Suzi_the_Q

Thank you for the insight!

So, I’ve lost 125lbs, and my body feels like I’ve got about 25-35 to go. I have a ton of loose skin which I plan to have removed. My question is: what was your starting weight and how much did your excess skin end up weighing? Just trying to figure out where I’m “really at.” (Sorry if bad format, on mobile.)

Are you taking any medications that have weight gain as a possible side effect? I was stalling out a lot and for long periods like you then I discovered that one of my meds can cause weight gain. I'm off it now and within 2 days of quitting it I'd lost 3lbs. Something to look into.

That's absolutely devastating, I'm so sorry that's happened to you and your family.

Yes, wait 30 minutes at least before drinking (but you can drink right up until you eat- according to my Dr.) Fluids expand the food in the stomach and make it uncomfortable and possibly stretch it.

Just FYI, a lot of psych medications are available in liquid form too, which may help with absorption. I had to increase my psych med dosages by 25% since bypass (so far).

4 hours ago, HealthyLifeStyle said:

I am struggling with getting plastics and I am going to be 52 this year. My family and husband are against it. They think its not necessary and I am too old to get it.

It's really not their decision or their body. Personally, I feel like if I don't get the skin removal etc. that I'll be perpetually wearing (or keeping around) the equivalent of my old, fat clothes like I'm just waiting for myself to fit into them again rather than throwing them out and committing to a more healthy lifestyle. I'll likely get my plastics around age 42.

I've found when I've told ppl casually, I get instantly written off, like I don't have to work at it at all or watch what I eat, exercise etc. So, I'm pretty much going to keep it to myself.

The problems resolved over time. I guess it was just my stomach healing still. (They did give me nausea meds though.)

I made a request for an LGBTQIA Room in a "contact us" email. I suggest others do so as well.

It all sorted itself out. Guess it was just my body healing?

My first stall lasted like, 3- 3.5 weeks? it was really disheartening. It broke eventually though! Stick with it!

Spanks would totally help- they compress the body. Be sure to use powder or antiperspirant between/ beneath skin folds to avoid rashes and discomfort. Grats on your weight loss!

Tell them that you are having a hernia repair surgery coming up to correct an issue that has worsened recently, and you may not be cleared to travel in the timeframe. That way there is an excuse for why you didn't include them earlier so they could figure out the personnel issue for the trip. Good luck!

I had this too. It sucked but I think it was just my body healing and adjusting. It went away after a couple of months. Hang in there.

I tried the Aetna website too and it was awful, but it did mention that they required an "Aetna Center for Excellence" cert, so I googled "Aetna + Pittsburgh, PA + Bariatric" and looked for those centers, since obv. they'd take Aetna insurance.

I found these:

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0157.html

https://www.castleconnolly.com/top-doctors/giselle-g-hamad-surgery-81cc043162

https://www.excelahealth.org/Services/Weight-Management-Center

https://www.upmc.com/services/south-central-pa/bariatrics/surgery/choose

Girllllll it's WAY too early to start freaking out. First off, you often GAIN anywhere between 5-15 lbs from the fluids they pump into you and swelling. That can take a couple of weeks to shake off, plus your surgery involves a lot of sutures- so again SWELLING. Secondly, your body has just been through what it perceives as a trauma; it's a whole lot of chaos as far as it's concerned and it may take a little while to get with the program you have in mind. Lastly, there's that damned 3 week stall thing... Mine came at about 2 or 2.5 weeks... and lasted more than 3 weeks from there. It was very disheartening, but it did break eventually! (And I've had smaller stalls since, I've learned to live with it.)

It's not a race, it's a marathon, and really this is a lifestyle change.

RE: when you "get to look ok"? WLS patients have a lot of body dysmorphia issues. In your mind, you may get to your goal and still not feel like that. It's something to address with a counselor, setting your expectations realistically. (I may be wrong, you may have realistic expectations but are expressing it as part of this general frustration.)

Generally, I think you are being too hard on yourself and need to be a kinder to yourself during this process. You're doing all the right things. Everyone who goes through this is afraid it won't work for them. Give it some time and keep doing what you're doing. Maybe contact your surgeon about what your expectations should be; this type of surgery is pretty new, so it may be a little different.

It'll be ok, just give it time.

One of my best friends is getting WLS (sleeve)! She has some health issues that would be reduced a bit with weight loss and hearing me go through it, (we're in different states), she was inspired to do it! I'm so happy for her and she's making a great choice for her health! She'll be getting it in about 5 weeks. We're pretty close in BMI, so we've decided to be plastic surgery buddies and go to the Dominican Republic together in about 1.5 years. Knowing that she's doing this too is really helping me get back on track now that my stomach has healed and I don't get sick (much) anymore. (I was kinda in a slump for a bit there.) Plus, I just got this new squat machine that really kicks my ass (and my thighs and core haha!) ALSO- yesterday, for the first time in YEARS I was able to walk 8 blocks- And stand at a counter in between for about 5-10 minutes- WITHOUT HAVING TO SIT!!! Seems trivial, but I have major back injuries/ chronic pain issues (which is how I got fat- doctors refuse to prescribe medicine needed for pain management = being nearly bedridden). Months ago I could only be on my feet for about 5 minutes before I had to sit because of the pain in my back. Things are looking up!

I'm happy to report that this has gone away- THANK the GODS! I guess it was just my stomach fully healing. Thank you for all the advice and sympathy!

You'll get through this ok! The most frequent comment I read/ hear is "why didn't I do this sooner?" As someone who has yo-yoed in my weight throughout my life, getting healthy sooner rather than later is for the best I think.

What the actual f**k? That person is NOT your friend. She put you down and then turned it around to make it all about her and HER "honest" efforts... she's jealous and trying to cut you down to make herself feel superior. Anyone who has been on this journey AT ALL knows this is quite far from the "easy way" or the "cheater's way." You made a choice for your health, now the it's time to choose your mental health and cut her out. 210 for your health is far from sickly (and congrats on the 50lbs! That's a LOT of weight!) My sister was a huge nay-sayer, saying that I was going to have bigger mental health issues and ruin my life etc. She just didn't get it. A lot of ppl who aren't there themselves don't. I'm sorry to hear your "friend" was so awful to you. You don't deserve that at all.

Make sure you drink it slowly over the course of the day because your body can only absorb about 20-30g at a time. Good stuff though 😃

There's also lentil Pasta which has 12g of Protein per serving.