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We are all working so hard on ourselves to have good health and a nice body. I have never lost a significant amount of weight before, but I definitely look forward to it. I want to keep up my appearance in the process. What advice do you have for beginners? Maybe something you wish you had known before the weight loss or maybe something that you already know and think it's worth sharing! I want to hear it all. I am personally really interested in ways to fight saggy skin, to keep my nipples pointing forward, and how to avoid the turkey neck once I lose this giant double chin of mine! 😂 For women, I have heard that buying a proper bra throughout your weight loss will help with your breasts' appearance. I don't know how true it is, do you? I personally can't wait to be able to find a bra that fits me properly and isn't some wacky size that's a nightmare to find!

Skin and bone. Specifically, in the sitting place. If I sit on the floor now at the gym it HURTS. I never expected that. Though my butt still LOOKS plenty padded. Have thin people always dealt with that? I was chubby even as a kid so I have no clue. Also, I get there's a general loosening of skin. Totally expected. But the loosening of skin in the booty area has resulted in a constant pinching sensation when I'm sitting. Is that just me? When I go to rowing class I need to use chafing cream to ensure I don't end up with... er... cheeky friction burns. Other bones are making themselves known, too. Curling up to sleep in the fetal position, my knee bones bang against each other now. Who knew bones were such an intrusive thing??

Another item from my Shein.com order: Beige crochet bikini (Size Small); $17 CAD (!!) Not sure I would wear this in the water as the top is pretty loose and I'm sure the smallest wave would result in a double nip slip. BUT if I can figure out a way to McGyver the top so that the boob triangles are closer together, maybe I could...

I was a slow loser and still had a fair amount of loose skin. When you're talking that much weight, you're very likely to have it (I lost over 200 lbs)

I'm starting to think given the molasses-slow rate my weight is coming off, I probably won't even need plastics given loose skin is affiliated with rapid weight loss. #slowloser

Loose skin was inevitable. Plastics were my choice.

Updating since my surgery. It's been a very emotional journey for me. A few months after my surgery i was losing a decent amount of weight. I was doing fine at first. But the growing issue I had on my end was my family. I'm asian. Sometimes, asians see things more of a materialistic look. You have to be skinny and pretty. you're nothing if your fat. No one will want to be with you. Growing up, I dealt with my dad making fun of me at my birthday parties or just social events. They did it believing this will 'make me wanna lose weight'. But of course. It only killed my self-worth. I didn't do it to be skinny, I needed to do it because of the health and other medical issues that added on to it. Losing weight was a bonus, but not the main reason. I wanted to live. I didn't want to die at such a young age. So when they found out I was doing this surgery. They were very supportive...But that quickly changed when I didn't lose enough in their eyes. They would compare me to other people going "but this person lost this much!". My mother would stick to my hip whenever I went to my doctor's visits to see how much I lost. But the number wasn't to her satisfaction. She wanted or expected much more. The look of disappointment and disgust was what I had to deal with. Days before my appointments, she would call me. "you better lose this much!!!" or "you cheated on your diet, didn't you!! I didn't see you lose weight!!. you cheated!!" I was losing weight with each appointment. But it was never enough. I would start hyperventilating. Crying. I was struggling with myself mentally. I almost gave up soo many times. It was just so easy, to give in to someone's disappointment, then to prove them wrong sometimes. But, in the end. I couldn't deal with it anymore. I cut my parents off from visiting the doctors with me. I refuse to tell them the numbers anymore. I started avoiding them if they choose to start a conversation about my weight or the issues they had with me. I still got a long way to go. I've lost weight. Maybe not as much as I would hope for. But i don't think the numbers bother me. I exercise. I eat what I'm supposed to. I get lazy sometimes. lol. Eatting is hard sometimes for me. Exercising has it's up and downs. But I just find other activities to make up for it. Walk around the mall with friends, going to social events. just hanging out. Anything to keep my feet going. I'm happy where I'm at right now. And i'll keep working towards my goal. But I'm in a good mental state now compared to how I was over the summer. I'm sorry for my wall of text. But I hope my words, helped anyone out there that is feeling low. Try not to think about the numbers too much. But pay attention to the changes to your body. Muscles beneath that fat, loose skins. You might not hit that goal this month. But the changes you see along the body make up for it sometimes. If you make mistakes. It's okay. Just keep going forward. We are only human. And humans are good at recovering from mistakes. If we allow ourselves to. ^_^. -Nami

