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food funerals were what led me here to start with. So many times I'd have a big blowout so I could start another diet. Then another... Then another. Nope, this time I'm going to do this according to the plan that will get me to the surgery date with the best results possible. I'm done with sabotaging my health.

I've been using a CPAP for the past 10+ years. You will love the well rested feeling you'll get upon waking up each day. No more headaches. No more falling asleep on the job. No more drowsiness while driving. CPAP is awesome and well worth the first couple nights where you get used to the mask. Well worth it. Everyone will be amazed at how quiet you now sleep. No more snoring ever again. You are in luck!!!

Scared? Naw. I'm petrified. But not over the bypass surgery. That's the one thing that doesn't scare me. I've got a great surgeon and his staff are excellent. What scares the crap out of me is how close I came to leaving this world way before my time. Heart problems were coming. Many other surgeries were coming, too....knee & hip replacements....sooner than later. Petrified that I'd not be here to become a grandfather one day. Nope....the bypass is going to be a smooth process. It's how close I came to losing so much that occupies my nightmares. Prayers are what led me to this procedure. Prayers helped guide me to my surgeon. I know that this bypass is a tool that is being provided to help. I'm sure I'll have the jitters just prior to going under the anesthesia. That's normal stuff. Had the same jitters with 2 hernia surgeries and an ankle repair over the past few years. No biggie....you wake up all fixed and just have to recover. The good thing is that we'll not be recovering from some type of injury but the planned bypass work. This bypass is a good surgery that's been done since the 50's. We'll all be up walking the day after and every day for the rest of our longer lives. No fears over the surgery and the changes that come with it. The fears are only if I'd been stubborn and stayed on the course I was on. Life with morbid obesity isn't a long one. Taking the actions we all are taking will give us decades of high quality life that we'd not otherwise have. Things are going to be great for us all.....and for out families, too.

I've got a pair of New Balance slip on shoes that I highly recommend. They're the best "around the house" shoes ever. Super comfortable. You just step into them or kick them off. I'll probably buy a new pair by then, too.

I'm taking gym clothes. Nothing more comfortable.

Awesome! Have you started the liquid diet yet? In just a few weeks you'll be done with the surgery and doing great. The changes ahead will be all geared toward positive results for you.

Thanks !!! Yup....I share the same concerns about not sipping Water while eating. You nailed it. It's not natural. I'm starting to really get the feeling that sipping water is going to be be what I'll be doing all day long. It's a difference over how I do things now....wait until I'm overly thirsty and then gulp down two+ bottles of water. Post op this will not work. Dehydration could be a concern of I don't change my practices now. It's funny when I think about only being able to eat 3-5 bites of food. Going to become a grazer vs a carnivore. ????

Good deal. Sounds like you are smoothly on track.

Hoping all went well and you are now recovering with a nice nap.

Is the mask aggravating? Yes, at first. The benefits of the CPAP are so great that I'd go to whatever lengths needed to use it. I've forgotten mine on road trips before......realized it when I was two hours from home.....turned around and went back to get it. Not a complaint from my wife, either. She knows how vital a role it plays.

Maintaining the weight loss for life is the goal. Looking forward to seeing the changes.

