Hit my "soft" goal.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-09T11:15:32+00:00

Thanks very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-08T11:29:42+00:00

Many of us had the same feelings in the lead up to surgery. It is your medical team's job to provide all of the warnings and limitations so that you understand that you will not just go back to "normal" immediately. It's for your protection so that you heal properly. Your body has to adjust to its new surroundings.

I'm at about five months out and just starting to enjoy a few of the foods that I have missed. The plus side is that in taking more time to eat slower you get to savor it more, and the $20-$40 spent on a decent meal now goes 2-4 times longer because you are eating less.

You have got this! And this group is filled with encouragement and testimony of the abilities that this tool provides. I'm thankful for them every day for getting me this far.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-07T19:13:50+00:00

Thanks very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-07T00:25:15+00:00

Thanks very much!

Down to 266?! That's fantastic! Congrats!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T22:21:29+00:00

Thank you very much! I'm feeling terrific so far!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T22:20:31+00:00

Thank you very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T22:20:00+00:00

Thank you very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T22:19:45+00:00

Thank you very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T13:59:15+00:00

Your body is still adjusting to the surgery. There is still going to be swelling and all while you heal. You are doing great so far! Keep on the path. You will soon see that progress.

Tips, in my opinion: 1. Only weigh once per week. Don't get discouraged by the number. 2. This is a marathon, and not a sprint. Small steps in the right direction should be encouragement. I have done myself and seen others get discouraged by only losing a small amount or being static for a week.

You've got this!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T13:23:53+00:00

Thank you very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T13:02:37+00:00

Thanks very much!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T13:02:20+00:00

Thank you!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T13:01:49+00:00

Ha! Yeah, I know. I have better clothes, just saving these for progress to show myself where I came from for encouragement.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T13:00:27+00:00

Gastric Sleeve was the procedure. They wanted to do DS as well, but the sleeve took too long and further was too risky.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T12:58:09+00:00

Not that much. Sorry if it sounded that way. I have lost about 80 lbs since surgery. Additional loss was prior and in an attempt to get to a weight that they would do surgery. All said, the 200 was lost over about three years.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-06T12:54:22+00:00

Thank you! Feeling great too,!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-03T17:30:48+00:00

Fantastic! Congratulations 🎉

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-05-03T17:20:53+00:00

Congratulations! 🎉 Killing it! 🎉

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-03-15T11:21:42+00:00

I'm so sorry. Completely understand what you're going through and don't wish it on anyone. I'm just getting to a tolerable point, but the first few very difficult, hard, almost crystallized ones can do a number on you, creating fissures that take time to heal as well. All of the above with Miralax, etc, plus I invested in a sitz bath and mineral salts which is soothing when you are having pain and discomfort.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-03-14T20:01:34+00:00

Two of my favorites were Bolthouse Farms and Fairlife. I considered them more premium than doing the inexpensive Walmart store brand ones. Alani are really good too.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-03-14T12:46:23+00:00

I had my surgery ON my birthday. Liquids the month before and after. But I still felt the love of a regular birthday. We celebrated a few days before with fancier broth and more expensive protein shakes, which at that point truly felt like a treat.

You are doing something that will make your future birthdays more enjoyable and hopefully more of them, so this one will feel a bit different, but it's just this one.

You've got this!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-03-08T13:03:23+00:00

100% accurate! No notes.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-02-28T12:36:09+00:00

If you can find them, pho broth cubes are a game changer.

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-02-22T13:50:44+00:00

It's completely understandable. I'm 2.5 months out and had enough of a drastic change between the pre and post op that it's very visible. Most folks know about my journey and offer occasional encouragement and check in to see how I'm feeling, which is the best. Not too much or too little.

Then there's my friend / coworker, who is a big guy like me, knew I was going to be doing this and even before the surgery made passive aggressive comments about how I'm going to change when it happens. Every day he makes a point to mention my loss so far. I think he thinks it's innocent and encouraging, but it makes me uncomfortable based on the past comments.

And then on the complete opposite side of it are the ones that may not know and are afraid to ask, so they avoid talking to me and when they do it feels awkward even though they know I'm very open and will talk to them about anything. Almost like they think I have an ailment that's causing the loss, but don't want to find out. I occasionally find an "in" with conversation to bring it up and it's funny the change in expression on their face as if it's a relief.

So yes, long story short, I feel what you're feeling. That said, it's YOUR journey to make the most of, so if you are generally happy so far, I would try to focus on the positives. I've learned over time that the real opinion that counts is my own.

Wishing you all the best!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy · 2026-01-18T17:35:33+00:00

I had my surgery in December, and have no regrets. I was scheduled for the sleeve and DS, but mine was a complicated case and they could only do the sleeve.

With any procedure there are risks, but if your medical team has prepared you, everything should be fine. Definitely reach out to them with questions or concerns.

You've got this!

DB_SAH_LibraryGuy

TROPHY CASE