okayestmom

So, the VA referred me to plastic surgery to have a cyst removed from my knee. The surgeon said I qualified for skin removal because of the amount of my weight loss. I had no idea they would cover this, because they don’t cover Bariatric surgery unless you are on tri-care. The nurse practitioner said he is a good surgeon and that she would let him do work on her. I requested the referral and my Dr. put it in. We met and he said he could do the tummy tuck with liposuction and even make fake abs if I want them. He said the skin on my thighs isn’t as bad but that he could liposuction my inner thighs during the same operation. He also said the fat could be injected into my breast. I already met my deductible because of my gallbladder surgery, so I scheduled for December. I can do all of this or nothing. Still not sure what I want to do with my belly button either. I always had an outie, but when they did my gallbladder surgery they “repaired my hernia” which means they chopped off my belly button. 😂 I like to make phantom belly button pain jokes. the ladies at the gym say I should get the abs. I have been flat chested my whole life. I bought bra’s in the kids section and couldn’t get a nursing bra in my size when I breast fed. This should be interesting. I am 49 now do I really need to do this? Probably not, but I think I am going to because if I am getting one thing done might as well go for it and do all the pain at once. Hubby is worried about another major surgery but is supportive of what ever I decide. has anyone had all three of these procedures done? The tummy tuck would involve muscle reconstruction and liposuction on sides. What should I do with my belly button? I feel like it is already missing. 😂

I can still do the crescent thigh lift, but he won’t do it in the same procedure as the tummy tuck. Combination of time for surgery and preference not to work on the back and front in the same operation (he believes this increases the chance of infection). I think I am going to do the lipo and hope that the 10 million squats I have been doing at the gym will help with firming things up haha.

I tried looking him up and I watched lots of episodes of botched. I was able to find out where he went to school and where he worked previously In the Dallas metroplex area. It appears he did a lot of work with burn victims. He only works at my VA hospital two days a week. When we met he talked about doing the procedures I will have previously and the outcomes. He did say he only ever had one patient complaint (she claimed she could not stand up straight). I couldn’t find anything on the internet, but if there was a settlement I am sure that is why there is nothing there. I actually appreciate the honesty though. He will do a more extensive thigh surgery if I want, but not in the same surgery. I would have to wait at least 6 months. I am scheduled for pre-op appointments December 2nd. Still time to back out, but I think I am going to go for it. Not going to lie though, when they talked about scheduling the chest X-ray and EKG my stomach went a little woozy because this just got real. For some reason watching surgeries involving internal organs doesn’t bother me, but seeing someone’s skin removed is scary. At least I won’t be watching it.

1 year 4 months out 49 years old. The loose skin on my belly did not bounce back. Not super happy with the bags under my eyes, but even though my neck is a bit wrinkly it is not the worst. I never thought plastics was going to be an option due to finances. I was okay with that. Then I found out that it is covered. I just moved out of my resistance classes and into actual strength training, so the important thing is how much better I feel and how much more I can do now. My plastics is scheduled for December 11th, I am kinda worried about the recovery time, but I am hoping that getting stronger each day prior to the surgery will help. Plus I am excited to get the added liposuction on those stubborn fat areas.

Took a full year. Staying between 140-145. Currently 142, but getting stronger doing strength training.

How is your daughter doing now? Did they figure it out?

I gained 18 lbs, but I did get back to my original obese number after the two week pre-op diet. I followed it exactly because I didn’t want to die in surgery or have them not do the surgery due to my liver being enlarged. It has been over a year, but I still remember trying to sleep my way through the pre-op diet. It was hell then, but it is funny now. 😂. People on on this app got me through it.

I gained weight after my initial visit to the bariatric surgeon. I wanted to eat everything that I wouldn’t be able to eat after. I didn’t fail, it took me longer than most and I went through some things, but ultimately succeeded and feel better than I have in years. I did have to change everything about the way I was eating. Some people can just eat smaller portions of all the food and lose the weight, but I am not one of those people. For me, getting the surgery was the help I needed. What if you succeed?

The only advantage to being flat chested is less droop, but when you need a 36 to 38 for rib cage they expect you to be a big A or at least a B. I only wear padded sports bras because that is all that fits. I am excited about buying an actual bra and how it might look in clothes. I considered implants when I was younger, but between the cost and the success with extremely flat chested women (not good) I chose to just wear a fluffy bra for special occasions (after they started making them) Also, they worked for breast feeding and that is what they are there for. 😂😂😂 My husband was all into looking into implants when we were younger, but isn’t that enthusiastic about pumping some fat into them now....I think he just doesn’t want me to do something where something can go wrong.

