blacktee92675

@jnc10212 - have you tried watered down cream of wheat with some protein mixed in? This was one of the suggestions my Doc gave me. As you know it's really important to get your protein. You might ask your Doc and Nutritionist for other suggestions of things easy enough to keep down, and that you can scoop some protein in.

I'm taking the following: Centrum chewable multi. I think it's cherry flavor Tums for calcium - some fruit flavor, but who knows. Mystery fruit I guess. sublingual Vitamin B - not great tasting, but nor that back. Sublingual vitamin E - sort of like putting a fe drops of olive oil under your tongue. Geritol for Iron and a little more vitamin B. Come to think of it, I could probably drop the other sublingual B. My Doc approved of all of the above.

Jan 27 - 383 - got serious about working out and eating right Feb 17 - 374 - started pre-op diet Mar 9 - 354 - surgery date Current -338 Total - poof, 45 pounds gone!

On March 9th. First exercise d on March 17th. I felt up to starting a couple days earlier, but wanted to clear with my Doc first.

@luv2plump - yep. I just could resist being a smart arse.

Go for it! It's healthy to be nervous. This is a major surgery after all! I was nervous all the way up until the anesthetics kicked in. I kept saying to myself that this is my choice and I can back out with a simple "no" at any time. Then I would think of all the failed weight loss attempts - losing 130 lbs just to gain it back again, etc. Then I focussed on all the benefits of success and how much the sleeve will help me. There are so many long term benefits, and the risks of doing nothing significantly outweighs the small risks of surgery. The first two days of recovery were tough, but now I'm on day 12 and I feel great! I exercise daily and my energy level increases every day. It will be hard, but most things worthwhile are...

I waited until Doctor cleared me, in my case it was one week. I stayed away from my gym because my incisions still needed to heal a little after staples being removed. The gym is a great place to get a staph infection. Instead I rode my bike on a bike path, and lifted dumbbells at home. I just started riding last Tuesday, and have average about 15 mile each day.

@luv2plump. You've lost so much that your ink looks 10x larger. Ha! Congrats!

I don't use marijuana, but I am led to believe by some friends who do that there are varieties or methods of consuming that do not cause munchies, perhaps even the opposite. You might check with a local dispensary or on-line forum dedicated to the subject for expert advise. Good luck!

I think the key in pre-op is to drop as much weigh as reasonable possible to make the surgery easier, and reduce risk. Seems like a few occasional guilty pleasures should be reasonable in moderation. After all, the first two weeks of post op are going to be even more challenging. Just don't let a few cheats transition to several cheats. :-)

Single slice of deli turkey in the evening. Glass of wine, ok maybe two. Glass of beer, or maybe two. There were a few other things as well during nearly three weeks of pre-op. I compensated by excising 60 minute a day, 6 days a week. Lost 22 pound in just under three weeks of pre-op. Doc was very happy, saying the 22 pound drop made the 45 minute surgery easier. I think that starting the workout program during pre-op has also made post-op recovery easier.

Congrats on your progress. Very noticeable in your before and after. I'm still a newbie (March 9th) and have had BAD constipation. I've used Miralax mixed with 4oz of prune juice and 4oz water. I only mix the prune juice with water because is a high calorie juice.

Me? I'm a husband of 30 years. A father to two responsible college grads with their own budding lives. I'm a son to my 72 year old mother, and a brother to my Navy brother who has been transporting Seals and Supplies to the Middle East for the past several years. I'm a friend to many, and aspire to be a servant to others. After serving in the Navy for several oversees operations including the very first Gulf War, I had a choice to either follow a cycling career, or go into business. As you might guess, the fact that I'm here means I chose the latter. With that business career came security for my young family and more financial success than I expected. Unfortunately it also introduced me to a lifestyle that made it easy for me (personality/character flaw) to get into the unhealthy cycle of gaining and losing weight. Global travel and a seemingly unlimited expense account for client entertainment caught up with me, and my bike was collecting dust. During the past 20 years I gained and lost countless pounds. I would put on weight, then diet and exercise my way back down to a fighting weight. The last weight loss ended in 2009, at which point I was back to amateur bike racing, and peddling about 250-350 miles per week to keep in shape, depending on travel. Then global travel picked up and so did the client entertainment ... Back to 383 pounds. Our second child graduated in December of 2014. Finally done paying for tuition! Time for a permanent change, otherwise face the consequences - missing kids weddings, not being there for grandchildren, etc. We've been looking for assisted living for mother in-law (those places are like resorts)' and I don't see many 80+ year old obese people. So what to do? I started a sabbatical at the end of January. Not an easy decision on a single income household. This sort of decision takes careful thought and planning. My intention is to take 6 months off to help make this a permanent change, and ramp back up to at least 200 miles of weekly cycling. It will also give me some time to think about what I do next in my career. The door is open to go back to work for my previous employer, which I may do. That said, I have decided I will NOT be going back to a position with global or even national responsibility. Enjoying another 30 years with my bride, and being there for my kids and (someday) grandkids is much higher priority. Life choices are interesting. I don't have any regrets for making the decision to follow a business career instead of cycling. It was the responsible thing for a young father to do. On the other hand, that choice has a ripple effect that that leads me to post this message to all you fine people. I mentioned a passion to serve. God's plan for me is perfect, regardless of what I think. Perhaps this journey is part of that plan, and will prepare me for some sort of future service to others. That's me. Day 11 post-op at 6:40am.. Time to get in a quick 15 miles on the bike! The doc cleared me for easy rides last Monday, so I rode 13 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday. Felt great so adding a couple miles to the ride today. The road to 100 miles a week is easy. Getting a 300 mile week is a little harder. :-)

