mark!

We already have a restaurant grade blender that mixed up fruit really really well, but we ended up getting a juicer from some family, it's a Jack LaLanne juicer, and it's a beast. I love it. It separates the pulp and seed, which can be added back in say like us, my wife hates pulp, I love it. My Dr friend bought a vitamix, said the Ninja does everything the vitamix does, and is about a quarter of the cost too.

Damn, that would be a factor for me, honestly. But if you can get the finances worked out, I would still look in to it. Have you thought about Mexico? A lot of people here have great success with getting sleeved in MX for about half the cost.

Disclaimer: Opinionated Post...I understand not everyone feels this way, that's cool. I hate it when people say "just move on if they don't support you leave them" yadda yadda. Really? I guess I was just brought up in an old home, taught that you communicate and work things out. My wife and I, man we've had some crazy problems, and sometimes our marriage is pure hell, but we've never cheated on each other, and we don't keep anything at all from each other. Our relationship is wide open, nothing held back. Sometimes it sucks, and sometimes it really helps us grow TOGETHER. I love my wife, she's the center of everything I do and want to be. Check out the book Love Dare, it really is pretty fantastic. Also check out 5 Love Languages, both of those opened our eyes to what we were doing, the path we were leading down, and what we needed to do to fix it. Now couples frequently ask us who we saw for counseling, we never did. I thought the same thing about testosterone too. I felt depressed, fatigued, worthless and always down in the dumps. I didn't have any motivation to do anything except sleep. My levels weren't even all THAT low...but they were low. I tried the gel, I hated it. I responded great the first month, afterwards, it sucked. I stopped responding. I hated having to wait to get dressed, not being able to touch my wife or handle anything she or the kids may come in contact with...even my dogs worried me, Lord knows he doesn't need ANY help at all with his "drive". I started getting injections. My Dr prescribes my test to me, and I do my own shots at home, my numbers have been steadily in the upper 800's each test done now. I would also have his e2 (estrogen) levels checked, and ask them everytime after to check those levels. There's a chance that when supplementing test, your e2 levels will rise and counter the test injections, defeating the purpose of getting pinned in the first place. He'll also need to get the old wonderful prostate checked out regularly, as the injections can also cause it to swell. For now, I just get my blood panels done to keep that checked, but my Dr wouldn't let me do that until she did the manual exam first.

In my opinion, it's a big decision and you should take care of it now. If you've struggled with weight loss your entire life, something could be wrong brother. 35 is still young, get that taken care of and get to kicking ass on the back end. There's a chance you could maybe do the lap band and have success, but I'm sure your doctors will talk to you about that depending on how much you want to lose. Explore the options and go from there. It's no easy way out, hell just the insurance hoops you gotta jump through are more than a lot of folks would put up with, haha.

I thought long and hard about it, but never did it. I really, really came close. I had Chipotle once, steak and veggie burrito and frozen yogurt, but that really wasn't out of the ordinary for me at the time after a big workout, lots of protein, 60g protein in that one meal. But didn't do the whole all out binge fest, and I felt tons better afterwards.

Hugh Jackman is too hot to be straight. /end story.

Here's a chart, for the wonderful BMI scale that's heavily flawed when it comes to actually predicting overweight people. /end rant.

Thanks for the post bro, I, like many others, read a lot on the forums. I have an "addiction" to information and forums too it appears, that's both good, and bad. There are so many stories on here of bad tales, etc, and we usually take those to heart the most. I know I certainly do. But after reading this, and some others that reference no problems, I really am starting to feel tons better, which is a good thing considering I'm 8 days out from the big day.

FoodSaver V3431 Vacuum Sealer Fresh Start Kit is the one we bought. We bought it at Wal Mart. We bought a hose for it so we can use the containers with it as well. I think it was $130 for the package.

I shop at Kohls, Old Navy, Bass Pro right now and have had luck finding things that fit me there already.

Well, in my not so humble opinion, if you're looking to actually build muscle, don't go to 24 hour fitness trainers. They have the lowest level of certification needed to become a personal trainer (some aren't even certified as entry level, they're GED graduates with advanced first aid certs from red cross), and I've had them tell me numerous times very conflicting, and troubling information (at times things that could lead to serious injury). Chances are, there are some solid muscle mass folks in your area, unless you live in a very small secluded area. In all regards, finding a training in your area isn't all that important these days. I've trained with Ken "Skip" Hill from Colorado for years, only meeting a few times when he was in Dallas, or I flew up to hang with him, and strength wise, I made tons of progress. My past trainer, Josh Bryant, also trains folks online and has had some great clients to work with. There is going to be a pretty sizable problem however with their recommendations for Protein intake and supplements. I've spoke with Josh and Ken about this, and several other trainers in the area and hopefully, we'll be able to figure some things out. I have a buddy, also a cop, who lost a ton of weight via the sleeve, and has started competing in natural bodybuilding competitions, and doing pretty damn well in them. He's phenomenally shredded, but busted his ass a whole lot to get where he's at. Just make sure you research who you're going with. Check their certifications and make sure they've got something other than entry level. The ones I can think of are AFAA, ACSM, ACE, Cooper Institute, ISSA, NASM, NCSF, NESTA, NFPT, NPTI, NSCA, PFI and PFIT. Most 24 hour fitness trainers are ISSA, it's a freaking 1 day...pathetic course that just barely skims the top of the iceberg for personal training. If you can find a NSCA certified coach, most of the are focuses on strength, since our certifications come straight from strength related fields, hence the "National Strength and Conditioning Association". You can search their website to find a NSCA trainer in your area even. http://www.nsca-lift...Find-a-Trainer/

