Post-HOCM Surgery to 11% Body Fat -My 6 month transformation

Hi everyone, I’m 46 years old and had my septal myectomy + unbridging of the LAD in April 2025 after heart attacks and years of HOCM. Thirteen months post-surgery, with ongoing heart failure and PVCs, I just completed a pretty dramatic body transformation.
I used to lift weights 20 years ago and had a strong core, but after my heart issues I stopped training. I got heavy, carried a big belly, and felt terrible. At one point I was averaging only 300 calories a day for months and was stuck around 235-255lbs with almost no progress.

The Turning Point

I read that my metabolism had probably shut down from the extreme restriction, so I slowly increased to 1500 calories per day while hitting 200g of protein (mostly 4 scoops of Syntha-6 plus real food). I worked closely with my cardio team and weight loss clinic the whole time. Training was extremely limited because of my heart:
Light lifting only 3 days a week
Planks
No cardio at all

I also had to cut my metoprolol down to half the lowest dose (with my doctor’s guidance). Some days my energy is good. Other days I feel off, and if I don’t rest, I can put on 10–20 lbs of water weight and get more PVCs. So I listen to my body.

Results after 6 months

I got down to 195lbs. I’m currently sitting at 220 lbs and at 11% body fat. The scale went up ~20–25 lbs after I increased calories, but most of that is muscle, glycogen, and water — my body fat stayed low and my core (which I had built years ago) came back strong thanks to muscle memory. Muscle memory is real. Even after 20 years off, my body responded once I gave it enough fuel and consistent (even light) training.
Extreme low calories can stall you worse than eating a reasonable deficit.
Working tightly with a good cardio team is non-negational. Rest days aren’t optional when you have HCM and heart failure — they protect your progress.

I’m not “cured.” I still deal with good days and bad days, fluid swings, and PVCs. But I feel stronger, look better than I have in years, and proved to myself that big improvements are still possible even after major heart surgery at 46. If you’re post-myectomy, dealing with HOCM, heart failure, or just feeling stuck — don’t count yourself out. Work with your doctors, be patient, and focus on what you can do consistently. Happy to answer questions (within reason — I’m not a doctor). Just wanted to share some hope. Thanks for reading,