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I didn't have a preop liquid diet. However, I was required to loose 15 lbs from my initial appointment 4 months prior. Sent from my SM-G986U using BariatricPal mobile app

I may be in the minority but i prefer my scars over my flappy skin. ...and my scars are pretty significant (I normally scar pretty badly, so it was expected) Cant see them when I have my arms down, but yeah, when i lift my arms, they are pretty noticeable. And i tend to raise my arms alot...I admit, I’m a Woo-girl, lol. Based on past experience i know they should fade for ME in a year or two. But you will likely fare MUCH better cuz u heal beautifully! You’ve probably seen this before, but I’ll just include it for reference anyway:

Hi there. I’m in the same boat. I’ve been using GNC Lean shakes and muscle milk powders. I’m struggling with sweets, mostly ice cream. I’ve started doing some strengthening exercises so that I don’t go into surgery in a weakened state. I took this time to get other things taken care of like overdue gyn visit and visit to the dermatologist for questionable skin changes. All has been good. I ordered my post op vitamins already and some of the foods. Walmart has College Inn broth, large boxes of farina and they have good prices on protein powders. Is there anything in particular you are concerned about?

I decided not to pursue a thigh lift because a couple of people who said their thighs weren't really that bad to begin with said they probably wouldn't have had it if they had to do it over again. Like my arms, yes - their thighs looked better - but not "better enough" to warrant the cost, pain, and recovery. On the other hand, people with mounds of loose skin hanging from their thighs are probably really glad they had the thigh lift. my thighs were never that bad. I carried my weight high - chest, waist, abs (I was an apple shape). So I had tons of loose skin on my torso, but not all that much on my thighs. I have SOME loose skin there as well as cellulite, but it's not awful and besides, at 60 years old, my mini skirt and short shorts days are long gone...

Following this thread as I've thought about arm lift and/or thigh lift for round 2 someday, but am also concerned that I'm just trading flab for a scar and that I won't have a great result. Ever see the Shark Tank episode with "Skinnies" which were stickers for an instant arm or thigh lift. My guess is they don't work, but I wish that technique would work for surgery, pulling it all up without the vertical incision. I'm great at pulling my skin up, just don't have anywhere to put it. LOL!

There is a crescent lift technique for arm lift, that only leaves a small scar in the arm pit area. When I was doing consults for my LBL I inquired about it. I was told that I wasn't a good candidate. It only works for people with very little extra skin, and only if it is primarily located on the upper part of the arm.

I'm 7 months post op from my lower body lift and still have significant swelling on my stomach I'm the same as @ms.sss "Its not so bad when you look at me straight on, but from the side you can def see the bump" I've had no issues with skin folds or puckering though, so unsure how those will resolve.

I would prefer liquid, I will finish what I have and see what I can budget in next month. I got a coupon for vitacost so will see what I can do. I think I am going to ask my doctor about my hemoglobin and try not to let her piss me off ... and if I can get my hemoglobin tested if it’s low then insist on infusions. I think I eat healthy I already take Whole Foods based multivitamins and eat iron rich foods. My iron itself is good. My hemoglobin before I left for surgery was ok, then before leaving I had the double balloon enteroscopy, my general doctor said to mention some levels on my bloodwork (Not the hemoglobin) to the gastroenterologist but I only saw him 1/second in the procedure room. And about the same after. My procedure was upsetting and provided no answers. But somewhere between there and preop bloodwork my hemoglobin dropped drastically, before surgery! The last it wa# that low was after my gastric bypass surgery ... It was perplexing. To keep me safe they gave me blood transfusions. That’s how good my surgeon was. He knew my underlying chronic illness and kept me safe. crashing now. Didn’t sleep last night. Doing my best not to stress. My main incision stress point is an awkward spot. It’s a T incision in the thigh area I guess inner thigh incision, it’s where the opening of a Faja hits. Maybe it’s combination medial and lateral thigh lift. I’m not sure. Right where the two incisions meet is where it opened on my left side which is my bad side to being with. I use a low dryer on cool to dry everything very well and also as my doctor calls it use fan therapy for the open incision. Next is the Bactigras. I won’t scare anyone with pictures. But since I’m on top of it, it could be worse. I won’t yet ask my doctor about a wound care specialist until I try myself the Bactigras. But I know one mention she will blame me for where I had surgery but any complication is on HER not monitoring my bloodwork and my health. I’m worry watching my left side, it’s a small open spot and hoping it heals before the stitches start loosening. But a lot of the other parts of the stitches are doing well and some parts completely closed! It’s hard not to stress an area that’s involved with toileting and such. Aka high stress point. Thankfully I guess my myalgic Encephalomyelitis comes in handy I’m too fatigued to do much. But do everything myself, except laundry. Showers take forever and exhaust me. Catch 22? This is depleting things I can’t get back but still I’d not change anything. explain later after I rest. Need to ask my surgeon how much skin he removed too.

