MissJDVSG

I asked my surgeon generally about this because I am also looking to have kids in a few years after the sleeve. When I asked specifically about weight gain, my dietician said that most women gain way too much weight with their pregnancies and that it should really only be about 25 to 30 pounds of weight gain for a healthy woman. She told me that it will be easier to gain with the sleeve (since it doesn't have a malabsorptive aspect by itself), but that women also gain normally after gastric bypass. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine was also easy. I just had the sniffles for a few days after from the cold oxygen blowing up my nose. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It really is! Any updates? I hope all is well! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, to start, the odds of having all of the complications together as a collective are low. So by that logic, the "collective 88.9%" is not statistically, or in any other sense, accurate. And gallstones are likely with any massive weight loss, I believe, with or without surgery. I think it's nice that your dad is worried about you, but you cannot take his concerns as fact (unless he is a doctor or an actual statistician). Yes, there are complications. But ask your surgeon about their particular complication rate. (Mine has had only 3 leaks in over 800+ surgeries, and those people were smoking after surgery and didn't heal right). I'm still pre-op, but these complications don't worry me. If any of them happen to me, they will be small potatoes compared to the challenges of obesity. I'm 27, and I don't want to live my life like this anymore. I guess the most important thing is to figure out what you want to do. Your dad is always going to worry, but you have to make the best decision for you, whether or not he agrees with it. Good luck with whatever you choose! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm sorry to hear this. Sending prayers and good vibes your way. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think it's normal to be nervous. Hopefully all will be well. I will be done with all the requirements this coming Thursday. Let me know how it goes! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I agree, my support of the OP was about all of the comments that I have seen about how people are scared of loose skin. And usually they aren't scared of it from the standpoint that it's a serious or painful medical issue. It's usually about the vanity of fact that it's perceived as "gross". That frustrates me because obesity and all of its co-morbidities seem much more life-threatening to me. It seems like the people overly worried about loose skin pre-op, to the point that they choose not to lose weight, are just scared of the long term lifestyle change that they would have to make for WLS or any massive weight loss. But yes, I know a few people who have had loose skin from massive weight loss and they have gotten plastics because it was giving them back pain and causing infections. I'm likely going to get my WLS in late January, but I have already created a plan to save up for plastics. I've been over 300 lbs for about 5 or 6 years, and heavy most of my life, so the fact that I'm fairly young won't "save" me from loose skin. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for this post, which says a lot of what I personally find annoying with the constant excess skin questions. Very on point! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is really helpful. Now I know what I am doing the night before surgery. I will miss soaking in the tub! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

