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I'm just loosing weight before the RNY and in the last month I'm averaging 2 times a week, use to be daily. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Is the skin red? I got cellulitis during a previous surgery, and man, it hurts! Just the weight of a tee shirt made it hurt. Have your doc check it out.

So I had my surgery Monday, 12/16. My incisions dont hurt but to the right of my navel, my skin burns like crazy to the touch when I try to walk, stand up or sit down. When I am sitting still it doesnt hurt. I'm not sure if it is the staples irritating my nerves under the skin or just my nerves being irritated from the surgery itself due to the tools the doctors used. Nevertheless, I tried to explain this to my doctor and he keeps telling me it's the incision under the skin that they pulled my stomach through, but it isn't sore, it BURNS! I think a staple is touching a nerve. I had the lapband in 2007, had it removed in August 2019, and had the gastric sleeve Dec 2019. Has anyone had this issue? Also, if it is the staples, would I have to go back under the knife for them to correct this, since I believe the staples don't dissolve? Ugh!! Please help. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm kind of fascinated how 4 of us had surgeries close together and how different our experiences have been in some ways. First off I am sooo glad I don't have to do compression garments. All of your experiences sounds no fun at all. @rs have you looked into the compression garment @mousecat88 bought on amazon? I feel bad yours are hurting so much I'm also find it interesting the difference in tummy tuck pain. Both @ms.sss & @mousecat88's have been less than mine. And @mousecat88 describes her tummy as feeling loose without them, and mine feel like this: @ms.sss, should have taken meal pics. I want to know if Canadian hospital food is any better? Finally 🤣 at the tt being like adding a pack of gum at checkout Edited to add: My VSG pain was about a 1.5 and my PS pain peaked at about a 7