Wasn’t sure if I should post this on the PS thread or on here, but decided on here in the end. I particularly like my work out outfit today cuz it makes me look curvier than I really am, lol (colour-blocking is your friend!) Also wanted to show off the bicep muscles that I have been working to get back since getting a little “loose” due to laziness. They aren’t as fabulous as they used to be a couple months ago, but am working in it....(also i just finished a work out, so they are a little more pumped than usual, lol) P.S. Btw, I find it highly irritating that muscles disappear so quickly during periods of inactivity. Le Sigh. P.P.S. That is scar tape under my arm...yeah its pretty nasty...im overdue for a tape change...

Hi @ChubRub I kind of stepped out mentally and physically. And my tablet just hit enter on my post before I even started typing it. So I’m saving it and finishing it otherwise it will look very odd. im exhausted and frustrated of course this has nothing to do with where I had my surgery because my doctor is the absolute best and he’s been in contact with me and always answers my emails. Things happen and I’m just dealing with it the best I can, my chronic illness compounds things a bit since I get drained of energy extremely quick if I’ve got it at all. Normally I can get out every so often but I’m 100% homebound. The weather here isn’t much conducive to healing. I’ve Reached week three. But things got a bit complicated with my thigh lift. I had I think what’s called a medial thigh lift that involves a T incision and this is a very high stress incision. Well as is my luck it opened. Good thing I do have some knowledge On incision care and alerted my surgeon immediately with photos and he instructed me what to do, I actually had the correct idea of what to do already But it’s a long healing process it has to heal from within called secondary wound healing. I have to keep it dry and bandaged a certain way. I update my surgeon with pictures. Honestly even if my surgeon was right next to me the treatment would be the exact same. I started off trying steri strips but cut my own using medical micropore tape then gauze and more micropore tape. I had to stop wearing Faja to give it some fan or open air therapy to let my left leg incisions dry and thankfully they stopped draining from the incisions. It’s slowly getting a little progress. I bought something called Bactigras to use on it now. im just stressed and angry at my physicians here and their lack of care here because my hemoglobin should have been normal when I had surgery and it kept going up and down. I had bloodwork that it should have been fine and went to Cleveland Clinic for a double balloon enteroscopy before going away for surgery. And something between my bloodwork and that enteroscopy effected my hemoglobin. My surgeon was so awesome and took care of me though but now that I’m home my incisions need to heal and I worry my hemoglobin levels have gone south again even though I’m eating very healthy and taking lots of vitamins ... I am not sure how to deal with my doctor. She was very obnoxious to me about having surgery in Mexico yet I trust my surgeon in Mexico more than her ... Sorry for the rambling, it’s hard to find comfortable position to sleep. My legs are propped up on a pillow and my head on two thick pillows but they keep shifting I end up ocd thinking am I stressing my incisions am I in the right position. I’m such a restless sleeper and get night sweats. But it’s not all bad my other incisions the butterfly lift (lateral body lift whatever the name may be) the stomach muscle tightening, augmentation those incisions are doing well all things considered. Just a little minor drainage in two small spots. I do have the one drain in place. And it’s known what a pain in the arse the thigh lift can be. the fact he ended up doing the different type of thigh lift was because of how bad the excess skin there was. I guess it’s my lifelong chronic illness? I’ve got the thin skin of a old lady ... so I guess this is why I kind of dropped off the map. The basic self care has been exhausting. I barely got dressed. I finally got to wearing casual cotton dresses with some lovely compression stockings. And maybe Faja again shortly. I’ll update more I had a exhausting day and it was just a shower today although I did make a special lunch I made fresh salmon ...