Hi, I was considering Dr.Borland bc I'll be paying out of pocket. Does anyone have pictures of the scars from after his surgeries. There is so many different types or ways to do a gastric sleeve. From only 1 incision to 6; the mm being 12mm - 5mm. I'm nervous bc I dont want huge scars. The google results for 'gastric sleeve scars' is so varied. Some you can barely tell others, look like deep indents. On the surgeon's sites I've looked at in Louisiana none of them say how many incisions or size of sites. That would make huge difference in which one I choose. My other problem is my BMI is 36-37 on average. I do suffer from severe depression & carpenter's knees but I'm concerned, I will get turned down for the surgery. I know Mexico, my BMI only has to be 30. Do you guys know of any doctors that aren't trying to shove "diet more, exercise more" , "we cant do surgery till your BMI is over 40"? I dont do strenuous exercise but I've been walking & do dance 3-5x a week. I took vyvanse but it didnt help me loose weight, but did help me portion better. I've been on it 2yrs & stayed the same weight. I was prescribed Orlistat but didnt loose enough weight to continue on with the side effects. I also meal prep & dont allow processed food & carbs in the house. I'm always on the verge of tears bc I dont understand why I cant loose weight. When people who stop drinking soda loose 50lbs (btw I dont allow soda in the house) . I dont know what I'm doing wrong. Or if it's my birth control, metabolism or anti depressants. I'm stuck with the birth control bc it helps my hormones. & I'd rather be overweight than feel, how I feel without my medication bc I'm suicidal without them. Any advice or information would be appreciated

Thank you. I truly found this last act and removal of loose unnecessary flesh thru plastic surgery - The most liberating of all. The GS certainly performed its all important role BUT our plastic surgeons took us to home base. Yay, I say to my darling surgery twin... We no longer carry + combat the donut rolls while we sit or stand. Our 5 + 5 = 10 pound recipe purged now! I'm coming up shopping with you in NYC come Spring! LOL. Feeling much better today pain wise, Day six. Slept well. Had a tiny bowel last night. Took my morning walk. And, hubs just picked up this yummy salad for our lunch. My appetite is coming back gradually. Maybe Thai left-overs tonight?

Leftovers from yesterday’s dinner, roasted aji panca (Peruvian pepper) chicken and mashed potatoes. I was able to eat the chicken minus the skin and two bites of the mashed potatoes.

My first dr appt I weighed 226.8. And surgery I weighed 205.something. Surgery was Sept 4, 2019. My doctors goal weight was 160. I suprassed that by 3 1/2- 4 months. I weighed 149 exactly this morning. Weight loss was rapid for the first 2 months and much slower the last 2 1/2 months. The scale only drops maybe 1-2 times a week and my morning weights go up and down within 3 pounds when I do not drop. But... I AM still losing weight. And I am still loosing inches. And my health is greatly improved. BYW, I am 5"4.5". Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

You look great. I haven’t even had my DS yet, but this skin removal surgery has me up every night. I’m so scared of it.

Hi I am 1.5 years post op gastric sleeve and lost 120 lbs but over the holidays I gained 8 lbs ( do you poor eating habits ) I am worried that I may have stretched my sleeve because I noticed that it seems I can tolerate more food now . How do I know for sure if I stretched my sleeve? And if so his do I fix it and start loosing again 😓

