JonB

I donated all my 3x and 4x clothes to the thrift shop run by the local animal shelter. I have to assume that one of the employees/volunteers there has a friend or relative who fits that size, since none of the items I've donated have ever ended up hanging on the racks. Either that, or they get purchased within a day or two, since I check in there at least once a week!

I'm 54. I started a six month pre-op diet (required by insurance) on July 25th, 2012. Lost 112 pounds. my surgery was Feb. 25, 2013. I have lost 126 pounds since then. Starting weight: 484. Current weight: 246.

Weight at start of six month pre-op diet (required by insurance): 484. Lost 112 pounds during pre-op diet. Sleeved 2/25/13. Weight on date of surgery: 372. Current weight (as of 9/10/13): 247. Weight lost since surgery:125 pounds. Total weight lost since 7/25/12: 237 pounds.

My weight on surgery day was 372. I am now at 260. I haven't been at this weight since I was 24 - 30 years ago. My goal is to get under 200 - I haven't been there since my sophomore year of high school!

I certainly prefer my current Ronald Reagan turkey neck to the double chin I used to have!

I hate when total strangers address me as "Big Man". If I was 6'4", maybe I wouldn't mind. But I'm 5'6". "Big Man" is just their passive-aggressive way of calling me "Fat Boy".

Sleeved on 2/25. Down 55 pounds. Lost an additional 110 on the six month pre-op diet required by my insurance, plus 12 more on the two week pre-op liquid diet. Starting weight on Aug. 1, 2012: 484. Current weight: 307. Total loss: 177 pounds.

Quest bars are also high in fiber. They are very filling and take a long time to eat. They are not like candy bars - they have the chewy consistency of a tootsie roll. If you can, I recommend microwaving them for 15 seconds.

The heavier you start out, the quicker you lose. I started at 480. My insurance required a six month supervised weight loss program BEFORE surgery. I lost 110 pounds in the six months. My surgery was 7 weeks ago and I've lost 50 more pounds. I'm now at 320. I hope to be under 200 by the end of the year.

Here's another treat: BAVARIAN CREME Jello Dissolve 1 small box sugar free jello in 1/2 cup boiling Water. put in blender with 16 oz. low fat cottage cheese. Blend until smooth (no cottage cheese lumps). Pour into 4 cups and chill until firm. strawberry or lime flavored jello works the best. 80 calories per serving - 14 grams protein!

My current plan (1 month out) is three meals of 4 ounces - protein only. At the three month mark I can add 1 half cup serving of vegetables per day. So, 12 oz. a day now, 16 oz. in a couple of months.

I think the issues with coffee have to do with the acid content irritating the stomach, and with caffeine being an appetite stimulant.

I had my sleeve done by the most prominent bariatric surgery center in the state of Illinois. They never mentioned the word "plication". They offer three options: lap band, sleeve and Roux-en-Y bypass.

My goal is to get under 200 pounds, which would still make me 40 pounds over my "ideal" weight, according to the insurance charts. The last time I was under 200, I was 15 years old. I'm 53 now. Nine months ago, I was 484. I'm now 330. I'm currently losing at the rate of 5 pounds a week. Even if that goes down to 4 pounds, I'll reach my goal by the end of the year.

My Cigna plan is a group plan through my union. They pay 100% of hospital and surgeon costs. All I pay is a $25 co-pay for each doctor visit.

Thank goodness for take-home containers/doggie bags. If I have to go out, I can make one restaurant meal last three days!

Here's a "before" pic - I don't have any full body pics, but you can see the change in my face. My old double chin is now a slight turkey neck.

I started my six month insurance mandated diet on July 25, 2012. Lost 112 pounds. Lost another 12 on the two-week pre-op liquid diet. Sleeved on Feb. 25. Have lost 26 pounds since then. Starting weight: 484. Current weight: 334. Goal: 194.

Yep - my insurance bill was $22,000 for the hospital and $11,000 for the surgeon! My out -of-pocket costs have been $25 co-pay for each doctor visit, plus $25 a month for vitamins.

I'm one month out from surgery. I'm currently losing 5 pounds a week. Even if that goes down to 4 pounds, I'll reach my goal by the end of the year.

My surgery was 2/25. I seem to be losng at a steady 5 pounds per week. On my six month pre-op weight loss program (required by insurance) i was losing 3 pounds a week. I'm hoping when the weather improves (wil it ever?) I can increase my exercise. Even if my weight loss slows to 4 pounds a week, I'll reach my goal (getting under 200 lbs.) by the end of the year.

Surgery on a Monday, out of the hospital Wednesday, fine for driving, work (no heavy lifting) and all normal activity by Friday.

My nutirionist says no starches until nine months out - and then only whole grains - IF I have lost three quarters of my excess weight.

My two-week pre-op diet was: 2 Protein powder shakes (made with one scoop of powder and 8 ounces of Water - nothing else) plus one meal consisting of 4 ounces meat, poultry or fish, plus one half-cup serving of vegetables. My weight loss surgery clinic provided the big jug of Protein Powder - enough for the two weeks, along with a special shaker cup. They also provide special multi-Vitamins formulated for bariatric surgery patients.