CA712

Hi Stace, my stitches dissolved over time. I did not have to have them removed. I had internal stitches too and they dissolved as well. I am 7 months post op and my incisions are still pink and I am sure they will be hard to see a year from now.

Mokee, I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. Hang in there and please keep us posted.

Hello Ladies, it has been awhile since I have been on this site. I sure hope everyone is doing well and by reading the lastest postings I see that you are. It has already been 7 months since my surgery and I am now down 98#. I was hoping to be down 100# yesterday but that did not happen. I have thyroid issues, taking med for it and my weight loss is a littls slower because of it. I am not complaining (well maybe a little) but I am so happy to be down 98# at this time. I see that some of you are having trouble with protein intake outside of shakes and I must admit I am too. Starting last week I have limited myself to 1 protein shake a day and I make it my breakfast because it is just easy for me to do it that way. I always did hate breakfast and I get sick of eggs so a 30 gram of protein shake is how I start my day. I am still getting some of my protein from cottage cheese, greek yogurt and low fat cheese. At least once a week I have beef chili and once another night I might have grilled chicken breast. Sometimes I will make it turkey but for some reason turkey is not tasting too good to me anymore. I have starting drinking V8 juice low sodium 8ozs a day to help get my veggies in and I have serving a fruit a day and that is it. My fruit is usually cantalope 1/2 cup or watermelon 1 cup. I am afraid to eat anything more than that. The watermelon takes care of my sweet tooth and I did not have it everyday. I have tried the quest bars since they have 20 grams of protein from GNC but I did not care for them, I tolerate them but that is about it. The holidays are coming up soon and I am so afraid. I am doing water arobics 3 times a week and I am getting to the point I need to add something along with this. I need to get myself a part time job soon!!! I do not care what it pays I just need to do something. Take care ladies, Cheryl

Hey Sassy how are you? The weather in Florida is a little better these days. Our Fall season starts Oct. 15th we are now in the upper 80's instead of upper 90s all the time. Starting to do more walking outdoors. Hooray.

Folks, I have to ask, Is anyone have issues with eating meat ( chicken, steak)? I seem to be able to eat fish, cottage cheese, low fat cheese and greek yogurt. I think my taste buds have changed and I have having problems just thinking about eating meat. Thank you again. Cheryl

Hello Sassy and Jeanielan, Thank you for your resonses regarding my nutriontinist. She is a real stinker for sure and spends the first 30 minuites of each support group telling us how wonderful and qualified she is and she has all the answers. We never get to individually get to say anything and I think it is because she does not want to address any real issues some of us might be having. Last group meeting there were 2 ladies wanting information on the lab band and she told them not to waste their money instead of telling them the difference between lapband, sleeve and gastric bypass so that they could walk away informed and better equipped to make the right descision for themselves. Jeanielan you are so right about most NUTS. Most of them are pre-occupied with being too skinny and being bery critical when they don't think you have lost enough in a short period of time. I have a thyroid issue and I am taking meds for it so even with the WLS I am still not going to lose like alot of other folks. I always have to remind her of that but it does not seem to matter to her. I am staying with her until the end of this year and I am going to look for a new NUT and make an appointment for January. My husband is not going to change so I am the one who has to change and I have; I will not go out for Breakfast with him everyday and when I do I just get a cup of coffee and when he goes out for dinner most times he is eating alone. I will see how this all works out over the next several weeks. Maybe he will get tired of eating alone and stay home for a change. I cook for him but he would rather eat out. I am not sure where all this eating out stems from and be sure that I am going to be asking him WHY???? Why the need to eating out all the time???? Thanks for your support Sassy. I am so happy this site is up an running.

Hi Sassy, Am I in the right place this time so I can start posting? Thanks Cheryl

I am so happy to see a few of the old crowd back on this site. I have to tell you folks that I am 6 months post op down 90 pounds and my nutriontist is not happy. She told me I should be down 100 pounds by now. I felt like crap when I left her office. Here I am thinking I am doing a great job and she goes and tells me this. Well, I had to call my surgeon's office today and asked my PA if she thought I should be down more. She told me I am on target and doing a great job getting this weight off of me. She said 90 pounds in 6 months if awesome and to keep on track and she bets that I should hit the 100 pound mark in 4 to 5 weeks from now. I am a little relieved to hear this and not sure why my nutrionist said what she said. The surgery is not easy but it has helped me get the weight off that I could not do on my own. I am glad I had the surgery even on days that I do not feel my best. Thanks for listening.

Greetings to all, I am so happy that is group is back up and running, it has been way too long. I just want to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Cheryl and I had my WLS on March 11, 2013. It is hard to believe that after waiting 3 years to decide if I would go thru with this surgery that now I am 6 months post op. My starting weight was 331 pounds and I now weigh 241, I have loss 90 pounds already. I am going to work hard in the month of October to reach my goal of 100 pound weight loss. I feel like the little red train just shugging along and telling myself yes I can, yes I can, yes I can. I am trying so hard to get as much weight off of me my first year post op so that my second year I can work on getting any left over weight off of me to reach my goal. My goal is to drop a total of 180 pounds. I look forward to learning from all of you and if I can help you please let me know. WE are all in this together and I wish all of you much success.