Sometime I do. I dont bother weighing myself. I dont look in the mirror and judge my skin or my progress. I usually go up to my siblings and give them a huge hug that comes with a. "I can wrap my arms around you know". That helps when I'm feeling like have made no progress. 😊

So your BMR is very low now after all the weight loss. BMR is the base of calories your body burns in a day without any workouts for example just from sitting around. My BMR is 1200 calories. It's super low. So if I eat 1300 calories in one day. I'm going to gain about a pound in a month from to many calories. Thays why you should really be walking atleast 10 thousand steps a day and eating at your BMR to loose weight.

First congratulations!!! Second, I know the feeling boo! Happened to me as well, had two gorgeous babies ... gained over 100 lbs both pregnancies...had gastric bypass surgery in August of 2016, lost 100lbs by Christmas, Christmas night got pregnant (didn’t find out until January when I went to my surgeon thinking I was dying from nutrition deficiencies bc I was so weak I couldn’t walk to the car from my kitchen without wanting to faint) he sent me for some blood work that same day & the lady taking my blood said “with all the symptoms you just described are you sure you’re not pregnant?” I said no, I’m dying I’m not pregnant! (Oh, I left out the fact I was on birth control 😩) she laughed & said “well how about we give you a test just Incase😊” I said okay, so I took the test...not even 3min later she popped her head in the room & said “well well well guess what?!” I said “no way!” She said “oh yes ma’am way, congratulations you’re having a baby!” She explained to me when you loose such a dramatic amount of weight so quickly your body assumes you’re super healthy and decides “it’s baby time!” I said but the birth control?’ She said, oh hunny when you are super fertile like someone gets after WLS not even birth control can stop what the Lord has already created” needless to say, I only gained about 20lbs, gave birth to my smallest of 3 babies (she was only 6lbs her brother&sister we’re both over 10lbs 😳) she’s the best blessing I have ever laid my eyes on. Pregnancy was a cake walk, I don’t know how but by the grace of God I was able to eat more during my pregnancy for her sake..after having her I dropped all my weight & some...your doctors will take great care of you, your baby will be beautiful & healthy! You’re healthy now, the weight will drop off when you have the baby So just breath, ask the Lord for His peace & help & sit back & enjoy the ride MOM 😉

For all the sleevers, when were you able to get back into exercise? I want to avoid saggy skin. When did you heal fully where you could walk/run? When did you add in cardio?

Today was what I think will be my last consult. Planning to go with the doc in Port St. Lucie. However, today's visit left me quite emotional. The doctor poked, prodded, pinched (gently!) my abdomen, arms, and thighs. He asked "how much more weight do you think you need to lose?" When I told him my bariatric surgeon and I set a goal weight of 160 he said "nope. No more. You're done. All you have left is loose skin, no fat. You'll lose those last 16 during surgery!" I was stunned! He told me to stop restricting intake as of today, and to try to get my protein up from 70-80g/day to 100g/day in prep for surgery. I burst in to tears and felt so silly! This has been such a long journey for me, and although it was on my radar that I'm getting close it was shocking to hear him call "done". I've got my 1 year follow up with my surgeon next month, will be waiting to consult with her and my nutritionist. I feel like I need some time to process this!

So I finally went to the pulmonary doctor and that is going to set me back a Few months. He thinks I have sleep apnea and I agree. I do want to have the machine if I need it. I’ve had issues with anesthesia in the past and I want to be able to come out of the anesthesia okay. However because it’s summer I am in my prime skin breakout season. I have painful cysts in my armpits and groin. I can’t wear anything too tight and forget taking a walk. I’m regretting not scheduling the pulmonary doctor first! I passed everything else. I’m doing okay with the overall prep situation. I’m keeping my calories within a limit. Making mostly good choices. Maybe it’s for the best that I am delayed a bit. I did buy an exercise step to do at home physical therapy. I have some issues with walking and balance. I use a walker for balance when I exercise so I don’t fall over. So I guess it’s all in the plan that I start my exercises first. My neurologist also did tell me to expect an increase in my tremors following the procedure. Just venting... Thanks for reading.

Congratulations on you awesome weight loss. I am 55. My weight on the day of surgery was 234. The 252 is pre liquid diet!!! I don't have a a lot of sagging skin either. I credit the working out. I would like to one day get to 160. I say that because everyone has told me that when you get to your lowest weight, you will gain about 20 of them back. I pray not. I will stop when my body says so.