Please forgive my comparisons to war or combat. I mean in no way, shape, or form to dishonor the real warfare that our brave military members combat for real. Their real world actions provide the freedoms that I have enjoyed my whole life. It is the overanjoyment of these freedoms where I have failed. I live in a military town and am surrounded by returning vets. I see them in my PT sessions....and I see them in public and I work with them in the civilian world. I respect and honor them deeply. I have learned much from them. Please know this. My use of the terms war and fighting on simply how I feel on a personal level. At war and fighting with my internal, self generated enemies that I've let me not exert the control of the calorie war throughout my life. Most of us have had a few runs at losing on our own and had some serious success. I've done so....huge amount off.....then let it creep back on. ARGHHHGHHGHH !!!! The battles and skirmishes I've been through with my weight have not been tossed aside as failures, though. When I've gone back recently and relived those times....really thought about them......I've gained some insight into where things went well.....and why the weight loss stalled and returned. This new weapon, the bypass, though.....will help sustain the loss.....stay on the horse...and keep riding hard towards whatever BMI my body seems to level out at. I don't know of point, since birth, where I've been in line with my exact numbers on the "standard height & weight chart". Not one day. Big baby at birth, big kid.....hyooooge adult. :fofl: The really cool thing is that with this surgery and sticking with the new way of living.........I can see a point where I may be much closer to the "old standard chert numbers". Here's what I really take comfort from. This is knowledge and insight I gained from once losing over 100lbs on my own just a few years back. Even though it was short lived in terms of staying at that low weight...here it it is: My ability to loose the weight at my current state is limited due to physical limitations that limit exercise....thus I'm only able to exert control over one side of the "calorie equation" = on the calories consumed side. I struggle when this is the only side of the equation I can work on. It's almost like being in the boxing ring with one hand tied behind my back. As I loose weight, I am confident that my physical limitations will improve. Currently it's a back injury that has required 6 cycles of steriods, muscle relaxers and pain meds.....for the last 3 months. On the last day of the current steroid prescription today. Scared, too, as the next day or two are when the symptoms have often returned. The Fluid gain and weight gain from the use of these steroids has been unwanted.....but the relief necessary to be able to attend my job duties. I know that significant weight loss will ease the strains on my back and lead to healing. I know that the knees that are in need of knee replacements will be eased up, too. As I loose weight, I will become more and more mobile. Increased mobility will allow steady use of treadmill....controlled safe soft walking surface. I'll be able to walk so much further on my job every day, too. This activity will give me both hands to fight with while in the proverbial boxing ring. I'll be better able to work both sides of the calorie equation.....consumption AND burning them. This, my friends, will lead to much faster weight loss that will FEEL great. This is the state I want to be in over the time remaining before my surgery. This time is unclear as my first NUT appointment is over a week away. This is the what starts my 6 month timeline to surgery as I understand it. I've got a lot of headroom in my BMI to burn off on my own prior to 6 months. i am really looking forward to the first NUT appointment and getting a better gameplan from them. I'm hoping for a more specific gameplan to follow. Less freelance work on my own...but a factual & actual battle plan to follow. Good news is that I'm taking tomorrow and Thursday as vacation days. Tomorrow is my first appointment with my bypass / umbilical hernia surgeon. Thursday is the next appointment with my spine surgeon. There are a number of things I'll be hoping to gain from them but of primary concern is finding a way to get leverage over my mobility and off the meds that I'm needing for the back. *Is there an epidural injection process that I can get for my back to ease things off so I can get off the meds and mobile as I burn off weight during the next 6 months leading up to surgery? *Is there some type of hernia girdle or wrap that I can wear on workdays to keep this hernia from protruding from my umbilical area? This will help keep my core supported which will have to benefit my back, too. Ideas, insight and questions you think I should be asking my doctors: * * Gotta run and get ready for a 14 hr shift.......but will be checking back in later tonight. Poking around this forum and seeing the progress of the members here is something that I take great comfort and confidence from. I can't wait to get the very best results I can over the next 6 months......get this hernia repaired in the same procedure as the bypass.......and then recover.......but while recovering from the hernia (been through this twice before).....I'll be losing weight bigtime.....not simply laid up for a few weeks trying to just heal a hernia repair. As I recover from the hernia.....and the weight loss continues.......return to the job.......gain more and more mobility.......I'll be walking so much more than I can even conceive of. The future calories that I'll burn over a daily basis will be unreal. The bypass will be a huge tool on the consumption side of the equation. I can look at the old height & weight chart and now say....,"Hmmmmmnnnn"......who knows. At 46, I can easily see weighing what I did when I was 21. I've seen my beautiful younger sister go through all this 15 years ago with her bypass. She's been at her "standard chart numbers" for the past 12-13 years and is fit and trim as anyone I've ever known. She's amazing and has and will be a tremendous source of encouragement. Have a great day, folks. Let's do this thing !!!!!!!!

