sleevemeup

sleevemeup
OMG - girl have you seen my rear end lately
rump is totally gone - all that skin went down south, no no i don't mean it went to florida you silly people
the skin is now hanging around my back of my legs
first i figured since DH would be the only one to see, oh well, but i'm realizing now that the extra skin is uncomfortable. i just plain ol' don't like it or want it
my tummy also could use some help with the doc
i think i will eventually have that taken care of with plastics
never thought i would say the above (plastics) - but if i can save enough money to swing the price - i deserve it - I went through all this, now want to feel totally better about myself
my arms are not the greatest, but i can deal with that, i never wore sleeveless shirts, so i'll continue to be fine w/short sleeves
i always look for the good in the bad
all you ladies that are upset with your girls going south - i never will have that problem thanx to chemo/dble mascetomy (never learned how to spell that word)
i don't mind briefly talking about that problem/dealing with it - just like we need to talk about/deal with our heaviness/obesity - right?
good luck with your upcoming WLS
you'll love your sleeve

I have some loose skin upper arms, inner thighs, lower part of the bum , boobs a bit ( hate that part!) but suprisingly my tummy is fairly flat ( woo hoo, that was gonna be the part that bothered me the most...outside of the boobs!) It isnt real bad actually but I have been hitting it pretty hard core at the gym. 2 zumba classes a week, one yoga and 2 days of weight training...seems to be working, slowly but that is ok, 80 lbs in 7 months is a lot to shrink back up...lol!

I am 6 weeks post op and been working on my arms and legs the most! My belly, I know is going to be bad because that is where I carried most of my weight, not to mention I am only 5'2..so Tummy Tuck and boob job will happen sooner or later. I also am broad at the top so my arms are a concern. My legs I am not so concerned about considering I do not wear anything short like that, but my arms are my biggest concern. I want to wear short sleeve, I don't care about tank tops but I am highly concerned about them. I am doing exercises, using creams for firming and just hoping it won't look to bad in the end, good luck! Oh and I am 39...we shall see.
My girlfriend had the Roe-n-y and she is 5'8 she never really had a belly but most of her weight is in her legs and thighs. She looks pretty good all over, she still has big legs but she looks good...Your tall so you maybe just fine.

There are soooooo many variables here..... Age, children, smoking, and just plain overall genetics play a HUGE part... At my highest I was 332lbs but I am also 5'10 and even though I carried a good amount in my belly area it was pretty evenly spread out. I never smoked nor had any children and I am soon to be 38 years old. I am down 85 lbs since the middle of March and yes... my girls took a hit. I was a 46D before surgery and am now a 40D. Even though my cup has stayed the same they have definitely shrunk. When I try on my old bras I cant even come close to filling them up. Weird how bra sizing works.. Still a D but smaller?? But that is my case...
Now as far as other areas of my body.. I had some stretch marks (small ones - not deep or very noticeable) on my upper thighs, hips and belly as well as a few tiny ones around my tops of my breasts and upper arm right in the crease area where my arm meets my armpit. These are the areas that I am noticing a loss of elasticity however it's not gross..well not to me. Just not what I like to see. I have been using toning bands post-op and have done crunches pretty much every day since about 2 months post-op. When you have 100lbs to lose it's almost impossible NOT to have some saggy skin somewhere. Excess skin was one of my biggest fears as well but with 85lbs off of me I am delighted with how my body is transforming!! I definitely feel that some plastics will be in my future whether it be a Tummy Tuck, liposculpt, lower body lift, boob lift, etc.... I am definitely open to those types of procedures but I want to hit my goal and determine if I want to have a child or not. I will be 38 soon so time is ticking.. I can see myself getting some nips and tucks done in about 3 years....
Good Luck!

