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I am also interested to hear what other are using. I know that Vitamin E oil works WONDERS on scars but I am not sure what to use to keep skin from sagging.

I'm completely lost and unsure about doing a sleeve or bypass. I am female 37 yes old, no kids in the future, 172cm and weigh 111 kilos. I have a small hernia and the surgeon recommends a bypass. I guess I'm apprehensive because I focused so much on doing a sleeve. I am an active individual who would like to add muscle while loosing fat. I'm afraid with a bypass I wont absorb necessary nutrients to achieve these goals. Anyone out there with similar situation? Is there a success bypass story where adding muscle mass wasnt a big challenge? Sent from my BLA-L29 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm doing a victory dance this morning! :Dancing_wub: Weighed in today at 308... actually 307.4 but I just had a nightgown on and I think last weigh in I had regular clothes on so I rounded it up. This means I've lost 51 pounds since my first visit to Dr. Pucci in July, and 40 lbs since my surgery date on Nov 2nd!!! This is the most I've ever been able to loose on any diet. I think on Jenny Craig I lost 40 something but never hit the 50 mark. I know 2010 is going to be a great year, I just feel it in my bones!!! I have been getting out there and walking, weather permitting, during my lunch break. I plan on adding other types of exercise once I get back from my trip to NC for New Year's weekend. I hope I won't gain anything when I'm down there, so I'm bringing some packaged diet foods along to help. :present: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

When I got my very first fill in September I was at 3.6cc in a 10 cc band. Then I got something stuck and I am convinced that was the end of my ability to have fills. That was in November. I had a refill to 2.6 cc in December and had to have it removed to 1.7 in January. Then I thought I could eat too much so I had a fill to 2.3 at the end of February, followed by an unfill to 2.0 in March followed by a complete unfill at the beginning of April. Since then I have been completely unfilled...with hopes of never having to have a fill again. For me it was better to learn good eating habits and stay loose. I think it is healthier and that was the reason I had this surgery to begin with. I can't stand being too tight. If you choose the right foods (Lean Protein like chicken and certain fishes, whole grains, and the right fruits and veggies, you can actually eat a lot of food). I am currently trying to maintain my weight (have been for the last 8 pounds lost!) and am at 1800 calories and the amount of food that I have to eat is almost unbearable. I know who would have ever thought that I would have said that?!?! So basically my opinion is work on your eating habits...that is going to serve you better in the long run then being to tight. What is the purpose of being at goal if you haven't learned to eat right? That is my opinion anyways! For me I try not to think about what or how much I COULD eat, but rather what and how much I am WILLING to eat. And yes...it takes a lot of discipline. Good luck.

All of what you are feeling is normal. I thought that I was gong to climb out of my skin before I had my surgery. Especially when the day got closer. At the last minute I almost chickened out too. But I knew that if I didn't go through with it, that I would probably be smacking myself forever. Boy am I glad that I went through with it. This has been a total life changing experience for me. I have NO regrets at all except that I didn't get it done sooner. This is major surgery and it is a major lifestyle change that you have to be willing to work for. If this is something that you really want done, then take a deep breath and just think of how great you will look a few sizes smaller. The process before the surgery is the hardest part. The surgery itself is really not that bad. BUT the results are awesome. It's well worth the hard work. Good luck to you. I hope that things calm down and you find out when your surgery date is. Please keep us posted on your progress. And do add me as a friend or email if you need some encouragement along the way. YOU CAN DO IT!!! :cool2:

I found and love Naturemade Vitamelts. I purchased on Amazon but they have them all, multi, B-12, hair skin and nail and I also take Calcium. They just melt under your tongue

My loose skin is still very new & I will agree with this 1000%. Loose skin is A MILLION times better than obesity. I'd pick my loose skin while wearing smalls/mediums over being a 4x & filled out ANYDAY

