Lissa

I'd do my surgery again every day of the week and twice on Sunday!!! I'm not officially at goal yet, but I'm LOVING life these days!!!

I'd do my surgery again every day of the week and twice on Sunday!!! I'm not officially at goal yet, but I'm LOVING life these days!!!

I've been making sure I got my Vitamins and Protein daily, using Neutrogena body oil, dry brushing (infrequently), and avoiding tanning since surgery. My excess skin is pretty much limited to my abdomen and upper thighs. I'm not at goal yet, although I've lost 120+ pounds and I have had a plastics consult (2 actually). I have about 10-15 pounds of excess skin, depending on which doctor you believe. I have also been an avid gym rat, doing cardio and weights to help tone things. My plastics doc says there isn't a lot you can do to avoid the skin, although he has encouraged me to keep doing all of the above things because they will help in the long run. A lot of skin issues depend on you... your genetics, your age, how overweight you are now, and if you've already had issues (C-sections, abdominal surgery). It's still better to have excess skin than skin that's full of fat. At least, that's my opinion. I'll take the excess skin that I have to deal with over the 120 pounds I've lost all day long!

Pardon my french, but HE#* yes, you're worth it and HE*# no, you shouldn't give up on the idea of having a sex life. You're 47, not 107...and I understand the geriatric set are into sex in a big way, too!
I think you have laid out an excellent case for why you want to have surgery. You have busted your butt to lose weight and do what's right for everyone else. If you want to have this done, I say go for it!!!

I've been making sure I got my Vitamins and Protein daily, using Neutrogena body oil, dry brushing (infrequently), and avoiding tanning since surgery. My excess skin is pretty much limited to my abdomen and upper thighs. I'm not at goal yet, although I've lost 120+ pounds and I have had a plastics consult (2 actually). I have about 10-15 pounds of excess skin, depending on which doctor you believe. I have also been an avid gym rat, doing cardio and weights to help tone things. My plastics doc says there isn't a lot you can do to avoid the skin, although he has encouraged me to keep doing all of the above things because they will help in the long run. A lot of skin issues depend on you... your genetics, your age, how overweight you are now, and if you've already had issues (C-sections, abdominal surgery). It's still better to have excess skin than skin that's full of fat. At least, that's my opinion. I'll take the excess skin that I have to deal with over the 120 pounds I've lost all day long!

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

Um, the outside has shrunk, but the inside seems the same at 9 months out and 100 pounds lighter. As a matter of fact, things seem to fit better/deeper these days. TMI?

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

This is a journey. Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow, just do what you know you must do today. Get in your Protein and Water, add in some exercise and LIVE. The great thing about the sleeve is that you don't have to believe in it because it is physically there. It provides restriction, you provide nutrition.

My PCP is a jerk, but he's been my PCP since I was 11 years old. Everything that's ever been wrong with me is because I'm fat, go figure. Now that I've dropped 120 pounds, all of my health problems are still because I'm overweight. Never mind that I have had major improvement in my health, with resolution of most of my co-morbidities, and never mind that I'm a gym rat now, everything is weight related. I had surgery locally, but my PCP still says it was "too drastic". I don't care. I'm shopping for a new PCP, but haven't found one yet. I think that older doctors, like mine, don't trust anything too new-fangled.

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

I've been wearing a compression shirt and shorts off and on since surgery. I don't know that they have helped by themselves, but they have helped in conjunction with exercise. My only loose skin now is in the back of my upper arms and my belly area, but I expected both of those. IMO, they can't hurt and they make me look better in clothes, so I'll keep wearing mine. I do try to make sure my compression shorts aren't so tight they cut off circulation in my legs because I do a lot of driving and sitting for my job.

