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It is very difficult losing all the weight, but having saggy skin. I have had 2 children, breastfed, had a c-section, and lost over 120lbs, so underneath my clothes, it is a pretty sorry state. Sometimes I still feel fat because of the hanging skin, but I am getting better at accepting my body. I am saving to have plastics done, but it is going to be another year or 2 before I can get it done. I remember on one forum someone saying they looked like a 80 year old naked, but I 25 year old with clothes on. That is how I feel now, and I might not feel great naked, but I spend most of my time in clothes and feel good in them. Maybe a couple of suggestions to try and help. Go out and buy yourself a really good fitting bra and some nice clothes, something you feel amazing in. I really believe that good fitting clothes can make you feel great! Also, look at pictures of yourself and clothes from before you lost any weight and try to think if you were really more happy then or not. Finally, I am guessing that it really does not bother your fiance at all. Oh, and if you get a good boob job, a lot of times you can barely tell the difference. Boob jobs have come a long way!

I am always amazed at what people actually say to other people without thinking anything about it. Like someone else said, you didn't fail the band, it failed you. I was given statistics on the different WLS, and the band had the poorest outcome. The sleeve has been shown to be very successful. It used to be the first step in a 2 step WLS procedure, and patients were doing so well, they decided to make it a stand alone surgery. You will do great! For now, I would just suggest not talking about it to them. The last thing you need is all that negativity when you are undertaking a huge life change. Just distance yourself as much as possible. If they do start bringing it up again, say something like "Well I appreciate your concerns, I have done my research and I feel the sleeve is the best decision for me." Hopefully that will make them feel like big enough a**es, that they will lay off. Good luck with your journey!

I just take them in pill form, but I have to drink with milk or I get an upset stomach even to this day (almost 2 years post op).

If you are feeling OK, getting in enough fluids (you need more if you are exercising), and the exercise at this point is not extremely vigorous or involving ab work-outs, I can't see the problem. Just make sure you do not burn yourself out and that you are enjoying it. If you go too hard too fast, you will get exhausted and end up quitting...then trying to get going again is even harder!

Oooo, I am not 100% sure about that one. The leak test is an excellent way to show a leak. I had it done, and yes, it is pretty nasty, but I would rather have it done and know then to take the chance. And although she has not had a leak, which is great, there is no guarantee that it cannot happen. What can she watch for in the drain that would tell her?? As for the endoscope, I did not have that done.

You have to pick something you feel comfortable with. All I did was pick the number that put my BMI just within normal range.

This type of surgery has been performed for many years as cancer treatment, then as the first step in a Duodenal Switch (where intestines are also re-routed). They saw so much success with the sleeve alone that they started performing it as a stand alone. I believe ( I don't have any actual quotes though) that cancer patients that had a portion of their stomachs removed actually lived longer and healthier. Your mother is probably more worried than anything. You could try to reassure her that you have done your research, that you feel that the sleeve is the best choice for you, and that you appreciate her concerns, but you are a grown woman and this is your decision. If we could have done it and kept it off with diet and exercise alone, none of us would have needed to get it done!

I am glad you are going to see your DR. The swollen ankles means you are probably retaining fluids and you should have it checked. I just also want to mention that I have pretty large weight fluctuations with my cycle. I never noticed it before surgery because I never weighed myself. Now I weigh myself regularly and really notice it. I also bloat and retain more Fluid. Perhaps that is playing havoc with you as well??

First of all, you should congratulate yourself. Your ticker shows 35lbs lost, and that is amazing. Stalls can last longer than a week, and it is the hardest part of the post op journey. We all want the weight gone yesterday. Butterthebean has a great article on stalls, here it is so give it a read http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html As for the hunger feeling, talk to your DR about a PPI. Sometimes acid production in post-op patients can mask itself as hunger pains. You are doing everything right and it will happen! For perspective, you lost more in 2 weeks after surgery than I did in almost 2 months after surgery! I know it is easier said than done, but just try to relax and it will happen!

You have to pick something you are comfortable with. I also think that you have to pick something that is realistic and attainable. Not saying you can't be 105lbs, but whether that is actually healthy for your body and whether you can realistically get there is another question. When I set a goal, all I said is that I would like to be a normal BMI. For me, it was 140lbs which gave me a BMI of 24.9, just within normal (I am 5'3"). I actually never thought I would get there, I didn't want to be disappointed. But now I am actually below my goal and couldn't be happier. Talk to your surgeon, they usually have a pretty good idea of where you might want to end up based on your height and build. Good Luck!!

I am glad that you talked to him. Someone that truly loves you sees past the outer and loves you no matter what, and he obviously does. He will be a good support person through your surgery. My husband and I have been together for almost 14 years, and he also never said anything once about my weight.

I know it is hard, but you have to really work on getting your fluids in. Even if you do not feel thirsty, your body still needs to be hydrated. You can become very sick and land up in the hospital if you don't. Try what others have said. I could never drink plain water, like someone else said. It tasted funny and never sat right in my stomach. Also, have sugar free popsicles, tea, jello and soup broth. It all counts as fluids and helps to keep your body hydrated. It is one of the hardest parts right after surgery, but just keep trying!

