Danny Paul

The Bronx NY

Mahalo for the suggestions Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

As a yo yo dieter for many many many (you get the idea) years I decided to do something else. My weight was really affecting my overall health and I needed to get healthier. Originally, I was going to get a lap band since I didn't want to get cut up with a bypass. The surgeon I chose didn't do lap bands and he suggested the vertical sleeve which was a lot less intrusive than by pass surgery. I went through the six month process and was sleeved in August of 2017. The surgeon, his staff, the hospital all of the specialists I had to go to were great and made the process less daunting. I know I made the right decision. I'm sure you will feel the same with your surgery. Now for the hard part, keeping the weight off. My hat goes off to all of those who lost and kept the weight off for long periods of time.

Four months out and I haven't lost weight in three weeks. I'm not panicking as my goal was to get healthier and get off my daily regime of 10 medications. To date I'm down to only two medications and my blood sugar, BP,gout,snoring while sleeping and Gerd all got better. I'm eating better but much less and though I exercise I'm sure I could do more. Overall I'm happy with my progress.

I enter all of my foods into my Baritastic app but I never thought to write a journal. If you guys don't mind, besides what you are eating and drinking what do you feel is necessary to write in your journal. Who knows, I might be missing something by not writing a journal.

Wow, what a strong willed person . An inspiration for many of us who want to see the successes. With your positivity Im sure that you will do well in your future endeavors . Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

Download this app- Sworkit. It helped me get back to the gym when I first started out. Like you I was living the sedentary lifestyle and was conscious of what I could do physically.

I'm about five months out. In the past month, I lose two pounds and then gain it back. I've lost 40lbs same as you. The one major change I've made is I haven't been to the gym since the week before Christmas due to a sprained knee. I am cleared to go back to the gym next week. I'm sure that the exercise component is the thing stalling my weight loss. I still eat the same, proteins first, get my water in etc. If you cant go to the gym try any activity and see if that helps to jump start your weight loss. You are right there will be a weight gain but the gain can be minimal as long as we stay on top of it. Trust the process and trust yourself.

I don't want to hype protein shakes as we should get our protein from natural sources that said, protein shakes will do two things for you; give you much needed protein and help with fluid intake. The pre mixed shakes like muscle milk light and premier protein are very portable as well. Enjoy the vacation. Also as the above poster stated eat the cheeses as well.

I used to take 10 medications daily for various health problems. I now take just two. My liver and kidneys can now relax a bit.

All of the above are very good choices. My favorite are the 1/4 cup storage cups I get at the dollar store. Most of my snacks are measured in 1/4 cup units. These make it easy to measure and carry around. Planning your meals and snacks ahead makes life so much easier. Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

Get the surgery sooner than later. It will help with your health and that in itself should be a prime motivator. Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

60 had the sleeve late August. So far no problems. Walked after surgery, no pain meds needed and no complications. Getting my liquids the first two weeks was my most difficult thing. Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

Im basically a Liberterian type of guy. Its none of my business what you do in the privacy of your home as long as you dont cause harm to others. If you feel the need to eat what you want then that is totally up to you. Im sure as an intelligent adult you will make the choices that you feel are in your best interests. I do applaud your honesty. During my six month pre op prgram I had to attend support group meetings (which I still attend) two nuggets offered were 1- treat your WLS as a golden ticket. You really get this one chance to redo what made you obese in the first place and 2- be careful what you reintroduce into your food eco system. If it got you obese once it will do it again. Since Im the person who cant eat just one I opt to eat none. I have no self control. For those of you who can excercise self control you eat what you feel is appropriate for you. Im glad to see this thread have varying points of views. If everyone agreed it would be a very boring and a non informative forum. Lets just be civil to each other while we work toward our goal of having a healthy and happy life. Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

When I eat too fast I get a pain in my breastbone and then I start spitting up saliva (the slimes) for a few minutes. It isn't painful but very uncomfortable. As a lifelong fast eater Imstill learning how to eat slower.

If I drink or eat too fast my body reminds me to slow down with a pain close to the breast bone. From my monthly group meeting it seems that its a normal thing.

