TexasT

Well, I'm 3.5 wks post-op from my breast augmentation revision and things went fantastic. Dr. Bogdan removed my 31-yr old ruptured silicone implants and replaced them with the new gummy-style silicone. I had a capsular contraction with my last implants, so they were hard as rocks. Now these new ones supposedly feel like natural boobies (though I really have no idea - it's been so long since mine WERE natural, and when they were there wasn't much to them to feel!). Dr. B removed all my old scar tissue internally and also my whole old scar along the fold under my breast. My new scars are so thin and gorgeous (for scars) that I don't think you'll even be able to see them once I'm all healed. I'm happy, hubby is thrilled, and now I have experience with an amazing aethesthic surgeon for when I want to do more. First thing on the list is some type of filler for my cheeks so they won't look so gaunt, then someday a neck lift to get rid of the turkey neck. But got to get back to saving the $$$ again first.

Congratulations on your surgery date. I'm sure you're excited and nervous all at once. Regarding unflavored Protein power, all I've heard of is unjury. Lots of people here love it. I was always able to use the flavored ones with no problem, so I only tried it once mixing with broth and it was pretty lumpy. But the Soup was probably too warm, which is something you have to watch. There are tons of protein powders out there in fruit flavors, etc. so don't feel like you have to eat unflavored just because you don't like chocolate. I drank the ready-made Isopure drinks. They're clear, so no grit and come in fruity flavors. My favorite was the grape - tasted a bit like watered down Kool-Aid. If you have a Vitamin Shop near you buy a few to taste-test and take back those you don't like and you can get a full refund. I did that several times and never had a problem. Best of luck!

I got my band in 2006 and my revision to sleeve Jan. 2010. The revision was done in one surgery - in addition my doc removed my gall bladder and fixed a hiatal hernia I didn't know about either. But I didn't have an endoscopy, which might have found that ahead of time. It can certainly all be done at once, but I think it's a case-by-case thing based on what's going on inside. If all looks well and your doctor still wants to wait, I might go ahead and look around for a new doctor. There are plenty of us who had revisions done in one surgery with no problems.

I agree with the statment that nothing really helps. I was genetically predispositioned for good skin, thank goodness - and I've always stayed out of the sun and never smoked. That said, my cheeks have that hollowed out, sunken look now if I'm not smiling, along with the "marrionette lines" along my nose. I'm 50 and the elasticity is going, going, gone. I use Olay Regenerist products and love them for how my skin feels, so I'm sure what you're using is probably just as good if not the same thing. I'm already planning on having some fillers done to my face as soon as I can afford it. I found a wonderful Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon that just did some body work for me, and the outcome is amazing, so I'm sure he will do wonders for my face. I love being thinner, but I don't like my face looking like someone is trying to starve me. My neck is the worst though - chicken neck all the way. Not sure when or if I'll deal with that, but I'll probably wait untl I'm a bit older. I'm sorry about your friends passing - it does make us stop and questions things, huh?

Congrats on making goal! Regardig fitness, I have to admit I don't exercise but need to so I can gain back lost muscle. I'm 50 yrs old now, and after the weight loss my skin is loose and baggy on my arms especially. I broke some ribs earlier this year and had some plastic surgery the first of this month, so I'm just now approved to start exercising with weights again. So my fitness goal is to get some muscles back in my arms and booty (sadly it's flat as a pancake). Being thin is wonderful, but that doesn't make us healthy I've found. I just had a bone scan and now have full osteoporosis in my back (had a complete hysterectomy at age 41). And I was already on meds for it. Doc thinks it got worse after the weight loss due to being thinner and not getting enough Calcium and Vitamin D,so I've upped both of them when I take my Vitamins. And since your body will only absorb 500mg of calcium at a time, I feel like I'm chewing a tablet every few hours. But I'd rather do that than end up a little shrunken old lady like my mom and grandmother are. I know it will be inevitable eventually, but I'm trying to keep it at bay as long as possible.

I remember that they gave me coffee in the hospital when I had the VSG. I don't drink coffee though and didn't try it, so I don't know if it was decaf or not.

