Snetsky

So I randomly had occasion to take a photo of my back, and oh boy. What a difference a year and half makes, eh?

12 hours ago, The Greater Fool said:

I try not to reply to these threads before other folks because my experience is nearly two decades past and my personal experience was anything but normal. But here we are.

I lost a bit more than 500 pounds so yeah, I had a little extra skin. I had initially planned for abdominoplasty and thigh-plasty whatever it's Latin name was. Others I would then ponder later. I say initially because after the abdominoplasty I hemorrhaged and died briefly when they ripped me open to fix the problem. I was supposed to end up with a virtually invisible scar, but that ship sailed when they had to open me back up. Once I woke again my recovery followed a pretty normal trajectory for the time: 15 pounds of skin removed and lots and lots of pain. Lots and lots of pain wasn't unexpected as everything I read beforehand indicated such would be the case. And yet the reality of it was a bit overwhelming. After about three weeks, as I recall, everything became manageable and life began returning to normal.

I'm not sure how much the methods and pain have changed, I'll leave that to others.

I honestly can't see how my experience or recovery would have been different from a woman's experience and I certainly didn't ignore anyone's experience in my research.

I lived in Las Vegas, NV at the time I had surgery, but there wasn't anyone in town that was able or willing to do my surgery, so I ended up having it done at UCLA Medical Center in Southern California. So, I can't really name surgeon's that might help you.

Good luck,

Tek

Thanks, Tek. I really appreciate you sharing your story. Sounds like a pretty terrifying experience!

I'd really love to hear from other men who have had plastic surgery following weight loss. I am a year and a half out from my bypass now and for the most part am pretty happy with the results. My weight has held pretty steady for the last six months and I've been working with a personal trainer for a few months now and happy with the results, especially in my arms and shoulders. However, as is to be expected there is a lot of loose skin around my middle. I have tried wearing my trousers higher than I used to and for the most part it's okay, but still feeling pretty self conscious about taking my shirt off - especially when I lean forward and the skin drapes off my torso. I've been thinking a lot about surgery to remove excess skin - definitely around my stomach but possibly my upper arms, inner thighs, and butt. I'm trying to find more information, but a lot of first hand accounts here in the forums tends to be from women, and when I look on surgeons' websites they tend to feature before and after photos and testimonials from women. Are there any men here who would be up for sharing their experiences of surgery after WLS? I'm especially interested in the procedures you had, the recovery process, and photos of the results if you'd be willing to share. Also, any recommendations for surgeons in the UK would be really appreciated!

Ha. I don't actually know which of these threads to post in, so sorry for cross posting! But here is the difference after a year. Still hoping to shift about 25 more lbs and gain back some muscle mass, and will probably look into surgery to remove some excess skin, but all in all pretty happy with my results!

What a difference a year makes, eh? I'm still about 25 lbs off where I really want to be, and I have only just started making the gym a priority, but seeing these photos side by side really does make the past year seem worth it!

On 02/23/2023 at 23:34, katvondemon said:

My dietician stressed to me that Protein was the most important. So for my “meals” most of the time I only eat my protein source (chicken, fish, etc.) with no side so I can eat more of it. I add veggies and fruit more as Snacks throughout the day as I’m able. Certain fruits are harder for me. Bananas (even though I usually only finish half) and grapes seem to work the best.

My dietician also told me that to break your plate into 3 categories, protein, veggie and carb or starch and eat in that order. My protein size she recommended 3-4 ounces. I can tell you even now once I finish that much protein (and that’s IF I can finish it all) I’m full. I may have a spoonful of mashed potatoes just because I want a taste, but that’s about it. It’s way too much food for me still.

By 8 weeks post op they wanted me at 60 grams of protein a day without relying on shakes. That was a really daunting number that I still struggle with. Even if I eat nothing but protein each day some days I don’t hit that. I do still add in shakes on workout days but not as part of my normal diet. So I see the 60 grams a day as a goal I’m working up towards instead of something I must hit every day. I can’t physically eat more than my stomach comfortably can handle. But I can choose items higher in protein when deciding what to eat. tuna packets are small enough (3 ounces) and have a lot of protein (12-15 grams). I prefer the deli style tuna salad one by Starkist. I take that to work for my lunch most nights. I can eat the entire packet if I don’t eat anything else with it.