When first making the decision to open up to the tool of bariatric surgery I simply assumed that the sleeve would be the procedure that I preferred. This was due to having the full run of my plumbing and perceived ability to eat the foods I wanted, but restrict the amounts. Seemed simple. My younger sister had bypass 15 years ago and I just didn't think that "aggressive" a procedure would be needed for me. After all.....I've lost large amounts of weight in the past through diet and exercise....I just needed a little help......or so I was believing. My physician who was discussing this with me eased me into the conversation and led me to find my way to the surgeon I've selected. I've been to his group presentation.....the first required step. Even after listening to my sister and seeing her progress.......for 15 years......and for secretly thinking in some small way that she took the easy way out.........I didn't "get" it. That presentation really altered my thinking about restrictive and absorptive restriction. I realized in that group session my "hero" status as the big brother doing it on his own......over and over again......was a stupid cycle. I needed to get all the help available.....every tool in the toolbox to get the lifelong results I strived for. Dr Carlson addressed the full room and fielded every question asked. An hour went by....then more.......he'd long since made his informative presentation.....yet stayed to discuss our concerns. A lot of "ah-ha" moments were had. I heard the lady seated behind me speak to her friend, "The sleeve is what will work best for me". My wife, seated beside me, was quiet. She reserved her comments until much later when we were driving home. She proceeded carefully fearing that she knew my mind had already been made up on the sleeve. It was a relief to her when I acknowledged that I felt I needed the bypass.......like my brave little sister did so many years ago.....doing her own research.....as a young woman on her own.......when most folks hadn't heard of such. One of my issues is reoccurring reflux. Some nights it can be really bad. It subsided greatly once I completely cut out alcohol from my intake on April 2, 2015. Back in early April of this year I'd begun resuming the fight to loose my weight. I'd taken evaluation of my current state of living. I loved to grill out.........really loved it. It is therapeutic. I loved to crack open a cold beer and fire up the coals. More beer throughout the cooking and serving everyone had me relaxed and happy. After dinner, I'd normally get drowsy due to several beers......then it'd be time to hit a couple tequila shooters and another beer......or a rum & diet coke or two. I'd get my relaxed and happy state back. It was clear which non-essential calories to drop first......cut out the beer and liquor along with seriously revising the menu on my plate. Guess what.....these were the nights the reflux was bad. Drinking + spicy food (the only kind off my grill ) = reflux. I discussed this "revelation" with my wife. She pointed out a few times since when I'd complained of reflux....since I'd cut out alcohol. I realized she was right......it was still occurring but less often. I have decided that I'd prefer the bypass.......but don't even know yet if I'm approved for it. The waiting and suspense of insurance is driving me nuts. Don't get me wrong.....I'm glad the procedure isn't something as easy to get as a bad tattoo.......but I wish it was more straightforward from the insurance company standpoint. Down the road the results I get from the bariatric will certainly lessen the costs I'd otherwise pose to them, right ? Sorry for the rambling. I'm just eagerly impatient and ready to get this ball rolling in the direction that will lead to successful and long lasting health provided I continue to do my part. I'm checking stuff off the mandatory list at least.....and this website and the folks here are already helping me find answers to the tons of questions I have. My mandatory checklist: Attend the group session---done in early June. Meet with the bariatric program's & surgeon's nurse to review my case and 8 pages of medical Q&A i was to complete--done this past week. Meet with surgeon on official visit----scheduled for July 