LaLaDee

Oh, one thing I want to add. I'm 5'3", and at my high weight of 393 I was probably as big around as I was tall, and my stomach touched the steering wheel in my car. It was very uncomfortable. I am 343 now and my stomach no longer touches the steering wheel and I sure won't miss that!

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Ok, am I really the only one who LOVES wearing black leggings now that I’m smaller??
I NEVER wore leggings when I was bigger (I remember feeling fat in them), and always wore jeans (and always dark wash jeans, lol).
I heart leggings!

Thank-you all for your uplifting and supportive comments. I am 55 so myself I don't care what the world thinks. It was hurtful to hear it, because I know there is nothing I can do about it, but they keep cheering me on. I have starting to lose weight again, but at a much slower rate. So maybe that will help future issues. Again thanks to all of you, you are my biggest supporters!

It so mean and pointless to point out you have loose skin. It's absolutely not your fault, while time, body tightening creams and some exercises may help some people a little bit, for others there's nothing you can do, due to a combination of genetics, age, how many times you have lost and gained weight, skin elasticity etc. It doesn't mean that you didn't exercise! No amount of bicep curls would have gotten rid of loose skin on my arms. I really wish people understood that!
About two years ago, I actually went to one of those body sculpting clinics, they do "non-surgical" fat freezing and they said they couldn't help me with my arms. I'm glad I went somewhere reputable and they didn't just take thousands of dollars from me. They basically said, plastic surgery was my only option.
I just had my first plastic surgery, and waited 3 years. Honestly, the loose skin is like a trophy and it tells a story of how far you have come! I try to be proud of my stretch marks and skin, it's a lot better than the alternative, having that skin filled with fat! Plastic surgery is a game changer, but it's expensive and not for everyone. While I'm thrilled with my arm lift, I don't take any blame for the loose skin (as my surgeon explained, there was nothing I could have done to improve it on my own), I'm very proud of what I accomplished with weight loss. If the skin bothers you (I had rashes and pain), then you can consider your options. It's no one else's business! And nothing for anyone to comment on!!!

That is really unkind. you've lost weight and gotten healthier. I'm sorry they aren't being more supportive, you have so much to be proud of! be kind to yourself.

♥️ HAPPY SURGEVERSARY♥️

That looks fantastic. Looks very thin and well placed. Making me reconsider if I should get mine done while I have this quarantined time to heal. 🤨

My "before" photo - only a few days to go....

That's amazing! I can tell that the scars will be virtually invisible! They look great already! Congratulations on putting this behind you!!!

I modified the Salad Dressing from this version: https://emilybites.com/2019/01/thai-chicken-chopped-salad-with-peanut-dressing.html
I like lime, so I used juice from two limes and one packet of stevia instead of the brown sugar. The salad is best with Napa cabbage, but my store was out so I used regular coleslaw cabbage and carrot mix. I added a red bell pepper, two green onions, and about 3 oz of snow peas. All together, with dressing, my tiny serving was under 30 kcals, with 3 g net carbs. My chicken was marinated in mixture of zest from two limes, 3 Tbsp soy, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Sriracha, handful of cilantro, .5 tsp salt, 2 clove garlic, 1 tbsp ginger (fresh or paste) for about 6 hours with 1.3 pound boneless chicken breast fillets. I make the marinade and dressing in my bullet mixer for ease. My portion was about 2.5-3 oz chicken, .5 cup salad, and 1 tbsp dressing.

I like looking at everyone's food in the middle of the night

some people would say that people who are really tied into the bariatric community - like participating on these boards and/or active in support groups - tend to do better than average, so that might be part of it. I'm still active in the community at five years out because it keeps my head in the game and keeps me (mostly) on track, and I'm sure that's the case with a lot of people who are regulars on here. That kind of thing can make a difference.

Interesting using that calculator and everyone responses to what it says you should have weighed 1 year out. Seems like everyone did way better than it calculated.. that is optimistic.
It says I will reach my goal (135 lbs) after 1 year.. I am almost 3 months out and I have 23 lbs to go. I am losing pretty slowly... 2 lbs a week'ish, so I was hoping I'd be at my goal by December... but I think it is feasible.

I haven't seen that outcomes calculator before. It's quite interesting. I'm three years post op, but I put in my data prior to surgery and it predicted that I would be 259lbs in my third year, I'm actually about 210. I think that calculator is pretty conservative, so it's definitely very realistic in what you can achieve. I think a lot of people, e.g. on these forums are doing much better than what would be predicted by that calculator, but it really is up to the individual.