Great topic, so glad that someone has posted this discussion. I had my WLS on March 11th 2013, it has been 6 months and I am down 90 pounds with 90 more to go. I am in my early 60's and I am seeing bat wings on my arms and belly skin is just starting to hang pretty darn good. I am hoping in time that some of this will firm up but I know not all of it will go away and some type of surgerical intervention will be needed. I am getting real concerned about my arms since I live in Florida and most tops are short sleeves or sleeveless. I know I will need to take care of this and have just started to put a little money aside each month for surgery. I have seen pictures of arm lifts and I do not like the idea of have a scar from my arm pit to my elbow on the bottom side of the arms. Does anyone out there now of any procedures that will not give you such a large scar? Please share if you do, and I am just wondering if lipo would help in time. Since I still have a long road ahead of me I am looking for answers or any suggestions. Good luck on all upcoming surgeries folks.

It has been 5 weeks post op and so far I am feeling OK. I see lots of folks who say they now have tons of energy and feel great. I feel OK but my energy level is still low with a few periods of a little more energy during the day. I just need to know am I being too hard on myself? I am not sure. I get between 60 to 70 grams of protein a day and on most days I do get 64oz of water. Yet, I still feel that I do not have enough energy. I am still on protein shakes and have started on yogurt, swiss cheese, scrambled eggs (once in a while not everyday). I have been avoiding vegtables and fruits and I have been told not to heat any bread or ceral. I am taking all my vitamins that have been given to me by my nutritionist. Is there anyone else having the same issues? I am trying to wene myself off of protein shakes but maybe it is still too soon. Does anyone have any thoughts that could help me? Thank you

MoKee, I just finished reading your posting. I am so sorry that you and your husband are going thru this, I HATE CANCER!!!! I will keep you and your husband in my daily prayers and hope it all works out. Are you going to get a second opinion? Or, I am sure you have confidence in the doctors you are seeing now. We are all thinking of you and most of all please celebrate your 45th wedding anniversary today. Happy Anniversary !!!!!

Mokee I am so sorry to hear this, I hate cancer and I hope the news is good. I will keep Bill and you in my prayers. Keep us posted.

Thank you for this, my mutlivitamins are starting to add up each month, have you had any followup blood work done? Thanks for this tip.

my username for myfitness is: caspineill712

I have not had any cosmetic surgery yet but I will have my arms done. I have been told it is more painful than the WLS itself. I would really like to have a mini tummy tuck too but have to wait and see about my money situation.

Mokee, I have lost 73 pounds 105 pounds to go and I already see the need for some intervention so I understand where you are coming from. Since you are going on vacation in 6 weeks the best thing to do is buy a new swimsuit with a built in bra. I have to agree with Tink get a new swimsuit with a bra that can lift the breasts. There are so many cute ones out in the stores and on line that I would get one this week before all the good ones are gone.

Mokee I am so happy for you down 80 pounds what an accomplishment. You are almost to goal. Way to go!!!!!

Mokee, I checked out your pictures and you look wonderful. You look like a different person all together. Congratuations on your success, WOW you look great!!!

Usually in the pre op room you are given a bag to put your clothes in so they can leave it under the bed that they use to wheel you into op room. Or, you can leave your items with family members and they can bring to your room after surgery. I had my husband with me but I just put my clothes in the beg under my bed with wheels so my husband did not have to be bothered. Once they take you to your regular hospital room the nurse will take them off the bed cart and leave them in your room.

Hello Folks, I had my surgery done on March 11, 2013 and I consider it my rebirth day. It has been 4 months now and as of this week I am down 66 pounds and counting. I still have another 116 pounds to drop but I just take it one day at a time. I have had my ups and downs since March but I would have this surgery again. I make the decision to move forward and not look back. At this time I am noticing a lot of hair loss. With the suggestion of my Nut. I have increased my protein intake from 65 to 70 grams per day to 80 or 90 grams a day. I have returned to drinking my high protein drinks that I started at the beginning to get the right kind of protein that my body will absorb. I also include 1 or 2 pieces of fruit each day and 1 to 2 servings of veggies too. I have changed my vitamins to Fusion chewables ( I take 4 a day) and have also added high dose of bioten (just started this week). I guess it will take me at least a month to see a difference with hair loss. I really did not experience hair loss until 2 weeks ago so this is a little scary for me. Has anyone noticed hair loss and will this stop at some point? I hope everyone has a great weekend.

I know of 5 people in my local support group who are on medicare and after a co-pay medicare paid for the rest of it. Good Luck

Shari I am so happy for you. I used to write the same kind of messages but I am now 4 months post surgery and down 65 pounds. Good luck and if I can help let me know. Cheryl

Hello there, It has been exactly 4 months since I have had my surgery and at this time many of the sleevers who were sleeved in March have now disappeared for some reason. We (I thought) had developed a tight support group but now I do not hear from anyone. I have tried to stay in touch but I have not had any feedback. What happens to people once they have surgery? I cannot figure it out. I was really relying on this forum since my local support group who meets once a month is about an hour away. I make most meetings but I have had times I could not go and this forum was great for me. I am usually on this site several times a week but I get frustrated when there is lack of feedback. Support is so important even 3 years or 5 years after surgery. Someone 3 years out has a tremedous amount of information to share and those of us only a few months out can remind the long times some of the things they have forgotten when just starting out. Bottom line we all need support to help keep us on track.

Keep us posted and I am sure you will do just fine. Hang in there it gets easier each week.