OKCPirate

Quayle - Post Surgery Down time to gym -- I walked exclusively for exercise for a month after surgery (HINT - after two weeks, start putting some interval training in your walks - ie walker faster for a minute, then normal pace for a minute). I followed their advise to lift nothing more than 25 pounds and avoided core work to keep from stressing the stitches and stomach staples. I started with light sets, high reps and have been careful to be very observant of any pain signals as I have gradually increased weight. At end of week 5 started putting in core work. No gut made that much easier. I noticed a dramatic decrease in strength from where I was pre-surgery. Met with NUT. She explained that eating too few calories was going to affect performance and would slow weight loss eventually. She changed my foods around to give me the energy to increase exercise levels. IF you are going to add weights, you have to be VERY intelligent about your food choices. I am up to 120 grams of Protein a day and have added high quality carbs to my diet. Needed to add an extra meal. I was eating WAY below my caloric need (but at least 90g of protein a day until I started weight training). The change in food resulted in very quick change in strength and energy level. I am about lifting about 85% of the level I was pre-surgery on weights, but things like sit ups, and pull ups are ridiculously easy now. I am looking forward to trying yoga again, now that I can actually see my toes when I look down

Yep, there are many things I am very thankful for in the short time post surgery. This is the time year to reflect and possibly post about them: I like being able to cut my toenails without effort or planning I get up from my office chair without a grunt That annoying pain in my knee when I walk is gone I am glad I don't have to do laundry as often. Usually, one wear and by the next one, it's too big I am getting to clean out my closet Some bigger things I am thankful for now that I am post surgery, but I had worried about it before (no guarantees my results are typical, but I'm happy): I can handle spice. I was concerned my new stomach may not like it I am blown away by my energy level, I thought I was going to be a lump for a month I am so glad I'm lighter now than I have been in the entire life of my 15 year old baby girl

Bob and Quayle71 - Read this section -- it will give you something to REALLY look forward to in a short while...http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219760-sex-oh-my-god-sex/ I know the surgeons can't advertise this, but it is coolest thing ever. That and going to the gym and being able to do sit up and planks like a pro. I am only 6 weeks out and I've gone from 15 sit ups to 50. It' like being 17 again. I'm 51, but I still remember being 17.

The proof is in the pudding - wait until she sees the new you. I had 15 ahem "well meaning" colleagues do a pre-surgery intervention to try and talk me out of it. I blew them off. Had annual conference last week, I'm down 40 pounds and feeling great. Everyone said, "well we were freakin wrong".

My NUT wanted me to add steel cut oatmeal or grits to my diet. She didn't want any instant but high quality carbs. That's a great deal of mess for 2-3 ozs of oatmeal. She told me to cook a big batch and put a single serving in each cup of a muffin tin and freeze it. Now I have easy instant quality steel cut oatmeal with only one major clean up required every two weeks. Small tips help me, so I am passing along.

I don't know why they don't mention this in the brochures: Out of the blue last night I met a nice lady and had one of those mutual lust moments. For the first time in 6 months I had sex. I didn't know just how big the physical changes I have been making would change this aspect of my life. In the last two years I quit smoking and in the last few months, I am down 80 pounds, no drinking, exercise an hour a day, eating really high quality food because I can’t eat that much. I knew that it should make things better, but not epic game changing better, but it’s bigger than epic. It was very spontaneous so didn't have Viagra, but it didn't even dawn on me until later that it wasn't needed. I can get into positions and places without my gut getting in the way. Instead of sputtering for breath and being a sweaty mess, I felt great when each round was over. I had always been “one and done” but she had to quit after round three. So as a 51 year old guy who knows what he is doing, who has a sense of humor and adventure and now give him new physical tools with an adequate blood supply, and I realize ‘holy crap this is going to be a great year.’ And that was without the emotional/spiritual bond that makes sex really great. I don’t like meaningless sex. I wasn't looking for it. But I didn't know what this would do to my interest in finding a new relationship nor what it would do to my confidence level. The implications for my next relationship are incredible. In my last relationship, I had to worry if the plumbing would work. I would run out of gas and she would worry if she was satisfying me. Now I’m sitting here realizing “sex without worry” might even open areas of even deeper connection. I don’t know about you, but the best most meaningful conversations have always occurred after making love. I just have this feeling that it will be even better without performance anxiety issues. Part of some reflection on a past relationship has been on the ups and downs. The sex was always the glue that held us together – because we were able to engage in intimate conversations and talk through problems after great sex. And if I had the ability to do what I did last night, I think this could move the next relationship to a whole new level. Just when you think this journey could not get any better, and then things get better

