LAG50

Bonsaiway; sound off dear so we know you're okay. I had my surgery at noon on Monday, was home by 4 pm on Tuesday, finished up my required post surgery clear liquids/protein shakes on Wednesday , and will start phase 2 meal plan today. Since I have been working the meal plan for a few months I have a bundle of little quarter cup containers that I've got lined up and ready to go for my puréed meals...lol. Been doing okay with my water, walking & pain mgt.. And ready to move forward.

I hear ya. From my past diet days I've got quite an extensive closet and am just working my way back down in size until I can wear the smaller sizes. I suppose, as the larger sizes get too big I will begin to bag them up, but like you, there aren't that many because I hated shopping for xxl and xxxl clothes. I just did sweats.

I love that you're on your feet all day. That can only help/speed up your weight loss. I agree that 600-700 is not enough calories for you a) because you're a guy, and because you put out so much energy during the day. With the Protein shakes as Snacks I would think you would be taking in more calories. I would try to find a shake that has twice the calories in, perhaps, the same volume of liquid or a little more if you can't drink it all. I imagine, since you're working, your shakes are pre-packaged. I know there are some larger/higher calorie shakes out there....or maybe you should try to get down 1.5 or two shakes for snacks. When I have time to use the powdered stuff I use Body Fortress Super Advanced whey Protein Drink. Two scoops of that and 8oz nonfat mile or milk sub will give you almost 600 good/lean protein calories = added energy/strength as well as healthy weight loss. As you are on your feet all day - you are surely burning those snacks and could use more to sustain you. As I'm single and don't cook/create meals (hence, creature of habit) lol, I do the repeat thing also. As such, I've been googling stage 2 & stage 3 bariatric meal ideas and have found some interesting stuff. I still don't know if I'm going to "prepare" anything, but there are ideas out there. You can even add "low or no cooking" meal ideas which may allow you to do a weeks worth of prep on your days off. Try adding 1/4c low fat cottage cheese and/or greek yogurt to your meals also as they are lean/good protein sources.

Good to hear. I'm still sore also, but yes, it is manageable. I could probably do extra strength Tylenol but why waste the good stuff? LoL especially at night. Yes; stay home as long as you can - there is no need to rush your recovery if you don't have to. Be strong & be well..

1.5 days at home a feeling good/great. There's no place like home to recover. Today was my last day of Clear liquids and Protein drinks. Tomorrow I will start the phase 2 menu until I go in for my post op on 11/6. My frequent short walks today equaled just under 4 miles and I'm feeling good about that. They really help to move the surgical gas, etc. I did notice that I gained 5lbs in the hospital....I'm sure it was all the IV fluids, etc. Of course that's all gone now plus and additional 3lbs. Been re-reading my binders/books and planning my phase 2 menu. Got out all my 1/4 C containers so I can just line them up tomorrow with plain yogurts, pureed Soups, unsweetened applesauce, cottage cheese, etc. Been searching the net for additional phase 2 menu items....not much out there, so I just got a variety of different puree-type soups from Trader Joe's, sugar free puddings/custards/jellos/yogurts. I guess that will have to hold me until 11/6 when my doc will hopefully approve me to move to phase 3 foods. I guess that's all for now. Looking to hear from dtiller1147 and losinginalaska. Sound off guys so I know you're okay. Laynie427, you doin okay?

Mine went well also....I must say - I'm the perfect patient....lol. Home now and working on my first Protein shake....took my first dose of meds and will probably fall asleep in my chair. Thanks Laynie427 for checking in. We're probably the only two nuts thinking about others at a time like this....lol. Rest well and we'll wait to hear from the fella's. Blessings..

Honey I'm home.....and sure enough I've got a sleeve. I won't lie and say I feel GREAT (physically) but I feel Fantastic mentally/emotionally. Been home about an hour - on Protein shakes and Water for 1.5days - then on the phase 2. Getting excited just thinking about it. Funny, I'm thinking the old way and fixed my cup of water and shake at the same time...lolol. NOT gonna happen. Blessings

10/20.....oh that's today.....yikes!!! Think of me at noon.. Best to all..

I'm sure you've already gone in. It's 8:20am here in California, and I'm on the freeway headed for my noon procedure. Check-in when you feel up to it....I'll do the same. Blessings..

Morning all... Well, this is it. I'm off.. I'm sure most of you have already gone. Praying for your surgical success today. See you in a few.. figuratively speaking of course...lol. Blessings.

Looking forward to sharing..

Awesome! Well, rest brother; prayers for a perfect surgery and recovery.

Go get'em bonsaiway... I'll be right behind you at noon. Keep in touch.

No freaking allow.....its all good....now time for you to rest..

Dude; 24hrs? Where ya comin from? Where is your surgery?

All right guys....less than 24hrs. Whatcha doin? Resting? Stressing? Eating? LOL. I'm just chillin....cleaning a little so I can come home to a clean apt, did my phase 2 shopping, a little home office organization, laundry so I can come home to a Downy Fresh bed....lol. Took my pups to the doggie resort so I don't have to worry about them for a few days until I feel better. Been on liquids for the past 2 days so trying not to spend any unnecessary energy...lol. Ummmm......that's about it.

I thanked LIL, but I think It shoulda been Dtill.....I'm actually not sure...lol....sorry, still learning this app; or maybe I'm just hungry....lol. Counting down....we're somewhere between 48 & 24 hrs remaining....YIKES!.....I mean YaY!

LIL - thanks for the tracker info. Best, best, best wishes for your surgery. I would say that I'll be thinking of you at 11am, but I'll probably be thinking of food since I can't eat past midnight...lol.

