Welcome to HCM, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Let me answer your query regarding OxyElite Pro and strokes. The facts about this supplement is that it has been involved in several safety and death concerns, particular with liver and heart failure. The substance DMAA was identified as a problem and the company was asked to reformulate. It remains banned on our military bases and the company is constantly in hot water with the Food Drug Administration in US. I understand that you want a kick start. There are some natural things you can do to get that. Start out with adding 4 cups of clear green tea before meals. The supplement containing ECGC, the active component in green tea , also benefits weight loss from interfering with the formation of fat cells and with the fat hormone adiponectin. Adding water soluble fiber will decrease appetite. Sources contain oats, flaxseed, apples, blueberries. Fucoxanthin is in early studies of effectiveness as a fat loss agent but use takes 5 weeks to show a difference. Adequate vitamin D and Calcium facilitates weight loss. Incorporating capsaicin into cooking and diet. The hot spices tend to stimulate metabolism. Probiotics - lactobacillus plantarum and lactobacillus gasseria Hydroxycitrate Green coffee extract (choose between this and green tea) Human clinical trials have shown resveratrol in the amounts of 150 mg /day will facilitate weight loss in overweight but not normal weight men and women. Combining small tactics creates a larger effect. A large and quick weight gain may be fluid retention due to meds, make sure to check with doctor regarding this and any supplements you decide to take. Some diet tricks to use are intermittant fasting, the Calorie Restricted Adequate Nutrient Plan on a pulse basis. And, then the basics, stress control, adequate sleep, low saturated fat *10%) of calories, no added sugar, fresh fruit (no juice, 2 whole fruits/d), steamed or baked vegetables, less than 28% total fat, lean protein or if substitutes used, isolated whey protein aides in weight loss. Exercise with adequate hydration essential. Your plan for starting out sounds good. Hope this does help a bit. You notice I did not mention garcinia cambogia, hydroxycut, and many others advertised for weight loss that either don t work or aren t safe. Good luck. Kathy J Shattler, MS,RDN