I have the same micro-gurgle issue. Sounds like a few Pop Rocks stuck in my throat. Doesn't happen all the time. I too would like to know if it's temporary.

Sounds like your doing great! I have also found that setting alarms is very helpful! Having a plan for each day, laying out my "meals", and keeping a journal (I use "lose it.com) of meals and weight. Congrats and keep it up!

I can't wait for cottage cheese and eggs! But I guess I'll have to since the Dic said wait until Monday. That's ok, I had another 13 mile ride along the beach today!

Darn auto correct! Vitamix - "there is no substitute"

Vitamin -"there is no substitute". (Ok, some folk may not get the movie reference)

Sleeve and hiatal hernia -45 minutes.

I love this thread, but I also like watching high speed car chases and train wrecks! Sorry, little devil on my shoulder. :-) It all good. Share the love!

Hi, I did just under 3 weeks and lost 22 lbs. 90% of what I consumed mostly Protein shakes for calories and protein. Low sodium chicken broth was also a friend. Some treats made it easier. Italian Ice, sugar free Jello, and low cal Gatorade. My Doc said nothing reddish in color the week prior to surgery. He didn't want anything stuck in my system that could be confused with blood. I also worked out 60 minute a day, 5/6 days a week. I was by far the fattest guy at the gym, and felt very self conscious at first, but quickly remembered that I really don't care about jerks who judge. My surgery took 45 minute. The Doc said my prep made his job easier. I'm 9 days post op and went for a 13 mile (flat path) bike ride today. I'm pretty sure the pre opp work (losing weight AND working out) helped with my recovery. YES, IT SUCKS, Try not to think about it. :-)

Sound like a plateau, or what people call stalls. Have you ever spent a significant amount of time at your current weight in the past? Sort of like muscle memory, your body will remember that weight and get confomfortable there. You have to wait it out or nudge it loose. I've been through 130 lbs of weight loss before on diet and excessize alone. Im here because I gained most back. In my experience the follow worked well. Breakfast - little bit of toast and soft egg, warm/hot lemon Water. lunch -warm/hot lemon water. grapefruit, spinach, and white fish (think tilapia). dinner - 100 calorie or less Protein shake. Squeeze lemon into you water for the rest of the day, and make a mild increase to your exercise. Of coarse all this has be sized for sleever potions. :-) This was advise from a registered dietician. Worked for me within one or two days every time. Good luck. You'll get throught it regardless of waiting it out or giving a nudge.

One sip at a time. :-) I'm on 9 day post sleeve and have no issue getting 60oz Water per day. I'll mix in 1 part low cal Gatorade or Coconut water with 2 parts water to keep it interesting and help with electrlyts, while not adding to many calories or carbs. We all recover at a different pace, so hang in there and sip, sip, sip :-)

Hi all! Day 9 and getting sleeved on the 9th! Thirteen mile bike ride down along the beach and feel great! What a great way to spend the day! To those March 9ners still having challenges recovering, please take comfort knowing that it will be much better very soon!

Hi all! I was sleeved open March 9th and things have been going great! I nailed a the two week pre-op diet, and the four week post-op diet is going equally well. That said, I'm thinking about what to expect with my first real food experience and my new stomach. There must be several people (including me!) who would love to hear from people currently going through that transition. Thanks and good luck to all!