axlr8n

Hey Guys - I'm almost 18 months post RNY and have been maintaining at my goal weight since April. I moved to Chicago (Lakeview) a few months ago and wonder if any of you are from the city? I've started looking for a good support group or friends in the area to help me stay on track - the holiday was pretty rough with all of the temptations, but I made it through pretty much unscathed. Any recommendations you have would be great!

I just switched to them recently... was having some issues with Vitamin D and Iron and my bariatric surgeon recommended that I switch to these. I haven't had labs done since, but it sure is convenient!

David Shiffrin

It's been almost a year and my scars are fading really well on the sides and back, unfortunately... my tuck was really tight in the front and actually split open from the pressure on the incision (took about 3 months to heal). That scar is much wider and darker. The surgeon said he would revise it if I have another procedure, but I'm not sure about getting anything else done yet. I kind of like myself the way I am now :-).

I have just broke the 100lb dropped mark today. I'm so stoked. It's amazing.
I just wanted to share.
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It's been almost a year and my scars are fading really well on the sides and back, unfortunately... my tuck was really tight in the front and actually split open from the pressure on the incision (took about 3 months to heal). That scar is much wider and darker. The surgeon said he would revise it if I have another procedure, but I'm not sure about getting anything else done yet. I kind of like myself the way I am now :-).

I had that in combination with a horizonal thigh lift last September. It was about $15k here in Chicago. I know I could have done it cheaper elsewhere, but I liked the surgeon and am happy with the results. Be prepared though - it's not fun!!!

I think it's pretty normal a few weeks after surgery to start to feel a little sluggish and have less energy... your body is adapting to some very significant changes. If you're tired, take a nap - listen to your body. You are by no means fully healed and recovered at three weeks post-op.
As for the hunger... you're probably eating a lot of liquid / soft things. It'll probably get better when you start filling yourself with dense Protein. That was also very uncomfortable for me though, and even after 3 years I often get that sick to my stomach feeling after a few bites of chicken or steak. It's a balancing act and something you'll figure out with time.

I've been knocked out for surgery a few times now... every time, I remember getting wheeled back to the ER, the nurse telling me she just gave me something - and that's it. No count down from 10, no nothing. After surgery was pretty uneventful too.
I think the meds really just amplify your personality - I'm pretty quiet. If you're the star of the show unmedicated, you might just go full Eddie Murphy :-). Either way, I agree that the staff is used to it and just goes about doing their job.

I weighed around 340 when I started. My goal weight was 210, I got down to 175 and currently weigh about 190 (building muscle). My advice is to really take advantage of the 6 months you have before surgery - there are a lot of new habits to form and you may as well start now! I also had the gastric bypass. #NoRegrets

2 years for me... I've heard you should wait for a year after your weight has stabilized. That is unless you're planning to have multiple surgeries throughout your weight lots journey to help with mobility, etc.

My original goal weight was in the overweight category simply because I couldn't imagine weighing less than that (210), and I wanted to have a goal that was attainable. I blew right past that and have been in the healthy category for almost a year now.

I too had problems for a long time after my surgery. One day I was so desperate that I ask a nutritionist at work to look at what I was eating. Turns out, there was very little Fiber in my diet. I started eating more fiber - berries, peas, quinoa, etc... and all of my problems went away. I spent so long chasing a remedy that I missed the root cause of the issue.

I worried about excessive skin (and hairloss) excessively before I had surgery. All I can say is, I would take my excess skin any day over weighing 373 lbs again. ANY DAY! In retrospect, I can't even believe I used to worry about that - life is SO MUCH better being normal weight, loose skin or not!

My original goal weight was in the overweight category simply because I couldn't imagine weighing less than that (210), and I wanted to have a goal that was attainable. I blew right past that and have been in the healthy category for almost a year now.

I've been knocked out for surgery a few times now... every time, I remember getting wheeled back to the ER, the nurse telling me she just gave me something - and that's it. No count down from 10, no nothing. After surgery was pretty uneventful too.
I think the meds really just amplify your personality - I'm pretty quiet. If you're the star of the show unmedicated, you might just go full Eddie Murphy :-). Either way, I agree that the staff is used to it and just goes about doing their job.

I too had problems for a long time after my surgery. One day I was so desperate that I ask a nutritionist at work to look at what I was eating. Turns out, there was very little Fiber in my diet. I started eating more fiber - berries, peas, quinoa, etc... and all of my problems went away. I spent so long chasing a remedy that I missed the root cause of the issue.