1. Meet with program's nutritional guru----first of the 6 visits is on July 7. This I understand will be the "start" date of the mandatory 6 month timeline to surgery. Meet with psyche guru----awaiting appointment scheduling now. Internal scope evaluation of stomach and other plumbing-------to be scheduled after visit with surgeon I still don't have any type of official indication that bypass is a covered procedure (United Healthcare). I don't know if I can hang on 6+ months before getting this latest umbilical hernia taken care of. I want to get on to eating the foods I'll be living by after the surgery......eat like I've had the surgery......begin accelerated weight loss now......not wait until the surgery. I just want to be sure that I can't lose "too much" on my own that the insurance balks and says, "No way buddy.....you got this.....do it yourself". I can do a lot off by myself.....but I fail to keep it off. I don't want to sabotage my chances for coverage. So many questions that I'm sure will be resolved and clear in the weeks ahead......it's just right now I want to get going with progress of some type......no matter if it's from bypass or from my jumping onboard with the new plan. The compelling reasons for the need to get going are probably no different than most other folks here: I'm having back spasms from reoccurring back injuries due to herniated T-12 vertebrae. Spine surgeon stated that bariatric surgeon can do more for my spine than he could with back surgery. Sounds legit. Umbilical hernia is driving me nuts. It's worsened when back goes out and my posture and such gets weird. Knees are shot....ortho doc says I need knee replacements sooner than later....he's saying 5 years tops.....plus hip, too. He also stated that 200 lbs off my frame would push those replacements back a long time. I already feel some benefit in my knees from the initial pounds coming off. Swelling in my ankles is greatly reduced. Sorry again for the rambling. I'm jittery after finishing up the last day of miracle steroids (4th round with them since April) on my back. The side effects are sleeplessness for me. I get jittery after the 6 day cycles. I'm hoping for a good long sleep later today....tonight. Aside from dropping the alcohol, fried food and reducing sugar & starch intake (doing these).........what can you advise me to do? What other dietary-related actions? Breakfast choices now are oatmeal (made with Water and small amount of salt) vs sausage biscuits and such. lunch & dinner has me eating lots of salads. Snacks are nuts, fruits like blueberries and apples and occasional whole grain toast with small amount of health choice butter substitute or Greek Yogurt. Drinking tons of water. 40oz of coffee every day during the first portion of the day......a lot, I know. I use nonfat creamer and Splenda or Equal (10 packs for 40oz coffee). I'm still having 2-3 20oz Diet Mt. Dew's every day. Sounds like a ton....but it's way down over the number I used to drink. I go to one a day on days off....but do poorly during workdays. No more drive thru's and only salads from fast food restaurants. What else should I be doing? Should I order the "Big Book on Bypass" and get started on it ??????? Stir crazy and tired of my 46 years of fat fighting. 5 years ago I burned off 120 and felt like a new man.......still have many of the 2X & 3X clothes. I saved most of them.....refusing to toss them due to that being symbolic of me throwing away my hope of wearing them again. I lost that weight.....but failed to keep it off. The brief period at that reduced weight was enough of a taste of healthier living that I have craved ever since. Virtually painfree and full of energy. Leaner.......able to wear my old high school letterman's jacket and button it up......too small still, but at least it would button up. Another 100 pounds off that and I feel like i'd be walking around feeling like a Gazillion dollar lottery winner. I may never get a winning lottery ticket.....but I'll be supremely happy to get 200 lbs off........and MAINTAIN that level. So ready to get this machine krunk up and in gear and burn some rubber down the track. This waiting is like sitting there with the engine revving up but the parking brake locked in place...........

