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Hello everyone, just an update on me...

Cyxelsid

Member
Hello everyone! It feels like such a long time since I have been here,but it has only been like 60 days. Everything is moving so fast for me, it is hard to believe.

So... for those that don't know me... I was 348 lbs before my surgery. This was my 2nd time reaching that weight. In 2016 I was 348, and went on a high protien diet, losing 100 lbs in 8 months. Then, 3 years later I had gained it all back. So after a lot of soul searching, kind of like an alcoholic, I admitted I was powerless over my food addiction, that I had reached my bottom, and that I needed help.

Here is a picture of me and my wife on our Wedding Day, October 12, 2019. I hate this picture, but this WAS the happiest day of my life:

2814


I say I hate that picture because, although it was the happiest day of my life, this picture reminds me of my failure to care for myself and of the addiction I fought my whole life.

On January 22, 2020, I started another chapter in my life, having Verticql Gastric Sleeve surgery. I was blessed to have the job, savings, and insurance that I do, and was able to 6 weeks off to recover and start resetting my habits. I went back to work on March 2, 2020.

Since then, I have been working full time from home (Have I mentioned that I have a great job, with a fantastic company?), and so has my wife; we bought a house on March 18 (only 14 days in escrow), completed major repairs on the house (fumigation, complete roof, electrical panel upgrade, garage electrical and finishing) and got all moved in. It has been ridiculously busy, at home and at work.

Last Monday I had my 90 day post-op follow-up with my surgeon (actually a 110 day phone conversation, thank you COVID), and my surgeon was very happy with my progress. My Vitamin D, folates, and zinc are too low, but nothing that a daily multi-vitamin can't fix. My bad cholesterol is high, but my overall cholesterol is great. I need to cut back on dairy mostly. And as of this morning, I am down 80 pounds! My energy is way up, I am sleeping and moving better. I average between 5k and 8k steps per day, with occasional 15k and 17k days! I routinely put on my steel toes and work around the house and yard for 10-12 hour days!

Yesterday, I pulled out my "skinny" clothes from 2017... in that wedding photo, I was wearing 46-inch waist pants, and a XXXL dress shirt... and those didn't fit well. My "skinny" clothes included jeans and dress clothes with a 40-inch waist, and XL shirts. AND THEY FIT! So now, I get to box up and donate my "fat" clothes! Here is a picture of me yesterday in my skinny clothes:

2815


Even though life and work have kept me too busy to come here as often as I would like, I still want to thank all of you for being here for me. This website made my recovery so much better and healthier!

Thank you all, and I will be popping in from time to time. Maybe those of us in So Cal can meet up after COVID eases up!
 
Hello everyone! It feels like such a long time since I have been here,but it has only been like 60 days. Everything is moving so fast for me, it is hard to believe.

So... for those that don't know me... I was 348 lbs before my surgery. This was my 2nd time reaching that weight. In 2016 I was 348, and went on a high protien diet, losing 100 lbs in 8 months. Then, 3 years later I had gained it all back. So after a lot of soul searching, kind of like an alcoholic, I admitted I was powerless over my food addiction, that I had reached my bottom, and that I needed help.

Here is a picture of me and my wife on our Wedding Day, October 12, 2019. I hate this picture, but this WAS the happiest day of my life:

View attachment 2814

I say I hate that picture because, although it was the happiest day of my life, this picture reminds me of my failure to care for myself and of the addiction I fought my whole life.

On January 22, 2020, I started another chapter in my life, having Verticql Gastric Sleeve surgery. I was blessed to have the job, savings, and insurance that I do, and was able to 6 weeks off to recover and start resetting my habits. I went back to work on March 2, 2020.

Since then, I have been working full time from home (Have I mentioned that I have a great job, with a fantastic company?), and so has my wife; we bought a house on March 18 (only 14 days in escrow), completed major repairs on the house (fumigation, complete roof, electrical panel upgrade, garage electrical and finishing) and got all moved in. It has been ridiculously busy, at home and at work.

Last Monday I had my 90 day post-op follow-up with my surgeon (actually a 110 day phone conversation, thank you COVID), and my surgeon was very happy with my progress. My Vitamin D, folates, and zinc are too low, but nothing that a daily multi-vitamin can't fix. My bad cholesterol is high, but my overall cholesterol is great. I need to cut back on dairy mostly. And as of this morning, I am down 80 pounds! My energy is way up, I am sleeping and moving better. I average between 5k and 8k steps per day, with occasional 15k and 17k days! I routinely put on my steel toes and work around the house and yard for 10-12 hour days!

Yesterday, I pulled out my "skinny" clothes from 2017... in that wedding photo, I was wearing 46-inch waist pants, and a XXXL dress shirt... and those didn't fit well. My "skinny" clothes included jeans and dress clothes with a 40-inch waist, and XL shirts. AND THEY FIT! So now, I get to box up and donate my "fat" clothes! Here is a picture of me yesterday in my skinny clothes:

View attachment 2815

Even though life and work have kept me too busy to come here as often as I would like, I still want to thank all of you for being here for me. This website made my recovery so much better and healthier!

