Sheribear68

Love these updates!

The first place I’m getting plastics done will be face/neck.
Never realized how “old” losing >100 pounds would make me look.

Then maybe— maybe this time next year I’ll think about other parts of my bod (I’m looking at you, thighs)

Hello February 2019 peeps!
I’m doing okay. Gained 15 back from my all-time low, but maintaining within a 5-ish pound window now for about the last 15 months.
Some days I wonder if I should try to get back into the 130’s ( I dropped all the way down to 133 at one point) but I’m hanging in the upper 140’s and feel like this is maintainable.
For me, 2022 has been dubbed “The Year of the Foot” as I’ve already had one bunionectomy and will be having my left foot done next month. I was very happy to only gain 2 pounds in the 7 weeks I laid on my butt all day long with foot elevated.
So here is me at 147 at my daughters wedding reception on March 5th. I was rocking a size small dress and- of course- my walking boot.
I’m super excited to say that on May 10th I will be having plastics!! I’ve saved up and will be having a TT with flank Lipo and a thigh lift.
We are going to piggy-back it 3 weeks after foot surgery so I can minimize my time off work.
Hope everyone is well. I miss you guys.

Thanks for the encouraging words and advice everyone.
Lol, I did the Botox thing once in my early 40’s (I’m 53) and my kids were relentless. They would intentionally do things to make me angry so they could laugh at me when I couldn’t scowl at them.

I love the smaller version of me, but all the “droopyness” EVERYWHERE is really getting on my nerves.
I’m definitely not a fan of fillers, I just want the saggy skin gone.
I will start trying to get some before and after pics going soon.
I’m definitely going to want to chronicle my plastics journey.
Like so many people here, I’ve become a pro at hiding the excess skin, but many times that game gets tiring.
I’m a wimp when it comes to pain, but I’m so over this extra skin that I don’t care anymore.

Hey @Sheribear68. Lovely to see a post from you again & that you’ve been continuing o do so well. Yay!
I haven’t gone down the plastics route but a girlfriend & fellow sleever (& both almost 57) often talk about the only way we will be able to get rid of our facial droop is with a face lift to cut off the skin excess skin but we’re too scared. We’ve only just gone down the Botox route (we blame peer pressure 😆) not that it will help the droop it but does reduce some of the associated wrinkling (my marionette lines beside my chin aren’t as deep or long whoo hoo ). I can’t do fillers because of an allergy but I’m not really upset about that as I’m not a lover of that puffy face look. I had a round face for too many years.
All the best for your TT, Lipo & thigh lift surgery & your foot surgery too.

@sheribear68
So exciting! Congrats!!
I also had a Tummy Tuck. I had muscle tightening as well. I had good abs as well but having kids and that extra weight that we all carried for so many years makes the center part of the abdominal muscles separate. I def wanted my PS to pull the ab muscles all in like a corset. I love love my TT.
I also did a breast lift and Aug
I have thought about a thigh lift and have gone back and forth on it.
Glad you have worked so hard and kept it off!! This is a big treat to yourself for all the hard work!! Congrats and def show us some pics!!

So good to hear about the success. Overall I am good, but I cannot say my diet is the healthiest. I find eating carbs to be way too easy to digest and my sedentary life style working home all day in front of a computer doesn't help. I am depressed that it seems way too easy to eat more food now, such as whole (store-bought) burrito in one sitting, or two pieces of pizza instead of just one, or a fairly large salad. My little egg-sized stomach has definitely stretched. 😞 I also starting drinking Diet Coke in the morning. For three years I didn't touch it, but recently I starting drinking the mini Cokes--only one in the morning--and was surprised there were no repercussions, so that is my indulgence when I start my work day. Unfortunately, the Girl Scout Cookies also seem to be digesting all too well. I did undergo a panniculectomy and a breast reduction and feel so much better since I did that. The relentless neck pain from carrying the weight of the breasts and the back ache from the stomach skin pretty much disappeared. My arms and thighs are still scary large and saggy but I just don't think I have the bravery to do another plastic surgery. It was rough!
One very upsetting side effect (other than I still have thinning hair) are that I have had four kidney stones since last May. Dr. Google confirmed that there is a correlation between gastric bypass and an increase in kidney stones. They are crippling, and from what I understand, an intake of animal Protein is partly to blame. I absolutely need to consciously drink more Water so would LOVE to hear y'all's tips and tricks for remembering to drink water!

