Dani64519

Wow, you look amazing!!! I so needed to see this today! I just booked my lower body lift and arm lift! I’m terrified but also excited for this opportunity!

Hi all! I am in the process of consulting with several plastic surgeons in the NYC area. Has anyone used Dr. Capella in NJ? I think I have seen his name come up on the forum and would love to hear from feedback from anyone that has used him. Please feel free to send me a message if preferable! I greatly appreciate any and all feedback/suggestions as I consider a lower body lift and an arm lift.

Thanks in advance, I am excited and equally terrified of taking this next step!

Thank you so much! This is very helpful, I’m hoping one of the other docs will consider doing the Tummy Tuck and arm lift together.. in the meantime I’ll keep focusing on losing the last few pounds, I’ve been in maintenance for 18months.. not having any trouble maintaining but the last 20 just don’t want to come off.. lol

Thank you!! I had my first consult yesterday and was shocked that he thought I could have a Tummy Tuck now (thought I had to lose more weight). I ended up getting a quote for an arm lift, tummy tuck and breast lift… I’m leaning towards a tummy tuck and arm lift … do you mind me asking how long was your recovery and if any of the procedures were done at the same time? This surgeon will only combine the arm lift/breast lift and the tummy tuck would have to be a separate surgery even if i don’t do the breast lift.. I was really hoping to only go through this once .. I have a few other consults lined up.. I’m excited and absolutely terrified:)

Hi all, I am 2.5 years from sleeve surgery and despite wanting to lose another 20-25 pounds, my body seems to have settled into it's new set point at appx 170lbs. I have a tremendous amount of loose skin but am most troubled by my arms. I can hide everything else in clothes. I am conflicted on considering an arm lift only with so much loose skin everywhere else. I really can't see how i could consider anything else while still having at least another 20-30pounds to lose (and I am not ready to give up on the dream that I might lose a little bit more over the long term). But at the same time, I recognize that I might never reach goal and if that is going to be the case, I really want to address the arm issue so I can finally wear short sleeve shirts, etc. All suggestions, thoughts are greatly welcomed. I would also love to hear from anyone on whatto expect from an arm lift recovery. Thanks in advance and wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

On 04/16/2022 at 08:16, Tripletsmom1971 said:

How are the June 2021 people??

5 minutes ago, Aliana Wood said:

I want to be honest, since I see so many success stories here and I know I can't be the only one struggling.

I am not doing well at all. I did lose about 50 pounds, which was great, but since then, I have been stuck at around the same weight since November. I haven't really gained any weight, but I also haven't lost any since then. It's strange. My body is just stuck. So, I have hovered between 250 and 255 since November and cannot get out of that area. I cannot seem to get below 250.

I'm not sure if this is my body rebelling. Because prior to last year when I reached my highest weight of over 300 pounds, I had weighed around 250-260 for about 5 years or so.

It's frustrating because it feels like the surgery was a waste right now. Maybe I will be able to get out of this rut soon and start losing again. I don't know. I feel like I am losing hope.

Hey there! You are not alone! I had surgery at the end of June and am down 59 lbs (which is great!) but having lots of stalls and losing very, very slowly. I am sticking to the plan, keeping calories no more than 1200 a day and exercising 30-60 minutes a day. I feel like I should be making more progress. Sigh.. I am just keeping to the plan and hoping it'll come off eventually. Congratulations on your 50lb loss!

Thank you for the recommendation, I will check him out!

Greetings all,

Hope everyone is doing well! I am down appx. 80 lbs (would like to lose another 30 or so) and I can already tell that an arm lift will probably be a necessity in the future. While I am aware that PS is not an option until I hit and maintain my goal weight for awhile, I would like to start to research plastoc surgeons in my area. Any recommendations on plastic surgeons in the NYC/Weschester County area? Or within 2 hours? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated on specific surgeons and overall on recovery from a full arm lift procedure.

Thanks in advance!

On 8/12/2021 at 6:05 AM, Tripletsmom1971 said:

How are are all our June surgery ppl doing?? I think I’’m stalled! And have BEEN stalled for weeks! I feel good, I FEEL thinner, my clothes fit loosely, I’ve lost my boobs. I feel like everyone else is dropping weight like a hot potato, so that disheartens me.

