Dub

Thank you. I'm a grateful devil....that's what I am. The sleeve has been a miracle in my life and helped in many ways. I get really enthused seeing newbies post here knowing that they have so much fun in store for them. I was that newbie just a few months ago.

Damn you. I want some. Do you deliver? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Delivery ? I could be persuaded to. Damn you. I want some. Do you deliver? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App @@Dub looks awesome. You know what you doing! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! Old guys like me tend to pick up a few skills along the way......if we are lucky.

Thank you. I simply am relieved. All I've had to do was follow a very easy to understand plan that was clearly laid out by my surgeon. If there is anything that I'm proud of it is that I'm proud that I was finally about to put aside my reservations with WLS and step through that door. Getting out of my own way is what I'm most proud of.

Not at goal......but working in the right direction and feeling great about the decision to have the sleeve surgery. The day before October 2015 VSG & hernia repair. Wearing and old stretched out 6xl t-shirt. 10 months out of VSG & hernia repair. Trying on a brand new 2xl t-shirt.....over the shirt I was already wearing.

6'4" Starting weight July 2015 = 478 lbs Weight on surgery day October 2015 = 423 lbs Current weight in September 2016 = 290 lbs Weight related injuries and co-morbitities were dragging me down. I was miserable. Hurting all the time and having to consult with circulatory surgeons, spine surgeon, knee surgeon and my pcp was very concerned with me. I was 47 years old and making it much into my 50's was looking more and more like a challenge that I'd lose. One memory of those days occurred in June 2015. It sums up how things were for me post op....more accurately, it sums up where I was and where I was heading. It was not going well. It was early in the morning and I was doing my best to get ready for a doctor's appointment. It was with a spine surgeon. I was in intense pain the likes of which I'd never experienced before or since (including post op pain from knee and hernia surgeries.....this back issue had me in the dirt). Made it through a shower and mostly dressed. Simply could not get my socks and shoes on. Asked my wife for help doing this last thing before she drove me to the appointment. She did so....but told me I needed to "man-up". Those words cut through the pain. They cut through the haze of the double dose of pain meds and muscle relaxers I'd taken in preparation for making the 30 min drive to that appointment. They pissed me off......not at her so much as at myself. I was mad for letting myself fall into such a rut. The back injury could have occurred if I'd been lighter.....but not so likely. Turns out I was unable to get into her car....it was too low to the ground and I couldn't do it. I finally managed to get behind the wheel of my little pickup and drove myself to that appointment.....yelling out in pain at every railroad track or pothole. It was a morning full of suck. My little 4WD truck is a stick shift....no way she could've driven. I made it there and back....using crutches and cussing a lot. Spine surgeon's advice that morning was to load me up with a battery of meds.....and get me to weight loss surgery. I didn't protest and a few months later I had my sleeve surgery. In many ways, I owe the spine doc tremendous gratitude. He did nothing other than review my x-rays and MRI and write some scripts......but his advice was spot on. Grateful I took it. I went into a whole heap of detail with the above description of a single morning of my life........but it was how things were then. I missed 6 weeks of work for that back problem......and then 3 more weeks recovering from my sleeve & hernia surgery. This from a guy who's never hardly missed any work in 21 years with my employer.....only for surgery recoveries. Tough times. I'll be much more brief in describing life since my sleeve surgery. Let's just say that I seldom miss the opportunity to "man-up" now and I put my back into it. I am almost 11 months out from surgery and a long way from where I want to be.....but I am enjoying the process and have learned a great deal about what makes me tick and what I want in life. More importantly....at 47 years old, I can now see having plenty of life left to live and enjoy. This was pre-op me......taken the day before my October 2015 VSG & umbilical hernia repair....you can see the hernia looking like it's going to explode, lol. No wonder my back was messed up. I was 55 lbs lighter in this pic than I was at the beginning of my bariatric appointments in July 2015. So....this was the "new" slim and trim me, lol. Old stretched out 6xl tee-shirt in the pic, too. Most recent pic I have....taken on September 1, 2016.....10.5 months out from sleeve surgery. Here's a goofy couple pics........but the last full length pics I could find. I was trying on a brand new 2xl t-shirt.....over the top of the shift I was already wearing. It fit. No more daily prescription meds for high blood pressure, cholesterol, pain and etc. There is no single aspect of life that's not been improved....some by a little.....some by a tremendous amount. Approaching my 48th birthday but feeling more like I did at 28 and grateful for it. carpe diem

