13BC

Hey everyone! Great job on your totals for September and a huge thank you to Butterthebean for starting that post and challenging us all to challenge ourselves. We all wish BTB great success and a speedy recovery from his surgery. We know you will be watching and cheering us on. October is among us and with that comes a new challenge. 100 miles in 31 days! Walk, run, bike, whatever you do, log those miles and drink that water! Anyone who has been lurking in the shadows and watching last months challenge, now is your time to join us! It doesn't matter if you do 1 mile a day or 20, just go at your pace and have fun! For those of us who participated in last months challenge, I want to issue a personal challenge to add another 15 miles to what you did last month. After all, there is 1 more day in this month.
On a side note, this group has become very motivational for me as well as others. If you don't mind, let's let everyone know your real first name. If you would rather not and just want to go with your username that is perfectly fine. I will kick it off...my name is Ted. Good luck everyone and log those miles!!

I am glad I am not the only one! What drives me the most nuts though is the complaining about the instructors and putting them down. I had one woman walk out all in a huff in the middle of the class making it very clear that she was not impressed with the class. Give me a break, then YOU become the instructor if you are such an expert.
Laura - are you serious or joking? Good for you on the Porsche if you are serious. My mini-van is so beat up you won't even be able to tell someone scratched it if they did LOL! I was really just commenting on the "whole package" There are literally 3 different women that do all of the above and then so many others that are a bit of each.
I just go to the gym, sweat like a pig, work hard and get out.

I can't stand the flipping perfume.
Who the hell does that? Or, just all of them wear the same stinky fragrance so they don't have a hundred different b.s. smells.

I have to vent about the gym.
I can.not.stand the:
super tan 50 year old ladies (I am 47 by the way)
who park their convertible BMW
in the corner of the park lot so they don't get scratched
wearing full make up when they show up at the gym
with matching
headbands
sneakers
and outfits
who come into class and complain about the instructors
and the routines
and how the old instructor was so much better
UGGGGHHHHHH! We are here to stinkin' workout, get or maintain health and
get stronger. Please, I can't stand it.
Thank you, now back to your regularly scheduled programs.
And I hope I didn't offend anybody.

Just found this at my local supermarket. I was thinking of mixing it with a powdered Protein like Syntrax for an extra kick of protein. Curious if anyone else has tried it or has any good/bad things to say.

I would start with detoxing from the carbs. Go back to a Liquid Protein diet for at least a week and begin back with the Protein and steamed veggies. This is the rest of our lives and slips are going to happen. You recognized what is going on an asked for support. That is the first step to getting back on track! Congrats for that!! As food addicts we have ups and downs in our struggles to maintain our weight and after our sleeve it is absolutely no different except we have our sleeve to help us. I think we know when we are beginning to weaken and our resolve isn't so strong. It's scary because we actually know what we are about to do just like an alcoholic is with a drink. That is why I love this forum we are told exactly what we need to hear and it helps us to get it back together!! Good luck to you and I wish you the best!!

I am going to put down what I learned in the past few weeks with the hope of helping someone that is looking for reconstructive surgery here in Southern California. I came here a few weeks ago looking for this information but couldn't find it, and so hopefully, someone else will benefit from what I have learned.

First, let me say that I love Kaiser Permanente insurance, Kaiser Permanente doctors, and Kaiser Permanente coverage. I have had them for over ten years, and they have rarely let me down. I used to be under an employer's health insurance, but now that my husband is retired, we pay out of pocket for our coverage.

I did get a referral for my excess skin from my Primary Care Doctor to Plastic Surgery in West L.A. when I asked for one. In that case, you have to attend a class, and then you can see a surgeon immediately following the class to see if you qualify for the pannectomy. I did not go this route because I was certain that I would not qualify. It is my understanding from several people that the excess skin has to hang below the pubis in order to have the insurance cover the pannectomy. If you have a history of documented rashes between the folds of excess skin, especially if they have turned to infections at times, this can also help you qualify for an insurance-paid pannectomy.

Instead, I contacted Jene Miles, (310)857-2116, and she gave me the information that follows. You have to call the appointment scheduler at (310)857-2763 and schedule a cosmetic (paid) consultation. I had an appointment in West L.A. on Cadillac Ave to see a Dr. Lee, who came highly recommended. It is difficult to get an appointment with him right away because he only sees one patient in the morning and one patient in the afternoon on the days that he does cosmetic procedure examinations. You have to specify when you call that you are a cash pay consultation, and the fee is $100. The soonest that I could get an appointment in early July was for September 5th, but you can call and keep calling every day or every week to see if he has had any cancellations, and sometimes people do cancel their appointments with him.

The pannectomy is the removal of skin only. Kaiser's rates are as follows (as of this writing): If you qualify for a pannectomy, you can "upgrade" to a Tummy Tuck or to a 360 lower body lift. The tummy tuck is $9750 if you don't qualify for the pannectomy and $4500 if you do qualify and are upgrading. A 360 circumferential body lift (or belt lipectomy) is $17,000 if you don't qualify for the pannectomy and $14,000 if you do qualify and are upgrading. The 360 numbers include a one-night stay in the hospital, which is mandatory. All other procedures are outpatient. All cosmetic procedures are done in the Kaiser hospital on Saturdays only. Some other numbers: if you add a breast lift, the cost is $6500, but you will get 20% off a second procedure on the lowest price, and so if you added a breast lift to one of the other procedures, the cost for the breast lift would be $5200. You can get a breast lift with implants, but they don't recommend it, and that price is $15,000 through Kaiser. An arm lift is $5900 less 20% if it is the second surgery, which would make it $4720.

While I was waiting and getting increasingly anxious about my excess skin -- I have lost 100 pounds now since VSG surgery in April, 2012 -- I did some research on some other private practice doctors and was amazed and pleased to see that many of their rates were actually less than Kaiser's best rates. I was sure that I would not qualify for a pannectomy through Kaiser and would therefore not get their best rates, but even if I did qualify, their best rates were actually more than some other plastic surgeon's rates.

I started by having consultations with some plastic surgeons in my area that were experienced with these procedures on bariatric patients. I also asked my VSG surgeon for a referral, and he gave me one. I only wanted to see plastic surgeons that didn't charge a consultation fee. I wasn't going to spend $350 here and $100 there while I am trying to save for these procedures. I had a couple of virtual consultations, which was a pleasant way to go. I took pictures of myself and emailed them with some completed questionnaires and medical history information.

The surgeons that came recommended to me who do a lot of these procedures are Dr. J. Timothy Katzen in Beverly Hills, 310-859-7770, http://www.360bodylift.com/; Dr. Agha in Orange County, http://plasticsurger...contouring.com/, 949-644-2442; Dr. Michael Pickart in Ventura, http://www.pickartplasticsurgery.com/, 805-654-8800; and, Dr. Douglas J. Mackenzie in Santa Barbara, http://www.pacificplasticsurgery.com/ 805-898-0700.

I thought Dr. Agha was a bit too far of a drive for me, and his prices were higher than the others, and his staff really gave me a hard sell on the phone, which I didn't care for.

Dr. Katzen seems like a very nice guy and has a great video on his web site following two bariatric patients that had the 360 done by him. His prices were competitive, and he offered discounts for booking by a certain date. He did a tummy tuck and breast lift with implants on AmySDMom on You Tube if any of you have followed her video blogs. He does do multiple procedures at once, which is appealing to a lot of people to get it all over with at once, but doing some procedures separately can be better for healing and not as expensive if done on an outpatient basis without an overnight hospital stay, which can run $1000 a night.

I ended up choosing Dr. Michael Pickart, who seems extremely competent and approachable. His prices are competitve and affordable for me, and he is the closest to me. He is very experienced in dealing with bariatric patients with excess skin and answered all my questions, and I feel very comfortable with my decision. Needless to say, I canceled my appointment with the Kaiser doctor in September. I am scheduled to have my 360 body lift on September 17th and, following that procedure, will have a breast lift, an arm lift, and an inner thigh lift in subsequent procedures with Dr. Pickart.

I hope this has helped someone. I would love to keep this thread going and hear what your experiences are.

Wow, tempus fugit! A year ago today, I went into surgery weighing 284 lbs. Today, I weigh 195 lbs for total of 89 Lbs lost...SO FAR. My original goal was 140 pounds. While I am still headed in that direction, well see what the future brings. Wile I am very happy with my weightloss to date, I thought I would be further along. Oh, I'm not ungrateful, just anxious. I know that I have made some food choices that I shouldn't have, but I try to shake it off, and stay on task. Some days are better than others. I'm still forcing myself to drink lots of Water. I can say I have gotten much better!
Along with the weightloss, I have gone from wearing a size 24 to a size 14. One day I just stared at a dress in my closet, amazed that it was really mine...in that size! I actually tried on a dress in a size 12, and it fit. Wow. A few other victories....
I CAN NOW:
-shop off the rack, on the main level, not downstairs...behind housewares
-cross my legs without cutting off my circulation
-share a seat on my commuter train without fear of spilling over the center
-run up stairs without gasping for air
-Go shopping with a friend
-tuck my shirt in
-wrap a bath towel around my body
-WEAR LILLY PULITZER....HOORAY!
-sit on furniture without fear of crashing to the floor
***drumroll, please*** I WEIGH LESS THAN MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!
here are a few photos to show my progress thus far. I can't wait to come back in a few months to share my goal photos.
Thank you
Darlene

Love this...all of these women weigh the same weight...even though we KNOW this intuitively, it is a nice reminder that we shouldn't be a slave to the actual number that the scale says because it means very little.

I have been told that I work out too much by my doctor and personal trainer so I have cut it back from 7 days a week to 6. Sometimes I do 7 when I am bored but most of the time its just a run. I plan to cut back a little more after my race on July 20th.
Since I work out so much my doctor has upped my Protein intake to 130-145 grams a day.
I feel like if I don't work out I am not doing everything I can to help myself. Its so weird after surgery I became a different person Healthwise. Before I would play video games for hours and be happy. I havet touched my xbox since a week after surgery.
Good luck,
John

I'm about 2 weeks late for my surgiversary post, but I'll make it up to everyone by being short and sweet!!
Started:
25 years old
5' 1" tall
241 pounds
Size 20 pants
Size XXL tops
40DD bra size
Size 8 shoe

Currently:
26 years old
5' 1" tall
125 pounds
Size 4 pants
Size Small tops
34C bra size
Size 6.5 shoe

Key surgery/post-op points:
I had no pre-op or post-op fasting or liquid diet. I started on pureed Protein such as eggs and tuna while I was still in the hospital on day 2 post-op. I ate regular meals up until 24 hours before surgery. This was at my surgeon's discretion.
I've never counted calories, carbs, fat or any of that stuff. I eat and drink as I feel comfortable doing so. If I had to guess, I would say I take in about 900-1200 calories a day on average.
There is no food I can't eat or drink, but I don't eat many rice/pasta/bread products because I tend to feel uncomfortable afterward. I do take bites here and there and I do eat dry carbs such as chips. I also eat potatoes. I love dairy such as cheese and yogurt. I love fruits and vegetables of all kinds. I love fish and seafood as they settle easiest in my stomach. But I also eat steak, hamburger, chicken, etc... and I love it
I eat all day long. Tiny amounts, but constantly.
I still enjoy half a cheeseburger or handful of french fries from time to time. I have cut NOTHING completely out of my life food wise. I did not go through all this to be on a lifelong diet. I change my lifestyle and my eating habits, but not a diet.
Now that I'm thin, I have so much more energy to run around and exercise. I have a gym membership and I use it primarily for cardio, but this summer I'm going to focus on strength training to rebuild my muscle that was lost in the rapid weight loss. I want to be strong
I do have loose skin, but it's getting better. My stomach is pretty flat, and my arms are tightening up. I have a little sag in my butt and a small pouch of skin/fat left in my pelvic area, but I'm comfortable with it at this point. I would never consider having surgery. I think with toning and time it will firm on it's own (I've also had two kids, for what it's worth)
I was the healthiest fat person I know. That's something important to take into consideration when looking at my results. I had no other underlying issues that would prevent the weight from just melting off, which it did. I've been within 5 pounds of my current weight since 10 months post op. Nowadays I'm just trying to get my shape back and build my strength and tone back up.

