BryBro63

Eli, CJSleeve...invites to MyFitnessPal sent!

I had mine done on a Friday, went to a friend's wedding on a Saturday and did some dancing...not a good idea! My savior was indeed the tighty whiteys for a week...after that, I was good. I was up for doin' the nasty after a week, but was told not to do anything unprotected for two weeks or when I gave the doc a specimen to assure there were no more tadpoles hanging around. Good luck, enjoy the freedom, and remember...sex is considered good cardio if you make it last long!!

I never have a problem telling anyone...most people who ask are more curious than anything else, and they start asking questions as if they are interested in getting the surgery themselves. I cringe when someone mentions the word 'cheating'...first, I didn't realize this was a competition, and second, I think the only thing I've cheated is I've cheated DEATH!! As far as restaurants, they are usually relieved when I tell them the truth, and then they always offer to pack up what I don't/can't finish.

No, definitely not. As your sleeve heals, it feels much better to eat, and as you get used to it as well as start transitioning to different foods, you'll feel much more comfortable until the point that you feel 'normal' again. Just keep in mind that it will take a little time, and you will need to learn your body and learning your limits will indeed come natural to you. Wishing you the very best success!!!!

Congrats!!! What a great feeling...like getting your life back!!! I stalled at 201...so close to onederland that I could smell it!!! When the scale finally went under 199, you'd thought I had won the lottery!!! My original goal weight was 175, but my primary doc thought that would make me appear too thin...I adjusted it to 180, and now I have my cushion weight range of 175 - 185. Now my issue is different...doing much more lifting than cardio, weight is going up very slowly, but waist is still going down...gaining muscle is what I'm hoping!!! Great work, guys....please keep it up!!!

Exactly, Eli...congrats to you on a really great start!!! Besides...you have much more pressing upcoming issues to be concerned about...like shopping for that new wardrobe!! LOL!!! I still don't have a suit that fits, since I had to give up my 46 portly suits!!!

Since you're not getting the same amount of fuel you were used to taking in pre-op, that could be the reason you're feeling dizzy...are you still trying to get in cardio to lose weight? If so, you need to find a happy medium and be sure to concentrate on getting in a very good amount of Proteins in. Since you need the liquids, your best bet would probably be some good Protein shakes. Best of luck, my man!! BTW...6 weeks post-op seems kind of early to be doing weights...did your surgeon OK this?

BryBro63 - Please feel free to add me!!!

Yup...gotta concur with Hoginona04...the gas part doesn't go away. I'm a year post-op, and can blow like a smelly smokestack all day long!! That being said...most of what you were going through was/is pretty common. You will get used to the new body and the new sleeve quickly...soon to the point of your getting so used to portions that you'll be able to measure by sight. As for vomiting and such, you'll learn your body and know your limit. Personally, I had only 4 episodes, and each of them were of my own doing. 1st was at the hospital when I drank too fast, 2nd was when first started solid food and got greedy, 3rd was when I was running my mouth at dinner and was not paying attention to how fast I was eating, and 4th was my first crack at eating out...all situations I learned from and never repeated.

Last year I was exactly where you are...this year my wife was very understanding, and she made a bunch of things which were all 'sleeve-friendly'...we watched the game as a family, and had a blast!! Here's hoping next year you will be where I am...best of success, my man!!!

Congrats!! Did a fab job!!!!

If you have a GNC close by, you can try the Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard...they're pretty good and have no Splenda. I had the same issue, because Splenda has an extreme diuretic effect on me, so I have to stay away from anything Splenda or Sucralose related.

I also have 2 Quest bars a day for the Protein...the chips I do like, but the Peanut Butter cups I'm not too crazy about. As far as the bars, there are so many flavors to choose from, you can't help but find something you definitely like! Wish you the best success!!!

Congrats!!! Time to get yourself ready....wish you the very best!!!

I have found the Hawaiian Punch Water enhancers to be very good, and they have a really good variety of flavors to choose from. If you have a Wal-Mart in your area, they sell them for about $1 per box, with 8 in each box...I keep very well-stocked, since I sometimes get tired of plain water. These really do help me get my liquids in for the day!!