Congrats! We started at about the same weight and have had about the same weight loss. Do you feel good at 190? I wanted to get to 160, but may be okay with 170. Loose skin is not a big issue right not, but it is noticible to me. I'm not sure how my arms and legs will look at 160. I'm 57 years old, so not sure how well my skin is going to snap back! LOL! How old are you? I'm in a size 14, which feels great, but a 12 would be even better, so I definately want to lose another 15-20 pounds. Neither one of us is in a plus size anymore, praise the Lord!!!

I'm so sorry they pointed out your loose skin which I'm sure you had already noticed. I'm dealing with the same thing and have been excercising religiously, light arm weights, yoga, bike riding and swimming. I also put coconut oil on my arms, legs and neck, although I have no idea if this really helps, just read it somehwhere, so figured it couldn't hurt. LOL! I saw a young lady yesterday who is 4 years post surgery, and her arms looked worse than mine, but she's lost more than 100 pounds. From my reading, I think toning and building muscle will help some, but there's no absolute fix unless you have surgery, which I am not considering. Like others mentioned, I am hoping my skin will tighten a little after a year, but I'm 57, so it may not, and I'm okay with that because I still look and feel better. How old are you? It's the very top of my thighs and my batwings that bother me, but, oh well. At my age, I'm not trying to get skinny, just healthy, and if I feel good at 170, I may try to maintain that to avoid more sagging, instead of losing to 160.

Just Wow!! That is a rotten thing to say to you after all your hard work. I have read on the forums that sometimes skin snaps back somewhat but that can take up to a year. Exercise is a good idea regardless of whether it has the desired effect. See how things stand in a years time and keep up the good work. You have done a stellar job.

I can't believe they told you that! Especially your son! Anyways, be proud of yourself! As far as exercises for loose skin.... it's more of a genetics game, and how far your skin has been stretched, age, etc. Sometimes, nothing will help except skin removal surgery. I wish you the best of luck!

The sleeve around her stomach came loose, undoing the entire surgical procedure? What on earth does that mean?

