kristieshannon

Today was what I think will be my last consult. Planning to go with the doc in Port St. Lucie. However, today's visit left me quite emotional. The doctor poked, prodded, pinched (gently!) my abdomen, arms, and thighs. He asked "how much more weight do you think you need to lose?" When I told him my bariatric surgeon and I set a goal weight of 160 he said "nope. No more. You're done. All you have left is loose skin, no fat. You'll lose those last 16 during surgery!" I was stunned! He told me to stop restricting intake as of today, and to try to get my protein up from 70-80g/day to 100g/day in prep for surgery. I burst in to tears and felt so silly! This has been such a long journey for me, and although it was on my radar that I'm getting close it was shocking to hear him call "done". I've got my 1 year follow up with my surgeon next month, will be waiting to consult with her and my nutritionist. I feel like I need some time to process this!

Am I the only one who loves purging my closet? I filled 3 large garbage bags today with all my size 14 & 16 pants, all my XL tops and a good portion of my size L tops, several dresses and a bunch of shoes that are now too big. All donated to a women’s shelter. Started a new bag for my 12’s and the rest of my L tops as I move out of those in to 10’s and M’s. Feels so good!

Update: I had a virtual consult today with a Dr. in Port St. Lucie, FL. I found him after doing an extensive search of before/after arm photos on Real Self. His results are amazing! He talked me through why, he uses a very specific technique that seems to give really good results. He seems a bit more conservative than Dr. #1 from my first post. He won't do all 3 procedures at once, reason being he seems to spend a good deal more time on each procedure and won't keep his patients under anesthesia for extended periods of time. I have one more local consult tomorrow, and have requested another virtual consult with another team in Fl. At this point I'm leaning strongly towards Dr. #3 in Fl, as he took so much time with me today, was very very thorough with his explanations and had very impressive reviews and photos on Real Self, his website, and has been mentioned several times in FB groups I'm on. I'm still a bit scared of flying soon after surgery, but I also want to go with someone I'm 100% comfortable with. I shooting for a surgery date right after New Years, so want to get this on the books. Edit to add: If I end up going with Dr. #3 I’ll have my arm lift & extended tummy tuck in January, and wait until a later date for my breast lift (maybe with augmentation). The girls look ok if I’m wearing a good bra, they can wait 😂

I went out a few times early on, and soup was my go-to. You can always claim to have had a late lunch :)

Wow, you look amazing!!!

Man that pic is painful! I can’t wait to feel confident wearing a tank top, or really even short sleeves. It sucks to feel like I have to wear long sleeves all summer. I found a beautiful dress for my daughter’s wedding in September, but wish I could have gone with something sleeveless as temps will likely be in the 70’s.

Oh yes, I’ve spent many hours checking out surgeons, their reviews, and photo galleries! What a great resource.

I agree about that MIKEYY84, the only out of country on my list of “maybes” would be Canada as I’m only a couple hours from Vancouver, BC. However the boarder has been closed since COVID so probably not likely to happen.

Thank you for your input catwoman7! I’ve now requested a virtual consult with a surgeon in Portland, and one with a surgeon in Miami that has been mentioned by a couple members here. Since I have plenty of time prior to when I plan to have surgery, I have the luxury of time to get as many consults that I need to get it right!

I am definitely going to continue on with consult #3! I have also considered going to other cities, as I’ve heard Seattle is on the expensive side but worry about traveling soon after surgery. We also have a home in Oregon, so am considering having a consult there as well.

I agree! I felt good about Doc # 1 until I met Doc #2. I’m sure experience was part of the difference.

I was able to get off my BP med at my one month post op visit, and had a repeat sleep study at about 3 months and no longer need a CPAP.

My daughter is getting married in September. I ordered a couple dresses off of Amazon, and I think this is the one I settled on. I’m so excited to wear a size 12, down from a 24/26!

I found 3 surgeons on Real Self with high ratings in my area (Seattle). I only have one friend in the area who’s had anything done and she did not like her surgeon, so haven’t gotten any personal recommendations. So far the before/after I’ve seen of all three look good, including their belly buttons :)

To all the PS vets out there: I’m about 20 lbs from goal, which if I continue to follow my same loss trend I should hit in late October. I’m eager for plastics (yes, I know so some say to wait), and am consulting with three surgeons in my area this week. I’m tentatively planning for PS after the first of the year. I’d love your guidance about what questions to ask the surgeons to be able to make a good decision about which one is right for me. I have three areas I’d like work done on: first priority is getting rid of my epic bat wings, second is getting a breast lift and either fat transfer or smallish implants, third is a tummy tuck. Not sure all three can be done at once. Thanks in advance for your guidance! I’m so pleased to be closing in on goal and moving towards the finishing touches.

I started at about your same weight. Down 108 lbs, thinking about 20 more and I’ll call “goal”. I have three consultations with plastic surgeons in the coming weeks, planning for skin removal surgery after the new year. No amount of time is going to make my bat wings or belly skin go away, and my poor boobs are so deflated. I see PS as the final step, and my reward for all the hard work I’ve put in.

For those of you who have travelled for surgery, how long did you need to stay in the city your surgery was in post op? Did you have to make a pre-op trip as well, or was your consultation online (or by phone)? I’m planning for early next year and have a couple local consultations, but have no idea how my city (Seattle) compares to other parts of the country cost wise so want to consider all options.

Lovely!

Yes! My team recommends them. I’m 10 months post op, so can take capsules. Early on I took chewables. I now buy this one from Costco: https://www.costco.com/nature's-bounty-ultra-strength-probiotic-10%2C-140-capsules.product.100225688.html I take one capsule twice daily.

Awesome Winston! You look great, and I imagine feel great too. I’m just one month behind you, about 8 months post op. My sleeve is the best decision I ever made!

My daily morning snack is the roasted pumpkin seeds from Costco!

I’m so sorry you’re going through this! Have you tried different temperatures and thicknesses of liquids? Some people seem to only tolerate very cold liquids, some only tolerate warm. Also, while hard to get in big quantities something thick like sugar free Jello or popsicles provides hydration and may be tolerated better than thin liquids. Go very slow! Tiny sips (or bites in the case of jello or popsicles). If you need ongoing IV hydration your doctor may be able to order a home health nurse to provide it in your home.

Last pic from our trip, tonight is our actual one year wedding anniversary. Not to goal yet, but feeling so good. Quote from my wonderful husband “these days you look like you’re doing clothes a favor by wearing them”. I ❤️ him, my biggest cheerleader!

Tonight’s dinner outfit.

Vacationing in Mexico for our one year wedding anniversary. It’s so fun to feel good in shorts, swimsuits, and dresses each night for dinner! And so delightful to escape the Seattle rain for a week :)