TBodmer71

I had surgery on Aug 26th of 2013. I went from 289 down to 173 by the end of Aug 2014. I have since been sabotaging myself, finding excuses and not doing what I am supposed to be doing. Since August I have put back on 18lbs. I weighed myself this morning and the # is now 190.8lbs. I am so mad at myself.

I've been telling myself for a few weeks now that "today is the day I start back on track" and then I go back to my grazing ways and not utilizing my gym downstairs.

As of this morning I am holding myself accountable!.. I am going back to my Protein shakes, logging in my food and exercise journals everyday on my fitness pall, I'll be picking up a new pedometer today (I can't find mine) and I will not be the statistic and regain after all of the work, heartache, and struggles that I had to overcome. I will not allow myself to go back to the person I was that had major weight related medical issues, no energy, low self esteem etc.

TODAY IS MY NEW DAY!

I find that quite often I will walk around things instead of squeezing through without realizing that I am not as big as I once was and could easily fit through most of the things I walk around. For instance.....As I left work today I parked my truck in front of a bush. Their was about a 2 foot space between the bush and my bumper. I walked around and then realized that I didn't need to because I can now easily fit in a 2 foot space. ( I've gone from a women's size 24 down to a size 6). But when walking in crowds, hallways, doorways, bathroom stalls, etc I find I think I need a lot more space than I really do.

As for the Harley ride.......Good for you! I have my own fatboy and have enjoyed many charity runs.

I gave away thousands of dollars worth of clothes to people I know that could use them. What they didn't want they gave to others that could use them.

We all know that good quality plus sized clothing is very expensive. There are also a lot of people out there that can't afford them. So, it made me feel good about giving them away.

Although, my plus sized Harley Davidson clothes I sold on ebay.

Thank you for the info.....I will keep ya'll posted as to what I find out.

Hello Everybody,

I am hoping to find some answers. I live about 40 minutes north of Boston in Southern New Hampshire. Their are a few really great medical schools and teaching hospitals in the area. I am 11 months post-op and am starting to plan on having a lower body lift (or TT ), neck lift, breast lift and possibly augmentation. within the next year.

Does anyone know if the medical schools offer plastics at a discounted rate? I know that Tufts Dental School offers a sliding fee scale. I have no idea who to call and ask.

Leaving the US is not an option for me, so I am trying to find a less expensive option without compromising quality. Any suggestions?

Here is a little history. HW 289, CW 176, Goal 164. I am hoping to be at goal for my 1 year surgery anniversary on Aug. 26th. I currently have a turkey gobbler neck, my panni is hanging pretty low, my entire lower half is "droopy", and my breasts are completely deflated. Don't get me wrong I love the way I look in clothes. I am much healthier than I was 1 year ago. I can strategically "place" body parts into my Spanx but it is not a pretty sight when the spanx come off. I cannot imagine spending $50,000 or more for vanity but I am willing to invest in me. 

I am located in Southern New Hampshire about 40 minutes north of Boston. We have some really great medical schools and hospitals in the area. I am trying to find out if anybody knows if the teaching hospitals perform plastic surgeries and if they do, is it at a discounted rate? Who would I contact at the schools and/or hospitals to inquire?

Awesome!!! Did you hit many stalls?? How many calories did you try to stay at? People keep telling me I'm eating too few calories and that's why I am in a stall?? Should I up my calories?? I'm so confused!! My doc said three meals a day and Protein first then veggies the carb if room ( there never is room) haha any advice? I go to the gym.. Was doing the circuit and treadmill but people tell me because I'm not eating enough my body is just feading off my muscle... Ugh!! I can't win!! I just want to hit onederland and wear a nice dress and look good for my sons wedding in October! Hah well... And be healthy!! So.... Ya..... So you have any advice!?? Anything will help! : ) did I say you look awesome? Haha Thanks for sharing!!

Yes I hit lots of stalls some lasting three weeks. My calories after about the six month mark hovered around 900-1000 I guess that's pretty high by sleeve standards. I exercises every day and sometimes I don't eat as clean as I should but for the most part I've been really diligent especially with Protein. My advice get a calorie tracking app like my fitness pal and track everything! It has helped so much. Also, if you feel too much hunger and some pain the tendency is to blame acid and treat it accordingly. I did this for six months then the pain became unbearable last week so I went to the ER. I found out I had multiple gallstones and they removed my gallbladder. Common after this surgery. Since having it removed I haven't had that gnawing hunger feeling. So always be aware of that, it causes back pain too. Anyways good luck and I'm sure you'll rock it!