3 years, 2 months post VGS.
I’ve gotten so used to my new stomach that I barely even register it anymore, but sometime we will go out to eat and I’ll get sad about how little I can still eat.
Running errands last week, got hungry and decided to have some Mediterranean salad.
It’s amazing how well this tool works even years later.

It's been awhile for me, but I don't think I looked pregnant - I also didn't have any issues with infection. I did wear compression for awhile, though - maybe two or three months? Can't remember. But it's not a forever thing, fortunately!

Okay so lets both take a deep breath together and break some of this down:

Almost everyone here is here because we’ve had a history of eating/food/metabolism/addiction/toxic relationship issues. Maybe I’ve left a couple of things out, but that’s a good starting place.

Let me start by saying that I’m now 3 years and 2 months from VGS. I had exceptional results. Lost over 100% excess fat, exceeded everyone’s expectations, and have more or less maintained.
I lost 135 pounds in 9 months. Went from 267-132 (SW was 246). I’ve managed to maintain between 137-147 in the last 2 years after the free-fall dropped me down to 132. I was a hot mess at 132– BMI was right at 20% and people asked me all the time if I was sick. What I’m saying is the 10 pound “regain” is okay because I know that’s where my body needs to be.

That being said, it’s still work. I still have to monitor what/how much I put in my mouth. Sometimes I tend to drink too much and I realize I’m using alcohol as a sub for food and then I stop and regroup. Sometimes I will find myself emotionally eating and have to stop and regroup. Sometimes I’m having a bad day or I’m on vacation and I just don’t give a damn. Afterwards I will stop and regroup.

Only you (working with a therapist) can help deal with those habits, recognize them either during or after, then course correct. YOU do have all the power. Families can and will be toxic. If at all possible, have an exit strategy when it becomes too much. Have a go-to that doesn’t involve comforting with food and do that activity. Even if it’s as simple as putting on earbuds and listening to a guided medication. Even if you can’t physically exit the room.

Also, I’m going to recommend that-for the short term at least-you’re going to have to let a certain amount of it roll off of you. You have decided a change is needed, but others aren’t compelled to go along with. In a perfect world, they would, but none of us got morbidly obese by living in a perfect world.

I’m going to come out front and tell you that you WILL lose friends over this. There will be some relationships that WILL NOT be the same. They might end forever. You are about to embark on an amazing, difficult, rewarding, trying, and fantastic journey. It will be ugly at times. You will have highs and lows that will give you whiplash. You will not be the same person next year that you are this year. You MUST be prepared for all of this and be willing to embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It’s okay to vent. This is one of the safest spaces ever so vent away unapologetically.

I’m trying my best to take my own advice because I’ve got plastics set up for May and my husband and my son are the only other two people on the planet who are aware I’m going to do this. I’m keeping it a secret from the rest of my family because of how many of them reacted when I had WLS.
If any of them notices (somewhat doubtful as I can hide a LOT of skin under my clothes and nobody is going to see me naked) I will tell them after the fact - unapologetically and with a challenge in my tone. That challenge will remind them of how far and how successful I’ve become since I started this journey in early 2018.

You’ve got this. We are here to help

Very true
Thank you so much for your kind words. It's a bit difficult since my mom helped me pay for surgery and I live with my mom and brother at the moment so it's hard to hide
We're also a close knit family so not many secrets get kept. I just realize how toxic their habits are and how they'd never be strong enough to ask for help. I pray that they do and will become better versions of themselves but im through not being able to change people. I'm losing weight quickly and making the right choices ultimately. I take my Psych meds and do regular therapy. I'm as close as I've ever felt to having a neutral relationship to food which is all I've ever strived for. It doesn't taunt me and I don't obsess over it. I'm hoping they just see how well I do and keep their mouths shut. Im moving out of this house in a month or two. I'll miss them but the distance will help me focus on myself 100% of the time.

Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

3 years, 2 months post VGS.
I’ve gotten so used to my new stomach that I barely even register it anymore, but sometime we will go out to eat and I’ll get sad about how little I can still eat.
Running errands last week, got hungry and decided to have some Mediterranean salad.
It’s amazing how well this tool works even years later.

