STLoser

I realized my most recent NSV while out shopping for new pants. To give a little back story, I have always been a 30" length in pants, so in the past as my weight has fluctuated so has my pant sizes from 38x30 to 40x30, then to 42x30. Well I'm happy to report that as of today I am a 30x30 (or so I thought!!). It seems that I have actually grown taller! Well, kinda.... Since I now wear my pants at my waist aka at my bellybutton and not under my belly, I'm really a 32 length!!! It blew my mind to find out I'm taller than what my pants led me to believe 🤣.
Seriously though, it's a wonderful feeling to be in clothing sizes I never dreamed I would be able to fit in.

When I was at my highest weight, it felt like my body was just running out of places to put more fat and I started getting pads of fat in weird places.
Today I noticed that my "buffalo hump" (fat pad between my shoulder blades) is gone and my back is a more normal shape. And also my "hotdog bun" (rolls of fat at the nape of my neck) is basically gone. The pad on my shin just below my kneecap is almost gone.
I'm still fat as of now, but just in the usual places.

I have some, first I wanted to post a before and after.

From a 4x/3x to a L/M
I cant believe I don't need plus sizes anymore. Honestly it's so weird to me still that I can find something in most stores now that work with my body. I've been plus sized for the past 12 years and when I was a kid (girls plus). I know it's not a weird NSV but it's weird to me because I've been plus sized my whole life.

Another NSV, I was able to hike in bad shoes without getting out of breath or falling. Pic from the hike.

Another NSV. I am a musician. I had a show last night and I was scared to step up on stage because there was no step. Old me would have had a lot of trouble and felt embarrassed. I got up with my instrument in hand and had no issues at all. I am still scared though to do things like that because I'm not used to my new body. I hope I'll become more comfortable soon. Pic of stage!

  

Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes! I feel the same like surprised at how so many things heal after the weight loss. Now I feel it's all momentum that since I lost 💯 how much more better would I feel if I lost say 50 more! It is great to hear that you have victory over your asthma!

I had my yearly pulmonologist appt. the other day. I've been seeing him for about 10 years, since I got diagnosed with asthma. I had suspected I had it for a long time before that, but when I got up to almost 400 pounds it got a lot worse. That year I was sick 10 months out of the year. It was awful.
Well, at this appointment the other day he said my lung function is better than normal for a woman my age (51). Like, WAY better than normal, and he doesn't need to see me anymore unless I have a problem. He also took me off my controlling inhaler with the long acting brochodilator in it and put me on a regular one that is just a steroid. I had originally had to go on the one with the brochodilator because we couldn't get my asthma under control with just a steroid.
Actually, I love this doctor and he's the best doctor I've ever had so I will miss him, but I'm so happy. I NEVER knew the impact my weight was having on my ashtma until I lost the weight. I just can't believe how much better I feel. I can't believe after struggling to get it under control for a long time, now it's like I don't even have asthma. It's amazing!

Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I was in costco the other day. I don't know if this counts as a NSV but it was interesting to me. They had Protein Powder on sale and I was looking at it and it was a different version of my usual brand (Orgain) but way cheaper and I said "I wonder how this one tastes" to my husband. Another lady told me they had samples and we got to talking and I said I usually use this brand but a different version and then she was asking me questions about it and I was giving her advice on where I get the other version, how I use it, etc.
I just think it's funny that someone would talk to me about nutrition without batting an eye, not knowing that I ever weighed almost 400 pounds. It feels good but at the same time weird, because I actually was just as into health and nutrition then, I just never could eat small enough portions. I could have given the same advice 2 years ago, but no one would have asked me or believed I could know anything.
Now, I look the part.
I'm glad people aren't able to look at me and assume all the bad things they probably did before I lost weight, but it's sad too. I'm the same person.

Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you everyone. I don't know what I'd do without this board and everyone's support! I really appreciate all of your comments and suggestions. I haven't seen a specialist for this in years because nothing ever really seemed to help it, so I just kind of learned to live with it. Maybe it's time to go back so I at least have that record. I have had other infections that my pcp has treated so there is a record of that.
As far as insurance, right now there is not option other than my husband's. I'm holding out hope they'll change it. In 2020 when I had my wls it was excluded, but my husband just had his wls done in May and they cover it now. So I won't give up.
I know in time I could pay out of pocket if I have to, but since I'm not getting any younger I'd like to do it asap.
But now that it's later in the day I've had time to think and put things in perspective and I do believe everything happens for a reason. It's just not meant to happen at this moment, and I'll be OK.
Regardless, my life is infinitely better than it was 2 years ago, and even the hydradenitis is better than back then.


Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I should clarify that I have had other infections in this area that my Dr. Has treated.

Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm currently in a drug study for HS, the research is gaining a lot of steam now so maybe you can find a dermatologist in your state that can vouch for you.

I have had HS for so long. I was never told what it was called, I just thought it was the same as my father suffered fr. In my late 30' s and early 40's I suffered with stress and depression, and it seemed to make the condition so much worse. Use every avenue to get your surgery. Good luck

I was pretty much alone even though my husband works from home. I was fine without help once I got home from the hospital. I actually was fine in the hospital too, I just had a lot of nausea and stayed several days, but I never needed help getting around or anything, even right after the surgery. I was able to drive to my follow up appt. A week later with no problem, and it's almost an hour drive.
I think you should be just fine without anyone around as long as you follow your post op instructions. You may not have support there, but you can come to this site for tons of it. The people here are nothing but awesome and helpful!
Good luck to you!

Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, it’s pretty normal. Your healing & recovering from a pretty major surgery & feeling tired is yiur body telling you to rest to allow it to heal. Plus you’ve made considerable changes to your diet which takes a bit of getting used to as well. If you feel tired, rest. Don’t push yourself to do more. It does get better though you may still experience periods of tiredness at times. Try an electrolyte drink (I used hydralyte) to give you a little boost of energy on days when you have a few chores to do. Take some with you when you’re out or stop at a cafe and rest over a cup of tea. I did this often.

I think it took about eight weeks for it to completely lift, but it got a little better every week until it was completely gone (in other words, you won't feel this tired for the whole eight weeks (or however long it takes for you)). It'll gradually get better.

Had a fantastic appointment!!! Today I am exactly 4 1/2 months post op and I've lost 76 pounds!!! My blood sugar was 108 (had my a1c tested, waiting on that). My hematocrit (I always had Iron deficient anemia - low red blood cell count, so the higher the hematocrit, the better the iron level) is at 46. My Protein is at 8.2. My blood pressure was 113/70. And she agreed that since I work out 5 days per week and everything looks good, we can start to wean me off the Celebrex (anti-inflammatory for joint and muscle pain) and start to increase the turmeric (we've been doing this little by little but we're going to go a little bit bigger and faster now and see how it goes). I am currently off 4 meds. If I can get off the Celebrex, that'll be 5 meds gone!!! That's all I can get rid of since the rest are for my MS and my GERD issues (scope was rescheduled to this Friday to find out more about what's going on there). Here's a pic pre-op and a pic my hubby took today

The gas they pump into you during surgery fills the cavity around your organs & not so much into your tummy so most is not passed by farting or burping. Apparently most gets absorbed into the Water in your blood & is eventually breathed out. The more you move the more that gas moves & moving helps it escape faster. But, as it often gets trapped under the diaphragm which causes the discomfort & shoulder pain, it hurts more when you move.
It’s not uncommon to experience gas pain for a good week after your surgery (I did after my gall removal). But if it persist without improving or gets worse contact your surgeon.

