Suzi_the_Q

Hi everyone!
I hope everyone is doing great . I wanted to come here and share an update with you all. I had VSG in December and I’m so glad I did. Best decision ever! As of today I have lost 67 pounds and I’m am officially a healthy BMI! I can’t believe my clothes are a size small and extra small. I used to wear 2x! I am so happy. So much hard work and dedication goes in to this. This is def not the easy way out. A lot of sweat and tears to reach my goal. I workout every day. I purchased a bowflex since the gyms have been closed for a while now. I no longer eat meat, that was a huge change for me. Suddenly my stomach can’t handle meat at all. So I’m a pescatarian now. I still have at least a Protein Shake a day. My doctor said if I enjoy them I can continue to drink them, so I do. I used to be obsessed with sweets, I no longer like anything sugary. I went through a crazy Hair loss for a few weeks. I was getting concerned since it was so much hair loss. Luckily it seems to have subsided. I no longer need my asthma medication daily, I have been on remission from RA and I haven’t had Migraines in months! Even my GERD got better 😊. It feels great to see my doctors and have them congratulate me on my progress. There were plenty of times where stalls happened, or I felt I wasn’t losing as fast as other people. That’s when I took a step back and stopped comparing my journey to others; I started enjoying mine. I realized it’s not a race and eating healthy and being active I will surely lose the weight at my own pace.
Sending everyone lots of positive thoughts and vibes. I hope you all are healthy and keep pushing. ❤️

banded 11/10/2009, TT w/MR and Lipo to flanks 3/2012 .... i never ever regretted it. Even after band removal 3/2017 and putting back 30lb in the 2.5 years with no WLS..... Sleeved 8/28/2019.... and i think the TT held up pretty good. Not perfect in my eyes, but my husband is not complaining and i can still wear a bikini....

I wanted to share a "time lapse" of pictures of my transformation over the past 3 years 7/2017 - 5/2020. I have lost weight, exercised and I have my life back and I am living it again. All of us are here to fight this demon and I wanted to show my pictures as encouragement to show it can happen. Will I be a size 2? Probably not, but I am happier than ever with my life and myself. I am currently pursuing removing my stomach skin with my original surgeon due to recurrent abdominal and navel infections. We shall see what the insurance says about it all.
💗

I wish you'd share some pictures CatW!? I don't feel I look 60 either (just turned 61 Friday, 29th) AND completely thrilled with the WLS of 141 pounds lost (late 2018 - 2019) and then, plastics (early 2020). Like yourself - wishing too I could have enjoyed this teenage "light on my feet" like figure (that's what hubby and good friends reference me as) years earlier BUT suspect, I am exactly where I should be at this juncture. Not sooner or later given the strides and advancements they have made in nutrition, sleeve surgery and plastics to date. I'm committed to being a healthier and happier woman moving toward older adulthood defying frump and being the very best version of myself.
I am so very excited for fellow Floridian, darktowerdream! She has so much to look forward to in appreciating the next level of weight loss rewards and satisfaction. June 15th will be here in no time. As well as, chubrub! I do look forward to their continued success unfold, don't you! Fun. Favorite cartoon before plastics... ;]

I'm scheduled for plastic surgery in January!! Ahhhhh!!! Of course I still need to hit my goal weight, but I'm feeling very confident about that. I can always push back the PS if need be, but I'm using it as motivation to hit goal sooner rather than later!!
I'm having circumferential TT (aka LBL) and a BR/BL w/ implant. I'm so excited!!!
If all goes well with PS (and Covid19), I'm thinking a trip to the Bahamas in May 2021 would be a nice way to Celebrate my new body!

