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Okay here it is. There is my before pic, at my heaviest 450 lbs. and my pic 3 weeks post op for the Tummy Tuck. I've had even more swelling go down since then and my weight has started to go down again even though I'm not allowed to work out for another 4 weeks minimum. Couldn't be happier!

Good for you! Can't wait to see those pics! Who did your plastics? I see you are in my neck of the woods.

I used Dr. Sherick through Centers for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Ypsilanti.

Congrats to you….can you explain a vertical extension…thanks

The vertical extension is where they do two vertical cuts on the abdomen from between the breasts down to the belly button area and pull the skin together.

"After" pics are still to come! I still have a lot of swelling and one drain that will be removed in a week.

How exciting!!!!!! How are you feeling?

I am still sore but I feel great!

Way to go! Congratulations and you look AMAZING! Curious to know if your insurance helped pay for your surgery?

It did not pay for the vertical extension, which cost $1150 up front, but covered the rest of it. I can't wait to post after pictures

8 days ago I had my abdominoplasty with vertical extension! I couldn't be happier. My surgeon removed 23 lbs of loose skin just from my stomach alone! I made the decision to only have my stomach done and I will have my arms, legs and breasts done once I am at my goal weight. After almost a whole year of not moving up or down in my weight I felt completely stuck. I couldn't believe that I was going to just stay at that weight when I had come so far already, I just knew I wasn't ready to be done. After consulting with my family doctor, she suggested that it might be time for the skin removal. The recovery will take a few more weeks, but I already know if was the perfect time and the best decision. I have just under 100 lbs to lose before I hit my goal weight, and I am so excited for the finish line in sight!

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced a hernia from one of the incision sites. The incision where my surgeon took out my stomach has always bothered me. I believe that I popped my stitches early on, but they insisted that the pain was normal. Now, I'm going to an appointment with my regular doctor tomorrow and ask them to see if I have a hernia, because I am most positive that is what it is. If anyone has had a hernia due to the surgery, can you give me some insight on what you went through? Thanks!

I recommend the sleeve. I have several family members and friends who had the bypass and have had a far more difficult time adjusting to the new lifestyle, as well as keeping the weight off. I had my surgery 2 months shy of 2 years ago, and as of right now I'm at 220 lbs. down. Good luck with your decision and I hope all goes well!

We have definitely done our fair share of counseling, marriage counseling and individual counseling. Even my pastor said this last time we met and talked that even though God doesn't desire divorce, there are some instances where it is the best for the children involved. It is so hard to discuss my decision for a divorce without saying why, but it is something that I have yet to discuss with a family member/pastor or whom ever is close to me (including my mother-in-law) and not one of them have said that they blame me for wanting to end it and they would do the same in my situation, but they would of done it a lot sooner and they don't know why I stuck around for so long.

Yeah, Dr. Carlin was awesome and although I've felt the office seems to have dropped he ball in areas, he was worth it. I lost 180 by my 1 year, even though being down 200 in 6 months would of been nice! LOL Good luck with your surgery and keep me updated on your progress! God bless!

My husband and I have been together for 8 years this coming September... that is if we don't file for divorce before then. Both of us had the surgery, and we are both doing amazing with it. The surgery is not the reason we are getting divorced, the surgery is the reason I was able to realize I deserved more. That sounds bad, I know. But there are very big reasons on why I am filing for divorce, and it's hard to explain without saying exactly why. I will always love him as a friend, and I know for our kids we can keep close and work together, but there will never be anything more than a good friendship. With all that said... I have had a lot of attention since I've had the surgery and have lost all this weight. This is why my husband got the surgery, because he was jealous of the attention I was getting, and he openly admits that. The losing all this weight made me realize that I did not have to settle for this marriage. From the beginning he has ben unaffectionate and I've carried everything. He says his only job is to bring home the paycheck. He wasn't even interested in having sex until we decided to have our first child (and I would of not even had children with him had I known what he was keeping from me). So I have a friend at work that is always complimenting me and telling me how beautiful I am, etc. I am not involved with this guy outside of just being friends, but it really got me thinking about how one day I will meet someone that I will want to have that relationship with. I know that without having the surgery and losing the weight I would of never had the confidence to finally stand up to him and say "This is not what I want, I'm tired of being so unhappy and what you have done to me is wrong." I don't know if my story helps you at all, but I hope it gives you some hope that even if your marriage doesn't work, you are doing this for YOU and no one else.

