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Snacks derail my weight loss. Did them this week....and am pissed off with myself. I used the excuse that I was working 14-16 hour days. Dumb arse excuse. Peanuts and trail mix were the snacks. I was an idiot. Grabbed what was convenient and didn't plan ahead. Very stressful week that has me contemplating needing to make a career change. 3 meals and no snacks is what works best for me. Meals are the correct size that my surgeon has told me to eat. He said that as I get further out into the one year mark that I can add snacks of crunchy vegetables. As I'm squarely in the weight loss time frame there is no point in eating snacks. That's simply counter to what I'm trying to do. Once I hit maintenance, then snacks to maintain a certain weight makes since. Right now.....hell no. This is just my take on it....and my surgeon's.....and applicable to just me. You gotta decide what your own goals are and what you need to do to reach them. Seems way early to be talking snacks, though.

You are doing GREAT !!!!!

I lost 10 lbs during the pre-op liquid two week diet. That was after losing 44 lbs on the nutritionist's diet over the months preceding this.

Kidney stones with only Motrin. You are one tough gal. Much respect. I had a abdominal hernia repaired when they did my sleeve. That was the only source of pain. I used the liquid pain meds for two days, I think. Still have 3/4 the bottle left. The sleeve never hurt.

It's a made for Netflix original. "The Ranch" Aston Kutchar Danny Masterson Debra Winger Sam Elliot Outstanding show. I highly recommend it. I made it through most of Season 1 in no time..........

Sounds really good. Avocado makes everything better, too. I gotta make a batch of guac really soon.

The thing about the gym is this......everyone there is just trying to get more healthy. They don't care about where everyone else around them is in their individual level of progress. They aren't judging you. If anything, it's a group that will motivate you and always glad to see others working hard towards their fitness goals. The only time I've ever seen folks not enjoy the company of others in the gym is when you find the occasional camper.....the folks that don't follow proper etiquette and move off equipment between sets or don't wipe down the equipment after they are done. It sucks having to wait on gear that someone is simply sitting down on and not utilizing. Going back into the gym without a plan....without the skill to know what proper lifting form is.....without a gradual build up in intensity.....all can be recipes for injury that will set you back and/or derail you from your goals. Hiring a trainer can be great....so long as your trainer is intelligent and listens to you. They can be highly valuable. Some of them can, at least. I've seen some trainers subject their clients to some ridiculous things that most certainly end in injury. It's very important to deal with one that KNOWS how to properly ramp someone from where most of us began....to getting us to where we want to be.....and do so safely. They aren't cheap, however. A very safe way may be to go back and simply engage in cardio....treadmill (moderate pace with some gradual increase in incline) or elliptical machines. At in the stair climbers and work your way to some cardio fitness before beginning any weight training. The weight machines can be good in that the proper motion is built in, provided you adjust them to your height. Target specific body parts in a session....get 10-15 repetitions per set and maybe 4 sets.....then allow that body part to rest for 2-3 days before doing it again. Stay hydrated. Stretch before and after. Warm up on cardio machine before lifting. Have fun with it. The classes can be great, too. Yoga not a workout ??? Really ? Has your husband ever tried yoga ? I took a couple classes and was blown away. Some of the Body Pump classes can be awesome, too. You can go follow the instructor, yet use appropriate weights and intensity to your stage. Lots of options....just be careful to allow your tendons and ligaments to develop first.....this is critical. Many just jump in and think they are going to attack their muscles and go hard after it. The major connective tissues are at risk if they aren't given the proper time to develop first. A program, such as a "5x5" is a great way to start.

That tattoo money will go a long way towards buying new clothes.....which, by the way, is a known need. You'll be shopping yer arse off for clothes....for the next 18 months or so, at least. I would opt to wait on tattoos until at least a year afterwards. Your body is going to change a great deal.

picture or link? http://www.danpostboots.com/dp2815.html#.VymyB4RrU_U First pair of western boots I've had since I was a kid. I have no idea why I've wanted them....only that I have. I know nothing about them but was told by a hunting buddy that this brand was comfortable and fairly decent place to start. He warned me though....."Dude, you'll be buying a few pair....some for jeans, some for suits....and some shitkickers to wear for everything else". We'll see. LOL. Minimal heel Calf length. Nothing kanky.

I dig getting stuff I want to wear. I hit a weight milestone that I wanted to Celebrate.....so I ordered a pair of boots I'd been wanting.

I can take big gulps.....and I can take big bites. I don't, however, because it's just not wise and ends in discomfort. It's no different than eating until I'm full. Not wise. Sip drinks, smaller bites, chew more, slow down and pre-measure the meals. Simple. No trouble ensues by doing this....sleeve life is easy when I get out of my own way and follow these simple guidelines.

I never thought about that! I'll definitely look into it! It would make sense- since our bodies are going through so much change in such a short time. Thanks! I made a change in my meds the very next day and it was a near immediate improvement. I never thought about that! I'll definitely look into it! It would make sense- since our bodies are going through so much change in such a short time. Thanks! I made a change in my meds the very next day and it was a near immediate improvement.

How is your blood pressure ? Closing in on the 3 week timeframe I was feeling like crap, too. Found out my blood pressure was running ultra low.

I see you are a pretty tall guy, too. Is that among the best Harleys for tall guys ? I've been kicking around some ideas.

Not much on the hunger thing here, either. 6.5 months out and I'm good in that department. The only time it gets anything remotely like hunger is if I had some chips or the like. It's like my body burns if off as fuel and then is asking for more of the same. If I eat Protein and fat.....that doesn't occur and I can go for indefinite periods without hunger. So, for me....staying way from sugar or things that easily convert to sugar...is the key for me.

