BryBro63

Well, he seems to be bigger...I guess because there isn't so much surrounding fat. Also, he's performing better, and the wife says she certainly notices a difference in a good way...all positives as far as I'm concerned, so I'm gonna run with that and enjoy it!!!

After much waiting...and much heat from my sleever homies...I'm posting my before and after pics!!! I hit my goal weight back in August, and haven't had any significant gain whatsoever...swearing that I'm never going back to 'Heavy B' again!!

Please definitely stay in touch...I know you'll do great!!! Any questions, concerns, or anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask!!!

Unsure if you're welcoming the male perspective, but I topped out at 316 when I first started, and from the time I started seeing my nutritionist until now, I lost 136 lbs. Actually I could have gone even lower, but chose not to...I got to a comfortable weight that I and my primary doctor thought was healthy, then I started doing a little weight training just to gain a little muscle. I had my first appointment with the surgeon/nutritionist in September of 2013, had my surgery in January of 2014, and reached my goal weight in August 2014. Hope this helps....wish you the best success!!! Please keep us posted on what you decide and how you're doing!!

Thanks Bluesea71 for starting this post!! I personally like to visit the site frequently to get different perspectives on different aspects from different people at different stages...I think it helps us all when we see and hear so many different ways of trying to achieve the same goal. As for me, because I was one who had so many different questions and concerns from the very beginning of my journey, I enjoy sharing my experience and answering any questions that I possibly can...I guess I feel like it's my way of paying it forward!!!

I think the thing that scared me into behaving was the fact that I knew my HMO could turn me down if they heard anything about me gaining pre-surgery...that as well as I kept trying to think that THAT way of thinking is what got me in the situation in the first place. But to be honest...if it means anything...diet-wise, the pre-surgery diet is the hardest, because you're expected to eat such a small amount when you still have a regular stomach!! I tried to concentrate more on the surgery itself and preparing of it than anything else...that sorta helped me! Wishing you much success!!!

Thanks...feeling like I got my life back again!!

You can definitely do this, JohnL!! If I can do this, I know you can do this!!! You're already doing great, my man!!!

I'm hooked...currently on a streak of 402 days!! Hope I didn't jinx myself!! On the serious note, I update daily, to keep myself honest. I'm 14 months post-op, and swear that I don't want to go backwards and back to my old self. Documenting any intake keeps me aware and accountable.

Congrats on reaching your goal!!!!

Congrats!!!! Wonderful work!!!! Please keep it up!!!

I can usually handle scrambled eggs whites, a slice of turkey bacon, and a single pancake with light syrup...this is usually just enough for a decent breakfast, without filling me up!

I had a similar issue...as I was losing, I started getting slight dizzy spells. Went to my primary, and she wanted to order more tests...while waiting for the tests, I had an appointments already set with my surgeon, my nutritionist, and my Cardiologist (in that order). Told the surgeon, and he was concerned and wanted to see the test results. Told the nutritionist, and she instantly thought it was the dosage of the blood pressure meds, since it's based on your weight...saw the Cardiologist, he adjusted my med dosage, and I had no issues since then!! Hope the info helps, and I wish you the best success!!

What Up, gresau1? I had the sleeve done 1/27/2014, and reached goal on 8/20/2014...right now I'm in maintenance mode, trying to gain some more muscle now that I've lost most of my fat...please reach out to me if you have any questions or issues, since I'll be more than happy to share the experience. I had many, many questions along the way, and I'm more than willing to share any info I've gained!!!

Thanks so much for the love, All!!! Still feeling great!!! Can't wait until the weather warms up and I can do more outdoors!!! Only problem is I still need a new wardrobe...hoping this is the fun part!!!! Wishing everyone much success!!!!

I think the only other thing that upsets me more than hearing that bariatric surgery is 'the easy way out', is when I hear someone refer to weight loss surgery as 'cheating'!!! I agree with all the other posts written here, and I've pretty much come to the conclusion that those who feel this way and voice the foolishness of 'ease' and 'cheating' simply are those who simply are showing their ignorance, since they have never gone through the experience or have lived the life of someone who has made this life saving/life changing decision and has in most cases come out the better for it!!!

That's truly great!!! I would wish you much success, but it really looks like you're already there!!! So I'm wishing you even greater success!!! Seems you really have your hear right, and that's truly the biggest of your battles!!!

Thanks much, Everyone!!! Since taking that AFTER pic, I have lost an inch in the waist, yet gained 3.7 pounds...I'm hoping that means a gained a little muscle!!! Trying hard!!!

You must remember that since your surgery was very recent, you have to account for swelling...after awhile and things are fully healed, you will be able to take in a little more volume. Things will indeed become much easier once all your 'internals' have fully healed and you have adjusted both physically and mentally to your new body. Wish you all the best success!!!

One thing I'm starting to notice is my weight is starting to VERY SLOWLY go UP...seeing a slight difference on the scale nowadays. On the one hand, I'm eating a little more with the full direction of my nutritionist as well as advice through research saying that in order to gain muscle, you need to feed muscle. On the other hand, of course after doing so much with the weight loss thing, the last thing in the world I want to do is gain it back, so of course the neurotic side of me is ready to panic anytime the scale goes up!!! I think what is helping me try to keep my sanity is the fact that my clothes still fit well, and I don't see any increase in waist size. I also suppose it's true that muscle weighs more than fat...right???

Actually this is a very inspiring story that I truly do hope has a happy ending!! You've taken the step toward freedom from your addiction, and by getting the sleeve, I'm hoping that a permanent procedure will have permanent positive results!! Wishing you the very best success, and even greater health benefits!!!

As for me - I no longer have the arthritis pains in my knees I no longer have issues with cholesterol I no longer have issues with blood pressure I no longer have issues with sleep apnea I no longer have issues with diabetes I no longer have issues with working out (much more enjoyable now!) Although I have added additional Vitamins, my medicines have been reduced from 8 pills a day down to 3, with the 3 pills I take having nothing to do with weight (allergies, etc.) This is just the health benefits I have realized...there are of course so many other benefits I am enjoying as well!!!

Hey Rogofulm!! Actually it was a little tricky, but I slowly found a happy medium...along with my workouts which of course I plan to keep up with as a lifestyle change, I added about 150 - 200 Protein calories a day to my diet, and checked my weight on a weekly basis. Be sure to give yourself a 5lb cushion around your goal weight, because it may fluctuate based on Water intake and muscle development. Within a few weeks, I pushed my personal target calorie rate to about 1850 a day, but I almost never come within 100 calories of it...at this rate, I'm staying pretty even, and feeling pretty good, even though I'm pushing myself at the gym. Also as I was told by my nutritionist, try to even out the cardio with the weights...too much cardio will burn off any fuel you want to use for muscle gain...if you're going that route. Hope I helped!!! And congrats to you as well, my man!!!

I was in the same boat...had Aetna, with pretty much the same symptoms as you. I got approved, but unfortunately Aetna seems to drag their feet as far as the decision process. What made me feel better was I usually called them every 2 -3 days to get a status in their decision. At least then they know that you are waiting, and you know that someone is looking at your paperwork!!! Wish you the best success, and a quick decision!!!

Okay Rogofulm...because of you, I did indeed post my before and after pics...see Finally got the nerve...Before and After Pics under this same Success Stories forum...and thanks!!! Your words are truly much appreciated!!!