OT: Update on resident weight loser (me)

[79BIG10]

Well as most of you may remember last December I had surgery for weight loss. This is the same one that Al Roker (weatherman on Today show) , Randy Jackson (judge on American Idol) and Carnie Wilson (singer) had. http://www.bariatric.com I went to the Dr. and he was suprised at my weight loss. I've lost 72lbs. in 8 weeks. He didn't think I'd lose that much that fast but I'm doing good and healing on schedule. I'm back to work and lifting like I used to but not as strong as I was. Also I'm on regular food instead of the all liquids, etc. I was on for awhile. They're expecting me to lose weight for the next 2 years but the first few months the weight starts shedding rapidly. Believe me it's going fast. Only thing is I'm supposed to eat 6 times a day but can't even do that half the time. Kinda hard when you're not hungry. Plus when I eat I don't eat much at all. A good example is a Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza- that's about 3 meals for me. So you can see why I have to eat 6 times a day to substain my body's needs. But I'm eating a protein bar (2 meals there) when possible and shakes as much as possible but limited to my amount of intake. I'm just waiting for the rest to fall off and get down to my goal weight. My clothes are already falling off of me and having to buy new clothes (there goes truck funds )
but it's worth having a much healthier body. Only thing is I have to watch what I eat otherwise I'm sick as a dog and in bed. No more large amounts of sugar and fat. No more super sweet iced tea or sodas. No more vending machine candy. No more alot of the good tasting things. But I'm finding what diabetics eat for that sweet tooth fix Man that stack of 2 small cookies sure is great LOL!!

If you got any questions about the surgery or after affects I'll be happy to answer.

BTW: Man it's so much easier to get under the truck now. The belly doesn't stop me as much now just the ribcage hits the low parts on the frame

[TIMSPEED]

Glad to hear you're doing ok. Man, that would be CRAZY to get filled-up by eating a small pizza like that!

[bigd65]

Glad your doing good Brandon

[Mike76251]

I have weighed 160 lbs since Junior high and have always refused to gain weight.
I guess what did it was too many "morque" classes at the university. Slice up anyone with excess weight and the sight will make you puke.

[Low87]

Glad to hear things are going well Brandon! Tried to call you a couple times but you were always asleep. I read one thing about that surgery and it said you can't eat many things that are tough to digest (like steak), is that true?

Hope you're not restricted from some BBQ, I can't be denied from your killer brisket next time we're in Dallas!

[Grim Reaper]

Good going guy!

I recently was diagonosed with heart disease and having to shed a few pounds. Changing my eating habbits has been the hardest thing. I'm trying to get down to 180 but the last 20-25 just cant seem to get rid of.

For snacks We have been eating the Baked Lays products. Most of them are near zero on colesterol. Minimal salt. Salsa is also fine in most cases. That's my junk food now and the wife keeps me to a single serving.

My biggest hurdles is my family. My wife eats non stop and so does my 11 year old daughter. My wife weighs a whopping 90lb. LOL They sucks! she can eat anything and it never bothers her. She has a hard time keeping weight on! The 11 year old has finnaly made it to 60lb

[Destructo]

Probably need to take daily vitamins when you do that surgery. I'm not a big fan of the method, but whatever works. My dad weighed almost 400lbs and hes now down to around 230 or so doing the weight watchers thing. I need to shed a few lbs myself, I'm at 204 right now and only 5'8".

[gldevall]

Good job Brandon, glad to hear you are doing good.

Mike, why are such an arsehole? You are always trying to make yourself look better than others. You know sometimes things are best kept to yourself.

Destructo, I hear ya that's the same boat I am in. 4 yars ago I weighed 180 and was working at a parts warehouse. Now I am sitting behind a desk all day and have put on 30 pounds.

[LOHRTBT]

Originally posted by Low87


Hope you're not restricted from some BBQ, I can't be denied from your killer brisket next time we're in Dallas!

Im with stupid! ^^^

and congrats man...glad you are making positive changes in your life. next year you cant be homer simpson...will have to be bart!! lol!
oh yeah and..

[PHOENIX]

Glad to hear it Brandon, keep following the rules!

Just curious:
What was your starting weight?
What is your weight now?
What is your desired weight?

