AlbanyDan

I think that it varies for everybody. I was 460 before the VSG surgery December 2011. A week after surgery (and a week of only yogurt and protein shakes) I could see the change. Over 6 months 80 came off but went down from wearing 6x to 2x. So I recommend that people check body fat content as well as the scale. Reshaping the body sounds like a cop out when the scale as stops moving but it is part of the process.

I never took a before picture before I started the program November 2009. The group meetings used to encourage members to talk about at least one 'none scale' related ite to Celebrate from the previous week. The idea is not replace a food obsession with a scale watching one. If I had to do it again I would have done a body fat measurement. I went from 60 waist to 56 when the scale moves just about 100 lbs.

I was already bald-ing before the surgery. Check with the nutritionist of your program. I was told to consume 80 grams protein per day. If you don't your body may break down muscle instead of fat for energy. There are Whey powders that have 20grams per scoop. So 2 two scoop shakes per day will get you 80 grams. I also add a scoop to Greek yogurt (which has about 16 g of protein). Watch out for the pre mixed stuff that can have added carbs.

My diet allows 1/4 cup pasta but of all the 'real' foods I am allowed, pasta is the hardest to digest so I avoid it. I miss chicken noodle soup.

Are you able to get off the CPAP yet?

Don't get discouraged. I 460 when I started November 2009. Surgery was December 2011. I was down to 365 January 2013. The scale stopped moving for a few months but waist down to 54 from 60 and down to wearing 3x from 6x. I know that you don't want to hear that you are 'reshaping your body' but there is some validity to it. If possible try to get a body fat measurement and stop measuring success only with the scale. That said. I go to gym 3-4 times a week and go back to post surgery diet of only protein shake and yogurt one day a week. It prevents u stretching your stomach

I was 459 November 2011. That meant my: pre-surgery goal of 10% was 46 pounds. The 10% weight loss is not an insurance mandate. The requirement is usually coming from those running the weight loss program as a way of you demonstrating that you understand that the surgery is just part of the process and behavior modification is also required. I was about 5 lbs short of my 10% goal before my December 2011 surgery. I couldn't do more than walking with herniated discs and 2002 knee replacement. I think if they see the effort put in you will be okay.