AF Biggest Loser/Fitness Challenge-May 3 to Whenever We're Not Fat Anymore

[Shell B]

Fuck yeah! That's the right attitude. We're rooting for you.

[bennyboy]

Of course you are! I think you’ll be great no matter what you decide, but I suspect you’ll follow through. 1/8. I’ll remember.

Nah, I'm six months into the process, there's no chance I'll back out, second thoughts be damned.

I watched video of the procedure.  It looks like nothing but awesome, to me.

[Jackalope]

We had planned on taking a short vacation in Canada and swing back through Seattle for the procedure on 1/8. Well, I'm sick with a respiratory thing and I really don't think traveling is such a great idea. So we're going to see if I'm better and maybe do two nights in Seattle.

I'm feeling some trepidation about the procedure. Not the procedure itself but the permanent lifestyle change. There is no going back.

I am not doing 'food funerals', I'm following the liver shrink diet (basically a keto diet) pretty faithfully. I'm at the lowest weight since I started by my scale (276) - the bariatric clinic's scale weighs low in comparison. In other words, I managed to maintain my weight through Thanksgiving and through the new year without gaining. I did have alcohol during that period - and I have observed a couple beers a day makes my weight jump. So I had a bump in weight, but quit drinking day after Christmas. Maybe forever. That weight came off easily.

The keto diet isn't that different than what I did over the last ten months except I allowed myself more carbs back then. The surgeon said I didn't have to do the diet because of the amount of weight I've lost but I figure I better stay the course.

I hope my recovery is easier than my wife's. She was off work six weeks, I'm planning on no more than 2-3. Desk job, yo.

I'll post an update after the procedure.

[Shell B]

I look forward to the update. O wrote your day in my planner so I don’t forget, so I’m holding you to it.

[Angrboda]

I wish you luck with your surgery and whatever comes after it. I'm sure you have a lot of anxiety about the changes coming and the surgery, but there's also reason for optimism, otherwise you wouldn't be doing it, right? Anyway, wishing you all the best.

[Jackalope]

Thanks Jorm. There is great reason for optimism. If I do my part, I'll achieve my goal - and I think I've shown I can do my part.

I have thought a lot about just going at it the way I've been going...but then I remember the huge gap in long term success between those who do and don't opt for surgery. Those who don't succeed after surgery are generally those who don't also put in the work, and who don't make the necessary lifestyle changes.

I thought about this for a year before entering the program two days shy of seven months ago. I'm as ready as I could be at this point, I think.

[Jackalope]

Started pre-op clear liquid diet this morning, procedure is tomorrow morning. I should be coming to in just about 24 hours.

My last pre-op meal was last night. Dungeness crab and a small assortment of artisan cheeses with ambrosia apple. I'm most looking forward to fish, shellfish, and chicken.

No food for at least 15 days, then soft foods only. Lifetime diet in a month or so later.

I'm scared.

When you've used food as an emotional crutch most your life, food becomes a constant friend. I've been told to expect a period of mourning and buyer's remorse, and plethora challenges besides those.

[Mr.Obvious]

Stay strong, and best of luck.
Talk to us, kay?

[Shell B]

Started pre-op clear liquid diet this morning, procedure is tomorrow morning.  I should be coming to in just about 24 hours.

My last pre-op meal was last night.  Dungeness crab and a small assortment of artisan cheeses with ambrosia apple.  I'm most looking forward to fish, shellfish, and chicken.

No food for at least 15 days, then soft foods only.  Lifetime diet in a month or so later.

I'm scared.  

When you've used food as an emotional crutch most your life, food becomes a constant friend.  I've been told to expect a period of mourning and buyer's remorse, and plethora challenges besides those.

I would be scared too, but I still think everything's going to come out well. Think of it as the methadone for food addicts. It's that little boost you need. (Okay, maybe not methadone. That shit doesn't work.)

[Jackalope]

Out of surgery, I'm told everything went well.