Sweet Pee

Congratulations on your weigh loss!
Plastic surgery is usually the next big step. Mexico plastic surgeons are very popular on this site and people have been very respectable about our choices, so no worries there (smile)
I chose Dr. Victor Gutierrez because he was super educated (in Jersalem) and extremely caring with tons of experience. He is located in Zona Rio, Tijuana, Mexico. He is also a micro surgeon which means his incisions are extremely straight, invisible sutures, and after healing, scars are close to invisible.
My Pictures are available on this site. Also, you can read my "story" on this site as well.
RealSelf.com has extremely excellent ratings, as well as before and after pictures and reviews on his past patients.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/member/116222-sweet-pee/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/user/116222-sweet-pee/
http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com
http://www.realself.com/find/Mexico/Plastic-Surgeon/Victor-Gutierrez

Dr. Victor Gutierrez
I highly recommend Dr. Victor Gutierrez! He is a well educated, experienced, extremely smart, nice, caring, and patient. He values the health of his patients more than anything else.
Languages - Fluent in Spanish, English and Hebrew.
Well educated at the top university plastic surgery hospital in Jersalem, Israel.
Isreal is well know around the world for educating and producing the top plastic surgeons.
Degree in Microsurgery.
His incisions are extremely straight and sutures are internal and tiny.
http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com
http://www.realself.com/find/Mexico/Plastic-Surgeon/Victor-Gutierrez
Dr. Victor Gutierrez is well known for responding very quickly to his emails and giving estimates. There are several ways to contact his office. You may also speak with Elsa, his assistant. She is a Angel.
You may also contact him by telephone:
619-564-4059 or toll free at
1-866-209-8598

Dr. Victor Gutierrez
I highly recommend Dr. Victor Gutierrez! He is a well educated, experienced, extremely smart, nice, caring, and patient. He values the health of his patients more than anything else.
Languages - Fluent in Spanish, English and Hebrew.
Well educated at the top university plastic surgery hospital in Jersalem, Israel.
Isreal is well know around the world for educating and producing the top plastic surgeons.
Degree in Microsurgery.
His incisions are extremely straight and sutures are internal and tiny.
http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com
http://www.realself.com/find/Mexico/Plastic-Surgeon/Victor-Gutierrez
Dr. Victor Gutierrez is well known for responding very quickly to his emails and giving estimates. There are several ways to contact his office. You may also speak with Elsa, his assistant. She is a Angel.
You may also contact him by telephone:
619-564-4059 or toll free at
1-866-209-8598

Dr. Victor Gutierrez
I highly recommend Dr. Victor Gutierrez! He is a well educated, experienced, extremely smart, nice, caring, and patient. He values the health of his patients more than anything else.
Languages - Fluent in Spanish, English and Hebrew.
Well educated at the top university plastic surgery hospital in Jersalem, Israel.
Isreal is well know around the world for educating and producing the top plastic surgeons.
Degree in Microsurgery.
His incisions are extremely straight and sutures are internal and tiny.
http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com
http://www.realself.com/find/Mexico/Plastic-Surgeon/Victor-Gutierrez
Dr. Victor Gutierrez is well known for responding very quickly to his emails and giving estimates. There are several ways to contact his office. You may also speak with Elsa, his assistant. She is a Angel.
You may also contact him by telephone:
619-564-4059 or toll free at
1-866-209-8598

Dr. Victor Gutierrez
I highly recommend Dr. Victor Gutierrez! He is a well educated, experienced, extremely smart, nice, caring, and patient. He values the health of his patients more than anything else.
Languages - Fluent in Spanish, English and Hebrew.
Well educated at the top university plastic surgery hospital in Jersalem, Israel.
Isreal is well know around the world for educating and producing the top plastic surgeons.
Degree in Microsurgery.
His incisions are extremely straight and sutures are internal and tiny.
http://www.dr-victorgutierrez.com
http://www.realself.com/find/Mexico/Plastic-Surgeon/Victor-Gutierrez
Dr. Victor Gutierrez is well known for responding very quickly to his emails and giving estimates. There are several ways to contact his office. You may also speak with Elsa, his assistant. She is a Angel.
You may also contact him by telephone:
619-564-4059 or toll free at
1-866-209-8598

I do not miss the extra long shower times due to having to pick up and wash the rolls of extra fat, and skin, scared that if I missed a spot I would smell bad.
Now, I can hop in and out of the shower in a flash if I want to, and know that I am squeaky clean. Shaving is easier too. God forbid if I had to sit down in the bath tub, I remember getting up was extremely difficult. Now, I can get up in a snap.

