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You can always make your own tomato sauce/Passata & totally control the ingredients. It’s pretty easy. Just blanch your tomatoes & peel off their skin. Quarter them & cut out the seeds. You can cook them on the stove or roast them in the oven. You can cook up onion with the tomato too. Add herb & spices, salt & pepper as you want. Even a splash of balsamic vinegar - brings out the tomatoes natural sweetness. No need for sugar. When cooked blend & sieve. Freezes well too so you can make in bulk.

Did anyone have this before losing weight as well? Did it go away as you lost weight or did it stay? It’s one of my biggest insecurities that I know is a direct result of my weight, I hope it is reversible.

For my 53rd birthday my husband bought me a boudoir session through Susan Page Studios as a reward for losing so much weight. I am looking for a tasteful set of bra and panties in black or maybe a pretty dark blue for the shoot. The problem is the loose skin left in the pubic area. I am currently a 36D or 36DD bra and roughly a size 10 pant. I carried all of my weight in my belly. I am 146 pounds and 5'4" so still have a bit of a stomach roll. They suggest no thongs and something more like cheekies, lacies, hipsters or boy shorts. The shoot is July 22nd so I have a little time. I will bring 5-6 outfits and shoot in 3-4 outfits. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy a tasteful bra/panty set that provides a little extra coverage in the nether regions but is still a little sexy. I wouldn't mind a bra that provides a little lift. At this age and with the weight loss the girls can use a little help. Has anyone else done one of the boudoir sessions? If so, did you have fun?

it’s time to buy smaller sizes when your clothes are drooping down or falling off you. The day my knickers almost fell off was the day I bought new underwear. 😆 Invest in a belt, some leggings (I buy black ponti leggings which have elastin not shiny Lycra so they look dressier especially with a jacket, long line cardigan, white button thru shirt, etc.), elastic waists, smock type dresses or tops. I found these styles carried me through a couple of size drops. I had three formal events to go to while I was losing. I found a loose straight through dress. First wearing I wore it straight but the ones after I added a sparkly belt. Took me through 3 or 4 size changes. As to working out what styles will suit you, the best way is to go to some stores & play dress up. If you don’t have a trusted friend, sister or mother to go with you, take pxts of what you think looks good so you can take time later to decide if it really does suit you. Do this out of the dressing room for better lighting & mirrors. You don’t have to buy. And don’t let the sales person convince you something looks great on you if you feel uncomfortable or not confident. It’s like some can scent your uncertainty & pounce, overflowing with compliments just to make a sale. You may find you enjoy shopping more when you can wear smaller sizes - so much more choice.

I'm mystified by this myself. I weigh 239 right now and last time I was this weight about 17 years ago, I wore a size 20 or 2X. Now I'm consistently fitting into an 18 or XL. I definitely have a different body than I did back then. I was an hourglass. I think I still technically am, but I have lost a ton in my legs and they're where I have the most loose skin even though my belly was huge before my wls. Shorts and pants are all too big in the legs but I can't get a size smaller or they won't fit around the waist and hips. My breasts haven't lost much except band size, which is how I've always been. My cup size is the same. One theory I have is that maybe the loose skin is easier to squish into a smaller size. [emoji2368] Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been getting botox and fillers for years (I’m 40). I’m two weeks post op and already have a plan! Lower face lift, microneedling, veneers (fresh white teeth help with the youthful look), and skin tightening on my neck if needed. As someone who is hyper-focused on skincare, no cream will tighten skin. Go for a laser treatment…put your money to good use! Good luck!

I've lost almost 40 lbs and I am not looking forward to sizing out of clothes. I don't have any clothes from my previous weight losses and so far my clothes are a bit loose but since I had recently gained 25 lbs during COVID, they aren't too bad, except for some I bought at my heaviest, and those are just long sleeve t-shirts, so it doesn't matter. I have noticed that my pants start to fall down when I exercise, so I might be getting close on that score... For environmental/human rights reasons I don't want to buy a lot of cheap clothes and the thrift shops near me are pretty gross. Also, for some reason they are arranged by color rather than size so it's impossible to find anything. I'm wondering how long I can put off buying clothes that fit, since I usually work from home except when I travel, about once a month. Has anyone done Thread Up? I did Gwynnie Bee (plus size clothing rental) when I lost weight the last time, but it doesn't really work with my current lifestyle of working from home and traveling once a month for a few days.

Friend, I too have saggy skin on my neck. I have done some massages recommended by my friend. Still, I have no changes. Then she has recommended doing Botox treatment. But, I was in a confusion which treatment to opt for. I also consider facelift treatment. Anyway, I am in search of this.

