Babysteppin

Wow!!!! You guys are amazing with ideas!!! So awesome! Thank you for taking time to share.

I've been getting back into smoothies now with the nicer weather returning. My fave at the moment is: 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder, 1 cup milk, 1/4 c plain greek yogurt, 1 cup frozen mango, lime juice, and a splash of coconut extract. Throw all of it in the blender, and YUM!
For Breakfast or Snacks, I'm also grooving on either 1/2c cottage cheese, or cold ricotta cheese...then sprinkle a handful of sunflower seeds & raisins on top...then drizzle with raw honey. Sooo freaking good.
I recently found Krave Jerky which is a great Protein snack, besides yogurt, cheese, etc. Apparently Jillian Michaels eats it too! www.kravejerky.com
These are a few of my fave meal recipes at the moment. You gotta try the apple chicken Breakfast sausage patties! I freeze them individually, and just pop one in the microwave as I please. I like these kinds of recipes here because I make big batches, portion them out, and they all freeze well. For me, doing one day of 'batch cooking' and freezing helps me to have quality protein meals to turn to when things get hectic.
Hope some of these ideas tickle your fancy.
Chicken Apple Sausage:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_apple_sausage.html
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/groundbeefrecipes/r/unstuffed-cabbage.htm
Crockpot Black Bean & Mushroom Chili:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/slow_cooker_black_bean_mushroom_chili.html
Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Casserole (Can't get enough of QUINOA! Pinterest has tons of quinoa recipes.):
http://makingthymeforhealth.com/2014/02/16/spinach-artichoke-quinoa-casserole/?crlt.pid=camp.axBKiFxwUGcf
Saucy Boneless Pork Chops:
http://ourladyofsecondhelpings.com/2012/06/22/some-saucy-chops-that-are-not-boring/

I've been getting back into smoothies now with the nicer weather returning. My fave at the moment is: 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder, 1 cup milk, 1/4 c plain greek yogurt, 1 cup frozen mango, lime juice, and a splash of coconut extract. Throw all of it in the blender, and YUM!
For Breakfast or Snacks, I'm also grooving on either 1/2c cottage cheese, or cold ricotta cheese...then sprinkle a handful of sunflower seeds & raisins on top...then drizzle with raw honey. Sooo freaking good.
I recently found Krave Jerky which is a great Protein snack, besides yogurt, cheese, etc. Apparently Jillian Michaels eats it too! www.kravejerky.com
These are a few of my fave meal recipes at the moment. You gotta try the apple chicken Breakfast sausage patties! I freeze them individually, and just pop one in the microwave as I please. I like these kinds of recipes here because I make big batches, portion them out, and they all freeze well. For me, doing one day of 'batch cooking' and freezing helps me to have quality protein meals to turn to when things get hectic.
Hope some of these ideas tickle your fancy.
Chicken Apple Sausage:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_apple_sausage.html
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/groundbeefrecipes/r/unstuffed-cabbage.htm
Crockpot Black Bean & Mushroom Chili:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/slow_cooker_black_bean_mushroom_chili.html
Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Casserole (Can't get enough of QUINOA! Pinterest has tons of quinoa recipes.):
http://makingthymeforhealth.com/2014/02/16/spinach-artichoke-quinoa-casserole/?crlt.pid=camp.axBKiFxwUGcf
Saucy Boneless Pork Chops:
http://ourladyofsecondhelpings.com/2012/06/22/some-saucy-chops-that-are-not-boring/

Thank you all so, SO much! I am committed 100% in mind (and body!) to move forward with the procedures. Ready to be done with the physical discomfort, and the psychological discomfort.
Because of the extent (and anatomy) of my excess skin, the plastic surgeon will need to perform the 'fleur de lis' incision, in addition to the typical circumferential cut around the lower abdomen for my lower body lift. Basically it's because I have a saddle of skin hanging from my middle/upper abdomen area, and another one hanging from my lower abdomen....So it's as if I'm getting a central AND lower body lift!
Not super psyched about the vertical 'torso-length' cut in addition to the circumferential cut...but it's what I need in order to achieve the best results. I'm opting to do that and a Brachioplasty, which I guess will extend up to my armpit and down my sides slightly. Yup, I've got a killer pair of 'bat wings' too. I'll just prepare for the worst, and hope for the best!! Thanks again you guys.
P.S. Boobs and thighs will be Part Deux.