I signed up to this forum solely to pass along our story in hopes others can learn from our experience. Please read (It IS a long read) As soon as I picked up the phone & heard her crying, I knew it was bad news. Her Specialist had diagnosed her with advanced Liver Fibrosis. Between her tears & what she said, I felt like I had the wind sucked out of me. So what now? Almost as quickly as I took in the news, a sense of defiance started to spring up within me. I had waited 45 YEARS to meet my soulmate & I was damned if I was gonna lose her now. "We have to tell Dr. Kantner" I insisted to her. Her Obesity Specialist. Yes, my wife is Overweight & has type 2 diabetes. And to be hit with this news on top of everything else... Through fate or fortune, she had stumbled into our specialist's care through me, as I was already seeing the specialist for my own weight issues & shortly, after we met, I told her about my Doctor & thankfully, Dr. Kantner took her on as well. Through her own program, Nancy was scheduled for Bariatric surgery. Specifically, Gastric Bypass. We prepared to wait up to possibly 2 years for her surgery, but now the situation had changed. Would she even be able to make it that long? She did tell Dr. Kantner & somehow, through her influence, was able to fast track Nancy to having her surgery within six months. Still a bit of a wait, but a lot better than having to wait two years! So now the waiting. And being the anxious personalities that we are, it seemed to take forever. But as the days drew closer to the date, it began to get more & more real, until finally that morning, when we were up at 4am, we knew this was happening. Finally! I had spent that last few months emotionally supporting her, reassuring her how everything was going to be just fine, while at the same time trying to convince myself of the same. It had finally reached zero hour & we were on our way to the hospital. Her surgery was scheduled for 7:45am, so we had to be there at least two hours prior to prepare. I gave her as much encouragement as I could until she was told to change into her hospital gown & I followed alongside her on the stretcher till the last possible second when our tightly clasping hands reluctantly separated and she disappeared into the Operating Room. For the first time, I felt helpless as her fate was now in the hands of the Surgeon. Perhaps I was being a tad overdramatic as the procedure usually takes anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. Counting on this, I went over to the McDonalds across the street, where I figured I'd pass the time by having a long, leisurely breakfast. So, as I enjoyed my Sausage & Egg McMuffins & Hashbrowns, I watched the time go slowly by. 8:00, 8:45, 9:10... Still no word. I couldn't sit still any longer, so I went into the Mall & wandered around. 9:30, 9:50... still no word. Now, I was getting worried. Maybe she was already done & they didn't have my phone number to let me know to come & pick her up? 10:00. I stopped by the Pizzeria & had a slice & tried to make it last as long as I could. 10:20, I had another slice. Finally, at 10:40 I felt my phone vibrate. It was the hospital. "Well," The Doctor said. "It wasn't easy, but we got it done." Apparently, her previous surgery from 20 years ago for Acid Reflux had caused some "challenges" for them. But, even though it had taken longer than anticipated, it was finally done. I could pick up my wife & we could go home. But when I got back to the hospital, she still hadn't been moved to the Recovery Ward. What's going on? About an hour later, I'm let up to see her in a room that felt entirely too small & too hot. I looked into her exhausted face & when she opened her eyes, we both felt it. That mutual spark of joy we bring to each other. "Hi Honey," she said in a weakened tone. She HAD been through something. But it was finally done. Her Surgeon soon arrived & filled me in on the particulars. Because it had been a "complicated surgery" They would have her stay overnight for observation. Great. I have to go home without my wife. I stay with her till the evening & I go home around 8pm. I call a taxi & indulge in McD's Drive through on the way home. I wake up in the unfamiliar position of not having my Nancy beside me. I don't like it. I get up & get dressed first thing. I can't wait to pick her up & take her home. I call the taxi & return to the hospital & grab a Starbucks, conveniently located in the main lobby. I get upstairs & there she is. Looking much chipper than yesterday. She is understandably weak still, so we wait patiently for the doctors to give her the all-clear to go home. Once again, 11am..., 12noon... she ultimately wouldn't be released till 2:30pm. But, she was finally released. We taxi home & I assist her to our suite & I deposit her on the couch. She is still in some discomfort, despite having taken painkillers that morning. We both figured having a good night's sleep should help. The next morning, having barely slept & taking painkillers all night, she is still in pretty rough shape. Still sore & not even able to swallow even a drop of water without experiencing pain. In her recovery plan, it says to expect some "discomfort" immediately following surgery, but I'm beginning to wonder if discomfort includes burning dry pain whenever she even tries to take a breath. Fortunately, I had booked the whole week off work, so I could be home to help her through her recovery. But after 5 days, things don't seem to be getting any better. If anything, in fact, they were getting worse. The Doctor gave us his private number & encouraged us to update him every day, which we did. Despite our relating her situation to him, he dismissed it as being normal. Now I may not be a doctor myself, but I can tell when something's not right. Especially when it comes to my Nancy. By the time came for me to return to work, I was an anxious ball of nerves, as I checked in with her whenever I could, and whenever she wasn't napping to try & deal with the pain, she would tell me of how bad it was getting. Then... SNOWMAGEDDON 2019. It had dumped nearly 20 cm overnight. NOTHING was moving. Even the busses had been grounded. I figured I would get a pass from work due to the situation, but when I called in & pleaded my case, they were so determined to have me show up for