I have loose skin on my upper arms, the bust, the inside of my upper thighs and on the lower abdomen bellow the navel.
The only thing really bothering me is the abdomen.
When I lost about 80 pounds 10 years ago I did not really have any lose skin. I added that back plus another 50 pounds and 10 years.
It all depends on your age, skin type, how fast you lose and several other factors. I look fine with clothes on. Naked - eh, not so much. A bra shapes the puppies, but I really can't wear short shorts -- nor should I at 47 Board shorts are fine for the beach. I don't wear Spanx as I hate a lot of constricting clothes.
It's great that you have the muscle. You will have to continue to exercise and get all your Protein in to keep it. I know it's stressful to think of, but ask ANYONE here. They will tell you that the weight loss and great health trumps any lose skin.

I haven't been sleeved yet, but I have yo-yoed with my weight all my life. I can just say from experience that the skin does shrink back some and I've noticed the older I get and the more weight I lose, the slower the skin goes back and then not all the way. Now, I need to lose at least 90 lbs..so close to where you are. I'm 49 and last year I lost 60 pounds and my skin did not hang lose too much. I think it's because of all the Protein I ate. I did walk from 1 - 2 hours a day about 5-6 times a week. Since then, I've gained all the weight back and then some within a years time This is why I'm looking forward to getting sleeved so that it will be easier to lose the weight and to maintain it since I will have a physical barrier (smaller stomach)...I won't be able to pig out as I can now...hehehe
I guess there is always Spanx or plastic surgery to help with any lose skin, but my understanding is that you should give it a year to a year and a half once you lose all the weight to see how much loose skin you may have.....Good luck!

Hey guys... I am going to try to answer all the questions but if I leave anything out let me know...
First off food intake - I average between 400 and 600 calories a day. Yes that number is low but my bloodwork is great and I feel great. I do still struggle to take in as much Protein as I am supposed to.
Typical Foods - I eat a lot of grilled chicken, salad with vinegarette dressings, oven baked bologna, milk, etc. I drink atleast 1 cup of heart healthy fat free milk each day with a tablespoon of nesquick. I think it curbs my sweet tooth.
The rules I swear by - I avoid breads, pastas, and pretty much all grains. Every once in a while I have a bite or two. I also avoid carbonated beverages. I avoid crackers, chips, and Cookies bc they go down way to easy and are too fattening.
Exercise - I do not have an exercise routine. I have 3 kids and I coach softball. I try to stay active during the day either with my dogs (I work with a Pitbull rescue), my kids, or cleaning house. Throughout the day I focus on tightening my muscles, I do counter push ups, work on my posture when sitting, etc.
Loose skin - I have a lip of skin on my stomach that I hate but I have had 3 c-sections so I had it before the weight loss. My arms look fine with no real lose skin to note. The inside top of my thighs look a little lose and wrinkly but not so much that I am uncomfortable in booty shorts. My breasts however are a different story. I weighed 120 when I got prego with my first child and I went from a B cup to an F... After three kids I was a droopy triple D. Now I am a 32 D but they look like tube socks with a tennis ball when I lean over (sorry for the visual!).
I am still steady losing but much more slowly. My surgery date was 03/01/2012 so I have lost 98 pounds now in less than 6 months.
Thanks for all the congrats! I will try to get my before and currents posted tomorrow.

It has been one year and I have lost 111 pounds! Just wanted to share my before and in progress pic! Still have a few more pounds to lose, but I am almost there!

I use it. I have for almost 1 year with great results. I do still have light hair, but not the thicker black hairs. It also helped a great deal controlling sebaceous hyperplasia. I LOVE it. It took about 3 months to notice the hair difference, but after 2 weeks, my skin looked remarkably better.

