Ruth1ess

Thank you, and you're welcome. I try to be as honest as possible so people know what they're getting into. I'm doing okay now, I've stopped taking my pain meds and I'm here recovering in a hotel in Monterrey until Friday, then I get to go HOME. I'm excited about home. I am hobbling a bit but probably need to take it more easy and not walk around so much, but I get pretty bored in my room. Some random nerve pain sometimes, especially in my legs, and where the compression garments end there's some pressure and rubbing which is sensitive.

I don't like to talk about the first couple of days, I was in a pretty dark place. Since yesterday, though, the pain has become manageable and is improving dramatically. It was the same with my gastric sleeve, I didn't want to be alive those first couple of days.

Hey all! I'm 3.5 years out from gastric sleeve and I haven't stopped into these forums for a while. I've been putting off plastics because my life is a blur time-wise, but I'm getting married in May and would like to reap the benefits of the brachioplasty for my wedding dress, since my arms are always my biggest point of insecurity. They've always been disproportionate, and even more so now that I lost the weight. I also wanted a tummy tuck and LBL, but we want to try for kids right away, so I'll deal with that down the road if ever. Well, I pulled the trigger and did it!! Tuesday was my surgery down in Monterrey, Mexico for arms and legs. It wasn't easy. I came by myself and I've had a lot of self doubt about doing this, feeling vain and selfish taking a risk that could possibly take me away from my fiance and family. I cried going into the OR. But, I'm on day 4 of recovery and every day is a little easier. I don't want to talk about Wednesday and Thursday, that was my lowest point. But, having the nurse come in and assist me with changing my bandages and showering, and finally unwrapping the results really gave me a mental boost. All in all he took a little less than he had marked for my legs, a whole inch more than he'd marked for my arms, and a full 3 liters of fat from liposuction. I'm very pleased with the results. Feel free to look at the attached photos, ask questions, tell me your thoughts. Thanks BP fam!

Do you mind sharing where you got your work done? I'm looking for a good reference for thigh work in Mexico.

I feel like this has come at the worst possible time in my life. I'm losing my health insurance in the US due to quitting my job to start a new life in Canada. Regardless, getting plastics covered in my case would be a long shot. So, 120 lbs lost now, and it's getting hard to stuff these baggy thighs into my jeans. The sag is strong with me. Looking to Mexico or other countries for low-cost thigh lifts. However, it's proven difficult to find doctors that specialize in this or that show before and afters. Most of their websites are geared towards the more popular post bariatric ops, like tummy tucks and boob jobs. Can anyone give a reference specifically for thigh lifts outside of the US/Canada? Failing that, a surgeon near Toronto that may offer low cost services?

Wanted to add my 2 cents. The exercise is going to make you feel so much different vs not exercising.. and if that means a bit of a stall at first, it's well worth it. I started an intense training of Krav Maga 3x weekly supplemented with 1-2 days a week of CrossFit at 8 months out. I felt flipping fantastic. Did I stall out? You betcha. But after 4-6 weeks, the weight started melting off again. I'm at 12 months now and had to stop exercising this month because of procedures I've had done on my legs, and I miss it SO much. And guess what? I've stalled out again. I have lost that really intense energy that I had for those glorious few months, and I can't wait to get back in it. I strongly encourage you to work out, find something that you truly love (for me it took quite some time to find my love for martial arts). The benefits far outweigh any stall you may temporarily have, and I believe your chances for long term success go up dramatically.

@@Tami_819 love GORUCK, which cadre is your trainer?

Perfect in vanilla or banana shakes. I love this stuff. Protip, use a magic bullet or blender to blend together with shake to get rid of the lumps. Nom nom

Great work! Enjoy your vacation and even more, the little souvenir you'll be bringing home with you!

That is unfortunate.. but understanding! It's not for the feint of heart, or vertigo-prone.

I'm using the word מוקדשת. which is the female version of set apart/consecrated/sanctified. I'm using these guys: http://www.hebrew-tattoos.com/our-works I'll definitely post photos when it's done!

How about Angel's Landing in Utah? That's on my list..

My reward for hitting 230 is skydiving (haven't done it yet, but it's coming!). I've always said I'd get a tattoo when I hit 200, and I went ahead and paid for the art a few weeks ago. It should be done sometime next month. Really stoked, it'll be my first! It's Hebrew calligraphy for "set apart". It'll be on the back of my neck/spine. I've got 18 lbs to my final goal of 159. Maybe I'll reward myself with a thigh lift?

I love Dr. Weiner. He's got a lot of good informative videos on YouTube.

10 months out, back to back and face to face comparison. 116 lbs down.

Measurement changes 10 months post op: Weight: 177 Bust: 48 37.5 Natural waist: 44 32 Belly button/waist: 50.5 38.5 Arm: 17.5 14 Mid thigh: 29 21 Hips/widest: 53.5 38

One year ago vs now. This comparison really floored me!

At this point, I wasn't really exercising. Right now I'm doing martial arts (Krav Maga) 3x week and cross fit 1-2x week. Really love it.

This is normal and likely to last for a few more days. In my first week or so, I was getting a gurgle every sip I took. Just eat slowly. Picture your stomach the size of a banana, but incredibly swollen from the trauma. It takes time for soft foods and liquid to work its way down into the bottom of your sleeve when it's swollen like it is, and it will displace air. As the swelling goes down, you'll experience less gurgling and be able to eat and drink more at once.

Your poor tummy is healing and is still traumatized. The first couple of months will be all over the place as the healing process occurs. Your journey is just starting you'll experience stalls and periods of time where you're losing sizes but no scale loss - try not to stress while it's happening and you'll have a much better time! You sound like you're right on track and experiencing a normal first month!

You enjoyed it, it's over, let it go! I like the 9/10 approach. I do something similar, but never heard it in those terms. If I didn't allow myself a bit of treat, I'd binge and start a dangerous guilt cycle which would just lead to more binging. I've also noticed that if I have a strong craving and I try to sub it with something healthy, I end up giving in later anyways. Then I've eaten twice as much. I give in when it's a strong craving, ignore the small cravings, learn to identify head hunger vs actual hunger, and I've been able to stay on track for the long run.

I had a great experience. No regrets and no complications. I'm 115 lbs down and 10 months out. I went from a size 24 to a size 12 (my goal is a sz 8, still losing), and I have become extremely active. No more limits. I work out doing Krav Maga (martial arts) 4x a week and love it. My sleeve opened up doors and new confidence I would never have found without it. It's been such a blessing! At 35, I can join the myriad voices saying "My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner". Everything in its time, though.

@@Favor1223 awesome, welcome to the journey! Where are you having your surgery done?

Congratulations on your decision! You're starting an amazing journey. I'm 10 months out today and am thrilled with my progress. I've gone from a size 24 to a 12, but I'm hoping for an 8 before I finish losing.