Exercise was hard in the beginning. I started off just walking a couple times a week. I was eating so little that just carrying laundry upstairs made me light headed and fatigued. That has gotten better though and I’m slowly increasing the intensity of my workouts.

So just take it slow, eat protein first and just listen to your body. Everyone is different on what we can handle when.

Yeah, I don’t know how people hit their protein goals without Protein Shakes. I’m lucky that I can tolerate clear whey protein pretty well, so can just have a few of those a day and I’ve hit my target. The meal plans my dietician has sent through just seem so unrealistic. The portions are DEFINITELY too large to finish and would still come under target. And then in my last meeting she lectured me for eating 1/3 cup instead of 1/4 cup portions, when in some instances the meals on the meal plan would be more like a full cup! Hard eye roll. At the moment, I’m relying on protein Water and Vitamin supplements, and trying to eat a good mix of fish, yoghurt, soy, veggies, and complex carbs. I have to say while the pre op and hospital care was pretty great, the post surgery care leaves something to be desired. But still skinnier than I’ve been in 15 years, and no major health complaints that I’ve identified.

On 02/22/2023 at 16:08, Jeanniebug said:

I'm down 45 pounds since surgery on Oct 18th. I am now in the overweight category and I'm no longer diabetic!!!

My weight loss has had lots of stops and starts. I lose a couple of pounds, stall for a couple of weeks, gain a pound, stall for a week, then lose a couple of pounds again. It's so weird.

I haven't had to buy new clothes. I work from home and wear scrubs all day. I put drawstrings in all of my scrub pants. For the things I wear when I go into town, I just wear a belt. I tried on a pair of size 14 jeans the other day, just to see how far I had to go before they fit. I was absolutely shocked to discover that I could wear them, comfortably. They were a bit snug, but not uncomfortable at all. So, I'd say I'm probably down from a 22 to a 15 or 16, now.

Lately - the last 4 or 5 days - I've been struggling with overeating. One of my pre-surgery issues was being a member of the clean plate club and I seem to have slipped back into that. I have an appointment with my therapist today, so I'll be working on that.

Thanks for reaching out!

Same! I’ve definitely felt practices like eating slowly, waiting a minute between bites, and stopping before I feel totally full have started to slip over the past few weeks. Anyone else having this problem? Also, I’ve started to notice hunger showing up, especially first thing in the morning and before lunch. I’m trying not to get too freaked out because I always knew it was likely to return at some point. It’s just hard not to interpret hunger as ‘bad’ after such a long time without it, you know?

Hello folks! Just wanted to check in to see how everyone is doing. I’ve been hovering at the same weight for a few weeks now BUT am 1.2 pounds away from the Obese 1 category to Overweight. I know BMI isn’t actually a very useful measure of individual health, but still feels like an important milestone! Also, if anyone else was struggling like me to buy new clothes fast enough to keep up with weight loss, I highly recommend Vinted. You can get lots of nice high street brands for like a fiver, and even some designer stuff for shockingly cheap. I genuinely got a whole new wardrobe for £100. Plus you can sell on the clothes that don’t fit (or just donate to charity shops if you’re lazy like me) and the whole system helps to keep fast fashion out of landfills for longer. Win win!

Probably worth checking with your surgeon. If you disclosed the fact the fact that you’re on t when you had your consultation I imagine they would have flagged it hen if it was an issue, but better safe than sorry! When I did my pre surgery assessments they asked again and again if I was on any other medications. Have they asked you the same? If not, just call them. Definitely worth asking!

Started purees yesterday, which feels like a big change. My digestive system has definitely woken up! Possibly TMI, but after two weeks of very infrequent visits to the toilet I suddenly understand why they say to try new foods at home :/ Honestly, I wish I could just stay on the clear whey powders! But I am committed to doing what the clinical team tells me, because I know my relationship with food is f*cked and they are actual experts. And I’m happy to say I’ve lost over 20lbs in the first two weeks - that plus my weight loss from the pre op diet means like I’m already almost a third of the way through my weight loss! That’s pretty crazy, but also ridiculously motivating.

On 11/01/2022 at 08:28, Momsaysimaoops said:

Try clear whey Protein Drinks. They are more like flavored water.

