Dub

I feel like I am knocking cobwebs off another thread here on BP😋 Tapping back into the wealth of experiences and advice that I remember was so helpful for me in those early days. Getting back to feeling my sleeve's restriction again after resuming the plan my surgeon recommended 9 years ago....hearty meats and vegetables....lots of chewing and leaving drinks out of the equation surrounding meal times. I think I would hurl right now if I tried to eat pasta, pizza or a sub sandwich. Good news is that none of that appeals to me. Grateful.

Today's win ? Returned to weight lifting after what seems like a 200 year hiatus. 🤣 Nothing extreme or crazy....very light weights with lots of reps. Injury avoidance is key concern. Other win is the overall feeling like I have things dialed in and the cruise control is activated. The positive feels from this are so welcome. The last 6 years or more have been chaotic and hellish at times. Things are slowing down and falling into place. Sure the scale is giving lower numbers every week, but the real improvement has been with the pure simplicity of returning to the initial advisements of the professionals at my bariatric center.

Tonight's lunch/dinner. Great job on the new personal record marathon results @SpartanMaker

I realize this is an older thread...but it is still near the top of page and I suppose the "most recent" of it's type ? A pile of stuff has occurred in my life since I was active here on B,Pals. My 10th year sleeve anniversary is coming up later this year. Lost a ton of unwanted weight as a result of the sleeve. Daily trips to gym were the norm. no longer drank beer, but found that sugar free mixers and high grade tequilas and vodkas made for some FUN fuel for many adventures. Storm clouds loomed heavily over my marriage. Some unresolved issues resurfaced in a big ugly way. It appeared divorce was most probable. The storm finally broke....my ship hadn't crashed on the rocks... my wife still my first mate, ally, friend and lover....marriage was stronger than ever. 6 years ago she received a diagnosis for stage 4 breast cancer. Immediately stopped drinking when that diagnosis was delivered. 4 years ago she succumbed to the evil hell of cancer. She fought it with superhuman strength and courage. I will live the rest of my years in awe of her bravery and grit. It has been an incredibly tough go of it since. Her unshakable faith stoked my own faith. That is what I leaned on heavily....and will continue to do so. Early last month, the anniversary of her death was approaching. I was filled with this feeling of guilt in addition to the ever present loss & grief. The guilt was spurned by the realization that I had taken zero steps towards what she had told me to do...afterwards. She was clear that she wanted me to live. I was going to work every day and that was the extent of it. I'd maintained zero friendships and seldom contact my family, other than our son. The hurricane damage had been repaired on the house, yet I'd done nothing towards moving stuff back into the rooms that were repaired. Was living off take out and drive through garbage because I couldn't bring myself to cook...painful memories of meals made & shared together. ENOUGH. That was the word that hung heavy in the air. I could almost hear it as if she'd spoken it loudly. ENOUGH, GREG...IT IS TIME TO MAN-UP I began taking inventory right then. I vowed to not let another year go by with me still living in a bubble...not treading water, but sinking. I have remained alcohol free since quitting those six years. Clear headed and no monsters to address there. Good. Doctors appointment for annual checkup had revealed several things....top of which was my blood panel looked like trash...precisely because that is what my diet consisted of....pure trash. There had been some weight regain...but nothing that I felt like would be too difficult to lose....if I would get my arse in gear and make the lifestyle changes needed. Things were going okay on my job, simply because I'd let it be my focus...the only thing I rallied for. Spent way too much time there. Immediately scheduled some vacation time off and road tripped to visit family Visited my wife's grave....our gravesite and did so with a different feel....loss and missing her....but, feeling more stable for the first time since losing her. She'd forced me to sit down, months before passing, and listen to her on a certain subject matter that I was avoiding. told me to live...how to live....wanted me to continue on with all aspects of life and was very descriptive. She would make ongoing instruction in the months ahead. I couldn't speak in reply...just nod that I understood. She was so brave that she could accept things and love me enough to coach me how to live....afterwards. I was too much of a coward to discuss it....just sat there and listened and acknowledged. She would KICK my arse if she saw the state of low I'd been to. One day, perhaps, I will be able to show her that I heard her and rallied. That time will be at the end of my days, however. Until then, there is much life to live. RESETTING THE SLEEVE WAS EASY: I simply swapped over to strict keto. After two weeks I felt much better....after a month I no longer wanted the crap foods and I no longer wanted big meals. The smaller meals reset things for me. There is a noticeable restriction and feeling of full that occurs now. I haven't finished a meal in a month...unless it was a 1/2 sized meal. Sipping water all day...cutting off prior to meals and 30 mins after. Zero sugar intake an damn few non-fiber carbs. Supplementing with vitamins, iron, potassium and calcium. Moving more....but still not ready for the gym and all the people. Slowly feeling emotionally more "awake". Keto, with an eye on the overall daily calorie intake is how I live now. I don't see changing that. By the time that 10th surgery anniversary arrives, I suspect I will be at my all time lowest weight since college. The sleeve is still there. It just needed me to treat it right and not override it with trash food.