work, the president of the company himself drove out to my place in snow chains to drive me to work. I was not only astounded they would do such a thing but genuinely enraged. That they would put such effort into manning their shift, when the rest of the world had pretty much shut down. On this particular morning, Nancy was in more pain than she had ever been in. I really didn't want to leave her to go to work. I explained this to the President, to which he turned a blind ear. So, after an hour's commute which by taxi would ordinarily take about 20 - 30 mins, I am deposited at my site, to which anyone around was astounded there was someone working the shift. Trying to hold my anger at my company at bay, while dealing with all the problems that the snow was causing, & would continue to cause throughout the day, I soon found out that I would be working a double shift because my relief was unable to make it to work? Strange how the president wouldn't also give that person a ride to work... When I finally was able to check in with Nancy at 5pm. She was NOT doing well. She was in so much pain, she couldn't stand it. We both agreed something was VERY wrong & we called the Ambulance. So. Now I have the prospect of working still another 7 hours in the WORST snowstorm I had ever been in. My wife was home waiting for an Ambulance & I'm stuck here. Helpless. I call my boss pleading how I need to leave because my wife was on her way to emergency. After he practically cut me off in mid-sentence with an abrupt "NO. You have to stay till the end of your shift!" I snapped. I couldn't hold back any longer. I BLASTED him, screaming obscenities in a rage-filled tirade telling them how they were a bunch of heartless fucks who only cared about making money & how they didn't give a flying f**k about their employees. I got home just as the Ambulance had arrived. I have no idea by what miracle she was even able to get one as it was a frozen tundra outside. But an ambulance did show up, festooned in chains & 2 saints who would answer the call of duty on this disastrous night. My Nancy was doubled over in pain sitting on the computer chair. So much pain that we had to move her in the chair, into the elevator & down to the lobby as there was no way to get the stretcher upstairs. Not even a stokes could be used. But with the help of some god-sent residents, we are all able to transfer her into the stretcher outside & finally into the Ambulance. To give you an idea of just how bad the snowstorm was, ordinarily we would be no more than 5 minutes max from the Hospital as we lived not even 2 blocks away. But even with chains, the Ambulance struggled through the impassable road & we got to Emergency in about 15 mins. As we unloaded her, the inevitable throng of Crachkeads, Junkies & other Mentally Ill people that clog up our system was crowding the area. But again, we were fortunate enough to be fast-tracked & she was in the ward within the hour. I never spent a more uncomfortable time than when I sat with her there. I stayed as long as I could, but was exhausted & could no longer stay awake & trudged through the snow back home. I really didn't sleep a wink the rest of the night. How could I? My Wife was in Hospital, & I was alone at home for the first time in 5 years & I hated it. I couldn't think straight, I couldn't even eat. I certainly couldn't sleep. In some ways, I was worse off than she was. For the rest of the night, I sat anxiously, wondering if/when I should phone to find out her status. Finally, around 10am the next morning, I called, only to find out she had been transferred to Richmond Hospital. Holy ****. What now? I called the Taxi immediately & raced out to Richmond Hospital. Like everyone in this life, I too have had my share of sadness & sorrow. Even Heartbreak sometimes. I don't know HOW to label the feeling I felt when I got to see Nancy in her own tiny room in ICU. But seeing her there, with all kinds of tubes & wires running in & out of her looking like something from Star Trek. I felt weak. PHYSICALLY weak. Like I was going to pass out. I had never seen my Nancy this way. My mind couldn't process what I was seeing. Quickly, I stepped out. I couldn't hold back. Tears just exploded out. I never knew a person could feel this depth of sorrow. I told myself, Snap out of it man! You've GOT to be strong! If not for your sake, then for HER sake! I don't know how, but I gathered myself together & re-entered her room. Her eyes were closed. The nurse told me she was heavily sedated & that she might not recognize me. But when Nancy weakly opened her eyes & she saw me standing over her, she knew. WE knew. that look of love we share was there. Again, fighting back the urge to bawl my eyes out, I said: "Hi Honey." My hand around hers, she weakly gripped my hand. I closed my eyes & just sat with her while she came in & out of consciousness. I had never felt such sorrow. Such a feeling of helplessness. I stayed as long as I could until it became clear she needed to rest. Taking the Taxi back into town, I stopped by McDonald's & loaded up on comfort food. I didn't care. I needed something, anything to feel better. To at LEAST, not feel what I had felt in that room. I won't even speculate how much money I was throwing away on Taxi rides to & from Richmond & the West End. I only know that with an average of $30.00 per trip, I was rapidly cutting into our bank account. Needless to say, I returned the next day. Although still upsetting to see her this way, it wasn't as shocking as yesterday. I still felt like crying, but I was able to at least put more of a brave face on. Although I knew she knew what I was feeling. I returned again the next day, only to find she had been moved to the Recovery Ward. THANK GOD! The first positive since this whole thing began. This time she was in a bigger room with 3 other patients. When I saw her sleeping in her spot, I quietly as I could pulled up a seat to her bedside & within a minute, she opened her lovely eyes and when I saw how they lit up, I felt like crying all over again. She still had all her tubes, including Breathing in, but now she was able to speak. She was still heavily sedated & communication was difficult, she looked a whole lot better & at this point, this was all I could ask for. I stayed with her until around 