I grill boneless chicken breast every week and enjoy it as a basic staple in my post op living. I vary the flavor by using different rubs. I agree that it can be dry if overcooked......and unsafe if undercooked. The key is to remove it from the grill at the correct internal temp. I've found that 160 degrees is this temp...as far as I'm concerned. If cooked properly.....it's one of the most sleeve-friendly foods I've encountered.

Might I ask how you "killed your cardio" and why that has impacted your loss? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App It would seem that my posts are riddled with typos. I intended for that to say, "Had some issues these past two months that have killed my cardio." I've not done any formal cardio work and it shows. I know that the conventional wisdom is that exercise doesn't really factor into weight loss......but it does for me in many ways. Things are improving and moving forward at the moment, though.

The more I move.......the more I lose. Had some issues these past two months that I've killed my cardio. Looking forward to resuming.

First of all, I love your posts! Also, I thought you were married?? Anyways, I worked in grocery stores for 12 years - fat, skinny, slightly overweight, pregnant ... And I have flirted and been flirted with all along the way! (Boy it has gotten me in a lot of trouble!). Flirting has always come natural to me - just talk, be witty, smile, maybe a tilt of the head, a step in closer, a light brush on the arm. Truth is, flirting isn't about whether you are fat or skinny - it's about confidence. People are attracted to confident people. Be proud of who we all are - which happens to be that WE ARE ALL AMAXING!! Embrace your new confidence with the pounds you shed, and start flirting!!! Witty and a good smile is how I catch a guy's eye ... And if they are not receptive ... Their loss! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Yes, married. But am alive and well. Not the iniator.....just a dude buying groceries......

In my 5th month......I went on a two week binge where I lived off charbroiled or steamed oysters every meal. I was good for 1/2 dozen sized orders. I can't freaking wait to get my grill loaded down with some oysters.......soon......soon. Nothing better.

Nope. I've yet to experience hunger like I did when I was pre-op. That being said.....this is so long as I eat meats and vegetables. If I add in anything like chips, candy, sweets.....then there will be predictable cycle of cravings that starts within 30 mins and it leads to wanting to graze and snack. Keeping it to just the 3 meals of meats and vegetables and I have zero hunger. A couple of cups of coffee spaced out during the day really helps, too.

I sip on branch chain amino acid drinks during most workouts. The particular brand I prefer is Xtend, by Scivation Nutrition.

Sleeved ~11 months ago. Use ibuprofen with the blessings of my surgeon. No issues.

Exactly why I don't eat carbs other than what's in Splenda for coffee and minimal amounts in traces of other things. When I open the door and eat something carb loaded.....it simply sets up a crash and craving 30 mins later.....and the cycle of cravings occurs repeatedly until I cut out the carbs. Exactly why I chose to skip puree stage where my NUT's plan allowed oatmeal, creamed potatoes, yogurt and the like. Everyone has their own strategy......for me....it's much easier to sidestep the cravings by not giving in to them. It takes a day or two each time to get back on track and "purged" of them.

It was simple for me. I stuck with Premier Protein and Chike Protein shakes for the first month. My needs were met. Weight loss was good. I didn't have to think about food. Really helped break me away from food focus.

I'm not trying to flirt in the grocery store.......yet these random encounters seem to occur. At 47 I have certain....shortcomings that are age related. The worst of them shows up all the time in grocery store. I've had more than one occasion where a good looking woman saved me from my quandary. The shortcoming is my vision. I'm still great to drive, shoot and otherwise live......but gotta wear reading glasses to read smaller print. I refuse to carry my reading glasses around with me. I was struggling reading a label on some coffee creamer....trying my best to live on the edge with trying new stuff....yet wanting low carb. I hear a, "Wanna let me give you a hand with that ??" and I look over and it's an angel who has swooped in to save me. We had a nice conversation and I was made aware of some good options. Turns out we go to the same gym and know some of the same people. My label reading angst has been noted a time or two since then. Funny stuff. Out of a weakness.....comes opportunity. The grocery store.....from 3pm-5pm weekdays the gals come in after their gym trips. 5pm-7pm they come in from work in their cute scrubs or skirts & heels.........the grocery store is new singles club, lol. Not that I know a damn thing about any of this.........