Thanks, everyone!!!!!! Rest assist that I'll be one persistent patient along the way. I am really looking forward to the process and the changes and benefits. I'm making great headway on the diet sodas. Averaging one a day now.......which is down from 6+ per day. I'll make my July 1 goal of zero per day !!!!!!!!!!! Stopping at grocery store tonight after work to buy some Stevia for tomorrow's coffee and going to get started soon on 1/2 decaf blends........ The Stevia is a step to get away from the artificial sweeteners I use for coffee and tea. Not a bariatric thing so much as something I'd just like to rid myself of. We'll see. Stuff is expensive but my overall food cost is way down now so there is "room". ???? Amazing how much difference there is in my wallet after quitting the fast food drive throughs before and after work. More amazing is how much better I feel from eating salads, oatmeal, grilled chicken, turkey some ham, tuna, Oikos Triple Zero, occasional whole grain toast, salmon and a weekly steak. I'm not starving, either......getting plenty of calories.....too many most likely. The first step was just to move over to the new foods......next step will be to dial it down to below my maintenance level and enjoy what happens when staying in the deficit. Third step is to get into exercise as this suspect back allows.

Been a C-PAP user for a dozen years or more. On my 3rd machine now. I'm not sure if I'll be able to ever get clear of needing it. I can remember as a teenager (at ideal weight) being a horrible scorer and suffering from sleep apnea then, but not knowing any better. The benefits of the C-PAP may be here to stay for the next 46 years of my life. ????

I'm not trying to load up on too much stuff so early in my six month timeline, but I would like to try a few of the staples that'll become frequent eats once I'm post-op. Are there products, websites and prices that you can recommend I try? Even grocery store items? I'm also a costco member of that helps. Thanks !

Thanks everyone. I'll tell ya folks........right now I'm feeling mighty confident with the selection of Protein powders in my Neighborhood Market grocery store. They have some great tasting varieties. Another product that is simply killer is Oikos Triple Zero in all it's outstanding flavors, too. Superb product for sure.

Great news for you both. Looking forward to reading your posts on to the progress you are both going to be making !!!!

I've had two umbilical hernia surgeries....both open wounds......both were a month of time off work. The first was done at my current weight......and I needed longer to recover. The second one followed a huge diet and exercise push that found me 120 lbs lighter. I still took 4 weeks off......but the recovery was much, much easier. I've regained that weight......and have another umbilical hernia that's going to be repaired when I have my bypass. Hoping that 3rd time is a charm. I'm planning on taking 6 weeks for the bypass-hernia surgery recovery this next time. My job is a manufacturing supervisor. Some desk.....more walking around. Long shifts 13-14 hours. Were I going back to an 8 hour desk job it may have been quicker, however sitting at a desk is not easy with umbilical hernia repair for long periods. Hint: a well placed pillow slightly pressed over the area really helped me those first few weeks of home recovery. I wish you the best and hope that you can take the time you need to properly heal. Part of me feels that I rushed it and caused myself the "next" umbilical hernia.....and the next.

My insurance requires 6 months of supervised diet and covers at 50%. Going to use this time to lose as much as I can on my own and still qualify for surgery.....and get adjusted to new way of eating as much as I can.

Thanks everyone! Patience is something I can use, too. Sidelined lately due to some injuries made me feel like a kid being grounded as punishment. Was beneficial though as if forced me to sit and think. Think for days on end. Took a pause from everything and just healed up and considered the possibility of actions I could take to get my life back from the current and future monster of obesity related injuries. I'm coming out of that with focus and resolve to do this bypass and gain my life back. Patience will be tested because once I make decisions......I want immediate results. Who doesn't, right? December? Great. January? Great, too.....more time to plan and adapt, although it'll just suck paying up all the deductible cost upfront. Heck, it's going to be spent next year, anyway.....just going to get it paid earlier than later.

Gotcha. I sure was hoping for sooner. Mid December ties in perfectly with my work schedule.

Tried it under year when I was doing Adkins. Worked okay but led to bad juju for me as it opened the door to breads in general. I'd always done best to stay away altogether. Same thing said about the Adkins Snacks for me. Their snack bars were the undoing of my discipline. That was during a hardcore 8 month Adkins push. Now, though, it may be a product I revisit.

Amazing results. I can't wait to see the benefits post op myself. Hoping to be there by year's end.

Amazing and inspiring pics !!!!!