On top of what everyone else has said, I just want to tell you to try to resolve this situation so that it doesn't stress you out too much longer. I know that stress and MS do not play well together. Sending you love and good vibes! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm not in college but I am in law school (where, like in college, there is a lot of stress and a lot of drinking), so I am curious what people have to say on this topic. I'll be getting sleeved early next year. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I will be sleeved early next year. My highest ever was probably around 400. I started with my surgeon at 350. I'm at about 340 now. I know what you mean about not being able to imagine yourself small. The lowest adult weight I remember being is around 215. But you can definitely be successful with the sleeve at a higher starting weight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! You're so inspirational! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I know what you mean! I worry about having loose skin on my arms and then maybe not being able to wear sleeveless tops as much. But then I see bigger ladies rocking sleeveless tops with chunky arms, so maybe it's just a matter of confidence? But, in regular clothing, you can wear spanx and what not to feel more confident. I would suggest making a plan for how to slowly save for plastic surgery, if that kind of proactive thing makes you feel better. You're still young, which works in your favor in terms of your skin snapping back to its former self. I've also read that (believe me, I've googled this A LOT, haha) staying well hydrated helps the skin, moisturizing well helps, dry brushing helps (because it stimulates cellular turnover to happen), and that strength training helps build muscle, which will help fill in loose skin. Good luck with your journey. You'll find this app pretty helpful. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Aww, thank you! That's a brilliant idea, I love pro/con lists and they really help to lay things more clearly. I also cannot wait to be able to ride a roller coaster again! I haven't in 10 years! That will be an awesome non-scale victory. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm still pre-op, and I understand where you are coming from. I'm 27, and I would of course prefer not to have extra or loose skin after I lose weight. I've been overweight most of my life, and have had some self esteem issues based on that, as well. So, these are some thoughts I have based on your question: I know you don't want to lose the parts of yourself that you like, but I know from experience (I've lost about 100 pounds before) that when you lose weight, you will lose at least some weight from your breasts and might have some loose skin. Here's the most important thing: your health, your ability to LIVE a long and healthy life, is much more important than worrying about loose skin. You say that you can't afford plastic surgery, but that might not be the case forever (because it will take you a year or two to get to your maintainable weight anyway- I'm not sure what your height is, but you've probably got about 200-250 pounds to lose). I know that you want to look good, that's natural, we all want that. But you will feel so much better with weight loss, your confidence will naturally rise. And you will look better at a smaller weight. Think about it, as we get older, we (obese) people tend to put on more and more weight, even if slowly. At some point, our weight will get to a point where it impacts our health, our mobility, and our ability to live a normal life. You say you don't want to be more depressed than you are. But with weight loss, a lot of people find that their depression improves. And with weight loss, it will mean you can exercise more easily, which is a natural anti-depressant. Even if your post-weight loss body doesn't look Hollywood perfect, you will feel so much better. And in terms of the lap-band, I'm not an expert, but I don't recommend it. It's not good for as much weight as you need to lose. Also, I've had 5 friends who have had it, and they all have had some long term complication with it. Some surgeons don't even do them anymore. Regardless, the impact on your body will be the same. It took a while for you to get to 430 pounds, but with surgery you will drop weight quickly, which leads to potential for loose skin. I am almost done with the pre-op process for my insurance and will have my sleeve in about 2 months. I am scared of surgery and I was worried about lose skin, but I just want to feel good again. I want to be able to be more active, I want to have kids and be able to chase them, professionally people take fit people more seriously and treat them with more respect than obese people, and I want to live a long life. These are the reasons why I am doing this. I too don't have money to just drop on plastic surgery (I'm 330, I'll probably need some after I get to my goal of around 140), but I created a savings plan for myself, where I put away a small amount of my paycheck every week into savings for surgery. In regard to your exercise question, during the first 6-8 months, tho weight will come off without exercise because you are eating so little, because your stomach can't hold more. During this time, it's important to establish good healthy eating habits. However, you should exercise, not only because it will make the weight loss faster, but it will also tone your body (somewhat improving loose skin), but also because it naturally feels good to exercise (it releases good endorphins in your body). Also, you will need exercise for later in your journey, when you can eat larger portions, in order to help maintain your weight loss. You are still so young, you have so much living left to do. Loose skin/smaller breasts are nothing to be ashamed of, and they won't kill you the way morbid obesity will. If you can, have the surgery and begin your new life. Keep in mind that you are beautiful and worthwhile regardless of appearance. But when you lose weight and become naturally more confident, it will show on you in the best way! Don't let fear hold you back from getting a surgery that will definitely improve your quality of life. If you ever want to talk, feel free to private message me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It really depends on the weight at which you started. I'm still pre-op but I've used this chart to curb my expectations. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cf/35/f6/cf35f6ddc7eafb8323800bbd1054408a.jpg Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This won't answer all of your questions and I'm still pre-op myself but I have heard that after surgery (and really during any big weight loss phase) you will experience hormone dumping. Your fat stores hormones, and as your fat cells shrink as you lose weight, those hormones come out and can affect your mood and personality. I've also heard that a lot of people go through a grieving process immediately after surgery (and some people even feel like they regret their surgery) because they are still healing and get upset that people around them can just eat whatever food without thinking about it. So that's pretty normal. Once you really start seeing and feeling the weight loss effects of your surgery, you probably will get past this grieving/regret/anger stage. (But still talk to your doctor). One thing I would say though, in regard to your last comment about it being Thanksgiving and everyone but you eating yummy food, is that you need to keep in mind that you had this surgery, not your family and friends. You can't blame them for eating "normal." Your normal is different now. Hopefully your mood will even out soon, but try to let your wife know that you can't help your mood. I'm sure she will understand. And then make it up to her in a few weeks when you're feeling better. Happy wife happy life, as they say! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm still pre-op, so I don't have much to say (because I don't know yet) about the first few weeks post op and all of that, and the posters before me seem to address that nicely. I do just want to suggest a support group, though. It doesn't seem like you're getting much support at home. I know that everyone's relationship is different but if my significant other (we've been together 6 years and he and I live together) told me that the issues I am having from the surgery are "not his problem", I would need to reconsider our relationship. I hope you get in touch with your surgeon soon and you start to feel better! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That is awesome! Congratulations and good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So this will depend on a lot of things. -First, you're only two weeks out, sometimes people are still swollen and healing from surgery, so they may not lose as much as others. -Second, it depends on where you started. If you were 350 you will lose a bit faster (for a while) than someone who started at 250. -Third, even then, people's bodies and metabolisms are different (due to age, genetics, dieting history, etc). So I would tell you that 18 pounds in two weeks is amazing! And while it's important to check yourself against others every so often to make sure that you're on track, I would also say to not compare yourself to others too much. This can become an unhealthy mind game. Either way, congratulations on your weight loss! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! You look awesome! Congratulations! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Even if he is personally against your surgery, he should still be able to go with you as your support. You're married, you've probably been there for him during a hard time, and he should be there for you even if his personal feelings are anti-surgery. But it is your body and your future, and you've got to do it without him if there is no other option. Good luck with everything. It will be worth it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! You look amazing! And, most importantly, I'm sure you feel amazing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

One thing I noticed, and this may or may not be accurate for your situation, is that when I told people who had issues with their weight or who are overweight, they were (at least initially) a lot less supportive than when I told my healthier friends. Maybe your aunt is just projecting her own insecurities onto you because she sees that you're being proactive and maybe she isn't (remember, even some skinny people really struggle with their weight or to stay skinny). This is just my thought on your situation. In the end, you're an adult and you have to be your own best friend and cheerleader sometimes. I wish more people would be supportive, and you can certainly try to explain things to them to try to make them supportive, but in the end only your own support and approval matter. Plus you've got us! Feel free to message me if you ever need to rant/talk/whatever! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App