I posted awhile ago that I found out I was pregnant. And when I went my drs gave me a whole lecture even tho I was just a month shy of what I was supposed to wait (we weren’t trying I was told I had less than a 1% chance of ever having a baby because I’ve suffered several miscarriages in the past) anyway they scared the hell outta me and made me think this pregnancy wasn’t going to be successful. But I am currently 20 weeks and expecting a baby boy 💙 the baby has a two vessel cord so they are keeping a close eye on him but everything looks good! Only the BPD was measuring a bit behind (only 2-3days) everything else was either measuring right or a few days ahead 💙 early pregnancy I lost 14lbs due to nausea and not being able to eat or drink Protein Shakes but a month or two in the nausea started going away so I started getting 90-100g of Protein to catch back up. Pre pregnancy I was 212lbs and I got down to 197.6lbs I’m currently half way thru and just now gaining weight so I think I’m doing well. this morning I was 205.4lbs. My obgyn asked me if I was eating because I wasn’t gaining anything and was actually loosing 😅 (they are aware I had the surgery I go to them and a specialist because I was previously a diabetic, had multiple miscarriages, and had rny) I assured her I’m eating a lot more than I did before getting pregnant. I’m hungry every two hours which is INSANE because if I don’t eat something I start to feel sick and before getting pregnant I would get the feeling of true hunger maybe once a day 🙄 but I read that is normal since our tummy’s can only fit so much and with a baby our bodies require more. I just wanted to post an update because I’m SUPER EXCITED and feel so blessed that I’ve been given the chance to create life. We’re having our rainbow/miracle baby and I am just so happy 💙🌈

Hey everyone. I hope that y’all are doing good.

So the other day, my little girl came to give me a hug. I was standing at the time and all of a sudden she got really excited and said “mommy, I can put my arms all the way around you now”!!!! It might be dumb to some but it made me so happy and I had to hide my tears from her!

Also, tonight!!!! I took a very comfortable bath for the first time in a very looonnnng time! Before, I couldn’t even sit comfortably in the tub.

One day post-op my surgeon refused to prescribe me anything for pain - but told me I could alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen. I said that I thought we weren't supposed to take ibuprofen - and he told me I could take ibuprofen if he said I could.
One. Day. Post-op.
🙄

I was posing all goofy for a friend and when she showed me the picture I was shocked! I knew everyone was TELLING me I was so skinny but this picture blows my mind! Its like my face was photoshopped on someone else's body! Look at those skinny legs!! 😱

I found the two-week pre-op diet to be the hardest part of the whole ordeal. I just had to white-knuckle it. It does seem to get better after the first three or four days, once your body is in ketosis.

I have to admit this subject has been a big deal for me. Despite the financial challenges of it.
I had my gastric bypass surgery April 29th 2019 and I reached goal earlier than I thought I would. To be honest I reached a goal I never thought I could.
My excess skin is more problematic and unsightly probably due to my inability to exercise. Especially my thighs and butt. My core can use the strengthening it would help with along with the skin removal. Some areas I feel like a Shar Pei ... I get bloody rashes on my thighs especially trying to shave but it’s catch 22 I have to shave otherwise I get rashes from irritating hair ... due to pcos. Anyway. I’d hoped that insurance might offer some help. I asked my surgeon they were like yes Florida does pay for certain reasons. They said make an appointment with the plastic surgeon. But when we called they said they didn’t accept insurance. I figured if Cleveland Clinic didn’t no one else would. Honestly I watch that show my 600lb life and how people get free skin removal ... it’s not fair.
sorry I rambled. Just when I didn’t know what to do, I found that BariatricPal actually has their own Hospital and researched them and they are awesome. It’s located in Mexico and is a short ride from San Diego airport. It’s called Hospital BC.
I’ve been emailing them for some time now and they have been patiently helping me with deciding on choosing their Hospital and then planning this. I am scheduled for surgery June 15th. I’m trying to prepare myself for it! I leave June 14th from Palm beach airport. I return on June 21st and technically get home June 22nd.
I will be having belt lipectomy with butterfly lift, tightening of the stomach muscles. And to be honest I will be asking them to not relocate my bellybutton. I will also be having thigh lift. And breast augmentation.
I had to have CBC bloodwork at my doctors appointment prior. But otherwise they do everything there. It’s all inclusive. They provide transportation to and from the airport. I stay in hospital one night and in their special hotel the rest but with 24 hour nurse/doctor and concierge. Meals and other things are included that I can’t think of at the moment. They give Faja and even lymphatic massage if it’s needed.

im hoping my numerous previous surgeries will have me prepared for how to manage the post op incision care. I’ve never traveled so far and will likely go home with drains in place. My primary care physician wasn’t too pleased with the idea ... but at this point she was smart and didn’t try and argue with me 🤣 Honestly you can be in the states and get really terrible surgeons ... and I found this place looks excellent.
this is the website:
https://hospitalbc.com

I'm still 36lbs away from my goal weight of 130, and once I get there, I might want to drop the goal to 120. I've just started researching plastic surgeons, joined some FB groups, and it's easy to become obsessed!! I'm obviously going to weight until I hit goal to start setting up any consults, but man I can't wait!!
I have 4 Miami surgeons that I'm interested in so far, but then I'll see someone else's photos and want to add their surgeon to my list!

