craigcu

Thanks. I ended up just changing my profile pic since I could not get the upload working. My profile pick is before and after head shot of 4 months post op.

Awesome job!!

Yep, part of the emergency kit.... unfortunately... sigh..

Damn, I was really hoping "this" would clear up when closer to goal.. Gotta be a probiotic fix for this poppy pants issue. Walking my kids to school in the AM has been, err.. problematic>>>>

having problems doing the pic upload. any advice?

Trek Shift 4, sturdier than avg, better and stronger wheels. I ride mine and have since I was 396 lbs. I'm actually now thinking of selling it and getting a bike that doesn't need all the reinforcements. Any Northwest takers out there? Mines only 2 years old... PM me if so..

do you have a link to these or the company somewhere handy? thanks..

I am a 6' 3" tall version of this. And I think I am this cute....

Hi All, I was sleeved May 19. Minor complications the week of surgery with dehydration and black stool, but resolved with another trip to hospital and haven't been back since. I'm down 66 lbs from surgery date and 86 lbs from program start date (feb 15). Dropped 5 pant sizes, 3 shirt sizes and no longer diabetic or hypertensive. I completed the Couch to 5k training app on my 48th birthday (oct 4) and ran my first full 5k that day. I haven't run that far/that long since 1988 when I was in the marines. It wasn't fast mind you.. but it was all running. I still have ~85 lbs to goal (but I just hit the halfway point, so major victory there!!). I'm signed up for two 5k races (biggest loser 5k this weekend) and rock N Roll 5k in vegas in novemeber. I don't like to run, but these are small goals that keep me working out. Yes, food and going out do not hold that same appeal to me either. Its more chore than you would think because I just don't enjoy food like I used to. But I'm ok with that because my kids are becoming more active because I am more active. we look for active activities to do instead of movies, etc. We took our first hikes up here in the northwest, bike rides, etc. I actually eat 5 - 6 meals a day, targeting 1500 calories, and 90+ grams of Protein. I've stopped the muscle loss and added 7 lbs of muscle my third and fourth month post op (I lost 21 lbs of muscle first two months Post op). Monitoring the muscle loss and growth has become very important and delivers many NSV's. If your not watching those numbers, you should be. I miss my Vitamins sometimes, I don't get all my protein in sometimes, I have the occasional carb splurge (usually feel like crap after it), etc. But I don't beat myself up about it either. Working out is still a chore, so nothings gotten easier, I think I am mentally just less resistant to it any more because I have seen the changes to my body and my attitude, and thats worth a lot. No seatbelt extensions needed when flying, can fit into a booth at a restaurant without a struggle. I wish I had done this 5 - 10 years ago, but we all have to come to this decision point when we can. I'm going to great wolf lodge with my kids this halloween weekend and while I'll still be self conscious about taking my shirt off in the Water park, I know I won't tip over the raft my kids are in, I know I won't have to worry about the chair in the pool areas breaking beneath me and I know I am doing something about my weight, which many around me can't say. Whenever I see other really obese people around me, its like I wish I hard a card or something to hand them to try and get them to see what could be possible for them. I know thats a crazy thought, but having been on that other side, I wish everyone who had our struggles.. Best to everyone and good luck in hitting your goals...

interesting post, and I applaud StephenHud forhis answer. It comes down to calories for me. I have never been a big drinker, occasional glass of scoth in a month, but thats about it. When I get maintenance mode, then I 'll consider reintroducing alcohol, but right now, its not part of the plan, so fizzy Water makes me look cool....

I was told when I had my sleeve I am basically reinventing my stomach and every new food is a new experience. Your brain unfortunately is still leaning on previous experience to set up the anticipation of that food. Therefore the brain said eat, we ate. Prior to surgery, the brain ruled in most of us, Now the stomach has powerful new weapon in this fight. I have unfortunately had more than a few" heave hos" and "almost made it to the bathroom honey" events in these last two months to where my brain is now starting to listen to my stomach much more and its getting better, as it will for you. It is an educational process initially, not a will powerthing. As for the hurtful comments from someone, punch them (oops, I think I typed that out loud).. I mean, eerrr, express to them your displeasure at their comments in a fashion they can understand. perhaps by a gift of sugar free gummi bears (as noted in a post by @missmac). It apparently provides some interesting special effects... head high, its a marathon, not a sprint...

LMAO...Miss Mac, I have been reading your posts and now I am very scared.... and giving up gummi bears forever!!!

As long as it is not a racing bike (where you are bent over the handle bars, etc.), probably within three weeks. I have more of a cruiser/mountain bie and did a 6 mile gentle ride the end of week three. But as in all things, check with your med team first..

congrats Paul, welcome to the losing team!!

Indeed paul, you will do great and you were spot on on the pension money question. At our weights, only our families would be using what we earned... Best of luck, remember, walk and sip, every day after surgery!!

I'll be there too! I'm going to be in training for the 5k at the RnR in vegas. Perhaps we should set up a meet up? How can we get the word out across BAriatric PAl far and wide? Since they have events for all of us (5, 10, half, full) at all stages, would be good to get as many people as we can to it.. Any ideas?? Good uck on the plastics, I'll be asking you about those in about 8 months..

Great write up, glad everything worked out well. I did mention the walk alot and drink alot, figured it had not changed.. BAsed on this, I'll definately consider Mexico when I get my plastics done ( I can already see I will need them). Now the hard part starts, keep drinking as much as you can and DO NOT push past your schedule for food types. You will pay for it and your primary care giver is not near by so dont take any chances. If you have blood in teh stool, if its black, keep an eye on it but it should clear. If its red, get to the hospital.. TMI, but you need to know these things.. Luck, Craig

I will be attempting to work this angle and pay for the ams and face transplant out of pocket. I maybe thinner, but still ugly..

OKC, you will be fine. Take some deep breaths and think about getting to the other side. Remember post op to drink as much as you can and walk as much as you can. ANd enjoy the farting, because its the only time I ever had any applaud it (My doc was a little twisted .. let us know how you are doing when you feel like typing again.. Craig

If you cant lie flat, get a recliner. I slept in mine for 9 days before moving to the bed. If you dont have a recliner, buy one, get it delivered, then return in in 20 - 30 days when you dont need it any more..

OK 5/19ers, anyone up for a new challenge? I want to run a 5k race nd I'ld like all of you to join me.. I'm going to use the C25k app and training program starting in august and should be ready to go by 8 weeks. We all need a challenge, we are facing the mental challenge and emotional challenge, now lets take on the physical.. Seems crazy to me to suggest it, but there you go. There is a rock N Roll 5k being held in Las Vegas in early november and by that time we could all be ready to run it and actually complete it. Its a whole weekend of nutrition info and workout gear and even some sessions as I understand it. PLus, Its Vegas!!.. That will put us all 6 mo. post op, a milestone by my reckoning and a reason to celebrate. Anyone interested in participating? Even better, is anyone living in vegas who might want to put up with all of us? Regardless, rooms are cheap and we certainly wont be spending the big money on the buffets!! Anyone interested??

I was told when I was eating at that level I wasnt eating enough and my body would go into conservation mode. Check with your NUT to see if thats the case for you. If not, then slow and steady does win the race!! Congrats all..

Doing well, still aiming for the 2zone by end of August. Down to 339 this morning, 57 since program start. rosieuk, how are you??