Protein is important or youll lose too much muscle mass.

Going to a general diet so early isn't good as you're still healing. I'm October 17th and just moved to purees. Your doctors orders aren't recommendations they're post operative care instructions to ensure you heal properly.

Try pureeing chicken or fish into Soups.

Beef is one of the last things they recommend you eating as it's fatty and harder to chew down to a good puree.

I really second what Monsaysimaooos says. My suggestion as well is to try to get a sample pack of clear whey protein powders if you can - MyProtein in the UK does a sample box so you can try lots of different flavours. Some of then I HATED but a few of them I really, really liked. Just like Momsaysimaoos says, they basically taste like juice. I drink 4 of those a day, and that smashes my Water AND my protein targets for the day because I’m taking in 2 L of water, 80 g of protein, 10 carbs and about 350 calories every day. I know I probably sound like a zealot, but they honestly make post op life SO much easier!

On 11/01/2022 at 08:28, Momsaysimaoops said:

Try clear whey Protein Drinks. They are more like flavored water.

Protein is important or youll lose too much muscle mass.

Going to a general diet so early isn't good as you're still healing. I'm October 17th and just moved to purees. Your doctors orders aren't recommendations they're post operative care instructions to ensure you heal properly.

Try pureeing chicken or fish into Soups.

Beef is one of the last things they recommend you eating as it's fatty and harder to chew down to a good puree.

I really second what Monsaysimaooos says. My suggestion as well is to try to get a sample pack of clear whey protein powders if you can - MyProtein in the UK does a sample box so you can try lots of different flavours. Some of then I HATED but a few of them I really, really liked. Just like Momsaysimaoos says, they basically taste like juice. I drink 4 of those a day, and that smashes my Water AND my protein targets for the day because I’m taking in 2 L of water, 80 g of protein, 10 carbs and about 350 calories every day. I know I probably sound like a zealot, but they honestly make post op life SO much easier!

Hello all. I thought I’d check in since I’m almost one week out from my surgery. My biggest impression is how different I feel today than i did at the beginning of the week. I was in a lot of pain, some of which I mistook for hunger which had me in a panic. I was really worried that I’d done the right thing, which seems to be a common theme in lots of posts about the early days after surgery! I also managed to get a dressing wet when trying to take my first shower after I got home, and flew into a full blown panic attack thinking I had really done something terrible. I know that probably seems like a massive overreaction (because, to be fair, it was!) but I think all of the worry and fear I’d been carrying around for weeks chose that moment to erupt. My partner was incredibly kind and patient and calmly replaced the bandage and let me cry. And that in some ways felt like a real turning point. A friend of mine who is a nurse and has also had the same bypass procedure suggested that I take my pain medication regularly for a few days whether I felt like I needed or not, and so I did like clockwork. That made a huge difference and I realised how much I had been trying to ‘tough it out’. By yesterday I was able to switch to plain paracetamol, and I’m feeling much much better - stiff and achey, no doubt, but on the whole pretty human.

And I’m also excited to say that since the beginning of my two week pre op diet I have lost over 20 lbs - about a pound a day on average. I know it won’t continue at this rate forever, but it’s been pretty freaking motivating so far! And once I was able to differentiate between pain or gurgling, I realised that I wasn’t experiencing any hunger at all. Even when my partner eats around me, I feel pretty disinterested (annoyingly they’ve lost a stone as well in the past month through healthier eating, but I have to remind myself that they were 15 lbs overweight and I have over 100 to lose!)

So far I’ve been sticking to clear whey Protein isolate mixed with Water, which means I am hitting my water and protein goals every day. I don’t love the taste, but I’m not particularly here for the taste. As far as I’m concerned, they are a nutritional supplement I have to take every day - just like my Vitamins. With that mindset, it’s been pretty easy so far. In fact, I plan to speak to my team to see if it’s possible to carry on with them right through the puree stage, as I’m getting all the protein and vitamins and minerals I need and I’m not that fussed about tuna puree! 😂

And best moment of the week so far - this morning my partner told me that my KNEES looks skinnier! I have no idea what that means but I will take it!

On 10/23/2022 at 14:31, rparker3313 said:

Hi Snetsky! Mine is on the 24th as well. Best of luck to you and to all us surgery buddies scheduled on the last week of October week 🙂

Hope your surgery went well!