So, I had pretty much the same question and got some really helpful answers on this thread here.
Hope it helps.

I have my five-year anniversary in four days!!
doing well. Initially got down to into the 130s but gained 15-20 lbs in year 3 (10 of which I was OK with - with my large frame and musculature, 130s was too light for me). I stabilized at 150 for a couple of years, but last fall I was abroad for a month, then came back in time of the holidays, and then the pandemic hit, so I managed to get up to 160. I'm working on getting back down to 150 as that's where I feel best. It's happening but S-L-O-W going. Who knew how hard it would be to lose a measly 10 lbs?
anyway, overall it's been a great success and I'd do it over again 1000 times... Shouldn't have waited so long to take the plunge!

Wow! How long did it take you to lose the weight?

I had Gastric Bypass at the weight of 500 pounds on my 5'2" frame. It simply saved my life and there is never a day when I am not thankful for doing it. I have lost 342 pounds and completely changed my way of thinking - about food and life in general. These days I follow Weight Watchers which I love. It gives me that little bit of structure while also giving me lots of freedom. However you do it, just know that you can! You can take control of this thing that has made you feel out of control for so long. If there is anything I can do to answer questions or help and encourage anyone, just let me know.

Yes I do. When I lost the weight the first time a lot of negative ppl in my life said I would fail and gain it all back which I did!😢😢😔😔😔 and evening though I cut most ppl out of my life the main ones are my family. I’ve literally been in hiding. I can’t believe they were right.

Please don't compare the weight loss rate of a man to the weight loss rate of a woman. You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

It depends on what you're looking for.
Approaches of support groups vary big deal. Some feature the "food addiction/never again" approach, others feature the "intuitive eating/take the magic pull out of food" approach.
Depending on group vibes and your personal preferences support groups can be very helpful or highly toxic. Be careful when choosing one and don't hesitate to leave if the people there pull you down instead of lifting you up.

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts. After 10 years of the 'Band', I've decided that I must move on! Started with highest weight pre-band at 236, lost 70 pounds and things were great. Somewhere along the way, I was too tight (constant vomiting) or too loose (ate everything). Could never get back to the green zone. I gained all the weight back plus 4 pounds! So, tomorrow I am officially separating from the band and entering a new relationship with the sleeve. Please, supporters, wish me the best and hopefully my nervous jitters will calm down.

For all of you just starting out or on the fence want to share something that hit home today. at 377 i could not go on my kids skiff boat To much weight, I could only go on it alone. So i never used it. Today as we sit here i am physically able to get on and off the boat and enjoy things i could not.
So today was the Naples Florida Trump Boat Bash and Parade. My 17 year old came to me and says you want to go with me and savannah to this circus. I was shocked but i said yes. Cool as hell to see billions of dollars in one area, Of course this is Naples Florida so we have Yachts everywhere. Great thing to do
The moral is life is so much better being normal weight and healthy! Just do it - do not miss things in life cuz your overweight
BTW - This is not a political post we just wanted to go have fun. Everyone has there own views and the rule in this house is Do what you want but do not express religion or poliitics views to each there own!

My doctors office called & I officially have a new surgery date!! July 16th ❤️

Well guys I just wanted to report that yesterday's sleeve party was a success! I am back at home trying to sip; sip, sip, as much I can.
I was in by 7 and out by 6:15. I would like to thank all of you for support!
It's MY time!

I felt this on sooo many levels lol. I began my journey in January, was supposed to get submitted in April buuuut COVID hit. Since, I've actually switched doctors. Luckily my insurance doesn't require any supervised diets, but that definitely doesn't change the desire for things to go faster! It's crazy because the months move faster than you think they would!! Congrats for starting your journey & I hope they get everything going for you!