Hi Mrs Byars, There is a forum specifically geared to pre-op questions here... and another geared to post-op questions if you want to research what it's like to be newly sleeved. Those forums are great because lots of our questions have already been answered. Use the search function on the home page to look up issues you'd like to research and there is bound to be a ton of information about that issue. BTW, my start weight was 352 and I'm down over 120 pounds at 18 months out. If you look at people's profiles, you can view their gallery pages and see the pictures they have posted. I have tons documenting my journey to today. I haven't heard of anyone who got sleeved that didn't lose a significant amount of weight. You won't be the first person to not lose any weight with the sleeve. Good luck!

This is a journey. Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow, just do what you know you must do today. Get in your Protein and Water, add in some exercise and LIVE. The great thing about the sleeve is that you don't have to believe in it because it is physically there. It provides restriction, you provide nutrition.

Hi Mrs Byars, There is a forum specifically geared to pre-op questions here... and another geared to post-op questions if you want to research what it's like to be newly sleeved. Those forums are great because lots of our questions have already been answered. Use the search function on the home page to look up issues you'd like to research and there is bound to be a ton of information about that issue. BTW, my start weight was 352 and I'm down over 120 pounds at 18 months out. If you look at people's profiles, you can view their gallery pages and see the pictures they have posted. I have tons documenting my journey to today. I haven't heard of anyone who got sleeved that didn't lose a significant amount of weight. You won't be the first person to not lose any weight with the sleeve. Good luck!

This is a journey. Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow, just do what you know you must do today. Get in your Protein and Water, add in some exercise and LIVE. The great thing about the sleeve is that you don't have to believe in it because it is physically there. It provides restriction, you provide nutrition.

Go with your friends! Go on the date! Just order broth Soup or something that is within your current dietary guidelines. You can choose to be miserable or you can choose to live... and I think you've already chosen to live by having your sleeve. I went out to eat with friends within the first few weeks. They understood when I ordered egg drop soup and only drank that broth at the Chinese restaurant. They understood when I asked the waitress to blend me some cream of broccoli soup at Ruby Tuesdays and they understand now when I order a child's portion of grilled chicken/fish and a side of steamed veggies. It's not even a topic of discussion. That's just how I eat. I don't comment when they order a huge steak, baked potato and veggies, then add dessert on top (unless I'm asking for a single bite of some confection). Once you're through the restrictive stages of your diet, things will get easier, but there ARE ways to be social now without breaking the diet. Good luck!!

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

I wasn't sad when I realized that food was no longer my motivator, but the next step is to realize that food is just fuel. It's weird to me that now I choose food based on it's Protein content more than what it tastes like. I still crave some things like Cheetos and sugar, but I'm pretty good about having a bite or two and then moving past those foods now. I eat like a skinny person. LOL You'll get there and be amazed at how much your thinking has changed when you do get there.

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

I wasn't sad when I realized that food was no longer my motivator, but the next step is to realize that food is just fuel. It's weird to me that now I choose food based on it's Protein content more than what it tastes like. I still crave some things like Cheetos and sugar, but I'm pretty good about having a bite or two and then moving past those foods now. I eat like a skinny person. LOL You'll get there and be amazed at how much your thinking has changed when you do get there.

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!

Let me put this in perspective for you. If you have surgery, there is a risk of complications, both on the table and afterwards (stricture, leaks). That risk is very low, less than 1%. If you don't have surgery and continue to remain obese and probably gain even more weight, there is a 100% chance that you will eventually have complications from obesity, even more so than you already have. Almost every obese person has issues with self-image, walking, being out of breath while trying to do the simplest tasks that require physical exertion, not to mention inability to find clothes that look/feel good on the obese body. Eventually, eating badly will clog our arteries, lead to any combination of: asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots (from inactivity), varicose veins, etc. So, when it comes down to it, it's LESS risky to have WLS than it is to remain obese. Dr. Oz said something that has stuck with me: "If you're 100 pounds overweight...it's like having cancer. You'd operate to remove a cancer, so why wouldn't you have WLS". At 18 +months out, I've had resolution of all my comorbidities, lost over 120 pounds, and I'm living a wonderful life that I couldn't have predicted pre-op. WLS changed and saved my life and I think it will do the same for you. Good luck on your journey!