Hey! Same here! my surgery was June 30th and I've had 2 stalls already. I am down 20lbs from surgery day. I see others losing faster but trying not to compare- this is my journey:) I am definitely starting to feel a difference in clothes and overall health. I am hoping the slow loss will help with the loose skin (possibly wishful thinking..lol)... I feel pretty good just still very tired, I am hoping my energy picks up soon. I am hitting all of my Protein. Water, Vitamin, and exercise goals. Wishing you much success on this journey!

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I had VSG on June 30th 2021. I am currently down 30 pounds (give or take a pound). I have hit a plateau and just can’t get over the mental f*ck it is giving me. The plateau started when I was cleared to eat purée food and start taking my Vitamins. The scale goes up and down 1-2 pounds a day. I am told this is normal and the “3 week plateau” can take up to a couple weeks to budge and for the scale to move down again. It really sucks though!!!!! Makes me worried the surgery won’t work for me or my stomach is stretched out already. Such negative thoughts start happening but I am choosing to stay focused and remain positive. Any feedback and words of encouragement are appreciated [emoji846]

53 minutes ago, Santa Barbarian said:

You got this! I had my VSG with hiatal hernia repair last Wednesday. Other than some nausea in recovery (which was quickly addressed by the nurse) and the discomfort of the CO2, none of my fears have come to pass. On the CO2 1) Ask for pain meds when you need them and 2) Walk around the ward when you can.
Good Luck!

Thank you so much!

Just want to thank everyone who has posted thier experiences. I am scheduled for VSG tomorrow! Yikes!?!? This forum has been very helpful in preparing me for what to expect over the next few weeks.

2 hours ago, Niquah said:

Hello everyone I'm scheduled for DS June 29th I'm so nervous but excited started liquid diet already

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Good luck! I am scheduled for the sleeve on the 30th; I share your nerves and excitement. All the best!

8 hours ago, Somber said:

Good morning!

Almost 7 am here and I should probably finish up packing, as I have to leave in one hour. Today is the day! 😀

Good luck!!

18 hours ago, ATBMommy said:

June 28! I'm getting so nervous. Where are the groups for all us June-ers after surgery? I want to know how everyone is doing. I'm so scared for the first couple weeks post op.

Hi- I'm June 30th and totally starting to get nervous, excited, all the feels.. lol... I am on day 5 of the pre-op liquid diet and this is ROUGH! I am hoping it gets easier soon. Hope all goes well and we are on the other side of this soon!

Just scheduled for June 30th! Nervous and very excited to start this journey!

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2 hours ago, WanderingHeart said:

It’s horrible for the first few days - not going to sugar coat. I was tired, constant headache, crabby. By day 4, I had energy and wasn’t as hungry. Be prepared for the suck fest And keep yourself busy. Avoid temptation (I couldn’t be around while my family was eating). Ask people around you to be respectful of your situation. My partner would warn me or ask permission to eat in front of me.

Also if you find yourself with a headache - up your sodium. You’re not supposed to take meds, but electrolytes will help and sodium helped me. I was allowed pickles and broth.

Thanks for the headache tips- I already know I will need it I am glad to hear it gets better after the rough few intial days. I am sure my excitement will help me power through too. I have started replacing 1 meal a day with a Protein Shake and lowing calorie intake a little more each day so it is not a complete shock. Good luck on your journey, hope. you are feeling well!

11 hours ago, NovaLuna said:

I, honestly, don't know how people do the full liquid diet pre-op. I thought my surgeon's diet was hard! My diet allowed 6-8oz of Protein a day (either meat or yogurt, but not both), two 'healthy' fats (1/4 avocado or 1/4 cup of nuts), 1/2 cup of fruit, and all the veggies you want. I survived mostly off of a veggie Soup I made. I basically lived off of it for two weeks and the two 1/4 cups of nuts I ate and the fruit and meat were like heaven lol. It was hard enough on that. But, I did lose 15 pounds on that diet and was told my liver looked great so, it worked.

