42, New Dad, and Gotta Get Healthy. Raleigh, NC

Wow... What a difference a month makes! I'm eating, drinking, exercising, and feeling amazing. You will have ups and downs, you will want to fight someone for a donut, and you will doubt yourself. It's all part of the process. But just know things will get better each and every day.

So let's talk about the first month: take it easy and follow your docs orders. Walking is your friend. Food will come. Take it slow. Egg drop soup, premier protein, cottage cheese, and hummus are my best friends. I'm having a couple of pieces of sushi and ground turkey now too. My wife made my first batch of cloud bread and it's nice to eat like normal folks. In the end, it's all worth it. How worth it? 31 days post surgery and I'm officially down 50 lbs from where I started on June 1st and my preop diet. So, get ready. You're about to feel better. You're about to have more energy. You're about to work out harder than you have in years and you're in for in for the ride of your life. If I can help or offer any advice, give me a shout.

So... Had my 2 week post op appointment yesterday and things are going great. Doc released me to get back to exercise (besides walking), the gym, the pool, and everything! I'm moving on to puréed foods which is a blessing. Cottage cheese and hummus about to be my new best friends for two weeks. Still enjoying my egg drop soup and shakes but some variety is very welcomed. I've invested in some unflavored protein and it blends great w hummus. Not so much with cottage cheese as it causes a weird flavor. Next up is protein in pudding and give that a shot. Then oatmeal... I'm doing well getting my protein in. It's easy enough w two Premier Protein shakes per day at this point, morning and evening. I'm walking about 1 1/2 miles each evening and it feels good not to huff and puff up and down each hill. If you're debating whether surgery is the right step for you, all I can tell you is support and commitment is paramount. Outside of that, it's a tough year of your life to add 15 to the end. If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'm here to help.

HW: June 1, 2016: 342.6
Op weight June 13, 2016: 318
CW: June 30, 2016: 302.1

Total loss to date 40.5 lbs!!!

And what a week it has been. Feeling nearly fully recovered. Incisions look great and no real pain since 4 days post op. I'm about tired of liquid diet though. Starting week 4 of nothing but liquids (including pre op diet) is getting a little old. But, would rather not risk anything and break the rules at this point. I've come too far. Post op doc appt is next week and then I can finally introduce some other foods... Hello hummus! Been fighting more of the mental hunger than anything. Have a few sips of protein shake and I'm full, but I need to do that consistently throughout the day. I'm meeting my protein and liquid requirements finally. It's not impossible but it takes some effort. I found egg drop soup w some unflavored protein powder and then the immulsion blender have been saviors. If anyone is going in for surgery soon and has questions feel free to shoot them my way. You will be feeling better before you know it.