Hey Ms. "Change It Up": Enjoyed your post. I'm scheduled for my sleeve this coming Monday 10/20 and am searching through posts, once again, to gain as much knowledge/insight as possible. I appreciated your post as it gives me a "heads-up" and something to think about in case I come across the same feelings. While my Dietitian says that she doesn't want me eating anything I hate of don't like - I've got the mindset that I "plan" to 'eat to live' rather than 'live to eat'. As such, I'm less interested in "liking/enjoying" what I'm going to be eating, and trying to focus on the fact that it is good for me and what I need to get/stay healthy and on track. Now, since I'm still pre surgery things could certainly turn out different, but this is my plan. I've been on the pre-op meal plan for approx 3 months, and while I didn't/don't like much of what I'm eating - I'm eating it (mindfully) focusing of the good its doing for my body.....AND, hoping I will develop a taste for the healthy stuff as opposed to the stuff I've been eating for.....oh....50yrs.....lol. To this end I encourage you to stay strong and true to the plan/lifestyle. Nothing good in life comes without some sacrifices. And this/these sacrifices are for our own benefit. Get your chewables and keep searching for more tolerable/pleasurable Protein options. Even "Google" Bariatric menus & such for additional meal ideas. Blessings to you.

Hey Guys; My sleeve is scheduled for Monday 10/20 @ noon. Great to see guys (no disrespect meant to the girls). I look forward to following you and allowing you to follow me. I'll have to remember to check-in and report out regularly. Super excited about Monday. I'm a "surgery" expert, so this procedure doesn't worry me at all. At 51 and now single....YAY! Oh; sorry....lol....I feel this procedure is the start of my very lengthy "bucket list", of which, I am now completely in control of.....YaY! This is all about me....finally! Not the kids, not the Ex....just little old me....well, not little... I've been living the lifestyle since June 2014 and have lost a bundle of weight and feel great. I just might make it to my goal weight....as defined by the experts....of 155. I think I was last 155 in Kindergarten....lol. I'm spending this weekend getting my business in order.....cleaning my apartment, shopping for stage 2 foods, walking the dogs, listening to meditation/relaxation recordings, etc. Trying to decide what to pack for the hospital. But being a guy - I may just wear out - what I wear in....and take some essentials in a shaving bag sorta thing. Hey dtill1147 where did you get that scale thingy above? I'd like to have that for tracking/posting.

Hey Camping Man; surgery today? You okay?

Greetings Just changed my date from Sept 15 to Oct 20 so I could attend an important function. Not so I could eat....lol....but to be well/strong enough to attend the function which was just six days after my September surgery date. Soooooo I accepted my Surgeons very next available which is October 20. I've been living the pre-op lifestyle for approx 10wks and have already lost 30+ lbs....."healthily" if that's a word. Of course - it's no doubt easier (for whatever reason) for men to lose weight, but, I have really embraced the lifestyle (meal plans, exercise, attending support groups, mindfulness, etc). I suppose it helps that I'm (now) single with no children/family to deal with as I begin this journey. Yep, was married with children for 30yrs, and, while I lost the weight, often, sooner - rather than later - I gained it back +. It was just too difficult to be focused and/or considerate of the family while I attempted to get healthy......again! To this end - I applaud all who are beginning this journey in the midst of 'family life'. Best wishes to you. Soooo 51, single, retired, new home/lifestyle/attitude. The time is right for me, and I'm SUPER excited. My main topic(s) within my new circles and with my medical team are - now that I'm no longer 100lbs over weight, a) will I no longer qualify for the surgery, and, since - with or without the surgery - success/long-term maintenance depends 100% on compliance with the lifestyle - what is the real benefit of going ahead with the surgery? Thankfully, my medical team assured me I would never be disqualified from the program because I lost too much "pre-op" weight.....YaY! My support circles helped me to understand - if I didn't have any objections or medical concerns - the procedure would just be another 'tool' in my tool belt to maintain life-long success. Truth be told - I really don't have any objections to having less space to pack away food. Spent the weekend with a friend, who did it on her own and isn't a fan of the surgery. She shares that with her method, she's a) successful (has lost and maintains the weight loss), and can still PIG OUT whenever she wants without getting sick, and because she still has her entire stomach. I had to think about that and ask myself - "do I still want to PIG OUT?" Or do I really want to remove those types of behaviors from my life completely? I've resolved that I want to remove them completely. I want to learn to be happy/satisfied/healthy without the need/desire to PIG OUT! After all - why do we pig out? I can't really answer that logically. Blah, blah....so, here I am - reading/enjoying your posts, studying up, asking questions, etc. And, uh, that is all. Wishing all GREAT success!

This stuff is great guys & gals. So glad I found this thread. A class-mate from pre-op class turned me on to this App/forum this past Tues, and I'm so glad. I'm actually reading here more than I'm reading my official binder from the hospital.... But don't tell my medical team...lol. I am having my surgery on Monday, September 15, and because I don't have a wife, a lady friend are actually anyone, this site really helps. I had to dig a little deeper for some "guy" responses, but I finally found some. I think the guy reality is - the less the better. I don't have any hair, so when I shave my head and face the night before that should last me for the overnight stay. What I wear in is what I will wear out I guess. Thinking a little shaving bag type thing with toothbrush deodorant etc. should be enough. I think I may take you up on the nice pajama deal since I don't want my - uh - "back" hanging out while doing laps in the hospital halls lol.

Monday 9/15/14