Okay ladies... if anyone is a bit squeamish, you may wish to look away! Here comes the real enchilada! I share it as a completely clinical not personal post. I trust no offense is taken, and we can really continue to help others assess and contemplate the process. I am so very thankful for your care and ongoing support of me. Hello to Mrs. Frankenstein, 2020. Day Four and Five I have found them the most painful and arduous days thus far. We bathed yesterday and obviously in the 45 minutes I was allowed out of compression, my body expanded and the surgery Exparel had definitely worn off putting garments carefully back on again. I remember previous comments to this effect on other posts. But, very happy with surgeon's craftsmanship as you will note before and after pictures. We carefully cleaned, padded and put everything back into place BUT I am much more aware of other pesky nuisances, pulls and tugs. Ouch. I cried and shivered with pain at yesterday's nap and bedtime. But I slept it off into LaLa land. I still lack an appetite and have not had a bowel movement but it's a stirring! ;] Today, is a new day - It felt like a poop day. Been taking stool softeners but nothing wanted to move at the last session. Haha. Don't you just hate being in that in-between state. I dislike returning to this unsettling dilemma after GS. It was so nice to return to a regular healthy routine. I am relying heavily upon nausea meds which I know are a by product of the big pain guns. Trying to take the oxycodone only at night now - but will see how I fair today? Thought it might be nice for hubby to take us to our favorite local Thai place and get out for a little Sunday drive. Not meant to be. Attempted to eat the inside sweet potato, peas, corn curry mix in money pockets (not the outside shell) to no avail. First time I've ever felt like throwing up anything and only once after GS recovery eating beef. Obviously, the oxy is wreaking havoc on my GS stomach - And, I want off them ASAP. Damn, I really did want a few bites of that red curry soft chicken, carrots, green beans and bite of brown rice! We just had waitress wrap up to go and scurried back home to my deliriously delicious delectable cottage cheese with blueberries. Maybe Thai another day? Oh my, Orchid & Dragons - twins!!!! Of course, you might just want the added benefit of muscle reconstruction? I have not bore any children, but my surgeon does offer the mommy tuck versions. When we spoke in great detail, we concurred the fleur-de-lis was my best option. And, given the more intense discomfort + pain I am currently experiencing - Glad there was not any residual muscle things done! I am also on a bit of a healing timeline by mid-May. I'm happy with the commitment, procedure + the pain level I've chosen. You will have to let us know how you are advised or do decide? I can also live with my elephant skin like crumpled thighs and bat wings arms for myself. I may address the chin + under neck area someday - And, she suggested maybe wanting to go back in later this year with a little lippo finessing. This is it for the major stuff. Drive a well-engineered, classic 13 year old car and want to begin saving for her replacement at 64, or if ever. I adore her actual real gear shift, she doesn't beep, argue or talk back to me with a stellar, conventional, rockin' sleuth six cylinder engine. Call me old school. And, pssk - so excited for your plastics research here, too. A good surgeon will listen, won't dictate and will offer his best vision. And, that varies. That's why we all felt it important here to find just the perfect fit for us. I think these are my C cups but lifted now - have not ventured out into bra land quite yet. I disliked the DD on my 5' frame before weight loss (YUCK) BUT your fabulous 5'6" stature?! You never know!? Can I borrow a few inches in height? I just asked my surgeon to sculpt breasts she felt were in right proportion for my body type and shape. So happy with the reveal, right? I trust her explicitly... As I stated before, here she is the former Ms. Sophie now Mrs. Frankenstein, 2020. LOL. Back safely in my compressions. The drains come out Wednesday! Yay.

Thanks so much for this post!! This is how I have been looking at this phase- yes it is frustrating but it is giving me the opportunity to work on my exercise which has resulted in building muscle and toning up as I lose and very little loose skin. 🙂

No binder, i didnt think about it to be honest. Thinking about it, the last thing i would want to do is put additional pressure on that area as it is our internal organs this time and not 'superficial' like muscle and skin with the abdominoplasty. Please keep me updated post op, if you have that swelling /bloating (mine started about day 3) and will let you know if/when subsides. Good luck 😁

Sooooo good to hear from you! CONGRATS on losing 100 pounds!!! Omg, that’s such a HUGE milestone, and I’m happy to see you happy with it. Lol, I’d be careful about picking out too much in the way of clothing right now, because you’re gonna be shocked at how much difference the “last” 20-25 pounds will make in your bod. For example, here is my bod (5’7”, 51yo) at a weight of 163, vs 138, which is exactly 25 pounds. The difference is I was a tight size 10 at 163 in September and comfortable fit size 6 at 138. In fact, some of my size 6s are somewhat loose. I feel like a look great and healthy at both weights, but I still have that dress from this fall and it hangs off of me and I can’t wear it now. Finally gave it to my daughter who is a size 12 and she wears it.

