BigDog Bryan

If sacrificing 75% of your stomach, permanently altering both your capacity for and tolerances of foods is easy. If doing something STRICTLY FOR YOURSELF and your health, despite the ignorance of others is easy. If giving up the ability to consume what was a normal meal and Permanently Changing not just what you should eat, but what you CAN eat is easy. If Chickens need to squak every time the Eagles decide to spread their wings and soar, then YES it's So Damned EASY

I didn't see any mention of your protein and supplement intake. You MUST get 60 grams of protein each day. I ran out for a few days at the 6 week Mark and saw my weight loss slow by 50 percent. It got back on track as soon as I got back to Vitamin Shoppe for the Cookies & Cream mix. Also, search the site for Embrace The Stall. It is a VERY helpful thread

Don't use pounds. Look at percentages of what you want to lose. Many people stall early, but you will get through it. I lost about 20% of my goal in the first month. It sounds great, but it created unrealistic expectations later on. Make sure you get your Protein intake up to the recommendations of your NUT and you will have a great month 2 and 3 and so on.

Simple advice is to buy a few pieces at each stage. A 50 pou d loss means that NOTHING fits, so a couple of things that do fit will do wonders for your self image, your spirit, and you will be thrilled to see a number that was unimaginable before your surgery decision. 2-3 looks should suffice, and be ready to repeat the process several times over. Congratulations, and enjoy the changes to come!!!

On October19th, 2015 the waist was a 52. A bit over 9 months later, it just dropped to a 38. I just had surgery on my hernia (Emergency, to address a blockage) and I had to ask the Doctors if they were using a different operating table - they were not. Why, in October of 2015 it looked like a bed slat. 2 weeks ago, it looked like a table that I could fit on!!!

"Feeling Better" !does not begin to cover the changes in the last 9 months: 1 - OFF of Metformin immediately after the surgery 2 - My knees don't sound like gravel when I get up from a chair 3 - I can sit in a Booth at a Restaurant 4 - I have lost 1 FOOT off my waistline. Think about what that means to my major organs and my back. 5 - Underwear is cheaper once you get to a 2X (4 per pack instead of 3) and smaller. I went from 3X to XL in 8 months 6 - My feet don't hurt when I walk more than 100 yards. 7 - My daughter says "I got my Dad back!" The list goes on and on, for all of us! This is the BEST decision I have made since I proposed to my wife. Congratulations on your New Life! Enjoy your new self.

Had a few, and a few to go: Achievements so far - Getting back to solid foods - Losing 100 pounds - NO Metformin !!!!!!! - Buying Pants from the Men's Store, not the Big Men's Store - Lost a 1/2 size ... in my SHOES !!??!! - Eating Salmon, and LIKING it - Breaking the 300 pound barrier (this is a BIGGIE) - Sitting in a booth at a Diner A few to go - Breaking 250 pounds - Navel Hernia repair surgery - Losing the rest of my meds (atorvostatin, losartan) - Losing the CPAP - Road Race Bicycle riding (after I break 250) - Getting ALL of my clothes from the Men's Store - Breaking 200 pounds

I would only purchase 2-3 pair of pants in a particular size (started at 52, now at 42) to save money. I found the shirts to be a bit more forgiving in terms of hanging on to the 5XL sizes (now gone) and the 4XL polo shirts in my stockpile. I need to buy a few 3XL shirts and be ready for the summer, when baggy is easier to get away with anyway. I was getting new pants every 4 weeks at first, but things have slowed down and now a size will go 2+ months. I am VERY happy to donate these lightly used pants with NO HOLES IN THE THIGH OR CROTCH AREA to Goodwill.

I've stayed with my CPAP since 30 days before my surgery. The advantages of REAL Restful sleep have far outweighed the look of the mask while I'm asleep in the first place. I went from 70+ interruptions per hour and being tired EVERY afternoon to 1.5 interruptions per hour and 7 hours of REAL SLEEP that allows me to be awake all day. I can now make a 200+ mile round trip without needing a relief driver. I am keeping mine in use for another 60 pounds lost (get under 240) and we will re-evaluate things. Being about 100 pounds lighter does help, for sure, but the benefits were INSTANT for me, so I have stuck with it. Talk to your Pulmonologist about different masks and fit options.

Rice - tried 2 spoons of it at the 6-week mark, and it felt like I had swallowed a quart of concrete!!

Chopped Fruit in a small food processor (I used frozen fruit) gave me something to chew and was easy to tolerate. Pacing yourself with these treats is a NECESSITY, so use a teaspoon. Also, check to see how much Protein you are taking in each day - it's THAT important. Red Pepper Hummus was also very helpful, and still is. Hang in there and keep going!

I have found that Protein and Fluids are FAR more important than the daily calorie count. I don't miss a 50 gram Protein shake ever! It got me through my stall and it helps a LOT with the hunger between meals (late afternoon for me). Make sure that your protein intake is good and then worry about the calories. Use a good quality Protein powder mix and enjoy your journey. I also focus on my relationship with food, rather than stressing over a calorie counter. Everything seems to revolve around my shake, my Vitamins, and my Water bottle. Better choices and a careful eye on my food diary are working for me, and they may for you as well.