[rolson1039]

hey ( Bob Old Rusty C10 here under my other name) congratulations on the success. I have three friends who have done the surgery too. Two female one male.Both females have lost in excess of 250 lbs combined, the one who had hers less than a year ago just weighed in at a total loss of 72 lbs. Shes hit a snag and she has gained four pounds back, but that is kinda normal they say that sometimes in a month you can gain some back
My friend in maryland stopped following the diet when he got to 240 lbs ( from almost 450) and hes begun eating all wrong again ( lots of crap food and all kinds of large snacks) so hes gained like 25 lbs .
The important thing is to never give up and to keep with the diet.Exercise is key and from what all my friends whove had the surgery have told me swimming is best, low impact and high benefit.
Best of luck with ya and dont be a stranger! and if you want to meet the female friends whove done this online i can arrange it ( for encouragement purposes, i know one of the females i know who had the surgery goes to meetings to keep herself into the mode)

[Captkaos]

Congratulation Brandon. It is good to hear you are doing well.

[bigblock73]

Thanks for the update B!

I have been wondering how it has been going, glad to hear you are taking care of yourself and following your diet.

[swervin ervin]

I always knew you were a big loser.

Good to hear the great news. I'm tickled everything is going so well for you. As for the strength thing, it will never come back to what it once was, unless you exercise. Loosing weight takes muscle away too.

Take care of yourself and don't over do it.

[apstguy]

Two people at work had the same surgery and they lost big too. They continues to loose weight until about 2 years after the surgery. It is tough but you'll like the results. Good luck!

[Tom]

"cause im half the man, I used to be" glad to hear things are going well. You deserve it man!

[gchemist]

So how much beer does it take now to get a buzz??? A shot?? Hey just kidding. No need to find out. Nice to hear you doing well. Take care. I'm doing the loss the old fashion way. Running!!!

[BaggedC10]

Keep up the good work, man.

[8t5Silverado]

Glad to hear you are doing well.

[79BIG10]

Greg/Dave- Just let me know when ya'll are coming down and I'll be ready with a brisket I can still eat steak and brisket but the problem is I have to make sure it's not a fatty piece of meat since that's not really digestible. It's also hard to eat a tough steak because you have to chew everything really small. I can't have a pill or a peice of food be swallowed larger than a M&M candy because that's the size of the opening going to my stomach. BTW: I've got another spice recipe that may be as good if not better than the last one. I'll have to do both and let ya'll compare

Grim- I've been really good with those baked lays. I have a couple with a half sandwhich sometimes when I'm really hungry. Also try the baked Ruffles. They're great with a light sour cream and ranch packet. Low fat and still great taste If you want to lose that last 20-25 lbs. I can send you my diet I was on for the first 6 weeks post op. I will guarantee you that with sticking to it to a T you will lose that much. It consists of a lot of drinks and no food. Then 3 weeks out you can eat some pureed foods like baby food

Destructo- Yeah I have to take a vitamin everyday just to make sure I get all my nutrients in. Glad to hear your Dad’s doing good on the diet. My wife and mother-in-law have been doing it and works great for them.

Dave- Next year I’m thinking Herman and Lilly Munster for us since I’ll be tall and skinny then Also I’ll add pics here later today.

Eddie: On my surgery date I weighed 498. I’m about 425 now. They’re expecting me to lose 250 in 2 years. So I’ll be losing half myself. With a 6’4” large frame I’ll be slim and trim. You can ask Dave and Greg I’m no little boned guy even under all this extra weight.

Bob- Thanks for the info. We’ve got a support group here of people that have had the surgery and are in different stages of post surgery. Some are 2 years out and just unbelivable transformation. When I post my pics yo’ll see mine so far. It’s quite a difference.

G- I can’t drink alcohol, any carbonated beverage (even diet) , any caffinated drink, or drink from a straw for 6 months from my surgery. The drinks can cause a problem in the healing process. Also the air in the straw everytime you drink goes into your system and can cause painful gas. I’m making sure not to stray from the instructions. I’ve heard of people not sticking with it and they’ve regretted it a lot.

[LOHRTBT]

SWEET!!! Hey Greg!! ROADTRIP!! haha This time we will have to take the "buckets" if they are both roadworthy lol

[1FaastC10]

B, glad to hear you're doing great. cant wait to see the pics!

[C&C Chevy]

Good to hear your doing great, Brandon. I have a cousin who went through the same thing your going through. He lost his first 80lbs very fast but the weight loss has slowed down now. So be patient if the weight loss slows down a bit.

[Slonaker]

Brandon:

If you want to post a couple of before and after pics, I can host them on one of my websites for you. That way you can post them here and they can also be viewed by your friends and family that don't frequent the site. Let me know if you need it.

Congratulations, btw...

Slonaker

[KIILew]

Wow, Brandon...

Sounds like things are going great for you! Congratulations with that!

Still hope to make a road trip to Texas someday to meet you in person. Assuming that happens soon, maybe you could shame me into eating smaller portions!

Keep on doing well!

Ken Lewis