Get comfortable, this is a long one... So here is the additional backstory info to my PS journey: So I ended up getting a last-minute tummy tuck two days ago (Dec 18), along with my arm and breast lift. Back in June 2019, when I initially scheduled my procedures, I was going to get an arm lift, a breast lift (to address side boob skin), and a tummy tuck. The tummy tuck was actually partially covered by provincial insurance. Basically the panniculectomy part was covered and I we only need to pay out of pocket for muscle tightening or any required lipo. But sometime around August or September, I decided to forego the tummy tuck because I thought that I could live with the state my stomach was in, and I didn't want to have more surgery if I didn't really need to. So I called my surgeons office and let them know. Fast forward four months later and I'm at the registration desk at the hospital on surgery day. I'm signing all the papers, and one of them is a confirmation surgery procedure form and lo and behold the tummy tuck is still on there. Apparently, the fact that the tummy tuck was removed was not properly communicated to the hospital. (As an aside, this is a perfect example of why confirmation of surgeries is necessary at registration!!) I had a discussion with my surgeon: he said the OR is already booked and set up for all three procedures including the tummy tuck. So if I wanted to, we could go ahead as originally planned back in June, or not. Whatever I decided was fine with him. If I didn't want the tummy tuck, there would be some paperwork to do beforehand, but it was doable since the OR was booked for all 3 procedures, and there was time to do the paperwork/system corrections and still complete the arm and breast lifts in that time. So now I had a discussion with Mr.: It wouldn't really cost much more, and they were all set up for it already anyway, so why not? It's funny because the decision making process felt like when you're in a grocery store line and decide to buy that pack of gum at the checkout. It's been almost 48 hours since the completion of my surgeries...here's what's happened so far: Day 0: Got to hospital at 7am and all the above happened. I got on the operating table at 9:30am, and don't know what time I woke up at recovery. The surgery was supposed to be 4 hours. All I remember was that it was 4pm when I got rolled into my room. That first night after the surgeries was relatively pain-free as I was drugged up and in bed the entire time. I slept a lot but not for very long periods of time. They put these leg type massagers on my legs that work kind of like a blood pressure cuff. Each one inflates a chamber with air starting from ankle to thigh, to squeeze my leg nicely and then deflates. Then the other one on the other leg does the same thing. Its to promote circulation and prevent blood clots. I've had them on the entire time (except when going to bathroom or taking a short walk) and I LOVE THEM. I want to buy one of these contraptions for home! The nurse said that I am the first patient she's met that likes these things. Which I find hard to believe because these things are awesome. Didn't eat anything all day, other than water, a cup of tea and 1/2 an unsweetened apple juice box. Day 1: Now the next day I felt the pain for the first time when my drugs wore off and I had to get out of bed to go to the washroom (they took my catheter out). Oh. My. God. When I twisted my body and put my foot on the ground, I felt like I was being stabbed in my hip with a large knife. It was so painful that when I walked I couldn't put my heel down. I had to do I sort of walk–tiptoe shuffle to the toilet. So first lesson: do not twist your body. Because of the tummy tuck, I have to walk hunched over and this quickly puts a strain on your back. So second lesson: walk with the help of your IV pole/cane/walker/buddy. I have 2 drains in my tummy, which are mildly annoying. I forgot about them once when I got out of bed and pulled on one a bit which caused some bleeding. Boo. I was surprised that I could move my arms relatively freely and pain free. I could even put weight on my arms to lift myself out of bed, type on my laptop, feed myself, and go to the washroom by myself. I may not have been very efficient, but I could do it. Also, I could brush my teeth but not my hair. Nor could i adjust my head pillows. Basically anything where I have to raise my arms above shoulder height is a no-go. My boobs didn't/don't hurt at all. As if nothing was even done there. I got to see all the work done when the nurse changed my dressings. My arms are tiny. My boobs are nice and perky with matching nipples (my previous breast reduction had one of the nipples wrinkle/fold over at the outer edge and my guy fixed it). My tummy is wrinkle free and my new belly button looks better than the old one. My inner thighs from the front has been smoothed out! This was an unexpected bonus My va-jay-jay, however, is quite "perky". When I look down sitting in bed it stares right up at me. My nurse said she noticed it was swollen. She said it is a combination of being yanked up and the use of the stomach binder. Didn't show it to surgeon this first day, but will remember to bring i up when I see him before I leave. Today I had a cup of coffee, 1/2 a chicken breast and some beef jerky. Day 2: Now today I feel exponentially better. I got an a good seven hours of continuous sleep. When I woke up I could feel that my pain meds had worn off but I was able to get out of bed and walk to the washroom just fine. I can tell I'm walking much faster now and am much less hunched over. I could probably skip the pain meds from now on but I think based on @sillykitty's comments, i'll take them for another day or so. Mr. has already filled my prescriptions, so I may as well take them. I'll play it by ear. I find that the only real pain I get is from twisting my torso. I can easily do a sit up or leg lift motion pain free, but if I twist in any way, I get a sharp pain. Everything else is bearable. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd say my pain level is about 1.5. Compare this to the pain of WLS recovery, which I would have given an 8 at its worst. They took the IV out this morning because my swollen hands were basically embedding that entry thing into my flesh and it was starting to hurt. They tried to put a new one in twice but couldn't find a vein because I'm too swollen. They asked if I was OK with them trying a third time, and I was all, No Thanks. IV insertion hurts, man! So they are off finding an alternate antibiotic to administer without an IV. I'm supposed to be discharged sometime today but honestly I'd rather stay because I love these leg massager things. Plus I like the adjustable hospital bed! Anyway just hanging around now waiting for my surgeon and next instructions. P.S. I ate 1/2 an omelette & a peach yogurt cup so far today.

I haven't read all of the posts in response to your post, so you may have already gotten the response you're looking for. I was diagnosed with PCOS at 17 years old. I am 47. I just has VGS 8/28/19. I could never lose weight before. I am 52 lbs or so down in less than 4 months. I eat very few carbs and what carbs I do eat are "typically" natural ones. I eat as clean as possible "most" of the time. I don't eat out a lot. I take my post-surgery vitamins and make sure I get enough good fat and moderate protein each day. I chose the VGS because of the hormonal impact. It has been a great tool for me. I am compliant. I don't try to push th envelope. When I first feel full, I stop eating. It is tempting to eat that last couple of bites because of being from the "clean your plate" generation, but I'm learning it will be waste one way or another. Better in the trash can than on my body or making me miserable being too full. It has helped me to start preparing smaller portions. My post-surgery vision hasn't fully adjusted yet. I put more than I need on my plate, even though I am only taking one scoop of something instead of two or more. The one scoop is still too much, especially if it is a multiple component meal. One scoop of each is just too much. I respect my new stomach. I just have to get to know her better and understand what she needs to be most comfortable. I have noticed a reduction in my PCOS symptoms with just the decrease I have so far. I've NEVER had a consistent cycle, for example. I have now had four months of a consistent cycle. I can actually use an app now to track my cycle! How awesome is that? The darkness around my neck is going away. My skin is getting thinner around my neck. My hair isn't growing as fast on my face. