Bkind2u

Hi everyone! I have gained and lost 75 to 100 pounds many times in the past, finally was sleeved 9/11/13. I'm 57 now, but when I was in my early 30s I lost 75 lbs and did not have any loose skin except for maybe thighs as I'm a pear shape. I did work out but nothing else drastic. I again gained and lost this time 100 lbs at age 40. This time my thighs definitely were a little soggier, but tummy flat and got belly button pierced to Celebrate. I was the same size as my best friend - 5'5", size 6, 140 lbs worked out 4 days week. When we stood side by side I looked like a slightly melted version of her in the areas I had been heaviest which for me was legs and thighs. My arms and tummy were perfect. I was happy with my appearance. I am now 57 and have lost 80 lbs so far, down from 265. I have skin sagging on my arms, tummy, and legs. This time things haven't bounced back like in the past. I think my weight change is not THAT much more drastic, but the difference in sagging is due to age. Even now I mainly sag in areas that I was heaviest, and less so in other areas. Think of your skin like material that loses its elasticity. The areas that were stretched out the most are the ones that might not bounce back as well. Overall, I think your age is very much in your favor, and that you may have slightly sagger skin in the areas you were heaviest. Whether this bothers you or not depends on how often you plan to wear swim suits or other body baring clothes, and by how much of a perfectionist you are. Good luck and hope this helps! By the way, I am SOOOOO having plastics when I get to goal.

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe juviderm filler? Might be kinda expensive tho..... Ok I have to say that this was one area I never worried about sagging....UNTIL NOW! EEEEEEEKKKK

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe juviderm filler? Might be kinda expensive tho..... Ok I have to say that this was one area I never worried about sagging....UNTIL NOW! EEEEEEEKKKK

I worked in a Pediatric Clinic years ago. A boy was brought in for his exams in a stroller starting at babyhood. As he got older, he was still in the stroller and got bigger and bigger. The family was of either Arabic or East Indiab ethnicity. The father would not stop giving the child treats. The MD tried everything but the father wouldn't stop. He finally refused to continue care due to non compliance. I would hope that nowadays in the USA this would legally be considered child abuse and more could be done to help the innocent child. This is definitely child abuse in my book.

Oops I meant Butterthebean lol, also cowgirl Jane ( I am obsessed with reading about plastics!) and all of you who share your journey honestly and with an open mind.

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

I had my surgery thru Mexico Bariatric Center, everything the same as described by ITALIAN CURVES except I chose dr. Ponce de leon. I met Dr. Valenzuela while I was there and I've heard nothing but good things about her. I liked Dr. Ponce though because he is much more experienced, and I wanted someone who would keep me under anesthesia for the least amount of time, and that could handle anything that came up. They found a hiatal hernia during surgery that they repaired also, at no extra charge. The experience was excellent, and I have recovered well and am very happy with my choice.

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe juviderm filler? Might be kinda expensive tho..... Ok I have to say that this was one area I never worried about sagging....UNTIL NOW! EEEEEEEKKKK

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe juviderm filler? Might be kinda expensive tho..... Ok I have to say that this was one area I never worried about sagging....UNTIL NOW! EEEEEEEKKKK

OK now I have a visual from "Last Tango in Paris", dang sexual addiction!

Oops I meant Butterthebean lol, also cowgirl Jane ( I am obsessed with reading about plastics!) and all of you who share your journey honestly and with an open mind.

Oh lord. Butterpants! Where's the toast?

OK now I have a visual from "Last Tango in Paris", dang sexual addiction!

Oops I meant Butterthebean lol, also cowgirl Jane ( I am obsessed with reading about plastics!) and all of you who share your journey honestly and with an open mind.

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

Oops I meant Butterthebean lol, also cowgirl Jane ( I am obsessed with reading about plastics!) and all of you who share your journey honestly and with an open mind.

Congrats on this new journey. I had surgery March 16th and am 18lbs from goal. You are well on your way!

Came out of WW May 2013. Was a helper. Loved meeting people but no good for my weight. When I left I weighed 392.
During the summer months I looked at my options, said enough is enough, and went for sleeve surgery on 09/18. I weighed in at 365.
Since surgery I've lost 33 pounds and I feel great. So I thought I would share my pros and cons.
Pros
I am losing weight almost effortlessly.
I am not hungry.
Sometimes I crave a food but it passes.
Fitting back into clothes I couldn't wear.
My knees don't hurt anymore.
My feet and lower legs are not swollen anymore.
I don't leak urine when I cough or sneeze.(Major bonus, haha).
I can put on my socks and shoes with no problem.
If I drop something on the floor I can pick it up.
My BP meds are down from 7 per day to 1.(Another major bonus).
I feel better, happier and healthier.
Cons
I have to remind myself to chew slowly.
Still struggling with my Water intake.
Food has lost some of its appeal. (Although this could be a pro as well!)
For me the pros far outweigh the cons. I am under no illusions that this will be a tough journey . But the doctor has done his job and the rest is up to me. I intend to succeed. This has been the best money I've ever spent (self pay) and I will never regret it.
Good luck to everyone out there who has made the decision to have the surgery.
Look out life here I come!!

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

Hi Lynn, I think picking the surgeon is the most important thing! Many surgeons have NO leaks and very few if any complications. I had my surgery 9/11/13 in Mexico since I decided to self-pay. During surgery a hiatal hernia was discovered and repaired at no extra charge. I had no post op complications and am doing great at 5 1/2 weeks post op. I read a lot on this forum and other places and am very excited about the future. For me after years of yo yo dieting I know this will help me get control to keep the weight off and be able to maintain cleaner eating and a healthier lifestyle!

Hi Maria, Congratulations on having a healthy baby! What I can tell you is that the surgery is a "tool" to help you lose and maintain weight loss, and since 85 percent of your stomach was removed the VSG. can still help you even after 2 years. What I have been told to do is eat 70 to 100 grams of Protein a day. It is easy to track your protein and calories if you get the application MY FITNESS PAL. it is best to spread the eating out to 3 meals and 2 Snacks. Do not drink 30 min before or after meals as this will wash the food through faster and you will get hungry faster. Do not eat simple carbs if possible, as this can actually trigger MORE hunger and carb craving. Most people I have read about limit their daily caloric intake to 900 to 1200 calories a day, depending on how much muscle you have and how much exercise you are getting.
It is important to drink at least 64 oz of Water daily also. Last, but not least, get your daily exercise in- or at least 30 minutes 5 x a week. Don't panic, relax, be good to yourself. Good luck!