I started gaining weight 5 years ago....and gaining fast. I put on 130 lbs in a little over 2 years. I had myself medically checked for everything. Every test to diagnose something that would cause such dramatic weight increase came back negative. I was so frustrated for a couple of years. I wanted the docs to find something wrong with me medically, then say here is a pill and you'll be back to your 130lb figure. No such luck! I finally had to come to terms with the obvious. I turned 30 (slower metabolism) ate crappy fast food daily, Stopped exercising, and was extremely stressed at work. Yikes by the time I snapped to reality and tried to change my behavior, I was in a strangers body. A body that was once very limber, now could barely bend to tie her shoe, or find any energy after or before work to be active. About 3 months ago I started talking to a friend at work who was having issues with weight as well. WLS entered the discussion, and I voiced an interest in the lap band. My friend mentioned a newer procedure her sister had gotten and demonstrated success.... VSG... I researched the band, bypass, and VSG. VSG made the most sense to me by far. I won't list my reasons in detail, as I'm sure they correlate to many others reasoning. Mid May I went to a seminar at a very reputable center of excellence and took the next step in making an initial consult with one of the surgeons, on June 8th 2012. I made up my mind to get the sleeve and started the approval process. My surgeons office sent all necessary documentation to my insurance company UHC and I was approved because my BMI was 40 or greater within 2 weeks. My surgeons office then required the following clearances: Pulmonology consult, dietary class, psych evaluation, pre-op support group class, upper gi, chest X-ray, and blood work up, etc. I was then able to schedule my surgery date for July 30th. I had to follow a strict pre-op diet consisting of only 4-5 Protein Shakes per day with sf Popsicles, and Jello 15 days prior to surgery. The day prior to surgery I was allowed only Clear Liquids and had to drink a 10oz bottle of magnesium citrate (bowel prep) the night before surgery I needed to gargle with 1/2 bottle of Listerine (my mouth was on fire) I also needed to shower with Hibiclense that night. The morning of the procedure I gargles with the other half of the Listerine and bathed with the other half of Hibiclense. I arrived at the hospital 2 hours prior to my surgery as told. I went to registration, everything was entered in the system already, and they took me up to the surgical floor. The nurses had me gargle with more Listerine, pee in a cup (pregnancy test precaution) and I changed into a high tech surgical robe that they attached a warming hose to. The nurse then hooked up my IV, the surgeon met with me briefly asking if I had any questions. I was then visited by the anesthesiologist, who explained they would inject some happy medicine to make me relax. They then wheeled me into the OR and lifted me onto the OR table... That was all she wrote. I woke up about an hour and 1/2 later in recovery. I had some problems breathing when I woke up ( not too bad) and they continued to monitor my pain. I was then transferred to my own beautiful private room with a view of a large swan pond. I was in pain but it wasn't terrible. They didn't have to put a JP drain in, and I was allowed to shower the next day. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I also did experience buyers remorse. I asked myself why i would put myself through something like this voluntarily, because of the pain, then remembered people on this site recolecting there accounts. The thing that helped me through so much of my hospital experience was the stories others posted on this site. I read so many posts, and educated myself prior to the day of surgery,and it helped. I knew the buyers remorse stage would pass, as it had for others. I am 5 days post op now and let me tell you it is sureel. Im sure I will run into more obstacles along my VSG journey but I know where to turn, and what tools are available. I really hope my story helps at least 1 person going through the pre-op stages. I am thankful this site was available to me.

I want to Celebrate and shout from the rooftops! I made my surgeons goal on my appt day! I didnt even know he had a goal for me and he turns to me and says, "Congratulations, you made goal!" I said what??? I made up an arbitrary goal of 135 because i remember weighing that in college. I had no idea what my goal was supposed to be... He said "see, your ideal weight is 138 and I weighed in at exactly 138! Wow.. I thought I had missed it by three pounds but it was so refreshing to say that I finally made A goal. I always fall short but not this time! My wonderful hubby made a great slideshow of the whole process, starting from our Brazil vacation spring of 2011 to now. Its been quite a ride!!!!! Woohooo... I cant believe I made my surgeons goal in exactly one year!!!!! Wooop! enjoy the show..
http://animoto.com/play/a5Pa3Hpgm8GSDxDYkhPFuA?utm_content=main_link

I'd have been running up and down the street in my underwear, holding the pants above my head screaming, "they won't stay up! They won't stay up!". Hahaha
Congratulations on the NSV!