Okay so lets both take a deep breath together and break some of this down:

Almost everyone here is here because we’ve had a history of eating/food/metabolism/addiction/toxic relationship issues. Maybe I’ve left a couple of things out, but that’s a good starting place.

Let me start by saying that I’m now 3 years and 2 months from VGS. I had exceptional results. Lost over 100% excess fat, exceeded everyone’s expectations, and have more or less maintained.
I lost 135 pounds in 9 months. Went from 267-132 (SW was 246). I’ve managed to maintain between 137-147 in the last 2 years after the free-fall dropped me down to 132. I was a hot mess at 132– BMI was right at 20% and people asked me all the time if I was sick. What I’m saying is the 10 pound “regain” is okay because I know that’s where my body needs to be.

That being said, it’s still work. I still have to monitor what/how much I put in my mouth. Sometimes I tend to drink too much and I realize I’m using alcohol as a sub for food and then I stop and regroup. Sometimes I will find myself emotionally eating and have to stop and regroup. Sometimes I’m having a bad day or I’m on vacation and I just don’t give a damn. Afterwards I will stop and regroup.

Only you (working with a therapist) can help deal with those habits, recognize them either during or after, then course correct. YOU do have all the power. Families can and will be toxic. If at all possible, have an exit strategy when it becomes too much. Have a go-to that doesn’t involve comforting with food and do that activity. Even if it’s as simple as putting on earbuds and listening to a guided medication. Even if you can’t physically exit the room.

Also, I’m going to recommend that-for the short term at least-you’re going to have to let a certain amount of it roll off of you. You have decided a change is needed, but others aren’t compelled to go along with. In a perfect world, they would, but none of us got morbidly obese by living in a perfect world.

I’m going to come out front and tell you that you WILL lose friends over this. There will be some relationships that WILL NOT be the same. They might end forever. You are about to embark on an amazing, difficult, rewarding, trying, and fantastic journey. It will be ugly at times. You will have highs and lows that will give you whiplash. You will not be the same person next year that you are this year. You MUST be prepared for all of this and be willing to embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It’s okay to vent. This is one of the safest spaces ever so vent away unapologetically.

I’m trying my best to take my own advice because I’ve got plastics set up for May and my husband and my son are the only other two people on the planet who are aware I’m going to do this. I’m keeping it a secret from the rest of my family because of how many of them reacted when I had WLS.
If any of them notices (somewhat doubtful as I can hide a LOT of skin under my clothes and nobody is going to see me naked) I will tell them after the fact - unapologetically and with a challenge in my tone. That challenge will remind them of how far and how successful I’ve become since I started this journey in early 2018.

You’ve got this. We are here to help

are they doing any muscle tightening? That and the Lipo can be a bit painful - but they'll send you home with something for that. I had the whole lower body lift, so it was more involved than what you're getting - so your experience may be different. I used a walker the first couple of days because I couldn't stand up straight - and I also used a wedge pillow for quite awhile. After the first couple of days it was really more uncomfortable than painful - but in the end it was totally worth it. I love the results and would do it again.
I didn't do the thigh lift, btw - so I can't speak to that. I had a lower body lift, breast lift, arm lift, and face lift (in three separate surgeries). Lower body lift was the toughest of the three - but again, totally worth it.

Asian chicken salad ~ romaine, red cabbage, cilantro, scallions, carrots, mandarins, grilled bourbon chicken, wonton strips and ginger sesame dressing.
Spiedino di mare ~ Shrimp and scallops with Italian bread crumbs and romano cheese grilled and topped with lemon butter sauce, served with roasted garlic romano green Beans.

Couscous, vegetables and chicken tenders … courtesy of an air fryer and tea kettle (blanched the vegetables, steamed the couscous) because that’s how little cooking I want to do these days.
The chicken tenders are the Just Bare brand which are pretty good (but slightly too salty for me). I ate less than half but will finish the rest later.

Yea, The other day I ordered their half salad and half sandwich and the 1/2 salad was enough for me too. I saved the sandwich for dinner. Good idea to order it with extra chicken though and just save half because it’s more expensive to do the pick two than to do a whole salad or whole sandwich.

