mocha

Yep, loose skin on abdomen here, inner thighs, a bit of batwing, but you know what? I'll take it in a NEW YORK SECOND compared to what I had before. :-)

I am 33, have had 2 children (1 c-section, 1 regular), and have been overweight since kindergarten. I have lost over 120lbs total and I have a fair amount of lose skin. Like one person wrote, I look 80 yrs old naked, but 20 dressed is a great analogy.
It is not an easy thing to deal with, especially to come so far and have skin still getting in the way a little. That being said, I would much rather have some loose skin that I can basically hide with clothing than be overweight.

Thank you so much everyone. I just can't believe there are such selfish people in this world. After eading your responses, I feel much better about moving on past this fake friendship.
I love the support on this site.

Wow. You would think that especially since you were there for her when she had RNY, should be there for you, but nope. This is another shining example of a person that's not truly happy with themselves, so how can they be happy for you and or support you. A true friend places their own emotions to the side, and will be there and is supportive in spite of their own feelings. I do believe in seasons... and sometimes people that you think will be in your live forever are only there for a season, meaning a certain part of your life to fulfill a purpose in your life. With or without her in your life, you're on to a greater you and that's the most important. Congrats on your journey!

One of my best friends since 1st grade simply ignores anything I say related to my surgery. The sad part is that we've both been morbidly obese majority of our lives. She had RNY back in 2001, when we were in our early 20s, and I supported her all the way, even though I didn't think the surgery was for me. I went to some of her appointments with her and visited her in the hospital after surgery. I had already moved away after college, so I was driving an hour and a half each way to go be with her during those times. I did it because I wanted to be there for her, and because both of her parents were already deceased. She did go on to gain most, if not all of the weight back. Now, I'm ready to have wls, and she doesn't respond to texts if I mention my surgery. If we're hanging out and I mention where I am in the process, it's like dead silence. My family has told me to stop mentioning it to her, and to not tell her when I'm having surgery. It's very hurtful, because she's the godmother of my daughter, we hang out together all the time, and we vacation together every year. I think this surgery may end a close friendship that has lasted 30 years. No matter what, I'm having the surgery. Resolving my diabetes and high blood pressure will win any day, friend or no friend.

I know just how you feel. I have a very close friend. We've been friends for 40 years!! She has always been the skinny one and has watched me lose and gain weight multiple times since I've been in my 20s. It has always driven me crazy when she would say she needed to lose 8 pounds. When I would tell her that's nothing compared to 100 pounds her reply was "it's hard to lose weight whether it's 8 pounds or 100". Really? I don't think so.
Like your friend she thinks I'm making a horrible mistake by having most of my stomach removed. She asked me if I would be able to eat healthfully and sensibly after the surgery why don't I just do that now? It was really difficult to explain to someone who has always been thin.
Making a big change like this is going to cause some upheavel in relationships. I think you're right when you say that you're friend doesn't want you to be skinny and attractive. I have a feeling my friend feels the same way. She's very competitive and when it comes to appearences she has always been the "winner".
Do what's best for YOU. If she's a good friend she will come around and accept who you are now.

GREAT job! I admit it, I'm jealous. I don't even look good in a two piece that covers everything because of all of my loose skin. I agree with Lissa, you did a great job toning. Here's a new exercise, pat yourself on the back...you deserve it and we don't do it enough!!

I know this is a brave move on my part but here goes.... The first pic is of me last spring in Brazil (far left) (234 lbs). I was there visiting for a wedding and this pic was taken by my brazilian family and I didnt know it would eventually end up on Facebook! I was so embarrassed by it. I got tagged in it and it went all over my page and everyone saw it before I could get it taken down. Anyways.....The second and third pics are of me at the beach last week (147 lbs). I have a funny tan line on my belly that we all thought was hilarious. I do think there is quite a bit of difference that nearly 90 pounds makes! I am no supermodel but I thought I looked decent in a bikini, my first one in 22 years! I wore five different ones, one for every day at the beach! I was only a little bit self conscious in them. A huge leap for me!

We all have been there. You hit a stall and it lasts so long that you start to believe that your weight loss is done. I know all about stalls...I know everyone gets them, but regardless I still get those little demons creeping up in my mind saying...you arent going to lose anymore weight, you are a failure. This last stall was a duzzy. I had been the same weight plus or minus 2 pounds for almost 3 months. I started to believe that I had let myself down, and started feeling depressed, thinking what was the point? I started eating crap that I knew was bad for me believing that why should I even try to eat right if it isnt going to work anyways. Well just when I was about to give up completely my scale did something amazing.... I lost 5 pounds in a week! Thinking it was just a fluke I got back on the scale the next day and wouldnt you guess it...no I wouldnt have, but I lost another pound! Then a few days later I rechecked to see if I gained any back...and bamb! I lost another two pounds! I lost 8 pounds in a matter of 9 days I just wanted to give a little inspiration to those of you that are in one of those dreaded stalls....just keep positive...keep working that sleeve, and your body will do the rest! keep smiling!

