MichiganChic

Beautiful! I remember you! We had our surgeries right around the same time. So good to see you so successful!

If you are being honest with yourself about what you are eating, then just do what you know you should. There is no secret, and no magic bullet. The key is to be honest with yourself. I'm not saying you aren't, but I know for me, that's an easy way to slip. It's my number one personal rule. Weigh, measure, and track your food - every bite. Not sure if you are exercising, but you know that helps, too. It's possible to not lose for a few weeks when you are doing everything right, and you have lost a lot of weight in a short time. Your body needs time to adjust. Try to focus on the big picture. It really is what you do over time that will make the difference in the long run. Good luck!

I'm 5'4", and currently in a size 10 pants, size small or medium top. The 10s are getting a little big, so I'm thinking I may end up in an 8 since I just had plastics. I'm happy with the 10, and I'd probably be a little happier in the 8, since that would be a novelty for me. Never could have imagined single digits! I 'll admit, I like vanity sizing, and someone my age can really appreciate it, since last time I was thin, spandex and vanity sizing hadn't been invented yet! I am 52 years old, and I don't want to be skinny because it's starting to just make me look old/haggard/wrinkly when really I'm young and vibrant, lol. I don't think I will lose much more, just whatever comes off as a result of getting rid of excess skin.

I went to Ellen Janetzke in Birmingham, and had my surgery at Beaumont Royal Oak. I think I have had a good outcome, so far. I'm just 4 weeks out, and not totally healed. I had lower body lift, and brachioplasty. I'll be going back for a thigh lift, and breast lift/augmentation. There are lots of sites out there where patients rate plastic surgeons. I also suggest talking to more that one to see what they offer and suggest.

It is surprising at almost 2 years out how you notice one of these once in a while! Just the other day I was leaving work and the elevator was full, but I hopped on and squeezed into a little spot on the side - and no one moved a bit to allow me to fit!! I would have never even attempted that before, and if I had, they would have subconsciously parted like the red sea to accommodate me. Another thing I notice - and not sure it's an actual victory - is the fact that I am weak now! I can't open heavy doors very well. It usually takes a couple of attempts because I have to really make an effort. I guess I'm still using the same technique I used to use, which would have been use my weight. Now I have to consciously use what's left of my muscle. Another thing like that - I recently went to an "80s Dance Explosion", lol. It was a total NSV that I went, because I wouldn't have even gone before, thinking no one wants to see 300 pounds of fat bouncing around, and besides, I would have been too tired. However, I was shocked that while out on that dance floor, the drunker the other people became the more dense the crowd, I kept getting bumped into, and felt like I was getting thrown all over the dance floor like a limp doll! I was actually afraid of getting knocked over!

@@CowgirlJane I chose the filler because they are quick, simple, minimally invasive, fairly inexpensive (comparatively), easily obtained, and temporary. The state of Michigan doesn't require a physician to inject. I happened to come across a nurse who works under the physician's licence, and is a trainer for the company who makes all of those products. I saw the people she worked on, and they all look natural. She comes to the beauty salon I go to about every three months, so it makes it very convenient. Honestly, I might not have done it if it weren't for all those factors. However, I really like the results. I tried botox around my eyes for fine lines, but didn't like the results of that (it left me no fine lines,but it did cause a little crease under my eye) so I haven't redone that. @@JeanZ_RN I will post pics of my neck if I decide to move forward with that. I would have that done in the office of my plastic surgeon - but it's a med tech who does it, so again, the dr. isn't actually doing the work. I'll also see if I can find some before and afters of the fillers, too and post them.