Thanks so much for sharing your story. It is a good reminder for all of us that the sleeve doesn't perform acts of magic or miracles. We are human, we are food addicts, and this can happen!
I'm an all-or-nothing type of person too. I am the type that can talk the talk, but the follow-through of walking the walk is a lot harder, especially if I am feeling overwhelmed. (As I do with housework, work in my profession, exercise, etc.) My advice to you is to start small. First, congratulate yourself for keeping your doctor appointments--it's not always easy, especially if you suspect a lecture is on the way. Secondly, you are taking your Vitamins (deficiencies happen--not your fault!) Third, you are AWARE of what is going on and your therapist is helping you to see why it's happening.
Start small. You are doing some things well. Keep up those habits. Now add in something small. Start by drinking your 64 oz. of Water daily, for example. That's it. Do it until it becomes routine. Don't sweat the other stuff, just Water, deal with water. When that becomes second nature, try some other small step, maybe starting your day with a Protein shake, or making sure you eat an appropriate snack 3 times a day so you don't ever get overly hungry. Again, a small step, not everything, just a step. Stay off the scale. If they weigh you at the doctor, turn away. Don't look. Small steps won't get you where you want to be right away but remember to focus on what is manageable as you look at the underlying causes of your eating habits. It's easy to become impatient, but I really think this is a good place to start. You are feeling overwhelmed and lost, so take a step.
I hope this helps. Again, thanks for sharing.

I can safely say - I do believe it depends on the surgeon in many ways as I only had real pain on the inner thigh lift, and ONLY until I was in compression garment - After that it was like all was protected and held snug and no more pain.
Breast reduction and brachioplasty = No pain
Inverted T Tummy Tuck (no muscles touched tho, which is why I believe it wasn't painful) = Discomfort in back by being pulled forwards for a few days but nothing I consider pain and dreadfulness.
Inner Thigh lift = PAIN! On first standing up and going to the bathroom, it was dreadful, but 20mins later when in compression - All was well and I wanted to go home when 20mins before I had said to them 'You can't send me home like THIS!' So they kept me in another day.
Outer thigh lift / butt lift with a tiny amount of Lipo = No pain but ouchy to try to lay on my side to sleep and when first driving - Couldn't lean forward to reach choke on old car I had then.
2nd outer thigh lift with long line scar - No pain at all considering my outer thigh was cut from top to bottom.
I do believe my design veronique compression garments gave me the feeling of security, and were great to wear and they did their job well, when I bought them I was shocked at the price but after I decided they were worth their weight in gold.
But - I think preparation is key - If you prepare for the worst, prepare as if you will be completely incapacitated by this - Then anything better than that is a bonus. The worst thing I dealt with was myself. Fear of the unknown and of what would happen, how much pain I would be in, and whether I would regret my choices. A poster on here said the words to me 'eyes on the prize' and I have carried those words with me ever since, I got my son to repeat them to me every time I started worrying about things.
And now - Years after the beginning of the plastics journey. My only regrets are :- Not allowing him to redo the end of the inner thigh thing (cos that was the only pain and it freaked me out) to tidy up the end, and for myself not keeping the paper tapes on long enough - The first two ops I took them off when the Dr said at 6 weeks. BUT - The next 3 ops I kept them on for 10weeks then 12 weeks - And those scars are much much better, the scars aren't really really stretched or anything. My TT scar is slightly stretched and that annoys me and I wish I had kept the micropore tape (The only tape I would ever use as I noticed lesser tapes are nowhere near as good and for some stupid reason I tested this on myself and my left leg inner thigh scar is nowhere near as good as my right leg inner thigh scar - one had a lesser tape on it and the other had micropore tape on it - Micropore tape leg scar is far far superior to drugstore tape leg scar) on far longer. It seems like forever to say keep your tapes on for 12 weeks, but - when you think about the money you put in - The time you will 'wear' this new body you are creating - 12 weeks of taping is a small price to pay for finer, flatter, thinner scars that heal better.
Good luck to you And keep your eyes on that prize - The prize my Dr gave to me is worth more than any money I could have ever given to him as emotionally and psychologically - I am a totally new me!