Yes, the stall around this time is very common...some call it 'your body stabilizing'...keep doing your thing, and you'll definitely work through it and start losing again!!

Head Hunger is simply your desire for food when you're not really hungry...it tends to happen to us sleevers, because your head is thinking that you have a full-sized stomach, when your stomach is actually 80 percent smaller. This usually happens months after you've started with solid foods, and it's typically the main cause of grazing. The best way to fight this is to keep healthy, small Snacks around, that won't fill the sleeve up too much. Wish you the very best success!!!

My advice...or at least what I was advised - As far as Vitamins, I was told to stick with the chewables for life, since the solid pills may pass through your sleeve before being fully absorbed. I was using the Centrum chewables based on the recommendation of my surgeon...he said this one was the most complete. As far as calcium, I was told to stay away from any calcium carbonate, and find only the calcium citrate. The Bariatric Advantage chewables worked really well for me until I started using the Nascobal Nasal spray for my B12. This is a mail order Rx, and it comes with a multivitamin, Iron, and calcium - all chewable - and it's nice and convenient.

Truly the worst part is waiting for insurance approval!! I ended up calling and nagging them whenever I could until I finally heard from them...I couldn't just sit by the phone waiting!! Also my surgeon would give me a tentative date, but wouldn't schedule me for a solid surgery date until they received approval. Hope you get your good news very soon!!

Congrats!!!! Wonderful news!!!

The exact same thing happened to me, with my BP meds...once I started losing, I started feeling really dizzy, and I brought this up to my surgeon and my nutritionist, thinking I'm taking in too few calories or something. My nutritionist suggested I speak to my cardiologist, and he immediately knew what the issue was. My meds were reduced, because I was taking doses based on my weight. Once I adjusted my dosage, I felt so much better!!

Good idea!!! Borrow whenever and wherever you can!! As far as weight amount, I had lost about 30 lbs. or so when I started to pick up smaller size clothing. I also got talked about so badly by my wife, kids, and co-workers about my baggy clothes that I had no choice but to go shopping!

Actually, pretty much when your clothes start falling off of you, start getting new stuff...which is the fun part!! However, please don't make the same mistake that I did...I was so glad that I was buying smaller sizes that I ended buying too much stuff at my new size, and then lost some more, and then the new clothes were falling off of me!! Best bet is to not buy too much, and not buy too high quality until you're much closer to your goal weight...THEN start investing in a nice wardrobe!!!

First of all, welcome to the site!! I'm sure you'll find a great deal of helpful and useful information here, as well as meeting alot of great people!! To try to answer some of your questions...it's hard to say what will be out of pocket vs. what your plan will pay, since this is something that is on a plan-by-plan basis. I personally only had to come up with $300 out-of-pocket, nd the rest was covered by Aetna. As far as the start of the process until the actual surgery, it sounds like you've already covered alot of the prelim process (seeing the nutritionist for 6 months, etc.), and also teh USUAL requirements for the surgery is to have a BMI of 40 or higher, or have a BMI of at least 35 with at least one co-morbidity. Most of what you mentioned would be considered valid co-morbidities. The liquid diet is obviously harder prior to surgery than post surgery, but I've found that you're so anxious any excited about the surgery itself that the liquid diet thing becomes easier than you think! As far as bowel problems and vomiting, you just need to try your best to follow instructions carefully!! The sleeve tends to not give too many bowel issues, but for the vomiting, you just need to assure to eat SLOWLY!!! I only had 3 episodes, and every one of them was due to me eating too fast!!! You learn very quickly, and adjust very quickly!!! Hope my info helps...and I wish you much success!!!

I'll try to address all 3 of your issues - my opinion, of course! For Vitamins and calcium, I use the Centrum chewables (not too bad, comparatively speaking), and I use the Calcium chewables from Bariatric Choice...they have several different flavors to choose from. To get a good amount of Protein in, there are the Quest Bars which have about 18 - 21 grams of protein in each bar. They also make protein chips which have about the same amount of protein. They both have a large variety of flavors to choose from. The only way I get the fluids in is I carry a bottle with me everywhere I go at work and at home and just continually sip! Wish you the very best success!!!