truck8595

Hey Benny, From one big burly fella to another, hi-five!! I can tell you that this was a decision I had to make judiciously as well. When my wife and I did the research and discussed WLS with my primary doctor as a viable option back in July, I kept it to just the three of us. There were two reasons for this: 1.) I wanted to leave myself an "out" if I ever needed to hit the eject button on the process, then I wouldn't owe anyone any explanations (not that I really would anyway)... and 2.) I'm fortunate to lead a pretty awesome social life and have many circles fo friends through the band I play in, an adult wiffle ball league that I founded, and a karate school that I'm a student with. I did not want to subject myself to the mountain of annoying but well-intentioned advice, recommendations, and judgments of others. As time passed and more hoops were jumped through, I became more comfortable with the decision and the process, enough to let a select few people in on "the big secret". People who sort of needed to know, really. My boss, my parents, my kids, and my very closest friends. Finally, after my initial surgeon's appoinement about 2 weeks ago, it all became pretty real, and with an insurance approval and subsequent surgery date almost imminent, it was time for me to peel back the proverbial curtain on this whole thing. And you know what? I have no regrets. Yes, I have a few friends that are baffled why I am going this route (coincidentally, all of them are in-shape gym rats who probably haven't been on this side of the fatty fence a day in their lives), but there were just as many who confided in me that they too have had WLS, and I never even knew! By and large, though, I've gotten so much love and support from everybody, that I knew I made the right call making it public. It's nice to have a big cheering section when going thru something like this, so I feel very very fortunate.

I've only tried one kind and fortunately I really like it: EAS whey Protien. chocolate. It was on a list of recommended Protein shakes my surgeon gave me and is available at Target (well, it was at my Target in MN anyway). Hope you find one you're happy with!

Thanks Jewel! I am using the EAS whey Protien powder. You can find it at Target. I mix it with 12oz of Water and blend it in my NutriBullet (those things rock, by the way, if you don't own one you should consider it). It whips it up a little bit and makes it lighter and air-ier... like a shake! And I do enjoy the taste of it as-is, I know most don't but I'm fortunate where it doesn't gross me out at all.

DC-- nice, man! Way to crush it! Hope all continues to go well for ya!

Nope-- this is just straight willpower. It's somehow easier to do when the surgeon says "DO THIS." And getting a little taste of some early success is certainly helping me to keep my eyes on the prize! That said, I have had phentermine before... maybe 2 years ago? It did work wonders alongside eating better and hitting the gym. After 6 months, my PCP wouldn't refill them, and that was fine, because I'd sort of developed a tolerance to them anyway and they weren't working like they used to.

Thanks for your feedback, all! I wonder if once I get my approval and surgery date set, they'll move me to an all-liquid diet? Guessing at least a few days before the big day, it would be anyway, just to "clear the roadway", so to speak... Either way, I'm beyond pumped up for this. Can't wait to reinvent myself!

Hi all, new here! As someone still going through the "pre" process (just waiting for my insurance approval & surgery date), I can add a couple thoughts on the psych eval. I am someone who likes his alcohol. A lot. Not being able to drink when or as much as I want to going forward, well, that's going to be rough. Maybe I disclosed my love of rum 'n cokes a bit too much during my psych visits, but it triggered a concern with them that I have a higher likelihood to hit the bottle harder while coping with not being able to eat like I used to. "Addiction Transfer" I believe it's called. I was really scared this was going to set me back as far as them wanting to see me jump through more hoops, etc, but luckily for me, they just told me that I will need to see the psych a couple times post-surgery to see how I am dealing and making sure I'm not boozin' (I don't intend to, this is too big a deal). That all said, I am so glad such a community exists, and I look forward to becoming a successful sleever. Keep up the good work everyone, and keep being the inspirations that you are! ~Truck