I wish my husband and I could do this together. He has some chronic health issues that cause him to lose weight to easily and has to eat a high calorie diet to maintain his weight. I also try to avoid processed food. My husband was the cook, so I had a pretty big learning curve learning to cook for myself. The downside is that every family event and get together revolves around my husband cooking or going out to eat. He really enjoys it and I think it has been a hard transition for him as well. I know because the last child just left for college and now our youngest dog is overweight. He feels horrible about it. She is on a diet now and taking extra walks with me. I think he shows people (and dogs) that he loves them by feeding them.

I had liver problems most likely from chronic gallbladder issues. Small stones passing through the common duct. They never could find out for sure, but the problem resolved after gallbladder removal and my liver biopsy came back good. Edit- it took about 3 months for bilirubin and liver enzymes to return to normal.

Thanks! The people that post to this app have been inspirational for me. My weight loss was slower than most, but loss is loss (I did have some gain along the way and also had to put a dog down for the first time in my life). My daughters dog, Remi will forever be in my heart. I called her my obesity dog because she really liked going for walks with me. Our vet did everything they could. When I do leave this world I want it to be as peaceful and calm as her passing. Anyhow, I have responded to some questions, but just wanted to say thanks to all that have responded to mine. It really made a difference in my life and health.

I chopped all my hair off, but I am growing it back now. The journey was physically harder than I thought it would be, but after my gallbladder removal I feel better than I have in years. Also, I found a gym close to home that I actually feel comfortable going to. I still sign up for classes, because if I don’t do the classes I know I won’t go...must be something wrong with me. 😂 I will be 49 next month.

I had VGS 6/11/18 and had my gallbladder removed 4/6/19. My gallbladder was shooting stones into my common duct which caused jaundice and liver enzymes to go sky high. My liver enzymes are starting to go down, but are still high. The Doctor said it can take 2 to 3 months to return to normal and I have a follow up scheduled. I currently feel better than I have in years, it turns out from the biopsy that my gallbladder issues were both chronic and acute (I have had slightly elevated liver enzymes since 2015, I quit drinking when I found out, but it did not change my labs in subsequent years). I didn’t believe I was drinking excessively, but my Doctor said more than one drink was excessive. After Gallbladder surgery I had to start all over again at the gym. I am currently doing resistance and conditioning Tuesday and Thursday and just conditioning on Saturday. I also do a ton of yard work, mowing, hauling downed trees and trying to trim and kill vines so no more trees fall down. I am up to 12lb dumbbell curls LOL, l feel really good and only now realize how exhausted I was before. I have not lost anymore weight since my gallbladder surgery. My weight fluctuates about 5lbs up and down which I am fine with since I am in normal BMI, but my visceral fat is high 5% fatty liver according to biopsy). My main concern is I wake up around 2:00am super hungry despite eating at least 1200cal per day (sometimes a lot more). I eat a snack and go back to bed. I still have high blood pressure, so I am on low sodium. I don’t eat processed food. Organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, sprouted no sodium bread, and beans. Occasionally I also have chicken, shrimp, and eggs. Protein water and a scoop of organic plant based protein in my morning cold brew coffee. Surprisingly, I don’t really crave other foods, but will sometimes have 3 small hass avocado’s per day. I don’t go overboard on the nuts and seeds, I generally add a teaspoon or two with pumpkin purée and frozen blueberries/fruit. I went organic to try and reduce the chemicals my liver has to process, but it is probably pointless when I am still spraying round up on my gravel driveway. 😂 I have tried eating more in the evening, but this has resulted in throwing up or being extremely uncomfortable. I know I am burning a lot of calories and probably eating to much. I don’t really follow any particular diet. One doc says low carb, one says low fat, all say low sodium and no cheese (I do actually follow this one), also low glycemic because I am pre-diabetic. If I followed each one I guess I would eat air. Has anyone else experienced this and found a solution? I can’t eat protein bars because if I purchase them, I will eat them all....

Yes, I wish I had an adjustable bed. I clearly have survived without one though, so it isn’t necessary, but it would be nice.

I will up the protein today and see what happens.

