Lillimint

I’m back from surgery!!! Everything went great. Surgeon ended up picking 355 cc’d, high profile, Mentir implants (gummy bears). I got a quick peek when I was in recovery and am loving my results so far!

No pain yet, so I’m obviously still feeling the effects of the anesthesia. I just took a pain pill now to stay agreed if it. Chilling in my recliner with my compression machine.

Thanks so much everyone for thinkin of me today! You are the best!! Xoxo!!!

Yeah, I’ve seen/read many posts of various members that annoy/bother/upset me. Crossing paths with those whose views (and how they express them) that are antithetical to yours is a reality in life. I mean, we are all different, so of course there will be a whole spectrum of beliefs/thoughts/actions out there.
For the most part, I just ignore it and move on. Though there have been instances when I felt VERY strongly AGAINST something posted and I would post a reply...mostly for the attempted benefit of the other readers of the thread, as in my experience, its is very unlikely that one can change the mind of the “offending” OP.
I find that the helpful generally outnumber the unhelpful on here, so there is hope.
P.S. The VERY unhelpful have been known to get booted out of here by administrators (Mikey/Superman, anyone?), i think in part to others “reporting” the unhelpful behaviour. So PSA to anyone: use the “Report” button if you feel someone crossed the line...its there for a reason.
P.P.S. Using the term “unhelpful” may not be indicative of what I’m trying to convey, but I’m sure y’all know what I mean.

I love small booklets 😆
Yes I have seen and dealt with it. I mostly try to ignore it or choose very carefully where I want to participate. I'm trying to give everyone a *little* grace these because we're all having a rough time in some way. I think we're likely to see patterns of general negativity rise everywhere especially when times are tough.
The simplest thing can be to leave those negative platforms. That may be the right choice for your happiness and well being.
A harder path maybe to try and push out the negativity. Positivity can spread just like negativity, but it takes more effort to cultivate. Viktor E. Frankl's writes in his memoirs of the Holocaust, Man's Search for Meaning :
"For the world is in a bad state, but everything will become still worse unless each of us does his best."
This always stuck with me. I couldn't understand how someone who experienced the very worst of human behavior could find peace again (if you read the book he outlines his philosophical theories).
I hope the forums (and world to a greater extent) become positive and enjoyable again ♥️

UPDATE...
So I did it. I finally spoke with my supervisor, well actually emailed because I am much better in written word rather than spoken word. I was more than nervous after I clicked send! After what seemed like years (more like 15 minutes - yes a little overdramatic) she replied and she is 100% supportive! She has even offered to look into short term disability if I would like to MORE time off than planned. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
I will need to thank my husband tonight...

You have no idea what a relief this is to hear! I am hoping that I can also be in the same boat in 6 months. I think you are right, the first few times will be difficult, but the more I share, I think the less likely I will be so anxious about sharing. I also have been remote working since March and it looks like we may continue to do so until this March at the earliest. You will have to keep me in the loop about reactions once you return to the workplace. It sounds we work in very similar work environments. Sometimes, I feel like I am back in middle school with all the gossip and drama. HA!
Thank you so much for reading!

How are all my Sept 2020 friends doing?
My surgeon says I'm reaching his goal too quickly and I need to start bringing up my calories. I've lost 67pds since my surgery Sept 29th and am now 160. (His goal for me was 150).
Sent from my SM-G973W using BariatricPal mobile app

Just over a year after my surgery I have reached my goal! I am officially half of my starting weight. I do think I'm going to try to lose another 15 lbs, but woohoo!
The not so good news, I've been sick for the last 10 days and that's the only reason I am down as much as I am in this two week period (9 lbs), and I fully expect a small bounce back once I feel better, but for now, I want to enjoy this moment as much as I can.

Almost 5 1/2 months out and down 77lbs! The first picture was taken the night before surgery... I'm thankful I have it for comparison. This Surgery has saved my life in so many ways.
Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

I think everyone should subtract the last year from their age 😂

Just got back from pre op. I went into with the idea that I wanted 225cc implants. The surgeon wants to to go bigger. She promises they will look great. So we agreed anything between 350 and 550, and she will decide during surgery what looks best. I like that I’ll be surprised. Lol!! She wanted me to consider 650s but I drew the line there! I said maybe if I was 25 but I’m too old for those kind of boobs! Lol!

