COsleeveDude

Try a different brand, something with lactase and/or other enzymes to help with lactose intolerance. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% whey is one brand, and it's available at GNC. You may be able to find it cheaper online if you Google: ON 100% Whey Gold Standard™ CONTAINS LACTASE and Aminogen® digestive enzymes to further enhance absorption and make this product even more friendly to lactose intolerant individuals http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3687537

I would suggest everyone read this before meeting your surgeon, and ask him or her if they disagree with any consensus statements. I did this with my surgeon, which reassured me that he was current with best practices. For example: bougie sizes. 87% agree that 32-36F is optimal. My surgeon explained that he prefers 36F because he believes that's the sweet spot for the most restriction with the least complications. Abstract: solid food until 2 wk postoperatively 100

The biggest trend I've picked up on is that the people who take pre-surgery weight loss and working out seriously before the required pre-op diet (3-4 months before surgery) have an easier recovery. If you can't walk a mile without huffing and puffing before surgery, you're definitely gonna feel worse after surgery, especially when you're trying to get into some kind of shape while also recovering from surgery. Separating those phases is important; having some base level fitness before any surgery is important for efficient healing and avoiding complications like blood clots and pneumonia. The second thing I've noticed is that if you convince yourself you're gonna feel like **** after surgery, you will feel like **** after surgery. If you prepare your body and mind for surgery, you are more likely to be confident in a positive outcome and recovery, both short and long-term. A note on bougie size: 32-36 French is the broad consensus. You can click here for more info: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47390-international-sleeve-gastrectomy-expert-panel-consensus-statement-best-practice-guidelines-based-on-experience-of-12000-cases Good luck.

I drink coffee once or twice a day. Whether it's brewed at work or a Starbucks mocha or latte, it's always decaf and "skinny": sugar-free with skim milk.

I lost almost 40 on my own pre-op diet from April 5 to surgery day, July 17. About 10 of that was on the required 3-day pre-op diet.

Just FYI Long Islands are loaded with calories. You can Google all sorts of lists to find the highest and lowest calorie drinks, and ways to make drinks with less calories. Point being is that most of us wont have trouble losing at first. Losing most of the excess and keeping off what is lost after a year or two is the big reason they emphasize changing habits, like counting calories and cutting out excess "unnecessary" calories, like cutting out booze. I wont live without booze, but I am less likely to drink more than one beer once or twice a month. If I want to get a buzz, which is rarer as I get older, guess I'll have to throw a diet shot or two on top of it.

Sounds iffy, go get it checked out ASAP.

Just his opinion. May be right or wrong. That's why I mentioned needing some studies to prove or disprove the opinion. That's how science works.

Surgery on a Saturday?! Crazy weekend. Good luck.

My surgeon was not impressed with single-incision surgeons. He basically said it's a gimmick and could compromise safety for minor cosmetic improvements. I would definitely like to see some studies in the future. I bet in 5-10 years when they have enough data we can see if the single incision is just as safe. Good luck.

Check iTunes. 5K Runner is one some of my friends have used. It also posts to Facebook if you want it to, which is nice for encouragement and getting friends on board.

Are you at goal weight yet? My program instructs 500-1,000 calories per day, mostly Protein, until goal. I'm not saying you can't go over that if instructed, but if you are at 1,200 that might explain why you're not losing or gaining. The post about Water retention also makes a lot of sense. Good luck.

Ya, I hear ya, I probably shouldn't have added that commentary. Just seems that the goal of those "extreeeeme" workouts is to drop as much weight as fast as possible. But, again, you might like it. You might not. You might only be able to or want to do some of it. It will definitely get you in shape, no question. I know a guy at work who is in pretty good shape and P90X was kicking his butt for the first few weeks.

I think there's an obsession with losing too fast. It's easy enough to lose quickly with the sleeve. Not trying to discourage you, though. No harm in trying and see what you think. I'm a guy, so I'm trying to bulk up while trimming down. That's tough, but I don't mind losing slower in order to keep my Protein up and my calories a little higher to try and gain some muscle. Good luck.

I wonder if P90X or Insanity isn't too much if you're on low cal. Don't wanna burn up all of your muscle. Make sure to increase your protein intake.

