kyllfalcon

Did you have a drain? If so, was it in this incision?

I always have a hard time getting an IV started, but never had one in the neck either! Went into surgery with it on the right side, came out with it on the left, so something went awry while under.

I very quietly mention to the waitstaff that I just had a little surgery and can't eat much. They nod knowingly and treat me like a queen the rest of the meal.

Haven't had GB surgery, but have had three surgeries through the belly button. My surgeon volunteered to reuse that site for the largest incision, so I have four tiny new scars, less than half an inch each, and a fresh rosy color on the old incision. I love my surgeon. I would not have even thought to ask, but he volunteered.

It will probably pass. I had a hysterectomy in my 40's, almost 60 now, and stopped HRT just prior to surgery in March. My boobs got so sore and stayed sore for a few weeks, now it's gone. I have not returned to HRT, and feel great without it. Before I needed it because I was so dang hot all the time, but not now!

It's impossible for any of us to say that those people are or are not doing something right. Some folks lose more quickly than others. Many on this forum will tell you the first rule, the second rule and all the following rules are: Do NOT compare yourself to others. Instead, ask yourself if you can KEEP OFF those 20-30 pounds you would have lost without the help of the sleeve? The answer is usually "No", and has contributed to almost everyone's decision to get sleeved. Only you can decide if you're doing the right thing. But I bet 99% of the sleevers on this forum will tell you they would do it again in a heartbeat. I would. And you can see by my ticker that I have lost almost 50 pounds in 13 weeks. So I and many many others have indeed lost more than 30 in 3-6 months. Good luck!

I did just the opposite. As the weeks drew nearer to surgery date, I ate less and less, with no conscious decision to do so. My hubby commented on it several times, saying I must be practicing. I guess I was. And it has made the transition so much easier. And now that I am almost 13 weeks out and 50 pounds lighter, I do NOT have urges to binge or overeat. While I do experience hunger, I am satisfied with just a little. At a family dinner or work potluck, I eat a spoonful or two of whatever I want and am totally fine with it. All my friends and family are amazed at how easy this has gone for me. Don't want to be preachy, but the sooner you make the change, the better!

Look, they have wonderful online stores for plus-size and regular-size lingerie, some of it stretchy and flowy stuff that will enhance your appearance and accentuate your assets. Plus it's just a helluva lotta fun to get all gussied up and ... well, you know... and that lingerie doesn't all have to come off when... well, you know... Now, having said that, I agree that preferably you work on your self-image and develop comfort and confidence, but this can take some time to achieve, and you have opportunity NOW. So get shopping! Gmanbat, I like you a lot! Hmmm, probably not the best topic under which to post that, but...

CowgirlJane, The lady in the baggy pants looks like the one more comfortable and enjoying life! Hooray for baggy pants!! (I now have the world's largest collection of black stretch knit baggy pants - formerly the world's largest collection of black stretch knit tight pants!).

I've had a total knee replacement and have to have antibiotics before dental cleaning. But not a word was said about it in reference to WLS.

I tried them and thought they tasted good. I did find that no matter how much I shook them there could be a little chalky grit at the end. They are not available locally and the only place i could find them online was from Premier, which is in Canada. The shipping was horrendous and took forever. I did not reorder and have since started drinking Muscle Milk.

I drink the vanilla latte daily. Good Protein or bad, I'm losing weight like crazy, at least according to my standards. From their website, about the Mocha: Ingredients Calcium caseinate, instant coffee, fructose, cocoa (processed with alkali), nonfat milk, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, natural flavor, magnesium carbonate, salt, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, mono- and diglycerides, potassium phosphate, mono and di-glycerides, sucralose, soy lecithin, ascorbic acid, ferrous sulfate, alpha-tocopherol acetate, zinc sulfate, selenium amino acid chelate, niacinamide, Vitamin A palmitate, copper gluconate, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, tocopherols added to protect flavor, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, chromium dinicotinate glycinate, folic acid, Biotin, potassium iodide, phytonadione, vitamin D3, vitamin B12. Contains milk and soybean. Produced on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, egg, wheat, sesame, shellfish. 150mg of caffeine per serving. Filled by weight not volume. Contents may settle during shipping and handling. Nutrition Facts

The stigma is there. Not much we can do about it, as all the explaining in the world just sounds like more excuses to those whose minds are already made up. Try not to get worked up over what others say and think. Don't worry about what you can't change - instead, spend that energy on changing you.

I have suffered with RLS since my first pregnancy 43 years ago. I had it during both pregnancies but it stopped with delivery. Then in my mid-30's it came back again to stay and has worsened over time. I had no idea what it was until a few years ago when I stumbled across an article. Mine is not brought on my lying down as with most folks, but with sitting or prolonged standing. I used Requip for about a year, then it stopped working. I was changed to Mirapex which helped for several years, then its effect started to diminish. I tried yet another drug, the name of which I forget, but it had NO effect, so back to Mirapex. I've had to increase the dosage several times. These drugs can really help with this horrible condition, but are not without side affects. Seems to run in families. My sister has it, as does one of my two sons. Now that I've done something to control my weight, my next best wish it to be rid of "The Jumpy Leg". Don't think they have a fix for that yet!!

I read somewhere that a high protein diet can give you zits. I'm dang near 60 and am having some zits on chin and neck - something I've not had in decades!!

When I had a total knee replacment a couple of years ago, the incision was closed on the outside with glue but on the inside were stitches. Dozens worked their way out over a period of weeks. Most pulled out easily with tweezers, but I had to clip a couple that had knots real close to the skin. Keep it clean and dry. And don't mess with it too much.

About three weeks.

I hate fish of any kind. But at first I craved tuna and salmon.

Yes, gummies are good, I use them for Vitamin C and multi-Vitamins. I even found some gummy Fiber, which is working well. Unfortunately, or maybe it is fortunate, my surgeon requires a whole lot more than just multi-vitamins, so I have a ton of supplement pills plus a ton of prescription meds I have to take. Just a royal pain, but if that's the worst thing I have to suffer, so be it!

Worst part for me is getting in all the supplements along with my regular medications. I have to take a handful of something several times a day. Not exagerating, taking all the pills has caused an aversion to drinking Water, something I used to do all day long. Now I have to force water down and can only drink it if flavored with something like Crystal Light. But I'd still do it all over again, stupid pills and all.

DD is a fairly decent cup size. I went in decades ago asking for implants, thinking if I could only fill out the big baggy skin envelope it wouldn't look so bad. However, the surgeon convinced me I had plenty breast tissue, just too much skin. I had a lift-only with very nice results. It sounds to me like your situation may be similar: large enough breasts, just saggy. Think how big they would be if you used implants to fill out the loose skin.... might be a whole lot worse than scars. The scars fade over time. I've been married three times and around the block a few more, and I've never had a man react negatively to the scars. Not sure what you mean by the risks of a 2-part surgery? They put in the implants at the same time they do the lift. Good luck!

<snicker>

Not be ashamed and embarrassed when I run into people I haven't seen in a long time.

Good luck - keep us posted!

Pdxman, you are some kinda guy. I mean that in a good way. You've been there, done that, wore the T-shirt home. You generously share your life experiences. We can all learn from you. Thanks.