My wife stayed with me until they asked her to leave. I stayed one night. She would of stayed all night if she could. When my wife had an operation I wanted to be by her side as long as I could. Most family members want to be with you at these times. Thank God for the support. Good luck on your WLS

Was at the annual family Christmas dinner and I actually had a craving for some of the desserts. This was the first time since my WLS (4 months) that I craved anything. I didn't eat much during dinner as I never feel hunger and I don't enjoy food any longer. When the desserts came out I had already decided not to have any. To my surprise I actually wanted to have a piece of cake. I didn't succumb to the call of the sweets but it really made me think. If I'm four months out and I have a craving for sweets what will my feelings for food overall be in the months to come? My one fear is digressing back into bad eating habits. Every day I wake up thank the good lord for the blessing he has given me and try to plan my day with 80 grams of protein and 64 ounces of fluids. I don't stray even a little as I'm the type of person who can't stop at one cookie. Knowing my limitations I have to be as regimented as possible so that I maintain a healthy routine. I find that I'm more comfortable at home eating by myself than with a group in a restaurant or a gathering.

One of the few people I told about my WLS told me that I should stop loosing weight. She said I looked too thin. My reply " Even if I wanted to stop losing weight, it's all part of the procedure. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to."

Dark chocolate? You say 85% is this a specialty item or is it commonly found in stores? Thanks for the tip.

With friends like that, you're going to stay slim and fit. Nice to be around people who care.

I would prefer discreet as I kept my surgery to a very tight group of family and friends. Don't want the doorman telling everyone in the building my business.

Support: When I first started my weight loss journey my wife was against it. She feared that I would have complications during the surgery. I told her that I was going to get the surgery with or without her support. Furthermore, if she was going to be a negative influence I would exclude her from the process. She came around and gave me her full support. As for others I only told my brother, sister and a close friend. To this day everyone thinks that I have a bet with four other friends ($1,000 each ) to see who can lose the most weight by new years. I tell everyone I'm a distant second. Four months after my surgery people still cheer me on and hope that I can win the "bet". Cost: My insurance company paid for it. Complications: I had none and the people in my monthly support group haven't reported complications either. Addicted to Food: I've written that my relationship with food has changed dramatically. Me and food were the best of friends . Today instead of living to eat I eat to live. Food is just nutrition to me. I don't like going out to restaurants like I once did. When I go out I usually order a side dish like vegetables and mash potatoes.( I make sure I have my 80 grams of protein in before I go out) My days are all planned out so that I can get my 80 grams of protein and 64 ounces of fluids. Scarring and loose skin: I was at 211lbs on the day of my surgery so I don't really have too much loose skin. Why did I do it? I'm 60 years old with diabetes, high blood pressure, a heart condition, gerd, gout and high cholesterol. I took 4 meds for diabetes, 2 for BP, 1 for gerd, 2 for cholesterol and 1 for gout. I knew it was only a matter of time when my liver and kidneys would fail me due to the amount of meds I was taking. Today I only take one med for cholesterol and a baby aspirin. I also started taking a multi vitamin, caclcuim supplement and b12 supplement daily. I dropped 40 lbs in 4 months, my A1c is down, BP is good, Cholesterol much better(still needs improvement) gerd gone as well as the gout. I am able to get to the gym 4-5 days a week.The minor downside is having to spend all day planning my proteins and fluids. Not wanting to eat is a very very strange feeling but one that is becoming my new norm as the days pass. I realize that I'm still in the losing stage and the tough work is when I get to the maintenance stage. I try to prepare myself everyday for as I have met people who have gone off the program and regained the weight and then some. I treat this as my golden ticket and I only get one. I am inspired by the veterans on these forums who have lost the weight and maintained the weight loss. I try to read their comments and glean whatever advice they give for my long term success. Good luck on your decision and eventual journey.

As far as clothes go, start looking for places to donate your old clothes. The weight will start falling off and your clothes will not fit. I donated most of my clothes to the church. There the people in my community benefited and some for profit company didn't make any money off my clothes. I also found a family member of a co worker who was going through a rough time. He happened to be the same size and I gave him a lot of winter stuff. I feel blessed to have been able to go through with WLS as it has made me healthy. By giving to those less fortunate I feel my blessing is going a lot further.

I wanted to go back after one week but I felt fatigued. I stayed out two weeks and had no problems. It seems being tired right after surgery is to be expected and the norm.