I'm also a Dr. Barker alum - from both the lap-band and now the VSG. And yes, he is super cute. His ads don't do him justice. I'm sure he knows all the ladies have the hots for him. A couple of days after my first VSG post-op visit (I had lap-band revision, he also removed my gall bladder and fixed a hiatal hernia), I got a hematoma under the incision where my band port had been. The incision opened up and the blood drained out, so I had to meet Dr. B at the ER for him to clean it out and make sure I was OK. Since I had just seen him earlier that week, he quipped "we're going to have to stop meeting like this or your husband will start to suspect something" and gave me a big grin. I thought I was going to melt into the floor.

Well, I hate to tell you, but 1-1/2 yrs out and I STILL have to pay attention sometimes and not eat too much. I spent 45+ years eating however much food I could stuff in my face, so this new way of eating just takes practice and patience to get used to. Tiffykins used to measure all her food for awhile to make sure she didn't try to eat too much. My hubby usually looks at my plate, shakes his head, and says "You know you won't be able to eat all that." And of course he's right. So having a "buddy" who can help you to keep from eating too much has really helped me. Now I feel like the saying "your eyes are too big for your stomach" actually apply to me in a VERY real way. To make sure I get in all the Protein and nutrients I need, I typically will eat a few bites, wait awhile for it to digest, then go at it again a bit later. That's hard to do at a restaurant when everyone else is finished eating and ready to go, but it certainly works for me at home. With your new baby stomach, take it slow and easy and don't overstress it to try and fit in more food. As time goes on it will stretch a bit and you'll be able to eat more. Right now though listen to your body and stop when you get that full feeling - before you start to feel miserable. It just takes time and practice. Good luck!

Apparently this doctor has not done his research and is only going on hearsay. If he wants to learn about the success rate of VSG he should come here and look at the pictures of those of us that have been at goal and kept the weight off for awhile. He was probably basing his remarks on what he may have seen from bypass and lap-band patients in the past. I'm glad this isn't your regular doctor, or I would be advising looking for a new one. By the way, I take a daily B-12 supplement that dissolves under my tongue, tastes really good, and only costs a few dollars a bottle. On my last labs they said my B-12 was "through the roof", so it works great and no shots to deal with. I get mine at the local grocery or discount store. I'm sure you could probably find it where you are at the pharmacy if it sounds like something you want to try.

My body seems to have a 3/lb cushion that I bounce around. I don't do anything to "watch my weight" now, I just eat what I want when I want and it never really seems to change. I need to start exercising to build back some muscle though, and the thought went through my head that I would probably weigh more after that. But as long as I look the same and fit in my clothes, that's all that matters.

Testerone is not just for the boys you know ladies! I've been on a cream for several years now and love it so much I brought my gyno flowers. She laughed and said she'd gotten them for delivering babies before, but never for helping someone have better sex again. It has to be made at a pharmacy that can compound their own drugs - your doc can usually tell you where to take your prescription. It's been a life saver for me. I had a hysterectomy at age 41 and went many years of not caring if I ever had sex again. Now that I'm on the cream, I MAKE the hubby save a date night for me each week no matter what. And then there's always Humpday midweek you know.....

I had a full hysterectomy at the age of 41, I'm 50 now, and I had no problems losing all my weight.

Well, dear, it might be OK for you to do that if you're single, but I've been with the same guy for 31 yrs and I would never wink at a stranger - ha! I will rock the hot outfits though, but for the hubby's benefit only. Others can look, but no touching. I want to ask the guys, because this happens to me too. Is the local grocery store THE come-on spot for guys now? I feel like the Kroger meat market is now a MEET MARKET and we ladies are the weekly special or something! All the single guys, whether they have kids with them or not, stare like I have spinach between my teeth or something. If any single ladies are looking, just go to the grocery store, walk down the aisles VERY slowly, make eye contact and you should be able to meet someone. As for me, I keep the big rock on my hand visible and my eyes checking out the fat grams on my labels .

