Went shopping today and was shocked!!!

Dina and I went to Goodwill to look for some shorts for me. My 56, 52, and 48's are getting real loose. I figured I'd look for some 46 or 44's. Looked all through the men's shorts and only found two pair of 42's. I was ready to leave and Dina convinced me to try them on. Amazingly they fit. A little snug at the waist, but, wearable. At 3.5 months out and have gone from a 56 waist to 42. I am shocked.

Also started jogging this last week. i used to run 3-5 miles a day back when I was a squid. Boy, I can't do that yet.  But I'll get back there. Ive commited to a 10K in December so I've got to get busy on my conditioning so I don't come in dead last.

 Hey Mike, check out the Exercise and Fitness forum here on O.H.  It's a great board.  Lot's of good folks and great help.
Duane

Congrats to ya!   I'm still amazed every time I put on a pair of size 33 pants and a medium/large shirt. It's a lot different from the size 52 pants and 3X-4x shirts I wore just 16 months ago!

 Bob, you and I started out just two pounds different.  Last Monday I went and had my body fat tested.  I came in currently at 42%.  They said that with no fat on me at all I'd weigh 173lbs.  They said that I should be weighing around 233lbs.  If I went by BMI to be 25...the high end of "normal"  I'd weigh 180lbs.  I'm thinking that I'd like to be 220lbs.  How easy was it for you to get down so low?
Duane

Duane, I actually had to cut my walking back because I would drop so much when I walked on the treadmill every day. I was religiously walking 1-2 miles a every day, and training with weights 4 to 5 days a week. I cut the treadmill work back to 1/2 mile a day.  My cardiolaogist and family physician said they would be happy if I could get down to the 210-220 weight range. I just kept dropping and actually got down below 180 pounds. I was looking "too skinny" (never thought that could happen!) When  I got below 180, I decided that I had to lift heavier and less often in order to gain back some quality lean muscle. I went to a 3 day weight lifting routine and use heavier sets of weight. I have put on about 8-10 pounds of lean muscle since changing my routine. I also increase my protein intake by using an extra Myoplex protein shake everyday. I now eat some carbs about 45 minutes before I weight train in order to have the energy to make it through the training session without running out of gas.

I believe that if one follows their WL plan strictly, eats correctly and gets in enough protein and fluids, walks or exercises EVERY day, and keeps a positive attitude towards everything, their body will respond and find it's "ideal" weight.  At least for me it has worked.  Good luck to ya buddy!

 Thanks for the feedback Bob.  I'm trying to walk about 5 days a week with an average distance of 5 miles per day.  My wife and I are training for a half marathon of 13.1 miles in November.  I do need to increase the weight lifting, especially core training.  I've found that I've lost a lot of muscle mass and can't lift near as heavy as I did pre-surgery.  I've been pretty darned good about my diet and it's restrictions.  I have gone back to drinking a protein shake once per day...it helps me feel better and I want to keep some of the muscle.
Duane

This just goes to show how body shapes are different.  I'm at about 230 right now and have a 44 waist.  If your ticker is up to date, you're wearing 42s at 253.  Go figure.

Great news!

I'm probably taller than you. I am 5' 10 1/2".

Yup - I'm 5' 7 1/2" according to my official bariatric record.

I bought one of those military belts.  Cut off a piece every 2-3 mos and I'am happy.  Still hovering around 37+" waist.  I have some 34 and 35 pants for try -ons.  Once they fit, without pulling the front together, I'am home.
The one thing I've found out on this OH forum is that we are all different and we melt at different rates and times.     It all comes down to calories in and out.  Even I 'am grasping this.
Thank you Daily Plate.  It reminds me of how my eating habits and food choices have developed.  I can review my FARTS and WTF on a keystroke.  Nothing like an online ass kicking