I slept in a recliner for the first few weeks. Very comfortable.

I think you hit the big ones already. Think of it in terms of heat. For me the mild heat of a jalapeño has always been desirable, the heat of a habanero is tolerable and the heat of a Scotch Bonnet pepper is NOT tolerable. In bariatric terms I can say that I find that eating a cup of food in a meal is tolerable, 1.5 cups of food in a meal is NOT tolerable as it leaves me miserably full and uncomfortable. Eating high sugar content foods is NOT tolerable as it leaves me with diarrhea and upset stomach. Going to McDonald's.....ordering their Artisan Grilled chicken Sandwich and leaving off the buns and lettuce is a meal that is tolerable in size and flavor is to my liking. Diet sodas for me are NOT tolerable due to the carbonation making me uncomfortable. Sort of a random list......sorry.

Different question......how is your weight loss going ? Reason I ask is that the more successful my weight loss efforts are.....the better I feel about everything. The endorphins released from a good gym session are like a natural high......way more effective than beer and cigarettes. No kidding. I used to smoke like a freightrain and drank my weight in beer every month......now do neither. Is there a way you get some time in every week to do something really physical.....that leaves you wiped out...sore.....but feeling good for the effort ? If not....then I hope you can get those feels in life really quick. Good stuff. Sorry....as none of this was a direct answer to your question.

I"m trying to lose weight. Right in weight loss mode now. Down 190 lbs with 45 more to hit my goal weight. Oatmeal......in any form.....is simply not something I'm eating right now. It is not relevant to my current goals. Later on when I'm dialed in and living at maintenance, then some great steel cut oats made without sugar....just some salt, butter and a few blueberries.....sure. Great breakfast. Not during my weight loss phase. I'm sure others disagree and they've gotta do what's best for them. Just because something is "on my NUT's plan" doesn't always translate over to it being the best choice for me at the weight loss stage.

"Get used to never finishing a meal" were instructive words my surgeon used early on as I was starting solid protein again. It's an easy thing to handle. Say for instance I"m at restaurant and my order arrives.....a large piece of salmon and some steamed vegetables. First thing I do is size up the fish and slice off what I know is a proper portion size an get a to-go box for the rest.

I think my meal size those first three months was 1/4 cup. I ate much slower then than I do now. I could feel the fullness coming on as I finished the 1/4 cup of food. It was not a pleasant feeling and one that I avoided. Your stomach has a lot of healing left to do and there is inflammation. You really do need to proceed carefully and stick with soft flaky & moist proteins. Your bariatric practice has done you a disservice by not making the guidelines very clear.....before this point. I'd raise a little hell with them on that next appointment.

And so it begins.................................... I saved the belt I was wearing at the time of surgery. Every now and again I'll take it hold it up and laugh my arse off. And your off to the races now. Clothes are good frustration to have. You are gonna have fun shopping when you deem the timing right. That is awesome. Feels good to retire stuff because it's too big. Great experiences right there. I'll probably be out there looking goofy like Kramer from the Sienfeld show.

Just about all the varieties of Quest bars are of my liking. The pumpkin flavor is off da chain good................

What's odd is that I don't mind blue cheese.......but have hatred for cottage cheese. Doesn't make sense. I am, however, totally down with tuna. Love the stuff. My current favorite is the .2.5oz pouches of Bumble Bee brand Spicy Thai Chil tuna. Super flavor....but one I had to acquire. The name should have prepared me for the hotness. Doubly so since I no longer drink Water with meals. I've pretty much transitioned over to the Bumble Bee brand altogether. Prior to wls I had zero knowledge of such....who knew there were brands that give you nice big chunks and brands that consistently give you soupy mess in a can. Not I, for sure.