Any April Bypass Surgery Men out there? Could use a buddy.

[VDB 800]

My surgery was April 21. Overall, doing quite well. Due to my height and bone mass (size 8 1/4 head, size 18 feet!) my pouch is larger than normal. Started out at 422#, dropping inches fast now. Just walking and get to return in swimming in two weeks. Now on mushy foods, trying something new each day. Chewing is a challenge due to a history of shoveling food fast.

About me: A retired shrink, age 64, live in rural Colorado. Fat since I was 3 years old, but had a great career. The increasing diabetes and fear of what would happen brought me to surgery, as well as potential mobility problems. Took me a year plus to get approval from insurance, it was a long wait and surgery was scheduled for June but a date opened up in April and boom --- it is done.

Challenges: I really can't visualize myself as a normal size person. My core identity is fat, and have always been pretty comfortable in my skin. My wife is very supportive and very understanding, she is a normal size person.

Thanks! Would like another man roughly similar to me in age and surgery date, but any big man would be good to hear from, to share strategies and experiences.