I work right across the street from a Panera!
I love to order the Cobb, sub in ranch instead of green goddess, subtract picked onions (too much sugar) and add extra chicken. I can make this salad last for 2 lunches that way!

I work right across the street from a Panera!
I love to order the Cobb, sub in ranch instead of green goddess, subtract picked onions (too much sugar) and add extra chicken. I can make this salad last for 2 lunches that way!

Wow. I wish my stomach was that small. I am a year out and i Can easily eat a normal serving. Still not restaurants triple servings but more than I would like.

3 years, 2 months post VGS.
I’ve gotten so used to my new stomach that I barely even register it anymore, but sometime we will go out to eat and I’ll get sad about how little I can still eat.
Running errands last week, got hungry and decided to have some Mediterranean salad.
It’s amazing how well this tool works even years later.

My copycat Panara bread Cobb salad. Minus the pickled red onions and substituted ranch yogurt dressing. 377 calories

Loving this thread so far and I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s answers.

I can completely relate to body dysmorphia. I had always run from cameras and on the rare occasions where I had no option but to be in pictures, I was horrified at how large I looked.
I too would look at people that I just knew were “bigger” than me only to discover I weighed more and wore a bigger clothes size.

Lol, one day I was seeing plus size models in an ad and realized they were wearing clothes THREE SIZES smaller than my current size.

Now that I’m approximately halfway to my goal weight, I’m seeing myself as the size I kinda thought I always was in my brain, so I don’t know what to think about that.
I still feel as if current pictures of me are “larger” than how I feel inside, but I’m still 50-ish pounds away from goal weight so hopefully someday I actually look as small as I feel.

My all-time high weight was 272 a few years ago. When I started pre-surgery stuff I was 259 and I’m currently 195 after being sleeved February 6th this year.
I’m 5’7” and have a goal weight of between 140-145.
Started off as a size 22 and now can fit into size 16s.

Well if we’re doing confessions, I’ll admit that I can have mimosas (yes, plural) and not suffer.
Weird story, but I actually ran into my bariatric surgeon at a padel ball tournament last fall.
Weirder still, my husband and I got paired up against him and his wife.
Mimosas and Breakfast burritos were flowing and my bari-surgeon himself poured me a mimosa after our match!
I told him I either had room for the mimosa or the burrito and his response was “damn surgeons, can’t trust ‘em”
Lol, I chose the mimosa 🤣
Hope everyone is doing well
So far I’m hanging into the high 130’s and I too think that I look much better now with 5 extra pounds on.
I seem to be in constant flux-regaining then losing the same 5-7 pounds.
I’d like it if I had a bit more consistency, but as long as I can keep within my window I’ll take it.

Hi, all. I already posted this in the general forum, but I wanted to let all of my February 2019 friends know as well. (You may recall that I was an "honorary" member of the February group after my original February surgery date was postponed until March.)
I celebrated my two-year surgery anniversary a few days ago (March 3, 2019), and I'm happy to report that things are going well. I gained about ten pounds during maintenance, and in retrospect I think that my low weight of 132 was too thin. (I never dreamed two years ago that I would be saying those words!)
I feel like I am eating "normally," though in smaller quantities and without most of the junk I ate when I was obese. I still avoid sugar, carbs and fat, but I've gotten a bit more relaxed about indulging from time to time. I celebrated my two-year anniversary with a huge piece of cake washed down with an ice-cold Coke. (Just kidding--I ate my usual diet!)
I'm attaching a photo taken two days ago to show what I look like these days. I hope all of the February 2019 members are doing well!

I’ve wondered this as well.
I started off with a BMI of exactly 41% and was able to (and still currently maintain) a BMI of 20-21%.
I lost well over 100% of my excess fat, which my bari surgeon admitted is outside his “typical” results, but he also admitted he was fairly confident going in that I would achieve it based off of my history, psych evaluation, and our personal interviews.

That being said, he and his team always point-blank refused to set a goal weight or BMI in front of me and I know that many clinics don’t
Mostly I think that’s because we need to shoot for our own goals and limits— not the limits that someone else thinks we can or cannot do.

I was so paranoid that I was going to be a spectacular failure at WLS, but ended up being a pretty spectacular success.