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Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm 34, and for the past 6-7 years, I've really struggled with weight. In high school, I played football and baseball and was very in shape. I went to college and struggled with weight a little, but got through it. In law school, I started focussing on working out and really got into running. I was never a speedster, but I loved the comradery of the running community in my area. Around late 2006 and 2007, I started getting busier with work, met my wife and got out of exercising. Sure, I went for a walk now and then, but I really fell off the wagon with exercise.

In 2008, I quit smoking (yes, I know it's crazy that I smoked and ran, but it is what it is) and after that the weight started to pile on. Between 2007 and now, I went from the 200-215 range to the 360-370 range. There were some brief drops in weight when I went on the fad diet of the month, but lately, the weight has been damn near impossible to get off. The better I eat and the more I exercise, the more my body fights to keep the weight. It is very frustrating. Earlier this year, my doctor suggested RNY. I did some research re: WLS, and I really became intersted in the sleeve.

Unfortunately, my insurance policy doesn't cover WLS. However, I'm blessed to be in a position to self-pay for the procedure. This is one of the reasons I'm leaning towards the selave. My wife is very supportive of me getting the procedure, but is concerned about the risks. That's another reason I'm leaning towards the sleeve. My father and my inlaws are also very supportive, but my mom and my sister aren't too high on the decision. In their words, they can't understand why I just can't lose the weight on my own. To be honest with you, I wish I knew the answer to that question.

I went to the free seminar this past weekend, and stayed for a support group meeting for pos-op patients. I was blown away by all the success stories from everyone. Tomorrow, I have my first meeting with the surgeon where we will discuss my options. I have a sneaking suspicion he will push RNY, but after all the research I've done, I believe the sleeve is best for me.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. It's amazing to see so many success stories and such good advice from everyone. Here's to a good decision and a new life!

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welcome...this is a very helpful and supportive site...I try to check in at least once a day here...I am 2 weeks post-op today

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Glad to see you are taking the steps to return to better health. It is a journey like no other. I too was drawn to the sleeve surgery after research and I am not disappointed in my choice.

There are struggles, and time where you may say to yourself "what did I do?" but those times pass, and as you adjust to your new lifestyle, the rewards are amazing.

This site has such good support for us, and it is a great replacement for the in person groups which I do not take part in. Use the search feature for any questions and you almost certainly will get the answer you seek, and keep us all up to date with your progress..

Congrats, and welcome to the sleever club. :)

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WELCOME!!! I'm at work, so I haven't read your entire post, but I will as soon as I can.

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Welcome to the group, you will find a lot of information and support on this site. Good luck with your upcoming consult. Keep us posted.

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Welcome, explore and ask any questions you have!

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Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm 34, and for the past 6-7 years, I've really struggled with weight. In high school, I played football and baseball and was very in shape. I went to college and struggled with weight a little, but got through it. In law school, I started focussing on working out and really got into running. I was never a speedster, but I loved the comradery of the running community in my area. Around late 2006 and 2007, I started getting busier with work, met my wife and got out of exercising. Sure, I went for a walk now and then, but I really fell off the wagon with exercise.

In 2008, I quit smoking (yes, I know it's crazy that I smoked and ran, but it is what it is) and after that the weight started to pile on. Between 2007 and now, I went from the 200-215 range to the 360-370 range. There were some brief drops in weight when I went on the fad diet of the month, but lately, the weight has been damn near impossible to get off. The better I eat and the more I exercise, the more my body fights to keep the weight. It is very frustrating. Earlier this year, my doctor suggested RNY. I did some research re: WLS, and I really became intersted in the sleeve.

Unfortunately, my insurance policy doesn't cover WLS. However, I'm blessed to be in a position to self-pay for the procedure. This is one of the reasons I'm leaning towards the selave. My wife is very supportive of me getting the procedure, but is concerned about the risks. That's another reason I'm leaning towards the sleeve. My father and my inlaws are also very supportive, but my mom and my sister aren't too high on the decision. In their words, they can't understand why I just can't lose the weight on my own. To be honest with you, I wish I knew the answer to that question.

I went to the free seminar this past weekend, and stayed for a support group meeting for pos-op patients. I was blown away by all the success stories from everyone. Tomorrow, I have my first meeting with the surgeon where we will discuss my options. I have a sneaking suspicion he will push RNY, but after all the research I've done, I believe the sleeve is best for me.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. It's amazing to see so many success stories and such good advice from everyone. Here's to a good decision and a new life!

Wish you the best!! I just read the entire post. You will have success this time around (affirmation)!!!

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Welcome to the site! The people on here are very informative, offer great insight and a true asset to our WLS journey!

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Welcome, brother!

Best of luck to you in your journey. I was about your weight of 360-370 in my late 20s / early 30s as well. I'm about 4.5 months post-op and below goal. You're making the right choice. Ask questions any time!

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Welcome my friend! I haven't had surgery yet (06/05), but I wanted to welcome you and reiterate what everyone else says as far as this being a great area to get all kinds of information...albeit sometimes too much information!! You will learn a lot and I wish you the best.

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Welcome :) I myself am new too. My surgery is scheduled for 6/5 and very excited. This site has been awesome, very insightful and at times scary but I as well as everyone want to know all sides on the sleeve. Hope it all goes well and here Is to a better future :)

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I am scheduled to be sleeved June 20th..excitement mixed with nerves..at 6'4 and 400 lbs I'm more then ready to change my life.the only thing I am most worried about is getting through the 5 days of the liquid diet.i love sugar free Jello but not sure i can exist on that and sugar free pops and broth...I am certainly going to try my best..I am self paying in Mexico.my friend went to the same clinic I am going to and he says it's the best thing that he has ever done..he's down almost 80 lbs since jan.this app has been very helpful..I'm really glad there is a space just for men too...we really do lose weight and deal with pain far differently then women do I believe.if anyone has any suggestions on getting through the liquid only few days it would be helpful.i can't wait to start the second part of my life.

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In terms of the 'liquid fast', I assume that you'll be doing some Protein suppliments or is it a 'clear liquid' fast? I am in Optifast for 2 weeks followed by 2 days of Clear Liquids. After the first few days, I can honestly say I am not hungry, though my head tells me otherwise when I see food commercials on TV. But, shoot, If I Can YOIU can!

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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