Light&Fluffy

Hi! I’m March 9 th as well. I’m at my final pre op appt as we speak and it’s now becoming a reality that this is really about to happen 😬. I’m nervous too but look forward to good health in the future.

I am March 9th! I am scared out of my mind, but upbeat about my new life.

I am so scared. I have been overweight/obese my whole life. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIN! food has been everything to me since I am an emotional eater. I am afraid that I will be a "bobble head", I will lose my long hair, I will have a body of skin that can be used as a blanket, that I will not be able to socialize for dates, dinners or holidays. I keep saying "oh I can just eat healthier and I won't need the surgery", but I also know that I have type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and DVT/pulmonary embolism (recovered) and I haven't done anything seriously to help get rid of these ailments. I want to be healthy, but I am so very scared of the "what ifs". If you respond, please be kind

I have to say..you are my hero...putting yourself out there to help others is as good as it gets. You are one heck of a woman. Thank you and you are looking great. Larry
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Hello all,
I have learned a ton from everyone's reviews on this site, so am hoping I can do the same for something else. I had a T Tummy Tuck and full upper inner thigh lift along with a hernia repair on December 29th. The surgery was six hours and the doctor removed five pounds of skin. The surgery went great. The day after surgery my hemoglobin became low, which required a blood transfusion. For that reason, I stayed two nights in the hospital. I live nearly two hours from the hospital, but took medication just before leaving and do not remember much of the ride home.
A couple things that have been life savers for me are; I rented a reclining lift chair and purchased a toilet seat riser. The incisions from my thigh lift go around the back of my leg, under by butt cheek, which makes it very difficult to sit on ANYTHING, therefore I use the bathroom holding myself up on the handles on the seat riser. I purchased a shower chair but becuase I cannot sit have not used it and also purchase a walker, but have not needed that. I feel fortunate from what I have seen on other posts because I can walk standing perfectly straight. Don't get me wrong, it takes me a minute to get stretched out when I stand up, but not bad at all. I have stayed on top of medication, taking pain medication every fours hours, along with Vitamins, Iron, laxitive, etc. I had my first bowl movement today, not as bad as I expected, but I sure am glad it's over with.
I have five drains and was able to take my first shower yesterday, which was amazing! I have been recording the drain output three times a day and they are doing great. I have to call tomorrow to schedule my post-op appointment. They all take place on Saturdays, so I am planning to go down December 7th to have some of the drains removed. I am prepared to keep a couple, but based on the minimal drainage, it would be amazing if he removed them all.
My insurance paid for the hernia repair and most of the tummy tuck. My out of pocket expense was $11,300.
I am attaching a couple pictures for reference and would be happy to answer any questions I can.

One word of advice - don't chase the perfect "last meal" prior to surgery. Even if you think you've come up with the perfect meal you'll end up wishing/wanting something else the next day. Truth is in time you will get cravings for old comfort foods. Some I have from time to time and have no issue with. Others I haven't even bothered with. Moderation is the key for anything in life. Naturally you'll want to stick to plan as much as possible through the honeymoon phase.
On the other side you'll be so excited at seeing results that it will help you stick to plan. It's when things taper off and you hit some stalls that it will be more difficult. Those are the times that test you. Don't go at it with the sadness of "I've never going to eat these things again" and feel like it's the end of the world. For me dollar menu burgers from McDonald's was at least a weekly thing for me before surgery. Haven't had one now in over a year and don't really care about it. Sure I get a craving for one every now and then, but I still get those cravings to have a smoke and it's been like 6 years since I quit smoking.
Long story short don't worry about it so much. This is the time to take a good hard look at your relationship with food, and yes, it can be eye opening at how much control it has in our lives.

Oh no, at this point I'm at about 1000-1200 per day. I eat too much bacon for 700 calories in a day. lol!!!!

