Eyfura

So, I snapped two pictures, what I call the good news/bad news pictures.

The good news: my chest and upper abs, as well as my arms, are looking good. I just need to bulk up the muscle a little, and I think I'll be fine. There's a TINY bit of flab around the side of my pecs, but my chest bulks up REALLY quick, so I think some flys and outer pec work should take care of that.

https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink

The bad news: my belly still has a fair amount of fat, and it's starting to show a little bit of that "deflated tire" thing (WARNING: not pretty!)

https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink

Also note that you can see some stretch marks where my poor abused skin was stretched out to nearly 350 pounds at my heaviest, and then shrunk back. I've literally had those since my teens, so I doubt they're going away

So I'm thinking the answer to my question -- "can I just work out really hard and build muscle and burn fat, or do I need to have plastic surgery" -- is going to have to be "both." But at least I can put off the plastics for a while while I get rid of that last 20-30 pounds of stubborn fat. Who knows, maybe in that time, my skin will improve a little if I do all the right things (hydration, moisturize, avoid sun damage, etc.)

I was HOPING to avoid plastics, but... oh well

Okay, so good news and bad...the good news is that your upper body looks pretty good, you tummy though looks like mine (except much more hair!) it will not go away unless you have surgery. I am 2 years out and I have loose skin all over, not huge amounts of hangy skin, but obvious loose skin. A small amount in my arms (probably wont get that done), my tummy, thighs, butt and chest will all need some touching up with a surgeon. I am a size small 8 but would easily be a small 6 possibly a 4 with my skin gone. It is hard to see that some things are out of our control even though we have done our part and lost the weight, but sometimes we can't avoid the knife...well unless you leave it, which it is not too bad, you will be more bothered by it then anyone else! You really need to wait until at least 6 mths after you are at your goal weight though. I have heard of Dr.'s that do it earlier, but that is insane unless you were extremely large before the surgery and then have so much loose skin that you cant fit it into cloths as you go down in size, then you could do it earlier, but in your case you really should wait until your weight is stable for 6 mths. Good luck! :-)

Justbnme,

I am 2 yrs post op and it will get better! I had the same problem for a month and a half after surgery, it was horrid! I had a hard time with anything cold, and my pyloric valve was also irritated and would spasm not letting anything down, or if it did get down it would come back up. I ended up in the hospital with an IV it took 3 bags (in 3 hours, which is insane) to get me to where I did not faint every time I stood up. I ended up having to literally drink a teaspoon at a time, but once I got my tummy used to that I was able to increase to a sip, then 2 sips, and within about 1 1/2 weeks I was able to drink normal (sleeve) sips and take food also! You just have to baby yourself for a bit, every persons tummy is different and some like ours have a harder time, but it is sooo worth it! I lost all my weight the first 7 mths and I am so glad I had the surgery! I am happier and more healthy, don't give up! As for smoothies and Protein Shakes there is a wonderful one called MaxPro I like the orange kind, but they have tons of flavors...try it out! You can find it here http://www.maxmusclestoreonline.com/index.php?cPath=23_13&sort=2a&page=2

Best of luck!!!

You look great! Congrats! I too am afraid of failing, after several lap-band failures myself. My hubby said to me "if this doesn't work for you, you need to be prepared to accept your body the way it is". What he means is, if the surgeon deems that I am not a candidate for the VSG or if they get in there and during surgery they decide it's not an option for me. (like what happened during my conversion from lap-band to bypass in June last year). I am afraid to wake up to bad news again :thumbup:

This is one of those situations were you are just going to have to jump and hope for the best. I will say that they keep a different part of the stomach for this surgery then they do in by-pass and so maybe that makes your chances better. I would chose the best surgeon I could so that would make your chances better also. Other then that your hubby is correct, if the Dr. says no, you are stuck with what you have, work hard and do your best! But don't give up until that time comes, remember this surgery is easier on your body and the surgeon then bypass and you may be surprised! I know my surgeon has done many conversions! Good Luck!