Just try to focus on the end goal, because the diet itself won't be fun...

Thanks! I was surprised that the pre-op was only liquids for the full 14 days. It's going to be hard no matter how well I prepare, I see a lot of early bed times for me during those 2 weeks..

16 hours ago, Oeschrm said:

I hope you are allowed more than just Protein Shakes and yogurt!

For my 14 day diet, I am allowed reduced fat strained cream Soups, sugar free Jello and puddings, skim milk, and broth. I have broken it up into 4 meals, 200 cal or less. I usually get 80+ grams of Protein in that way. I use the Isopure non-flavored Protein Powder and add it to 1 serving of strained Soup or broth. That is very satisfying. In the morning, I add the powder to a cup of fat free fairlife milk, and then I sprinkle in some sugar free Jello pudding powder--very few calories, but a nice flavor without the cloying sweet. I basically add Protein to 3 of the 4 meals, and the last is just broth. Don't forget fluids! I drink Water constantly.

I find that having specific times that I eat helps. (6:30, 10:30, 2:30, and 6:30). These are actually the same times that I would normally eat before the pre-op diet--so it was an easy transition. If I get a little hungry, I might have a meal a little earlier, but then I find I'm not as hungry for the next meal. Either way, I can always ask myself, "Can I go another hour?"

Finally, I would wait. You are only trying to shrink your liver for surgery. Instead of trying to master the diet, just make healthy changes (if you haven't already) and maybe have one shake a day, just to get used to them. Once you hit those days where you HAVE to do it, you will probably find it easier to stick to it. You will find that you may have more energy and you may start to feel better.

I found that I had headaches the first two or three days, in the afternoon. Sometimes I get hungry, but by the time I have had my 4th meal, I'm not. I have also started taking Miralax everyday so that I poop regularly. I didn't start that until day 4 or 5 though.

Hoping the best for you!

Thanks so much! I am going to take your advice and work myself down slower, I have been keeping to under 1400 calories a day. Going to try to slowly reduce a little every day so I feel more prepared when it is time to start the pre-op diet.

16 hours ago, muala94 said:

It's hard to describe, but knowing that you are in the final stretch until surgery kicks in a new level of motivation. I could've never done this before. But knowing that I have to shrink my liver or they could potentially not operate, or it would be unsafe -- after all of these months of effort -- has made eating 800-1000 calories a day for the last 5 days almost easy.

I also had read on these forums that the first 3 days are the hardest and I'm finding that to be true in my case, too. Yesterday and today were easy. You've got this!

That makes sense! I was hoping to get myself ready for the intitial shock of it, I might try to reduce the daily calories intake a little slower over the next few weeks and hopefully it'll be easier when it's time - I think that you are correct- it's going to be different when it is really 'go time' and not practice Good luck on your journey

16 hours ago, Elahnen said:

I am starting mine 5/24. In order to prepare I am reducing sugar and carbs and Portion Control. I figure this will help to not shock my system all at once with the changes. I am hoping to stay busy so I have less time to think about food. We will see how it goes.

Hi, That is my strategy too, trying to get myself ready for it. But it was harder than I thought when I tried to do 1 day of only liquids, I guess I just have to build up to it. Good luck!

Hi all! I had my final consult with the surgeon last week and paperwork has been submitted for insurance approval! I am hoping to schedule surgery for sometime in July, if all goes well. My surgeon requires a 14 day liquid only Protein diet prior to surgery (3 Protein Shakes and 1 small yogurt per day). In an attempt to 'practice' and get a sense for what this will be like, I have tried to follow this diet a few times. And by late afternoon each time, I cave and eat something. I don't know how I will be able to do this for 2 weeks! I am fully invested in this process and committed to this new lifestyle but really find it hard to do only liquids.

Any suggestions? Tips? Greatly appreciated

Hey there! I just finished my clearances and meet with the surgeon at the end of the week to pick a date!! Feels surreal! Good luck to you!!

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On 4/25/2021 at 8:12 PM, Chantrella said:

I hope you have a speedy recovery. After the surgery was a rough road for me but once the swelling goes down things start to flow!

Thanks so much!