BryBro63

I have had mine since surgery, and love using it. It keeps me motivated to hit my 10k steps a day, keeps me drinking my 64oz. of water a day, and it links very nicely to MyFitnessPal, transferring all my data from one app to the other. I certainly recommend it!

Two of my favorite late-night Snacks - 3 Hot dogs slathered in salt and mayonnaise...REAL mayonnaise! When I was 'dieting', I switched to having 4 icing-covered honey-buns, and washed it down with a 2-liter bottle of diet soda - the diet soda was supposed to cancel out the 2400 calories from the 4 honey-buns!! It's a miracle I survived long enough to even have the surgery!

I tried quite a few, and I would recommend the Jif Natural...that one spreads well and tastes great by itself, in a sandwich, on veggies, and on the reduced fat crackers. Wish you the best!

I stayed overnight...that was all I needed and that was all I could stand!! Not because of pain, because that was very well controlled. Not because of the hospital, because the hospital and staff all were absolutely great!! It was because I had a very bad, noisy whining and complaining roommate!! Now sure what he was in for, but man did this guy complain, and he seemed to have a big issue with me using the bathroom...I think he thought it was his and not ours to share!! But anyway, I digress...most people I know and spoke to pretty much had an overnight stay and that's about it.

Weight watchers makes a very easy and affordable scale that measures weight, BMI, BMR, as well as other things, and it's very accurate. Not sure where you're located, but if there is a Wal-Mart or Bj's near you, they have the best prices. Wishing you the best success!!!

Thanks much for the advice!!! I've been doing alot of the resistance training for the last month or so, with increased weight as I go along. Things are getting easier, so I've been adding more weight...I'm hoping that's a sign of progress!!!

I know this is a really old conversation, but I'm hoping to get some more insight on this...I've reached goal weight, but now I've lost (in my opinion) too much muscle, and I want it back!! I think I may have waited too late to hit the weights, since I was so much into the cardio and burning off the fat than anything else, but I'm figuring it's never too late to get started!!! Now my full concentration is gaining muscle, but I keep reading that this cannot be done unless I have sufficient calorie intake...kinda hard with a stomach about the size of a banana!! Anyone have any insights or suggestions on this??? If so, would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Doing good, feeling good...yourself??

That was my biggest fear as well...I think it's secretly everyone's fear when they 'go under'. The thought I hung onto was the fact that the procedure of being under for surgery has come so very far that in recent years, the rate of anything happening to anyone has gone so far down that the risk far, far outweighs the benefits of the surgery. I think you'll do great, especially since you already have your wife as your teammate for the journey!! Wish you both the best!!

I have Aetna, and these (all mentioned in the answers above) are all the technical requirements for Aetna to approve the surgery. However as far as calling in for appointments and not having questions answered...not good!! It would certainly be in your best interest to get all the information you can, get every question and concern answered, and take full advantage of all the requirements and appointments. In my case, the nutritionist, the surgeon, my PCP...I went to each one of them with my written list of questions and concerns, and they all were very cooperative in answering everything for me. To this day when I go for my follow-up visits, I still go with my question list, to the point where I'm now known for being the one with all the questions! They seem to like this, since it's shows that I'm fully engaged and invested in the whole idea of weight loss and better health. I wish you the very best, and much success in your journey!!

Typically they would reschedule a surgery only if you have a fever...it's usually the anesthesiologist's call. Hopefully they will go ahead with everything, but the caution would be for your benefit. I wish you the best with everything!!

Does that include protein bars as well???? LOL!!!!

I guess we are all different, but in my case, my hunger is usually in proportion to my exercise. The harder I work out, the hungrier I am...but the great thing is that hunger is satisfied so much quicker with the sleeve! No over-eating!!

Hey Guys, not sure how popular this is but wanted to ask around... My highest weight was 316, I had the sleeve done on 1/27/2014 at 269, and on 8/20/2014 I hit my goal weight of 176. During the process, I lost a good bit of muscle while losing all the fat!! Still got a little bit of the moobs, but that's another issue...anyway, I sort of expected to lose a little muscle, since I found out through research that this can happen during the rapid weight loss process. Now I want to get back the muscle I lost, as well as maybe gain a bit more muscle mass, since I'm in much better shape now. Trying to do less cardio and more weight training. Anyone else in this situation? If so, any tips or suggestions on how to get the muscle, the mass, and definition back? Not liking the slim arms and legs (and neither is the wife!!!) Thanks! BryBro63

I cannot drink the Isopure, although I love the taste of them! My issue isn't so much the Isopure per se, but it's because it's made with sucralose (Splenda), and my body cannot handle the sweetener...it goes right through me, and it usually takes about 30 minutes. Could this be your issue?

I do take a look at the scale, but my clothes are my best 'measure of success' (no pun intended!!). I tried not to buy alot of clothes until I hit goal weight, and now I'm trying to get comfortable with it, hoping that I don't gain, or lose!!

I reached my goal weight back in August, yet I still find myself weighing in every day. I've been trying my best to resist the temptation, since I've become so accustomed to checking my progress!! Now I'm more in the mindset of trying my best NOT to lose anymore weight, and possibly gain muscle now, so maybe my obsession to is see myself gaining rather than losing?? What a very strange and different concept for me!!

Hi Algae, Was looking for your entry in this thread, and responded above...wishing you the best!

I just saw my surgeon, and I got my blood test results back...apparently the Nascobal must be doing its job, because my Vitamin B12 levels are great according to the results, his assistant, and according to his findings. So with that, I think I'll continue with the weekly 'nasal snorts' as long as my insurance will continue coverage. Also it IS pretty convenient to have the Multivitamins, Calcium, and Iron pills delivered all in one package every month. One less thing to have to remember all the time. Is there anyone else still using Nascobal, or thinking about trying it?

Not sure if you're looking for someone who's going through the same thing with you at the same stage, but if you're looking for advice from someone who has gone through the process, I am more than willing to answer any questions and give any advice that I possibly can! For starters, just a few quick words of advice - Take everything slowly...very slowly. Things will certainly happen in their own time. When I say everything slowly, this goes for how you drink, how you eat, how you expect results, and everything else. You'll be in great shape before you know it! Develop a great relationship with your nutritionist - he or she will have alot of great information and ideas for you as you go through this journey! Please remember that no question is too foolish to ask...this is all new, so there may be many things you won't understand at first, but will be great stepping stones for you as you go through the process. Take pictures of your 'before' you...you'll be amazed at the transformation!! Keep a good log of your weight progress...it may not be an even steady process, but if you do your part, the results will be gratifyingly amazing!! Take your Vitamins...they'll definitely make you feel better! Drink, drink, and drink some more...it's one of the most important elements of the process!! Try and get in exercise as soon as you're able to...whether it's walking, going to the gym ,or whatever you like to do. Not only will you feel so much better, you'll lose even more. You'll find that this is a really great group...many people with many different ways to help you as well as each other! I wish you the very best success in your journey!!!

Wow, great pics...looking really amazing!!

That's wonderful!!! Keep up the great work!!!

Auntjanny, What I did, and it seems to work, is use the percentage of 40 Protein, 40 carbs, and 20 fat. If you exercise on a regular basis, this should give you enough protein to build and enough carbs to burn. This was a suggestion from my doc and my nutritionist....hope this helps!! Wish you the best!! Btw, I am BryBro63 on MyFitnessPal if anyone wants to add me...email is BryBro@optonline.net

Congrats!!! Looking good!!!

BryBro63 - need more friends!