I am so scared. I have been overweight/obese my whole life. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIN! food has been everything to me since I am an emotional eater. I am afraid that I will be a "bobble head", I will lose my long hair, I will have a body of skin that can be used as a blanket, that I will not be able to socialize for dates, dinners or holidays. I keep saying "oh I can just eat healthier and I won't need the surgery", but I also know that I have type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and DVT/pulmonary embolism (recovered) and I haven't done anything seriously to help get rid of these ailments. I want to be healthy, but I am so very scared of the "what ifs". If you respond, please be kind

I feel you on the fear. I was there not too long ago. I have been making excuses to my primary care doctor for the last 5 years. Then the blood pressure meds got prescribed, the thyroid meds got prescribed and the glucose started to creep up. I went from saying "what if" something went wrong during the surgery to "what if" I don't address my obesity.
In my case and in what appears to be your case as well... the what ifs for surgery greatly out weigh the what ifs against surgery.
Most surgeons have monthly if not weekly informational seminars. That did it for me. He presented the success % numbers with vs without WLS.. also met people who have gone through the surgery. Maybe check out a seminar or a local support group to calm your fears.
We are all here for you!
Cheers,
Rob

Same here!! Hayyyy

Queens , NY here

I can relate to the life long struggle. I am 38. Just sleeved 1/23/18. Highest weight 322 Surgery weight 290 Current weight 253 Goal weight 150. I have tried so many diets before and been up and down in weight with nothing that really worked for long or with much weight loss in the last 20 years and been so discouraged and just about given up. I have PCOS, thyroid, been on meds that cause weight gain and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year and decided to take the plunge. So glad I made the decision! Before the surgery with the support from the clinic, and making small changes preparing for the surgery I was able to lose 40 lbs. I actually chickened out cancelled my surgery holidays hit and gained 10 lbs back and then rescheduled with more confidence and was ready to do it in January. Within a month I lost another 30 lbs right away! It’s an entire lifestyle change now and I’m never looking back. I physically cannot! My stomach won’t allow it! I look forward to my new life each and every day! No longer show diabetic in my lab work and off four of my meds. Life is good! So worth it! What do you have to lose?

One of the driving factors for me, is having a heart doctor tell me that i do not have type 2 diabetes now, but i will soon enough. I have seen what diabetes does to a person, and I want no part of it... I would rather every hair on my body fall out, then to let diabetes destroy me, one organ at a time. If you can remember to take your meds and monitor your diet to keep your diabetes manged, then you can have the surgery and maintain a healthier life too! Surg on my friend, and get healhty!

You're throwing up road blocks for yourself.
Are any of the potential negative consequences of weight loss (extra skin etc.) worse than the known consequences of being obese?
I get it, we are all afraid of change, of the unknown. But are you happy as you are? Isn't it worth the risk to be happier and healthier?

I would say think of it like this. You have procrastinated for so long. And through out that time procrastinating time, you couldve alrradu had sirgery, recovered, lost the weight, tightened skined by going to the gym AND probably splurged yourself to a Tummy Tuck if it really bothers. But the best thing of all..you would've been not carrying all of the diabetes and Pecos and other issues and concerns you may have regarding your health. I personally delayed my sleeve 2 years just because i wanted to prove my self that i could do it with out surgery. Guess what? 2 years passed and i gained more than what i lost. I called it a day and schedule my visit with bariatric provider. Now 6 days after surgery, here i am, I've already lost 15lbs. I honestly think you CAN do it. Just put you mind and soul into it. Good luck!!

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I am a 66-year-old female. Like you I have been having my whole life. I had my surgery 3 1/2 months ago, and I’ve lost 47 pounds. Not a great weight loss but great for me. You have to change voices in your head. Every morning look in the mirror and say one positive thing about yourself. This is something I have to do to. Try to be as positive during the day as you can. Small steps. You can do this for yourself. If family is not there to support you I am.Be strong be brave be hopeful. Don’t let anything or anyone come between you and your goal. You will find away. Love and support to you!

I am so scared. I have been overweight/obese my whole life. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIN! food has been everything to me since I am an emotional eater. I am afraid that I will be a "bobble head", I will lose my long hair, I will have a body of skin that can be used as a blanket, that I will not be able to socialize for dates, dinners or holidays. I keep saying "oh I can just eat healthier and I won't need the surgery", but I also know that I have type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and DVT/pulmonary embolism (recovered) and I haven't done anything seriously to help get rid of these ailments. I want to be healthy, but I am so very scared of the "what ifs". If you respond, please be kind