Shrinking_Shamrock

Starting weight was 219, current weight 171, lowest weight 158, still classified as obese. Had my surgery 3 years ago and am doing everything right but my body is on strike as far as dropping the weight. My main question is (yeah, I know, I shoulda said, "hey everyone I've got a question", ...sorry).., will the state Medicaid/Medicare pay for it or will I have to pinch my pennies to afford it? Sent from my SM-J260T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not really having any health issues aside from asthma, but I guess just feeling that I've done all this work to only be able to take off 48 lbs and still be obese after 3 years., somethings gotta give but my body seems to be on strike as far as what it wants to lose even though I still feel that there are a lot of things that I can't do. I don't sit around like a lump on a log I'm very active, I walk and bike everywhere but as an example, I still can't do a cartwheel without feeling like my body will collapse upon itself. After having a physical 2 weeks ago and seeing the summary still classifying me as obese it makes a person take another look at themself and want to complete the work they started, especially when it is something like this Sent from my SM-J260T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has had a surgery to remove excess skin and then lost more weight and how you handled it..,ie has anyone had MORE surgery to remove more or was your skin more apt to snap back at that point. Am going to be talking to my Dr about removing my panni at my next appointment but was wondering what possibilities I should potentially expect. How long does the swelling last and does the Dr provide you with the compression clothing?, If not where is the best/most affordable place to buy it. Thanks all! [emoji3][emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I ended speak into the plastic surgeon and her office told me that my insurance provider won't allow for me to have removal until I've lost another 25 lb so here I go more weight to lose and keeping fingers crossed

