ausmith
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Posts posted by ausmith
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I'm down 21# of surgery weight & 85-ish since my high weight. I'm definitely better off than I was at 350, but I'm so upset that I let myself slide this far back, ESPECIALLY after going through the chaos of surgery. I'm trying to get back on the right track. It's just that nothing seems to stick anymore. I'm sure it's all in my head. And I'll never give up! [emoji4]
You made a start your back looking for answers so your heading in the right direction. Exactly where we started in this group asking questions. Good Luck
ProudGrammy and Julie norton reacted to this -
I am curious to know the story of anyone that had RNY who took more than 3 years to reach goal. I will be three years out in March, my lowest weight was 211.6 (for approximately 37 seconds that I was on the scale that day) I hovered around 216 from 8 - 12 months after surgery. Then life happened and things that caused depression crept back into my world. I gained 17 pounds back in a very short time and have been struggling to get them off, keep them off and continue my journey to goal. I am having the most difficult time finding peers that I can relate to. I'd love to know that there are others that struggled for more than a year at their midway point of weight loss then picked up their britches and successfully got to a healthy weight.
I can’t help but just wanted to say good luck and keep reaching out.
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So now that i'm closer to my goal, i'm looking into possibly having some work done so i can feel great about myself.
I'm definitely buying a bigger butt. But i'm debating on whether or not i should get a breast reduction too. I'm not having pains or anything that would require me to get one. And i'm conflicted because i'm glad they're still intact post op. The reason why i'm actually considering it is because of buying clothes, my waist is a small, but my chest is definitely a large, so it makes buying anything with a button or a zipper a challenge. I'm also afraid that if i do get a reduction then my stomach will become more noticeable.
Below are my before and after photos. What do you suggest i do? (Obviously the two photos on the left are my before pics and the jumpsuit is my after)
I had a Breast reduction and a lift along with Arms, Circumference Tummy and back/ bra line. I had it done because they were sagging 1/2 way down my body.
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I had what the surgeon called a bra lift along with a reduction and lift. What they did is I have incisions on both sides along my bra line where he removed excess skin. I still have some excess skin under my arms which I thought would be gone once I had my arms done but it’s still there but nothing compared to where I was
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Had my presurgery consultation and a bit disapointed but know this is for my health. Was told the Dr WILL NOT go below my elbow for my excess skin arm surgery scheduled for Feb 12th. I was told that it was too dangerous for me to have the forearm done at the same time as the upper arm surgery due to my age and the amount of excess skin.. I have lost over 280 pounds and my upper arms measured 19 & 20 inches, forearms are 11 & 12, wrists are 7 & 8. Was told he would try to pull the skin tighter but not likely this will help the forearem skin. I asked if I paid for that surgery as insurance is covering upper arms surgery, would the Dr do it. Was told No it would be a health risk for me at my age, 62. None of the Doctors in this plastic surgery center have ever done forearm with upper arm surgery. Yet I need a vest with long sleeve support.
Did anyone have such severe excess skin on their forearm? Did you have both surgeries at the same time? I just ordered the vest with long sleeves. It wasn't easy to find it. I also found a $30.00 coupon so I am very happy for the discount.
No I only had the upper arm ( plus back, Circumference Tummy, breast reduction and lift done over a 2 week period ) the arms are definitely the worst in my opinion because you don’t realise your over doing it and stretching the incision which makes the scar wider. I also had one of the stitches get caught and get infected in one of my arms but it was easily treated. They don’t want you to look mismatched either so do the upper and do everything they tell you to do. Heal fast and well and then go back for the lower arm.
A quick tip along with wearing the compression sleeves for as Long and often as you can put some surgical tape over them Long ways to help prevent the scar stretching once the stitches are out.
Good Luck your going to love it
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“ will power”
I agree
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My disclaimer lol I'm not a dietician...I'm just another struggling patient.
High Carbohydrate Day: Protein, healthy carbs, no/low fats Veggies
moderate carbohydrate Day: Slight increase in healthy carbs, protein veggies
no carbohydrates Days this just means all carbs come from vegetables. protein add healthy fats
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My week based on my tdee - Female 133 pounds 5'5" high activity level
Monday high carb day - Hit my maintenance calories 1400 to 1900 -carbs 230g - protein 143g
Tuesday no carb day - Hit my cutting calories 1100 to 1300 -130g protein 55 carbs add avocado, and fats etc
Wednesday no carb day- Hit my cutting calories 1100 to 1300 -130g protein 55g carbs add avocado and fats etc
Thursday high carb day: Hit my maintenance calories 1400 to 1900 -carbs 230g - protein 143g
Friday - no carb day- Hit my cutting calories 1100 to 1300 -130g protein 55g carbs add avocado and fats etc
Saturday no carb day- Hit my cutting calories 1100 to 1300 -130g protein 55g carbs add avocado and fats etc
Sunday - Moderate carb day 1100 to 1300 calories 75g to 100g carbs 130g protien
Here are some links for the basics of how this works...Ignore the trainers muscles ..Yes, he's ripped.
