ahanson82520

I was at 340. Now 195 so if my math is right roughly 43% of body weight. But by the way I look and feel it was 100% of my excess weight. ????

You guys are in for a great ride. It's so worth it!!

How'd things go for you guys on the 24th? Feeling good?

I love all the things you mentioned. And adding to it the wonderful journey we get to go on in trying new and exciting health foods... I've got to say that is my favorite part (oh and being able to tie my shoes and breath at the same time).

Welcome Eli and all the other new members. This is going to be the best thing that has happened to you. I really liked your attitude about "getting another chance" because that's what it is. If I can help with advice or discussion in anyway please reach out to me. You're not alone on this journey. Good luck. Andy H.

I was 44 and now 32. I am really happy with where I am now so I'd have to say 32 for me.

That's not entirely true... What are the things you're thinking you will never eat again? For me it's about healthy choices and moderation really. What are your concerns?

I had RNY and didn't do the sleeve, and I can tell you that #1 I would do it over in a heartbeat and #2 ABSOLUTELY no regrets!

It is interesting you have the issues with the Florida heat. I had issues with that too... now it is the opposite. My wife used to freeze in the summer and winter. I would keep the air conditioning cranked so high in the summer and in the winter the heater turned so low... and I used to sweat like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs all the time. Now, I never sweat and I look forward to the summer heat. And this winter, lots of fires and warm clothes... Enjoy the new you... you're worth it!

Mine was Cigna... and they were wonderful. I hope it all goes well for you! Good Luck.

I agree with Jonathan and everyone else.. You need a new pain management doctor. Additionally, he does not have the additional experience and training that your surgeon does in this area. Finally, RNY is the so called "gold standard" in wls... it didn't get that way because of skeletons and wheelchairs in my opinion. Take care and good luck! Andy H.

Like a lot of people here, I can not do anything high in fat, greasy or fried. It just doesn't work for my pouch.. often times he has a mind of his own. Also I can not tolerate any bread. I just get a sick feeling. Having said that, I do eat almost anything I want except white chicken meat and pork. They don't work either. I do eat a lot of sushi, turkey, homemade turkey chili, hard boiled eggs, kale and other greens. Also, Oscar Meyer makes a Protein pack with nuts, a cold meat and a few pieces of cheese that, when you're in a rush will do in a pinch. I get them at Safeway. When my wife and I go out to eat, we will decide on what we are having and then order one plate and split it. It is funny, they always bring the dish to me, and they put the extra plate down in front of my wife. We just look at each other, swap plates and I take a bit of hers and I am good. It is about portion control and choice in my opinion. I guess for me it was a matter of finding things that #1 I liked, and #2 my pouch liked and #3 were healthy. It isn't often that we get a second chance so I try my best to make sure what I eat is healthy and good for me. Good luck to you. Andy H.

I don't eat it if it doesn't help me... Such as a Protein or Fiber... You get the idea. But I'd ditch the Pasta. Carbs you don't need anyway. That's just my opinion. By the way.. Keep up the good work. When I have a stall, just keep doing what you know you need to do. They will clear.

Hello and Welcome!!! If you stick with it and put your mind and soul into your new lifestyle IT WILL WORK FOR YOU! I have lost 140lbs so far and my one year anniversary is 11/5/13!! If you have any questions or thoughts or problems let me know, I would love to give you my insight based on my experiences... Andy H.

Hey how are you feeling? I had mine on 11/5/12. Any help I can give I'm an open book!

Carlos Rossi Sangria is the best... I am 9 months post and no problems with it.

Walk, walk and walk some more..

I am 41, had RNY when I was 40.. heaviest was 334 at time of surgery and I am down to 205 today. I could not be happier with my choice. Good luck.

Oh no.. I'm sorry. I hope your experience will be come like mine. I love my new diet and the weight loss. I know it's touch and go but you can get through this. YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS!! The health benefits are tremendous for all of us!! It's not easy but it can be done. I always say that if I can do it... Anybody can do it. Hang in their kiddo!! It'll get better!

I have put off for a long time posting about my GB experience. But I had my 10 week post op appointment today and thought I would post about my journey to this point. My hope is that this will be inspiring to those of you who may be considering this procedure or those of your who may have just had it done and find that your are struggling with some aspect. I started off last July at my heaviest... 334lbs. I am only 6'1" and my BMI was nearly 45. I should mention that I am 40 years old. I began with the dietician and lost all the way down to 316lbs the day of surgery. My surgery was on November 5, 2012. As of today, I am down to 246lbs. The most amazing part in this whole process is getting to shop for new clothes. Now I am a guy, and I have never EVER been into shopping for clothes. That has changed. I find it exciting that I used to wear a size 42-44 pants and 3XL shirts and now I wear 34-36 pants and XL and some L size shirts. But that isn't the best part.... the best part is I am off of ALL my meds. I don't take any blood pressure meds, not more diabetes meds, not more thyroid meds and because I don't have massive headaches constantly I don't take any more pain meds. My energy levels are through the roof and really feel great. The process after the surgery was really the hard part. I started out thinking that it would be easy. I had read all of the literature. I had watched all the videos and most importantly I had lurked around the forums to see what I could see and learn what I could learn. I felt prepared. I have learned that I can read all about people sipping Water all day, I can imagine what that will be like, but in reality, I found that early on - it was a struggle. But as I sit here today, drinking my decaf iced tea... it isn't such a big deal. I figured out what works for me and I made it happen. The same goes with my eating. I found the foods that work for me. And I found out the ways that I can eat them without ticking off my pouch. Did I just say "ticking off my pouch"? You bet I did. That is the other part I had to learn. Often times it seemed like early on, my pouch had a mind all of it's own. One day it would be ok with a food, the next time I had it, the pouch will have decided that it wasn't a fan of the particular food and it would complain. Nothing too drastic, but I got the message. Where I am going with this is pretty simple. It is tough. It isn't easy. But if each and everyone of us who decides that this is the route we want to take to get our lives back, can be a little more prepared for the ups and the downs, then I have been successful in sharing with you. It is important to remember that we all will have good days and we will have bad days. In my short 10 week experience, the good days are becoming great days and I can't remember the last bad day I had. For most of us I suspect that life after GB surgery, goes on and things will become easier and easier with each day that passes. And that is the part to remember. We have all suffered through the nausea and all the other issues that we have had to put up with, but remember, we made this decision and in my case, I made the decisions that led me to be overweight in the first place. I want to wrap up with you by sharing my thoughts on how I have managed to cope with missing my good friend - FOOD! I quickly learned that for me - food was an addiction. Just like an addiciton that one may have to Cocaine or perhaps even cigarettes. Once I realized that my biggest problem was an addiction, I began to "treat" myself like an addict. Food became something that I did for survival and for nourishment whereas before - food was something I did for sport. I can no longer ever go back to "sport eating" again. I have worked too hard to get the weight off and I will keep the weight off. I refuse to be one of the twenty percent of us that put the weight back on in the next ten years. So I have spent a lot of time rambling- and if you are still reading at this point then good for you. I appreciate you taking the time out to let me tell the story and share with you. If you are reading this and having issues or questions about your own weight loss, give me a shout. I don't know all the answers and lets face it - I only have 10 weeks experience at this. But hey - were all in this together aren't we? I have attached a couple of pictures... the first one is taken of me and my son when he left for college in August of last year. The second was taken a few weeks ago when I was at 260lbs. I haven't taken any since. But I will soon. Take care, Andy H.