Ignatius

About 7 weeks out and down 64 lb. since starting my pre-op diet, 38 since surgery. My only regret is that I will miss this insulation come next winter. I'll finally have to learn the art of layering for the weather. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Soonersteve Welcome and best of luck on your surgery. In the past I've gained weight while working with a personal trainer and on rigid diet plans...I know the feeling--that depressing, debilitating feeling--all too well. I was sleeved, so I can't offer any first-hand perspective on DS. That said, weight-loss surgery has been one of the better decisions of my life.

Ah, early 2000s fashion. Congrats. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

All the common ones: shop at regular clothing stores; fit in theater, arena, and airplane seats; travel; etc. I'd really like to learn a physical skill that I'd enjoy. I'm not sure if that's boxing, martial arts, dancing, tai chi, or what. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You should be able to work directly with your human resources department. That's what they're there for. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@LittleBill We could use a little D.H. Lawrence on the boards now and then. @@LA_lady I'm not far enough along to give any advice not already mentioned. But I would like to congratulate you. Trying to change your eating patterns after you've noticed undesirable behavior in a few months is worth commending. Think of all the years it took you to change your lifestyle before and how, comparatively, little time you took this time. That's worth commending. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For the record, I do enjoy leftovers quite a bit and often make meals that take me days to complete. What I am deadset against, though, is eating leftovers of mediocre or bad food. My wife and I have hoisted many a leftover from family functions and restaurants into the dumpster before coming home.

During Thanksgiving 2015 I was helping my father break down the turkey leftovers. For reasons unknown to me, my stepmother cooked a 14-lb. bird for five people. After a good half hour, we called it a day, leaving the turkey carcass with a little meat left on it. Neither of us wanted it, so we put it in a bag to toss. My grandmother screamed, "that shouldn't go to waste!" I said, "Ok, we'll put it with your other leftovers." "Oh, I don't want it!" "Well neither do any of us, so we're going to toss it." "But that's a shame--it's got meat left on it." "So you want to take it home then?" "Well, no..." Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's usually eggs w/ cheese, leftovers, or a Protein shake.

My program recommends a meal should take 20-30 minutes to eat. They stress protein shakes and supplements to help bridge the gap with nutrients during the early months. I've been relatively lucky and can drink with ease and consume almost all of my meals in that time frame.

Just made the cut--sleeved on 10/31. Everything is progressing well. I've lost 21.2 lbs. since the operation and 46.4 since I started the pre-op diet. My last two weigh-ins were much lower than my first two weeks post-op, but that's fine. Seems to be very common. I can advance from soft foods to the regular diet after my next NUT appt., Dec. 22. I've never craved a grilled chicken breast so much in my life! For NSVs, clothes are definitely looser, and I should be within a few weeks of moving down a size. I've ordered a few shirts that are a size smaller and fit snugly, but not too tight. I'm also getting closer to wearing my winter pea coat from two years ago. Still tired some evenings if it's been a particularly busy day, but not fatigued like I was the first week or two out. I return to work this Monday. Mixed emotions. This recovery time has made me realize there are certain aspects of my job that need to change, and if they don't in a few months, I'll feel comfortable looking for new opportunities elsewhere. Now, off to scrambled egg and cottage cheese for dinner.

I'll have a few items to donate soon, which I hope to do before the end of December for tax reasons. I have a number of shirts in my next smallest size, and a couple rachet belts to get me through a while. But my next size is 22" dress shirts and 3xlt shirts/polos, and no pants under my current size. I'm asking for clothing gift certificates from everyone for Christmas and probably will again for my birthday. My plan is to visit thrift and consignment stores first and then move onto major retailers. Unfortunately, they're usually slim pickings for men until you're in 2xl/17.5" shirts and pants in the lower 40s. I'll keep my wardrobe sparse until I reach goal--6 or 7 dress/button-up shirts, 3 or 4 polos, 4 or 5 pairs of dress pants/khakis, and 2 or 3 pairs of jeans. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

10 days, followed by about a month of soft foods. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I had a pain pump for the first two days. Didn't use it all that often, but enough to know I was thankful for its presence. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Welcome to the beginning of a better life. That may sound maudlin, but it's true. Tuesday will be here before you know it, and then gone with the wind... I'm not here to judge, but in all seriousness, stick to your pre-op diet. Those stories are true. You should be fine if you remain committed from here on out. I experienced the same doubt about staying committed to the dietary changes, and you'll probably go the whole gamut of emotions as you progress through different stages of post-op diets. But I can honestly tell you since about a week before my surgery I haven't had a single sensations of physical hunger. Mental cravings are also reduced, though definitely remain. But when you're never hungry or starving, you're much less likely to binge--and even if you wanted to, you can't. I'm 4 weeks out and have lost 21.2 lb. since and 46.4 since starting my pre-op diet. That's about 9.5% of my body weight in six weeks. (Granted my starting weight was probably a bit inflated due to all the salt from my "goodbye weekend" choices.) My weigh-ins during the first month were all over the place (-7.8 lb. one week, -2.2 the next), which is very common. On a side note, and please take this with a grain of salt...I was always very big. While wearing your sons' old clothes may save good money, I would honestly have been so devastated and depressed if I were 13 or 14 and my father was wearing my hand-me-downs. Just something to consider. Best of luck and keep us posted. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats! I was sleeved the same day as you. I'm down 21.2 lb. (or 4.6%) since 10/31. My loss slowed during week 3 (-2.2 lb.), but this week I experienced a larger loss (-4 lb.). Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hernia found, and repaired, during my sleeve surgery. I haven't experienced any side effects.

I'd recommend both: Let it pass, but, if you can, try to modify your diet. Shoot for 80 grams Protein a day and at least 64 oz. of Water a day. Mixing your Protein powder with Fairlife Ultra fat free milk will help. Each cup contains 13 g of protein. I also experienced a weight loss slowdown at week 3. I think my body is bouncing back, though: Week 1: -7.2 lb. Week 2: -7.8 lb. Week 3: -2.2 lb. Week 4: -4 lb. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats. I'll return to the grindstone Dec. 5, five weeks off. I'm honestly hesitant about returning. Not so much that it will be too difficult, but that this time off has made me realize my job entails more duties I have no desire to complete than I'm willing to do. But now I feel I have the confidence to speak up and make some firm demands or look for something new. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not much of a soup guy. My surgery practice does not require any waiting between drinking Water and Protein shakes. They don't consider it eating in that sense. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Haven't noticed that one quite yet, but I hope to. One I have noticed: once I get home, I'm not racing to change into a T-shirt and gym shorts because my day-to-day clothes fit comfortably again. It feels like years since I've changed for bed around the time I actually go to bed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats on the losses and being able to reunite with your family. I, too, don't like wearing pants that high. Even when I reached a weight of 240 in 2008, I wore my pants above my hips. I'm anxious about resuming normal lifting and strenuous activity in a few weeks for the very reasons you cited. Though I wasn't lifting before surgery, it's a little depressing to think my strength and muscle mass will be worse off. Then again, stairs, hard work, etc. will probably be easier since I've lost a good amount since my pre-op diet (currently 42.6 lb.). Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I should mention not all therapists are created equal. I've had much more productive sessions with my psychologist (PhD) than two different therapists (Master's degrees). I'm not sure if less education was the issue as much as age difference and more experience with emotional eating. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It might be faster than you think. I'm 11 weeks out today. 4xl loose to a XL snug and 38 jeans to 32. Here's hoping! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Same here. It was so unappealing before. Now it's becoming a staple. If strange colors don't bother you, you might want to try it with a little hot sauce instead of black pepper. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App