Ignatius

Also 38. My "ideal" waist size is one that means I can buy pants in virtually any store.

@@Roalmc77 Sorry to read about your complication. Hope it all works out.

@@BigTink2LilTink Incredible. You deserve the rewards of your hard work.

Anyone else have that feeling before surgery that the imposter syndrome was sneaking up on you? Today the doctor who performed my psych eval dropped me a line to let me know the eval is complete and ready for my review. She mentioned I was an "ideal candidate" who is prepared for the road ahead. When I read those words, I had a "fooled you!" reaction. While I've done my research, started the pre-op diet two days a week (dietitian's instructions), and have completed a number of the eval steps, I sometimes feel like "How can they let someone as fat as me have this surgery? Don't they know I'll gain it all back?" That is not at all my intention, but let's face it: Most of us have lost weight before only to regain it, plus a bit more. How have you dealt with doubts? With feelings like you won't be able to break the cycle a few years post op?

@@Sirmikael I wholeheartedly agree--excellent thread. Best of luck with your surgery in June. The validation of other guys having the same seating, restaurant, airplane, etc. issues has really helped me realize it's not in my head. It's a problem, and I'm taking steps to address it.

@@VDB Sleeve. The surgeon I'm using won't perform a gastric bypass on someone my size. Which is fine as I wanted the sleeve from the get-go. Best of luck reaching your goal and maintaining a weight you're happy at.

Best of luck. Hope things are going well a few weeks out.

My dietitian has recommended I eat non-fat Greek yogurt. I know this is a popular food among bariatric patients, but, for the life of me, I just can't get it down. Right now I'm trying Fage Total 0% plain yogurt with a little vanilla extract and cinnamon (her suggestion.) It's far too sour. Is this just a particularly bad brand? Any suggestions for helping those of us who don't care for sour tolerate nonfat Greek yogurt?

Everyone, I really appreciate your input and thoughts. Means a lot. I'd say "more than you'd ever know," but you've been there, so you definitely know. I've tried a number of things in earnest over the last few years to lose weight, including seeing a therapist to help me with a binge-eating compulsion, which is now much better, though I haven't lost. (The therapy did result in bringing an end to a period of rapid gaining, and my weight has been relatively stable over the last two years.) A couple years ago, I thought surgery was the easy way out. Now when I consider the risks of continuing like at my current weight (~490), I think it's the responsible choice. And having started the evaluation process, I know now it's definitely not easy. The program's dietitian has me eating the "liquids only" diet two days a week now. I'm not sure if I'll need to observe the pre-op diet for two or four weeks prior to surgery, but this is helping me acclimate to the heavy restrictions. One other area I was thinking about... I know everyone says you'll want loose clothing, especially around your stomach. I plan on wearing gym shorts and/or warm-up pants. While I normally wear pants under my gut, I wear gym shorts and sweats above my belly button as it's the only way they won't constantly fall down. Do you think this will be an issue? Should I stock up on a few pairs at a larger size so it's less restrictive around my stomach? And with the bloating, did you wish you had any T-shirts one size larger?

I live in Brigeport and am hoping to have a gastric sleeve operation with Dr. Nagle at Northwestern Memorial downtown. Still in the early stages of the process.