Dub

I'm just getting started with this deal at 4 months post-op. In the before pic in my profile taken the morning prior to the October 2015 surgery I was wearing a tight 6X t-shirt and 4X Under Armor pants. Last gym trip I made found me wearing a 3x shirt and 2x Under Armor pants.

Bamsucka !!!!!!! Fist bumping ya on that one.

It would appear that the strips lasted longer than the freaking umbilical hernia repair that was done along with my sleeve. I'm pissed about that. More surgery to look forward to later this year. Damn ! I think I peeled mine off in the shower after the first week.

You are rocking it. Awesome. Simply awesome. Who'd have ever thought that shopping for clothes could be so damn fun......even for an old geezer like me.

Can I post here even though I'm beyond my 30's ? How about if I feel like I'm once again in my 30's ? Had my 14 week visit recently. First thing my surgeon said was that he was very pleased with the weight loss and he drove that point home really hard. Then he switched gears and proceeded to beat my azz over portion size. Emphatically stating that I should only be eating 1/2 cup sized meals.....of Protein rich foods now. 1/2 cup. No more. He made a tremendous deal over this. 3 meals a day. 1/2 cup each. He said his reason for concern is that the habits we form now are crucial. He said that those who do not adhere to the plan and get these habits engrained in their daily life will not be successful. He's been spot on about everything else thus far. I've changed up and stick to this guideline now. I can "hear" the same concerns from your surgeon in that the initial months following the surgery are where we shed most of our weight and set ourselves up for the needed discipline required to live at our goal weight. Getting lean isn't going to happen through magic.....although the lack of hunger and the wonderful restriction are close to magical. We have to do our part and choose the right foods, cease the wrong foods, exercise and save the money we used to eat so we can buy new clothes all the freaking time. You can do this. Shift gears and get angry about it. Let the anger fuel your efforts to burn it off. We have no excuses. Those were taken away when we had our surgeries.

Thanks for the endorsement. I used to think a scale is a scale is a scale. Now, though, I think it would be highly beneficial for me to add one of those. The further I get with my Fitbit One, the more I see the way in which it could help me further. I don't wear watches at work, however, the One does well on my keychain in my pocket. I'd like to add their upcoming wristwatch model and an Aria, too. I think I can use the them in tandem. "One" during work hours and the wristwatch for everything else. Getting my sleep measures would be nice to see as I know I fail badly with this. The analysis from the scale would be very helpful, too as I close in on the final push to hit goal and then to maintain.

I would day Valentines Day. Was looking forward to the night time cardio. Wife decided to go visit her family that week, though. I'll get to play Mr Mom role that week. Get my workouts done in the gym as normal.

You look wonderful. Hard work and serious discipline demonstrated right there. Great respect for your dedication.

Nope. Still a 14-E

There is no doubt that you are onto something there !!!!

Pure Protein was what they gave me.

I had a large umbilical hernia repaired at the same time as my sleeve surgery in October 2015. I was out of work 3 weeks. Went to see my doctor last month and he's not enthused at the appearance of the repaired hernia. It's going to have to be repaired again in the future.

Best: Feeling a tremendous relief in my back pain. Knees feeling better. Returning to the gym and actually doing something when I'm there. Great blood flow and everything that entails. Actually shopping for clothes in random stores......not the bigger & taller stores. Not cringing when someone starts taking pictures at an event. Minimal dread of upcoming surgeries. For instance, I have a torn rotator cuff in right shoulder that is needing repair. The abdominal hernia that was repaired during my sleeve surgery is not doing well and surgeon said he'd have to go back in and try again in a few months. Knowing I'll be lighter and stronger for these really cuts down over the apprehension of the surgeries. Knowing that I'll soon be in the "5K race-ready" physical shape and will be able to maintain this for the rest of my life. 6 months ago I would have laughed hysterically at someone suggesting this madness. The new realities are simply awesome and I'm very, very grateful. Worst: Realizing that weight loss doesn't fix everything....job stress, marital issues, etc. It truly does resolve so many health issues that I almost expected it to solve everything, lol. Sitting at a restaurant for long, long meals while others eat forever. It's not that I care what they eat. It's not that I care to eat it either. It's simply that food-related activity means so little to me. I'd rather be doing something else. I suppose that's why I try to encourage folks to sit at the bar with me when we go out to eat. It's more interactive and fun. A self-critical eye that doesn't ever seem to be satisfied. For instance....when I was pre-op, I was seeing myself as a mildly heavy guy. What a joke, but it's true. I didn't behave like a morbidly obese person....it's like I looked past what I saw in the mirror. Now, though.....the more I lose it seems the more I see I need to loose. For example, quads are solid and firm, but I detest the softer areas that I've not developed yet. It's going to be okay.....as I lose, I can do more in the gym and all things will come around. It's just weird.

I've found that my weight loss does correlate not just with calories.....but the types of calories. I know at some level this is counterintuitive, yet it has proven true with me. Early in my return to eating real foods I was challenged by my surgeon to experiment. I could eat 1,000 calories per day of the Lean Cousine style meals and stay at a standstill........or, I could eat 1,000 calories per day of chicken and tuna and minimal carbs. Doing the latter showed near immediate improvement on the scale. YMMV. I keep it low carbs and have no real complaints.

Outstanding !!!! You have done great.

Mine, too..................I'm blaming it on trying to read the tiny nutrition labels on everything. True story.....I asked a lady in the grocery store the other day to help me read a label on some coffee creamer. The fact that she was smoking hot and wearing these killer heels had zero to do with it. I needed to know what that label said, I tell ya.

I believe the scientific equivalent is a Whopper with cheese, fries and a Coke. or pizza..................

A lot of swelling and inflammation is most likely the culprit. Very sorry about the painful gout. Hopefully this will ease up and allow you to get mobile again.

@sassyfrass23. Thank you very much. WLS can be highly effective if you follow the plan before & during.....and I assume, AFTER. The results are surreal at times. The part that really will make you laugh is when you go shopping for clothes and don't know where to start.....you gravitate towards your older sizes but the sales folks in the stores steer you towards the smaller sizes you actually need. Wild experience. Check out @@heather5565 experience last weekend.....how cool is this ? !!!!!!!!! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/360684-a-huge-nsv-that-i-had-to-have-explained-to-me/?hl=+explained LMAO and high-fives for her. As far as hair loss......it's not something to worry about long term. Easy for a dude to say this....if it gets really bad I'll just break out the razor, right ? Just kidding....it'll be temporary and taking the supplements & getting my Protein is about all I can really do about it. Unless there is a bariatric shampoo.............

Every single time I listen to weiner..........I get myself into trouble. Every time, I tell ya.

Tito's vodka mixed with 5 calorie Ocean Spray Cranberry drink. At bars.....a Cajun martini.....or just occasional shooters of high grade tequila.

Tito's vodka mixed with 5 calorie Ocean Spray Cranberry drink. At bars.....a Cajun martini.....or just occasional shooters of high grade tequila.

I avoided them due to the sugar content.

Simple. Stay in close adherence with your plan and rock the results. You'll feel great and no amount of naysaying will trump your improved health.

Awesome !!!!! Feels great doesn't it ?