Dad, you are doing so freakin' great.

And yes, the body dysmorphia thing is real, but the good news is that it does gradually dissipate. After all, there's no way your mind could catch up with 146 pounds lost in 7 months! At least, mine could not.

Try to believe me when I tell you that at some point you're going to think that you're too thin. Also, believe me when I say that you are NOT even close to through losing. First, you're a guy with all that muscle mass and testosterone and crrrraaazy faster metabolism than women enjoy. Second, go read my first year surgiversary post and see what my own surgical team said about how much I should be eating at the point you're at right now and why. It's worth a quick read.

https://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/...ad.php?t=59053

Now, put your arms around your shoulders and give yourself a big old hug. Really. Do it. Love yourself. And say something sweet about yourself. If this is just too weird, you can whisper it.

YOU LOST 146 POUNDS in SEVEN months!!! I don't see how you could be anything but thrilled! It just gets better and better. What a life you have to look forward to!

(The closer you get to goal the slower you will lose, but who cares, as you will get there.)

You are doing great Jeff. Are you strength training? I had a lot of skin originally but now it is barely noticeable. I contribute that success to good nutrition, good hydration, vitamins, strength training, time, and some genetics as well. It really does get better in time.
And I do wholeheartedly believe that upping the calories will help. We all eventually need to move up in calories to be able to continue losing weight. I eat quite a bit more now. Congrats on all your success! Don't ever downplay how far you have come. You have earned every one of those victories!

It is really nice to see blokes expressing their feelings. So many don't - to their detriment.
Glad that you have the support of each other (and us!). It's great to have someone that you an relate to perhaps more closely than others.

Nawwww you fellas, I reckon you could be great pals and support to each other.
Seafood + so good :-)

Originally Posted by Shannon'sVSG

Hi Jeff!

Thank you for this blog post. This is the shot in the arm I needed to redirect my misguided and ill spent energy. You are a true inspiration to the men of the VSG community.

Ladies notwithstanding - you are all equally amazing, but as a man, when you can find some form of commonality with another gentleman...that certainly does help.

On a side note: Jeff, I remember when I first joined the community, I made mention of my relocation to South Dakota, and you were one of the first to respond by welcoming me and telling me how wonderful this state is. While I do not disagree, I do not want you to think my blog post are in any way a negative reflection of how I feel about South Dakota. I absolutely LOVE it here. Just miss my family more that I ever thought possible - which in turn has been reflected negatively in recent postings.

Thank you for everything! You are (as I like to say) all aces, my friend!

Shannon, Really appreciate your post and all the posts you have been submitting!! I feel like I am right there with you and going through the same things.

I did not take anything from your posts as negative about South Dakota You could tell it was more to do with personal relationships rather than geography. Glad you enjoy our state and our very distinct four seasons. I prefer fall the best around here.

Keep up the good fight and I look forward to more posts!

Originally Posted by Stacey03

Oh Jeff you look absolutely fantastic. Really. So much healthier and fabulous. I think it does take a while for our minds to catch up with our body. I sometimes still feel bigger than I am and perhaps it depends on the type of clothes I'm wearing. My son walked in the other day and was like 'Mumma come here you tiny thing" and we had a big hug and sniffed each other because we are weird like that, lol, we've done that since toddlerhood and he's now 21!

It's a big journey isn't it? And I dunno sometimes we still have those moments of wondering if we have finally cracked it. I think I spent the last 2.5 months to goal weight loosing the last 4 kilos so it was slow. From a complete and honest outsider you look a million dollars Jeff. Really.

Chatting about this stuff is so good though and maybe even a bit of therapy chat might help (only if you wanted to). I totally pop off to a therapist if I'm having a tricky time and that has served me so well over the years. I think really though I would say these thoughts are pretty normal here and there. Be proud. Also something else I've noticed is fixation on goal weights. I totally get it but enjoy that journey too. You're a legend :-)

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply!!

