Cyclemama

I was a similar size to you, but a bit younger (in my 30s). I'm 5'8 and my BMI had been 32 when I had the VSG in August of 2015, but the highest it had ever been was 34.5. It's now 20.5; I've lost and kept off 86 pounds. My lowest weight was 5 pounds less than I am now, but the small gain was actually beneficial to my appearance, making my face look more youthful again. I'm still wearing an XS / size 2-4, which is surreal to me considering that fitting back into a size 14 had been a goal two years ago.
I have no loose skin. I've never taken any special Vitamins or used lotions other than the typical one I apply when stepping out of the shower. I think losing weight at a very slow pace aided my skin's ability to adapt. Some people lose more than I did in a year in a few months, depending on their starting stats. Some the same size as me lost as much weight in half the time. It took 11 months for me to reach my first goal, and 18 for me to reach my second. I've maintained that weight for about six months. I focused the most on sustainable weight loss and developing new habits, so I was disciplined about what I ate, but careful to not be so strict that I'd be more likely to fall off the proverbial wagon. It caused me to lose weight less rapidly than many others, but I'm still pleased.
I'm grateful every day that I had this surgery, and I hope it improves your life as it has mine.

I'm not going to be much help as I am not at goal weight yet. But I have similar stats to yours. I am 7 months post sleeve. I am 45, 5'7" tall, was a 34 BMI, and was an apple shape. I have lost 50 lbs. Been stuck at a plateau for 6 weeks. I do not have loose hanging skin at this point. My arms and belly are soft and kind of crepey but no obvious skin folds, flaps. I think because I am losing it so slowly the skin is shrinking along with my fat.

After RNY surgery, you are required to take many Vitamins for the rest of your life. This is because you body no longer synthesizes vitamins from food. That part of your stomach has been cut away, so this daily requirement is extremely important. Vitamin chemistry is important for absorption. Calcium supplements should be calcium citrate. There are also different chemistries of B12. I use the sublingual B12 and was told to use methylcobalamin. You cannot use a time-release version of B12. If you are taking Iron supplements, it must be ferrous sulfate for the best absorption. gummy vitamins are not absorbed properly and should be avoided.
It is important to put a 2 hour separation between the vitamins that contain iron and those that contain calcium. So in my case I found that what works best for me is to take the iron supplements just before bedtime. I put my vitamins in a weekly pill container. I have one container for the morning and one for the night. And I use a very small glass bowl for my calcium supplements. I put my calciums in the bowl in the morning and take them throughout the day. If I am up and about I put my calciums in a ziplock bag and carry them with me.
The directions I received after surgery was:
Three Flintstone complete chewable Multivitamins daily.
Additional 65 milligrams elemental iron daily for menstruating women.
1500 to 1800 milligrams calcium citrate daily [this can be tricky because the dosage rate is per 2 capsules - therefore this can mean around 5-8 capsules per day depending on the size (petite or regular)].
500 to 1000 micrograms sublingual B12 daily or 1000 microgram injection once monthly.
100 milligrams Thiamine (vitamin B1) daily for the first year and then weekly thereafter.
In the morning I put my Citricals in a small finger bowl. Then I take a couple every couple hours. When I am up and about I put them in a zip lock bag and take them with me. For me this is not difficult. Sometimes I take two at once.
But right after surgery, I lost my ability to swallow large pills and I had to crush them. It was like eating chalk. The only way I could down these was by mixing them with crystal light and drinking them down. Because they formed a paste at the bottom of the glass. I had to remix these and chug them down several times. Luckily my inability to swallow lasted only a couple months and then I was back to normal.
There are many different selections of vitamins out there. This is the regiment that I followed but there are many different vitamin options available today.

Really if you think about it...when friends and family say they don't think you are that fat or they think you look great the way you are...what do we expect them to say...yeah you really need to lose weight you are really fat! People naturally want to make you feel ok about yourself. I don't think they mean to be unsupportive they just lack understanding of your life or the surgery. I have learned not to take it personally. I have to do what I need to do to get off this unhealthy merry go round! They'll get it it when I am healthy!

ME TOO __ THERE SHOULD BE A LOW BMI GROUP ON HERE.
My surgery date is 5/18 - I started at 190- I'm 184 right now. I'm 5'2", and 56 years old. I have been between 180 - 190 for 20 years.

I am 35 years old and I currently have a BMI of 34. I have been every BMI number from my highest BMI of 40 to my lowest BMI of 25 (with the help of prescription meds,diet, and lots of EXERCISE). I have been on this diet roller coster for 20 + years and I am done with it! I am done with the feelings of guilt for eating a peice of MY birthday cake, I am tired of working my butt off to lose just a little bit of weight and low and behold gain it back and then some! i am totally done with my cholesterol being 280!!!!!!!!!!! I am tired of being on dangerous diets, starving myself, running till my knees are completely sore and the plantar faciatis flares up, taking amphetamine prescription meds that are surly not doing my body good, all to gain it all back! Why wait till my BMI is back up to 40 or more and all the comorbidities that go with it? Why wait till you have stretched all your skin out and have to have MORE surgery to remove it? Why abuse your body until that magical day when you are totally unhealthy and can NOW have the surgery because NOW everyone is ok with it? Why not take care of business now and get on with living life? So as of Jan 13,2015, GAME OVER! This girl is getting off the roller coaster and getting on with life! I cannot wait for this new way of eating and living! See this is a change for the rest of our lives not till this diet ends or till I get to goal! It's FOREVER and I can't wait!! ???????? I pray and hope that you all have the best success and I applaude you all for being advocates of YOUR own health!

I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy.