MichiganChic

@@Band07 how big is a big sleeve? How much can you hold? I also think mine is big, but have been successful (mostly) so I never had it checked. I am 2.5 years post op and I can't get the last 10-20 pounds off. I really wish for a smaller capacity, but I don't think I'd risk another surgery at this point. I might someday, though, if I can't stay where I am. So, I'm interested in your experience.

You are doing fine. I know some people report they can't feel restriction at first, but do when they get past liquids and soft foods. I weigh myself daily, and I track it, but only count the weekly weight. Human bodies just do not lose daily, and often bump up along the way, even the trend is steadily down overall. You are doing the right thing by weighing and measuring your food, and tracking calories. Keep up the good work. One question - how can you be forced to drink alcohol? Just curious - we all have to do things for work we don't necessarily feel like doing, lol. I'd sure try to pretend like I was drinking it, though. Not sure what your doc's "rules" are, but that was off limits for me at 6 weeks.

@@SaraJay425 you have youth on your side, so it may not be an issue for you. Here is my opinion: The things that contribute to loose skin are age, genetics, years of obesity, amount of obesity, quality of skin. What will not contribute to loose skin is rate of loss. People say that all the time and I don't think slow loss = less loose skin. It does take some time for your skin to shrink, though, so when people lose slower their skin has time to "catch up or shrink" compared to rapid loss. Unfortunately, exercise will not tighten loose skin, either. It will, however, make you strong with great muscle tone. If you only have a little looseness, the extra muscle might fill out the skin better. I'm 52 and was obese for 30 years. I had a ton (actually 12 pounds) of loose skin I had removed. I lost 140 pounds in 14 months. My daughter is your age and had a sleeve 5 months ago and has lost 80 pounds so far, and she has no loose skin. She was obese only a few years, though she was overweight most of her life. We are from the same gene pool, so that is a good example. I would not fear the loose skin. You may or may not have it. I doubt you'll have much because you are young. I'd rather have loose skin than fat because you'd be surprised at how much you can hide with clothes, and we clothed most of the time. Good luck!

I had to chuckle a little when I read the original post because I say the same thing to myself sometimes. Not often, but every once in a while, but I read something that pisses me off and I find myself responding....and the whole time I really am asking myself why I even care. The beauty of it is that we can just not participate if we don't like what is said. Usually I can

Truthfully, I don't think of myself as special. But, if I have to come up with something, I'm very proud of the daughters I've raised and I like to think that being their mother has contributed to the really wonderful, special people they are. I also have a master's degree in nursing, and while I don't provide hands-on care anymore, I do think the work I do in nursing informatics impacts patients and nurses across the country in a positive way.

It was a 9 out of 10 for me. Maybe a 10, but I always thi it can be worse lol.

@@Bufflehead LOL. There is just NO way you look like you need WLS in a size 10. That's just absurd! They might just not realize that people could have already had surgery. Ignore them. You are a success. @@BLERDgirl there is something to be said for paying it forward. I think there are other ways to do that, such as speaking at the informational seminars. I have been doing this for over 2 years, so I think it might be time for a little self preservation You know, like on the plane, they tell you to put your own oxygen on before helping someone else. There is so much difference between 6 months out and 2 and half years out. The issues are just different. @LivingFree! that's such a good idea to make sure you take away something positive. And even when people run away with the meetings, I still think that going there and "showing up" does help in some way.

You know the answer. Yes, go back to basics. Protein first, low carb, no grazing, measure your food....you know the rules. 6 pounds isn't the end of the world, but it's enough to strike fear in our hearts, for sure! I'd also suggest keeping tabs with your surgeon's office. Get the support you need to stay on track. It's a lifelong commitment, and you can do it! I think the reason you can't post in the vets forum is the number of post you've made.

Nope, not even close to a failure. It's just the way it is. I also had skin and fat like that on my legs. There is just no way it's ever going to be thin and lean. I'm not built that way, and no amount of diet, exercise, OR plastic surgery can ever make my legs model thin. Use shapewear and enjoy the success you've achieved!

I have found the same thing. I go at 2 1/2 years out be because I want to do everything I can to ensure my success. I think (conceptually) that weight loss support groups should help me stay connected and focused. However, I just told my doc and the dietician who runs the group that we need something different for long term patients. It's totally a bust when the couple of voices who are new/overly enthusiastic/self-absorbed take over the meeting. Some people just think now they finally "get it" and by them telling everyone else, they will get it, too. So, I'm thinking that I'd also like to stop, but I need all the help I can get. I'm going to try to get them to do something different, but if not, I'm not sure what I'll do.

I also have to remain hypervigilant. I have to eat very little to maintain, and even less to lose. That also explains for me why weight watchers was marginally successful. I don't think I (or any of us) caused this phenomenon of a slow metabolism by being obese and yo-yo dieting. I think we had this problem to start with, and that caused us to gain weight easily, which drove us to attempt to lose the weight any way we could. At least we have a fighting chance with the sleeve. While maintenance is HARD, I still think it's easier and better to work hard and be thin than it was to work hard and stay fat.

Glad you are doing well. It does keep getting easier.

I also had a gastric sleeve, and I can eat 1.5-2 cups, too. I make an effort to keep it between 1/2 and 1 cup, though. I don't go over very often, but the once in a while if I don't consciously restrict myself, I am shocked that I can eat like that.

This wound vac is miraculous! All of the tunnels are healed and the main wound is about 1/4 its original size. I've only had it on 2 weeks, and I think I can discontinue it in a day or two. I'm going to have a wider scar at my inner knee, but my surgeon said she can fix it in about a year. After all this, I care a lot less about that than I care about being healed!

One of the reason I chose the sleeve over RNY was because I need to take NSAIDs. My doc said never with RNY, but ok with the sleeve. I take them almost every day and have for two years.

I followed mine 100% as directed. I had two weeks of liquids and less than 1000 calories. One day I had a party and I was allowed one meal then, as long as I stayed below the calories, and I think that was at about day 6. I remember it being very hard, and I wondered if I had what it takes to succeed with the sleeve, so I think I was trying to prove to myself that I could. Guess if could. My doc doesn't require liquids for two weeks for everyone, just high BMI patients. People with a BMI of lower than 50 have a different requirement. @ I'll just give myself a hooray for success AND honesty!

@@tebowfan glad to hear its going well with minimal pain. How do things look?

I stayed at 800-900 a day all during weight loss, which was about 14 months. I do not lose if I eat more than that. I maintain at around 1100 calories with an occasional splurge day.

I'm going to be finishing my plastics in December. In August I had an abdominoplasty, butt lift with autologous fat flap, and brachioplasty. I love the results so far! So now I'm having a thigh lift (long scar inner thighs) and a breast lift with augmentation. I'm trying to decide what size breasts would be best. I'm interested in hearing from those of you who have had this surgery, and what your experience has been. I've always been small busted, and not particularly happy with it. My shape used to be a pear, but I'm much more hour glass now post plastics and with my Victoria Secret bra. Right now I'm wearing a VS 36D perfect shape, super padded bra. That's pretty funny because I most certainly do not have a D cup. It's more like a deflated A, or maybe a small B. When I was young/thin, I wore a B cup. I think the shape and size I get with that bra looks pretty natural on my somewhat small torso. So, while I'm thinking that size bra looks pretty good, I don't want unnatural looking breasts, or breasts that require their own zip code. To me, the look I achieve in the bra does not look like what I would have thought a D would be. For those of you who have had breast augmentation, how did you decide what size to get? Are you happy with the results? Are they uncomfortable, or difficult to lay on? How did you communicate to your physician what you wanted? Do you wish you had gone bigger or smaller? Thanks for any advice you can offer!

I bought one large bottle of the salted caramel (SF) right after surgery over two years ago, and I'm just now finishing it up. I add it greek yogurt with a little Peanut Butter, and it's pretty good. I also add it to starbucks caramel coffee to make an iced coffee. I use it very sparingly because I find it to be pretty sweet. I think I didn't like it so much at first either, which is why I still have the same bottle two years later! I didn't like sweet things much at first, either, but my tastes continue to change over time.

@@tebowfan How's it going?

@@CowgirlJane thanks for the note, and I'm sure hoping that day comes soon! I feel fortunate to have access to great medical care and equipment, because I know it would take a lot longer without the wound vac. As of today all the tunnels are finally healed, and I'm only left with a 2 inch long 1 inch deep open wound. It was 2-3 times that size 2 weeks ago, with two 4-5 inch tunnels that just kept filling with serous Fluid. I'm really thrilled I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I might actually start exercising again!

Who is the "you" you're referring to? Yes, that's what I'm wondering, who have you deemed the failure, @@cfinch70?

Just want to say your baby is adorable!! Congratulations! With a new baby, I think what you are going through is normal. Give yourself some time. You lost a significant amount of weight, so you know what to do. Back to basics, Protein first, you know the drill. Rid your house of the junk. Detox from those carbs. I'd say take some time to make it easier on yourself by having foods that you like, that you should have, readily available. Set yourself up for success. You can do it!

I was told no straws to prevent sucking in air and taking in too much liquid at once. I didn't use a straw at all for the first year, and I do once in a while now if I'm out and get something to drink that comes with a straw. Honestly, I don't think it would hurt me at this point, but I'm trying to be compliant even though I don't believe it have any negative consequences at all, lol.