Chrinist

My name is Michael and I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery on July 22, 2015.  My highest measured weight at Weight Watchers was 333 lbs.  I am 6'5" tall.
My weight at my first doctors consultation was 331 lbs and I had a body index of 39 so I qualified for the surgery.
I began to think about this surgery back in June.  One of my friend who is approximately the same size and build as I am had the lap band surgery a couple of years ago and is down 127lbs now and keeping it off!
I saw him and he enthusiastically informed me that it was the single best decision he had ever made.  Ironically, the next day I ran into another friend who had lap band in December of 2014.  He is down 50+ lbs and also told me it was the best thing he had ever done. 
So, I made an appt with the doctor.  My doctor, Dr. Feiz in Beverly Hills, has done thousands of lap-bands, but strongly advises against them (in fact, I do not believe he will do them anymore) due to post surgery issues.  I was introduced to the sleeve and immediately "got it".
I went home with my wife and we spent days and hours researching and reading, became convinced and have never looked back.
I am traveling out of country a couple of times early next year and wanted to be back in pretty good shape before January, so I pushed hard for an expedited surgery.  1 month (less 1 day) after my consultation I had my surgery.
After a 1 week liquid diet, my day of surgery weight was 317 lbs.  I checked into Rancho Cucamonga Surgery Center and was off to the races.
I also decided to have Hiatal Hernia repair done at the same time as my sleeve.
Post surgery, everything felt pretty good with all the normal post surgical pains, gases and stuff.
I did not have the horrific pain from gas in my shoulder and chest like many describe.  I had an uncomfortable gassy pressure, but no big deal for me.
My problem was drinking fluids.  I could not get hardly any down.
The lady who had surgery 2 hours before me, was able to go home the next morning, but I could not get but 2-3 ounces of liquids into my body.   The doctors felt that this was not only the sleeve but also the hernia repair hindering me.  So they kept me 2 nights.
It is now 10 days post surgery and I feel great.  I am able to get about 2 quarts of liquid in per day and am starting on liquid protein shakes.
My one week follow up appointment was yesterday and I now weigh 303.  That’s a 30lb loss from my highest recorded weight and 28lb loss from my consultation weight.
I expect to cross (in the right direction) the 300lb mark this weekend and NEVER will go back across it.
 
Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
 
Michael