You know, I really think this might be a case of my brain interpreting my abdominal pain with hunger cramps. Even though it ‘feels’ like hunger, I have no interest in food or eating. When I imagine sitting down and actually putting a forkful of something in my mouth I feel vaguely repulsed. I also know from experience of intermittent fasting and VLCDs that I usually don’t feel hunger for at least a day or two - sometimes I’d feel a wave of hunger from time to time but it would pass. So it seems unlikely that what I’m experiencing now is hunger - it is a CONSTANT pain and it’s only been a little over 24 hours since my last meal!

On 10/24/2022 at 20:14, Jeanniebug said:

Ah man, I hope I don't have that problem! One of the reasons why I got the surgery was to help with my hunger.

SAME.

I underwent a roux en y this morning and have been dosing for most of the day. However, I’m feeling pretty worried because I’ve woken up very hungry. Is that normal? Very worries as hunger reduction / elimination was a major reason i had this surgery. Anyone have a similar experience?

On 10/23/2022 at 14:31, rparker3313 said:

Hi Snetsky! Mine is on the 24th as well. Best of luck to you and to all us surgery buddies scheduled on the last week of October week 🙂

Good luck today!

Surgery tomorrow. Mostly feeling calm, but occasionally get these bursts of panics thinking about how this is for life (getting a RNY so non-reversible). Any words of encouragement would be hugely appreciated right about now.

On 10/22/2022 at 00:41, kiel_d-01 said:

Hello I'm new here! My surgery is on the 25th. Any surgery buddies? Just around the corner. I'm so excited for this new chapter. I'm on a full liquid diet and doing better than I thought I would. Love my Jello 😊

My covid test is tomorrow. Hopefully I pass!

Mine is on the 24th so not far off!

That is incredible! Well done, and hope you have fun picking out a new wardrobe!

On 10/20/2022 at 20:20, Momsaysimaoops said:

Update! Some positive! I'm almost 5 days post op from VSG in Turkey. My first night was rough. I vomited foam and was nauseated. Gas pains were definitely present and my heating pad seemed to just make my nausea worse in my case.

I was definitely having buyers remorse on day two...... but now my gas pains are gone and I'm walking a ton.

They keep me until tomorrow morning.

I was cleared for liquid diet and fluids yesterday after my 2nd leak test cleared and my drain was removed.

So happy to be off my IVs and have my abdominal drain removed. I'm eating (though my hospital food is meh which makes it harder), getting my Protein Shakes down and getting about 34 Oz (1 liter) of Water in on my second day allowed. I know i can meet my 2 liter goal very soon.

I'm feeling very positive and cannot wait to get home to some well seasoned broth.

Hey well done! Glad to hear that you’ve made it through the first few days and feeling better.

I have bought a RIDICULOUS amount of food containers to help with food prep and storage - that is, when I get to that stage! 😂 I found some really cute 80ml brown glass jars on Amazon which I already love and will hopefully make my tuna puree feel much more like a trendy shoreditch hipster cafe experience. If I have to only eat a couple mouthfuls of fishy paste for a meal, I want to do it in STYLE!

I’ve been told that I’m likely to be sent home with heparin syringes that I’ll need to self inject. I am TERRIFIED of needles and weirdly this is the thing that is freaking me out the most right now. Has anyone else had to do this? How long do you have to do this for? I asked the nurses during the pre op blood test session and they said they didn’t know.

On 10/16/2022 at 14:00, David in Washington said:

This is literally my first post here but I couldn't pass up responding. It looks like gays are here, including me 🙂 I have a good friend in Prescot near Liverpool. We talk almost every day. I feel like an honorary Brit, lol. I'm trying to decide between Gastric Sleeve and RNY, there are pluses and minuses for both but I'm leaning towards the sleeve. Is bariatric surgery covered under the NHS? It looks like you have only about a week to go - good luck!

I know Prescot well! I used to live in Manchester and did a lot of work with an arts organisation in Preston.

It’s possible to get bariatric surgery on the NHS, but the waiting list is years long. So I’ve gone private!

My surgeon recommended the RNY as the sleeve can make reflux worse, and that’s something I already struggle with. Surgery is on Monday 😅