Suzi_the_Q

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.)

Thank you for the insight!

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.

Hi all, I'm about a month and a half from my bypass surgery and I'm struggling to be good on my food. My partner is an alcoholic and decided to go off his mental health meds a couple weeks ago without consulting his therapist or me. I've managed to get him to start them again a couple days ago, but it's been rough. Additionally, my special needs 6 year old has been home from his special needs "school"/ therapy center over insurance issues that won't resolve until at least the 30th. His being out of school coincided with my partner starting a new job, so suddenly he's not home with us and my son has been acting out a bit. To top it all off, my chronic pain has been flaring up and I have no medication to treat it. I use heating pads etc. but it's debilitating. My PC thinks it's fibromyalgia and I've been referred to a pain specialist but they won't be calling me to schedule for another 2 weeks. Meanwhile I can barely get out of bed and when I do it's excruciating. So my question is: what do you do for stress relief that doesn't involve exercise or alone time? I have a therapist I talk to once a week and I'm on mental health medication already.

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).

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.

I'm 6 weeks post op and no matter what I eat, I feel ill. I hate food now. I never want to eat anymore, I'm barely able to eat anything.When I eat, it hurts. When I drink (sip!), it hurts. I get dry heaves almost daily. I'm having a hard time meeting my macros, my meds make me feel sick too. Haven't met with my (b***h) doctor yet- she has the worst bedside manner I have EVER encountered! I do not feel confident or comfortable talking to her at all about my issues. I've even tried switching to another program but that "just isn't done." I hope this passes, I feel so hopeless rn.

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

A lot more space between my tummy and the steering wheel, much roomier chairs.

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!

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!

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.