Jackson53

I've been using your routine as a foundation for one of my own and it's been working out great so far. It helped get me out of a short stall and I am feeling stronger already (4 weeks of using the routine). My favorite exercise thus far: Woodchopper...it's just fun and some of the people at the gym look at your like you have 3 eyes when you are doing it.

I am just over 4 weeks post op and in the last week I started noticing I was having more and more problems with food that didn't want to go down. 3 of the last 4 days I have had episodes where I have thrown up after taking just a few bites of food. One night it was fish, another well cooked cauliflower the third tuna salad and the last cream of potato and leek soup. In each occurrence I got 2-3 bites of food in and I could feel it backing up. I would stop eating but would have pain directly in the middle of my chest like food was stuck in my esophagus. The next 45-60 minutes I would spend throwing up tiny bits and dealing with all my mucous producers going into overdrive. It's miserable and because of it, I am not hitting my nutritional goals. I've heard this could be a stricture, and I am seeing my surgeon at 1pm tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone else experienced this kind of issue and what was done to fix it? On the positive side, I am down 45 pounds in 6 weeks since I started on my liver shrink diet and I have been working out 5 days a week using BigViffer's program so I feel amazing other than this recent development. I have been really successful so far and I hope this won't jeopardize anything.

It's amazing how successful you have been so far. I'm really glad I clicked on and read through this post because it's inspiring to see the success others have. I am sure you will be successful in making it to your goal. I can't and won't tell you not to have the feelings you are about your body image and the after effects of getting healthy quickly, I will only say that you look beautiful and I am sure there are other men who feel the same way I do.

Bowling Green, Ohio

Doing great so far. Last Friday I was down 35 pounds since I started my pre-op diet. I was down 18 pounds since surgery, about a pound a day. I'm feeling really good, no issues at all, and I was cleared for exercise on Friday and started my first workout other than walking yesterday. My biggest challenge is getting enough water every day, but I am slowly improving on that. How about you?

As long as you understand that the best you will be able to do is minimize it and not prevent it, you should be too disappointed. I have pretty bad sagging skin on my chest, belly, lower back, and inner thighs. Unless I somehow find a way to take in 6500 calories and dedicate all of my free time to lifting, there is no way to fill all that skin with muscle. It's really going to depend on what you are wanting to get out of the gym. If you want to build muscle, your focus will be on progressively loading and lifting heavy weights. Cardio will deplete your reserves. If you are wanting to be lean and muscular, cardio first and just do what you can with weights. I have a regimen that I used the first year before I transitioned to heavy lifting. It's in the Guy's Room: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/361768-by-request-bigviffer-workout-routine/ I have since moved over to a Starting Strength routine. Much different without as much variety. But that is a pretty good starting point. I really appreciate the information. This is very helpful, and I believe that my gym has all the equipment you mention available as well.

I am 2 weeks out of surgery, so I am just doing some regular walking and trying to hit my fitbit goals everyday. However, I used to lift a lot of weights as a younger man and I am looking forward to getting back into that to minimize some of the saggy skin and just build a bigger engine. I would be interested in weightlifing programs and fitness programs people (preferably men) have used and what was the progression of their timeline to start using them? I know, I won't be cleared for another 2-4 weeks to do anything beyond walking, but I want to start preparing.

I find those kinds of comments "I'm afraid you will change" to be a bit insulting and frustrating. My mother said that and went on to tell me how she was afraid that I wouldn't be as "jolly" as I was at the time. What, am I Santa Claus? I think a couple things are happening here. 1) She's afraid for me, but not able to just come out and say the idea of me having such drastic surgery is scary. 2) There is this cultural sterotype of obese people that we are a lot of things: Lazy, "fat and happy", warm, cuddly, etc... that I think are associated to our physical being...and maybe an obsession with Santa.... 3) People will be negative about your surgery and more importantly your success if they have any jealosy related to the journey you are about to go on At the end of the day, this is supposed to change me. I wanted to be healthier, happier, more active and just around for a lot longer time. I have grumpy days and long tired days, just the same before I had surgery. The only thing I have lost are some pounds and a lot of stress and anxiety related to the potential of failing health. Sharing that with my friends and family who were concerned usually helped them understand and even gave them some relief, because it's perspective you can't expect them to have unless they have a similar challenge.

I add the powder with a packet of sweetener and a pinch of salt Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I don't understand the myth that it will change our personality. My mother said the same thing. I think that it's a cultural expectation that overweight people are jolly and warm. That doesn't change because you become thinner, but during the process you will have "grumpy" days because of the life change and adjusting to a new way of life. It's kind of like quitting smoking and going through a little withdrawal. But it's temporary. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I bought these last week and I love them. Now only if my kids didn't love them. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Are surprisingly good! Just mixed with water they are fine to give me a protein boost and liquid intake. Strawberry sorbet over ice is refreshing and chicken soup is a great quick meal replacement when I am on the go! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Things are getting better and I weighed in today and I have lost 11 pounds in 8 days. What a big positive piece of reinforcement after a challenging first week after surgery. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I wouldn't recommend going back this early. Adjusting to your new diet can affect your decision making. I know I am dealing with low blood sugar and being tired because of not getting enough Protein. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App