I will be 2 years post op in just over a month, and I can eat a lot more than in the beginning. Depending on the foods, I can eat a small chicken breast with veggies and feel just right. From what I understand, it is almost impossible to actually stretch your sleeve out to former proportions. What is left of your stomach is the very firm, not very stretchy part, which is unlike a bypass where the pouch is formed with one of the stretchiest parts of the stomach. I know for myself, I still have great restriction, but you cannot expect it to be the same as first 6 months after surgery. I heard somewhere that once everything is healed, sleeve capacity is around 8oz or so. If you have a healthy, normal diet the majority of time, I wouldn't stress about it too much. It was a treat and you enjoyed it. If you were in pain afterward or threw up, you ate too much and just remember that for next time!

I had my sleeve almost 2 years ago. I had virtually no problems other than pain the first night after surgery. I rarely had nausea, I think I was 6 months post op before I ever had an experience throwing up (it was due to over-eating when we went out for Mother's Day supper). Of course I can only speak for myself, but I have no regrets and I am extremely happy that I decided on the sleeve. With any surgery, there comes real risks, so you definitely have to consider everything. Although the risks are small (a leak, the most serious, is appx. 1%), you still have to prepare yourself. There are people on here that have had complications, I know people that have had complications. I cannot speak for anyone here, but the 2 people that I know in my support group, even having had serious complications (both had leaks and extended hospital stays), they have both said that they would do it again. Make sure you do your research, you are comfortable with your surgeon, and you feel comfortable having it done. If you have any doubts, there is no rush. I had considered lapband and bypass in the past, neither of which I really wanted, but there were no other options at the time. When I found out about the sleeve, I had no doubts that this was for me and I have never looked back!

Incredible! You look amazing! Congratulations on all your hard work and what you have accomplished in 1 short year!!

Diarrhea is pretty common because all you are taking in is fluids, so out comes fluids. But if it becomes really bad, you risk getting dehydrated again. I know they gave me something, can't remember what it was, to stop the diarrhea that I got a couple of days after surgery. As for the weight gain gabby899, remember they are pumping you full of fluids, that is why you gain weight. It is all Fluid weight and as soon as you start eating normally and are not on IV anymore, the weight will come off!

If you are having lots of acid problems (which are common after surgery) ask to be put on a PPI (proton pump inhibitor). These medications actually work to stop the stomach from producing acid. I have had to be on them, and I know many others that have had to also.

It is so nice when someone says something. I think sometimes people notice but are afraid to say anything because they feel like they will offend you (even I know I am afraid sometimes to ask if someone has lost weight, and I have been there!). Congratulations on your weight loss!!

Thanks! Those are my size 22 jeans that I wore at my heaviest! I didn't think I would be able to fit in 1 leg, but I did! Good luck with your journey!!

Thanks so much! I never thought I was inspiring until people at support groups were asking my advice. Then I realized that people were looking to me, which felt really strange, and still does! I like that you enjoy my posts. I just try to keep it real! I am normal, I screw up, I sometimes eat things I shouldn't, but I never went into this expecting perfection from myself!

I think because the carbonation can cause bad gas pain. Not for everyone, but I know it does for me, even 2 years post op. Do I have it once in a while? Yeah, its a treat and I enjoy it. But I only have a few sips of my husband's and never order my own and don't keep it in the house. Everyone has their own idea of the way they want to eat and live post-op. If you really want it, have a little. Just don't get into a 6-pack a day habit!

I really like this advice! The most important part is to not obsess and beat yourself if you eat 1 thing bad. It wasn't the one small ice cream that got us here, it was the extra large smothered in chocolate every second day. You have to make changes and have a better lifestyle to be successful, but it doesn't mean you can ever eat another cookie again!

So as I was talking to someone else about their weight loss from VSG, I came to an almost profound (to me anyways) realization (2 actually). 1. From my highest weight, I have lost almost 50% of my body weight (appx 48%) 2. For the first time in my ENTIRE life, I do not feel like I need to lose any more weight. I have always felt like I needed to lose more, and I have always been heavy, since Kindergarten. Although it is not perfect, for the first time I feel at peace with my body. Something that I never thought was possible and something that I never thought I would ever feel.

First of all, you have done great! You have lost 10lbs a month, which is fantastic. You can't compare yourself to others, there are just too many variables. Secondly, if you like your Protein powder, I would stick with it. Everything in your shake is healthy (if you are using plain PB). If you want to try and cut a few calories from it, try the powdered Peanut Butter like someone else said (PB2) or you can buy peanut butter flavor Torani sugar free syrups. I might get flack for this, but I believe there are healthy carbs and unhealthy carbs. From day one, I never cut out food groups to cut carbs. I knew I couldn't go the rest of my life never eating fruit or drinking milk. It is the refined carbs that are killers (think white). You need to find something that works for you!

I am not sure how far out you are from surgery, but with any carbonated drinks, you need to be careful. The gas can be very painful even after a few sips. I am almost 2 years post op and still only drink a couple of sips if I do have one.