Geof01

Except for the hair loss (mine has been receding on its own) your story is much the same as mine. I'm 4 weeks out and down 57 lbs. and 42 post surgery. We are all different sizes and eat different foods so our losses should vary. I find it totally amazing that's it has happened at all. I gave away a huge box of clothing and 15 shirts back from the cleaners. I'm down 2 1/2 pant sizes. 2 inches on the neck. Yesterday I shopped outside of the Big and Tall department for the first time in many years. Almost found a fit. Next time! You started out about where I am now. You are losing 5+ lbs per week. Keep that up and in a year you will be at zero lbs. My car is suffering from this. I used to use grocery points for gas. Like you, I rarely shop at the supermarket. I get most of what I need at costco. Congratulations and keep up the great work. Your greatest reward is that you will start to love yourself and others will notice that and show you that they love you too.

I'm one month post as well. Now that I can actually eat the whole game is changing. I was doing about 700 calories and 65 gms of protein. 2nd day back at work. I manage a retirement home and i'm on duty to oversee three meals a day. Today I ate 890 calories and 106 gms protein. I was told to get at least 60 gms, but how much is too much? I haven't lost any weight since Friday.

No one wanted me to do this. Not my wife. Not my friends. Not my Doctor. Not my other Doctor. "You are carrying your weight well". "You exercise". "You can lose the weight". I quit smoking in 1988 and have been gaining ever since. I have sleep Apnea, AFib, Blood Pressure. And I have been carrying my weight well, all 160 extra pounds. I never did name him. Before surgery, the scariest part of the week was getting fit for a CPAP machine. I was in denial. I didn't understand that shorting myself oxygen in my sleep was the primary cause of my Atrial Fibrillation. My surgeon says the sleep apnea will resolve as a result of the weight loss. The AFib may not go away. I did beat it once with exercise, but I might not get that break again. So I scheduled my surgery. It took over a year. Too much politics and insurance management. My work insurance covers nothing to do with obesity. In September I went on Medicare with a zero co-pay supplement. It has covered my AFib, both heart conversions. It covered my sleep tests and CPAP equipment. It covered my surgery. Surgery went well. I have had no pain. No nausea. I have lost 18 lbs in 24 days. My bullet holes are healed. I'm ready to eat food in a few days. So my my wife says I must have had the placebo surgery. I know the difference. I have not been physically hungry. I can watch the food channel and think "that looks good". I can see a huge burger on a bill board and think "that looks good". But I have not been hungry. I have every kind of measuring cup: 1 oz, 2 oz, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup. I have my Nutribullet. I can make white bean chicken chili with refried Beans and cayenne pepper in a puree in 6 seconds, heat and eat. I can have a plate of Yogurt and cottage cheese and enjoy it. I have organic lemon juice and cider vinegar with my Water. I've stopped crushing my pills and if I want a real treat I have a sugar free pudding or half a kozyshack rice pudding. 60-70 gms of Protein and about 600-700 calories. Without the hunger I can do this. The worst experience I've endured is wearing my CPAP every night, and enduring my choice of liquid Vitamin. Total loss 42 lbs. On Sunday I'm back to work. Lets see how stress factors in, as if I don't know how I got here to begin with.....

Thanks for the support. The last week has been hard to motivate. I can get out and walk a few miles a day, but doing simple things at home and I'm lost. I'm not depressed. And I look forward to work and eating more choices of food. It's strange watching my wife eat huge meals.