kristieshannon

Zero regrets. I’m two years out as of next week. Down from 286 to just over 140. Off all meds, off CPAP. Life is good as a fit, healthy person.

Not really anything special outfit wise, but a fun day nonetheless. My daughter flew out to Boston to make the drive back to Seattle with me as my travel nurse contract has ended and I’m heading back home. We stopped in Chicago today to take a break from the road. We stopped at Millennium Park for photos with The Bean. My daughter was actually teary when I let her take a pic of me, said “Mom I’m so glad you’ll let me take pictures now so we can keep our memories”. I have so few pics of me with my kids while they were growing up, I couldn’t stand to see myself in pictures. One more benefit of WLS!

I was very strict the first six months or so. After that to always get in my 80gms of protein per day and have a little room for a treat on occasion. Big difference from pre op is that now I can be satisfied with just A cookie, as in one-rather than a whole package like before.

You’re only a few days post op! Give it time. Follow the intake and dietary guidelines your program gave you. The weight will come off if you do. You’re body is still likely in the process of dropping all the extra fluids they gave you during surgery.

@Kris77 you look amazing! I’m with you, my thighs look pretty rough. Like you though I imagine my new upgraded boobs distract anyone from noticing them 😂

Yes. I started at 286, now 140. I’ll be two years post op on 8/12 and am now in maintenance. 

I had my arm lift along with a tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation so can’t tell you what each cost separately. I paid $16,100 for all three procedures combined.

People started telling me the same thing when I hit about 150. I’m 5’3.5”, so a little shorter than you. I’m also a sm in tops and size 6. I’ve now dropped to 140ish, glad to have hit “healthy” BMI (just barely!). I’m comfortable here and am working to maintain in a window of 140-145, which at the high end will technically be overweight but I’m ok with that. BTW I lost 19 lbs since my skin removal surgery in January. According to the doc 11 lbs skin was removed so I’ve dropped a little more via diet and exercise since.

I agree with everyone else! You are totally rocking that dress and look amazing. Have a girls night out, a date night, or take yourself out in it-you’ll light up the room!

I’m a nurse too, so also on my feet a lot. Interesting that I’m not the only one whose experienced this! On a nurse note, I’ve also found that my previous go-to Danskos aren’t all the comfortable anymore and now have a couple pairs of running shoes just for work.

Are you a coffee fan? I mix my morning protein shake with cold brew coffee which cuts down the sweetness quite a bit.

My cup size didn’t really drop much. From 44DDD to 36 DD. However, what was left was just big empty sacks of loose skin. Anything at all low cut looked terrible because you could see kind of bunched up loose skin. I had a lift & augmentation to fill them out. I’m now a 32 or 34 F depending on the brand of bra. I think they fit my frame perfectly, are nice & full & perky.

My heels aren’t crazy rough anymore! I used to have to used a pumice stone on them several times a week between pedicures and even then they never looked great. No idea why being heavy would = dry, crusty heels but it has completely resolved. Yay for feet that look good in sandals!

Oh gosh, it gets so much better! Days 2 & 3 were the worst for me and I rapidly improved after that. Hang in there!

Hi @DeneeD-this thread is really old and might not get much notice! I’d suggest starting a new thread. I’m just about two years out. Starting weight 286, now 140. This surgery has been life changing for me. My recovery was pretty easy. Expect the first 2-3 days to be rough, and then every day after that to get better and better. Follow the guidelines your team gives you. Be kind to yourself, practice healthy self care and be patient! Reach out for support when you need it, there is a wealth of knowledge here. Start exercising in whatever manner you can tolerate as early as you can and keep it up! I now hike, run, kayak, bike, attend kickboxing classes, and love it all. Keep track of non-scale victories to motivate when the scale is being stubborn. Track your intake vigilantly! Remember that you didn’t put on the weight overnight and you won’t lose it overnight either.

Sorry you’re having a rough time. Have you talked with your surgeon and nutritionist? If not you for sure should! I lost hair too, but now at nearly 2 years out it has grown back. If you need to use protein shakes to get to your daily protein goals you should. I actually still have one every morning for breakfast.

Dr Alex Earle at Pure Plastic Surgery in Miami. He and his team are really awesome.

This is an old thread :) I had my surgery back in January! Feeling great & loving how it all turned out.

Hiccups for me are a sign that I’m full and probably took one bite too many. I see it as a warning sign that I better quit or I’m going to puke 😂 I agree with everyone above. I bought either super cheap clothes from places like Old Navy, TJ Maxx, or thrift stores while still losing rapidly. I hated wearing saggy baggy clothes. Now that I’m at goal I splurge a little more since I know I’ll get plenty of use out of clothes.

You also usually sign your surgical consent form at this visit-a legal requirement in which they list all the possible things that could possible go wrong.

Are you tracking everything you eat? If not you should think about starting to! Not just for calorie content, but to make sure you are meeting your protein goals and not exceeding the carb guidelines your plan gave you.

Washington requires it too. I’m now 80lbs less than what mine says! Ive gotten some weird looks when I have to show ID. One bartender even said “girl this needs an update!” Mine doesn’t expire until 2025 and I’m too cheap to pay to get a new one early 😂

Thank you-I’m going to try this with a mix of veggies!

Check out Dr. Earle. He operates on a lot of post WLS patients. He’s not the cheapest, but his credentials and safety record are top notch.

Sure-and thanks! You’ll find that prices vary wildly around the country. I’m from Seattle, it would have cost me $30,000-$40,000 there. Even after the costs of travel I came out way ahead by going to Miami.