Savannah in a couple months and for the first time in a long time, I am not too concerned about fitting in the airplane seat.

I full expect to have up's and down's. As I'm early into this process, I'm very much enjoying the "honeymoon phase" but I'm also a realist. A suggestion I heard was to try the liquid only (pre-op) diet for a week or 2 to kick start things. I'm interested in the long game just like everyone else. It's the small everyday habits that are going to make us all healthier long term. At least that's the story I'm telling myself at this point. Thank you for your story.

To give my boys the gift of being a potential "Grandpa" to their future children, should they decide to have them. It's something they didn't have much have in their lives. I also want to enjoy "golden" years in a healthy way with the wife.
I also want to break free from the prison cell of nearly 350lbs. We're flying to Savannah in a couple months and for the first time in a long time, I am not too concerned about fitting in the airplane seat.

Coming up on 3 months after my initial post on this topic. I just went through my closet and drawers a third time. With the exception of one shirt, everything is gone. It's almost to the point where my newer smaller clothes are getting too big. This is crazy fun but also scary. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else but either way, I'm grateful to have this "problem"

Coming up on 3 months after my initial post on this topic. I just went through my closet and drawers a third time. With the exception of one shirt, everything is gone. It's almost to the point where my newer smaller clothes are getting too big. This is crazy fun but also scary. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else but either way, I'm grateful to have this "problem"

Coming up on 3 months after my initial post on this topic. I just went through my closet and drawers a third time. With the exception of one shirt, everything is gone. It's almost to the point where my newer smaller clothes are getting too big. This is crazy fun but also scary. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else but either way, I'm grateful to have this "problem"

To give my boys the gift of being a potential "Grandpa" to their future children, should they decide to have them. It's something they didn't have much have in their lives. I also want to enjoy "golden" years in a healthy way with the wife.
I also want to break free from the prison cell of nearly 350lbs. We're flying to Savannah in a couple months and for the first time in a long time, I am not too concerned about fitting in the airplane seat.

To give my boys the gift of being a potential "Grandpa" to their future children, should they decide to have them. It's something they didn't have much have in their lives. I also want to enjoy "golden" years in a healthy way with the wife.
I also want to break free from the prison cell of nearly 350lbs. We're flying to Savannah in a couple months and for the first time in a long time, I am not too concerned about fitting in the airplane seat.

I full expect to have up's and down's. As I'm early into this process, I'm very much enjoying the "honeymoon phase" but I'm also a realist. A suggestion I heard was to try the liquid only (pre-op) diet for a week or 2 to kick start things. I'm interested in the long game just like everyone else. It's the small everyday habits that are going to make us all healthier long term. At least that's the story I'm telling myself at this point. Thank you for your story.

I lost 20 in my 2 week pre-op liquid. Had surgery on December 3rd and I'm down an additional 74 as of today. Personally, I think i'm losing too much too fast but the surgeon doesn't seem to be too concerned.

No.... i lost some on the liquid pre diet.
Always remember this; YMMV (your mileage may vary)

Think I mentioned this in another post but when I told my surgeon I weighed in everyday (right after surgery), he asked me if I was purposely trying to make myself even nuttier than I already was. Joking but not I suppose. I think once or twice a week is reasonable. I find that if I do it too infrequent, I'm more likley to make mistakes and lose track of my accountability. If I weigh in too much, I obsess over the number, which isn't always the best indicator. To each their own w/o going too crazy I reckon. 😀

Think I mentioned this in another post but when I told my surgeon I weighed in everyday (right after surgery), he asked me if I was purposely trying to make myself even nuttier than I already was. Joking but not I suppose. I think once or twice a week is reasonable. I find that if I do it too infrequent, I'm more likley to make mistakes and lose track of my accountability. If I weigh in too much, I obsess over the number, which isn't always the best indicator. To each their own w/o going too crazy I reckon. 😀

My goal is not set in stone... I'm thinking somewhere between 200 and 220 should be good. I don't know when I will hit my first goal of 220 ish.... Per the surgeon, after the first initial chunk of weight comes off, we start to slow down. I'm sort of hoping to be closer to the lower 200's by end of summer but at this point i'm just happy to be feeling as good as I do right now.

I lost 20 in my 2 week pre-op liquid. Had surgery on December 3rd and I'm down an additional 74 as of today. Personally, I think i'm losing too much too fast but the surgeon doesn't seem to be too concerned.

Hope this helps some folks. One thing I read not too long ago (and I can't recall where exactly) are the reasons why we do the things we do. This is why I love this topic and thread. Intrinsic vs extrinsic. Saying things like "I want to drop 50lbs so I can get into my old jeans" would be extrinsic whereas "I just want to be at a healthy weight and avoid the long term complications due to excessive weight" would be more intrinsic. These are the things we really have to ponder.

To give my boys the gift of being a potential "Grandpa" to their future children, should they decide to have them. It's something they didn't have much have in their lives. I also want to enjoy "golden" years in a healthy way with the wife.
I also want to break free from the prison cell of nearly 350lbs. We're flying to Savannah in a couple months and for the first time in a long time, I am not too concerned about fitting in the airplane seat.

My Dr was the one that gave me the advice I'm following now. Although I'm not new to weight loss, I am new to this type of weight loss. Your comment "diet that is normal" is a bit contradictory as in none of us would be in this forum if our diets were normal in the first place. I think I understand what you are saying though. I'm glad to be on this forum and grateful to pick up on knowledge from everyone.

Inspiring words and a great story. I will not be able to relate to you service (thank you by the way) although my dad and brother both served.
The "blah ness" seems very relatable. My Dr. actually prescribed something for that but is meant for temporary "issues". That blah feeling has passed for me and now I'm just dealing with the normal every day ups and downs.
My appetite has come back and luckily (3 months post surgery) i still get full quickly.
The hard work for me started about 6 weeks after surgery. The behaviors and relationships we have with food simply have to change. I feel like a broken record but these are the things I keep telling myself.
I appreciate your openness and honesty... this is good stuff.

I'm off the meds as well. This is such a big step. Awesome for you.

Oh... I missed the "sleeve" only as well. I had the sleeve plus the DS/SIPS. I suspect that plays a different role.

My goal is not set in stone... I'm thinking somewhere between 200 and 220 should be good. I don't know when I will hit my first goal of 220 ish.... Per the surgeon, after the first initial chunk of weight comes off, we start to slow down. I'm sort of hoping to be closer to the lower 200's by end of summer but at this point i'm just happy to be feeling as good as I do right now.

I lost 20 in my 2 week pre-op liquid. Had surgery on December 3rd and I'm down an additional 74 as of today. Personally, I think i'm losing too much too fast but the surgeon doesn't seem to be too concerned.

Just by putting this post out there, you're acknowledging some internal struggles and by not keeping it a secret to yourself, you're making YOU more accountable! Best of luck, we are all pulling for you and all the other candidates as you're right, the brain didn't get the surgery, our stomachs did.

The "addiction transfer" is a term that is very new to me but something I think about quite a bit. Guess I never really put a name to it.
One thing i've read up on quite a bit lately and something I firmly believe in.... we will NEVER get rid of our demons (insert addiction de jour here or mental baggage/whatever) so we're really only left with one choice. Change our relationship with the things that plague us. This is the hard work I keep harping on about.