Lynnlovesthebeach

Yes, it looks like they can lift and tuck almost everything if you don't mind a scar! I'm not sure why but they don't do lower legs. I think I'll offer myself as a "practice" body for my surgeon if he wants to develop a procedure for that! My surgeon is Fellowship trained in body contouring after massive weight loss...surely he can come up with something new!

Yes, it looks like they can lift and tuck almost everything if you don't mind a scar! I'm not sure why but they don't do lower legs. I think I'll offer myself as a "practice" body for my surgeon if he wants to develop a procedure for that! My surgeon is Fellowship trained in body contouring after massive weight loss...surely he can come up with something new!

Amazing transformation! One thing you said really hit home for me:

it gave me the help for the work I wanted to be able to do.

That’s exactly the way I feel about the surgery (DS) that I had 6/1/21. So far I’m down 98 pounds (lost 18 pre-op) with another 75 to go to my goal. I feel AMAZING! Congratulations! You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing!

I just wanted to share since this is a safe place.

I had surgery on 11/10/20, but started my weight loss efforts on 7/5/20. If you’ve been here a while I’m sure you’ve seen me lurking about the forums.
Stats: SW 339. CW: 165. I am a 5’10 woman in her 40s. I work full time and have young children. My current BMI is 23, I started off with it closer to 50.

I knew it was going to take me a while to hit goal- I had 174 lbs to lose. I did all the calculators pre-op that said I would be lucky to get under 200 lbs, but I decided that just wasn’t going to apply to me (haha). My plan was to focus on fruits, vegetables, and healthy Proteins while ramping up exercise. I eliminated Cookies, pastries, and candy but that’s about it. I don’t do low carb, because that isn’t how I’m planning on living the rest of my life. I focus on calorie reduction, which sounds like oh if that’s so easy why did you need surgery? Well cutting calories is possible if you aren’t hungry all the time no matter how much you eat, and if you can fill up on the healthy things without it being like flash paper into a volcano. I honestly did need the surgery, and I’m not going to pretend it did the work for me, but it gave me the help for the work I wanted to be able to do.

Six days a week I do a split between running and rowing for a half hour. I’m going to run in a 5k this spring, which has been a dream of mine for years. I exercise on my lunch break every day.

Yes, I have some loose skin. It’s nowhere as bad as people make it out to be. I am not exactly planning on running around in a bikini so it’s not like it limits my life at all. It’s not visible in my clothes, not even tight fitting ones. I might get it removed some day, but if I don’t I’ll still be happy.

This weight loss has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for me. Life is difficult when you are morbidly obese. It’s difficult physically, emotionally, and socially. This weight loss hasn’t fixed every problem in my life, but I didn’t expect for it to. It fixed my weight related problems, and I had a lot of them.

This surgery can be life changing, but it’s not a magic bullet. You still have to make huge life changes. But if you feel sabotaged you your own constant hunger, cravings, and binges, this can really be the tool you use to dig yourself out of the seemingly insurmountable weight you need to lose.

This isn’t a finish line for me. I am still working on hopefully losing another 15 lbs, and I’m never going back to my old eating habits. I know I signed up for a lifelong change, otherwise I’ll be right back where I started. But finally hitting goal was a nice early Christmas present to myself. Sorry for the essay, but I don’t really have anyone in real life to share with who gets it!

When I was in the full liquids stage I told my doctor I was bored with eating Soup all the time so I added some hot sauce to make it taste better. He yelled at me like I was a little kid and told me to hold off on the hot sauce until 3 months out because it could cause ulcers to my healing stomach. Now, I seem to be very sensitive to spicy foods, not my stomach but my tongue. Things I used to eat before are just too "hot" for me now.

My program allows coffee, up to 2 cups per day. Even though I'm a coffee addict I didn't want it the first 2 weeks post op.

My program allows coffee, up to 2 cups per day. Even though I'm a coffee addict I didn't want it the first 2 weeks post op.

Wow. Been awhile since I posted.
I hit one-derland on my birthday a few weeks ago, which felt awesome.
I've been having gall bladder issues for a few months but trying some alternative healing methods before taking drastic action.
Ive gone from a size 20 to a size 12. Its amazing being able to wear regular sizes - and white! Picking out clothes I like vs. clothes that fit.
Body dysmorphia is real - I can tell I'm losing weight but I still feel like I look the same.
Just today, I noticed my skin on my stomach and thighs is getting very thin and loose in certain spots. It was sort of a strange sight but I didn't love it or hate it. Mostly curious about it.
My partner has been super supportive of the surgery and lifestyle changes but while we were hanging out, I surprised him and showed him my loose granny skin. The look on his face hit me hard. It was like surprise and disgust. That was tough.
No regrets. One day at a time.