Paint my toenails without leaning to the side! LOL

Paint my toenails without leaning to the side! LOL

Paint my toenails without leaning to the side! LOL

Paint my toenails without leaning to the side! LOL

Thanks for the encouragement I woke up early this morning and just finished walking for 30 minutes and I feel good about that

My life has changed so much in the year since my surgery. Some of it was expected but most of it was not. My story started about a year and a half ago with the death of my mother. She died as a result of a life long battle with obesity. She was 54 years old when she died at 325 lbs. I watched her struggle with her weight and all of the comorbidities for my entire life. I struggled with being overweight my entire childhood, teens, and now my twenties. As an ICU nurse, I knew it was only a matter of time before I had diabeties, high blood pressure and heart disease that killed my mother. She passed away in November and I started researching VSG in January. I realized insurance would not pay for it due to my BMI of 37 and no comobidities. I was 5'6, 225lbs, and a size 16/18. Self pay was going to be my only option so I started looking at surgeons. Dr. Ramos-Kelly fit my criteria and was willing to answer all my questions. Being a nurse, I just wanted to make sure everything would go smoothly. My husband at the time wasn't supportive due to the cost, even though I was paying for it from my own money. On May 15, 2011 we flew to San Diego and stayed the night at a hotel. I was sooo hungry and was ready to get the surgery over with. The next morning, the driver picked us up and took us over the border to Tijuana. We arrived at the hospital and were greeted by an interpreter. They took me back to the room and had me change into a hospital gown. The nurse came in and started my IV(on the first try, a miracle with me). They drew labs and the cardiologist came in to do an EKG. About 3pm they took me back to surgery, I was nervous due to some previous complications with anesthesia that almost cost me my life. Dr. Kelly came in and held my hand and told me it was going to be ok. The next thing I knew, I was in my room with an oxygen mask over my face. I was hot and having a little bit of gas pain. An hour later I got up and put my pajamas on. I had a drain and 5 incisions on my belly. Within a few hours, I began to throw up. I expected that because of my reaction to pain medication and anethesia. It subsided about 8 hours later and at 3am, I was walking the halls with my IV pole. They let me shower in the morning and I spent the day walking and reading. My sleeve sisters, that I had gotten to know by phone, and I got to visit. On the 18th, my drain and IV were removed. We were taken to another facility for the leak test. It turned out great and we were taken to the hotel to rest some more. Dr. Kelly came to check on me in the afternoon and our prescriptions were delivered. The next day, we went sight seeing with Trish and got some souveniers. The next day we flew home and I was not having pain.
Over the next few weeks, I struggled to get enough fluids and protein. My husband left two weeks after my surgery. I was 28 years old and had been with him my entire adult life. It wasn't a good marriage but we had no plans to divorce after being together 10 and half years. At least we didn't have children because I wanted to wait to loose the weight. I had never been told about the high divorce rate after WLS. I don't have answers as to why he did what he did, but it doesen't matter now. By July 4th, I had lost 35lbs and was trying to keep from losing my mind as well. July 6th, I was leaving the hospital after working 12 hours and needed to get some boxed to pack up some of my bigger clothes. A tall, handsome man, who worked in the area I had been directed to go for boxes, asked me if I needed help. I told him I needed boxes and just point me in that direction. He insisted on helping me out to my car with them and the rest is history. That tall, handsome man has been my boyfriend for 10 months and is the absolute love of my life. He has been so supportive through my weight loss and body image issues. By January, I lost a total of 75lbs. I am 15 lbs under goal and am very healthy. My labs are great and I have had very few complications. My only complications are orthostatic hypotension(blood pressure drops when I stand up too fast) and mild gastritis(due to taking ibuprofen). I take all my vitamins and prilosec. I am no longer able to take ibuprofen, which sucks if I have a headache. I started out at a size 16/18 and am now a 6/8. My back and feet don't hurt anymore. My blood pressure went from 137/85 to 95/54. This journey has changed my life in so many ways and it wasn't easy, but it is sooo worth it. I am the happiest that I have ever been in my life, not just with the way I look, but with my life in general. Life didn't go the way I had planned, but thankfully God had better plans for me.