I have to agree fully. I am 10 months post-op and have gone from 289lbs down to 179 so far. My clothes went from a 24W and 3X down to size 8 bottoms and large tops.

My caloric intake also hovers around 1000 calories a day. But also keep in mind I am exercising (walking 5 miles and weight training) most days for 90 minutes or more.

My food still is Proteins first but carbs are slowly creeping back into my life and I am gonna have to put an end to that because my weight loss has slowed because of it.

Right now I am just 18lbs away from a "healthy" BMI of 25. I am really pushing to get to that goal for my surgiversary.

You look smashing! Did you require skin surgery? I'm looking forward to sharing my success story as well. Thanks for letting us know that it will happen if we follow the rules! :-)

I am only 9 months post-op so it is still way too soon to have plastics done. Right now my abs look like a deflated balloon. My back is loose, my neck has a turkey gobbler, and my inner thighs, arms and buttocks are droopy. I am hoping that as time goes by some of it will firm up but I highly doubt it. For now I keep it all under control with body briefers. I will definitely consider plastics after the 18th month. Cost will be a huge consideration with what I opt to have done. If I could do it tomorrow I would have the excess skin on my neck removed. Everything else I can strategically place within my Spanx.< /p>

I love your picture "story". DId you take a photo every month?

Congratualtions on the weight loss!

I've tried to remember to take a photo every month but have missed a few. The 1st photo is 4 months pre-op. 2nd is 3 months pre-op. 3rd is 2 weeks pre-op. 4th is 2 weeks post-op. 5th is 2 months post-op. 6th is 4 months post-op. 7th is 3 months post-op. 8th is 7.5 months post-op. 9th is just shy of 9 months post-op.

Hey is your highest weight from before your liquid diet before surgery or day of surgery? Im 9 months out and im down to 211. Day of surgery I was 244 but hw was 297 just kind of curious how everyone else tells their weight story

My highest weight was 9 months prior to surgery. I started dieting and exercising soon after making the decision to have WLS. I was down to 266 when I started my 2 week liquid pre-op diet. The day of surgery I weighed 251.

Woohoo! I was sleeved on August 26, 2013. As of this morning I am down to 182 from 289. I only have 22 more lbs to lose until I hit my personal goal of 160 which will put me in a "HEALTHY" bmi.

I am 5'8". I was in a tight womens size 24 or 3X. I am now a size 8 or 10 and a size large or XL top.

I am so glad I've documented everything along this journey. Here are a few pics that I'd like to share.        

I am 9 months post-op. I started this journey in November of 2012 with an appointment with my PCP who gave me the referral for WLS. Soon after that my Husband saw me reading "Weight loss surgery for dummies". He went ballistic. For months I listened to him Bit@h. He yelled at me, threatened me with divorce and wouldn't listen to me when I tried to explain anything about it.

Things finally came to a head and I (verbally) fought back. I told him (screaming of course) that as his wife I have always "had his back" regardless of whether or not I agreed with him. I told him straight out that as my husband it was his responsibility to do the same and "have my back". I was going to have the surgery with or without his support. After that I tried not to mention anything about it.

As the months went by and my surgery date got closer he did try one last time to convince me not to go through with it. His theory was that that if I was able to lose the weight that I did pre-op, I didn't "need" the surgery.

Now here I am 9 months post-op. I am down a total of 106lbs. I am now 30lbs thinner than I was when I met him years ago. He is now super proud of me and my accomplishments and has conceded to the fact that I was right and he was wrong. The whole point to all of this was my goal to be healthier than I was. I have achieved that. And now he reaps the benefits of an active wife.

i am surprised you stuck with him, those kinds of threats would have been a deal breaker for me.

My husband is a very gruff man that I love very much. His anger about the whole procedure was more about his worries of me taking what he thought was an unnecessary risk of my life and he just didn't articulate it in a more politically correct fashion. He was this way when I met him, fell in love with him and married him.

I did finally confront him about it and it did take a little bit of time and patience but he has been very supportive and proud of me since. His biggest relief was when the surgery was done and I made it though without any complications. It took a huge weight off his shoulders.

I went into this marriage for better or worse. He has been worse and now he's behaving better. He could say the same about me.

I am 9 months post-op. I started this journey in November of 2012 with an appointment with my PCP who gave me the referral for WLS. Soon after that my Husband saw me reading "Weight loss surgery for dummies". He went ballistic. For months I listened to him Bit@h. He yelled at me, threatened me with divorce and wouldn't listen to me when I tried to explain anything about it.

Things finally came to a head and I (verbally) fought back. I told him (screaming of course) that as his wife I have always "had his back" regardless of whether or not I agreed with him. I told him straight out that as my husband it was his responsibility to do the same and "have my back". I was going to have the surgery with or without his support. After that I tried not to mention anything about it.