I have lost over 200 pounds. WLS was excluded from our insurance when I had it done, so I paid out of pocket, which I had to dip into my 401k to do. As is the case with most people who have lost a lot of weight , I have tons of loose skin. I'm cool with most of it, except my pannus, because it's uncomfortable, out of proportion to my body causing my clothes not to fit right, and I have rashes and always have to use powder. panniculectomy is normally covered under the insurance we have so I saw a surgeon and was pretty excited at the thought of possibly having this large amount of lower stomach removed. I was prepared to hear that I didn't qualify or whatever.I was prepared to may maybe have to repeal a rejection. I was NOT prepared to hear that it was EXCLUDED from our plan. Now of course, I should have checked myself, but I didn't even think to since often times this surgery is medically necessary. I stupidly assumed it wouldn't be excluded. Stupid me.
I am so angry and bummed about this. I feel like I've done all this work just to be left with this bowling ball hanging from my body, and since I wiped out half my 401 it's not like I can pay out of pocket again. I'm not asking for a total body makeover or even for my body to look good (it does not lol). I'm 51 years old and my most attractive days are far behind me. I was never in this for looks. I just wanted to have my life back and feel good and be active and have a chance to live longer. I just want this discomfort removed and I don't think that's too much to ask. I have a skin condition called hydradenitis supparativa that really can't be fixed except by removing the affected area and under my stomach is where it's the worst. I'm tired of living with this awful skin condition. I've had it for like 30 years now, but it became much worse as my pannus grew.
I'm scared to death I'll gain all my weight back and I know people who do skin removal have a better chance of not gaining it back.
I'm just so frustrated and angry and probably rambling about this but I had to vent.
I'm feeling sorry for my self too and thinking how unfair things are which I know, as my mother always told me, life is not fair. But that doesn't mean I should have to be ok with that!
Anyway. Thanks for letting me vent. My husband, always the optimist, did make me feel somewhat better but I knew people here would also understand.
Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my yearly pulmonologist appt. the other day. I've been seeing him for about 10 years, since I got diagnosed with asthma. I had suspected I had it for a long time before that, but when I got up to almost 400 pounds it got a lot worse. That year I was sick 10 months out of the year. It was awful.
Well, at this appointment the other day he said my lung function is better than normal for a woman my age (51). Like, WAY better than normal, and he doesn't need to see me anymore unless I have a problem. He also took me off my controlling inhaler with the long acting brochodilator in it and put me on a regular one that is just a steroid. I had originally had to go on the one with the brochodilator because we couldn't get my asthma under control with just a steroid.
Actually, I love this doctor and he's the best doctor I've ever had so I will miss him, but I'm so happy. I NEVER knew the impact my weight was having on my ashtma until I lost the weight. I just can't believe how much better I feel. I can't believe after struggling to get it under control for a long time, now it's like I don't even have asthma. It's amazing!

Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

There are some Facebook groups specifically for people who have had gastrectomies, both total and partial, and that may provide better context and patient experience than a basic WLS group like this.
That said, it sounds to me, in my non MD view, that you may have some kind of stricture, where the stomach has twisted or folded over in itself owing to it now odd geometry; the sudden onset leads me to this type of conclusion. What you have had surgically is not a classic sleeve gastrectomy (most likely, at least) but rather some variation, particularly if they were trying to minimize the amount of stomach they were removing. That puts it outside the normal bariatric experience base. Frequently what is done in these cases is a partial gastrectomy that is more akin to an RNY gastric bypass, where they remove the lower part of the stomach including the pyloric valve, form a pouch with the remaining stomach and tie the exit some distance down the intestine. This, of course, depends upon where the tumor is, how much they need to remove, and surgeon's preference and experience.
We rarely see these problems these days with a conventional WLS sleeve as they are fairly cookie cutter and routine once the surgeon has done a few dozen of them, but it does happen occasionally early on owing to inflammation from the surgery, but that usually resolves itself in a couple of weeks or so. The RNY type procedures are somewhat prone to strictures around the joint between the stomach pouch and intestine from scar tissue if that is the type of configuration that you have. The endoscopy (or a barium swallow test) should provide some answers, though I am a bit surprised that they aren't expediting that considering the situation.
Hopefully you can get some answers soon.

Was over 50, lived alone, no children & wasn’t working at the time & I managed fine alone. Had a friend drop me off & pick me up from the hospital. She txt everyday to check on me as did another friend & my mum. They were the only ones I had told at the time. My neighbours knew I had surgery as I’d asked if they would mind taking out my bin for collection. They also offered to get anything I needed from the store.
Honestly, I enjoyed just pottering around my house doing what I needed when I wanted &/or was up to doing it after the surgery. No demands or expectations from any one else. I spent a lot of time resting on my couch reading a bit, watching a bit of tv & dozing.
I made sure I had everything I needed for the first two weeks post surgery before my operation: variety of shakes, broths & Soups, hydralyte or similar electrolyte drink, over the counter meds (non NSAID pain relief, gasX, immodium, Benefibre, etc.). & so on. Some surgeons give you your scripts before your surgery so get them filled too. (I got mine while at the hospital & they filled them there before I was discharged.)
Might be an opportunity to knock on a neighbour’s door & introduce yourself. I did when I moved into my new home. Both sides had children & one couple worked while the other didn’t. You don’t have to become best friends but it’s nice to have someone next door who is there if needed. We often do each other’s bins, collect mail, have a chat over the fence, keep an eye on each other’s places if we’re away & even the odd glass of wine or cup of tea.