Congrats on the endoscopy =) Doesn't sound like much fun. 18 vials of blood is a ton! I think they filled 5 or 6 to do my blood work. Well, at least they will know EVERYTHING is ok =p

Great topic. Growing up, I was thin and athletic. I lived for my sports. Up until my pregnancy at 34, I had an amazing body and worked very hard at it. All was good until my last trimester when I gained an astounding 85 pounds. Our son was 2 weeks late and 10 1/2 lbs via c-section. As soon as I was healed, I started working out vigorously. I basically did the Atkins diet, and worked my way from 240lbs down to 165. That didn't last. Fast forward 14 years- I am at 250 ish. I want to keep doing my sports, but I have had 9 surgeries on my legs and my weight won't let me do the things I enjoy.
I do think this experience has made me more compassionate towards others. I don't judge people as much. I have experienced the looks and I know people that have known me for a long time say "what happened to her?" I do have some autoimmune problems (Celiac Disease and Hashimotos), which make it a little harder. I am hoping this will give me the tool to get back to where I was. My son has seen pics of me thin, and I have a super supportive husband. I am lucky. I think this experience has been good in a way for me (sounds funny). This weight has taught me so many things and has made me grow as a person. If I had remained thin and not gained the weight, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I like who I am, I don't like this weight. It hurts my knees and doesn't let me do the things I enjoy. I am looking forward to this journey.

I am in the same boat. Fortunately, I am with a small employee funded insurance, and have been for almost 10 years. They have said that they will take a look at the sleeve if it is better for me... we shall see. They have covered all of the problems that I have had due to my weight problem including medicines and several surgeries. I am hoping that those problems will convince them that the sleeve is for me. My surgeon is writing a letter stating that it is the best option for me. Fingers and toes crossed!

When you join Myfitnesspal.com It has a default setting of the following:
1200 calories a day 165 Carbs a day 40 Fat a day 40 Protein a day
There is NO way you are going to lose weight on 165 carbs.
I was on a six month pre-op diet and I followed my doctor's recommended which was about 800-1000 calories a day less than 75 carbs a day and 80 Protein a day .
Drink 64 ounces of Water which could include non-caffeinated beverages - all must have less than 5 calories per serving (0 carbs)
Eat 100-200 calories within 1 hour of waking up. (I did this by having a Protein shake for Breakfast every morning
Goal 15-30 minutes ofe xercises daily - split up if it's too hard for you.
Pedometer - Ultimate goal of 10,000 steps daily.
Eat 3-4 cups of fruit or vegetables daily - not fried or cooked in oil or butter.
Replace unhealthy snackes with fruits and vegetables
Chew each bite 20 times before swallowing.
Attempt a low calorie hot beverage before each meal and snack - hot tea or something like that.
I love fruits, but they are not talking about fruit juice, which are high in carbs.
I stayed at between 45-75 carbs a day and I lost 10 pound a month each month during the 6 month pre-op diet.
When you go into myfitness pal - hit "settings" I would hit the drop down box on the left - and add sodium and potassium to your list. You will want to see how much sodium you are getting in for those days you are bloated and and you gain a pound or two to see how much sodium you are taking on. I would also hit potassium for days you are noticing that you are getting cramps in your legs or feet - meaning you may not be getting enough potassium.
If you are going to be following the Breakfast - snack - lunch - snack - dinner - snack routine, change that in the next drop down box. Realize all previous entries will get converted into a weird form - meaning most likely dinner will be located at lunch - but you can explain that to your doctor.
Save now go back out to home - then next to home you will see GOAL - Click Goal... on the bottom click the green change goal button. Click button custom - then click the green continue button - I would first and foremost - lower those carbohydrates to under 100 grams a day. I would up protein to 80 grams a day.
When you change the settings for one - it automatically changes does the % for other's so you have to play around with it some.
IE - 1000 calories - 30% carbs (75 grams) 35% protein - 88 Grams 35% fat 39 grams.
My main priority was my 80 grams of protein and I always went from 80 - 90 grams of protein a day. I tried to stay within 45-75 grams of carbs and I always tried to keep my fat as low as possible.
I changed how many days a week I was going to exercise to 7 days - 30 minutes a day. Everyone has 30 minutes to walk - even if it's in 15 minutes intervals around your home, twice a day.
When I first started I could barely get up my stairs and I didn't fit onto the gazelle and I would walk in place 5 - 10 minutes while watching tv - then I gradually got into the groove.
Just because it says you can lose 2 lbs. a week with what their target is - that's for someone that doesn't have a messed up metabolism. If I ate their recommended of 1200 - 165 carbs i would be gaining 5 lbs a week or more!!!
Stay within 45-75 grams of carbs - throw in a shake for breakfast, first and foremost look at your protein - get that up to 80 grams a day.
When you eat dinner. Do not eat your salad first, or your grains first. Eat all your meat, then you eat your vegetables, chew slowly. Do not drink Water or anything with your meals. Wait 1/2 hour after you eat to drink your water.
I always had water with my meals because I was a choker. Why did I choke? Because I swallowed my food without being chewed well. I took away my water and I learned to chew well and take my time and focus on what I was doing.
You should always be under your calories because of exercise. It always said I was not eating enough etc. etc. It's all good, but if doing the 3 month diet will jump start your weight loss, it's all worth it because it will make after getting sleeved that much easier.
If you have any other questions, please hit me up, explain to your doctor regarding my fitness pal and fix that asap.
Good luck.