I agree, too much emphasis is put on "Goal Weight" or numbers. I am just going to keep going with what I am doing and let my body decide where it should end up. I have not problem with with what I am eating or how much I am eating. I was just commenting to my wife last night, that since, my surgery, I have not once felt hungry. I just try to evaluate, when I reach for something to eat, is it my head telling me to eat or my stomach. Every time, it has been my head. I simply look at food anymore as fuel, not the process. I am just being the person I should have always been. I knew how to do this since I was a teenager, just refused to have the mind power to follow through. Now I do and I AM LOVING IT!!

Thanks again for the post! Love hearing all your stories about the different seafood you prepare and enjoy. I swear, I could live off from seafood alone as my sole protein source.

Hi Jeff!

Thank you for this blog post. This is the shot in the arm I needed to redirect my misguided and ill spent energy. You are a true inspiration to the men of the VSG community.

Ladies notwithstanding - you are all equally amazing, but as a man, when you can find some form of commonality with another gentleman...that certainly does help.

On a side note: Jeff, I remember when I first joined the community, I made mention of my relocation to South Dakota, and you were one of the first to respond by welcoming me and telling me how wonderful this state is. While I do not disagree, I do not want you to think my blog post are in any way a negative reflection of how I feel about South Dakota. I absolutely LOVE it here. Just miss my family more that I ever thought possible - which in turn has been reflected negatively in recent postings.

Thank you for everything! You are (as I like to say) all aces, my friend!

Oh Jeff you look absolutely fantastic. Really. So much healthier and fabulous. I think it does take a while for our minds to catch up with our body. I sometimes still feel bigger than I am and perhaps it depends on the type of clothes I'm wearing. My son walked in the other day and was like 'Mumma come here you tiny thing" and we had a big hug and sniffed each other because we are weird like that, lol, we've done that since toddlerhood and he's now 21!

It's a big journey isn't it? And I dunno sometimes we still have those moments of wondering if we have finally cracked it. I think I spent the last 2.5 months to goal weight loosing the last 4 kilos so it was slow. From a complete and honest outsider you look a million dollars Jeff. Really.

Chatting about this stuff is so good though and maybe even a bit of therapy chat might help (only if you wanted to). I totally pop off to a therapist if I'm having a tricky time and that has served me so well over the years. I think really though I would say these thoughts are pretty normal here and there. Be proud. Also something else I've noticed is fixation on goal weights. I totally get it but enjoy that journey too. You're a legend :-)

Originally Posted by Christie13

I was never told to worry about my calories as long as protein and fluid intake was good. I have not once counted calories. I know that as time progressed, if my weight loss slowed or stalled I knew that it was time to up my calorie intake. I would just eat a bit more protein. Problem solved. Are you on full solids now? If so, focus on meat/solid proteins and veggies. Avoid starchy/high carb veggies like potatoes, corn, and carrots. Now that the gout is gone go for the exercise. Some cardio and strength training. It helps to prevent loose skin. The more you do it...skin will slowly bounce back. I have noticed that mine continues to improve.

Awesome! Thanks for the tips!

I was never told to worry about my calories as long as protein and fluid intake was good. I have not once counted calories. I know that as time progressed, if my weight loss slowed or stalled I knew that it was time to up my calorie intake. I would just eat a bit more protein. Problem solved. Are you on full solids now? If so, focus on meat/solid proteins and veggies. Avoid starchy/high carb veggies like potatoes, corn, and carrots. Now that the gout is gone go for the exercise. Some cardio and strength training. It helps to prevent loose skin. The more you do it...skin will slowly bounce back. I have noticed that mine continues to improve.

Originally Posted by Stacey03

Congrats to you lovely news to hear. It's hard to get the calories up at this stage and I'm just trying to concentrate on protein and water. How are you doing with those? Are you walking? I didn't do too much so far but went for a nice walk yesterday. Sounds like you are doing good :-)

Had not been walking much due to the Gout. Now that that is gone, my plan is to get out alot.

The water and protein is no problem. I was just concerned about the calories. I guess I'll just ease into it. Have not felt deprived once so must be doing things right!! Best of luck in your recovery and reclamation of life!!

Congrats to you lovely news to hear. It's hard to get the calories up at this stage and I'm just trying to concentrate on protein and water. How are you doing with those? Are you walking? I didn't do too much so far but went for a nice walk yesterday. Sounds like you are doing good :-)