February 6 sleeve date

So here it goes. I am all set to have my gastric sleeve surgery on February 6. Very excited for this change in my life, but am very nervous as well!

I am a 38-year-old male. I was a college football offensive lineman and have always been a large person. I have struggled to lose weight all my life. I seem to get to a point and never move. Normally only a few pounds up or a few pounds down. I am looking for a change in lifestyle. I miss the active lifestyle of when I was in college and still try to do activities but feel like I cannot compete at the level I would like to do to my size. I am always tired and never can get motivated to do the things that used to come so easy. As I start this journey my wife is getting sleeved as well. She goes in January 16 for her surgery. We are looking at doing this journey together to assist each other to do the best that we can not only for each other, but for my little girl.

We are using Dr. Kemmerling of Green Bay Wisconsin. He is a great doctor. What I am most concerned about is the first few weeks after the surgery. I am not sure of what foods I'm going to be able to tolerate and recipes for foods once I get out of the strictly liquid phase. Any help or recipes or ideas that anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

My wife and I both love reading the forums VST and really enjoyed it and the stories. It is encouraging to see everyone else doing such a great job. I love to hear the recipes and ideas that others have. What I'm curious about is what other people have realized, after they have their surgery, the things they should've done to prepare. What sort of things do you wish you would've done before your surgery to get prepared.

I look forward to sharing my journey with you all and to make great new friends along the way.