I laughed out loud at this! Isn't it amazing how much our mindset changes! I've been upping the resistance on the exercise bike because it was becoming too easy. Now my thighs and butt hurt again...a lot, but I'm still ready and anxious to get back on that dang bike every day! ME! The original queen of don't sweat...I'm actually looking forward to exercise. And, furthermore, I'm ticked at myself if I'm not sweating within 10 minutes. I MUST be getting that endorphin high, because I can't think of any other reason I'd be wanting to get back in there and kill myself every day!!!

New fitness NSV's - My buddy and I ran for over 3 miles again, she said we were around a 5K. Also, I ran a mile by myself at the gym on the treadmill and it was no big deal, I wasn't even winded and part of it was done on incline! And my third fitness NSV - I did a crossfit class and it was awesome! I wish it wasn't so expensive or I would become an immediate devotee =)

Just spent the weekend changing over the winter clothes to the summer clothes (a new england tradition) I knew there would be some clothes that would not longer fit; but did not realize that 95% of them no longer remotely fit my new sleeved body. Rather than keep the old clothes, just in case, I have chosen to remove it all so I can't go back. I have always been considered a nice dresser and people I work with have actually asked me for my "too big" clothes - so, I have divided them amongst the people who have supported me over the past few months, put some in consignment and gave some to the homeless shelter. The experience was cleansing and rewarding. My closest is clean for the first time in years.
When I finally got my sandals ready for the summer - I realized they were all too big as well - I have never dropped a shoe size before. So off to the shoe store I go - this sleeve is costing me some money !
So many changes in four months - emotional roller coaster for sure.

So, whenever I would get out of the shower, I would wrap the bath towel around me backwards, leave the back open because it didnt fit, of course....unless it was a beach towel. Well, yesterday I decided I would try to wrap and tuck the towel, see how far I was from being able to wear a bath towel out of the shower...IT WRAPPED, and IT TUCKED..and it was CLOSED!! NOT A BEACH TOWEL, A REAL BATH TOWEL! LOL! I felt normal for once!
I am also excited to announce that I bought a few dresses from Old Navy and of course I go STRAIGHT to XL. Well, they are WAY too big! L is even a little too big. I bought 3 in L and 1 in Med, the Med FITS!! I would like to lose 10 more before I wear the med...just to feel a little more comfortable. I have had to purge my closet AGAIN, I am running out of clothes! But it is great going shopping! I almost got emotional in Old Navy. My head still hasnt wrapped around the weight loss. That is my only hold back. I don't always see the 70 lbs gone.

I went thru the 3 week stall and now I'm in a 5 week stall......it is frustrating but I try and remember that before the sleeve I was in a lifetime stall........ I was sleeved on march 21 and weighed 258 on surgery day and am only down 238. Some people say well u coulda saved all that money and done that on your own but I couldn't of because I was a food addict. Idk I am upset but all I can do is try harder.

I went to the mall with my family last Saturday and found my way to the Macy's men's department. I started trying on sport coats and suit jackets. The more I did, the more giddy I became. What a joy to stand in front of a mirror in good clothing and and look good! I wouldn't even go over there a couple months ago, nothing fit and a trial of depression was certain to occur.
A sales lady came over and I gushed out my entire WLS story to her. I don't know if she shared my enthusiasm or not, drunk people like me are more concerned with self expression than communication.
I didn't buy anything. At those prices I will hit my goal first. Got high nonetheless.
Sleeving is so very worth it!

Sitting waiting to go in. IV in and should go in to surgery in the next hour. Very nervous!!! I'll be on the losers bench soon!!

So, I'm in the midst of a possible career change.. All brought on by the confidence I gained by deciding to get sleeved... I love that I'm losing weight... but more than that, I think that believing that I deserve a great life, free of physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by obesity has totally transformed my life in every area...
What about you??

Thank you! Everyone is great ! Pdxman, don't worry, we all love you too! Shadayo, no offense taken, all comments are very welcome. . .it's the support everyone is showing that makes me feel better about myself. . . and yes, $15,500.00 cash (I was self pay) is alot of money and I guess the kook is trying to maintain his investment. . (if only i wasn't an investment LOL) but oh well only 7,900.00 left on that loan! I'm so much better today because of all of you! Everyone here has totally made my day and I appreciate it so much! Thank you!

"doh!" been there myself..insert foot into mouth. if he is like most of us guys he is oblivious to the pain he has caused you. i know i have hurt my wife with words at times..more often than i care to mention. but you need to have a conversation with him about it. we don't know what we don't know. after 12 years of marriage my wife is finally letting me know when i screw up and it has made me a lot more sensitive to her feelings and our relationship has improved. i will still say dumb sh&t now and again, but at least she lets me know and i can take corrective action. i love her and don't want to hurt her and your husband may be in the same boat...so forgive him, but tell him. have the conversation.
praying for you both.
God bless