Update 4 Bilirubin went up to 6.1 and other liver enzymes increased as well. Staying in the hospital until the biopsy results come back unless my liver decides to spontaneously cure itself. Did some hallway laps and I feel like I am moving in slow motion. They stopped the diuretic I was taking and my legs and hands are swollen. My son said I could be one of the Simpsons because I am yellow. I am the only female patient on this ward and the nurses aids keep asking me where the urinal is hanging. I keep having to explain the hat is in the bathroom...at least I can eat now. I can’t tolerate much, but my husband brought up my protein shakes and those are going down. There master plan of with holding food while fighting over the best treatment plan brought my protein down to 5.1 and my resting heart rate is now dropping to under 40, so every time I fall asleep they wake me up to make sure I am still alive. I wish I could pass my dogs off as service dogs...the one on my profile pic is part pit, but she is super snuggly 72lb baby. She looks tough but is scared of other dogs and peed in the corner at the vet when another smaller dog tried to visit. She was in pretty rough shape when I brought her home last year.

Update #3 I had gallbladder removed and liver biopsy yesterday. I guess it all went okay, all I know is they told me 3 incisions, but I have 4. I was able to eat some food last night, but not much. I will know more after rounds today. They did more lab work at 11:00pm last night. I have a little bit of gas pain in the right shoulder, just enough that I can’t lay down. Trying to walk it off. They did say yesterday that if all my other labs are going down they can monitor my bilirubin as an outpatient. I tested negative for all the hepatitis types. I suggested it might be my thyroid and was advised they are unrelated...I was only 9 lbs away from my goal weight and when I reached it I was going to have a glass of wine. I guess my liver disagrees with the plan. Now I just want to snuggle with my dogs again and not lose all the progress I was making at the gym. My hair was starting to come back, but now it is falling out again. Also, I wonder if I can return to work while I am still yellow...we have testing next week. It might be fun to freak the kids out with my yellow haha.

Update 3- made it out of GI procedure without problems. Gallbladder tomorrow. Still a tad high...

They just came in, getting back on IV, getting the ERCP (GI stuff to clear bile duct). done today at the VA, because my liver got worse.

I am at the VA in Temple, Texas. They also just discontinued my IV fluids because my antibiotics are done. I told them I think I needed them, and the response I got back from the nurse is that the Doctor thinks it is okay for now. My husband is on his way up here now. We are less than 20 miles from the hospital. Thanks for the offer though. Hopefully when the Drs. Start rounds we can get things cleared up.

I update #2 MRI came back and GI people cannot see a stone in the bile ducts. They wanted to wait and see if my liver returned to normal before doing procedure. Surgeons disagree and want GI procedure prior to surgery. They referred me to a civilian hospital to have GI procedure with pics done even though the VA could do it. While they fight over it, I still can’t eat or drink. My body has gone into starvation mode again and my resting heart rate keeps dropping to 35 when I sleep. They are not concerned because I don’t have cardiac symptoms. Labs just went out. My bilirubin went up yesterday, but everything else went down. Still peeing dark and looking pretty yellow. Total bilirubin 3.8 and direct bilirubin 2.4. Living on morphine and air. For those of you wondering, I have been advised that it is okay to go up to 7 days without eating.

Update- Getting an MRI sometime today; then the GI doctors are going to use that to determine which procedure to use tomorrow to clear the duct (all of which will be done with tube down my throat). Then depending on lab work, the surgery team will remove my gallbladder on Wed. Or Thursday at the latest.

Waiting to have my gallbladder removed. Several stones. Liver is off the charts. Came in Jan, but was advised it wasn’t my gallbladder despite elevated liver enzymes no CT scan. This time I am peeing bilirubin. Got CT scan that showed several stones. Just finished the ultrasound and am waiting for that to be read. Pain is pretty intense right now.

I know it is possible to gain muscle after the sleeve. About 4 to 5 months out, my endocrine system went haywire. I was getting worse at The pre-programmed workouts on my treadmill (eventually just sliding of the back). Then I could no longer stand from the step stool I sit on to wash my dog. I had to push myself up with my hands. I got referrals to many specialists, but everyone basically wanted to wait and retest. Meanwhile I was gaining weight. I joined a gym and started in a beginner class. I go three days a week. I have regained most of my strength, and I continue to make progress. I started the gym in December and missed one week do to illness in February. It took me another week to get back to where I was before. I have 15 lbs left to reach my goal weight, but because I lost so much muscle, I am rethinking that number. I am more concerned with getting all my muscle back (it is nice to watch the scale go down though). For informational purposes, I have never had a problem eating, getting all my protein, or water. My last labs were from when I was sick and basically still out if wack. Thyroid not normal A1C still at pre-diabetic, and they put me on a diuretic for high blood pressure. Also, my protein was low despite over 100grams per day. . On the plus side, I feel better and my hair is growing back. Maybe the labs will catch up.