Amyllf2

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post******
I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body.
I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back.
I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post******
I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body.
I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back.
I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

I'm now 7 months out. 83 pounds since surgery which puts me at the number the surgeon told me I could realistically expect to lose. My BMI was exactly 40 on surgery day. I'd be good stopping here. I've increased my calories to 1200 and I'm drinking extra calories to try to slow it down. I put on a pair of pants I've been toting around for 30 years. I wore them in college from 1985-1987. They fit, but very differently than before. My ass is now flat, and my tummy is bigger. They are completely ugly so I would never wear them, but at least I could.

I'm now 7 months out. 83 pounds since surgery which puts me at the number the surgeon told me I could realistically expect to lose. My BMI was exactly 40 on surgery day. I'd be good stopping here. I've increased my calories to 1200 and I'm drinking extra calories to try to slow it down. I put on a pair of pants I've been toting around for 30 years. I wore them in college from 1985-1987. They fit, but very differently than before. My ass is now flat, and my tummy is bigger. They are completely ugly so I would never wear them, but at least I could.

I'm now 7 months out. 83 pounds since surgery which puts me at the number the surgeon told me I could realistically expect to lose. My BMI was exactly 40 on surgery day. I'd be good stopping here. I've increased my calories to 1200 and I'm drinking extra calories to try to slow it down. I put on a pair of pants I've been toting around for 30 years. I wore them in college from 1985-1987. They fit, but very differently than before. My ass is now flat, and my tummy is bigger. They are completely ugly so I would never wear them, but at least I could.

I'm now 7 months out. 83 pounds since surgery which puts me at the number the surgeon told me I could realistically expect to lose. My BMI was exactly 40 on surgery day. I'd be good stopping here. I've increased my calories to 1200 and I'm drinking extra calories to try to slow it down. I put on a pair of pants I've been toting around for 30 years. I wore them in college from 1985-1987. They fit, but very differently than before. My ass is now flat, and my tummy is bigger. They are completely ugly so I would never wear them, but at least I could.

This holiday season has reminded me of a harsh reality. I am an addict. The fact has been lost on me the past 8 months. I've been well behaved and I've lost more weight than I expected or really wanted to. But I got bold the over the last week and tried food that I assumed would make me sick. Like fudge and Cookies. The bad news is I did not get sick and I pretty much learned I can eat anything. This is not good. I had RNY verses the sleeve so I would not revert to my old sugar habit. That did not happen. My little pouch loves fudge just like my big stomach did.
I gained 4 pounds this week. In and of itself that's not a big deal because I'm still lower than I had planned to be. It's a huge wake up call that I could put the 100 pounds back on pretty easily. That is scary and sucks!!!
I'm an addict. I will always be an addict.

Take as much as you can. I was out 8 full days. First few weeks were exhausting! For me driving was the worst part.

My surgery was at INOVA Fair Oaks last month. The staff there is excellent. I was wanting for nothing during my stay.

I'm now 7 months out. 83 pounds since surgery which puts me at the number the surgeon told me I could realistically expect to lose. My BMI was exactly 40 on surgery day. I'd be good stopping here. I've increased my calories to 1200 and I'm drinking extra calories to try to slow it down. I put on a pair of pants I've been toting around for 30 years. I wore them in college from 1985-1987. They fit, but very differently than before. My ass is now flat, and my tummy is bigger. They are completely ugly so I would never wear them, but at least I could.

Not to sure about posting pictures. The little thumbnail looks really weird but I guess by clicking it you see the normal picture. 4/15 is my 6 month. I'm down 73 since surgery. Not bad considering the plan was to drop 85 total.

I'm now 7 months out. 83 pounds since surgery which puts me at the number the surgeon told me I could realistically expect to lose. My BMI was exactly 40 on surgery day. I'd be good stopping here. I've increased my calories to 1200 and I'm drinking extra calories to try to slow it down. I put on a pair of pants I've been toting around for 30 years. I wore them in college from 1985-1987. They fit, but very differently than before. My ass is now flat, and my tummy is bigger. They are completely ugly so I would never wear them, but at least I could.

You look great. More importantly you like like you feel great!

I had surgery April 2015 with Dr. Fitzer. I've had a great 15 months with the practice! You only see Jenny post-op but that's still been great.
I did end up with a bleeding ulcer at month 5. I didn't know if I should call Fitzer or my PCP. So I called him and he was great. Had me transfered from the ER in Leesburg to Fair Oaks in case he needed to go in. Luckily medicine resolved the issue and I did not need any surgery. They didn't have take of me and I truly appreciate the fact that they did!
I also appreciate their realistic approach to the entire thing. Fitzer was very good about setting realistic goals and not focusing on being "skinny". I feel like he's a numbers guy. He told me I could realistically expect to lose 80 pounds after surgery. That didn't even put me in my chart range but based on statistics, it was realistic. I think that was very important from the start for me. I have actually lost 90 since surgery (give or take a few pounds that I fluctuate). I still have excess weight but I don't have any intention on losing any more. Jenny was totally supportive of that decision. I wear a size 10 bottom and a M top. I've never been this small. At nearly 50, I'm good here and I'm happy to have their support.
Email me anytime. I have not been on here in a while. AMYLLF2@AOL.COM

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post******
I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body.
I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back.
I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post******
I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body.
I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back.
I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

I posted the recommendations from my surgeon in the pre-op board. His philosophy is expensive does not = better.