[/url] https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/par30.htm
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=336012
To calculate your calories and macros specifically by sex, height, weight exercise level
https://tdeecalculator.net/
That’s a fantastic calorie and macro counter thank you
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Glad to see some of the old timers here.
My story is long- and I really don't feel like typing all the problems that caused 4 back surgeries. I can't really exercise the way I used to. I have almost given up caring about my weight gain. Wearing a 14 is way better than wearing a 24.
I do eat right but I can't wear any of the clothes I saved in case I gained weight back. The pants I wore when I was 145 during my first year after being sleeved don't even come close to fitting. I have lost all the muscle I gained when I was going to the gym every day. It makes me mad that I weigh 145 and clothes I wore at 145 before don't fit, but I can't risk doing anything to hurt my back. I can barely walk now. I am in a lot of pain if I try to walk even a block.
Hang in there under the circumstances I think your doing great. Try to get out in the fresh air to clear your head and maybe just walk a quarter of a block to start with and consider that a win. It’s the head game that will steer you off the path being outside and just doing the smallest amount of walking has to be good for you even if it’s just to clear your mind. Good Luck
ProudGrammy and Julie norton reacted to this -
Having had several experiences in this area, cheaper should absolutely not be the goal when considering skin removal surgery.
I have had a brachioplasty (arm lift), full abdominalplasty (tummy tuck), Breast lift with augmentation and a full face lift. Consider interviewing several plastic surgeons and choose one that you are comfortable with because you will build a relationship with them that will last quite some time.
Many people do not realize that plastics is not a simple surgery where you go and have a consultation, the surgery and a simple follow up. Our bodies require many many many sutures that can require months and months of follow up care. The after care you receive following plastics is just as critical as the surgery itself and if you choose a doctor that is closer, they usually cover all of those visits. Even if you only plan to have one procedure now....check out the team because once you have one and see the results you might find you want to go through the next step.
I was very thrilled with my team and my results and because of that I had more procedures that I ever thought I would. And let me tell you, it is no walk in the park. Plastics is painful and long road to recovery but absolutely worth it when you choose the right team.
I have had no complications and because I stuck with the same surgical team, I have been treated to free laser treatments for the bruises following my face lift and even free Botox for 2 rounds in my chin.
I researched for many many months and what I learned was, do not focus on getting it done cheap, focus on finding the right surgical team. You need to be very comfortable with who you are working with and the approach they are taking with you. You are in control.
I have had plastics in Bangkok I had my Arms, Circumference Tummy, excess back skin, breast reduction and breast lift. All of the procedures were done over a 2 week period and then I stayed a further 2 weeks to be monitored. All went well and I was totally happy with the results. I did have a stitch in my arm become infected and went back to have the Dr remove the stitch and clean it up. All it took was to keep it clean and keep using Betadine on it. So in my case I had a very positive experience going over seas for plastics. Yes it still cost a lot about 30K including accommodation and flights for my Husband and myself but it was 60k at home.
Don’t go into it thinking you are going to look like a model our skin has been stretched you will scar but if you follow your Drs advice you will be very happy with the results.
I also would use the same Dr and travel once again if I wanted further surgery
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So after a great start at getting back on plan (almost 4.5yrsout from sleeve ) we had a huge family holiday followed by visitors that are here until Monday. During that time I have added to my regain so now I’m almost 15lb over where I usually am. So as of this afternoon I’m going to food prep for the week my plan is to be even more organised than ever. Every meal and snack proportioned out and ready for both myself and my Husband who was also sleeved at the same time.
Meal planning and exercise worked in the past so I’m really hoping this will get me back on track after a few weeks.
Also clearing out the fridge and pantry. There are so many things we normally wouldn’t even think of eating and drinking since the sleeve but there all here, so time to get rid of them again.
Good Luck let us know how your going and what’s working and what’s not
stevecfo reacted to this -
Wow - you have done great. plastics (especially going out of country for it!) was for me scary, but life changing. I feel more beautiful now in my 50s then I ever remember feeling in the past. Plastics didn't make me feel beautiful, but it was like trading in the 3X pair of sweatpants for a more flattering, fitted look! I am so glad I was able to share my story that helped you create a wonderful success story you too can share!I am working off a small regain right now - and I have tried and failed at this a few times this year. I am trying something quite different now - I think I will wait to see how successful I am at it before reporting out on it. Maintenance, for me, got much harder at the 3-4 year post op mark BUT I am still a normal sized woman, in good health - and THAT is my victory at the end of the day.