I really haven't posted any pictures here before but thought I'd share these. Last year I had 360 lower body lift, abdominoplasty and arm lift. Nine days ago, Aug 16, I had a
"dermal suspension, parenchymal reshaping, auto autologous" breast lift, and upper body lift (back). I took these pictures this morning. This is me with no implants. Basically, they just use your own tissue to create new boobs. Docs who specialize in body contouring after massive weight loss often use this method when you don't have enough elasticity in you skin to support implants long term. They use the "side boob" tissue, upper abd tissue and the sagging part of your own boob to create new boobs. It's a more involved surgery ( took 4 hrs to do) and has longer incisions but I was fine with that. He told me I would look like I have implants without having implants! And, they won't sag because they are anchored to my ribs! Also, if you look closely on my right arm you can see the tiny scar from my arm lift, exactly one year ago today.

I've had 2 skin removal surgeries and I didn't ask if they had actually weighed the skin. It's really not that much, weight wise. We even discussed that while my doctor was marking me preop. He told me the people that lose several pounds of skin are the "My 600 lb life" people. My first surgery was a lower body lift and arms. My second was upper body lift. I'm having my 3rd surgery Jan 27, doing my thighs...that's the only place where there may actually be some fat to remove along with the skin.

I've had 2 skin removal surgeries and I didn't ask if they had actually weighed the skin. It's really not that much, weight wise. We even discussed that while my doctor was marking me preop. He told me the people that lose several pounds of skin are the "My 600 lb life" people. My first surgery was a lower body lift and arms. My second was upper body lift. I'm having my 3rd surgery Jan 27, doing my thighs...that's the only place where there may actually be some fat to remove along with the skin.

If it were 70 degrees in my house I'd be freezing! I keep mine at 77. I definitely have lost my insulation! I have to wear extra clothing at work or I'd freeze. I'm 3 yrs post op so I don't expect itl to get better.

Met up with some old school high school friends (who hadn’t seen me throughout my obese period in my 30s and 40s) and they said i still look the same and haven’t changed all these 30+ years. 💪🏼 Ha! Little do they know.:.😜
Also…was fascinated the other day when I discovered that I could get up from sitting cross legged on the floor to a standing position without even using my arms to get up 😳

I’m right there with you! I don’t think my sweet tooth truly ever went away but dumping curtails many shenanigans.
But I also go through food phases. I’ll love something for 2 months then never want to see it again. 😂
I tend to share all desserts with others or “buffer” dessert with a vegetable intensive or low calorie meal. Honestly it does as much for me mentally as calorically. I need chocolate on a monthly basis.
Let me know if you find a solution!

BBQ Pork on a stick.
Ate 1/2, Mr ate the other half: 111 cals for what made it into my tummy.

Green apple, carrots, cucumbers, cheddar, pepperette and roasted red pepper cream cheese: 348 calories,
Mr and I ate it all while watching a pvr’d episode of Home Economics. I’m guessing I ate bout 1/3 or less? Hard to say. I logged the entire thing anyway.

One last bake session for the year
Apple Pie (full sugar so no macros sorry) made with an oil crust
I doubt I’ll eat any of it. And it was vegan right up to the point I put an egg wash on 😩
 

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

I guess this may be the case of some programs, that they oversell the success rate. It certainly wasn’t with mine. I went in with eyes wide open. My doc set a goal for me of 165 lbs, which was still overweight according to BMI. I’m maintaining at 140. Although I certainly haven’t been perfect, I followed the program they gave me the vast majority of the time. The longer I did that, the easier those new habits became. This is MAJOR surgery. I went in to it with the mindset that this was my last chance to turn my life around, and if I was going to do something so major by damn I was going to follow the advice of the team I was trusting to operate on me. For anyone struggling I’d advise you to schedule a visit with both your surgeon as well as the psychologist/psychiatrist and nutritionist who provided your clearance pre op.

Stepped on the scale this morning and was under 300 pounds for the first time in almost twelve years… not gonna lie, I cried happy tears
Once I’m a bit more comfortably under, I’m going to schedule a DXA scan, since my ultimate goal is 15% body fat, and it’ll help to recalibrate where that number lies on the scale.

We’re only advised to drink what is the recommended intake for everybody - 2litres or 64 ounces a day. More if you reside in a hot climate &/or perspire a lot. Water flushes toxins out your body, aids brain function, improves your skin, takes pressure off your hearts as your blood is easier to pump around your bodies, regulates your body temperature, etc. Our body is 60% water & some organs are more than that. If you feel thirsty, your body is already in a water deficit.
The good news is you don’t just have to drink water. Any liquids count. Just don’t make caffeinated drinks the main source. Your post surgery Protein Shakes, broths, Soups, etc. will all count too. I get my intake from a combination of still water, flat sparkling water (I like the minerally taste as a break from only plain water which sometimes can feel heavy to drink), green tea & extra milk in my rolled oats. Add a squeeze of lemon, lime or other citrus to your water. In the weeks post surgery I doubled the water needed to make my shakes & hydralite (the boost of energy & electrolytes were helpful).
I keep water beside my bed so I drink during the night & in my car (drink when I get in, when I get out & at every red light). I also find it easier to drink from a glass.

Aah the dangerous slide of becoming complacent &/or over confident. We’ve all been there at some time in our pre & post surgery lives. Don’t get too down on yourself especially as you’ve realised what happened & are ready to get back on track.
Sometimes a good way to start is to just drop or change one thing. Then next week you change or drop another. Small wins.
What I’ve learnt from those on this forum who are a long way post surgery is that they continue to track & monitor & make adjustments according to what’s happening in their life. I try to do this too. Sure, I don’t track & measure my food every day but I do random reviews of what I’m eating & carefully monitor new additions to my food choices. I’m very conscious about everything I put in my mouth - nutrients, Protein content, calories. I do track my protein & Water intake every day. If I eat more one day I try to eat less the next. If I was under on my protein yesterday, today I’ll aim to be over. Unfortunately, I think we will always face challenges with food. We just have to keep focussed on making sure it doesn’t win. That’s my goal now anyway.

Thought I would give an update here. VSG was done 9/14/2021, today is 11/14/2021.
THE GOOD:
Down 55 lbs from surgery, 64 lbs from the start of the pre-op diet, and 94 lbs from my heaviest weight. Hypertension and asthma diagnoses were officially withdrawn. Hypogonadism is under review. CPAP average setting went from 16 cm H2O to about 7 cm. Have an appointment soon to see if I need it any more. Depression has almost completely been put in remission. Went from 52/34 to 36/34 in the same cut of jeans, and actually need to go see if they have 34/34 at the outlet. Went from 4XL or even 5XL shirts to L or XL (mostly XL). Went from 15EE boots to 12D; my arch has returned, which shocked my surgeon and my PCP. Running and enjoying it for the first time ever. Way too many NSVs to count THE BAD:
Still occasional bouts of Constipation which mess up scale results, but then it all, um, resolves and the number on the scale goes WHOOSH. Had to fire my NUT for being a horrible person. Found a new NUT who is amazing and who does the same fitness I do. The extremely restrictive diet (especially under the old NUT's "guidance") caused a massive drop in strength, which did not help at work. It also caused me to stall out. The new NUT increased my intake from 600-800 to 1000-1400 cals a day, and WHOOSH went the scale once again. It actually hurts to sit down because my butt is bony. I'm cold all the freaking time, even when it's objectively-by-any-sane-standard not cold. Needed a chiropractic adjustment because my hips are not used to carrying 25% less of me and were hurting badly. Had to replace expensive work boots because they were giving me blisters. Clothes I can get from the Goodwill and Ross Dress For Less; work boots not so much. THE UGLY:
Eating too fast or even one bite too much means spending the next 30 minutes to an hour in great physical discomfort. It takes time for the full signal to arrive in my brain. Eating lettuce salad was, in hindsight, a really, really bad idea. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Some gnarly skin tags as my fat melts away, and the beginnings of some loose skin. Added in a daily dose of collagen peptides to help. One incision is still quite visible, though it's healed over. Starting to notice a little more hairfall, including head, beard, and chest. Still the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Hi everyone, I love seeing everyone’s outfits, very inspirational so thank you. Last night I had a gala to go to and was the first event I could dress up since COVID. I’m no going to lie, I felt quit self conscious about my arms due to the flappy excess skin but I got over myself after the first 5 minutes and enjoyed the night!!