Hi All the best with your surgery on Monday, i am certain things will go well. I am 8 days post op RNY and hiatus hernia repair. Previously, i had a band and removed, gastric sleeve and a fleur de lis abdominoplasty with muscle repair..I too was worried about adhesions after multiple entries. I was kind of hoping for an open surgery as I didnt want the gas pain after. This is by far the worst one yet as like you, my stomach is flat and not much room for gas. Boy O boy i am feeling it. I am so bloated and rock hard. My upper stomach is so round and stretched out I hate this tight feeling. The swelling is worse than any other surgery including the fleur de lis. Wherever there is loose skin (upper thighs) are just full of swollen goodness.. I hope this is just part of the recovery, if anyone else has experienced this please feel free to reassure me. Good luck on Monday

Hi everyone! Im a sleever who achieved goal weight 9 months post op. Im currently under goal but would like to loose another 10lbs.. but thats not the point of this post! Love to hear from anyone who has ran a marathon, im aiming for a 4 hour goal time and currently running 5 days a week and increasing distance by 10%. No injuries yet (except my currently broken wrist from my downhill mountainbike hobby!). Im a plant based runner who is more or less a veggie. I do not eat processed foods - and by processed i mean food with anything on the label that is not an actual food. No ****. I live in New Zealand, so thankfully we eat very differently here and this has been easy. Any tips from experienced runners very welcome. I have an excellent baseline of fitness as I've been running since 6 weeks post op and credit it with my success.

Plastic surgery is the only way that I know of to get rid of the extra skin. Most insurances will cover tummy and breasts IF you have a record With your dr of skin rashes and or lesions in folds if skin. To my knowledge this only applies to breasts and tummy.

I was 235lbs now I am 115-120lbs. I have awful extra skin EVERY WHERE!! Including my face and neck. I'm concerned that I may be losing too much weight. What do you all do about the skin? I'm dating. I dread the day that I have sex, it will be so ugly that he will be repulsed. I am. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

For my age - I just opted for excess skin removal. Surgeon felt I had a pretty nice tight abdomen underneath - as I did exercise regularly when very heavy. Maybe that was a helpful silver lining to this step?

I'm 5 months post op and as of today, I only have 16lbs left until my goal! I see my surgeon for my 6 month post op visit in 4 weeks, fingers crossed I can be near, or at, goal when I see him again! It's so crazy going from a 2XL or 3XL to a large or medium top and large bottoms. I thoroughly enjoy shopping now and often go to stores just to try stuff on. I went to put on one of my favorite shirts yesterday that I haven't worn in about a month and it looked like a sack of potatoes on me. I've already had to resize my wedding rings and will probably have to do it one more time here soon, they're already starting to get loose again. I remember going shopping before hoping that I could find something in the largest size that fit, now I go to stores picking one thing in a couple sizes because I don't know which will fit better. I can tolerate most foods just fine, very few issues with dumping, some days I eat more than others. About the only foods I have guaranteed issues with is broccoli, cauliflower, and any amount of pork products, even just a half teaspoon of bacon bits scattered on low carb pizza I made at home screwed me up. I did have a minor surgery last week and had to get basic blood work (CBC) done for that and it looked identical to my pre-op CBC, can't wait to see what the rest look like in a couple weeks. I'm so happy I did the surgery, I feel amazing! I have been running as often as possible, although I'm benched for another week right now, and hit a sub 40 5K. I remember back when it would take me over an hour to walk/run a 5k. I could never run more than 45 seconds at a time, and now I'm running for 4-5 minute chunks.

@AngieBear Love the hair, the outfit, the girl. And OMG, your skin and complexion is amazeballs. You have literally aged backwards!! @Sheribear68 no pudge or stubby anywhere on your body. You look slim and sylph like! Beautiful figure and I wish I could let you borrow my eyes, doll! @Sophie7713 Girl you could make a hospital gown look sophisticated! Somewhere I missed that you had surgery! Congrats girl!!! You look as gorgeous as evs and make the RL robe, slippers and darling jams look cute as can be!!! So happy for you!