MichiganChic

I'm not 60, but I am 52, and I know how I felt about plastics at my age: it didn't matter. If you are in good health and cleared for surgery, I don't think I'd let that influence my decision much. I wouldn't be too sure about the insurance without checking. Mine paid for the abdominoplasty (or at least the panniculectomy, I'm not totally sure). If not, only you can decide about the cost/benefit. For me, it was worth pain and cost. I had a LOT of plastic surgeries in the past 6 months, and I can say the abdominoplasty was by far the most painful, and 6 months later my muscles are still a little sore some days. I am still swollen, and very numb around the incision. And that surgery made a huge impact in the way I look, in and out of clothes. I'm thrilled with my results, and I'm happy that I did it. I would do it again, even knowing all of that. But I know what you mean - we really do have to consider cost and pain, compared to the outcome. I probably could stand to do a few more things, but for those reasons, not sure if I will. I think it's too soon to make that decision, for me, at least.

I don't eat much bread, rice or Pasta, and I rarely drink alcohol. I still love the bread, rice, and pasta, but the alcohol doesn't appeal much. I drink plenty of coffee. It was a rule that I told them pre-op I was not planning to follow. I was cleared at 6 weeks to drink it. It interferes with Calcium absorption, but my calcium level borders high with no supplements, so I just try not go nuts with it. Honestly, I don't think pop or carbonation would really hurt the sleeve, but I still follow that rule just in case. I also don't think a straw would somehow stretch my stomach, but I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY love being thin, so I'm not taking chances with things that are not important to me

Most of us have a set of rules we were taught will help us succeed with our weight loss after surgery. Not all docs subscribe to the same rules, which leaves a little room for interpretation. I do try to follow as many as I can, to ensure my success. I even follow some I don't think are really necessary, and there's some I break even though I think I shouldn't break them. **Disclaimer** I suggest everyone follow their own physician's plan. I am not recommending or suggesting anyone break any rules, but it's a frequent topic of conversation and thought it would be interesting to see individual approach in a real life setting. I do the following (95% or more of the time) No grazing No drinking 30 minutes before or after meals Protein first 65 or more grams protein per day Take Vitamins as prescribed 64 ounces or more of fluids per day Stop eating when full Measure or weigh food No straws Nothing carbonated Go to support group meetings (not a requirement, but a suggestion) I do not: Practice mindful eating. I often eat while watching TV. Since I measure my food, I'm not going to over eat. Chew, Chew, Chew. Hard to do when you are not mindful. Watch sugar or fat grams. I don't have issues with dumping, and I eat so little calories, I don't focus on them. What about you - Do you follow the rules? Discuss.

Not me.

@@My Bariatric Life it would be great if things firm up on my back side. If I could get the seromas healed, I could exercise, and developing a little muscle would help. I agree, the changes accomplished by a skilled surgeon is nothing short of miraculous! I also think there is something to be said for being realistic in our expectations. The more of a "mess" we are from years of obesity, the harder things are to correct. We are also dealing with our individual structures. I have always been bottom heavy, which is why my legs and butt are not as perfect as my upper half. As you said, we should enjoy our greatly improved bodies!

@@My Bariatric Life I am going to give it some time. My arms and abdomen are rock star quality, lol. She did a really great job on them. My breast lift/augmentation also seems good so far. My behind started out good, but flattened near the bottom half of my buns, and my upper thighs are still droopy. I need some lipo in those saddle bags - they are freakish! My doc said we could do the lipo and another type of lift -I think like what I've seen where the lower butt is cut and sewn to your ischial tuberosity to give a better curve and lift the posterior thigh. It's a very painful and difficult recovery, so I'm just not up to even thinking about that. I know what you mean about thinking about tweaking to perfection - I'm 52, and I really wish I had legs to go with the upper half of body! You have a very interesting story, good reading for people wondering what it's like. Eventually, I'm going to post my story on real self, too. I was just waiting to see if my feelings change over time.

Do a search through old threads for hair loss. This topic comes up several times a week, it seems. It strikes fear in our hearts. I had an extreme case, and even I didn't go totally bad, though you could see my scalp all over. My hair fell out for at least 8 months, and really severely for 4-5 of that. It was very slow to come back. I had surgery 12/12, started losing hair 4/13 through 12/13. Didn't notice much growth for the next few months, though it was starting to come back for the first 6 months of 2014. In the last 6 months of 2014, it started to come back a little faster. Now, at 26 months post op, it's almost all grown back. You can't see much of my scalp anymore except at the part. I never missed a day of Protein or Vitamins. I went to dermatologist, got shots in my head, topical solutions, and bought shampoos "systems" that cost hundreds of dollars - each. I do think that those products and trips to the doc did help, because that when things started turning around. The other thing that helped was increasing my calories to over 1000. I had a lot of weight to lose, so that contributed to the prolonged hair loss, I think.