Hi Jane I’m curious as to how the meal plan and high intensity workouts are going. Xmas wasn’t good to me or should I say I wasn’t good to myself. Visitors go home on Monday so I’m very much ready to get back into a healthy food routine and regular exercise. I’m always making allowances when we have relatives come to stay and that’s dangerous because they are here often. So I’m interested to hear how your plan is going
Julie norton reacted to this -
Wow - you have done great. Plastics (especially going out of country for it!) was for me scary, but life changing. I feel more beautiful now in my 50s then I ever remember feeling in the past. Plastics didn't make me feel beautiful, but it was like trading in the 3X pair of sweatpants for a more flattering, fitted look! I am so glad I was able to share my story that helped you create a wonderful success story you too can share!
I am working off a small regain right now - and I have tried and failed at this a few times this year. I am trying something quite different now - I think I will wait to see how successful I am at it before reporting out on it. Maintenance, for me, got much harder at the 3-4 year post op mark BUT I am still a normal sized woman, in good health - and THAT is my victory at the end of the day.
What’s your diet and exercise like now, has it varied that much from when your weight was stable ? It’s funny how our bodies play games with us. I remember you going through a stage when you were struggling to eat.
Your right about how we feel after plastics, it was like having weight belts on. Then you wake up after surgery and all that skin around your middle is gone.
I also had a lot of feedback about not getting it done all at once but decided to get it all over and done with. I started with the Circumference body lift and bra lift. Then 10 days latter had a breast reduction, breast lift and my arms done . Painful and hardwork but it was definitely worth it. I only had one small complication and that was one of the stitches became infected on my arm. A quick visit to a doctor where he scraped it and removed a couple other stitches to prevent the problem happening again. 15 months latter and I forget what it was like carrying all that excess skin around.
Your truly a success story but like all of us we will always have to be on our game to keep the weight off. Good Luck
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Hi everyone my Husband and I celebrated our 4 year sleeve anniversary yesterday. Just wondering if anyone else is left from that time? It would be great to compare notes as to how things are going
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Anyone ?
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Vets- I am STILL struggling with my regain and have tried a couple different approaches. Online I found much info about doing 'resets'. However most of these call for drinking shakes again. I'm just not sure if that's a good approach. In fact, my new surgeon laughed when I mentioned it to him, because he said that at 3+ years out, shakes aren't going to do anything for me. PLus, I have developed a fierce case of of lactose intolerance so there is more to consider.
Any thoughts on this? I really would love to communicate with any veterans who had regain and how you went about losing it.
Hi after a week of 2 shakes and a high Protein meal each day wth lots of Water I lost 5lb. So I’m sticking to it for another week. I must say I feel so much better cutting out the carbs that had crept back in.
myminpinsrule!, Tracie76 and Catherine D reacted to this -
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Thank you so much. I'm going to try to go back to the basicsof for 10 days, then weigh in hoping to lose the 15 pounds in 10 days afterwards back to Protein and veggies
Sent from my P00I using BariatricPal mobile app
How are you going with it
DemetriaMarie reacted to this -
My sleeve was Dec 2011; hit goal Feb 2013 after losing 150#. I was a pretty prolific poster, including sharing my plastics experience. There is alot of truth that people just move on - WLS itself isn't really that central to my life.
Another reason haven't posted here much lately because I concluded that newer people prefer advice from other newer people - advice/input from me simply isn't relevant and I am okay with that - it just isn't a good use of my time. It took me a while to figure that out - but it is the simple truth. Part 2 is that as much as i would like support from other vets (my experience is maintaining has been much harder 5+ years post op) I can't seem to really find that here. I have always disliked OH, maybe that is where many "vets" have moved to, but i didn't.
So, it is unfortunate for me that there isn't an active Vets community anymore because this site was a big source of support for me a few years back. There are a lot of Facebook groups, but I guess I prefer the forum format.
So Glad you posted I used yourself and many others on so many occasions pre sleeve and after I had my sleeve for advice. Then I went back and read as much as possible about your plastics. I had plastics about 14 months ago but researched for a year prior to that. I also went overseas to have it done but went to Bangkok. Yourself and many others are surely missed. Your right we do get on with our lives but sometimes maintenance can be a b***h and unfortunately we are now in a position where there are only a small handful of people to get meaningful advice from. It’s a shame because by the time I went to see my Bariatric team pre-sleeve I was so so prepared because of everything that I had read and learned from here. I really hope I can find somewhere that will offer the same this far out in maintenance.
ProudGrammy and Julie norton reacted to this -
I haven’t in the past but definitely need to for awhile to get back on track. Have you had a problem with much regain?
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Vets- I am STILL struggling with my regain and have tried a couple different approaches. Online I found much info about doing 'resets'. However most of these call for drinking shakes again. I'm just not sure if that's a good approach. In fact, my new surgeon laughed when I mentioned it to him, because he said that at 3+ years out, shakes aren't going to do anything for me. PLus, I have developed a fierce case of of lactose intolerance so there is more to consider.