You woman are amazing. Such good advice! That why I live this site!!!

I do not miss the extra long shower times due to having to pick up and wash the rolls of extra fat, and skin, scared that if I missed a spot I would smell bad.
Now, I can hop in and out of the shower in a flash if I want to, and know that I am squeaky clean. Shaving is easier too. God forbid if I had to sit down in the bath tub, I remember getting up was extremely difficult. Now, I can get up in a snap.

Yeah...one more thing this friend said to me that is sooo true. She said the opposite of love is not hate. It's indifference. Once you don't give a rats ass about him or how he feels or how you hope he feels, you'll know you're on your way

I was banded in 06 so actually, it's hard for me to remember life almost 10 years ago. when I was banded, there were all sorts of foods I missed that weren't band friendly.
Since being sleeved, the only thing I miss is a 2nd piece of pizza. I can eat one piece pretty easily, and I always look longingly at another piece.
I was just scoped today almost 7 years after my sleeve surgery. My surgeon said my sleeve has not stretched AT ALL!

On Saturday I ran 10 miles for my half marathon training! I'd been dreading it all week, because 9 miles the previous weekend had been really tough, but I feel like I had some sort of breakthrough with the 10 miles. I felt like I could have kept going (which I guess is good, because I'll have to keep going soon!). My half marathon is only 5 weeks away now and I am really starting to believe I'll be able to actually do it!

Laser hair removal is AWESOME! Highly recommend it. The price really varies depending on where you are located. Success depends a lot on your skin tone and hair type (has to be dark) and getting the right equipment to treat said skin tone. I am fair skinned but had dark enough hair and was able to use one of the machines that is better for fair skinned people. I had 7 treatments about 2 1/2 years ago and then just started up again about 6 months ago. There wasn't really a lot of regrowth but the package I bought basically includes laser hair for 30 minutes, so I am doing my lower legs and underarms again. Not sure the underarms are even necessary but since I am there, might as well. It has worked great on my lower legs also. In Dallas, the prices seem to be around $300-$400 for 6 underarm treatments. Do a little research and look at the reviews of the places and give it a try. it doesn't really hurt too bad (depending on how much they turn the machine up). I am also using the stronger laser machine to do skin tightening on my chin/turkey neck. Not sure it is working by leaps and bounds, but there does seem to be some improvement. Now THAT hurts! Even with the numbing cream. With laser hair removal, they use a different setting and a small puff of cold air comes out afterwards (with each shot) giving a numbing sensation. For the skin tightening, they cannot use the cold air as the whole point is to at up the skin and stimulate collagen. I only bought 4 treatments of this.
Just know that it is key for you to go every 4 to 6 weeks for the hair removal (depending on how fast your hair grows) so you can catch the hair in different stages of growth. Even for the hair that doesn't disappear though, it is much softer. Totally worth it and best money (other than RNY) I have spent!

Friends don't let friends wax. They guide them to laser hair removal.

There are some good photos and diagrams of a spiral thigh lift in this PDF:
https://www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/spiral-lift-3.pdf
And no, definitely not the same surgeon who did my WLS. DO NOT under any circumstances trust any surgeon that claims to specialize in bariatrics and plastics! Plastics are an art form, take years to master, and require a very high level of skill. A surgeon who is doing plastics along with any other "specialty" is a hack. Plain and simple.
I am using the same surgeon I used to do my Tummy Tuck, breast lift with implants, and Lipo back in 2011. She is amazing and I trust her completely.

I got a moderate saline implant. The pain was non existent because it was just filling out the loose skin that was already there. At my largest I was a 42DD. I went to the plastic surgeon for a breast lift, when he explained it to me, I was scared of the amount of scaring and he said I would be a full B cup... WHAT?!?!?! So he actually suggested the implant and now I am a 34 DDD. I love my boobs and I would do it all over again, just don't get discouraged because they do sit high for a bit most drop between 6-8 weeks mine didn't until 12 weeks. Also take the time to massage them and create the pocket. Mine look and feel real and I love it!