Of course. I appreciate how scary the whole plastics business is, but it's actually been amazing for me so I'm willing to share some of my story. You might be able to see the baggy deposits under my arm pits in my "before" pictures earlier in the thread, they're the reason I needed the extended Brachioplasty. They used to chafe against my bra and made life generally uncomfortable, along with the saggy skin that dropped below my arms, it's all magically gone. The trade off is obviously the scars, but I'm amazed how my whole body looks thinner. Below are some pretty graphic photos (don't look if you're squeamish) at around 2 weeks post surgery. Apologies for my messy bathroom and strange angles.
Things seem to be healing pretty nicely, I'm wearing silicon tape and hoping for the best long term outcome but as my surgeon warned me multiple times, it's tough to predict how arm lift scars will heal. Even if the scars don't improve much, my clothes fit so much better. It's amazing!
I'm in a similar position to you, in that my BMI is still in the "unhealthy" range, but I definitely dropped a few pounds/kilos from the skin removal (noting that I did have some lipo). I hold most of my weight in my stomach, so that's where my loose skin really bothers me and where there may be a bigger difference in terms of weight loss following removal. I'm pretty keen to get the Tummy Tuck. I think I would easily go down 2 sizes in jeans if I had a tummy tuck. I also think it would motivate me to maintain weight loss and possibly even lose more. I'm still undecided at this stage if I want to drop anymore weight before more plastics or just go for it. However, I feel so amazing after my Brachioplasty. And I think I look better now than following my surgery a few years back when I was 20lbs lighter. The shape of my body just feels more feminine without my giant arms. I think our happiness with our new bodies/lives is about more than just a number on the scale. Plastics has been so great for my self esteem, but some people seem to lose weight without the loose skin and don't need it. I think it's a really personal decision, dependent on your bodies goals, self esteem and finances.

Thanks! Good tip. Just did a quick google and apparently we need heaps of Protein after plastics.

Another quick update because it's been 5 days since my extended brachioplasty. I saw the surgeon and nurse today for my follow up appointment. The bandages are off and the drains are out! I'm allowed to shower again! I feel like a new woman! YAY!!! I haven't taken any pain killers at all today. Things are a bit itchy, my skin has small rashes from where the compression bandages are (this is just my pale sensitive skin doing its thing), so I'm supposed to use body lotion - except on the incisions. I also got a new compression garment. I'm tempted to order another one on Amazon so that I don't have to frantically wash it all the time, but we'll see. My surgeon's clinic also gave me a cute gift bag with a nice note, products and some fancy chocolate.
Feeling so happy and thankful. Hope everyone else is doing well!

I thought I would share more about my Brachioplasty. I know that I scoured these forums and reddit trying to get info and advice before hand, so it only seemed fair to share my story too. I had the surgery a few days ago. Despite concerns around scarring, nerve damage and the surgery triggering an autoimmune response (I dealt with a ton of horrible illnesses after my VSG), I decided to go through with it. My first consultation was July 7th and I had the surgery on the 23rd of July when a slot became available (probably due to a cancellation from the pandemic). I felt like the universe was giving me a nudge and I had to take it!!
While I'm only a few days post op, I'm so thankful that it went well. Minimal pain (particularly compared to my VSG). I was so relieved that I could still move my arms a bit, I was concerned I wouldn't even be able to feed myself! I can't lift anything heavy, but I could drink from a glass of Water after the surgery.
I actually ended up staying the night in hospital. I could have gone home, but the general made me pretty groggy so the nurse suggested I stay. My family was quite relieved as my VSG was quite tough on my body - my blood pressure wouldn't go down and then my body freaked out with a range of autoimmune disorders from the shock a week or two later.
While the drains are pretty gross, it's manageable. I've been able to sleep really well in my bed (I read about people having to sleep upright in a chair but I didn't have to do this). There also hasn't been any horror movie style blood on my sheets (OK, a few small spots through my PJs). My hands are a bit less swollen today so that's exciting. It really feels like I'm already on the mend and it's only been a few days.
I'm looking forward to getting the drains out in the next few days. I can't wait to walk the dogs again. I know that I've got a lot of work ahead in terms of scar management, but I'm hopeful that they won't be so noticeable with time.
I've been so busy the last few years, that it's felt weird to just lie in bed and watch Netflix. Even with the quarantine, I was working crazy hours from home. Never just relaxing. Then I started a series of projects at home. I went through my closet, organised the pantry, took longer walks, did craft, cooked and baked etc, helped a friend with her studies, etc. There's always somewhere to be, something to do. After a few days, I'm starting to enjoy this forced rest and relaxation. I don't need to be busy all the time, I can be still.
I'm so thankful that I found a surgeon and anaesthetist who took such great care of me. Even though, I have (diagnosed) anxiety, I was able to get through it all because they kindly answered all my questions.
My key learnings from surgery:
Keep the old button up PJs and zip up hoodies when they get too big for you as you lose weight. They might come in handy for plastics - they're easy to put on and fit loosely around drains and swelling. Have a surgery plan (people to take you to hospital, meals in the freezer, someone to care for pets, children, plants). Have lozenges on hand (my throat still hurts from the surgery), lip balm, a good book, pack light for the hospital (someone else will have to carry your bag). Find the right surgeon, go to multiple consultations. Make a list of questions. Call them up with more questions. Keep up hydration and walking after surgery. Hope everyone is doing well at the moment! Much love to my bariatric pals. Other than some of my family, I don't share that I had the sleeve and plastics. Sometimes I feel really weird about my "secret life" that I keep from everyone, but that's what makes me comfortable. Here with you wonderful people, I feel less lonely. I'm one of the many vets who dropped off a bit. You start living life and it gets busy! However, right at the time in my life, I'm happy to be in this community with such supportive, lovely ladies (some of the guys here are OK too).
Anyway, wow - that felt like an essay. Whew! Some pics below in case anyone is interested.