I lost about 150 pounds, and just had plastic surgery to take care of the extra skin. There are some areas that did pretty well - my arms for instance look pretty good as I've built up some muscle there... but there was really no help for my belly and thighs. There are a number of factors, but the reality is that your skin can only shrink so much, and it's going to be a matter of how much you personally are okay with. For me - I wanted to take care of it so I chose to have a lower body lift and thigh lift. Don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I think the reality is that if you're losing 100+ pounds you're likely to have extra skin regardless of what you do.

I lost about 150 pounds, and just had plastic surgery to take care of the extra skin. There are some areas that did pretty well - my arms for instance look pretty good as I've built up some muscle there... but there was really no help for my belly and thighs. There are a number of factors, but the reality is that your skin can only shrink so much, and it's going to be a matter of how much you personally are okay with. For me - I wanted to take care of it so I chose to have a lower body lift and thigh lift. Don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I think the reality is that if you're losing 100+ pounds you're likely to have extra skin regardless of what you do.

I lost about 150 pounds, and just had plastic surgery to take care of the extra skin. There are some areas that did pretty well - my arms for instance look pretty good as I've built up some muscle there... but there was really no help for my belly and thighs. There are a number of factors, but the reality is that your skin can only shrink so much, and it's going to be a matter of how much you personally are okay with. For me - I wanted to take care of it so I chose to have a lower body lift and thigh lift. Don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I think the reality is that if you're losing 100+ pounds you're likely to have extra skin regardless of what you do.

Hi there,

I’ve been waiting to do my update till the clinic fixes their app software and I have access to my last set of pics, but it’s looking like that could take awhile.
So, here goes...
Things have been great!
I’ve been maintaining around 187-189, looking to get some exercise going to get 3-5lbs off. Would prefer to maintain around 184-186. But really not sure if there’s a difference. I just don’t want to get in the 190’s.
Incisions have healed nicely. Had one little hole in the incision where it meet at my butt. But it closed on its own. I had about one week of intense sharp pains at night that I think were related to nerve healing. They seem to be gone, but were intense!!
My sex life is starting to come alive which is a side affect I was looking forward too. I was very self conscious about my hanging skin when having sex with my husband. Now not an issue and sex is awesome again!!
I love shopping, but have no money!! Clothes fit so good now and I have so many more options.

Unfortunately I will need a revision as the doctor did not take as much skin as there was available on the top portion of my stomach. Standing I can still grab a large amount of skin between boobs and belly button. Doctor says he will do revision after the 9-12 month healing waiting period. Depending on the work being done I may or may not have to pay for surgical fees, but would not have to pay for doctor fees.
For now I will enjoy the results and hope for the best during recovery. I’m still under 3 months and have swelling in my lower belly portion.
Before RYN and plastics. Likely a bridal size 28 and down to a 16....

It depends on several factors. We are pretty close in height (6'-5") and I'm down to about 345 from a high of 640. My goal weight is 250 so I'm a reasonably large person to begin with. If you're on a smaller frame and have more to lose, you may have some. Genetics, age, how much excess weight, and how long you had it will all factor in. I can say that even with the excess, I'm still much happier and getting opportunities that I never had before.

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I weighed around 340 when I started. My goal weight was 210, I got down to 175 and currently weigh about 190 (building muscle). My advice is to really take advantage of the 6 months you have before surgery - there are a lot of new habits to form and you may as well start now! I also had the gastric bypass. #NoRegrets

Hi everyone - I'm 10 days out from a lower body lift and inner thigh lift... I'm finally starting to feel human again. I knew this was going to be rough, but wow... Luckily, other than pain I've had no complications. I had 2 of my 4 drains taken out on Wednesday and am pretty sure the other two will come out next Wednesday at my 2 week checkup.
I had my surgery with Dr. Shiffrin in Chicago. I think it was a little more than some of the quotes I've saw tossed around here, but I felt really comfortable with him and knew that I was going to get a good result based on feedback and pictures of the work he's done. He's just a really down to earth guy.
I've been wearing really loose sweat pants ever since surgery. Today, I tried on a pair of jeans for the first time. They fit fine in the legs but were tighter around my waist than pre-surgery... but I had to laugh because I'm not really sure where my waist is anymore. I'm used to my pants going under my gut, but the gut is gone! Did any of you find that your clothes fit a lot different after surgery (or even go up a size), or is it just a matter of giving enough time for the swelling go down?

he's on my short list. I live in southern Wisconsin, and I'm not sure anyway here specializes in patients who've had massive weight loss. I do think he might be on the pricey side - but I've only read good things about him.