I've been extremely dedicated to my workouts and diet again and I think I'm FINALLY off that darn plateau I've been on for the last several months. I'm down another 9 lbs. but I'm so afraid it's going to yo-yo right back on. Totally revamped my diet and counting every single think I eat, drink, etc. Best part of all of this is that I've found more inner strength and I'm pushing myself harder because I know I can do it. I ran for the first time today since high school. So weird to think that it's been THAT long since I ran! Best part is that I could actually do it, sad part is that I had forgotten how to run! So anyway, that is all. I just realized I hadn't posted for a while hope everyone is doing great!

Be careful with Protein shots some have collagen in them which inhibits weight loss. I liked soy Proteins vanilla that way I could change the flavor with extracts. My fav extracts were the coconut, mint, rum, orange. Just to name a few..

I took them in and had them checked out with Dr. Carlin to make sure I was good to go. I haven't used them in a while though.

I'm so glad to hear that you like Dr. Carlin. My surgery date is 3/26 with Dr. Carlin and I'm getting so nervous. I started the liquid diet and I can't stand the Protein drinks. I'm starving! Hopefully it will get better.

It will! Dr. Carlin was awesome too! I hated the Protein shakes too. I drank them a lot before the surgery, and couldn't stand them afterwards, so I mainly had broth or Soup and took Protein Shots, which were horrible too, but I got my Protein in and didn't have to drink the shakes. I was lucky though, I had no problems with small amounts of solids after 1 week out. So adjusting after surgery was easy for me. I still stuck to liquids and soft foods as much as I could, but I'm a texture person and it drove me nuts just eating Soup. Now, I make my own beef Jerky (that way I control the sodium and other junk) and eat string cheese. They are my safe "go to's" that way I always have something with me that I can eat. They are protein packed and portable.

Oh you poor thing....that's what I'm so nervous about!!! I was hoping those Protein drinks kept you full but I guess not, huh? I'll still have to prepare meals for my husband & kids....I really don't know how I'm going to do that!

Which Protein Drinks are you having? I bought a couple of packages of Muscle Milk in preparation & put them aside, especially since it will be tough to spend extra money from our grocery budget on Protein drinks or whatever I need to drink. So each paycheck, I buy a couple things & put aside. I opened one container of the vanilla flavored Muscle Milk to taste it & while it's okay, it's just super super sweet! I only took a sip so not sure I can drink the entire 11 oz container. The next week, I found a "Lite" version of Muscle Milk in coffee Flavor (hot dang!!!), so I bought 2 of those. I've never had a Protein Drink so not sure which one I'll like.

Good luck to you Cameron69! I hope everything goes well for you!

I used Isopure, it was the only one I found that wasn't too sweet for me. They never kept me "full" either, but that's because it's liquid. Your stomach is designed to pass liquid through and not hold it because the "mushing it up" job is all done, so the stomach passes it through for the rest of digestion. Keep drinking your Water in between shakes. It also helped me to have sugar free popcicles and chicken or beef broth. That way with flavor, it made me feel like I was having something with "more" lol.

So glad to finally see a posting from my neck of the woods! I too will be going thru Henry Ford! I have to be honest & say I'm not thrilled I have to go downtown but thankfully just about the rest of the program requirements are at the Clinton Twp facility! You're doing wonderful on your weight loss! Can't wait till I can post something like that!

Regarding doctors, I'm not sure if I'm getting Dr. Genaw or Dr. Carlin? I think I will have Dr. Genaw tho. They are associates.

Thanks so much for posting!

You will very soon and you will be so proud of yourself for it! I never met Dr. Genaw, but I really love Dr. Carlin. He was great! I have already had my last appointment with him. I've hit a plateau and haven't moved up or down in weight for several months. I'm wondering if it has to do with the loose skin? I am about to switch it up and change up my workouts and see what happens. Also, I've been drinking coffee (no no!) and I also think that has something to do with it. It's hard being a full time college student, mother, employee, etc, etc and not need the extra energy! Things will pick up again soon for me. I'm super excited for you though and I wish you the best! Please let me know if you need anything or have any questions you think I can help with

You are an inspiration. My surgery date is on April 10th and I have at least 225 lbs to lose in order to reach a normal weight. I sometimes question whether the sleeve will be a powerful enough tool but stories like yours puts my mind at ease. I can't wait to join you on the loser's bench. Keep up the good work!