My "before" photo - only a few days to go....

You poor thing! I hope they figure it out. I hope I didn't come across as flippant - as if the results are all up to the individual's commitment. I know there are a range of factors outside your control which can really slow you down. Trust me! Right after my surgery, I got a range of chronic illnesses, one caused painful arthritis so I couldn't move or exercise at all, I was also quite dizzy (which turned out to be a brain lesion) and had some vision issues (uveitis and some other inflammation which was causing migraines). Anyway, while they tried to figure it all out, I was on steroids/prednisone for about 18 months (which is a great way to gain weight quickly) and tried a lot of medications (in and out of hospital for months) for different issues which caused me a ton of side effects.
However, there is always hope, I went on a biologic medication last year (took ages to get approved because it's very expensive) and am finally, finally getting on top of symptoms and figuring out my way forward with a healthy lifestyle and trying to get on top of my mental health. Hopefully, your medical team will figure it out and help you. I know that it gets frustrating because some people seem to have their surgery and BAM hit goal within a few months, whilst others get stuck with a bad deal (whether it's a medical issue or something else). Please know that you're not alone! Make sure that you take care of yourself!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but from the few people I have told that I'm in the process of it, I can tell you what I have learned: people who do or have struggled with their weight are generally "safe" and supportive; people who have not, generally are not (save for my husband, thankfully!) Going forward, I'm only going to share this info with those whom I know will at least somewhat "get it." I don't need the negativity when this is already challenging enough. Once the weight is all gone, I'll be more open about it because nothing shuts naysayers up like results! It's nobody's business but your own. I'd just say that I've been working on it.

it seems like most people who fail (provided it's not some mechanical failure with the surgery, which is rare) do so because they aren't consistently following the plan. So just be hyper-committed, and you should be fine.
the headache, fatigue, etc is probably due to carb withdrawal. Mine got a lot better by about day 4.
if you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, just smile and nod when the dietitian tells you that you should have lost double the weight. I was a slow loser throughout my whole weight loss journey, which was pointed out to me by one of the medical residents ("you should have lost a lot more by now"). I ended up losing 100% of my excess weight and blowing most of their patients out of the Water. If you're following the program to a "T", you're good.

I hope you're right! According to my estimated weightloss, it's showing 162 - my goal is 130 (agreed upon with my surgeon as being totally realistic).

I had issues with that at about two years out and they did a complete work-up. Everything normal. It was a head-scratcher for sure. But then it got really bad one afternoon about an hour or two after I had a piece of cake at some retirement party at work. My PCP suspects it may have been reactive hypoglycemia - and that my glucose level just happened to be normal at the time of the work-up. Although I'm sure you've been tested for that. I now eat something every three hours or so and always pair a carb (when I eat them) with a Protein. It seems to have worked... But again, not sure what your issue is. I hope they can figure it out!

I haven't seen that outcomes calculator before. It's quite interesting. I'm three years post op, but I put in my data prior to surgery and it predicted that I would be 259lbs in my third year, I'm actually about 210. I think that calculator is pretty conservative, so it's definitely very realistic in what you can achieve. I think a lot of people, e.g. on these forums are doing much better than what would be predicted by that calculator, but it really is up to the individual.