Just scored a sack of this greatness yesterday. Delicious.

Marathon you say ? Heck yeah, man. Much respect !!!!!!!

Marathon you say ?

Bases loaded, full count, you knocked it out of the park !!!!! Grand Slam Home Run !!!!!!!!!!! Rock it.

I have had really good experiences with the Quest powders. Great variety and super flavors.

Tuna....for breakfast.

Yep. Happened to me, too. Freakin roller coaster. Have not had a drink since February 2019 and have no plans to resume.

Well stated. Had mine 9 years ago in my mid-40s. Looking forward to where I will be on the 10th year mark. Wish I'd done so years prior....wish I'd adhered to the suggested way of eating as I did the first five years. Now, I'm powering through the burning off of the regain and hopefully going to a new all time lowest BMI. The sleeve is still there and providing restriction. Keto has really helped get things headed in great directions.

Tuesday Night eats. Leftover brussels, bellas, Vidalia & bacon......with a small beef tenderloin cut....rare/medium rare.

Last night I was lazy and made a road trip out for a 5 calorie iced coffee and grabbed a Southwest grilled chicken salad with creamy salsa ranch dressing from Chic-Fil-A.

Been back on the bariatric / keto train for a month now. Feeling much better already. Getting sugar out of my life has been a relief. Took me a couple weeks to get through the cravings. Once gone, they've stayed gone.

You have so much to be proud of. Clearly you are tough and determined. It is terrible that they took away your desire to pursue Christ. Prayers that someone who is truly walking that path will meet you and demonstrate real faith.

Be proud of your progress…..keep smiling….keep on loving the losing. You got this.

So much strife comes from expectations not being met. Key aspect is that those expectations must be known, as couples can't read each other's minds. Talking things out and listening are crucial steps that often seemed to be skipped in the hustle & bustle of daily life. If couples can't be heard and understood by each other.....the door opens widely for them seeking this from other sources..... Some things I had to learn the hard way. Painful way.

Dinner last night….. This was two meals….and the only eats on both days. Would be much better if I would have had a little bit every couple hours through the day…but didn’t sop to eat. Boneless chicken, powdered ranch dressing and onions-peppers with a splash of heavy cream and chicken broth.

Dinner last night....filet, portabellas, broccoli, cauliflower and a small dose of horseradish sauce.

I resumed keto last month. i really needed iron and have been able to cut back on iron supplements somewhat as a result of now getting more through my diet. Sticking to meats, chicken , fish accompanied with an assortment of high fiber-low sugar vegetables. Small amounts of cheese and very seldom nuts….as both are more calorie dense than I want at present time.

56 now. Sleeve done 9 years ago. Wish I had not waited. Been sidelined the last 5+ years dealing with family illness and the aftermath. Getting on top of the regain now...finding the groove again as I resume the successful post op methods.

I would've had no trouble with a Disney trip 5 weeks post op.....other than hearing "it is small world after all" 17,000 times.

Sometimes people just suck. Seriously. Who gives a rip what someone's neighbors uncle Cletus's fourth cousin's proctologist told him about WLS horrors ?? Some folks enjoy pissing on others and tell them it is raining. Some, however, are simply trying to identify with you and find something of relevance to utter. I remember when I had disc surgery in 2017.....can't tell you the number of people who told me their aunt Berthas bingo group had group disc surgery and none of them can tie their shoes without going into a 2-day coma. Yeah...the disc surgery was a source of wonderful relief. That being said....I avoid bingo and proctologists to this day.....