NewSetOfCurves

Thank you, @@VSG for ALC! My lower scar--which was the larger one--was removed with TT, and the others are so small and light that they are not even visible unless you are literally looking really up-close-and-personal!

Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard with this comment! It is so true! I told my husband that I will probably get a face lift when I update my implants in 10 years. Best of luck to you, @@Queen of Crop!

@@aleja908, I had to drink 2 oz before they released me, which was the day after surgery.

I hope you have awesome results @@Babbs! My surgeon specialized in post-massive weight-loss plastic surgery. Dr. Peter Fisher's (from San Antonio) prices were really reasoable (I paid $21k for body lift, tummy tuck, augmentation, spiral lift, and leg lipo, plus flaps in my hips and buttocks--very competitive with Mexico prices). Good luck to you!

LMAO!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! It made me laugh and smile ear-to-ear. It is DEFINITELY NSV QUALIFIED and there is nothing more erotic than watching the hubby going down town!!!

Congrats and good luck!!! My biggest savior for pain relief from the air I had trapped from the surgery, was heating pads. Also, when I could not get fluids down (due to the excess internal swelling), sugar free Popsicles went down really well for me--they were my life line!

I actually had a lower body lift (which includes TT), breast augmentation and a spiral thigh lift. My highest weight was over 250, and after having 4 kids my skin's elasticity couldn't keep up. After my sleeve surgery, it took me over a year to hit 140 pounds. I was really big into cardio that first year, but slowly transitioned to heavy weight lifting 5-6 days a week. Even though I was like a size 6/8 by the time I reached goal, my skin hung horribly. My belly button looked like a melted face; my breasts looked like a feeding canine mother's hanging milk outlets; and the muscle mass in my upper thighs wasn't seen for its full potential because of the excess skin there. So, I had the previously mentioned plastics on June 9, 2015. The doctor removed about 2.5 pounds of skin, although the implants countered that "lost" weight. I'm now a size 4/6 or 27 waist. It was tough recovery, but COMPLETELY WORTH IT!!! I don't have before pics because I refused to take them, but I'll post a pic of the great results of my tummy, 5 months out.

It's a wonderful place to be! Congrats!!!

@@Queen of Crop, I LOVE my results! I would do it all over again, if I had to. I do have to say that the compression garment would chafe my skin in my nether region. It was awfully painful. I wore it for about three weeks, and I could not take it any more. So, I bought a girdle that went from my knees, all the way up to the bottom of my breasts. I wore that religiously up to the eighth week. After that, I lived in my Under Armour exercise pants. They were a size small and had really good compression, especially with the additional swelling in my legs. I did not really lose additional weight, because the weight of skin that was removed (about 2/3 pounds) was replaced with the implants (almost 2 pounds).

Yes!!! This is ABSOLUTELY true!!!

I reverted back to a lot of Protein shakes and meat. I had a body lift (which also included the tummy tuck; same as 360), spiral thigh lift and breast augmentation on June 9th. I am 5 months out. The doctor wanted me to get in a minimum of 100 grams of protein. So, I over shot and set my goal to 150 grams (which I was already used to, because my daily in-take of protein was at this level due to the intensity of the weight lifting program I was on). A chicken breast usually carries about 30-40 grams of protein. A can of tuna has almost 40. I would graze on these meats throughout the day, just prepared them in various ways so they would not get so "boring". Two 11 oz Premier Protein Shakes adds another 60 grams of protein; the rest would come from nuts, Greek yogurt, cheese, and other natural high protein foods. I was able to get back into the gym--slowly--at about 8 weeks. I do not do any core specific exercise, even though I they are targeted secondarily via other exercises, I am waiting for my 6 month post-op date to arrive to begin those types of exercises. Best of luck to you! I know how exciting the prospect of a new body is, especially after all that you have gone through to get there. It will be rough for a little while, but it is so worth it! Keep us posted!

There is no greater feeling than conquering something that once conquered you! What and AWESOME NSV!!!

What a wonderful and beautiful NSV! My eyes watered because I have three daughters, and my oldest understood my struggle and transformation the most. She was very supportive and proud. Keep it up, mam. Good luck to you and I wish you many more inspiring NSV's!

@@sleevedinseptember ...Girl, you are 40 pounds down in a little over a month! What?! Congrats to you. Just wait until you incorporate a solid exercise program...you're going to melt away like the Wicked Witch of the West!!! LOL! Good luck to you and your continued success!

In the 3 or 4 times that I have succumbed to a craving for carbonation, I have either thrown up or burped non-stop for quite a while; and that is at 2 1/2 years out. It is not nice. It does not feel good. You're not suppose to do it. I know the head hunger and cravings are hard at first, but it will pass. If you want long term success, you have to teach yourself to eat and consume healthy products. Diet drinks are not healthy. Someone above already mentioned the ill effects of diet sugars, so I will not repeat it; but the bottom line is that they are not good for you. Wish you the best in the battle against head hunger and cravings, and on your journey.