Well, I pulled the trigger and scheduled a date for my spiral thigh lift! September 27. I know that's a long way off still (over six months) but my surgeon's calendar is filling up fast and she was already down to a limited number of days in August or September, which was the time frame I was aiming for. Originally I planned on late August/early September, but I was looking at the local running calendar and there is a half marathon here on September 18. I am doing my first half marathon April 24th to kick off my running season and had been contemplating the possibility of doing another to finish out my running season at the end of the summer. Well, I think I want to at least leave myself the opportunity to do the September race. So, if I did that race on the 18th, I would have 9 days to recover from the race before my surgery on the 27th. Hopefully that's enough time for my body to bounce back before the trauma of the surgery.
I feel super excited to have picked a date! Very excited to be going back to Mexico for my surgery and seeing my surgeon again and some other familiar faces. Now to just finish these half marathons....

I decided against implants too, because I did not want more surgery in the future. But...
I still want implants.
To me, Implants really make the breast look full and beautiful.
I am also a runner, so I did not want the extra size and weight. But...
I still want implants.
I love my girls and my breast reduction. My plastic surgeon did a wonderful job. But. . .
Guess I am still on the fence.

I miss eating smooth, creamy, cold ice cream. It makes my tummy sick now, so I had to give it up. Use to love eating it mostly around this time of the year. (Winter Time) The stuff that is going on about ice cream now makes me miss it even less.
When i was fat, I was always hurting someplace on my body. I do not miss the pain.

I miss eating smooth, creamy, cold ice cream. It makes my tummy sick now, so I had to give it up. Use to love eating it mostly around this time of the year. (Winter Time) The stuff that is going on about ice cream now makes me miss it even less.
When i was fat, I was always hurting someplace on my body. I do not miss the pain.

I miss eating smooth, creamy, cold ice cream. It makes my tummy sick now, so I had to give it up. Use to love eating it mostly around this time of the year. (Winter Time) The stuff that is going on about ice cream now makes me miss it even less.
When i was fat, I was always hurting someplace on my body. I do not miss the pain.

This is a question for those that are at least a year or two postop. Well into the new lifestyle, done with the learning curve, your new habits are "normal" and all that newbie stuff is behind you....
what is the #1 thing you miss the most from preop? And what is the #1 single thing you do not miss?
for me, I miss being able to chug a big glass of cold Water or a whole bottle of Vitamin Water, etc. Down the whole thing in less than a minute. I can take big, normal gulps, but only 1-2 before I have to make myself stop.
the #1 thing I don't miss is being in pain....foot pain, ankle pain, knee pain....all day, every day.

Overview
Now that 2016 is underway and routines are getting back to normal, your healthy intentions may be back to normal, too. Whether or not you slipped up a little during the holidays, you may be more determined than ever to eat right.
Breakfast may get the most attention, but lunch can make or break you, too. Think of burgers and fries, cheesy beef burritos with nachos, and meatball sandwiches from the fast food restaurant down the street from work. Think of pizza that shows up in the lunch room. Think of the chips, candy bars, and cheese crackers from the vending machine down the hall when you skip” lunch.
Lunch can break you if you’re caught unprepared, costing you hundreds of extra calories each day. But it doesn’t have to. If high-calorie, low-protein, low-nutrient lunches are regular for you, it’s time to healthify your lunch! This week’s challenge can help you do just that.
Getting Started:
In most cases, packing a lunch is the best choice. It lets you control exactly what and how much goes into your mouth. The first step is to make sure you are set up for taking your own lunches. You need some small containers with tight-fitting lids, a set of cutlery – small-sized if that’s what you are using at home to help yourself eat slower – and a lunch bag, preferably insulated.
Think of some ideas for healthy lunches. They can be as simple or gourmet as you like, as long as you stick to the basic weight loss surgery guidelines: start with Protein, go for veggies or fruit next, and consider a small amount of starch. To get you through the day, you can also pack a few healthy Snacks with protein, such as hard-boiled eggs, string cheese sticks, and celery with non-fat cream cheese.
Then get ready to make your healthy lunches. You may need to go shopping for any ingredients you may need for this week’s lunches, especially if you’re used to going out. Don’t forget foods such as yogurt or Salad Dressing that you might want to keep in the workroom fridge.
The Next Steps
Do whatever prep work and cooking that you can ahead of time. That could include cooking and dicing chicken breast, boiling a dozen eggs, and peeling, washing, and cutting carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber coins, and other raw vegetables. You could also make some recipes such as three-bean salad or tofu broccoli stir fry so they’re ready to go during the coming week.
Each night, plan your lunch for the next day and pack as much as you can. Don’t forget to put your water bottle next to your lunch bag so you remember to take it, too. Finish the packing in the morning, and enjoy your lunch every day this week!
Make It Last:
How did you like this week’s challenge? Did you feel that planning ahead led you to making healthier choices at lunch? Did packing your lunch help you avoid going to fast food or sit-down restaurants? Did you feel proud of yourself for making the healthy choices?
If you think packing your lunch might be something you want to keep up, you might be able to improve on the process as you get used to it. Maybe you’ll find that you need a specific size container, or maybe you’ll realize you need to set aside some time on the weekends and a few minutes each night to get your food together. Whatever it is, practice makes perfect!
Keep those lunches healthy, and you’ll be sure to feel better and get a little closer to your weight loss and health goals this year. Happy New Year!