Tiff, I am sure you don't remember me as I have not been on here since a few months after my VSG, but I had it the same time you and VegasAngel did. I too have lost all the weight I want and have no regrets. I am also a size 6 now and doing my best to stop the weight loss, but I have a few questions for you. Aside from your tummy, which I also have (4 kids will do that to you) do you find any problems anywhere else? I have loose skin on my thighs, and my butt is nonexistent and kinda saggy now, even though I am also in a weight training program. lol I would not change the surgery for anything, but I am hoping you have some advice on getting these in shape. I still plan on getting some type of plastic surgery, but thought maybe there is some weights that I could do in the mean time to help out. Thanks so much! You look amazing! It is good to see you have done so well even after your problems in the beginning!

Okay how is this? Going to bed now I have an early flight...you guys take care and I will see you soon!

That's a good question. How long can swelling possibly last?

I am asking because of my friend who can't eat at all. She can barely drink Water and she is a week behind me. I can easily drink a bottle of Water in nothing flat.

She can't eat anything? I weighed my food today when eating and I am taking in about 1/5 an ounce of mushies at a sitting...and of course not much water, like 25-30oz. I am really dehydrated and am excited to go to the clinic tomorrow. I am going to have some tests done to see if I have a stricture because I dont have a problem getting the food down, just get full after a few bites and if I eat anymore I get sick. I am sure I am still swollen, I think for something like this you stay swollen for a long time. However something needs to be done. I do not regret having the surgery though and look forward to being friends with my tummy again...I also know that Dr. Aceves and his staff are working with Susan and I trying to get to the bottom of everything. I think we are both hoping to be feeling better or at least know what is going on by the end of the week.

And I sit here wondering if I AM ever going to get to the stage of being able to eat solid food again.

I am the same though Susan! I can eat a couple small bites very slowly of mushies and I start hurting and know I can't eat anymore. So I sit here and wonder when things will get to the "normal" stage for after surgery. Meanwhile my sister is having it and my mother is seriously thinking of it, but I freak them both out with all the dehydration and not being able to get any real food down. Not that I have any problem swallowing, I just get full after a couple of bites! So I just keep plugging along hoping one day something will change and my body will start liking me again.

Oooops...I'm drilling holes, not hoes!!!!! LOL

LMAO I liked it better the first way!!! :laugh0:

Hey hun, I totally understand what you are saying! I had that the other night when I tried a bite of watermelon...I was so scared until I woke up the next morning and it was gone! I stopped calling simply because everyone says it is from swelling and will eventually go away. I just gotta have faith I guess. I see Bob is scheduled for the 10th...so is my sister so we will be hanging out together again! You know compare stitch sites and all that...J/K!

I really do hope everything starts getting easier though, I have been so weak and tired! I look at everyone else on here and I have to admit I am jealous, but hopefully it will get easier soon and we will be 2 more people thrilled with the results! Take care hun!

No, didn't forget at all ... was actually talking to the OP, just quoted your response. I see my chiro so often Bob refers to him as my boyfriend ... LOL

I was just teasing ya! <3

Did you forget my hubby is a chiropractor? :lol0: Nah mine is caused by a damaged nerve in my eye from a car accident. But a lot of people do get them from TMJ.

Don't be nervous...even with having all the trouble eating and taking in fluids, I am still glad I did the surgery and I am looking forward to future months when my sleeve and I will become friends! The surgery pain sucks, it is not horrid, but lets be real, it is major surgery and hurts. But it lessens each day and is not bad after about 5-6 days. My worst problem was the Fluid intake, I just keep telling myself it will get better each day, and it seems to. Be positive! Best of luck!

Hey there and welcome to the site! Were you there with me also? I am afraid I was a bit out of it most of the time...lol! Either way I hope it is going well for you and I am glad you joined!

Hello and welcome!!! I also get many Migraines, I was told that I could take meds if needed right up until surgery. Since my surgery a bit over 2 weeks ago, I have not had one, but you can still take your meds. You may have to crush them or cut them small but it should not be an issue.

Welcome to sleevetalk! Congrats on your upcoming surgery!

Yolanda. ;o)))) Isn't she great?

She is awesome! So sweet and really cares about you and how you're feeling, I loved her!!!

As for the OP...I have not had any heartburn yet, but again I am not taking in much. I still take the heartburn meds everyday though!