As the months went by and my surgery date got closer he did try one last time to convince me not to go through with it. His theory was that that if I was able to lose the weight that I did pre-op, I didn't "need" the surgery.

Now here I am 9 months post-op. I am down a total of 106lbs. I am now 30lbs thinner than I was when I met him years ago. He is now super proud of me and my accomplishments and has conceded to the fact that I was right and he was wrong. The whole point to all of this was my goal to be healthier than I was. I have achieved that. And now he reaps the benefits of an active wife.

I relied on Scrambled eggs when I first started my "pureed" stage. I would mix in american cheese. At the beginning I would only be able to eat half and egg but it was pure heaven. My dog would enjoy the rest

Yes, it is normal. Just try to keep up with your liquid and Protein intake. If you become dehydrated it will definately make you feel tired.

I think the previous post have covered what you'll need for food. I will try to give you a this of "other" things you may want or need.

A lazy boy recliner to sleep on for the first 2 weeks. Or a wedge to lift the top of your mattress. If you don't have either, you can shove a bunch of pillows and blankets between your mattress and box spring to raise the head of the bead.

You will want a small pillow or stuffed animal to place on your belly when trying to stand up or sit down. I would recommend this is also something you should bring with you to the hospital.

Try to find sweatpants or pajama's that are way too big that fit just below your chest.

Chap stick

A few good books.

Shoes that slip on (no ties)

A journal. Start documenting everything. I am 9 months post op and I still update my journal and look back on it to show myself how far I've come.

Last but not least, ask if the hospitals pharmacy can fill your prescriptions before you leave. That way you won't have to stop at a pharmacy on the way home.

Good Luck to you. Wishing you a trouble free procedure and a speedy recovery.

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about ten years ago. My levothyroxine has been decreased since surgery also. I can't say I've been a slow loser but. I am a very happy loser either way you look at it.

My stats:

HW 289lbs

SW 251lbs

CW 183lbs

Highest BMI 43

Current BMI 28

I am 5'8" and feeling healthier that I have in many, many years. I try to exercise daily, Walking for 5+ miles is my new freedom. I am now 9 months post-op. My weight-loss has slowed considerably in the last 2 months but I expected that as I get closer to my goal of 160lbs. The main thing is......I am still losing.

My Dr's goal for me was to lose 70% of my excess weight. I've met and exceeded that goal by 17lbs. My personal goal is to hit 160lbs. That will put me just under 25 for a BMI. Woohoo! Only 23 more lbs to go!

Good Luck to all of my fellow Hypo's.

Are you taking anti-nausea medicine? I was getting anti-nausea medicine through my IV right after surgery.

First....Congrats on graduating. Second......Congrats on the 70 lbs lost. Do not compare yourself to others. This is your journey and only your journey. The goal is to be healthy. If you haven't reached that yet, then you still have time to get there. It is not a race.

Don't rely on your nutritionist and/or dietician to schedule to see you. You need to reach out to them.

It is time to jump back on the bandwagon. It is good that you recognize that you need too. It is a matter of doing so. If you continue with a sensible diet and exercise the weight will start to come off again.

Best of luck to you. Keep up the great work!

Good luck to you. Wishing you a worry & problem free procedure along with a quick recovery. Welcome to the sleeved side.

I have asthma and COPD and I also had the IV sedation. If you have seasonal allergies that could be causing your asthma flare-ups I would consider using a daily antihistamine like claritin, zirtec or alegra. I would also speak to you pcp or pulmo Dr. to see if you may need a better or different treatment to keep your asthma under better control.

If you haven't already started taking a daily stool softener start NOW! The first one can be a real OUCHY!

Unless you have a medical problem that would make this a necessity I have never heard of such a thing. I have been operated on way too many times to count (15+ times). Never once have I had to be awake for the insertion of the oxygen tube.

Technically what they could be talking about is you may be knocked out with IV drugs prior to being place completely on general anesthesia. I can't imagine being awake.

I am one of the few that told everyone at work. I've been there for 15 years and they are like family. I haven't had a single person say anything negative. I have stressed the fact that I was pre-diabetic (yes, I said was). Diabetes runs in my family and it was just a matter of time for me to get it. I am 9 months post-op and my blood sugars are in the middle of the "normal" range.

I guess it is completely each individuals choice about who to tell and not tell. But, I can say that I have had the opportunity to inspire someone else. That person approached me after the monthly support group meeting on Tuesday and thanked me. What a great feeling that was.

When you have to raise the seat in your car because your backside isn't as thick.