@RJ
I have "known" you for a long time here on BPal. I am sorry about your disappointing news. Your health is very important, and I am happy you have doctors that care for you. You are a wise woman to listen to your doctors.
http://www.hsn.com/products/rhonda-shear-smooth-tootsie-seamless-shaping-leggings/6460197?variant=6560243
I bough this item from Home Shopping Network. (HSN) These beautiful shapers really helped to hide my extra skin before my plastics. In fact, I still have them. Now, I wear them keep my legs warm, because the cold winter weather makes the arthritis in my knee flare up.

I went on a date on Friday night. We went to a blues club where people take dancing seriously! I wasn't sure what the dress code was - ha - since Seattle is a pretty casual place (frumpy some might say!) when it comes to dressing "norms". My date and I are not very good dancers, but we braved the dance floor along with all those spinning and dipping couples that have been doing this awhile and we had alot of fun even if we didn't have the best technique.
I decided to dress how I thought I would like to look - not too concerned with what other might wear. I chose an above the knee black skirt (not a mini, but short) with flouncy ruffles. I wore a really cute patterned top that I like alot but seldom wear because it is dressier. I work dark hose and the most awesome multi color shooties (really, they are shoes, but they call them shooties when they look like booties influenced).
Once I selected my outfiit, I didn't give it another thought until this happened.... I went to the restroom and a very nice looking stylish woman came up and said "I have been admiring your outfit from across the room". We chatted a bit... she left... I did my thing, came out of the stall and another woman walked in and she said "I love those shoes - they are just perfect with your outfit"
It was nice to be validated, but I realized that I had no self consciousness, no thoughts about "am I dressing too young" (you know, fill in the blanks of self doubt).
It kinda hit me that the rest of the world really really really no longer sees me as morbidly obese... and maybe I am kinda reaching that state too. I look like a pretty normal woman and to be quite honest, much fitter than the average woman of my age range. It is an empowering feeling to no longer feel like I need to blend in or worry about how my "rolls" look.
In addition, I sometimes feel a certain amount of grief/shame about the physical problems I have as a result of a lifetime of obesity (mostly arthritis and joint problems). I am not sure how it came up, but my date mentioned he'd had a total hip replacement when he was about my age! This guy is slim, and has been an athlete his whole life. In his case, he took a huge fall while mountain climbing in his youth and it eventually caught up with him. It helped me reframe my own emotions about the damage to my body.
It is the past, we all have our stories and history and all we can do is make the best of right now and build toward an even better future. I am currently rehabbing my bum hip with a much more positive attitude than I had when I was first diagnosed and guess what - getting better results! It is estimated I have 3-4 years before I need that replacement, and I say bring it - I will be ready when it is time!

Front -
I had 90% of my stomach removed and all I got was this lousy t-shirt..
Back -
But at least it's 27 times smaller than my old one!