I live alone, hundreds of miles from any family, and I didn’t tell anyone about my surgery other than health care professionals. I really didn’t have any issues. I took a taxi to the hospital and hired a home health care aid to take me home. The hospital said they wouldn’t allow me to take a taxi/Uber home but they didn’t check and I totally could have, but the home health care aid didn’t cost much more than a taxi and she picked up my prescriptions and brought my bag in the house, so that was good. Plus, I had no idea how well or poorly I would be feeling when I got discharged, so it was nice to have that peace of mind.
I had surgery on a Thursday, took the next week off of work, and went back the following Monday. I could have gone back much sooner, but it was good to have the week off so I could get used to my new situation (like having to sip tiny amounts to stay hydrated and get protein).
I didn’t need any help taking care of myself. I didn’t have any pain by the time I got home. I was a little tired but functional. If I recall correctly, I wasn’t allowed to lift more than 20 pounds for the first 6 weeks, but I didn’t have any need to do so.
I think my easy recovery was pretty typical of most WLS patients these days, but there’s always a chance you’ll have complications, so it’s a good idea to have a contingency plan in case you do need help.

Thank you everyone. I don't know what I'd do without this board and everyone's support! I really appreciate all of your comments and suggestions. I haven't seen a specialist for this in years because nothing ever really seemed to help it, so I just kind of learned to live with it. Maybe it's time to go back so I at least have that record. I have had other infections that my pcp has treated so there is a record of that.
As far as insurance, right now there is not option other than my husband's. I'm holding out hope they'll change it. In 2020 when I had my wls it was excluded, but my husband just had his wls done in May and they cover it now. So I won't give up.
I know in time I could pay out of pocket if I have to, but since I'm not getting any younger I'd like to do it asap.
But now that it's later in the day I've had time to think and put things in perspective and I do believe everything happens for a reason. It's just not meant to happen at this moment, and I'll be OK.
Regardless, my life is infinitely better than it was 2 years ago, and even the hydradenitis is better than back then.


Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I should clarify that I have had other infections in this area that my Dr. Has treated.

Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you everyone. I don't know what I'd do without this board and everyone's support! I really appreciate all of your comments and suggestions. I haven't seen a specialist for this in years because nothing ever really seemed to help it, so I just kind of learned to live with it. Maybe it's time to go back so I at least have that record. I have had other infections that my pcp has treated so there is a record of that.
As far as insurance, right now there is not option other than my husband's. I'm holding out hope they'll change it. In 2020 when I had my wls it was excluded, but my husband just had his wls done in May and they cover it now. So I won't give up.
I know in time I could pay out of pocket if I have to, but since I'm not getting any younger I'd like to do it asap.
But now that it's later in the day I've had time to think and put things in perspective and I do believe everything happens for a reason. It's just not meant to happen at this moment, and I'll be OK.
Regardless, my life is infinitely better than it was 2 years ago, and even the hydradenitis is better than back then.


Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I have lost over 200 pounds. WLS was excluded from our insurance when I had it done, so I paid out of pocket, which I had to dip into my 401k to do. As is the case with most people who have lost a lot of weight , I have tons of loose skin. I'm cool with most of it, except my pannus, because it's uncomfortable, out of proportion to my body causing my clothes not to fit right, and I have rashes and always have to use powder. panniculectomy is normally covered under the insurance we have so I saw a surgeon and was pretty excited at the thought of possibly having this large amount of lower stomach removed. I was prepared to hear that I didn't qualify or whatever.I was prepared to may maybe have to repeal a rejection. I was NOT prepared to hear that it was EXCLUDED from our plan. Now of course, I should have checked myself, but I didn't even think to since often times this surgery is medically necessary. I stupidly assumed it wouldn't be excluded. Stupid me.
I am so angry and bummed about this. I feel like I've done all this work just to be left with this bowling ball hanging from my body, and since I wiped out half my 401 it's not like I can pay out of pocket again. I'm not asking for a total body makeover or even for my body to look good (it does not lol). I'm 51 years old and my most attractive days are far behind me. I was never in this for looks. I just wanted to have my life back and feel good and be active and have a chance to live longer. I just want this discomfort removed and I don't think that's too much to ask. I have a skin condition called hydradenitis supparativa that really can't be fixed except by removing the affected area and under my stomach is where it's the worst. I'm tired of living with this awful skin condition. I've had it for like 30 years now, but it became much worse as my pannus grew.
I'm scared to death I'll gain all my weight back and I know people who do skin removal have a better chance of not gaining it back.
I'm just so frustrated and angry and probably rambling about this but I had to vent.
I'm feeling sorry for my self too and thinking how unfair things are which I know, as my mother always told me, life is not fair. But that doesn't mean I should have to be ok with that!
Anyway. Thanks for letting me vent. My husband, always the optimist, did make me feel somewhat better but I knew people here would also understand.
Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app