Dub

Went on a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean with my wife last week. We had some fun and I certainly enjoyed the hot tubs, pools, bars and beaches. Good eats, too. I enjoyed the bars too much, though. The next vacation will be to take my son and his girlfriend down to the Harry Potter them parks this Summer for a couple days. Not sure what else will come up.

Honestly, I have gotten very, very little assistance from the nutritionists in my program. They are certainly available, of course, available on FB, even. Just a click away. It's simply what they can offer.......that is of little help. Don't get me wrong.....their info and data is crucial.....extremely crucial to my success. It is simply that this data was attainable to me from other sources and well prior to my wls. There is no other refinement that they are likely to offer. It is what it is.......very straightforward as far as the amounts and types of foods I need to be eating now. Of much greater value......tremendous even.....were the classes my psychiatrist offered. Huge, huge, freaking huge value there. Her presentations have been highly thought provoking and have helped in a number of ways.

I hit my 6 month mark this week. Last week I snuck in a cigar on our deck aboard a cruise. I'd made friends with our "neighbors" so I didn't think they'd mind if I enjoyed watching the sun go down and a nice robusto sized cigar. Couldn't get my hands on a Cohiba.....so I made due with what was available. I had a couple ounces of Johnny Walker in a glass to go along with it. No music.....no noise......just some good sips and a good smoke. Relaxing moments prior to joining in on the loudness that seemed to be everywhere else but that peaceful deck and the sounds of the sea blowing by. Good stuff.

Couldn't get the link to work. I know the show you are referring to, but have never watched an episode. Do men see each other and notice qualities or mannerisms ? Sure. Not really sure the real question here.....I'd probably grasp it best if I could see the link. Do you know what the episode is titled ?

Soon Dub... soon, and before you know it it'll be here. 500?! DAMN! lol, my shoulder came apart at 250, I can't imagine what would happen at 500! I cannot stress enough, take care of that shoulder! I wish I could put into words the excruciating pain that recovery was. I like to think of myself as a man with a high threshold for pain. During the 8 week recovery, I was stoned off my ass for the first 4. Seriously, barely remember anything except for the pain and how much coffee I drank to try and clear some of the haze from my foggy head. I hear ya, bro. I've been awared about the pains post-op that are inherent with this surgery. I'm a veteran of more than a few surgical repairs......most from being a dumbass and pushing things too far during playtimes. The source of this shoulder injury is no different. Dumb goal. Dumb execution of said motivation. Much more refined goals now.........directed mostly by a coach that has been keeping me on track with many issues. The only thing that I really worry about in regards to this surgery are: what will my employer do in retaliation-reaction to my recovery period and what will my woman do about my inability to fully perform certain functions in certain ways. The clear solutions are to seek legal aid with the former.........and a more understanding woman with the latter. lol. All will work out in time, I suppose. Just stuff that this brotha has to get done to get back to living fully.

Yes we do. Mine was on April 3rd, 2015. Was near the end of a 14 hour workday......did something my arse shouldn't have done.....lifted shyt in a careless manner.....ended the workday and came home and decided to manhandle a boat trailer (with boat on still on it) in my garage to make it easier on my b-i-l when he came to borrow the boat. Herniated a disc in the process. The weeks and months ahead presented me with the worst pain I'd ever experienced. My regular family practitioner, my spine surgeon and my pain management doc all said to lose weight asap. So.........bariatric surgery plans were made and followed up on. Glad I did.

Yes we do. Mine was on April 3rd, 2015. Was near the end of a 14 hour workday......did something my arse shouldn't have done.....lifted shyt in a careless manner.....ended the workday and came home and decided to manhandle a boat trailer (with boat on still on it) in my garage to make it easier on my b-i-l when he came to borrow the boat. Herniated a disc in the process. The weeks and months ahead presented me with the worst pain I'd ever experienced. My regular family practitioner, my spine surgeon and my pain management doc all said to lose weight asap. So.........bariatric surgery plans were made and followed up on. Glad I did. Yes we do. Mine was on April 3rd, 2015. Was near the end of a 14 hour workday......did something my arse shouldn't have done.....lifted shyt in a careless manner.....ended the workday and came home and decided to manhandle a boat trailer (with boat on still on it) in my garage to make it easier on my b-i-l when he came to borrow the boat. Herniated a disc in the process. The weeks and months ahead presented me with the worst pain I'd ever experienced. My regular family practitioner, my spine surgeon and my pain management doc all said to lose weight asap. So.........bariatric surgery plans were made and followed up on. Glad I did.

