JW3

Every Friday AM at the gym.

Congrats, you look great!

I am working out 5 dyas a week and having the same experience of being hungry all the time. My Doc said is was normal. Cubbies76 is right on the money about the protien and Water, it really helps. Congrats on the weight loss.

3 months out size 50 to a 42. XXL to XL.

Congrats! macman is right on, follow your Doc's and NUT's advice. Take it easy until the Doc clears you to exercise, don't want to blow an incision. You will feel stronger in a couple of weeks. Pretty soon you'll be a gym rat like the rest of us. BTW, I am 3 months out and absolutely no regrets!

It took 7 months from the time I went to the first seminar to my surgery date. It could have taken less time but my work schedule did not permit me to go any faster. I only went to one class and one support group meeting, the rest of the hoops were testing and getting various MD clearances. My insurance company approved on the first submital (it took about 3 weeks for them to approve the surgery). I know some insurance companies want you to be one a medically supervised weight loss preogam for 6 - 12 months before they will approve surgery. Your surgeon's office should be able to tell you the hoops you'll have go through for your whatever insurance you have. To be honest I needed the time to get my head around the surgery and to commit to the life style change. I am so glad I did. Good Luck

I had a friend get a lap band and he had lost a 100 lbs. I spent about an hour talking to him about it. I went home and asked my wife what she thought. Right away she told me she would support my decsion if I wanted to go ahead with the surgery. Duenoing the workups to the sugery she found people that we knew that had the surgery and hooked me up with them so I cold ask questions. Based on my discusion with those people and my surgeon, Dr Shadle (Sacramento, CA) I had thevertical sleeve sugery. So my experience is completely the opposite of what you are ging through. However, hind sight being 20/20 don't let anyone get in your way. I am 3 months post op and have lost 75 lbs, I don't take blood pressure medicine anymore, my jpoints don't hurt and I feel great. Find a good surgeon to help you decide which proceedurte is right for you and go for it! It is your life and your decision to make. Good luck

I had surgery in November started lifting (light weights) two weeks after surgery. My don't have loose skin on my arms but I do on my chest and thighs. I started lifting heavier weights/less reps on my legs. I am reluctant to go too heavy on my chest because of a blown shoulder.

My Doctor is Dr Ben Shadle of Sacramento BMI. He is fantastic. He is very caring and has a great beside manner. I had zero complications from the surgery. His entire staff exhibits the same caring and supportive attitude. I was in the hospital 24 hrs after surgery. During that time all the key members of his staff visited me in the hospital. I strongly recommend him. Here is a news article on Dr Shadle: Benjamin Shadle, M.D., FACS, has been appointed Medical Director for Bariatric Services at Sutter Roseville Medical Center. As a bariatric surgeon, Dr. Shadle’s professional interests and areas of research include advanced laparoscopy/bariatric surgery with a special interest in the treatment of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Shadle received his medical degree from Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. He completed his residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA, and is fellowship trained in Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, in Fresno, CA. In addition he is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. As medical director for bariatric services, Dr. Shadle will lead the bariatric care team at Sutter Roseville Medical Center in continuing to develop and implement practices to ensure surgical excellence, outstanding outcomes and compassionate patient care. Dr. Shadle also will actively emphasize patient and physician education about the disease of obesity in the community.

I have the Fitbit Zip and I wear it every day. Like others have already stated it really keeps me on point to keep up my activity levels. It is small and unobtrusive. I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate it is.

Hi Alex, I am three months out and have been taking the following multivitmains and minerals since I was two weeks prior to surgery: Celebrate Chewable Multivitamin (2x a day) Celebrate Iron + C (1x day) Celebrate B-12 sublingual (3x week) Celebrate Chromega (Omega 3) (1x day) Addtionaly, I drink an 8oz bottle of Joint juice to get some Glucosomine & chondroitin.

I lost 30 lbs on the two week pre-op diet.

do you have a private room or a semi-private room?

My Doc had me walking 2 miles a day after the about 5 days post op. I was cleared for light weights around the 4 week mark. I am 3 months post op and I am working out 6 days a week. So far I have not experience any pain. If your persists I'd let your Doc know. I read on one of the posts a guy got a hernia from reaching for a wrench. I did have a sharp pain about 2 weeks after surgery when I lifted a few 5 gal Water buckets while taking care of some horses. The Doc checked me out a 2 weeks later on my scheduled follow up and didn't find any damage. Good luck

Initially (prioir to the surgery) I told only my boss and the few people I knew that had Biatric surgery. I am three months post op and I still only tell people I am comfortable with. I am pretty private about everything so this normal for me. I'd say do what is comfortable for you, you don't have to say s*%t if you don't want to.

Celebrate multi-vitamins (ordered on line and have it set up for auto reorder) & Kirkland Signature™ Sugar-Free Calcium Chews from Costco.

Right after my surgery I got a FITBIT wireless activity tracker to help me monitor the distances I walked each day. My Doc wanted me to get in 3 miles a day. The FITBIT also has a weight and fluind intake tracker. FITBIT has an I phone app that is very helpful. I felt like I was pretty obsessive about monitoring my distances, fluid intake and weight. I don't feel like I am obsessive any more, the monitoring has become routine. Up until last week I was in the gym eveyday. Last week was very intense work week and I got a cold. I missed getting the gym five days in a row. This morning I went and it flet really good, even dropped two punds this week. I am 2 3/4 months post op and have lost 77 lbs (including 25 lbs durning the 2 week pre-op diet). The weight loss each week is my biggest motivator. I only weigh myself once a week (Fridays). Weighing myself one day or every two days during previous diet effort proved to be counter productive if I gained any. The FITBIT app allows you to input calories but I don't. My diet is still limited and I try to avoid carbs and sugar as much as possible. I only input activity, fluid intake and weight. That seems to work for me. I think it is important to monitor/record your activity, diet and weight in manner that works for you. Good luck and keep us post on your progress.

You look great. Truly inspirational.

I have been taking Celebrate Vitamins Coromega Orange for Omega 3 fatty acid supplement. It comes in individual foil pouches that you tear open and eat. Not to bad tasting and it's an easy way to get in the Omega 3 requirement. Here is the link: http://www.celebratevitamins.com/shop/other-supplements/omega-3/coromega-orange-90-pack.html BTW i get my vitamins direcly through the Celebrate website instead of the doctors office. Much cheaper.

Hope things went well. Best of luck on the recovery.

OneManWolfpack, That video was awsome! LMFAO! It was a revalation when I looked down and could see my d**k again. Very motivating!

During my 3 week post surgery meeting with my surgeon we dicussed coffee. He tolded me it was okay to have a cup of coffee with half & half. I eased into it (starting with a half of a cup). I haven't had any problems with the coffee. But check with you surgeon to be sure it is okay for you.

Congratulations! That is truely inspirational!

I started my vitamins (Celebrate Multi-Complete chewable vitamin) the second day home from surgery.

I had my surgery two days ago (11/26/13). I was in the hospital 24 hours after my surgery. Not hungery at all, forcing the liquids to prevent dehydration. Did not miss the Turkey and trimmings today. Insurance deductable was a big driver that and wanting to get started.