I have the t shirt you are describing. I am only 6 weeks post surgery and I remember vividly the fear that I was making a big mistake (why am I making a permanent change for what could be a temporary problem, have I done enough to prepare?) Everyone has there own journey, but I can't tell you how glad I was I did this. Pain wasn't that bad, healing quick and results have been spectacular. Life is richer than I could have dreamed, getting a handle on this area of my life is changing everything for the good. Confidence can't be faked. You will get it back when you see the change. Remember they are going to pump a bunch of Fluid in you via IV and it will take a week before you see losses on the scale. Get a MyoTape (http://amzn.to/1wrHGB0) to measure your arms, chest, stomach, hips and thighs. You may not see changes on the scale, but you will be amazed at the inches you will lose. You will want to write this down - trust me. And prepare to shop for clothes - and enjoy it. I about lost it when the lady at Men's Warehouse informed me that I needed the smaller size Breath deep, this is part of the process, the rewards are spectacular.

I went to my daughter's concert and realized, I didn't have to carefully ooze into the seat, I was too small to touch the sides and my pants pockets were in no danger of pulling on the armrests.

Thanks for posting this. I have been taking ambian for years and it worked great, but now I'm waking up after 5 hours of sleep. This was the clue I needed. Now that I don't need my CPAP, it's time to look at creating new sleep habits. Sounds like a good weekend project.

One month post-op, time to hit the gym again. I'm 51, I'm looking forward to trying to tone up again. What worked for you? Right now I am doing lighter than pre-op weights, more reps and plan on going up 10% per week, but I'm open to suggestions.

Constipation is a problem. I took a couple of sugar free Fiber tablets 3 times a day and extra magnesium supplements. Get an approved laxative with A STOOL SOFTENER (you will thank me) to have on hand. It's just part of the deal. But the benefits are worth that minor problem. Its a journey, not a magic bullet.

hehehe, my attic ladder didn't creak when I went up to get the Christmas lights. I wore a 56 jacket, have a meeting this week, so I went to Men's Warehouse - "I'm sorry sir, you need a 46, that 48 is too big" I jumped up on the stoop to put up lights, and realized "I jumped up two feet, without going umph"

Lauriep, I went through the same thing the last two weeks before surgery. I started off 2014 at 305. I dropped 20 pounds and then started yo-yoing. Then I heard about sleeve surgery. Found an affordable way to make it happen. Then I lost more weight in preparation for the surgery and wondered "why are you doing this?" Then it hit me, this is a great tool to help me make the permanent changes I need to be healthy. I was glad I had worked through these issues on the front end. It gave me the mental edge to be ready, recover quickly, and get my preparation done. I walk everyday, eat my Protein and stay hydrated. The weight will take care of itself. I have noticed, that there are sites with people complaining about their results. Most of these people seem to have some common denominators: 1) They were kind of forced into surgery by health problems or some form of family or external pressure 2) They were not "self-pay" - I am noticing that people who pay for this themselves out of pocket are more committed 3) They were under the belief that all this would be "magic" and it isn't. This is just a tool. The people who make up group 1-3 are included in the statistics for average results. I think when you look at the successful people on this board, you will find many highly motivated individuals who made a positive choice for change. And doing it with a clear head makes all the difference. So doubts are normal and healthy and will help you make the commitment to do what you need to do. Good luck

First day eating (off two week liquid phase). I was spoiled with the Soups which just pass straight through. I managed to eat half a scrambled egg (bless the man who suggested keeping it warm with a Mr. coffee cup warmer) and 1.5 ozs of tuna. I may be too conservative, but as soon as I thought I was full, I quit and turned the timer on for 25 minutes before Water again. I broke my Isopure into smaller servings to give me 40g of protien as well as what I can manage to eat. It's not a hunger thing, I just want to make sure I get enough calories to keep my body from going into starvation mode. The question: did you get more comfortable with eating a whole egg, or do you just start going to 5 meals a day? Yeah I know "its the first day dude, lighten up" but this kinda freaked me out. Kirk

I noticed it for the first time getting ready for bed last night. I saw myself in the bathroom mirror and realized how much of my gut was gone. Not done, but it gave me goosebumps. This is great.