For me.....it was around 11 weeks. The long delay was due to having a simultaneous umbilical hernia repair, my third on that location, at the time of my VSG surgery. The sleeve was a cake walk to recover from........the hernia took 3 weeks before I returned to work. There you go, going full beast mode! Take care of that rotator cuff; believe me, surgery on that is painful. Thanks, Bro. Far from full beast mode.....but there is hope that one day I will be. I used to have a goal for a 500 lb bench press by age 50. Now.......I just want to be able to rip off a 5K race at a moment's notice by age 50. I'm under no illusions that I'll be a gym warrior........but being able to please my woman at anytime day or night is my main goal........and do this until she & I are in our nursing home days.......that's really all that matters to me. That and being a dude that maintains her trust at all times. Simple dude with simple passions.

Another victim of food porn. This man is a victim! Quick Mrs. Obama, fix this. (Edited to add smiley face so hopefully people will know this is a joke) Hell, man.....I wasn't joking. I found the bishes....and bought 'em. Gonna feed 'em to the family tonight. Probably won't mess with them myself. My Teenage T-Rex will let me know if they are good or not.

Been vacationing a bit. Did hit the gym a few times during last week's cruise. Hit the fatceps at my regular gym this week after getting back int town. Torn rotator cuff and some back problems are slowing me down..........but not taking me outa the training game.

Okay........now I'm screwed....... Kings Hawaiin commercial just aired.......new product.....jalapeño version. Oh Lawd........

Put the pics away boys, dang it all to heck. Well at least I don't have to ask for a hall pass Wait wut.......we are supposed to ask for those ? Damn. It would seem I've not followed proper protocol and took indecent liberties............sheeeeeeeeiiiiiiiittttttt. Oh, well.....trust & believe that I'll not be asking for retroactive hall pass as well as future hall pass. I'm just gonna slip and dip the halls like Jeff Spicolli did.........and do my dead level best to avoid Mr. Hand. Grew so dang tired of Mr. Hand........ (that's a Fast Times at Ridgemont High reference above, folks......not a statement about masturbation....as far as ya'll know anyway.....well most of ya'll).

You make it sound so easy to be Dub. That's nice. As far as the sleeve surgery goes....it truly has been that simple. In some other categories, however......it's a freaking mess.

October 2015 April 2016 (not after pics.....but DURING pics....long way to go to reach AFTER status)

I'm so glad I was simply upfront with folks from the very beginning. It's been the biggest nonevent imaginable. There's been zero judgmental comments voiced nor has there been any blowback.....simply good positive supportive comments and attaboys. Coming up with a cover story of how I was losing 40% of my bodyweight seemed like a sham and a bunch of bs. It's a choice we each have to make....and everyone's circumstances are unique to them. I'm just a straightaway, heart on sleeve sort. Truth is easier than fabrication.

Amen !!!!! When in Rome.......eat & dine better than the Romans !!! Steak, fish, eggs, lobster and cheeses were my mainstay.......that and too much liquor. I had a blast with the cadre of international bartenders and my peeps at the poolside bars. Fun stuff. Slept very little and partied like a beast. Hot tubs and salt Water pools were my peaceful spots. Found a couple bars in Cozumel that adopted me for a day, too.

I hear ya on the rant. Was on a cruise last week and it became evident........grossly evident....at how poorly folks eat. I hit my six month mark during the cruise. I've made the transition to the ne way of doing things and feel that it's a lifelong change for me. The food commercials don't bother me any more. Especially after last week and people watching on the ship. Virtually all the staff onboard were height-weight chart compliant. Almost all. The cruisers we mostly overweight.....and a high percentage were obese. No mystery as to why when you observe them in restaurants. I'm an early riser and tended to take my book and sit and sip coffee in the buffet restaurant each morning. Unreal what I observed people chowng down on. Massive quantities. I often saw the same people in line again when I'd go back a couple hours later to eat Breakfast with my wife. I saw my old self in those people. My old habits. I'm glad I saw this.