I'm 32 and had sleeve surgery 6 months ago. I've lost 90lbs since my pre-op class (2 weeks before my surgery). And I have a huge amount of loose skin on my arms, belly, butt, and thighs. My face has adjusted well. So age is not always a factor... genetics, how much u lose, how quickly, and body type factors are most important. I have about the same amount of skin as my 65 year old grandma who had the same surgery 7 years ago and lost about the same. We are close to the same size now. She took collagen and a hair/nails/skin supplements. I didn't take anything extra for my skin or any type of collagen. Just some aveeno for dry skin every now and then. Sent from my SM-S115DL using BariatricPal mobile app

I watched a video of a surgeon who said 'loose skin is the price you pay for being obese' is it harsh? Yes, but its better to accept early on that it will most likley be part of the journey

I have little nylon shorts that I wear with a swim suit. That's the best I can do. My fat rolls around my middle don't look so bad standing up, but sitting down is another story. I always wonder how much of it is just skin. I will never know.

There is a one-visit ULTHERAPY (ultrasound) facial tightener treatment, you go once and heal over 120 days to a new tighter you without surgery. Have an appointment to go tomorrow for a consult, same as you have loose skin on neck and wrinkles developing around mouth. Results look good in comparison pics.

If you think that's a long post you haven't been reading my posts. Shame on you. Okay, so here's what I see. Let's start with your stats. One, you COULD lose more weight if you want. Your BMI is still overweight, though let's not deny that there is almost certainly a large amount of loose skin because of your tremendous loss. Congrats on that, by the way, you've worked the hell out of your sleeve so far. But you don't NEED to lose more weight. So don't feel like you're not a success or that you fell short. Because that's obviously not the case at all. Two, let's talk about this "enough is enough" thing. This is more common than you think. I did the same thing. "If only I could be 150 again, I'd be so happy." But today I'm 141 and mad I'm not 135 (my goal) and frustrated that I never saw 120 pounds (firmly in the normal BMI range for my short stature of 5'1") so I relate to this a lot. In my case? It took realizing that I wasn't unhappy because I was fat. I was fat because I was unhappy. And my weight was the very easiest of the many issues I was lugging around in my suitcase o baggage to tackle. It was the big, obvious thing I could change to feel happy. But losing weight did NOT make me happy. Don't get me wrong. It made me happier. But it wasn't that magic switch where one day I went from having problems or issues and the next day to loving myself because I could fit in a size six. It just doesn't work that way. I wonder the same thing. Now my focus is plastics. And my husband asks me what the focus will be once the plastics are done. Because once the loose skin is gone I've completed my journey, right? So do I finally feel completely content with my results at that point? Or do I find another issue to pick apart until I'm there? Will I need another distraction from whatever else I've got going on in my head? Look, there is nothing wrong with keeping onward. Just remember that success is measured by achieving a goal and then maintaining it happily. If it's an obsession, you're not happy. If you always want more, you're not happy. I beat myself up trying to hit 135 and stay there. But until I got pregnant with my wee one I could easily stay between 137-141 pounds with zero effort. Staying just two pounds lower took a strict diet and it was always a challenge. So go further if you want it or need it. But stop before you get to that point where you're fighting your body and making yourself unhappy. You have come so far. There is no need to live as though you've stopped short if you've done all your body can do. And be smart about this. I don't need to caution you about the people that trade one form of disordered eating for another, right? It happens. So be careful. And I recommend some counseling if you're not already doing it. I firmly believe everyone can use it, and it certainly never hurts a person. Congrats on coming so far. Remember to change your perspective if you start to get negative. I am guilty of this, too. If you look in the mirror or at photos and only see the parts you'd like to change, you need to stop and reflect on how far you've come. Good luck, ~Cheri

I'm 20 and I'm really banking on my age helping me to lose faster than some of the older people who get banded. As far as saggy skin goes my surgeon told me that since I'm so young as long as I exercise like I'm supposed to that won't be a problem AT ALL. Also a HUGE plus of getting it done around our ages is that you have a much lower risk of complications according to Dr. Rosen :grouphug:

Thank you for all your help in advance. I had my lapband placed as a self pay in Mexico 21/2 years ago. I found out this week by endoscopy that it had eroded. Now I am in pain and need to have it removed soon. My problem is my insurance company. They do not pay for obesity surgery or any complications it may cause. What do I do? I can't afford the huge bill this will create. I have contacted my Doctor in Mexico. They could remove it. They would charge $800-$5000. Plus any cost for travel and hotel. I know that is still less than the US, but I am a little uneasy with how it may be removed. Mind you, this was only the scheduler, but they would remove it endoscopically. Just cut it and pull it out my mouth in office. But what if there is a hole in my stomach that must be repaired? A little scary. So any help with this situation is very needed. I know I got myself into this mess because I wanted to loose weight and look good for once in my life. I still have a good 40 more pounds to loose. I am sad, I don't want to gain it all back and have a huge finacial burden on top of it. Help!! By the way, I have Lifewise of Oregon for insurance. :thumbup:

I know my Dr was male so he doesn't know much about female anatomy or whatever but I am going to have to set him straight. I have a small incision right at the bottom of my breasts right where the band from my bra sits. I have it covered now but it still hurts from my surgery on 9/18. I put some neosporin and a bandaid on it today since the scab finally fell off but it is red, sore and starting to itch. I just don't feel comfortable without a bra, I have tried but can't walk around without one on. I would think they could find a better spot to cut. Also, the area where the port is (right above my belly button) is red. The scab came off there too, but there are a few sutures poking through the skin and they rub on everything. the nurse told me to cut them if I feel them but I can't cut them close enough to the skin and they are driving me crazy so I covered them too. the other 3 incisions are healing ok, but still red. not inflamed but redder than I thought they should be by this point in the game. Anyone else have troubles? Is it ok to cover them at this point? I can call the Dr they are always on call, but for such a trivial question I thought you all might know more and I will call during the day tomorrow.

you're not losing your mind. you're barely a month out of surgery... surgery is an incredible stress on your body, and stress can affect us in the strangest ways!! it's not uncommon at all to be irregular for months after surgery... I'm on the pill and have had wonderful predictable to the hour periods that last about 2 days, but for the first couple of months after surgery it came days early and lasted 3 or 4 times longer than it would, or it would come days late causing panic! stress can affect your hormone levels which could cause the breast tenderness too... Some people lose weight immediately after surgery... some people take weeks to see loss. your body is still healing and not dropping the pounds is OK right now. Just follow your doctors eating plan. I think I had bathroom issues for weeks after surgery... between the surgery itself and meds, the change in diet, and stress in general I was stocking up on extra soft charmin. loose stools can also dehydrate you causing your electrolyte imbalance... have you tried drinking G2? The sugarfree gatorade? alternate between it and Water if you're having issues in the bathroom. It never hurts to call your doctor... I'd call the surgeon first and if they think your symptoms can't be explained by surgery then they'll advise you to call your ob. But you're not crazy! You just turned your system upside down and it's catching up!

I was sleeved 10 days ago and I can tell you the following were life savers for me... my personal pillow my beach bath towel - I use it to wrap up in after showers at home and it gave me some freedom from the gown while my IV was disconnected heating pad - helps with the pain more than you can imagine! chapstick - we went to a very dry climate in MX compared to the humidity of Houston slippers - the hospital supplied these (thankfully) and they came in handy when walking the halls flip flops - so convenient and you need convenience! If I didnt wear the slippers, I put my flipflops on to walk around. pajama pants - I was hooked to an IV for 3 days so my upper half was confined to the hospital gown but my lower half I was able to put these on and it made me feel more secure. I bought a pair that was 2x bigger than what I normally wear for comfort Loose fitting clothes to wear home - I gained 14# of IV fluids and NONE of my clothes fit me going home that I planned to wear! I ended up wearing the pajama pants and my husband's hoodie (no bra either) to the airport, etc... GasX strips - I brought them and used them but the gas pains are going to be there regardless... it was nice to have the mint flavor in my mouth when I couldnt drink anything for 24 hrs after surgery. Pack lightly and in a rolling suitcase! Good luck!!!