Wow!!! I love how you found a way to be able to afford the surgery, so many people I know just say "I really want to have it but..." and give up instead of trying to find ways they could make it work! I really admire you for not giving up! I look at this like, if you had cancer and would maybe not die, but your life would be horrid in a few years, could you find $150 a month, most people would say yes. However if you're so heavy you can't walk, or in constant pain in your feet and knees, or whatever the case may be, you are not really living anymore! Your life is worth it, and I am thrilled you understood this and managed to do something about it! Welcome to the site, as some have mentioned you will be an asset!!!

Hello! 121lbs is nothing to sneeze at! You are doing great, just keep working at it and I am sure you will make your goal!!! Keep us informed!

Hello and welcome!

First off, yes you can get pregnant after having the sleeve, however you need to wait at least a year before becoming pregnant and you need to carefully monitor yourself to make sure you are getting the nutrition you need. (The baby will take what it needs) My sister is getting sleeved July 10th and it is in big part so that she will be more healthy and in better shape when she get pregnant, which she plans to do a year later! She wants to be able to keep up with her little one, plus be at less risk when preggo! I am thrilled you are thinking of this as it will help both you and the baby in the long run!

Secondly, I am 2 weeks out of surgery today. I am up and moving around with very little pain, some slight bruising around my belly button and large incision is about all. A lot of people recover faster then me. Some people go back to work a week later, our Rn's (from this site)work long hours and have been okay. I am sure you would be okay for the wedding so long as it was not 5-6 days later.

There are a lot of people on here that are more experienced then I am and they can give you tons of info. Best of luck!

Good lord! I really never imagined that it would be this difficult! Susan thanks for letting me know I am not the only one that has gone through this, it seems everyone else does so well! It is hard having family that is going to get it done and they look at me and get a bit freaked...I just keep telling them that I am not normal! I figured I was going into this about as healthy as you can be when you're heavy, and I drank tons of Water everyday, I thought I would hate the after diet, but it would be no big deal really. Now I just feel like I have to constantly monitor everything just to stay out of the hospital! Oh well...just give it time right?!? LOL Not like I have any other option! :lol0: Thanks everyone!

Stop weighing yourself daily!!! LOL You are just torturing yourself, I weigh myself, at the most, every 3-4 days, I try to wait a week, but right now that is hard. The thing is your body can go up and down so easy there is no point in doing it daily. Especially if you end up getting upset if it does go up one day. Just enjoy knowing that in the long run it will go down!!!

Elisabeth~I keep my Water bottle with me at all times and sip. I am dehydrated, at least moderately, but I am doing a bit better each day. My husband is constantly on me about it and wanting to know how much I have gotten down.

Susan~ I wish I could get a 1/2 cup down in 30 minutes...I take 3-4 bites, and I am full, anything more then that I feel so sick!

Daisy~I am full...I can't handle more then a few bites of a spoon 1/2 full. I still can't sip Water more then like every 2 minutes or so and only a small sip.

I guess I have to keep waiting for my tummy to get used to it. I was just hoping there was something really good that I could try because it seems the things I liked before have changed.

Hi Beckie,

I'm really down...I'm so hungry I can barely stand it..seems you've come through like a real trooper...on my flight home the airlines was passing out hot sandwiches... I was drooling like a mad dog!!! It can only get better...LOL

OMG...trust me I know how you feel, I cried so much the first 8 days, after that it has been a bit easier, but not much. I cant get anything really down so it is still hard, but I am not as hungry. Those first 8 days I still felt really really hungry! It will get better though! Even with the problems I have getting anything in, each day has gotten a little easier, thats all I can ask for right now! Hang in there hun!

Dr Aceves stated tape would fall off after 10 days but def told me no swimming for 15 days:cursing:...I thought if I could lay in swimming pool I could get my mind off of being hungry!!

LOL!!! I know just how you feel! Saturday was my sons 9th Birthday and we had rented a pool party for him...2 hours of swimming then pizza and cake and ice cream! It sucked sitting out from all that!!!!! :frown1:

Yes, the charge is a good option, unfortunately, with what I have available, I'm still a little shy..but I will work on it and see what I can come up with. I saw a special out there for $5000-don't even remember the doc-which seems unbelievably low-and kinda scary! Like I said before, my head is just spinning!

Be very leery of anyone charging that small of amount! It would terrify me, what corners must he be cutting?!? Also just so you are aware, the $8750 is only for July, after that his prices are $9500. Still an extremely good deal for the surgeon you get and all that is included! Best of luck!