Hey everyone, I just wanted to stop in and say hello. I am new to the site as a registered member but have been on periodically over the past few months reading as much as I possibly could in order to get a real world education on the sleeve.

I actually visited the surgeon for the first time on Jan 26th, got his preliminary approval to move forward and to decide which route I wanted to go. My wife is actualy a surgical RN and works in bariatric rooms so I was pretty sure which direction I wanted to go based on her recommendations, but still needed the consult with the doctor to help make the right choice.

It looks like I will be scheduling the surgery for sometime in May and I am looking so forward to it. My story is that I was always pretty normal growing up as an athlete in HS and then in the military for 4 years, always in that 165-185 range (dipped as low as 155 when I was doing a stint in Saudi Arabia). In college following the military, I found the love of beer and then tore my ACL while playing softball. From that point on, I blew past the 200 mark and have only dropped under one time, about 12 years ago. I was actually almost there in 2006 when I got married but have since gained 100 lbs to top out at 317 when I went infor my consult. As of now, since seeing the second doctor for the nutrition consultation, I have dropped down to just above 300 just with diet habit changes. I actually look forward to the 2 weeks of the Optifast diet leading up to the surgery because I am already a fan of the liquid diets (I'm a slimfast lover already).

Anyway, I really appreciate this forum and have been looking up a lot of the before/after pictures as motivators to keep moving forward with a positive outlook. I think I will initially will struggle with the slow and steady pace of eating and drinking because all of my life I have been an eat-chug-run type of person not wanting to take time to sit and eat a normal meal at a slower pace. As for the drinking part, I have a problem with having a drink in my hand, regardless of what it is, I want to drink it as fast as possible. It will definitely be a change that I need to work on now.

I look forward to reading many more success stories while hoping to provide one of my own shortly.

By the way, those of you who have posted before/after shots, you all look amazing! It is quite a sight to see your profile pics and compare them to your pre-surgery pics. Most of you I would never think in a milion years that the before pics are actually you!

Best of luck to YOU! I can honestly say it is the best thing I've ever done for myself. It is not an easy road at first, but each day gets better. You will be very successful. Just takes a positive and motivated attitude and it appears you have that!

Welcome, and congrats on your impending surgery. I began my journey end of May last year and had my surgery on August 29th. I lost 45 lbs before surgery and about 60 since surgery for a grand total of 105 lbs. I am about 6 lbs to my goal and I feel awesome! This is the beginning of a new life.

We love new members and look forward to hearing all about you and your journey. Keep us updated and feel free to share your thoughts, concerns, and success stories.

God Bless You!

Shell

I love reading first posts and watching people as they progress along. The best of luck to both of you on your journeys! it sounds like you are well researched. Enjoy the journey and May will be here before you know it! I cant wait to see you on the losers bench!!

I cant wait to see you on the losers bench!!

Its funny, I told one person at work that I would be taking a little time here and there leading up to this surgery and he siad not to tell anyone becasue he wanted to start a "biggest loser" contest for the site and he would put money on me to win..... Nothing like inside information! Haha!

I really am looking forward to it, not so much for me, but for my 8 month old daughter. I see how my brother interacts with his kids and know I am not able to do that at this weight, and I want to be there for ANYTHING my daughter asks me to do with her or be the inspiration to get her out and about doing stuff.

Welcome to posting eazye!! I'm sure you'll really do fantastic with your new tool, when you get it. I love mine and thank GOD daily for it!!

Well, I finally got my date, July 23rd. Although it is only 2 months out, it feels like it is so far away still. I just want it to get here so I can get started!

I have had good luck with weight loss already just from changing my diet (down to 278 from 317 lbs) but they are still going to make me do the Optifast for 2 weeks prior, which I was hoping to avoid. Oh well, comes with the territory I guess.

Not really looking forward to the Optifast diet even though I have really cut back on my eating!

Well, Monday, July 23rd is quickly approacing and I go on a clear liquid diet starting sunday. So far I have actually enjoyed the Optifast diet since I chose mostly the peanutbutter/chocolate and the chocolate bars. I think they taste pretty good, maybe I am weird!? To this point since I had my first consultation at the end of Jan, I am down 52 lbs and roughly 8 BMI points as of this morning. Only about 80 lbs left to goal! I hope that continues through after the sleeve.

Only really one thing bugging me about this whole process is the fact that I can't lift over 15 lbs for the next month. That means I cant pick up my 1 year old....that will be harder than passing up any food out there!

Anyway, I am looking forward to the big change next week, time to take it head on!

When I had back surg. my daughter was 4 mths old and that was the worst feeling when I could not pick her up. Good luck

Is 15 pounds the typical restriction for one month? I am getting close to a date myself and was hoping to go back to work at a couple of weeks. My work requires travel and I will never be able to limit mt suitcase to 15 pounds.

I am not sure, my doctor seems to be a little more strict across the board on how we recover so..... Could just he that he is overly cautious but this is standard for my Bariatric Care Center.