JessHmmmm, so would I from your profile i see your a "youngun" of 25. when your that age, through mid 30's-40's your body reacts better to tightining up, firming up during this WL process exercising throughout this whole process is beneficial, and continue to exercise after the fact is important, of course for ever and a day, but i'm not that religious about it Do cardio, and weights. alternate days between the two. i didn't exercise enough, but i'm working on it now - better late than never I do have hanging skin under my arms, tummy, hmmm - i think i'll stop there After you've lost your weight, your skin does tighten, firm up a bit during the next couple of years I've heard that from veterans on the board. But this isn't a guarentee of course for everyone I think you have to wait a bit before a plastic surgeon will perform anything - thats what i have heard, i might be mistaken most people end up having some excess skin hanging skin is better than a lot of extra weight "hanging" around good luck with WLS on 8/15 speedy recovery kathy

I really want to know if you guys had bad excess skin? Or very little? Im severely scared of that.... I know I won't have a tight body or anything remotely close to a model but I'd like to have at least a body where I can wear a bathing suit. So how is it??

I was told the amount of excess skin also is determined by how long the skin has been stretched from the weight. I am really hoping that since I have only been this heavy for about 2 years it will bounce back.

I was told before leaving the hospital not to freak out ... But been there and I was worried. First the smell is always bad... I don't eat much and still! (Sorry ppl lol) the loose bowels are because you haven't eaten enough to bring it all together. It's all normal and okay. There was extensive work done in there and its working great! Congrats & welcome! Surgery 7/25/12

I knew you would do awesome!! Was watching to see when you would post after surgery! Take care of you!! Loose clothes for now. Found out today that i am having my sleeve on sept 18..... Excited and nervous at the same time! So happy that you are on the other side of this !

Just wondering how everyone is doing 8 months post-op. I had a good 6 month follow up with doc who said I am on track. I got a FitBit for my bday and it is pretty awesome at tracking my fitness, sleep patterns, hydration and caloric intake/burn. I highly recommend it just because it really gives a great visual of what you are doing! Doc says to aim for 25 more lbs by 1st anniversary. I was plateauing every 10 lbs, lose the 10 fast then plateau again. It seems the plateaus are longer now, but my clothes are getting too big for me still, so although the scale doesn't show it, I know my body is still changing and maybe it's turning fat into muscle. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Highest was 261, pre surgery 241, current 173. I was walking 3 miles twice a week and last week walked at least 2 miles each day for 7 days! I was on vacation though. Now that it's back to reality and work, I am going to aim for 3-4 times a week, adding hills for the cardio portion.I have found many nodules, pea sized to marble sized on my outer thighs, neck, and calves which I assume are lipomas, but have an appt with regular MD to look into this. Anyone else have these? The are a little painful with pressure. I still can only eat a few bites...of anything. My doc wants me to just eat 3 meals a day, but I think I'd die. I wouldn't get enough nutrients with as little as I eat. I personally think eating 5 times a day is fine, especially because I am eating healthy. I still have trouble with meat of any kind. I used to love Water, it's all I drank, but post surgery it has a funny taste to me and is not as satisfying as it used to be...weird huh? Anyone else? I know tastes and preferences change post surgery, but water?! I feel like my stomach will never be the same again and I have just gotten used to the new feelings/limits. I love fruits, nuts, vegetables, yogurt. I take Vitamin B12 daily and should take multi-vites daily but I often forget that one. I have a really bad case of reflux...worse since surgery and oh my is it painful sometimes. I would like to hear how everyone is doing, if you are having the same issues, or any info you want to share about how you are managing your activity, diet, etc. Have any of you looked into the skin removal step? I am on the fence as to whether I will do that or not. Any thoughts? Hope all of you July sleevers are doing well. -PZ

Bear Bandit, Glad to hear the firming cream has worked for you. I started using the Jergens at the beginning. To soon to tell, but I figure if it doesn't work, at least I'll have soft skin. lol

Hello! I got banded 7 days ago and I am down from 292 to 272 - 20 pounds in 7 days. I am following a simple food plan right now... typically protien shake blended with Fiber Bran Cereal in the morning, bean Soup for lunch and egg salad with light mayo for dinner...and Water or decaf tea all day. So I am not starving myself, but definitely a drastic reduction from the pre-surgery days. Is a kind of drop (20 lbs in one week after surgery) unheard of?