cslove

@@Sandy, thank you- my surgery date was 8/31/15 VSG

I paid around 14k for both I'm 5'6

My sleeve surgery date was 8/31/15- I had my plastics on 8/26/16

@cbonet- My starting weight was 349- so I lost around 115lbs. I was a self pay and I have no regrets. I expected it to be worst. But just like my sleeve, after 3-4 days, every day got better and better. I was not bedridden or anything. Coughing hurt for the first couple of weeks.

I honestly wasn't in a lot of pain. Maybe the first 2-3 days. The constipation from the narcotics was far worse than that. My arms didn't start tingling until the second week.

Also, I am a year post op from a VSG. My surgery was 8/31/15. Starting weight 341, current weight 230. My last BMI was 37 or 38. I currently wear a 14/16 from a 28.

Well I am exactly 4 weeks post op from Abdominoplasty and a Brachioplasty. I feel great and plan on returning to work Monday. I could have returned 2 weeks ago. My pain only lasted for about a week. Now, my arms still have a numbness and tingling and that will last for a few months. It's aggravating but not painful or unbearable. I wear under armor long sleeve compression shirts often because it significantly reduces the nerve sensations that I'm feeling. After about 1 week I was definitely down a pant size. I had a large apron, so it was a very noticeable difference. The surgeon removed 15lbs of skin/fat. After 2 weeks I started taking walks. By the third week I felt like myself, yet still taking it somewhat easy. For instance, I shopped today for about 5 hours. I forgot I had surgery exactly one month ago today.

I'm still stuck on someone eating bacon a week post op....

I self paid 13k

It was this day exactly one year ago 8/31/15, that I laid on the table and woke up as a brand new me. I have no regrets whatsoever and I would choose this again without a doubt. The journey hasn't been easy regardless of what some people think. This journey is 90% mental and only the strong survive. WLS is a tool, not a miracle worker. You will get out of it what you put into it. My SW was 349, today I float around 225. I went from a 28 to a 14. I loved to travel before even though I was embarrassed about my appearance. But NOW!!!! I almost can't stay off the airplane. I no longer have to pretend that my seatbelt is fastened while I ask the attendant for an extender. I have achieved so many milestones that may not mean much to others, but everything to me. I just had an Abdominoplasty and Brachioplasty a week ago, and I'm excited about that. My advise to anyone new at this is to be true to yourself. Do this for you, and be willing to put the work in. Don't go back to your old habits and coping mechanisms. Food is not your friend. Discover new hobbies and new ways to celebrate without food being the main attraction. I discovered cycling and i have met a whole new group of like minded individuals that push me to exercise more and achieve my goals. I didn't even know that I enjoyed riding bikes because it had been over 30 years since I did it. Establish some deal breakers and stick to them. For instance, soda pop is one of mine. I view it as poison and I will never drink it again in life. Only you know your triggers. I have an addiction to chocolate and when I picked that old habit back up post surgery, I knew it was trouble. I now have to. work like a drug addict everyday not to want it. I really wish I would have never invited it back into my life. Now it's my cross that I have to bear. Live your best life today because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Eat to live and don't live to eat. Blessings

Had my plastics done on 8/26- Yay

I spent 1 night in the hospital and yes it was just shy of 14k for both.