Thank you all, and I will be popping in from time to time. Maybe those of us in So Cal can meet up after COVID eases up!
Welcome back!!! And CONGRATS!!!!! You are killing it! I am so happy for you. Just from your writing I can tell how much better you are feeling. I actually had a jacket that was my "skinny" clothing. It was a Chinese styled jacket that I had purchased and never worn because it ended up too small when I received it. I forgot all about it and tried it on recently.... it is too big now! I completely missed my chance to wear it, lol. But I did come across my senior jeans. These are jeans that I decorated in my senior year of high school. All of the seniors did this and we wore them to the homecoming game and during the week leading to it. I was able to put them on but can't quite zip them up yet. I am looking forward to the day that I can fully fit into them. I do remember that they were too tight even back then and I was uncomfortable as can be and afraid they would rip when I sat down. So I might actually be at the same place but now I don't feel the urge to stuff myself into them and feel that discomfort. I would rather be able to wear them comfortably and know that I am actually smaller than I was 22 years ago. Fingers crossed that happens sometime soonish!

Sorry, didn't mean to turn the conversation to me (SQUIRREL!). I am so happy for you and I hope you keep up the hard work. Your efforts are paying off. :)
 
Hello everyone! It feels like such a long time since I have been here,but it has only been like 60 days. Everything is moving so fast for me, it is hard to believe.

So... for those that don't know me... I was 348 lbs before my surgery. This was my 2nd time reaching that weight. In 2016 I was 348, and went on a high protien diet, losing 100 lbs in 8 months. Then, 3 years later I had gained it all back. So after a lot of soul searching, kind of like an alcoholic, I admitted I was powerless over my food addiction, that I had reached my bottom, and that I needed help.

Here is a picture of me and my wife on our Wedding Day, October 12, 2019. I hate this picture, but this WAS the happiest day of my life:

View attachment 2814

I say I hate that picture because, although it was the happiest day of my life, this picture reminds me of my failure to care for myself and of the addiction I fought my whole life.

On January 22, 2020, I started another chapter in my life, having Verticql Gastric Sleeve surgery. I was blessed to have the job, savings, and insurance that I do, and was able to 6 weeks off to recover and start resetting my habits. I went back to work on March 2, 2020.

Since then, I have been working full time from home (Have I mentioned that I have a great job, with a fantastic company?), and so has my wife; we bought a house on March 18 (only 14 days in escrow), completed major repairs on the house (fumigation, complete roof, electrical panel upgrade, garage electrical and finishing) and got all moved in. It has been ridiculously busy, at home and at work.

Last Monday I had my 90 day post-op follow-up with my surgeon (actually a 110 day phone conversation, thank you COVID), and my surgeon was very happy with my progress. My Vitamin D, folates, and zinc are too low, but nothing that a daily multi-vitamin can't fix. My bad cholesterol is high, but my overall cholesterol is great. I need to cut back on dairy mostly. And as of this morning, I am down 80 pounds! My energy is way up, I am sleeping and moving better. I average between 5k and 8k steps per day, with occasional 15k and 17k days! I routinely put on my steel toes and work around the house and yard for 10-12 hour days!

Yesterday, I pulled out my "skinny" clothes from 2017... in that wedding photo, I was wearing 46-inch waist pants, and a XXXL dress shirt... and those didn't fit well. My "skinny" clothes included jeans and dress clothes with a 40-inch waist, and XL shirts. AND THEY FIT! So now, I get to box up and donate my "fat" clothes! Here is a picture of me yesterday in my skinny clothes:

View attachment 2815

Even though life and work have kept me too busy to come here as often as I would like, I still want to thank all of you for being here for me. This website made my recovery so much better and healthier!

Thank you all, and I will be popping in from time to time. Maybe those of us in So Cal can meet up after COVID eases up!
Wow, You are killing it! Your wife is beautiful by the way. You look so much younger and healthier. You must feel so much better doing everything. I couldn't be happier for you, amazing work. :)
 
Welcome back!!! And CONGRATS!!!!! You are killing it! I am so happy for you. Just from your writing I can tell how much better you are feeling. I actually had a jacket that was my "skinny" clothing. It was a Chinese styled jacket that I had purchased and never worn because it ended up too small when I received it. I forgot all about it and tried it on recently.... it is too big now! I completely missed my chance to wear it, lol. But I did come across my senior jeans. These are jeans that I decorated in my senior year of high school. All of the seniors did this and we wore them to the homecoming game and during the week leading to it. I was able to put them on but can't quite zip them up yet. I am looking forward to the day that I can fully fit into them. I do remember that they were too tight even back then and I was uncomfortable as can be and afraid they would rip when I sat down. So I might actually be at the same place but now I don't feel the urge to stuff myself into them and feel that discomfort. I would rather be able to wear them comfortably and know that I am actually smaller than I was 22 years ago. Fingers crossed that happens sometime soonish!

Sorry, didn't mean to turn the conversation to me (SQUIRREL!). I am so happy for you and I hope you keep up the hard work. Your efforts are paying off. :)
Thank you Miss!
 
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