Think of soda a poison. Come to terms with it and get over it.

The permanence of it is actually one of the things that made me choose the sleeve. I came into my process saying I wanted the band. I had convinced myself that all of the problems people were having were just blown out of proportion (rolling my eyes at myself for that one). My nurse in the weight management program gently convinced me to look at the other surgeries. When I said the sleeve scared me because it was permanent, she replied "so, you DON'T want a permanent solution?". Very simple but it really made me think. I can't even imagine there being a time when I'm not so dependant on food, but my goodness am I looking forward to it!

I too have gone back and forth over the years. This spring, I finally decided it was time and it was the sleeve. I want the permanence of it. I have seen people gain weight back from both bypass and band. I think this is my best chance for success. Hopefully, this fall! When it is time, you will know it.

Hey Blackberry - you started this thread over 2 months ago, how's Paleo going now? Sleevemeup - Tara's Whey is an all natural, organic, fair-trade etc. etc. Protein powder. The dark chocolate one is really delicious, it's just like Ghirardelli cocoa powder!
Blackberry, that story of the wierdos and marzipan is great, but also scary! I almost feel like that guy was "casing" you, like him and his gf were lurking for ... something! eep! I'm still crossfitting btw, although between having the flu and going on vacation I haven't been to the gym for more than gentle yoga in .. 4 weeks, cripes! I'm actually afraid to return to crossfit, it will be so painful, but I miss it terribly.
Also, I have a question that may be indelicate so private msg me if it is - how did paleo, and then cheating, affect your um, digestion?? Any issues?

Tears of joy! Why are my emotions tied so closely to my weight??? I got on the scale today and it said 179! The last time i remember being happy with myself was almost 15 years ago when i was in the 170s. Still have 30lbs to goal but feeling so positive. I think my mom would be so proud of me!

That's one of the few that does NOT give me heartburn. It's different for everyone!

How is it a,week ago today when I had surgery I weighed in at a plump 310 now 7 days out I weigh 276???? I am not complaining. I have not even started walking yet

Well, I am pre-surgery, and food enjoyment has controlled my life. I cannot wait to say good bye to enjoyment and hello to a new me. I want to think about other things - instead of WHEN do I GET to eat again and what will I have... to I actually need something. I am tired of this consuming my life, I have more to do than think and crave stupid food. It's like saying good bye to a bad relationship.