I had my breast augmentation revision done last Friday and am a bit sore today myself. The boobies look great, and now hopefully I can be done with surgeries for awhile now. Glad you're doing well post-op and adjusting to the liquid diet. This is the hardest part, when it's over it will be smooth sailing from here on out. When you get to mushies you'll think you're in heaven! Best of luck with your recovery - sounds like you're doing fantastic!

I know you're so excited - I'm sure you'll do great! The staff at the hospital are WONDERFUL and are very good at making sure you're not in pain. Don't be afraid to tell them how you feel. They don't like your pain level to go over a 2-3. Walk the halls as much as you can stand. My hubby had me on a 3 hr interval and that worked well for me. While I don't envy you the surgery, I DO envy you being able to look into Dr. B's eyes tomorrow, if only for a few minutes. He's the real Dr. McDreamy !! And he will definately get the Skinny Girl to come out and be noticed. I'm also having surgery this week - on Friday I'm having my 31-yr old breast implants exchanged for new ones. I'm super excited to get the new ta-ta's - ha! Since all the weight loss I need them to be filled out again that's for sure. I know you'll probably be super jittery and nervous today, but just think - the waiting is OVER and you're moving on to a healthier new you!! Good luck and take care!!

I can only speak for myself and what I've experienced being at goal for over a year now. I turned 50 this year, and was 220lbs at my highest weight. My neck was chock full of fat before WLS, now it's empty and saggy. I don't think there are any creams or serums that can help - plastic surgery is the only way to get rid of it. This is from someone who most people think is in my 30's due to my good skin (lucky with genetics, non-smoker, and stay out of the sun). If I look straight forward and jut my chin out, it's not noticeable. But if I relax, look down, etc. there it goes - all flabby and loose. I also took Biotin, Vitamins, special shampoo and scalp serum to slow down the hair loss and it didn't help one bit. Hair loss will most likely happen 3-6 months post-op, last for approx. 4-8 months and then start growing back. You just have to take deep breaths when pulling handfulls of hair out of your brush and say to yourself "this too shall pass!". And of course, it does. Being slim now and in great health is worth the saggy skin. My legs no longer feel like stuffed sausages, the skin taut and firm. They are MUCH smaller but the skin is soft and empty feeling now. I've lost quite a lot of muscle along the way too, which is a constant struggle to regain at my age. Getting in shape will be much harder than losing the weight with the sleeve has ever been. My goal is not to be discouraging, but upfront and truthful about the effects of massive weight loss at an age of slow collagen growth. The sleeve is the best thing I've ever done for myself, and as a self-pay it was a sacrifice with money. But I would do it again in a minute. I wish you the best with your weight loss and know your health will improve greatly. Just be realistic with your body image expectations and not be dissapointed if you don't look like a super model when you're done. Embrace your healthy body no matter what it ends up looking like and good luck!

I had tons of adhesions myself, as the revision was my 6th abdominal surgery. My surgeon spent a lot of time removing them, and used a mesh substance inside to help prevent more from forming. And even with my hematoma complication, I'm glad the port is out. It always got stuck under my ribs, you could see it from the outside, and now there is no "foreign" plastic thing in my body anymore. It sounds like you are a perfect candidate for the sleeve. You should be able to meet goal very quickly. Best of luck!