Very disturbing event. Sad that her children are victims as well. The killer should be tortured brutally over a long span of time prior to being put to death.

How did you derive this goal ?

Keep on track as you have already read above.......as there is no food you can't have in the future. Absolutely zero need for food funerals now. Get on that liquid diet as soon as you can and start losing now at an impressive rate. The goal is to lose weight.......not to wait for the surgery to lose weight. Begin losing now by committing to the new way of living.

Wow.

Wow...Congrats! You look damn good! Agreed !!!!!

I hear ya. I'm a gun fan, too. Ordered a 12 ga last week that's set up specifically for turkey hunting. Should be here this week....in time to go after one this season, I hope. Recently added a 5" 44rem mag for woods gun....should be good on bear, hogs or maybe a close ranging deer next fall. If nothing else, it'll be fun as hell to shoot. Treated myself last birthday to the 1911 that I've wanted for as long as I've been a shooter. Damn thing is a tack driving machine. Way more accurate than I am. Added another bucket list 1911 for Christmas. My gun needs are covered......Mustang or Challenger needs are next up........ Gym time doesn't register as an addiction to me.....it's just a spot where I go to workout and soak up motivation. I'm under no illusions that I'll be a bodybuilder like some of my buddies are. They spend insane $$$ on supplements and gear.....yet look like skinny-fat dudes who are pissing in the wind and crying for attention for their efforts. There are a couple of them that are making killer progress in there......quiet progress....unlike the loud little guy who has been posting his workouts on Facebook....shirtless.....doing poses.....and yelling into the cameras. Sounds impressive, but looks like a Butterball turkey. Hilarious, stuff. Speaking of gym time......I'm headed there now. I've got a lot of work to do.

I'm highly impressed with what you have done and the manner in which you've proceeded. Outstanding levels of discipline demonstrated. Very impressive. I've taken notes from your post and will be getting back to basics this week myself after some much needed vacation time where I got off track a bit. Working in a bakery........sheesh. That's some serious temptation that you are kicking ass with pushing aside. Much respect. I have a buddy here in town that's had wls.....and kills it in our gym....absolutely insane levels of workout motivation shown by him......and he's the head chef in the nicest local establishment. How....in the world....he can make the unreal transformation he's made.....while being immersed in cuisine the likes of which would break anyone's willpower is beyond me. I am inspired by you both. I wish I had heaps of great advice for you.....but, I'm afraid I do not. I basically am soaking up your motivation and discipline here and kicking my own arse into a higher gear. I do, however, feel the advice given by others to add some additional Protein calories to your meal plan seems to be wise. Maybe another meal could be added: two hard boiled eggs, or a pack of flavored tuna/salmon, or some bacon as @@FocusOnMeNow suggested or an extra protein shake or a bag of Quest chips and some tasty salsa or guacamole. An extra 200 calories of protein & fat seems like a small spike in calories yet could yield another 30 grams of protein/fat to your intake. Metabolism benefits may become evident soon. I added a killer....killer meal last night based on a suggestion that came to me on here.......had a busy day yesterday and stopped at a new Chinese restaurant on the way home. I'd not eaten at all....just coffee all day....two of the coffees had 20g each of protein in them. I was a little weak feeling and knew it was danger time.....danger as in it's a scenario where the old me would overeat at the end of the day. Anyway.....some wonton Soup (only one wonton dumplings eaten) some pepper steak (two slices---maybe a forkful) and 3 spears of broccoli and I was done, done, done. Pretty sure I didn't hit 60 grams of protein.....but the filling meal was low calorie.....low carb and left me feeling like I'd had a 5 course meal. You are doing great and working hard. I can see why the now slower rate is frustrating you. You have done everything in your power....understandable frustration. Maybe you can vent on your NUT and ensure them that you are the model patient and get some additional insight from them.

You will get there. Those first two months are the hardest post op timeframe. I would really reconsider not doing the applesauce bit, though. Maybe there is an easy carb-free low calorie solution.