JeffA70

I'm 6'6". At my highest, I was a size 56. That was 1999. When I walked into my doc's for the first time in December 2011, I was a 52. Today, 42s are feeling a little loose. My own goal is to get into 38s, which is what I wore in college. I'm really hoping to not go below that.

My doc's support group is 3/4 or more female. I much prefer online forums and groups for exactly that reason. So, welcome, Recycled. There's a big leather couch over there, magical calorie-free and safe-for-sleever beer or Red Bull in the fridge, the arm-wrestling and poker tables are over there, and a place to work on transmissions out back (it's next to the shooting range). We got your back, brother.

10 lbs. a month since January? Yeah, my opinion is that you are a rock star. Congrats!!!!

Rock star!

Exactly. First few days suck. Hang in there. You got this, dude.

Welcome, and good luck! We've got your back!

Totally normal, although I didn't have much pain myself. You're also full of gas. Make sure you do your breathing exercises too, and keep a pillow nearby if you have to cough, or god forbid, sneeze. Grab that sucker and hold it tight against your abdomen.

Rock it!

Great! And, yeah, definitely get up, walk, fart and burp!!!! Also, see if they have those sponge lollipop things to keep your mouth moist. Good luck!

That's fantastic! Congrats, congrats! None of my four suits fit anymore. I feel like David Byrne in that old Talking Heads video! Can't wait to buy a new suit at a normal store!!!!!

This may be the best thread on the entire Internet.

Rock it. Check in on the other side and let us know how it went. First day or two will suck. It's all good in the end...long term thinking!

I realize I'm a guy, and it's different for us in some ways, but I just tell people that "I decided to make a change in December 2011, did a yearlong diet and exercise plan, lost 40 lbs, and then had bariatric surgery in January, and I'm down nearly 50 more. Long way to go." Pretty much verbatim. Most people have been great.

Two months out. Down nearly 50 from the surgery. Down over 100 from my peak. Wearing clothes I could have fit into in college 20 years ago. Johnson is bigger, harder and lasts longer than ever. Eating more or less whatever I want, with some exceptions (bread is tough), just slowly, in smaller quantities, and smarter. Am not really hungry. Eating foods I like (Protein, etc.). Why didn't I do this 10 years ago, again? Good luck to you, dude. We got your back.

Was at a party last night, seeing people I hadn't seen in a while. Everyone was so nice about the weight loss, etc. Within about an hour, the women were in the kitchen talking and the men were in the den chilling. One of the guys is hysterical in general and was talking about when he lost 50 lbs. a few years ago, and the resulting increase. He said, 'And you've lost 100? Dude, I'm surprised you're not poking one of our eyes out with that thing now.' It was so funny. We all decided that instead of the stereotypical billboard advertising the free surgery talks, they should just point out that a guy's penis will get longer, and they'd have to fight people from crowding in to sign up. We also thought that there should be two brochures. One for couples that talks about the health benefits, etc. and one just for guys that has the same cover, but all of this other side benefit stuff inside.

Awesome news, everyone!!!! Onederland, exercise, insurance... It's all good! Rock stars!!!! Congrats all!!! No major news from me but I did eat out twice this week. My son and I went for a drive to the shore, and he asked if we could go to a favorite clam shack restaurant. We did and I got the shrimp cocktail, which was awesome and totally 'on plan.' Then we went out as a family to Moe's last night and I got a steak salad without the taco shell. Lots of protein, ate around the lettuce and have half left for breakfast this AM. Life is normal. That's a good thing.

Aargh.. That's frustrating! Hang in there... The stall will pass.

Jack Links makes 100-calorie bags of jerky. I buy them in bulk at BJs. 17 or 18g of protein per bag and keeps me from having to stare at a large open bag. Yeah, it's high in sodium, but such is life. I started eating it as soon as I was released to solid - solid food. Just chew thoroughly.

I use an appetizer fork and spoon that I also got at Pier One.

Rock star!

So, was wandering through the store looking for new foods to try, and in the wasteland of cereals, found a box of Grape-Nuts, which are an old favorite of mine. I don't think I've had them in two years, long before I started preparing for the surgery. Anyone have any experience of being able to tolerate them OK? Their Protein count of 8g of protein for a half-cup (without milk, so figure another 5-8 when you add that in) seems pretty good to me. Along with 7g of Fiber. Sadly, 44g of carbs, but only 5 of that from sugar. Only 1g of fat. Thoughts on it as a choice?

Had some Grape Nuts this AM for the first time, and they were awesome. With a 1/3 cup of milk, they went down easy and gave me 11g of Protein. Yeah, a lot of carbs, but once in a while isn't going to kill me. Will try Fiber One as well...thanks!

Have done cooked Grape Nuts before, but wow, have never heard of adding an egg in!!!!

I've been scared to try bread or salad! The only veggies I've had have been very soft from steamed. Broccoli and green beans. Have only tried crispy crackers (Melba Toast and Triscuits). No bread yet!

Fantastic post! Totally agree with nearly all of them.