TexasBear in OZ

That's awesome. I can see the smile and joy in your face with the new you as it's revealed! I think it's positive reinforcement to capture the before... And subsequent many many happy after pictures as we progress along our weight loss journey.

I bet that was indeed an awesome feeling! Hearty Cngrats!

Congrats mate. That is some serious poundage lost! My surgery is in 4 days (Tue 8 Apr) and reading a success story from a fellow bloke is so encouraging. (Not that the ladies stories aren't encouraging either :-)... The male metabolism is wired differently than the lady folk ( that's what my nutritionist tells me :-)) I started at 363 and have lost 31 in my 5 week prep period; with my goal to get to 215-225 within 12 months. Looking forward to my old college weight and energy return from almost 30 years ago (am currently 52, and have had it with my lack of will power and perseverance to take care of myself. I am great at managing other people :-), am crappy at my personal health. This surgery is my overdue wake up call to reboot my life and give me some we'll deserved "me time" for the next 30-40 years! Again. Very happy for your success mate! One question for you.. How soon ... Post op ... Did you feel your energy level take a noticeable swing upwards ? I am so tired of getting winded walking 4 blocks between buildings here in the city, am looking forward to the day in the near future where I will be skipping taking the city bus between clients and looking forward to walking to my next meeting across the city centre!

Count me in! My surgery is Tuesday 8 April in the afternoon here in Perth; which would be early Monday morning back in the colonies. :-). Good luck with your date! Am taking my iPad mini with me to my hospital room; will be reading the various post op forums and blogging (as soon as I can type coherently post anaesthesia ????

Hi Everyone; First post for me. Been a member for a few months; but forgot about this support group as I've been busy with work (trying NOT to think about upcoming surgery). I was originally scheduled for Surgery in early March 2014, but had a bad cold/flu in the week prior to surgery, and was worried about going "under" while still not fully recovered. Had a talk with the doc; and he said we could make the decision the day before Surgery for a go/no go; but I elected to be conservative with my risk profile- and rescheduled for this coming week (Tue 8 April 2014). For the March surgery date - I was on the 4 week Optifast diet; lost 10K over 4 weeks; and was pretty much liquid shakes, (and some optifast soups), with diet Jello as my "sweet treat" in the evenings. When the surgery was rescheduled to be 4 weeks later - I restarted the Optifast diet; but introduced a Meal Replacement salad at lunch (e.g. greens, cucumbers, and a chicken breast (skinless) as my Protein, dinner was primarly a can of green Beans (my only favorite veggy); and a Optifast shake every other day or so. Basically - I cut out all carbs, ate a lot of low fat/cal salads, green beans - and had the occasionaly optifast shake. I thought the primary goal of the Optiifast type diet was to reduce the size of ones liver, making surgery easier for the surgeon. I've since lost a total of 13K over these past 7 weeks. My question -- (with 3 days until surgery) -- I'll be going full bore Optifast for these remainin days; with the thought that my stomach will not have enough remnants of salads, green beans in it. I'm wondering if my no fat/low fat diet (not 100% optifast) has increased my risk profile? Obviously, I can't see my liver size - but I have noticed clothing feeling much looser, a bit more energy in my step (all due to the lost 13Kg, I'm certain). I have this vision of being prepped for surgery, and the doctor asking if I've been completely faithful to the liquid diet -- telling him my salad diet; and last 3 days 100% optifast diet - and being told it's too risky to have surgery - and being rescheduled. (sigh) - almost getting a bit upset typing this now - I've already arranged for the time off from work; have people on standby to fill in for me at work; - kicking myself for not being 100% liquid diet for 3 weeks. Anyone out there - who may have followed a similar, non 100% liquid diet, and have first hand experience from your surgery? Thanks everyone...