@@CowgirlJane I considered going to Mexico, but I was worried that if I had complications, I would have problems with post operative treatment. Since I did have them, it was probably a good decision for me. I do not blame my physician at all - I had minor complications that are known risks with these types of surgery. Also, Michigan is a LONG way from Mexico, and I worried about travel with drains, increased risk for blood clots, etc. @@BethinPA I know I also did too much too soon. I agree, it's the nurse in me! Get out of that bed and walk. I didn't want pneumonia or a DVT. I was also out and about, thinking I'm tough. I entertained at my house Christmas eve and cooked a big meal for 20 people. I also wish I hadn't done that. I am a little like a tank - I just keep going no matter what. So, I would never encourage a patient to do what I did.

I'm not sure I had emotional issues with mine. Just lots of pain, minor complications, and the realization that it could quickly become never ending if I let it. At some point I probably need to accept "good enough". That goes against my nature, lol. I am a little sad I can't wear a bathing suit in public without being a little self conscious, but then I remember that I couldn't wear one at all before. I'm trying to not let perfection get in the way progress. I'm just going to let things settle a little and see how I feel. What do you think drove your emotional struggles? Complications or other things?

Not totally sure...but my behind is still a little droopy, and my thighs need some tweaking. They are slightly uneven, and even though all of it's a million times better than it was, I think it could be better. I also think I might need some work on my neck at a minimum, and maybe my face. And then I start thinking maybe I should leave well enough alone - it's always so hard on me. I'm still recovering from a thigh lift and breast lift, so I may feel differently in a few weeks or months. But if money and pain were not an issue, it would not be a question.

Me too. Big mess, Money well spent. And probably not done.

Looks good!

I wish I could have taken more time, but there really wasn't any way I could have. I had two separate surgeries, so that would have been 12 weeks. These seromas are harder to treat than one would think. I had to have two encapsulated ones cut out, and I'm not sure they are not back. sigh. I know what you mean about real self. However, I have found some horror stories there, too. People who had far worse complications and outcomes than I have. I knew going in that this would be my outcome....I had a post op seroma after one of my c-sections, I had a post op infection after my gastric sleeve, and lately I've noticed small cuts are slow to heal. When I had some areas that were slow to heal, some necrosis in the front, and a dehiscence in back after my LBL, I know that I'm slow to heal. I increased calories and Protein, was meticulous about Vitamins, and still had issues. I think I might stop having elective surgeries, lol. I used to heal so quickly, so this is surprising to me. But what would you do differently? I don't know what I would do differently...other than just take more time off? Either, way, I'm still not sad I had it done.

I mix mine with equal, peanut butter, and sugar free Torani salted caramel sugar free syrup.

Fun thread! I've gone through most of what others have posted. Like always gravitating to larger parking spots, toilet stalls, and seats. I've been known to scope out seating in places to determine if I would be able to attend an event or outing, and I couldn't be sure about it, I'd find a reason to not go. I'm thankful every day those days are behind me, and I'm sad at how much of my life was dictated by being fat. I continued that thinking for the first year or so, and it was always fun to realize I was becoming normal. Now, at over two years out, I don't think about that stuff so much, and certainly not in the same way. I will accept an invitation to someplace I've never been, and just be glad I don't need to think of my size as a barrier any longer. One habit that I still haven't been able to shake is that I still have a fleeting moment when I want to try every new diet that comes on TV, join weight watchers when it's free, and I still get that old feeling of hope when I hear of a new weight loss drug is being trialed or approved.

I lost 140 pounds, and plastics removed 12 pounds of fat and skin. So far my weight is not changed.

In the first 6 months, eating was such a chore that I dreaded it. That was a shocking experience for me. Then, the next year or so, nothing ever tasted like I expected it to, also a disappointment. Lately, however, food has started to taste good. That, my friends, is terrifying to me. I think I liked it better when I didn't like food. Take advantage of this time.

LOL, Hell to the NO! Haven't missed being fat or all the associated misery even once. I wake up every single day and the first thought that crosses my mind is Thank God I'm not fat.

600-700

Lumpy, I think you should see a dermatologist. Hair loss in one spot could be some other form of alopecia, and may or may not be related to weight loss.

@@CowgirlJane I agree, it's easier to find things if you've seen the package. The only reason I had that picture was because I had sent it to my daughter who also had the sleeve, recently. I am going back to look for those skewers! I might have to try a couple of different locations because I've noticed they don't all carry the exact same stuff. Usually the one in Ann Arbor has a little more than the one I go to in Toledo. I don't know about you, but I LOVE convenience foods that are high quality and healthy. I used to be a from scratch for everything kind of girl, but no more. Since my sleeve, I avoid prolonged contact with food. I stay out of grocery stores, recipe books, and the kitchen if possible. I've found the less time I spend thinking about it, the better!

I haven't seen those chicken skewers but I want them. Where are they usually located?

Just bought this yesterday. Sorry don't have a picture of the nutritional info, but it was 200 calories for 5 oz and 24 gram protein. Very good, too.

I doubt that it's stretched eating so little. However, I have an observation, mostly as a point of clarification for new people reading this. I just wanted to say that it's not a sign that things are good because you over ate and threw up. A better sign is that you identify the amount of food you should eat, stop when you are getting full, and not throw up. I would worry that eating to the point of vomiting might actually stretch it. Anyway, congrats on your loss, that's great!

Mine was a 36.