@@Babbs ...I am glad that I can offer some inspiration. I know there have been many women on this site whom have inspired me and continue to inspire. You yourself are means of inspiration for many with your thoughtful posts and your ability to pass your goal weight! Best of luck to you on the next phase of your journey to a HEALTHIER YOU!!!

@@Inner Surfer Girl & @@KindaFamiliar ...THANK YOU!!! @@akreese02 & @@Kathy812 ...The weight room has really given me a new set of curves! I go heavy and I go hard (3-4 sets per exercise; 6-12 reps, failing on the last). Women--with their estrogen filled bodies--struggle to acquire mass; so, going heavy, consuming lots of Protein throughout the day, and especially within the first 30 minutes post workout, is key to building that mass. Not to mention consistency! Working out is part of my daily routine. It has officially become habit. Good luck to you ladies and I hope you too can find your groove in the gym for a better, healthier, SEXIER YOU!!!

WOW @@livvsmum!!! You look Awesome...Congrats to YOU on your long term success!!!

I do, @@Margie122! Thank you and good luck to you!

Highest weight was: 250+ Lowest weight post-op: 140 Current weight: 150/155 (fluctuates) Even though I'm up 10-15 pounds, it is pretty much muscle because I'm still the same size (4/6 or 27 waist). I educated myself and cleaned up my diet. I still eat the occasional "dirty" food, but I am big on clean eating. I did a lot of cardio the first year and a half, but then started to focus more on the body building. Instead of food being my obsession, the gym has become my obsession (not literally, but y'all know what I mean). I don't use an excuse not to work out. I make time and make it a necessity and a priority, like my job. It is a non-negotiable--tired or not. I have 4 kids and a full time job as a teacher. You can make and find time if you're determined and willing. I love my sleeve. It gave me control over QUANTITY. I took the time and effort to learn and execute the QUALITY of food I put in my mouth.

You're looking GREAT!!!

Thank you for sharing! I can completely relate to your story. I have gone through many similar experiences in my journey. My husband and I hit a very rough patch, but through communication he came to realize that HIS insecurities were creating unecessay tension. We now workout together, eat healthy together, and engage our four kids in physical activities together. After 13 years of marriage, our marriage is better than ever. However, during and after my transformation, it took me learning to love myself, my husband accepting my new self love and self confidence, and my husband regaining confidence that his "hot" new wife was the same person who still loved him unconditionaly in order for our marriage to overcome the hurdles that my transformation brought out into the open. I do not regret anything. I think we are better people because of it. There will always be people who will condemn you out of spite, anger or jealousy; but we cannot allow that negativity to infiltrate our lives! Life is too short to spend it in misery and because of the sleeve I have opend my eyes and live & love to the fullest!!!

If we, as bariatric patients, want to see indifinite change/long term success: We have to CHOOSE to retrain our palattes. We have to CHOOSE replace bad eating habits with good habits. We have to CHOOSE to become active. We have to CHOOSE to live longer, healthier lives. If we so CHOOSE at anytime to eat, drink, or consume goods that are NOT GOOD for our bodies, then we are faced with the CHOICE to get back on track and start all over again with CHOICES that are better for bodies/health/lives. Many of us will CHOOSE to "indulge" in non- healthy foods, but how often and how soon you get back on track is your CHOICE. I have stumbled many-a-time...but I have CHOSEN to get back up, wipe my knees and go at it again. As my journey has continued, I seem to stumble less and less. I DO NOT blame anyone or anybody for my stumbles...they were my CHOICES; and because I CHOSE to fight back against my years of bad habits, and because I CHOSE to fight for a healthier way of living, I consider my sleeve story to be one of success despite my stumbles. So, @@LipstickLady is right. What we eat and what we do with our bodies is a CHOICE...not a cheat, just a CHOICE...good or bad.

I am getting ready for plastics myself in just a few weeks. I read a lot of women wear compression fitness leggings, from brands like Under Armour, Nike, or other cheaper brands. I personally own about 6 pair of the under armour ones (they range from $30-$60, and I tend to buy the $30 ones; however, you can get the more expensive ones for less on the outlet site). I buy them a size smaller because I do not want my extra skin wobbling about when I work out, so I think they will be a perfect fit post surgery. My doctor said that those types of compression leggings are perfectly fine. Oh, and the Under Armour ones do not stretch out! Trust me, because I really have to stretch those suckers to get my thighs into them (a problem my plastics should reslove quite soon!).

What a great feeling, right?! I too would role my eyes when people would say, "You're so tiny." I often respond with quips like, "You're crazy!" It took a long time to accept that I was not a big girl anymore. I am getting plastics in about 5 weeks. My doctor said I will go down another size or two...and I am already down to a 6!!! My advice: Accept it! Own it! Work it!!!