First, Calm down PLEASE. It's been only 2 weeks, and you are still healing internally (it takes 6-8 weeks to fully heal from the surgery). Right now it's real work just to drink enough Protein each day and get your daily Vitamins and supplements in (Not doing so will cause REAL health problems, so be vigilant) Second, the hormone that was removed was NOT Human Growth Hormone, but Ghrelin, which governs your feelings of hunger. You will now age FAR more gracefully since your body will not be working overtime to carry extra weight going forward - your knees and hips are writing you a Thank You note right now! Third, Gastric Sleeve removes Excess stomach but keeps your digestive tract in place and fully functioning. A Bypass would have reshaped your stomach and reroutes a piece of your small intestines. Your internet research got it backwards. Fourth, as far as I have been able to determine, Sleeve surgery will NOT prevent you from having children. Just make sure that your GYN and your General Doctor are aware of your surgery before you try to have kids. Fifth, your weight loss will be quick, yes, but not instant. Let your body heal, and your mind adjust to your new stomach. Don't lose your mind when you finally get to solid foods and you suddenly find that there are foods that you just don't like anymore or can't tolerate (Rice, Salami, and pizza in my case). My life isn't over, and I have discovered Salmon! Remember that so many people on this forum wish that they had acted sooner for one simple reason - The Surgery WORKS. You are to be admired for your courage and decisiveness to reclaim your health BEFORE serious issues (that could have prevented a future pregnancy, for sure) became a part of your daily routine. Look for a Support Group in your area and talk to your Surgeon and Nutritionist. Again I say BRAVO to you for reclaiming your health and making the rest of your life a LOT better than it looked a few weeks ago!!!!

First, it takes about 6-8 weeks for your stomach to heal from the surgery. In the first 2 weeks, I couldn't swallow any liquids faster than 6 oz per hour. 2 weeks later, I could actually drink 1 Protein shake in 30 minutes (8 oz). I'm just advising you to be patient - this is a chance to re-learn how to eat, so embrace it. Second, In my experience, the fullness comes on MUCH quicker than it did pre-surgery. Chewing slowly will allow you to get the message before the concrete feeling arrives. The feeling that many of us call concrete is what happens to me when I either eat too much, or I try something that I can no longer tolerate (rice, for example). In the next few weeks, you will begin to try old and new things. When you do, patience and VERY small amounts are the order of the day (I'm 7 months post-op, and it's still the case for me). Learning requires patience and determination, and I am sure that you have both!!

With my wife, I've approached it from the health side. Getting rid of Diabetic medications and the long-term problems (nerve pain, skin issues, mobility compromises, possible losses) seems to motivate her far more than getting to a size whatever. My energy level so much higher that now things have actually flipped. I'm now the one offering to walk the extra block to get the car and bring it to her. She is complaining from time to time about sore joints, and I am getting the clean reports from the doctor. Her diabetic condition is absolutely weight related, and seeing me lose the Metformin immediately after surgery was an eye opener for her. Talking about the better health and only about that has been most effective so far. She has an initial consultation appointment later this month. I will stay encouraging and prayerful concerning her journey.

Snacks for me are usually chopped fruit or the small packs of celery and carrots from the local grocery stores, just go easy on the dip that they usually include.

As others have stated, it's usually out of fear or envy that you will hear these comments. Now that health care is more available (NOT a political statement, just a fact), it's not as often a matter of insurance. There is also the possibility that you can run into a zealot for another weight loss program. A person who has had success with another method will naturally be its biggest cheerleader. If they have not had success AND they have a weight issue, then it's fear or jealousy 99% of the time. If they have never had a true weight loss need, just ignore them completely. They have no frame of reference and no sense of what a challenge this can be. Be VERY PROUD of your commitment to yourself and to improving your health.

Congratulations and God Bless you. Keep your focus on the long term benefits, not just how you may feel in the next 1 to 10 days.

My sentiments and experiences exactly! I have an Occasional scooped out bagel with Turkey bacon as a breakfast and lunch. Rice is like concrete, and pasta has been only twice since my surgery. I am working on a healthy relationship with food, rather than becoming a calorie count fanatic, just my choice.

Definitely, you should WAIT!! The surgery will DRAMATICALLY change your body over the first 12-18 months. Patients often require additional surgeries for removal of skin and/or a lift/tuck. Wait until your new body arrives before adding some ink - you don't want to get a beautiful piece and have your body changes turnit into a red/purple/yellow blob that will need correction or removal later.

Stage 1 & 2 are the toughest to get through. I remember telling my NUT that I missed chewing so much that it was making me crazy. Getting to real foods, even in small amounts, is a BIG relief. Hang in there and know that it will work out for the better (and lighter) very soon.

Since I wasn't taking anything in, I wasn't pressing to get anything out. It took about 3-4 days, as I recall. Check with your surgeon in the next few days - just to be sure.

I would add that you probably need to go back to a Protein shake with 50 grams of protein (2 portions and 12 oz. of liquid) every day. Skipping the shakes caused my weight loss to slow dramatically, so now they are mandatory for me. Dig out your Post-Surgery food guide and Get To It