I have heard stories of people experiencing alot of pain, but I did not. My pain was managed very well during those first 2-3 days and I hardly needed anything after that beyond the occiasional tylonol... a couple of the drain removals really "smarted" but pain drugs don't help with that kind of sharp pain anyway.
I had a lower body lift, arm lift, breast lift and implants and a "small" thigh lift which just means that he got rid of the pocket of skin on my inner upper thigh and did not go all the way down the leg. I did all that at once and recovery took FOREVER - or so it seemed! It was had to be so restricted in activity and it was miserable feeling at times - although not painful. I really hated being cooped up. It took me much longer to return to "normal" than I expected. Based on talks to many others, I think that active, fit people actually have a higher standard for "normal" and may be more bothered by this than less active people - but that is just my theory.
It was so worth it though, my appearance was completely transformed. Even people who didn't think I needed plastics (I was good enough) were floored and wowed by the transformation. I hope this helps and good luck!

Hello! It's been ages since I've last logged-in...um the last time was when the site was still called VerticalSleeveTalk.com. So good to be back!
I'm at the end of my weight loss journey, and now beginning the next phase: plastics. Over the coming years, the goal is to have excess skin removed from, well, pretty much EVERYWHERE.
But I just had my first plastics consult, and the first plan of attack will be having the: panniculectomy, Belt-Lipectomy/Lower-Body Lift, and Brachioplasty all done together. I'm well educated on the procedures, as far as research goes and asking questions of my surgeon. But...
Questions.
What am I actually getting myself into? From a firsthand perspective, just how painful is it? And what was your recovery experience like? Have any tips or advice for someone going into all of this?
Good, bad, ugly...lay it on me.
Thanks you guys.

Hello! It's been ages since I've last logged-in...um the last time was when the site was still called VerticalSleeveTalk.com. So good to be back!
I'm at the end of my weight loss journey, and now beginning the next phase: plastics. Over the coming years, the goal is to have excess skin removed from, well, pretty much EVERYWHERE.
But I just had my first plastics consult, and the first plan of attack will be having the: panniculectomy, Belt-Lipectomy/Lower-Body Lift, and Brachioplasty all done together. I'm well educated on the procedures, as far as research goes and asking questions of my surgeon. But...
Questions.
What am I actually getting myself into? From a firsthand perspective, just how painful is it? And what was your recovery experience like? Have any tips or advice for someone going into all of this?
Good, bad, ugly...lay it on me.
Thanks you guys.

Oh that is fabulous to hear!! Yes, I think I can finally say that "I love my sleeve" too! The first month was rough....had to be readmitted to the hospital at 2 weeks out for dehydration and excessive swelling of the sleeve. But then magically at week 4, things got SO much better. These days I'm able to eat 3-5 ounces of protein, and 1/4 - 1/2c of veggies alongside it at meals. Although some days my sleeve is tighter, and I end up doing less. But those days are fewer and farther in between now. It's still a challenge trying to coordinate my meals, snacks, and Fluid just right....but My Fitness Pal is helping me so much with that lately, especially when I pre-plan for the following day. (Doesn't always happen, but ah well!) The other challenge is grocery shopping. I keep having to throw so much out because things go bad! I'm trying to freeze whatever I can though, and that's helping a bit. Sometimes I'm still in awe of that fact that I did the surgery. It's still surreal to me sometimes! Hope everyone is doing well these days, and best wishes.