If you're doing strength training to build up endurance and lose weight, it's 6 in one hand and half a dozen in the other (it really doesn't matter). I always split mine, but that's because I don't want to do cardio before and lose any strength or stamina for my leg workouts, and I don't want to kill the muscle Fiber AFTER a huge leg day and go catabolic. If you're doing legs, you can do a light warm up on on the treadmill or elliptical, no worries. If you're tight on time, check out complexes. They're sort of a crossfit inspired workout. I've used them for weight loss and cutting for meets in the past. http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/complexes_20_optimize_your_fatloss_workouts

Ah, the best part of a woman. We've had clients work from this list of movements recently and most, who commit to them, have had success. Carving Curl: Take a dumbbell, put it behind your knee and grip it with your hamstring and calf so it doesn't fall. Roll your pelvis in to the floor to flatten your back, and lift you thigh off the ground a few inches. Do about 15-25 reps each leg, 2-3 sets. Squats: Can be done with bodyweight, dumbbells, or barbells, can even be done with a yoga ball while you're against a wall to help with support. Deep squats, lowering slowly and exploding "out of the hole" back up. These are my wifes favorite and have been awesome. Deadlifts: Can be done with either a barbell or dumbbells. Here's a link to an article on Elite FTS that helps with proper set up and form. There are numerous videos out there for form as well, some are horrendous though, be cautious to the one you choose to mirror. http://articles.elitefts.com/training-articles/how-to-set-up-on-the-deadlift/ Glute Bridge: Pretty self explanatory. Lay on your back, feet in close to your butt, lift, and squeeze. Hold for a few seconds, squeeze your glutes as much as you can the whole time, then release and slowly lower back to the ground. Hopefully ya'll will get some use of these. There are tons more things you can do, however these 4 seem to really isolate the glutes (along with other muscles) the most. With squats and deadlifts, you're also getting a really good core and back workout, and squats, well they're the Godsend, they work everything to some extent.

Had my stress test last week, wasn't too bad. I did mine on no sleep since I worked the night before. Mine was done on a bike, the hardest part was being hooked up through a machine that doesn't let you breathe out of your nose for me. I was a bit out of breath afterwards, but you're supposed to be. The person doing the test said I flew through the recommended settings so she kept it going to see how far I could go before I reached failure. I told her if I hadn't had done a huge leg workout a day before this, I would have kicked the tests ass, it's all good. No biggie, just another hurdle to overcome. I psyched myself up for it, like every other test I've had to do so far, and in the end, it hasn't been worth the stress.

I know it's been a while since thread was started, but just in case.. I have Aetna. 3 months nutritional classes, 2 years weight history, 1 comorbidity. No psych, no gall bladder test. Will still have to do the EGD since it's required for surgery, but nothing else. I was approved in about a week.

I wear Under Armour shirts about every day, it's just habit. I've always worn under shirts growing up, my dad did it, I just thought it was the thing to do. I probably always will, regardless of skin sagging etc. I think it's funny though on the It Works wraps. Some of the before/after pictures, they're just physically impossible. I was interested until I saw a guy at roughly 30/35% bodyfat, put on a wrap, and 45 minutes later come out with a 4 pack of abs. Or the guy with the huge beer gut, 45 minutes later, POW no more beer gut. But, I always see products like those as gimmicks.

Absolutely, that was my number 1 decision maker in my choice for surgery. Haha. JK. I will be very, very happy with the added "benefit". I've never had a complaint, but I'd rather be a grower AND shower (read: show-her) Haha, well one woman down, 435 billion to go! I might love you back then. I'm not sure if I can handle this...sexcapades already last an hour, we can't have quickies, never able to. Quicky for us means 20 minutes...at least.

"Toning" and "tightening" the skin is a bit of a myth to an extent. You can build muscle to get the appearance up, it will fill the void of skin layers with muscle instead of fat, making it look tons better, but the loose skin will either go back because of elasticity, or it won't because of the same. If it's bad, surgery is likely the best bet, until then, compression undergarments will help "keep things in place."

Our nurse during our pre op class said for the first week, it's more water water water rather than protein. But to try your darndest to get the protein in. Using a clear protein helps a lot of people they say, I plan on using Isopure for the first few weeks, even though it doesn't taste the best it's easier and thinner to get down.

