GirthyGirl

I am honest with people who ask and honest with people who don't ask. lol I am not embarrassed or ashamed that WLS was the final route I chose. Anyone who is judgemental can F right off. Luckily I really haven't had anyone be anything other than supportive.

We will be handing out candy at my house. I just don’t eat any of it. As long as I don’t have that first piece I’m fine. It’s not a temptation for me. But if I take one bite all bets are off.

I was 47 when I had my sleeve and I just turned 50. I do wish I had done it sooner but honestly I wasn’t ready. I think I did it at the perfect time for me.

I was sleeved 01/27/16 and lost 140 lbs.

I don't have any regrets. I am in a place I never thought I would be in. However, there are times I miss the person I used to be. Maybe not the person but the way I used to eat. Without thinking about it. Eating whatever I wanted, how much I wanted. Those kinds of things. Those moments are few and far between and I don't want to go back to that life. But i do think about it sometimes.

I hope everything went well and you are a candidate.

Congratulations! You look amazing!

I was starving the entire pre-op diet. You're lucky you only have to do it 1 week. I had to do it 2 weeks with the same restrictions! Not gonna lie, it was awful. The only thing that got me through was why I was doing it. Does your nutritionist respond to emails? If so I would send her an email asking if it is okay to consume 100 grams of protein a day. Then you will have it in writing to refer to.

Honestly, I don't remember. It was right after my birthday and I had spent the week pigging out. I felt so fat and disgusting. I don't think there was any one thing I can point to other than I wasn't able to get myself under control.

I hope you are feeling better and the gas pain has resolved. I didn't have any pain when I was sleeved but I did with my cholecystectomy. That lasted a couple of days IIRC.

I don't chew my food like I should. I eat carbs and the occasional sweet. And I don't beat myself up about any of it.

Best of luck! I was sleeved in January of 2016 and I remember the time leading up to it well.

Thank you so much! If I only had a choice of one procedure it would definitely be the brachioplasty. It's hard to disguise the loose skin on the arms. It has made a world of difference in my self esteem. I'm so glad I had it done. Congrats on your weight loss and being halfway there! That is a great accomplishment.

My brachioplasty is scheduled for 3/28/17. Now that it is so close the nerves are really starting to kick in. I have always had big arms and now that I am down 100+ lbs they really look awful. Here are some before pictures to show you what I mean. I'm nervous and excited and just want to look in the mirror and see normal looking arms.

Generally insurances will not pay for anything they consider cosmetic.

ssflbelle I will be having a breast reduction and lift in May. Tummy tuck is scheduled for July. At this point that's. That is terrible you have been waiting so long for the biopsy! Praying that goes well and you can have your procedure soon. You will get there being comfortable shopping for new clothes. The reduction will make things fit differently so waiting to buy new clothes may be a good idea.

It's been two weeks now and things are going really well! I am still having a little pain on my sides where the drains were. My arms feel great which is funny because that's what I thought was going to hurt. Right now they are measuring 13.25". Not sure if that will go down any more but if it doesn't I am so thrilled with it! I will be going to a bariatric reunion on Thursday that is put on by one of my local hospitals. I will be wearing something sleeveless and for the first time will not be embarrassed to do so. I'll take a couple pictures and post them at the end of the week to show where I am at.

I used to hate shopping too. It was never a matter of finding something that looked the best on me. It was finding the least horrible thing. Now I love shopping! I am currently a size 10/12. I don't see myself getting lower than a 10 and that is perfectly fine with me. I started at a 26/28 so sometimes I still can't believe I am where I am. I think when you are used to not being able to wear fashionable styles it makes it difficult to change your mindset. I look at some of the cute things that are out there and don't even bother trying them on. For one thing I am older and I'm not sure I can pull it off. I also don't want to be one of those people you look at and think, "She should not be wearing that". I would occasionally buy jeans 1 size smaller but that was about it as far as goal clothes went. I didn't want to buy to much as I didn't know where I was going to end up. You have lost sooooo much weight ssflbelle! You should be so proud of yourself! If you don't know what size you currently are, and don't feel comfortable shopping in the misses department, maybe go to a plus size store and start with the biggest size they carry and work your way down. That makes it easier than trying to figure it out and then being dissapointed when has been a horrible experience for you. I bet you will be surprised how big they will be on you. It is disappointing to try something on and it is to tight but I would just tell myself I would be there one day. I wish you nothing but continued success and we are all pulling for you! Sometimes it's harder to lose the mental weight then it is to lose the physical weight.

Sure. I am 5'4''. 180 was my goal weight also.

Thank you! I had my surgery on 01/27/16. I am satisfied at the weight I'm at. I am only losing about 1 pound a month now so will start working on maintaining.

I too have breasts that reach my navel. I'm so sorry to hear that your surgery has to be postponed. How disappointing! You'll be in my prayers that everything will turn out okay. Living with constant pain is so difficult. It really wears you down. Please send me a friend request. I would love to keep in touch!

Here are a couple of pictures from yesterday. They're not that great but you get the idea. I was two days post op.

I actually have very little pain. More discomfort. I'm surprised how easy it's been so far!

All in all I'm feeling really good! Haven't taken any more pain meds since last night. I went in for my post op and saw my new arms for the first time. I love them! What a difference! I will try and get some pictures this evening. My doctor took the drains out and cleared me to go back to work when I want. So happy right now!

Thank you!