Anytime I have an issue it is usually attributed to one of two things: eating too fast with bites.....and drinking Water too soon after eating. When I slow my roll.....good things happen.

I have always hated zombies as a concept and I have always hated scary movies. But somehow I LOVE the Walking Dead. I think it's because it really has so little to so with the zombies. I'm much more interested in PEOPLE trying to survive after the end of the world. That's what makes it so fascinating. People being put in impossible situations, having to make terrible choices, having to make new lives for themselves... so interesting and the show handles it so well. Well said !

Excellent point !!! You are so far ahead of the game right now.

Such a great show. I never in a million years thought I'd like it.....but was drawn in somewhere around the beginning of the second season. I haven't a clue as to who bought it as the hands of Neegan. There are clues and logic that lead to any of them.

I began the bariatric process last summer. I thought I remembered it being in June, but it was actually the beginning of July 2015. I weighed 478 pounds. On high blood pressure & cholesterol meds. Been suing a CPAP machine for 10 years prior. Had a herniated T-12 disc, spinal stenosis and severe advanced arthritis in both knees. I had the sleeve surgery in mid October 2015. Surgeon also repaired a large umbilical hernia at the same time (third surgical repair for the same issue). I weighed 422 lbs on the day of my surgery. Hospital stay was short....released the next day. Came home and recovered. Slept in a recliner for the first couple weeks. I highly suggest this, too. So easy to get in & out of....and very little stress on the abdomen. There have been absolutely zero complications from my sleeve surgery. The hernia repair is not doing well, but I was advised to think of it as a temporary repair that would have to be addressed as the abdominal muscles were no longer being pulled outwards by excess fat and gravity. I go back at the one year mark to see where I'm at with the hernia. I feel good....great on some days. The back is healing on it's own. Arthritis is more tolerable. Blood pressure meds are cut in half. I don't snore near as bad. I used to take 800 mg of Advil twice a day just to get around......now I go through most days without taking any. I exercise by walking and through some light weight training. I am limited in the movements I can make due to healing back and pending hernia stuff....but I get around the gym and do the stuff that feels good. I now, for the first time since high school, weigh under 300 lbs. I am closing in on my goal weight and have high confidence that I'll beat it and live at a lighter, more lean weight. I'm very happy with all aspects of the progress and can say without reservation that I would do the sleeve surgery again without a seconds thought. My surgeon has given me very simple yet effective instructions to follow and as long as I do so.....the scale number keeps getting smaller. I'm very grateful for this. My only regret is not doing this sooner. Much sooner. You are doing the right thing in doing your research and making sure you are getting the best from your surgeon and best nutritional advice upfront. The sleeve is very easy to live with and the weight loss is is going to happen for you.

Nope...not a revision. I went from the original stomach to the VSG stomach. I just know of the struggles that result from complications from banding. You two are going to do really well !!!

Being a cyborg would have some advantages.....no arthritis.....no need to wear reading glasses...... Human stuff.....It's a daily battle that faces all of us wls folks. I have to look at Snacks and such that belong to the rest of the family and reach past them to get to my packs of tuna and such. Every so often the desire to grab some of the chips n' salsa at the Mexican restaurants is powerful. I'll cave in and have a few. I know that full fledged margaritas have been the source of my stalls in the past. I've caved in a number of times and left the buns on cheeseburgers and sandwiches. It happens. We get knocked off the horse....and we get up, dust ourselves off and hop back on. Dig the spurs in and get yourself headed back in the right directions. You'll do it.....even though it's easier to not do it. Accountability is a beyotch sometimes....but self-accountability is sexy as hell. It's a source of power and energy.

These are the types of answers you'd best get from your surgeon and nutritionist. They usually have very specific instructions to follow for your safety and the overall effectiveness of your new lifestyle. I'll simply throw out my opinions here.....and I'm not medically trained or all that savvy on this stuff....just a guy who's living happily with his sleeve, okay? I reserve the right to be wrong and to make my share of post op mistakes. 1) I was encouraged to begin walking two hours after coming to in the recovery room. Walking and then after one week give other types of cardio a try....then allowed to weight train after letting my simultaneous hernia repair heal properly. The sleeve was ready for weights way before my hernia repair was. 2a) You should be drinking shakes the day after your surgery, in my experience. They gave me an ounce an hour the first day. Four ounces an hour the second.....an upwards until I was getting three shakes a day in. I lived that way until after being cleared to advance to the next stages of eating. 2b) The guy you attempted to purchase protein powder from was a complete idiot. He should seek other employment. Some of the absolute worst broscience comes from the dudes who work at GNC. I think they must be trained special to be that stupid. Look around for low carbohydrate protein powders. There is a wide range of good options.....and bad options (avoid the stuff made for hard gainers....highly caloric). 3) Low carb protein shakes. 4) I think most of us report on having 75% to 85% of our stomachs removed. I don't know how much of a factor the exact percentages translate to in terms of weight loss. I do know that the lack of hunger and the restriction are motivators to not push the limits, but to eat the recommended volumes at each meal and no more than that. I highly encourage you to make a followup appointment with your surgeon and contact your nutritionist right away. Meet with them or call them....have them respond to your questions immediately so you can be safe and enjoy the benefits of the surgery you just had.

Zero complications. Very smooth process. Would do it all over again without hesitation. Weight loss has been steady and I'm grateful for it.