I still think that every day, if I will be able to actually get all the way there or not. Then I remind myself how far I've come and I realize that I'm well on my way and I need to be proud of that. You will get there and you have a support system here if you need one! Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier and happier you! You will do amazing!

I finally got to go get my "200 lb down" present to myself, my sister tattoo! I still have a hard time believing how much I have actually lost and how different I am. So, I'm going to make sure I reward each of my milestones! Here's my first one, a tattoo shared with my sister. A big part of dealing with my weight loss was dealing with our relationship so I could mend the issues we had between us. I am so thankful for the gained relationship with her, and losing the pounds and resentment. Now I'm looking forward to the last 100 lbs to be gone, I'm well on my way!

(My sister's says: "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together...")

(Mine says: "...keep me in your (heart), I'll stay there forever.")

Mine unfortunately has never gone away. It's been over a year for me. My problem isn't actually burping, it's not being able to burp. The air gets trapped in my throat and goes up and down making a really annoying noise and I have a very difficult time trying to get it out. I've never been very good at burping :/

Well, she really doesn't know anything about the surgery if she thinks this is cheating. Nor does she understand the body and mechanics of it. She is jealous of the step you are taking. People will get jealous of you and relationships will change, even ones you think won't. My husband got jealous of all the attention I was getting and ended up having the surgery, just for the attention. He knows now how rough it was for me and feels bad that was was his driving motivation (to get back attention). Some of my friends act like they can't eat around me. I still am human and have to eat, but they limit themselves because they don't want to look like the "piggy" in the group by eating more than I do. It was okay for me to be the fat one out of us, but not okay with the tables turned. I don't take it personally anymore. If that is how she's going to act, you need to tell her that you need support through this and if she can't support you then she needs to reevaluate herself and her own issues before you allow her to degrade your decision for a better and healthier life. This is for you, your family, your health, your happiness, etc... You can't let her make you feel bad for that. Best wishes!!

When you say that you order a sandwich, are you able to eat the bread? I am worried about bread, crackers, Pasta, rice, as I was told they "expand" in your stomach.

I find that going to places for sandwiches Subway, other than to get a salad is pointless for me. I can eat bread (barely) but I really don't like to. It makes me feel full too fast and bloated and then you get hungry too soon after. If I do get bread for something, I make sure to get the Flatouts and I'll have 1/2 of one.

I still go through that, 7 weeks out, dreaming of a Jimmy Johns sandwich or a Little Ceasar's pizza. My first weeks after surgery, I watched the food Network Channel, no lie! But, my stomach could not "stomach" it, so it was easy to get over it.

When you are able to start to clean out your closet, because you are dropping in sizes, that is when you realize that that few minutes of cravings is not worth it. It does get better.

I discovered Jimmy Johns AFTER my surgery, lol. I went and got the turkey unwhich and it ended up being 3-4 meals worth!

You will want it, only because you are so used to having it. Once you get to the point to where you can actually eat it again, it will make you feel horrible and so gross because your body will have adjusted from it. If I'm out and need to grab something quick because I didn't plan accordingly, or if we end up going to a fast food place I usually try to do Wendy's. I will get a small chili, which is a couple meals in it's self, or I'll order the grilled snack wrap and cut up the chicken and take it all out of the tortilla and it makes a little mini salad with lettuce, cheese and chicken (with or with out the sauce, I usually get no sauce).

Thanks..I do take Prilosec..I have been since the beginning..I haven't really felt hungry up until tonight...I was hungry..I'm 3 days away from being 3 weeks post op and my doc said I could go to soft foods when I was 3 weeks out...i'm trying to go 4 though

Have you asked your doc if you could try the soft foods sooner? My doc said that I should use the steps as a guide and move at my own pace. You might already be ready for soft foods or even some solids. I started eating soft foods by the end of my first week and did great! I was worried, but he said if I could and felt fine, that was good and just take it slow. I just couldn't eat anymore soup!