As for the TT she is going to extend the incision past my hips bc I have so much loose skin which I’m happy with! She also said that I don’t have any fat to Lipo on my flanks (it’s all skin) so she found a little on my back to do instead, but it won’t be 1 liter. I’m glad I don’t have much fat but hope I can still get that snatched look without lipo to the flanks. Hoping she’ll find some more fat when she gets in there!

No matter what I’m excited!!

Attaching pics of me in all my saggy glory. This first pic is without implants. The rest are with the 350s. I’m showing my saggy thighs too for research purposes bc sometimes the TT can give the thighs a little lift. I'm hoping to get a little oomph but am prepared if that doesn't happen.

So I've recently been hired for a new job. As part of the "Welcome Kit", this company sends new employees a company T-shirt. They sent a size medium and in the past, I would have known there was NOTHING I could do with a medium T-shirt except maybe hang it up and look at it. It would have been just another one of those small indignities that you have to live with when you are bigger than the rest of the world. But today, the T-shirt fits perfectly and I'm starting off my new job without a reminder that I'm different from everyone else. How sweet it is!

It must have been so frightening to hear you stopped breathing during surgery. I’m sorry that happened to you.
As for the chest congestion & cough, check with your surgical team. Anything that seems odd to you post surgery should be checked medically.

you all are too nice. thank you 😏 Honestly the last I was this weight was probably when I was a kid, even 9 or 10 Id say. And I always had body issues. I appreciate the feedback. Having plastics felt like it solidified my weight loss journey even though I still feel challenged to keep it up. And funny I get comments from my doctors as if Im too skinny now 🤣 Im only 5' i still feel like the fat kid. But Im grateful to have come this far. and wish the best for everyone else on this journey too.

I had a Belt Lipectomy/ butterfly lift with stomach muscle tightening, augmentation and thigh lift. My worst areas were excessive loose crepey sagging skin of the butt area and even more so my thigh area. I should have kept my own before pictures of how bad it was but I was so ashamed. I did let the surgeon share my before pictures but its hard to truly see how bad it was before. for me it was worth the scars. I had a T incision due to how much sagging skin so a incision in the groin area T shape and down the inner thigh. I only wish it had gone to my knees otherwise I have no regrets. I had some issues with the incision healing in the T Incision area but its now healed fine. I have many chronic health issues which made it a challenge so a healthy person fares better of course. Also having a lower BMI and making sure your blood work is healthy (the surgeon checks these things) helps the healing process. I took Turmeric, collagen, Vitamin C, Biotin (extra) and extra Protein and made sure not to push too hard while healing. Im not on my own computer I had problems and had to replace it but its going to take a while for me to get a replacement. my photos are on a solid state drive. I took pictures of my scar progress. In all honesty for me it was a huge difference. I didnt have a lot to remove but it was all loose skin. I would do it again definitely. some people I see have it they dont have alot of skin but they seem to remove fat along with it for me it was about horrid excess skin.
It was a challenge also having the Belt Lipectomy which is basically a body lift procedure. Along with the thigh lift. You have areas high tension that the incisions hold together and these can open. There is risk with anything. Basically if it does open the best course of action is secondary wound healing. using Bactigras and keeping it dry and bandaged until it heals and closes on its own. I had some challenges. But I think its mainly my chronic illness that made it challenging. my surgeon made sure I was good for surgery and made sure I was aware of possible things that could come up and I was prepared. My thigh Lift T incision opened but now you cant tell. to me its just a scar and still better than it was before. My body lift I had incision open at the coccyx that also is very common. its a high pressure point. some of my scar areas are so light though, it surprises me. I dont regret that either since my backside was the worst absolute worst. My body and skin felt like 90 years old. I mean i still do. because of my health issues but at least my body isnt sagging anymore! do I see some little things like my calves and backs of my knees and excess skin under my arms yes. but Im grateful I had my surgeries.
I am ... I think seven months out from surgery. I had it June 14th. I braved putting on a swimsuit. Just not in public yet. but Ill look for the picture maybe share it here. Im not a fan of myself. I didnt do it for cosmetics but for the physical effects and yes also how it made me feel.
I wish I were better at explaining. I tend to write too much. I havent been around Im dealing with some health issues. every time I go to write a post to discuss it I delete it. Thigh lift is a challenging surgery but for me it was something I needed to do. I was so scared when I thought it might not happen. and grateful my surgeon helped it happen. so no regrets here.
I am not a fan of sharing pictures sorry I dont have my before. My surgery pictures are on the Hospital BC Facebook Group. probably not the best pictures. My One side the scar is darker because that is my "bad side" medically. I dont remember if I shared other pictures here. I do have other pictures on my portable hard drive some very graphic scar pictures. Ive had so many surgeries in my life the scars dont phase me. I guess Ill say again its still better than all that loose, wrinkled and sagging skin. It helps the weight loss journey feel like i made goal. Im still working on body dysmorphia that likely wont change. but the sagging skin gone is something I dont regret.

The soft food stage felt like it went very quickly for me. I depended on eggs quite a bit, starting with just plain scrambled eggs. Then I started introducing in spices and other things like cheese. I was very concerned that I wouldn’t tolerate spices, but that never seemed to bother me. I also ate a lot of refried Beans. I couldn’t stand the thought of tuna, although I liked it just fine pre-op. I purreed some baked chicken thighs with yogurt (or possibly sour cream?). Sounds disgusting, but tasted and looked fine. I’m sure there are some recipes out there, but it was kind of a pain in the butt to prepare and very bland. I think chopping it up very finely and carefully chewing would have achieved the same effect. Towards the end of the soft foods stage I started eating boiled shrimp - just making sure that I chewed it carefully.

I am 5 months from surgery now, and I still prefer dark meat chicken and shrimp. I can eat white meat, hamburger, turkey, pork, ham and steak, but dark meat chicken always feels much easier on my tummy.

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do well.

Even great doctors can have some really crappy people skills. You should be VERY proud of yourself for being able to walk two miles. Holy cow...I had my surgery done on Monday and I can barely make it out of bed to walk in little circles and use the bathroom. He may be one of those people with black-and-white thinking: either you're going completely by his playbook or you're WRONG! He may just one of those people who's impossible to impress.

You: Hey, doc! So I just got accepted into the Olympics, found out I was the world's fastest runner, and I'm going to be featured on a box of WHEATIES!
Doctor: Yeah, OK...but I see you only drank 63 ounces of Water yesterday. I TOLD YOU 64!!!!

He could have said that in another way. I think it is sooo great that you are walking. It speaks volumes to how seriously you are taking this lifestyle change. I think maaaaybe the doctor was trying to say it’s 80% diet and 20% exercise and wants you to make the diet a priority? I’m not sure, but in any case.. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

Do you think your surgeon meant walking is good for your general health or pleasure, but following the dietary/lifestyle changes is what really matters at this stage post surgery?
Either way congratulations and don't feel deflated, you've only just begun.

Please don’t be too hard on yourself!

I had surgery 7/23, and I still have occasional moments of lightheadedness when I’m exercising. The first time it happened it was much more like you described. I definitely thought I was seconds away from fainting. I stopped walking immediately and eventually made it to a bench. It took me a while ( hour or two) to feel back to normal. I started carrying lifesavers around with me in case it was my blood sugar dropping, but I actually think the issue was my that my blood pressure meds needed to be adjusted. My PCP has reduced my blood pressure meds, and that has helped. So that bit of near-fainting weirdness wasn’t actually an indication of something terrible.

As I said, I still will occasionally get the lightheaded feeling, but I notice that feeling much sooner. It has never been as bad as it was that first time. I will either slow down (sometimes sit down), and I recover much more quickly than that first time. My PCP asked me to keep track of when it happens, record my blood pressure and in my next follow up in a couple of weeks I’m betting my blood pressure meds will be reduced again.

It sounds like you had a really long day. Maybe you needed food, maybe you needed a rest, or maybe it’s time to check in with your primary care about any meds you take. I know it’s frustrating and irritating and frightening, but you can do this!

Please don’t be too hard on yourself!

I had surgery 7/23, and I still have occasional moments of lightheadedness when I’m exercising. The first time it happened it was much more like you described. I definitely thought I was seconds away from fainting. I stopped walking immediately and eventually made it to a bench. It took me a while ( hour or two) to feel back to normal. I started carrying lifesavers around with me in case it was my blood sugar dropping, but I actually think the issue was my that my blood pressure meds needed to be adjusted. My PCP has reduced my blood pressure meds, and that has helped. So that bit of near-fainting weirdness wasn’t actually an indication of something terrible.

