I don't know where to start so I apologize in advance if my story is not that easy to follow.

I am a French guy of 42 years old living in Spain (Barcelona) and I have been fighting with overweight my entire life.

I am currently at 280 but went up to 350 several years ago (for 5 ft 11).

I have been told my entire childhood to finish my plate, so no waste (and also the dish, so no left over, right?).

I am also an epicurean and enjoy food, cooking, craft beers (favorite one is from a US microbrewery) and of course wine.

I have been playing rugby for over 15 years so the overweight damage was under control and I also built up some muscles under my layer of fat.

I have been trying all kind of diets, the latest one was called Dukan diet (basically an "all you can eat protein" one) that showed up pretty effective (went down to 220 in a year) but did not help me with my eating disorder....

I thought I was arrived to a decent level and all the cravings I had were not bearable anymore, so back to 280..

I am a big eater. I have always been a big eater. I don't snack, don't have a sweet tooth, but I can eat a full T-Bone and still feel hungry.

I reach a point I can't get me food sick anymore and it drives me crazy to see I can't control it.

I still do sports (cardio and weight lifting) so I consider myself in a decent shape for a big guy like me.

I need a physical barrier to keep the wolf inside of me. On top of eating a lot, I also eat fast. All the don't dos.

I have been reading everything and anything about bariatric surgery. the book from Andy Butler was an eye opener.

I believe that VSG is right for me. I found my surgeon, and I was scheduled for March 22. I even started to post on that.

Then my life took an unexpected and dramatic turn on March 7. Our baby boy of 21 months passed away, My heart is broken since then.but for some reason my decision on the VSG is stronger than never.

I was also diagnosed with pneumonia (bacterial) on March 11 and today I went for another set of X-Ray after a week of heavy antibiotics. I am recovering very well, even if I still cough. I have been doing all of my prep op tests and everything looks good for my surgeon.

It seems I am a go for March 22, but still need to be confirmed on next Monday.

I want to be done with my life as it is today. I want to stop feeling tired in the morning. I believe I have sleep apnea even I never tested for it.

I want to be more active than I am now for my 6 year old daughter. I want to go jogging with colleagues, I want to feel comfortable on a bike. Aisle seats on plane should not be an obsession.I don't want to become a customer of my company that sells products for diabetic people. I want a new me. A new image. Healthier, stronger, dynamic and different.

Obviously I lost my appetite for a couple of weeks now. I am suffering everyday and I don't see how I will be able to ever fix my broken heart.

At the same time, I have the impression I also need to recenter my attention on myself, be a bit selfish and get ready for that incredible challenge that VSG is.

My wife is worried but supportive, my sister thinks I am crazy and my best buddy tried to convince not to do it. I did not tell anybody else and won't. I am sharing here because I believe it is the right place and the people that are making this community are an inspiration.

Everybody has a different story but the common point I noticed while reading is that there is a lot of respect in the comments and no judging.

Please don't mention condolences or that you are sorry for my loss if you post on this. I assume you are if you have a bit of compassion. This is not the goal of my message. I am looking for tips, experience, real life feedback.

I know I am on an emotional roller coaster and that what is coming will be huge, but at the same time, I am convinced I need this.

Thanks.

Mico

Yes it's very difficult when you are not in your home environment and I can imagine India to be a challenge. I go to Goa in December but by that time it will be 17 months so not so hard.

I'm going to Cyprus tomorrow for three weeks but it should not be too difficult as I'm a good way out now and there are plenty of European restaurants there plus I am staying at a property we own there so quite easy really. I will be taking protein bars as I have not seen them for sale there.

You are doing really well and you are aware of the pitfalls that are out there waiting to catch us out! Just try and plan ahead and do the best you can

Enjoy India it's a real culture shock !

Thanks Chris.

I start to find my way regarding the breakfast for instance. This is what I had for breakfast: egg white omelette with some red and green peppers and some porridge. pretty good for the sleeve.

Congratulations on all you have overcome and achieved so far. You are doing great!

I am nine months out from surgery and travel is still difficult. My wife and I are taking a week holiday at a b&b we love run by a French chef. The food is amazing and even this far out, I have to be careful. Last night I tried a tenderloin in 5 pepper sauce that was sublime - so good in fact I overdid it and paid for it. I have been doing well, but still have problems with food that I really like - I eat too fast and too much. I listen to the signal to stop, but if you eat too quickly, the signal comes too late and your margin for error is very, very small after the sleeve (a single bite). It's a learning process and some of us are slower learners than we'd like

On trips, I have learned to take it slow and easy and bring things with me (snacks, protein, etc) that will make things easier.

Good luck on the rest of your journey - you are definitely on the right path!

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Thank you for your comments. You are so right with the very little warning we get with the sleeve. I experienced it a few times and it was really unpleasant. So I am more careful these days. I also have to admit that I don't really find things I can't eat. I tried chicken, a tiny piece of lamb, some rice, even some mild spicy soup and everything is going well. I just have to eat it slowly, chew the hell out of it and wait to settle to see if I should / could have another bite. It is so embarrassing to have to run to the toilet right after lunch or dinner (or in the middle of it) that I am extra careful when eating out.