Varies by program. I had a pre-surgery class for 8 weeks with a group. I got a 3-day liquid diet. Others who didn't lose as much weight pre-op, had a higher BMI or who had more health issues had to do a 14-day liver shrinking diet.

One stage or two? If it's two you'll be getting a sleeve first, might not even need the second part. I've been "thin" before, just looking forward to feeling more unlimited again in whatever I choose to do.

Here's the list of what they're doing to me at something like 3, 6, 9, 12 months, and then yearly after that: Future Orders Expected By Expires ALBUMIN, SERUM 1/4/13 2/13/13 BASIC METABOLIC PANEL (NA, K, CL, CO2, BUN, CR, GLU, TOTAL CA) 1/4/13 2/13/13 CBC W DIFFERENTIAL, AUTO 1/4/13 2/13/13 FERRITIN 1/4/13 2/13/13 GLUCOSE, FASTING 1/4/13 2/13/13 Scheduling Instructions: To ensure a quality blood sample, please follow these instructions before you have your blood drawn: 8-10 hours before you have your blood drawn, drink only Water, and DO NOT eat anything DO NOT drink coffee, tea, juice, alcohol, or soda of any kind DO NOT chew gum DO NOT smoke You may take your prescribed medications with water only, if you can take them without food. Do not take Vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies. DIABETICS ONLY: If you take insulin or another blood sugar medication, take AFTER the tests. If you are NOT able to "fast" (go without food) for 8-10 hours: Tell the laboratory staff that you are not fasting, but your doctor wants you to have the lab test anyway. LIPID PANEL 1/4/13 2/13/13 Scheduling Instructions: To ensure a quality blood sample, please follow these instructions before you have your blood drawn: 8-10 hours before you have your blood drawn, drink only water, and DO NOT eat anything DO NOT drink coffee, tea, juice, alcohol, or soda of any kind DO NOT chew gum DO NOT smoke You may take your prescribed medications with water only, if you can take them without food. Do not take vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies. DIABETICS ONLY: If you take insulin or another blood sugar medication, take AFTER the tests. If you are NOT able to "fast" (go without food) for 8-10 hours: Tell the laboratory staff that you are not fasting, but your doctor wants you to have the lab test anyway. MAGNESIUM, SERUM 1/4/13 2/13/13 PHOSPHORUS 1/4/13 2/13/13 Vitamin B1, PLASMA 1/4/13 2/13/13 VITAMIN B 12 AND FOLATE 1/4/13 2/13/13 VITAMIN D, 25-HYDROXY 1/4/13 2/13/13

Ever enter a Toughman? I might try some MMA once I'm in better shape, just for a workout.

COsleeveDude... CO=Colorado, where I live, but not where I was born, hence masking my true origins... sleeve=duh (although tatts are popular around here, but I don't have any) Dude=I tend to call guys dude a lot, and COsleeveMan sounds like some lame superhero

Running already, nice job. I started doing walk/spring/walk/jog intervals a couple of weeks ago. Basically walk, then spring, then walk, then jog (I would sprint again, but I'm too out of shape to spring more than once or twice). Doing some running makes you feel like you're really getting in shape. Plus it makes other workouts easier, and I can walk faster.

Joining a gym at work is a good idea. I joined the gym at my workplace this week. I agree that public gyms can suck for feeling judged. I took the opportunity to do a lot of walking starting in April before my surgery, and I did all of it outside in my neighborhood or during/after work. As the fall/winter temps and weather roll around I will probably join a regular gym so I can work out closer to my house when I feel like it.

How's your stomach handling raw fruits and vegetables? My program recommends waiting six months before trying raw vegetables. Can't believe I'm even saying this, but I'm craving an apple and a salad. I've had a few bites of things here and there and chewed them up well, but I haven't had a whole piece of fruit or a whole salad. Thoughts?

I'm six weeks out and I do at least 2 Protein shakes per day, with the goal over getting over 100 grams of protein per day. I shoot for 500-1000 calories, depending on how I feel and how much I'm working out. I also do chicken breast, egg substitute omelettes, yogurt, turkey chili, tuna, baked fish (tilapia or salmon), shrimp, refried Beans, steak or bison, and a few carbs, fruits and vegetables here and there.