I am doing well, thank you! Per the docs and nurses in Mexico I was the best plastics patient they ever had. 😂 I walked independently, multiple times a day starting the day after surgery and getting up to 3 miles total, per day, by day 4 post-op. Recovery has been both easier and harder than I expected. My pain has been pretty low and my boobs have hurt worse than the 360 tummy tuck 🤷‍♀️ The fatigue is making me crazy, as is the insane amount of swelling. I have been struggling to get some more fajas. The one from the hospital is too tight with my swelling, and is too small at the top around my rib cage...yay for inverted triangle shapes🤦🏼‍♀️😂 I have ordered other ones and they fit worse than the one I have. I currently have 6 more on order with hopes I will find something that works. I had two drains, one on the front of my abdomen and one at lower back. Yesterday Husband and I removed the one at the back. It was leaking out around the drain and causing skin issues at the drain site. I cannot wait to get the other one out! Since my one ill fitting faja is in the wash I took some pics to share. Excuse my drain and understand, for those of you who have not had plastic surgery before, I am incredibly swollen. My natural waist is a full two inches bigger than my pre-surgery measurements and my lower abdomen is about 3-4 inches bigger than pre-surgery. Overall, I am loving my results and can’t wait to see what everything looks like in a few weeks and then a few months. 💕

Thank you for sharing this information! This is very helpful. When I was living in NC I researched surgeons there but didn't find any that I felt would provide the results that I was looking for, just based on reviews that I had seen on their websites. I completed some very minimal research for surgeons within the US as well. I am excited about losing the rest of the weight and having skin surgery in the future. When I had my breast consult completed last year, the surgeon that I spoke with told me that ultimately I would need to also consider if I wanted to have any future surgeries before or after I have children because pregnancy can affect the results. However, I feel like because my skin has been stretched out from weight loss/gain over the years repetitively (especially in my abdomen area) if I were to get the skin removal surgery on my abdomen before I have children it will make a significant difference because the elasticity within the skin on will be reset to a certain degree, and there will not be as much stretching/sagging afterward. The breast surgeon that I completed the consult with told me that pregnancy could potentially cause my breast to become raised and plumper. He also recommended breast implants and provided me with the side effects and other recommendations that come with that surgery. I will definitely research the surgeons you have recommended to see which one will be the best option for me financially and will go from there. Thanks again for all of your help!

This may seem like a strange question. I am just wondering if I need to make a special appointment with the bariatric psychologist on my team. I have lost now 60 pounds since the day of surgery RNY on February 24. Not quite 3 1/2 months yet. I feel like I’m losing weight too fast and I really don’t know how to cope with it. Everybody seems so excited and happy for me but I can’t wrap my brain around what’s happening. I did not do this for weight loss I did it for fixing severe Gerd so maybe that’s why I feel “weird”... I told my boyfriend that I just feel like I am in someone else’s body, lol 😂 The best way to explain this feeling is when something is too good to be true it almost feels skeptical - And you can’t let yourself be “happy”.... Has anybody else felt disbelief in the weight loss amount?!

@greentealael unfortunately I didn’t loose my sweet tooth with the sleeve surgery so I still love the sweet taste of these drinks and other sweet things. I’d def consider yourself lucky!! I wish my had went away😐

Hi! I appreciate your feedback! Who has had their arm skin removal? I’m getting mine and being advised from my surgeon on post op care BUT I wanna hear your recovery experience! Could you use the bathroom w no help? Lol thanks in advance!

Is there a specific surgeon that anyone would recommend? Also, is it better to have multiple procedures completed at once, versus having one procedure completed at a time? I am just thinking about the cost financially and the cost that is associated with having multiple procedures completed previously before. I had a breast consult done completed last year and plan to have another consult done to talk about my stomach area but want to loose the remaining weight first (20-30 pounds). Thanks for your recommendations!