Pictures:












If I can do it - anyone can Hope this motivates someone who was in the same place I was in a year ago - scared and overwhelmed. It's all gonna be ok :)
(by the way, that's the same grey sweatshirt in the before pic and the one where I have the hood on)

After 3 weeks of being sleeved, especially if you have a lot to lose, start going to the gym IMMEDIATELY. You DON'T have to start cardio but you DHOULD start a weight training regimen. This will greatly assist in the saggy and loose skin problem. TRUST ME. As a trainer, one of my clients is 44 years old and weighed 402 lbs. He had the sleeve almost a year and change now and I realized after losing all that weight he has little to no loose or saggy skin... He weighs 202 right now and looks like a trainer himself.
I understand some drs may tell u to wait a little longer but three weeks is the best time to start! Even if it's light training every bit helps because your body will notice it before you do.

Water training is A mixture of resistance trainibgs and cardio so it would help because it's easier on your joints. I say go for it

Crunches, leg ups, planks and cardio for stomach.
Squats, leg raises, dead lifts (light weight), side and front lunges... yoga and pilates are great also for women

*stands up
My name is Kristine and I am a recovering food addict
*sits down
I am NOT in denial and I feel sorry for those who can't admit they have a problem BEFORE wls. Waiting to overcome your denial makes the weight loss journey much more difficult..
Kuddos to you Laura... We're on the same page

Did I get your attention???
Ok, curiosity... when I answer posts here, I am always coming from a perspective of a "food addict"
But many times I have people write back...
"But I don't have an addiction to food"
Which I always think to myself YEAH RIGHT!
Don't beat me up I'm being honest!!
What can I say I'm pessimistic, I also laugh when people say they don't eat TO MUCH so they don't understand how the are fat.. I AM FAT BECAUSE I EAT LIKE A PIG (alone mostly)
Today I thought about, "what if I'm wrong?"
I mean...I am me and I am addicted, how do I know how the next person is???
I'm curious as an addicted fat person how is it for those of you who are not addicted?
Oh and on a side note if I am wrong, then I'm also jealous because I would give anything not to have this problem (addiction)

Newgrandmother- hello darling, you know you're not alone. I too am a slow loser or am I? Guess you can look at either way. I would have never lost 56 lbs in 6 mos on my own. Or, if I did, I'd surely be slowly packing back on the pounds by now. You will get there....as they say: slow & steady wins the race

Touché.

I just wanted to share some motivation to remind us to keep going and be good to ourselves.

I have had a rough time making the numbers I wanted after surgery. During the all liquids phase I did excellent with my weightloss but it slowed drasticly after I started foods again. I had trouble making it to 64 ounces of Water and meeting the protien recomendations. a little overa week ago I was desperate when I gained 4 lbs in my fourth month so I decided to consume 120+ ounces of water and go over my daily recomended Protein requirments. I lost 11lbs this week!!! I was really affraid I wouldn't lose any more weight but my hope is renewed =) Just wanted to share and encourage anyone who isn't drinking enough water or getting enough protein!