I'm 52, and I also lost enough in my face to look like what I call a "weight loss victim". I also had a ton of sagging skin on my behind. I just had a lower body lift, and that did wonders for my behind! I had my arms done, too, also great outcome. But for my face, I'm afraid to do too much to it, so I had some fillers injected (juviderm, I think). Anyway, that did wonders for me. She injected in the creases along side my nose and mouth, and also a little botox on my forehead lifted my eyelids. I think I'm going to get a little Voluma in the cheek area, which will lift your face a little. Also, the skin on my face and neck did tighten some, over time. I just don't want to look stretched and un-natural, so I'm a little afraid to have a face lift, though eventually, I might. I'm going to try a laser treatment on my neck since they can't put fillers there, and it's pretty bad. I don't mind looking my age or aging, but I really don't want to look older than I am!

I'm glad you went without him. That probably sent a message that opened the door for the chat that included how you are so NOT possessive. But, since he was able to manage that conversation and he's fun, I'd keep him around, too!

That's a really personal and difficult question to answer, but ultimately, you have to decide. I am in the same boat, I can't get below 161. Actually, I'm not sure it's up for me to decide, and I do think there is a point for some of us that we just can't lose any more, for whatever reason. I doubt that you are there yet, though When I started this, I just wanted to look normal, and I was ok with never being skinny. Then as the weight came off, and I had a lot of success, I wanted to hit a normal BMI. I see so many people do it, and it seemed that I could, too. But, it's proving pretty elusive, for me. So, I now struggle with the same question - but mine is "am I re-evaluating, or am I taking the easy way?" I wear a size 8/10, sm/med, and everyone I know says I look great. I am really happy with my size, and I don't think I'd look any better with another 20 pounds off - in fact, I think I might not look as good. I'm perfectly healthy, and all the stuff (Blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol were all increasing) has reversed. So honestly, those last few pounds would be lost just to say I have a normal BMI. This is still a work in progress for me, so only time will tell. So, you are only 8 months out. Weight loss slowed for me around then, too, but I continued to lose for another 8 months after that. My guess is that you can keep losing, and even if you only lose a pound a week, in another 6 months, that's going to be another 26 pounds off. My advice is to really consider your goals, and work to achieve them. Maybe shift your thinking a little - rather than "give up and live in maintenance", maybe accept that it's slow going, but that you don't really have a deadline. That really helped me during times of slow loss and stalls.

I didn't have any open sores or rashes, but my insurance did cover the abdominoplasty. I had a lower body lift, which included that, obviously, and also brachioplasty. Honestly, of all my issues, the abdomen was the least of my problems, but they covered it. Actually, they covered 3 hours of a six hour surgery.

I started at about 6 weeks. My doc really wants people to wait 6 months, but I never had any intention of doing that. My dietician says people who drink coffee in the morning are hungrier in the afternoon, and it may be true, but I don't care. You just have to make sure you avoid it with iron and calcium supplements, otherwise they don't absorb as well.

I've been using Latisse about a year. I had great eye lashes when I was younger, and they thinned as I aged. I don't think being sleeved impacted that at all. However, they are just about as good as they were when I was young, now. I also use it on my brows, and it works great there, too.

I am the same way. I can easily eat that much or more, and it doesn't have to be from anything too much. One bad choice, and it can be way above that. I am committed to a life of tracking. I write it down every day, even if I don't want to. I force myself to see what I'm really doing.

@@JamieLogical how did that lipo on your calves go? I have big calves and would love to have something done about them.

You look so great! Congratulations!

I had the same reaction - felt like a rock in my stomach. I still don't eat eggs at about 2 years out, but that's about the only thing that happened with.

Be careful what you wish for

In the early days, I felt like that. Nothing tasted good, and it was more of a chore to eat than it was worth to me. Those days are gone. I now eat like a normal person, with small portions. I still start with Protein, then vegetables, and I avoid rice/pasta/bread, but I can pretty much eat anything, and for the most part, it tastes fine. One thing I do like, though, is that my tastes have changed and continue to do so. I often will eat something that I think I used to love but was fattening (McDonald's fries, for instance) and now when I try one, I just don't like it that well and I don't waste the calories or space on it. That's a huge win for me!