I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? More so with solid foods/proteins than with slider foods. But much more so than with the band. Is it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Yes. With the band I couldn't eat breakfast, but now I can. Does VSG seem to be effected by the same variables as AGB? (e.g. flying, stress, humidity, PMS/water retention...) Not for me. I flew overseas with no problem post-VSG, altitude caused me problems with the band. With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? Never for me. I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? I've never had an issue with food coming up,but I've been careful not to overeat. Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit? I've never vomited with the sleeve. I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random? I've never had a dumping problem. I had my gall bladder out at the same time as my revision and now fatty foods nauseate me, but sweets are fine. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months... That's a doctor question, but I think you have to be careful for a couple of months until you are completely healed. Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there... That's all I've heard also, though I didn't have any problems. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? I only went back to my surgeon once post-op. After that my primary care doc handles everything. I just have labs once or twice a year. Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray? No. What do you like best about your VSG? The ability to eat healthy foods that I couldn't with the band (salads, certain fruits/veggies), not having to ever worry again about eating too much - I can't, being able to eat like a "normal" person (not counting calories, fat grams, etc.). I eat whatever I want, but in moderation. What do you like least about your VSG? There are times your brain still wants to pig out on something, but your body can't do it, so you have to just deal with that. I lost more muscle than I would have liked to, but that I can build back up. What did you not know going in, that you wish you did? I was pretty well informed, but I guess I didn't realize how hard it would be to get all my protein in without supplements. I still have to eat protein bars to get it all in. I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery? I've had 12 surgeries in my life, so I may be an old pro about it, but I thought my recovery was just as easy. I work from home on the computer and was back at my desk the day after I got home from the hospital for short spurts. Pain was minimal. How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc. You don't have to worry about chewing everything up super small with the VSG like you do with the band or taking small bites. The opening to your stomach is the same as anyone else's, so that's not an issue anymore. I eat just like anyone else. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG) Not sure what that means... Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band? My surgeon did both the band and my revision to VSG. He had put my port in there really good, so it was a bear to get out. I was left with a large open area internally that filled with blood and caused a hematoma. The incision above the hematoma opened up, the blood drained, and the hole had to then heal from the inside out. I had to keep it packed with cotton tape and change twice a day for a couple of months. I also had a hiatal hernia that I fell was caused by the band. The doc fixed it during the revision surgery. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for) None at all. In fact, I used to have IBS but no more. It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while? I continue to take a PPI to control acid, so it's not an issue. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB? I can eat or drink anything I want with the sleeve, no restrictions. I choose to NOT eat much bread, as it swells with liquids and takes up room in my tummy I should be filling with protein. I can tolerate anything - spicy foods, wine and spirits, etc.

Just made an appointment for my breast augmentation revision (I've had mine for 31 yrs!!) with Dr. Michael Bogdan in Southlake, TX for next month. He took a whole 1.5 hrs for my consult. This is the 3rd consult I've had and was super impressed with him and his staff. We're concentrating on the girls this time, but once I save up some more $$ I'm probably going to get a neck lift and maybe something done to my cheeks (the ones on my face, in case you're wondering - ha!). Now that I'm done losing weight, the areas beside my nose look pretty gaunt and sunk in. Hopefully some type of filler can plump them back up again, but I know they also do fat transfers for that area too. That's one of the bad things about losing so much weight - sometimes you lose it in places you don't really want to. But it's a trade-off I'd happily make again to be skinny everywhere else.

My favorite "non-sweet" mushie was refried black beans. I love spicy foods, so I put a bit of salsa in them, topped with a small spoon of white queso, in the microwave for a few seconds and I was in heaven!

A lot of people in my family get this if we take products with the same ingredients as Pepto-Bismal. There's something in it that causes that to happen too. If you're taking anything like that it could also be the cause.

Way to go!! Sounds like you're working your sleeve and will be at goal in no time.

Sure, he does it all. Check out his website for photos and info. I'm getting so excited for my appointment and so ready for this surgery. I've had 2 other consults and one of the docs didn't listen to me at all when I told him what I wanted (silicone gel) and pretty much insisted on saline. Now that my frame is so much smaller and I have practically NO real breast tissue left, I don't want to worry about seeing the ridged edges of saline implants under my skin. I'm looking for someone with experience replacing old implants and also someone who works with WLS patients. Hope this is the guy for me - but we'll see!

I've got a consult the first part of June with Dr. Michael A. Bogdan in Southlake. He charges $50 for a consult, just to keep people from making appts. and not showing up. I'll report back after I see him. He does a lot of work with post-WLS patients and also has an office somewhere in Dallas.

I collect Fiesta Ware, and I love their tiny dessert bowls. They are my new serving dish for most of my meals. I also use their salad plates as dinner plates. I love all the colors they come in and it's fun to find retired color pieces at antique shops. I like the little spoons and forks ideas. I'll have to start looking for them next.