I just noticed that you are 5 pounds away from your goal, and I have to admit I envy you. I may be on the right path but you almost completed your goal in 10 months if the dates are correct. This is IMPRESSIVE. Well done sir.

Back home on Thursday evening after a painful travel experience. I tried some tuna with edamame in the plane and despite the fact that I chewed the hell out of it, my sleeve said no. I discovered that all kind of nuts are on the opposite very well tolerated (I have to be very careful with those!). So after 5 days where I had a lot of fresh juices and not always healthy food (curry) I actually lost 4 pounds... So. I stall home, but when I am traveling and eating more calories (1200-1300) I actually lose weight.

I guess I need to change my habits on a regular base. It is working so far...

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6 weeks and a day post op. Solid food is still an issue as I realize I eat too fast...and then I pay the price.

I got tired of purée and I almost skipped that phase. I still do protein shake and yogurt for lunch, some time protein bars (Quest).

I have tried to join a finger food buffet during a workshop, but my choices were VERY limited, so I won´t do it again.

Social time is an issue at work (because of what I can drink or eat), and I have dinner with friends tomorrow in a tapas bar. I already checked what I can eat and drink. I should be fine, but it may be tougher than I think. we´ll see.

Last night was great. Good friends, great atmosphere , I had a great time. While they started with be, I had a grape juice. I took some tapas (hummus, shrimps and salmon), stayed away from bread. Then some squid And a yogurt with mango sorbet in dessert. Yummy!

It is kind of funny how you see people from a differently. I never noticed how much they ate or how they were changing after a few beers and a bottle of wine shared. Nevertheless it made me believe I can have a social life with the Sleeve and I don't have to wait for a year post-op. This is the place I went to: http://follia.com/benvinguts-al-follia/

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Glad to see you are getting to grips with it all. I'm finding it a bit more difficult than I thought it would be here in Cyprus and being away from home. However I am getting up and doing my C25k so that's a plus. I have started to eat a bit more fruit too as it is all too easy to eat the sweet biscuits that my other half has bought in from the supermarket.

I am trying my best , which does not mean I am always following the rules . Doing your routine is a major benefit and minimize the impact of the carbs from the biscuits. But you're right, being home is so much easier to stay on top of everything.

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Tomorrow is week 7 post-op and I am doing ok. I decided to let the scale out of my life for a while. I went to visit my sister for a long weekend and I had to be careful about what to eat and not to try. Overall I did good (she knows about my surgery so she bought stuff she knew I would eat, and I REALLY appreciated it). I still tried a couple of things new and except a rice salad that sent me directly to the bathroom, everything else was ok. Did several long walks. Very nice. Back home today and I need to go back to the gym.

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I have a hard time eating anything else than protein shakes and / or Quest bars. I can eat salmon as long as it not over cooked. Yogurt also goes well. Everything else is either leading to acidity or a trip to the bathroom. Cereals for breakfast is also ok. I don't know if this is related to stress as I am under an unbelievable workload lately. I take my vitamins but I feel exhausted al the time. I did not go to the gym at all this week, which means that my weight did not change (or not much). A week to forget.

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I have been back to the gym the last few days and killed it. It helps feeling better. I have been watching a bunch of YouTube videos on what people are eating 2-3 months out ...and I know I can't do the same. That does not mean I am doing bad, I just can't eat some of the food and/or quantity. I am wondering if other people are experiencing the same.

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Trip on the scale this morning... 9 lbs lost this month. The weight loss rhythm is definitely slowing down. I guess it is also linked to the fact that I am not that far away from my goal (at least this is a way to look at it ). I am thinking about focusing more on strength/ weight lifting rather than cardio. I also need to change my eating habits.... And be patient, which is hard for me. I take my vitamins, water and proteins daily, so I know I am good at this level.

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I am at a corporate event for a few days and I am meeting again with people that last saw me with 48 extra pounds... It is actually funny how guys have a direct communication about why weight loss and have great things to say about it, when my female colleagues are far more distant, even those I have a friendly relationship with. To be honest, it does not matter, I am lot at goal and I don't like the recent pictures I saw of me. I don't see much of a difference Or not the difference I want to see, if it makes sense. Finger foods buffet and coffee breaks with pastries are great occasion for me to run away around the hotel and have a walk since the weather is great. I can relax then seat down, have a quest bar for lunch and type my life story on Bariatric Pal under the sun... What else ? as a famous actor would say. Wish all of you to enjoy your day, whatever you do, no matter what stage of your surgery you are going through!

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A quick tip that is actually useful. You want to have a drink but don't want to be marginalized because you don't drink alcohol? Get an apple juice, water and ask for a wine glass. Pour the apple juice and cut it with water till the correct color.... Voilà! You have now a glass of white wine.

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