This is a little humiliating that the only size containers at my store for my leftovers which I split into future meals looks like this....

Did it wrong last night. I ate some cold beef and didn't chew it well enough. So now I know that's the pain you want to avoid. Took 20 minutes of walking around with that little bit causing some pressure and pain until I could drink something. The Water helped and I was able to go to sleep. Well a little negative feedback is a good teacher.

Thanks Recycled. I got my scale and crock pot in today from Amazon. Did nearly 2.75 ozes of slow cooked beef (cooked with some great veggies, garlic and chilies for flavor). Thank goodness the surgery did not cause indigestion in me. I am way too much of a foodie to retire to the land of the bland. [Note: I did some spice tests with soups before jumping into this on my first day of solids, so it wasn't a shock to the system] I love it when a plan comes together.

This ought to be mandatory reading for anyone considering the surgery. No better sales pitch needed. My divorce attorney told me, the best revenge was to have a happy life. I'm looking forward to it. Let's see, ditched the CPAP, blood pressure meds cut in half, thank goodness I have my new blood work done next week, or I may be overdosing on testosterone.

I'm a bourbon/scotch/fine wine snob who drank too much of it. I stopped two weeks before surgery and told all my buddies, I'm just doing Water until Jan 31. Be interesting to see what my tolerance will be. I do have one extended family member who gained everything she had lost after the surgery because she started drinking empty calories (and then would graze). If you are worried about suddenly quitting before surgery, this was a helpful article for me: http://hamsnetwork.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/more-on-tapering-off-alcohol/ Relearning everything is part of the challenge Kirk

This is a cool little program for tracking protein for the day. thekirkshelley is my fitness pal moniker

Certainly was a huge problem following surgery. Very painful. Stool softener helped. Started taking sugar free fiber tabs, and that has made life much more regular. Staying hydrated, especially during a dry winter is vital. Warm green tea in the morning was helpful too. That's what has worked in my limited experience.

No carbs, no calories and doesn't inflame the liver. Be a responsible adult and enjoy sensibly. Vaping the CO2 oils in small quantities is akin to having a couple of drinks, esp. Cannabis indica. In my research about drinking post sleeve you run the risk of a new addictions. If you are smoking or drinking to cover up unresolved issues with food, you are just fooling yourself and masking the pain instead of dealing with the issue. You are an adult, so take careful emotional stock, get some professional guidance on the spiritual/mental health issues if needed. People have been using intoxicants since time immemorial, I'm just in favor of responsible health risk mitigation. I stand by the late Mississippi Judge Soggy Sweat's position on intoxicating spirits: "My friends, "I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey. "If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it. "But; "If when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it. "This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise." Hope this helps

I got my primary care doc to prescribe T and the sharps to inject at home. I can also do it weekly with lower doses to minimize spikes. Much cheaper option for self pay. Here's how easy it is to do: - The Dr. Runels Method.flv

ColoradoTJS I appreciate the encouragement. This was far easier than I expected. I prepared my body for two months for this by exercising and two weeks of cutting out carbs and stopped drinking for last two weeks except for a couple of glasses of wine. It paid off, the doctor was able to get the surgery done in 30 minutes, liver was small and healthy, I was off and walking within 90 minutes of surgery and I only took two pain pills after they took the drain tube out on day two. I had the surgery Tuesday, Thursday I'm at the mall across from the hospital like there is no problem at all. Back home today, enjoying my broth, and looking forward to six weeks from now when I can slowly start working out again. Best find was zero carb ISOPURE - 40 grams clear protein.No regrets. I have not eaten since Monday and I'm not hungry. Making sure I sip slowly, but consistently to keep hydrated. Life is easier when you have a plan. It's harder when you are stupid