Just wanted to share my weight loss video for those who are interested and or about to be sleeved! I had failed with the lapband but I was not going to fail with the sleeve...I have 30 more pounds to lose until I reach goal...Goodluck to u all and I hope this motivates u...the link is below
*Sorry meant to say 7 months postop*
Check out this video on YouTube:

Surgiversary! Yay!!
Yup I made it to my one year mark with some pretty remarkable (for me) results!
I started my pre-op diet by mid Dec 2011 and was sleeved on Jan 11, 2012. So Jan 11, 2013 marked my first surgiversary. I have lost a total of 120 lbs WOO HOO!!! (and those lbs are gonna stay away, if I have any say in that matter LOL!)
Here are the details:
Starting weight Dec 2011 124 kgs or 272 lbs BMI = over 53.
Surgery weight Jan 11, 2012 119 kgs or 261 lbs
Current weight Jan 12, 2012 69 kgs or 152 lbs BMI = 29.5!
When I started, my BMI was just over 53. Now my BMI is 29.7! I'm so happy that I'm 'technically' no longer 'obese' and that I'm only 'overweight'.
This last year had been so freakingly awesome! When I first started lurking in this forum before seriously considering surgery, I never really appreciated what the others meant when they said it is a rollercoaster ride. I fully appreciate it now; It is totally true! I've had some amazing SVs and NSVs, and I've had some pretty s#itty days fighting head-hunger, fatigue, and most of all, self doubts. But this forum and you wonderful friends have helped me stay on track. I come here whenever I need inspirationand motivation. You guys are the best!
And my surgeon! OMG! I seriously believe that God tailor made a surgeon for me! He is the best person who personifies the word 'tough love'. He is very encouraging, amazingly funny, but will say it as he sees it. I trust him with my life! He and his staff have my eternal gratitude!
I have not had the courage to post any of my pics on the board till today. But I made a promise to myself that I'll do it after my surgiversary. I admit that the pics on VST were a major factor when I decided to have the surgery and they gave me a great confidence boost whenever I felt down. So in my own small way I want to give hope to others here. My family, friends and colleagues say I look smaller - but I just dont see it. In my head, I still see the huge me. So I kinda rely on pics to see the journey I have been through. I'm nowhere near goal - I have 20+ lbs to lose, but now I'm confident in my new body, and dont feel embarassed to stand in front of a camera LOL.

SAME HERE! So glad to see I'm not alone! 10/29 to now and only down 32! Sizes have gone down a lot but good grief! Hungry ALOT... Any advice????

DO's and DONT's Advice for Having Cosmetic Surgery in Mexico (or other Foreign Country).


DONT assume because you had the Sleeve in Mexico (or anywhere) and it was a breeze, your Cosmetic Surgery Procedure will be a breeze.
DONT expect to have the same results as another person whose weight loss was 100 pounds less than yours or who heals and scars differently than you.
DONT schedule a Cosmetic Surgery procedure with a surgeon without sending pictures and having him evaluate them but then DO realize once he does his second evaluation in person, his recommendation may change.
DO, if possible, take the time and spend the money to go to a local Plastic surgeon for a consult and recommendation so that you can then compare that recommendation with the foreign doctor's recommendation and make an informed decision. Sometimes, local surgeon's offer FREE consultations.
DO have a companion accompany you as you will need assistance after you leave the clinic and are at the hotel. The money it may cost for that companion's Passport and airfare is WELL WORTH it in the end.
DO have cash funds available in the event you require additional IV fluids, IV pain medications, additional labs and, possibliy a blood transfusion after your surgery or it is necessary to spend additional days in the clinic due to complications - which can happen to anyone no matter where you have your surgery.
DO reserve a WHEELCHAIR at each air terminal on your trip home.
DO plan on taking ample time off from your job for adequate and safe recovery/healing process.
DO take the post op instruction of DONT SMOKE after your Cosmetic Surgery procedure SERIOUSLY as smoking is the NUMBER ONE cause of poor healing, infection AND POOR END RESULTS of Cosmetic Surgery - especially breasts and face.
DO have a plan for follow-up aftercare when you get home for suture removal, drain removal or any potential complications such as infection or dihissence which can AND does no matter who the surgeon is or how good that surgeon's practices are. Nobody ever thinks complications will happen to them, but TRUST ME...they happen and for a multitude of reasons. A Primary Care Physician should be on board prior to you having the surgery. 99% of the time, local plastic surgeons will NOT touch a patient who has gone to a foreign country for their cosmetic surgeries.

DO TAKE COSMETIC SURGERY AS VERY SERIOUS, MAJOR SURGERY .