I think everyone of us who have gone this far have had struggles with the mind playing tricks on us, trying to psyche us out and get us to quit. It's the inner fat kid screaming "I STILL WANT MY MOTHER F#$%ING ICECREAM AND PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!" Ignore them. What YOU need to do, is sit down and read the good, and the bad statistics. Don't always listed to what someone says on a public forum that can harbor those of ill intent. Maybe they did have the procedure, and they didn't do what they were supposed to do and it failed, or they failed rather, but DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM. Everyone going around spreading rays of sunshine also, DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM. Block everything out. Take a weekend, or a day or so, plop your butt in a comfy chair in your PJs and go through medical stats regarding complications, mortality rates, difficulties, etc and then go through the amount of weight lost by patients, increased function, increased length of life, etc. You will undergo numerous appointments, have crazy strict restrictions on diet, and have to deal with all of the stress of those in you family who do not support this decision. One factor I have learned to key in, are the family members skinny: They don't know my struggles. Are they over weight and aren't seeking professional health whether surgery wise, or medically: They don't realize their issue or don't have the courage and such to get it taken care of. There are complications, there will be days you want to kick your dog just because it's the closest thing you can inflict physical pain on, and there will be days you'll be cussing us for saying "it's worth it". But, dear, in reality, ask yourself, is the condition your in right now, worth it? Believe me, I've waged a holy war upon myself with that question. I could stay fat and happy, literally, right now, and die early, potentially of a massive heart attack in 10 years at the age of 38, or sooner, it happens all the time. As an EMT, and now in law enforcement, we see individuals all the time on medical calls that are morbidly obese and don't take care of themselves who just don't wake up. It's a gruesome thought, but it's true. I personally came to the conclusion that I needed this. I wanted to live my life, I wanted to be around for my children and do everything I can to get where I need to be. If, like me, you've tried every diet from a-z and 1-100, and failed at it for one reason or another, you know how it feels. Going through things, failing them, feeling like a failure, then eating more, it's a vicious cycle, a deadly cycle. I've gone back and forth, weighed every option, done the math and calculated the risks. With my family history, there is a large chance I will get diabetes like my mother, my grand mother, her mother, her mother, etc, etc. There is a chance I'll have Congestive Heart Failure like my mother, her mother, and her mother. So far, I've been lucky, extremely lucky. My older brother is taking the path of my past relatives. I see him struggle, leg sores, pain everywhere, can't walk far, etc. I'm 28, active, I work out religiously, I know a thing or two about nutrition, and I know what commitment is, and I'm a failure at dieting. Even when strict, I don't lose. It's a medical problem to a certain extent. My thyroid is royally in the shitter, my metabolism is f%$ked beyond belief, this is my chance. This is all of ours. But you have to seize it and make it work. You HAVE to do what is said regardless of what others around you say. I'm grateful for others encouragement and love, but you have to find that internal motivation. You have to rely on your self to get what you need as far as positive reassurance. We're all here, but we can't change or alter your mental ramblings or the war going on in your head. If it helps, I'll give you my cell phone number, my email, and we can form a support group, but it's not going to help what goes on in your mind. Find a peaceful place, and just think with your self about what it is you seek in life, and are your goals attainable through diet and exercise alone. I hope things get easier for you, for all of you that struggle with family support. It's tough, but sometimes you just have to look out for numero uno, yourself, and get your life back.

30 days liquid seems really excessive for its purpose, but I'm sure I'm sure they have their reasons. I'm on a 14 day, 4 shakes with skim milk and other sugar free liquids diet. So far so good, I'm 4 days in. Seeing the scale move, and keeping my energy up has been the main parts for me. I'm still doing cardio, keeping busy, and trying to not think about food. I went to Target the other day, and my mouth started watering at the site of fruits and veggies...I knew right away something was wrong, haha. Also, Muscle Milk, in my opinion, is really bad in Water, but with skim milk, or milk at all, it's not too bad. Monster Milk is tons better.

Call it what ya'll want, when I'm able to "use" more of my penis because I'm less fat, I'm saying my penis is getting bigger.

If you've got a pre op liquid diet, I imagine it'd be about the same we're all doing before surgery anyway. Don't do anything drastic, it may end up hurting you in the end. You can look up several surgeons pre op diet. I believe Dr. Kim has his on his website I think, if you can't find it I can scan mine in to PDF for you. You won't lose it right now, but it'll speed up the process, and shrink your liver all the same.

Coming back is going to be the issue. Check out the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. With all the problems they'be been having lately on the border, I wouldn't want to be stuck in a border town any longer than I had to be. I've never gone for surgery, but been there numerous times recently.

I believe the consensus being 4-6 weeks out. 4 weeks starting light, taking it easy, 6 weeks full recovery type stuff. My Dr says nothing over 25 pounds first 3 weeks, go back to full workouts after 4 with restriction to anything over 75 pounds, 6 weeks is full recovery back to normal workouts.