I am naturally very muscular. This is part of the boob issue because when I was an athlete I had pecks not boobs. So I don't have much breast tissue. My arms and legs are very muscular and have been throughout the last year. I met a trainer who was shocked I wasn't on a lifting program already because of how stacked I look in the arms and legs. He agreed I would have to lift like professional body builder to fill out any more of the excess skin. Most women tone muscles but mine are really built like a guys.
I have not been doing formal cardio other than the 7,000 steps I walk daily at work. I do a some light arm exercises. If the weather ever improves, (It's snowing here in my section of Maryland) I will be out doing more things.
I have an April 2 appointment with a plastic surgeon who specializes in after weight loss procedures. I'm not getting my hopes up but I want to see what the options are and how much it costs. My daughter heads to college in the fall so paying for surgery is probably not realistic.
I hope people who read my initial post, especially those who are starting out, understand this issue is part of the journey they need to deal with. I think we all focus so much on the food, and the Protein, and the scale, and the exercise etc. I think many of us assume a smaller body is going to transform how we feel about ourselves. My point is the fact that the new body is different, not necessarily better. You gotta wrap your head around it sooner rather than later.

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post******
I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body.
I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back.
I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post******
I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body.
I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back.
I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel.
Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

I am naturally very muscular. This is part of the boob issue because when I was an athlete I had pecks not boobs. So I don't have much breast tissue. My arms and legs are very muscular and have been throughout the last year. I met a trainer who was shocked I wasn't on a lifting program already because of how stacked I look in the arms and legs. He agreed I would have to lift like professional body builder to fill out any more of the excess skin. Most women tone muscles but mine are really built like a guys.
I have not been doing formal cardio other than the 7,000 steps I walk daily at work. I do a some light arm exercises. If the weather ever improves, (It's snowing here in my section of Maryland) I will be out doing more things.
I have an April 2 appointment with a plastic surgeon who specializes in after weight loss procedures. I'm not getting my hopes up but I want to see what the options are and how much it costs. My daughter heads to college in the fall so paying for surgery is probably not realistic.
I hope people who read my initial post, especially those who are starting out, understand this issue is part of the journey they need to deal with. I think we all focus so much on the food, and the Protein, and the scale, and the exercise etc. I think many of us assume a smaller body is going to transform how we feel about ourselves. My point is the fact that the new body is different, not necessarily better. You gotta wrap your head around it sooner rather than later.

Funniest thing happened yesterday. Had to go to the apple store with my computer. It's heavy so I placed it in a piece of luggage with wheels.
Well, in order to get it out I had to bend down and forward. Behold my boobs decided to slide right out of the bra. They poured out from the top and when I got up I had this bump on my chest that was not exactly easy to conceal. I had the Genius dude right in front of me and it wasn't like I could get my hands in my shirt and organize things. Jeez, ridiculous situation to be in. When I finally got to the car I couldn't help but laugh, look around and rearrange things. Note to self, when purchasing a bra, I must do the bend forward test to make sure things stay in. Trust me, I didn't see this one coming!

YES, YES and YES! I hate my body too but I love my life. I guess it's an even trade.
I hope you find peace, acceptance and HAPPINESS!
Carol

Sorry you are so unhappy with your appearance. Your body sounds like mine. My face is a lot wrinklier and I look older. My boobs were DD and now B's. I would be an A cup if it weren't for the extra skin stuffed in there. I have no butt and the skin that used to cover my ass is pooled at the bottom of my former butt. Extra thigh skin sags at my knees. The only good part is most of the skin on my stomach, neck and arms tightened up by 10 months. It's still there, but not too bad.
But for me, the way I feel far outweighs any aesthetics. I can do so many more things in comfort. Work, play and everyday activities are just easier. And at least with clothes on I look way better than the fatty I was before. I feel more comfortable going out in public. I'm no longer the biggest one in the room. Shopping for clothes is actually enjoyable....I'm not just looking for stuff to cover up the fat. I bought capris instead of shorts to wear in the summer.
There are a lot of exercises you can do to try and tone some of your parts....especially legs, butt and arms. And like others said, you can always look into plastics later on. I don't plan on plastics, but if I did it would just be to remove extra skin from my boobs and legs. No augmenting ANYTHING. I've been I told like a prepubescent boy now, and quite frankly I find this body a lot "easier" to live with than my old curvy one. I sure hope you find some things to like and find peace with the new you.

I am sorry that you hate the new you, I hope in time your mind changed, I agree with ther comments perhaps you can get plastics and feel good about yourself again , I sm considering that now and I am 10 months post opt, why don't you set up a free consultation at a plastic surgeons office to see about your options good luck .