Hello All, just a quick question, I on occasion get Keloid scars after scratches, bug bites and etc., So I was wondering if anyone else deals with them and how they affected your healing after Plastics, did you heal well or did you heal will a large Keloid?, What should I expect, am prepping to talk to my surgeon about plastics but would like to have an idea of what to expect for healing/scarring etc. Thank you All! [emoji16][emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Hello All, I will tell you a little about my story and hope for advice from there., I'm 43 years old, started picking up my weight when I was 9 years old and in my teens I stayed between 160 and 175 then I had my daughter went on Depo Provera and jumped from 175 to 240, my highest weight was 248 and I'm from a family where all of the women have always been heavy, and losing my grandmother in '88 with her being 56 years old and over 550 lbs I had a VSG in April 2016, pre surgery I weighed 219, but since October of 2016 I have been floating from 160 to 165 having in my mind a goal of around 125 to 130, So currently that would put me about 30 to 35 pounds away from my goal and not knowing if that is close enough for me to consider Plastics. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you all and congratulations to everyone and the progress you've all made! [emoji16][emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I use Fatsecret lots to see, read, challenges etc anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Ok, so I know most of us have questions, answers and issues about excess skin and the removal of it, so I'm going to ask a few and hope for some advice/info/suggestions. Let me start by telling you that my VSG was paid for by the state (Rhode Island) and Medicare., I had my surgery on April 18, 2016. I had been overweight/obese for too long, started gaining weight when I was 8/9 and am currently 43.., (being classified as obese for one day is too long), My doctor told me not long ago that having my apron removed would be covered by my insurance but nothing else would be, am not sure if they are incorrect about nothing else being covered but am definitely wondering if I were to save for it out of pocket, how much would it cost typically (I know that the cost vary state-to-state and doctor to doctor)to have my thighs and arms done. Am wondering what kind of expenses anyone may have had for such treatments/surgeries/removals and how everyone healed (big scars,no scars?), How everyone feels after the removal etc etc. Now, I'm still a few months away from talking to my doctors about Plastics but I'm trying to get some advice and info ahead of time so I know what I'm looking at down the line., Any and all advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you all for taking the time to read this and​ Congratulations on all of your​successes! [emoji3][emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Buy a package of star stickers and each time you've done something you don't really want to give yourself a gold star and set a limit to how many you want to collect before trading them in for a mani-pedi, massage, date night with your husband etc etc, not to try and sound cheesy but if you can't think of an idea that's quick and easy this is an option that kind of makes you work harder and rewards you for your work. [emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Have only skimmed the the first page of these posts, but wondering if you've ever thought to look for recipes for homemade protein bars I found some pretty good ones on the SparkPeople recipe pages. I hope you find something somewhere or just had to create something of your own that you can tolerate and gives you the protein that you need. [emoji4][emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Take a breath and relax, everyone's body reacts to surgery differently. No matter how hard you're working whether you see it or not your body is changing. Everyone goes through stalls and nothing happens overnight, remember the surgery is just tool the rest of it's up to you but keep in mind you do have to be patient (no pun intended), I had my surgery one year ago and I've been stuck in the 160's since October. Relax and if you have any major concerns about it call your surgeon they and their team will have the best answers for you that anyone can give you. Good luck and give yourself some time. [emoji3][emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Hello and Congrats to everyone! I know not everyone has a fantabulous insurance plan that will pay for all the plastics we want, so I wanted to ask everyone how have you dealt with your excess skin. There are so many myths about doing certain exercises, using body scrub to bring back elasticity etc., etc.., but truth being known, what has Really Worked? Personally, I have the flabby arms, the apron, and a big issue with my thighs (my thighs are very solid, but the excess skin makes me feel like a baby wearing a diaper).., not trying to sound gross or graphic, but am sure am not the only person who has thighs like that- and wants them Gone. So I guess basically what I am asking is, what has each of you found that Really Worked without plastic surgery? Again, not all of us want to go back under the knife and not all of us are covered for plastics but we all Do want options that are either affordable or free.. Thanks all for advice, suggestions and support [emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I've been going on Wish and making a list of a few things to get myself little by little anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I started my wl journey at 219 (highest weight was 248) am currently floating in the 160's but decided in August that once I got 160 even and my weight doesn't levitate for about a month, I'll be cutting about half of it off, have had my hair all one length down to my butt since high school, it's time for a change [emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Personally, I have been drinking coffee since I was 7yrs old, my Dr and Nut said no caffeine ever because it can cause ulcers., For me I would think I would have had the ulcers many years ago, so not likely for me to give up coffee. I also tried decaf coffee (Sanka) and decaf tea.., can't do it, will just enjoy my regular coffee as I always have. Didn't start drinking coffee until I was 6 weeks post-op though, wanted to make sure I would be OK with it. And don't forget, just because you loved a food or drink before surgery, you may not be able to stomach certain things anymore. [emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Lauren, please remember that as we lose and exercise we are building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. Try taking your measurements and focusing on the changes you see there, also pay attention to your clothing sizes, I'm 1 year post-op (Surgiversary is April 18) and have only lost 56 lbs, but am not focusing on only my weight am also taking my measurements and being proud of the clothing sizes that I have shrunk to. Keep your head up, it may not be noticeable on the scale but your body is changing. [emoji256] anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Going out for a movie or other activity, and buying myself new everything..,lol anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I wonder, have you thought about how vulnerable he is now due to health issues he may be facing? Try to think of the positives that will come of his surgery., he will be able to interact more with you physically, he will have the energy to do things that he can't do now. Think of it more as improving his health improving his life he will have the chance to be there with you and for you longer due to the improvements that this surgery will bring to his health. I don't know what kind of activities the two of you enjoy but he will have more energy if you like bowling he'll be able to throw more balls, he'll have the energy to go for a walk with you. From my point of you not knowing how he looks at himself he will be happier which in turn will make you happier. I understand that you're terrified of how things will change between the two of you but try to not think of it that way. Don't you want him to live a long life and be able to share that with him? This surgery will give him the tools he needs to live that long life. Please don't take offense at this but it really does sound like you're thinking more of yourself than you are of him anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I'm one year past my surgery and I'd like to give you girls some advice,let me suggest bringing a pair of earplugs and a sleep mask, if you share a room you may be trying to sleep while your roommate is watching TV or having guests and noone wants to be kept awake directly after surgery. I know most ladies aren't ready for it but a lot of us end up having a cycle while we are there so I would suggest bringing sanitary pads, also I know people want to bring bathrobes but they aren't always easy to access to put on over your IV in that regard I would bring comfortable loose shorts so that you can cover you bum without being uncomfortable. Everyone should bring a pillow for your car ride home to place it between your belly and your seatbelt because otherwise you will be in great discomfort also again ladies I would suggest wearing a sports bra for after your surgeries the clips from regular bras will cause pain and fussing to put them on in the first place will be uncomfortable. To keep myself occupied I had also brought a coloring book and colored pencils, minor hygiene items -although the hospital will most likely have everything you need, sometimes using things from home make you feel better, slippers, phone charger and for your trip home I would also suggest something loose like a pair of sweatpants and unless you have someone to tie your shoes I suggest slippers because you're not going to want to bend over. Sorry, not trying to babble here, just trying to give advice of what you may need vs what you may want with you. anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Hello All! A little about myself, had my VSG on April 18, 2016 at Miriam Hospital in Providence Rhode island, surgeon was Dr. V (Vithiananthan), started getting heavy when I was 7 and have a family history of all of the women in my family being heavy and I wanted to live past 50, so at 42 years old and 220 pounds, my heaviest being 248 with me being a short person I knew what I needed to do. I I knew it wouldn't be easy and it still isn't it took some time to get me down to 163 and I'm still having trouble with stalls and someone to kick me in the rear end and get me on track. With a boyfriend who loves to cook and loves to eat even more it's hard for me to do what I know I'm supposed to it's even harder but I don't have a walking buddy in my area., I'm the kind of person who if I have conversation while I'm walking I won't even realize I'm moving but with no one to distract me from what I'm doing it's less likely that I'm going to do anything and I'm sure I'm not the only person who's like this, and that is why I could really use the help from a buddy or 2., I know I'm still a ways from my goal of 120 pounds but was my next follow-up appointment with the surgeon being on April 4th I would really like to be down to 150., I know it's not unreasonable but for me it's very hard to do without some kind of support system. Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my plea. anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I already try to limit my carbs not as easy as I just hoped it would be though b/c the bf insists on some form of carb with every single meal, I try to eat my protein first and my veggies and a few bites of the carb but sometimes it is verrry tempting and I end up having more of it than I should., when I do snack I try stuff like wasabi peas, peanuts, sesame sticks, dried or fresh fruits, but having him sitting right next to me drives me nuts when I see him snacking on cookies, ice cream and all those sweets and goodies that I can't/shouldn't have., And can't really escape seeing him snack, we live in an apartment the same size as an exam room anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Has anyone tried the flavor bursts/shots that you add to water, I've found a few that are actually pretty good, and with low to no calories or sugar anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

Not sure what meds you are on (not really my business) but when I was going to the classes and support group for being pre-op, we were told that we couldn't take any pills that were bigger than a regular m&m as anything bigger than that could get stuck and cause pain and issues. anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]

I had my 1 year follow up with my surgeon's office yesterday (Surgiversary is actually April 18), am still stuck in the 160's, but they told me because of the weight loss calculator that we use before our surgeries to know what to expect our weights to be, with mine saying I should be in the 160's, they told me that breaking through the next 10 to 15 pounds is going to be the hardest, even though I've been stuck in the high 160's since November. And even though the bf won't walk with me, my mom said just last night that she will.,planning on daily walks of roughly a mile or so to start. anything worth doing is Never easy [emoji3]