I am two years post op (Gastric Bypass > Route En Y) and I do not regret my decision. I have lost almost 100 pounds and went from a size 16 to a size 4/6. It definitely has been a journey overall, but having the surgery for me put me back in control over my life. It forced me to identify the root/cause of why I was overweight and as I result I sought help mentally/and physically which has changed me forever. Granted, I still have moments where I do ask myself the same question just because I haven’t reached my target/goal weight and I have struggled with remaining consistent with exercise, getting enough fluids in (water) and having excess sagging skin. The ideal image after weight loss surgery that you may see on social media is not applicable for everyone’s situation because each person is different. I have found that theses images that are portrayed are sometimes helpful, but also can be hurtful because the content shared may not be 100% truthful. I am not sure if this is something that you have found to be challenging but for me it has been, because sometimes people on social media portray that sagging skin was completely tightened by exercise when it reality they had skin surgery to remove excess skin; for example. I have also found that after making such a great change, the people who said they supported me, have now began to ostracize me because they are envious, spiteful and refuse to acknowledge that change is necessary to be able to live a fulfilling life. Had I had known, that having weight loss surgery would reveal true intent of others as well, I would have had the weight loss surgery sooner! Regardless, I had the surgery for me, so that I can live freely! Being 2 years post op, I know only take vitamins and 1 maintenance drug to assist with some mental issues that I am still struggling with but besides that all of the health issues/conditions that I faced before have subsided. I also have identified specific food intolerances which I try to stay away from and I’m constantly reminding myself to slow down when eating to prevent indigestion and reflux. I do not eat or use dairy products because I have an dairy allergy/intolerance which existed before the surgery. I also do not have a galbladder, so I there are some foods my body doesn’t digest well. I primarily foods that are dairy free, gluten free, Non-GMO and have either low sugar content/low sodium content. I had a stomach ulcer last year; as a result of having the surgery and as a result I was hospitalized for a week. From my understanding it is common for weight loss surgery patients to have this issue post op. I also had kidney stones last year as well, which was a extremely painful ordeal, but I made it through. Even with all of the challenges that I have faced, I am still grateful that I had the surgery! Sharing my story with others has been liberating, freeing, and inspiring experience and has influenced multiple people to make decisions towards their own weight loss and one person even had weight loss surgery, as well. Overall, I hope that you don’t regret your weight loss surgery decision, because it’s your life and you live it the way you want to live it! I hope that reflecting on how far you have came will increase your inspiration and motivation, because having weight loss surgery is only half the battle. I start over almost everyday, but I refuse to go back to where I came from. I wish you nothing but the best in life and congratulations on your successful journey!

That is similar to what I started doing around 2 months post-op. Idk that it helped with loose skin, but it definitely seemed to help with weight loss. Also, I look toned and fit. I actually had a stranger on a plane the other day say I was “ripped” and asked if I do cross fit. The stranger also happened to be a very attractive man in my age group. Lol! Best NSV yet! 😊

I am 3.5 months post op sleeve and started back to the gym for weight training. I am thinking of going 3 times per week with 1-2 days in between workout days. I walk 60 minutes daily and will keep that up on non gym days. Probably will walk 30 minutes on gym days. Does that seem to be enough weight training to make a difference? Looking to tone up and fill in loose skin in problem areas while continuing to lose weight in honeymoon phase. Will the weight training slow down my weight loss?

I would consult your surgeon to be sure if you're worried but, and I just said this to my husband last night, I too have been having, the last two days specifically, this sort of weird feeling kinda under my skin in that location. Almost like if I touch my skin there, or clothes rub against it, it's a strange nerve uncomfortableness/slight pain, sorta thing going on? Almost like a nerve thing right under my skin. Anyway, it's not so bad or unusual that I feel I myself need to call anyone. I figured I'll wait a few days to see if anything changes. I'm also just over two weeks out. But I also still get that burning/tugging feeling and still can't sleep on my sides because of it. It's getting read old. LOL

I am having a different kind of abdominal pain in the last day or so near the biggest incision. Everything looks normal, it feels like soreness under the skin, like a dull pain. It's not very strong pain, 2/10, but it's different from what I was experiencing before (tearing/burning feeling around the incision when I made some movements but not this dull feeling). Almost feels like a muscle strain or something and it's freaking me out. I was thinking it could be gas but it's just on the right side of my abdomen. Is that something any of you experienced?

As you progress you will be able to eat more. And don’t worry, you won’t have stretched your tummy. It takes a lot of concentrated effort of eating large portions & over a long period of time to stretch your tummy. If you eat until you have had enough or until your restriction kicks in you’re fine. As you’re male & taller, you’re dietary requirements will be a different from mine. Plus I’m in maintenance. I do snack several times a day but when I was losing I snacked on yoghurt or cheese initially then added fruit. I alternated eggs with rolled oats for breakfast. I love rolled oats. Lots of fibre, a good carb, & if you make it on milk you boost the protein content. You could even add protein powder as well though I didn’t. I eat it with blueberries now - yum. I try to ensure everything I eat is of nutritional benefit to me & not empty calories. I eat multi/whole grains twice a day, fruit twice a day, vegetables 2 or three times, dairy 2 or 3 times, meat &/or seafood twice a day to reach 50-60g protein & eat <30g of fats (salad dressings are my weakness). Some serves are the recommended serving size but others are less it just depends. Some people find they have no issues eating a wide range of foods but others discover their tummies just don’t tolerate certain things. I can’t do char grilled meats or vegetables, mashed potatoes, oily fish, fatty meats, breads, rice or pasta. Some fruits make my restriction kick in early (like mango & apple skin 🙁). I don’t do beans often because they give me terrible wind. Lentils are fine & I’m going to try some barley soon. I can eat lots of lettuce - it’s a slider food for me so my salad lunches are huge 😁. It’s a bit of trial & error to work out what you can tolerate especially in the first few months. Don’t give up though, you may be fine with something a few months on. Check with your dietician if you are unsure. Plus they should be able to give you a list of foods you could eat &/or a template diet plan to work from. Good luck.