Oh that is fabulous to hear!! Yes, I think I can finally say that "I love my sleeve" too! The first month was rough....had to be readmitted to the hospital at 2 weeks out for dehydration and excessive swelling of the sleeve. But then magically at week 4, things got SO much better. These days I'm able to eat 3-5 ounces of protein, and 1/4 - 1/2c of veggies alongside it at meals. Although some days my sleeve is tighter, and I end up doing less. But those days are fewer and farther in between now. It's still a challenge trying to coordinate my meals, snacks, and Fluid just right....but My Fitness Pal is helping me so much with that lately, especially when I pre-plan for the following day. (Doesn't always happen, but ah well!) The other challenge is grocery shopping. I keep having to throw so much out because things go bad! I'm trying to freeze whatever I can though, and that's helping a bit. Sometimes I'm still in awe of that fact that I did the surgery. It's still surreal to me sometimes! Hope everyone is doing well these days, and best wishes.

Thank you for posting, Cheri. I'm almost 3 months out, and it is so valuable to read about your perspective and experiences in the longer term. Btw, you look uh-mazing! Don't doubt yourself, your looks, or your abilities for one second! I know we're all our own worst critics...but being an objective observer, it seems to me like you are wonderfully self-aware, and determined to maintain your healthy lifestyle. Fantastic!

I'm a number geek so I understand and I love what about bob!

I am sorry ppl are jumping on you about asking about Bougie size I was curious too- Its a fair and reasonable concern, but all questions on here on fair and reasonable really. Its really not anyones place to lecture you about whether or not to be concerned about it. This is supposed to be a positive support group not lecture or make fun of your questions or curiousities.

IMO - Lots of unnecessary judgment about asking the 'bougie size question'. It does matter to some folks, otherwise they wouldn't have reached out to our SUPPORT group to ask. If you didn't think it was a valid or important question, why respond? Just move on. Everyone is different in their curiosities and concerns. We're all here to relate with one another, and to also feel that we are relatable. I loathe seeing unconstructive criticism.

IMO - Lots of unnecessary judgment about asking the 'bougie size question'. It does matter to some folks, otherwise they wouldn't have reached out to our SUPPORT group to ask. If you didn't think it was a valid or important question, why respond? Just move on. Everyone is different in their curiosities and concerns. We're all here to relate with one another, and to also feel that we are relatable. I loathe seeing unconstructive criticism.

IMO - Lots of unnecessary judgment about asking the 'bougie size question'. It does matter to some folks, otherwise they wouldn't have reached out to our SUPPORT group to ask. If you didn't think it was a valid or important question, why respond? Just move on. Everyone is different in their curiosities and concerns. We're all here to relate with one another, and to also feel that we are relatable. I loathe seeing unconstructive criticism.

IMO - Lots of unnecessary judgment about asking the 'bougie size question'. It does matter to some folks, otherwise they wouldn't have reached out to our SUPPORT group to ask. If you didn't think it was a valid or important question, why respond? Just move on. Everyone is different in their curiosities and concerns. We're all here to relate with one another, and to also feel that we are relatable. I loathe seeing unconstructive criticism.

IMO - Lots of unnecessary judgment about asking the 'bougie size question'. It does matter to some folks, otherwise they wouldn't have reached out to our SUPPORT group to ask. If you didn't think it was a valid or important question, why respond? Just move on. Everyone is different in their curiosities and concerns. We're all here to relate with one another, and to also feel that we are relatable. I loathe seeing unconstructive criticism.

Thanks ladies!! So interesting how different everyone's is!!

This seems harsh and passive agressive to me. (Not what VST is supposed to be about.) In my opinion, why post at all if it's not constructive? Better to just leave it alone and move on to a different topic that you can add value to.

I'm really enjoying fat free refried Beans with a bit of greek yogurt or sour cream on top, with a little taco sauce. Maybe that would be an idea?

This seems harsh and passive agressive to me. (Not what VST is supposed to be about.) In my opinion, why post at all if it's not constructive? Better to just leave it alone and move on to a different topic that you can add value to.

This seems harsh and passive agressive to me. (Not what VST is supposed to be about.) In my opinion, why post at all if it's not constructive? Better to just leave it alone and move on to a different topic that you can add value to.