CalGuy64

Weight loss changes people. Both me and my ex had weight issues. She had WLS in 2012 and lost over 350 pounds (that's not a typo). In 2014 and 2015 she had multiple reconstructive procedures (including the removal of 22 pounds of skin from her abdomen alone). I sold my house to pay for this. Once she had her new body she promptly lost interest in me and quickly found a new guy. I was devastated. I'm now rebuilding my life. Having WLS myself is part of the rebuilding plan.

My girlfriend belongs to a small gym where she takes exercise classes and lifts weights. She's made lots for friends there (but no dates). My dad was part of a running group for years. He made a lot of friends too. I'm a more solitary person and don't socialize much while I'm exercising. So I guess it depends on a person's personality.

Damn you're doing well. We're pretty much the same weight (starting and now) but I'm still wearing size 40 jeans (still a lot better than size 52). Keep up the good work.

Both my ex-wife and I had weight issues. We seldom did anything that didn't involve food. I told my new girlfriend about my surgery on our first date. She's gone out of her way to suggest activities that don't involve food (we went bird watching last Sunday). I really appreciate her efforts.

My new girlfriend (if you can call an accomplished 50 year old woman a girl) is a diabetes specialist who sees the results of poor eating on a daily basis. She is very careful about what she eats and understands I can't eat too much either (we seldom eat more than half our food at restaurants). On this issue (and others) we're a good fit.

Dating is a strange journey. My wife left me two years ago (at least in part because of weight issues). I tried to date but with next to no success. But once I got under 250 pounds (I'm tall) and posted new full body photos on my profiles I'm suddenly popular. Its nice to be able to get dates but somewhere in the back of my brain my suspicion that most people are shallow asses has been confirmed.

Its been almost four months. I'm pretty happy with my results so far (and lack of complications). I'm wearing size 38 jeans now (haven't worn that size in over 30 years). My weight loss seems to come in spurts. I'll lose a pound or two per day for a couple of days and then nothing for a week and then the cycle starts again. I've been trying to ratchet up my physical activity (lots of walking, swimming, and I just started back at the gym weight training). My new girlfriend works out hardcore -- I've got to up my game to keep up.

I just started back in the gym. I think I'm going to try creatine once I get my weight training up to speed. Lots of trainers swear by the stuff and it doesn't seem to be dangerous. You should check out the T-nation web site. As for loose skin -- I already have some (but less than I feared) -- I'm saving up for plastic surgery.

Went to the gym for the first time post-op (almost 4 months). I've lost strength -- lots of it. But working out felt good. I went for a swim after and found that being significantly smaller makes swimming easier (also my swim goggles fit much better on my thinner face).

I'm going to learn to surf. My birthday is in June. I'm going to buy myself surfing lessons. This is actually doable now that I'm under 250 (i.e. I won't be too heavy for readily available boards).

And everything made with eggs is lots tastier with the yolk. I put two raw eggs in my protein shake most mornings.

I had several episodes where I almost pasted out. Didn't have anything to do with WLS. It was a heart issue -- atrial flutter. I had a procedure called a cadioversion -- they shocked my heart back into a normal rhythm.

My final weight isn't that important. My goal is to be under 10% body fat. I'd really love to have visible abs. The actor Idris Elba (Stringer Bell from The Wire) is my inspiration (I'm similar height and bone structure). May not get all the way there but I'll give it my best shot.

I didn't have ED but I can say that my sex drive has drastically increased. Some days it feels like I'm 17 again (I'm 53).

Excess skin looks like its going to be only a minor problem. I'm down about 90 pounds from my max with about 40 or 45 pounds to go. I have a little loose skin around my elbows, neck, and lower belly. I'll probably have my neck lifted in about two years (i.e after everything has stabilized). I'm starting to save for that. Regardless I look a lot better than I did at over 300 pounds.