Any thoughts on this? I really would love to communicate with any veterans who had regain and how you went about losing it.
I’ll let you know in 2 weeks. I started back on the shakes today, 1 for Breakfast and lunch then a high Protein dinner tonight. Also making sure I get all of my Water in. I have 11 pound to lose so I’m hoping 2 weeks of this will get me back on track.
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I'm 3 yrs out, down 130 lbs and maintaining!!
I lost 40 pre op on my own. I think this was key for me. As it helped prove to myself that I was ready and could do this long term.
Like most above, I followed the program to the letter for probably a solid year. That really helped me totally changed my eating habits and it's "just how I eat now" so I don't think I'm on a diet.
I exercised as soon as possible. Walking shot distances at first and adding distance and speed gradually. Now I do 8-10 miles a day 5-6x weekly at a pretty fast pace. Exercise too is just now part of my life. I need it to maintain and feel good.
I still track everything, Eat Protein first, drink all my Water, alcohol only on rare occasions and then one is plenty, and I'm still and hopefully permanently off pop.
I also control the food that enters my house. So I don't keep junk food in the house. I know that isn't realistic for all. But really nobody living in your house is gonna die without junk food. The result, if I need a snack or mental eating...it's still a healthy choice.
I don't deprive or avoid any food group or type. If I want pizza I get it, I make sure it's my favorite (no point eating bad anything) I have a small piece or two and move on. The great thing is a small amount always satisfies me so I don't have to feel guilty. And guilt free pizza tastes soooo much better.
I always say.... the second bit doesn't taste any better than first. (Really think about that) So often one bit of something "bad" takes care of my craving.
I hope this helps a newbie if I can do it anyone can!!!!
Best wishes all
I’m the same in regards to what comes into the home. I was relentless with that for the first 3.5 years. Then in the last 6 months things have started to appear in the shopping trolley and now I’m struggling with an 11 pound regain.
I also haven’t weighed or tracked what I’m eating for a few years but that changed yesterday. Trying to get back on track before that 11 turns to 20 or 30
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Hey, I’m a vet about um 4 years? I guess 4 in December. I lose track. I check in on these boards now and then.
I don’t spend much time on here for a couple reasons.. one being that I’ve just moved on with my life and weight really isn’t a big factor for me anymore.
The other is that for some reason in my generation of 2014-2015 vets there were some serious assholes. Mean, snarky, judgmental, all or nothing, never eat again etc jerks.
But I do like to check in now and then and help people out. I’m always up for a pm and I will get back eventually! [emoji6]
I’m the same 4 years yesterday. I haven’t had to many nasty encounters but if I do I just move on. Like you I’m not on here often but I do like to hear about any changes anyone’s experiencing. I’m one of those people that likes to be pre-warned as to what’s coming and what others have done in the same situation. I’m about 11 over where I like to be. So for the next 2 weeks are going to be all about getting rid of anything that I shouldn’t be eating and back on a relatively clean eating plan. My exercise which consists of walking hasn’t changed in 4 years so I probably should start including some extra exercise but I’m not excited about that so I’ll see how I go after cleaning up my eating plan.
njgal and ProudGrammy reacted to this -
Hi I’m 4 years out and I agree it’s just as hard as the losing phase. This year seems to be the hardest for me. I’m sitting at 143 but really feel at my best at 132.
So much so that yesterday was my 4 year anniversary and today I decided to go back to 2 shakes and 1 high Protein meal for dinner. I’m very scared that I’m slipping into some bad habits so I figure I’m going to hate the shakes so I’ll think twice before letting the weight creep up again.
Great to know that it’s not just me and my Husband that think this way. Welcome back
Healthy_life2, Julie norton and njgal reacted to this -
Hi everyone my Husband and I celebrated our 4 year sleeve anniversary yesterday. Just wondering if anyone else is left from that time? It would be great to compare notes as to how things are going
stevecfo reacted to this -
Thanks for your comments I for one do miss the opportunity to speak with someone about where I’m at and how others coped with it or are coping with it. I know for a fact when I went to have my operation I went in with a wealth of knowledge that I got from this site. I don’t always agree with everything that was said but if I didn’t, I moved onto another thread. One that I did agree with or that gave me answers or something to think about.
Loosing the Long term Vets will never be a great thing.
njgal, ProudGrammy and Healthy_life2 reacted to this
4+ year Vet Starting Over
in WLS Veteran's Forum
Posted
Maybe start by going back to the basics that you started with straight out of surgery. Go through the whole process again. I think one of the most important things for me is food prepping at the beginning of the week. To Ensure every time I go to grab something to eat it’s high Protein in Portion Control amounts and the only thing I’m drinking at the moment is Water and green tea. I’m struggling with 15 and I was sleeved in 2013. Good Luck