bigjoe102

I have been at 263 for a bit. However , I have lost 2 pant sizes in the process. It does seem weird but hey I will take it. lol

I think you would still be on liquids at this time. I was eating a 1/4 cup of food for the longest time. I would check with your surgeon and see what he/she has to say. good luck.

On August 16th, I finally made my 1 year. It was a long process but with the support of my family and friends, I made it. My wife Carrie was my rock and my two sons are my inspiration. Pre op shirt size 5x Post op shirt size XL Pre Op pant size 60 Post OP pant size 40 489 lbs was my heaviest Pre Op 404 Post Op 263

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to take a look at my before and after pics. If you have already had he surgery congrats and you all look awesome. If you are in the process or going to have it soon. You are going to feel much better. You will be able to do things again that you once could not do. One thing to remember we are going to have bad days. Don't beat yourself up over it, Acknowledge it and move on. Respectfully, Joe

I had to update thse pics from yesterday, they where a little blurry. lol

Welcome aboard!

<--------Biggest Baby lol With that being said. I figured I could die trying to make a better life for me and my family or do nothing and die anyway. You will do fantastic! Joe

Welcome!

Im 43 but feel like im 20, does that count? lol I am a year post op.

Awesome! keep up the good work!

Thank you for all those who responded and for those who respond later. I am so glad I found this community to talk about the pains that we all have felt at one time or another and not be judged or looked down on. Good luck to all of us on are new life and cant wait for positive stories! Respectfully, Joe

This is from a previous post, I had. Hope it helps. We all have been scared sometime during this proce ss. I personally I'm the biggest baby just ask my two sons lol. My biggest fear was dying on the table. I finally figured it out, If I die on the table at least I died trying to better my life and the life of my family. Or I could do nothing and die sooner or later anyway. I chose to go for it. I had all the support in the world from my friends, co workers and of course my family. Iam so thankful for that. If you are not getting the support that you need from people that are closest to you, I am so sorry. You will get all the support and positive feedback you need right here. We all have that one moment when we make a decision that changed are lives. Mine came at a amusement park. Me and my youngest got on a ride and where about to get started but the safety belt was not long enough. I was so mortified, embarassed and ashamed that I had to see my son get off the ride because of me. It still took me a couple of months of soul searching before I decided to have the surgery. I am so glad I did. The day of the surgery I was more anxious than scared. They gave me some meds that I don't even remember the ride to the operating room. I am down from my highest weight of 489 lbs to 263. I feel so much better. I dropped 50 points on my blood pressure in the first month after the surgery. I am a better father, a better husband and a better coach. My wife and two sons can actually hug me and touch their hands. The one thing you have to is come to terms with your eating problem. I had to. If your thinking about drinking soda or beer or doing other things that got you to where you are currently, You are not ready. I decided that my loved ones are more important than that big bowl of ice cream or going to a all you can eat chinese buffet. These community helped me. The information and the support here is awesome. Give yourself a chance at a better life. Give your loved ones a chance of future memories. I am so glad I did. Sorry if I rambled. Respectfully, Joe

When I got t to 489 lbs.

I have had 226 pounds of weight loss total. Since August 16th of last year, I have lost 141 pounds with the sleeve.

Knowing what I know now, Yes in a heartbeat. The only thing is, this is not a fix all. It is a too. You have to change your eating habits.

Good Job! You look great! keep it up.

The first day was uncomfortable. No pain from the actual surgery. My pain came from the gas that they put in you to make sure that nothing is leaking. Once I passed that I felt so much better. On the second day, I went home. The only suggestion i can make is try and relax. I have a topic in the pre op section titled 4 people who are scared. It might help. Good luck! Joe

Did some searching this is the booklet that Kaiser hands out. http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/63278.pdf

We all have been scared sometime during this process. I personally I'm the biggest baby just ask my two sons lol. My biggest fear was dying on the table. I finally figured it out, If I die on the table at least I died trying to better my life and the life of my family. Or I could do nothing and die sooner or later anyway. I chose to go for it. I had all the support in the world from my friends, co workers and of course my family. Iam so thankful for that. If you are not getting the support that you need from people that are closest to you, I am so sorry. You will get all the support and positive feedback you need right here. We all have that one moment when we make a decision that changed are lives. Mine came at a amusement park. Me and my youngest got on a ride and where about to get started but the safety belt was not long enough. I was so mortified, embarassed and ashamed that I had to see my son get off the ride because of me. It still took me a couple of months of soul searching before I decided to have the surgery. I am so glad I did. The day of the surgery I was more anxious than scared. They gave me some meds that I don't even remember the ride to the operating room. I am down from my highest weight of 489 lbs to 263. I feel so much better. I dropped 50 points on my blood pressure in the first month after the surgery. I am a better father, a better husband and a better coach. My wife and two sons can actually hug me and touch their hands. The one thing you have to is come to terms with your eating problem. I had to. If your thinking about drinking soda or beer or doing other things that got you to where you are currently, You are not ready. I decided that my loved ones are more important than that big bowl of ice cream or going to a all you can eat chinese buffet. These community helped me. The information and the support here is awesome. Give yourself a chance at a better life. Give your loved ones a chance of future memories. I am so glad I did. Sorry if I rambled. Respectfully, Joe

The hot chocolate and hard candy is a no no. Your only 7 days post op. Did your Dr. not give guidelines on what was ok to have. Here is a link page 26 tells you somewhat you can have. Hope this helps. http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/ADA-02-Types%20of%20Weight%20Loss%20Surgery_tcm28-532131.pdf Good luck!

I remember avoiding concerts,restaurants and some movie theaters, because I was to big. I recall while on vacation in Texas going to a Houston Astro's game. I was so uncomfortable in those seats even my wife was like these seats are small. I woke up the next with bruises on my hips. We all have felt some sort of pain like this. I have recently started going to group consultations for people who are thinking about having the surgery. I can tell you it is very fullfilling to tell people how this has changed my life for the better and that they can do it. If you have the chance i would encourage you to ask your Dr. if you could talk to new sleeve patients. To hear that some of us have people in our lives that are not encouraging or supportive of our decisions is trult sad and unfortunate. I am so lucky to have all the support in the world. My family,friends and co-workers. The great thing about this community is the support and knowledge you can gain here. I would like thank everyone who has viewed this topic and I hope it has helped some people who have had the same situations. Respectfully, Joe

Yes, I personally went thru that also. I was like I have lost all this weight and I dont really see a change. So i finally just changed my view. When I looked at myself straight into the mirror, I really did not see a big difference. So I just turned to the side and I was like wow! Ok there is a big difference. You will be fine, we have been so used to the way we where, It is going to take some getting used to how we are now. Good luck and take care. Respectfull, Joe

I started out at 489 lbs with a bmi of 70.2 . That was in Dec. of 2010. Had my surgery on August 16th of 2011 and weighed in at 404 lbs. I am currently at 263 with a bmi of 38. It can be done. Respectfully, Joe

I was not nervous, I was flat out scared. I was afraid of dying on the table, all I thought about was what happend to my wife and my two sons if I die. Then I put in into persective. If I do not have this surgery im going to die sooner or later anyway. I was scared right up to the day of the surgery. The day of the surgery, I was very calm and ready for the surgery. It will be a year on August 16th. I am down from 489 lbs to 263 pounds and feeling great. This surgery has made me a better husband and a better father. Before the surgery they also gave me something for the anxiety and I tell you what, That was great stuff lol I do not even remeber getting rolled into the operating room. If I can do it, anyone can! Good luck! You will be fine! Respectfully, Joe