Good evening, so I did not do the surgery but I did join a weight loss done right program in my area on January 5 and as of today I have lost 68 pounds, (only 32 more to go) the program is very strict, but very easy and the food is quite good!! When it comes to eating out which we do, I am very committed and I basically tell the server immediately, I am sorry to be a pain but I am on a very strict diet so can you please relay to the kitchen staff that my food can have no seasoning, no butter, no oil, everything needs to be completely plain. Also I ask as many questions as needed, such as actual ounces, sauces etc. I actually use a brown bread that I purchase from bariatric pal, and I bring one or two slices with me, I either bring my own seasoning or I just use their salt and pepper. When it comes to salad dressing again I bring my own or I order just plain white vinegar. I usually order a 6 ounce steak or the 8 ounce salmon, again no butter, no seasoning, no oil. I get a double order of plain steamed broccoli and a side salad with only lettuce, tomato and cucumber. I will sometimes bring my own cucumber and hearts of palm. lol just carry a larger than usual purse, honestly no one cares and you should be very proud of yourself for loosing the weight and especially proud of adhering to the food restrictions because that shows your strength. I am not embarrassed or ashamed of ordering specifically as I know I am a healthier , happier and skinnier me. LOL i wish you the best of luck, you’ve got this!!!!

I am 9 months out and didn't start eating fruit until 6 months. When I do, I eat strawberries and blackberries. I cut them up and put them in a bowl. I crush up some raw, unsalted walnuts, and mix it all together with a little bit of lite cool whip. So I am getting my fruit intake but making it also be protein because of the added walnuts. I will take a pear and peel the skin off (I can't tolerate the skin) then I cut it up into small pieces, mix it with some raw, unsalted crushed almonds, and put a little bit of honey on it. Sometimes I put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds. It is so delish. If I eat any nuts at all they are always raw, and unsalted. When I started I counted out 12 as a portion size. Now I count out 20. I still can't eat that much because I get too full quickly. Just use portion control and you will be fine. I use a scale and measure everything I eat. I am looking forward to eating some peaches and nectarines. The summer is almost here (I live in NH) so better fruits are becoming available. I just have to figure out what I can pair them up with for protein. I recently started enjoying watermelon with feta cheese (I am part Greek) and love feta. I only eat a small amt. due to the salt, and fat content. I try to pick one fruit a day for a snack. I plan ahead of what I will eat for the entire day. Like today I had an apple with peanut butter for a snack. Sometimes I eat an apple and have some walnuts or almonds on the side.

I just got the CUTEST suit on Amazon.. Now, I tend to be flashy and like bright colors, so it may not be for everyone, but I LOVE it, and it covers my belly flap and upper legs which have a ton of loose skin. I love it so much I will buy more when I lose more weight. I have 2 suits from that brand and they are both great. It's a 2 piece with shorts underneath. The brand is Esprlia. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I feel your frustration, I also have had very little contact with my surgeon and he has even pushed out my 3 months check up. I had my surgery on March 15th and I have lost nowhere what I expected to lose. Of course I’m happy I’m defo losing weight but I feel I’m behind where I should be. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a surgeon in a different field and the actually told me that losing slow and steady 1) is healthier for the body and 2) is much better for skin shrinking, meaning it’s better at preventing excess skin. So keep going, your doing great 😊

If your BMI is JUST under the requirement of 35 and you are gaining 5-10lbs every few months, it seems like you could just wait a few months and you might be able to get insurance to cover it given your co-morbidities, depending on your insurance. Having said that, it's likely that some/most surgeons would still do the surgery since you are willing to do self-pay. I have heard that many industries/jobs are pretty fatphobic, and I'm so sorry you are facing that. I also know what you mean about being uncomfortable in my own skin, and tired going up the stairs, etc. I've always been fat, at least my whole adult life, so I don't have much to compare it to, but it's still horrible to feel it every day. Whether you keep gaining weight or do the surgery, you'll be facing food prep, and it's easier to deal with food prep (I hope!) with a smaller appetite. I understand from the people on this board that the first few months after surgery are pretty tough, but then it's really a much better life (for most people - some people have a hard time for a long time and regret the surgery, but most people say their only regret is not doing it sooner).