8pm, althewhile the Nurses tended to her as I could never imagine. I'd like to mention here just how special these people are. As I write this, we are in the midst of the COVID 19 Pandemic, and living just 2 blocks away from St. Paul's Hospital, we are privileged to be able to not only see & feel the love for the incredible Medical staff, but we are able to lend our small voices to the raucous applause in appreciation every night at 7pm. As nice a gesture as this is, I still don't think it's enough. These people are heroes in every sense of the word. I was already blown away by how well they took of my wife through the entire ordeal, but seeing these brave souls risking their lives each & every night. There is simply no possible way to ever thank them enough. But back to my story. I won't outline each & every visit I made out to Richmond during Nancy's Recovery. Only by the time she was FINALLY released, it had been nearly TWO MONTHS since her initial surgery, which was supposed to be a day surgery with an overnight for observation. During this time, she had undergone a total of 4 surgeries & 2 "procedures" SIX bodily invasive procedures in total. Not the least of which included the placing of a Stent on her stomach, due to a rupture caused by the initial surgery, which would end up causing leaking from her stomach to further complicate things. But today, this was it. She was finally coming home. There was no particular time set for her release.. I didn't care. I was there before noon & as soon as I got there, I packed up all her belongings & sat with her anxiously on the bed, just waiting for the word. 1 pm. No word. 2 pm, 3 pm... she ultimately wouldn't be released until 10 pm. The Taxi Driver was most courteous & helpful in assisting us with our many bags, including a Walker. I held the lobby door as she hobbled in, escorted her to the elevator & when I opened that door to our apartment and she crossed the threshold, an indescribable sense of both joy & relief washed over me. My wife, my Nancy was home! BUT... Our story wasn't over. Not yet. Despite the stent being applied to her leaking stomach and having to carry around what can only be described as a miniature Colostomy bag that more looked like a grenade than anything, her suffering was STILL not over. Along with the awkwardness of carrying around the bag, who's smell is something you have to experience to believe, she now had to contend with not only being able to physically FEEL her stent inside her but the resulting gas, nott o mention involuntary heaving due to her body trying to reject this foreign object would make the next several weeks nothing short of challenging. Imagine having to put up with the urge to throw up, several times a day, but never projecting anything, but waking up in the middle of the night because of it. This, accompanied by substantial gas pains, which also added to her struggle. Yet through it all, she bore it. I could tell just how much pain & discomfort she was in & at some points, wondered if maybe she had been released too early. But somehow, this exceptional woman endured for weeks. To their credit, the Hospital didn't leave her high & dry. She was being checked in on & her doctor had even given her his private number, asking her to text him every 2 days with an update to how she was doing. She even had weekly appointments at the Wound Care specialist, to ensure her leakage bag was functioning properly. Weeks later, her drainage bag was not only NOT slowing, but seemed to be getting WORSE. Bad enough so that once AGAIN, she had to go to Richmond Hospital. Although this time, not only was the procedure successful, but they even removed her stent, which only made sense as she was already there. She has been 1000 % better ever since. She is STILL leaking from her stomach, but there is considerably less now & most importantly, she is pain-free for the first time in months so she can enjoy the rest of this Pandemic Lockdown in peace. BUT... Our story isn't even anywhere NEAR done. It's now March and not only do we have to deal with this Pandemic/Lockdown, Nancy's tube had become dislodged. Another trip to the Doctor. One positive that came from this, was that they decided to not only remove her colostomy bag but to ALSO remove the stent, despite it not being scheduled for a few weeks. With the cursed thing FINALLY removed, she instantly felt %1000 percent better. At LAST. The whole ordeal is finally over. Or was it? Of COURSE not. After her stent was removed, Nancy would get the best news yet. She would have to GO THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN THING AGAIN! Yes. You read that right. Whatever sport god was having with my Nancy, he STILL wasn't done toying with her. In short, the sleeve around her stomach had come loose, in effect, undoing the entire surgical procedure! I couldn't believe it. My sensory perception can only process so much. Are you f**king KIDDING??? At this point, I'm convinced I'm just having a nightmare. Because there's just no way possible this much bad news can happen to anyone. It's just not humanly conceivable. As I resign myself to this, we follow the plot of this terrible dream who's storyline now plays out that she will have to re-book a new surgery date sometime within a year, so with little choice, I submit my will to my apparent dream-state & can only hope I, that WE wake up soon to escape this nightmare. SO, Why do I tell this story? Simply as a warning to all those who are considering undergoing Gastric Bypass, or any other kind of Bariatric surgery. Granted, this is probably an extreme case in the negatives column, but it DID happen & I ask you to please read this before you make your decision whether Bariatric Surgery is an option for you, or not.

I have been feeling pretty good about how I have done with my weight loss. That is until this past week when my husband and my son separately told me that I need to do something about my loose skin. That it looks bad and I need to tighten it up. I have loose skin on my upper arms, thighs and a bit on my upper calves. Are there any exercises that you all have done that are effective in tightening these areas up? I have started with some light dumb bells for my arms, but am clueless as far as my legs go. Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!