As I said, I still will occasionally get the lightheaded feeling, but I notice that feeling much sooner. It has never been as bad as it was that first time. I will either slow down (sometimes sit down), and I recover much more quickly than that first time. My PCP asked me to keep track of when it happens, record my blood pressure and in my next follow up in a couple of weeks I’m betting my blood pressure meds will be reduced again.

It sounds like you had a really long day. Maybe you needed food, maybe you needed a rest, or maybe it’s time to check in with your primary care about any meds you take. I know it’s frustrating and irritating and frightening, but you can do this!

This was my reaction, too. It does get better! It felt like the top of my stomach was spasming, followed by vomiting or dry heaves. I couldn’t keep anything down. At day 3 or 4 I returned to the doctors office. I got IV fluids for dehydration and a CT scan to make sure there wasn’t anything physically amiss. The spasm feeling slowly got better day by day, and by day 6 or 7 I was no longer vomiting.

Use a pillow against your stomach when you throw up. I placed a bowl on a counter at about mid-torso height so I didn’t have to bend over. The whole thing was scary and miserable, and I was full of regret. After I got the IV fluids I started to feel a little better, and having the reassurance from the nurses and doctor that my surgery was fine helped too.

I never could keep the zofran down. The scopolamine patch is what helped me.

I am now 5 months post-op, and that miserable feeling has faded from memory. All is going well and I’m glad I did it. Just make sure you let the doctor know so they can help you.

So here is a bit of knowledge that may or may not be helpful in your life.
i have been struggling “big time” with Constipation and tried everything I have been taught in nursing school and in life about how to help with constipation. It hasn’t really been helpful but it’s gotten me by. Well this week everything I thought I knew went right out the door and an Asian lady in Tacoma taught me a trick.
I have spent the last week traveling with my hubby for a work thing, staying in hotels, with the covid their workout rooms were closed and I didn’t know the area so I wasn’t walking as much and with driving all the time I wasn’t getting in the massive amounts of liquids I was at home so I was stopped up right!!!
I asked a friend there if she could give me a ride to Walmart to get an enema, well that was quite the conversation starter!!
anyway she informed me that I could do whatever I had to do but: if I drank some hot ginger tea and took long hot bath and massaged my stomach froM right to left and then tried on the toilet with my feet on a stool or the garbage can turned upside down I would have a bowel movement. Haha right, I mean I haven’t pooped in four days and I think I may just pass a small elephant when it’s time what is tea and a stool going to do......
I pooped. I pooped a lot. It worked. I don’t know what part of the equation is the magic part but you can bet your bottom dollar that every other night I will be drinking ginger tea in the bathtub with the garbage can turned upside down in front of the throne because it works.
maybe it’s the position of the knees up or maybe it’s the hot tea mixed with the knees or the abdominal massage but by golly it’s better than any alternative I have found!!!
thanks to Dtan I am again a happy woman

Hi all, had VSG yesterday and in the hospital as we speak! Just talked to Dr’s and they said I should be able to go hone this morning...YAY ME!!

Some suggestions for folks going into surgery any time soon.
1. The gas lifesaver was a heating pad (get a pretty bug one to cover you entire abdomen). I has a hysterectomy 5 years ago and about died from gas pains. I still have the gas pains with this surgery but not NEARLY as bad with the heating pad.

2. Get biotin/boitene (not sure exactly how it’s spelt) mouth spray. You’re mouth will be very very very dry after surgery and you may not be allowed Water immediately after but even if Can’t have water you can’t golf it can your mouth will still be super dry. So this just helps with the dryness in your mouth and I got the mint flavor sent makes you’re mouth a little bit fresher too.
3. Bring your own pillow!

All in all a good experience. If you have any questions about surgery or liquid diet, feel free to ask.

I am 61 and feel like a teenager - And, told I often look like one. I Celebrate my plastics one year anniversary January 21st! I considered it another reward and step toward long term health, happiness and wholeness after sleeve a year before. Waiting to do arms and neck maybe the end of 2021 to give body a rest from procedures. After plastics, I feel you are definitely more motivated and psyched to apply new eating and better lifestyle choices. I recommend it wholeheartedly. It will be a game changer.

Ok, maybe not the best compliment, but definitely the funniest:
The first time the Kid's boyfriend (now ex) met me, I overheard him tell her "Whoa, your mom is hot". He was 15.
I was all "awwww" and "ewwww" at the same time. 😂😂😂😂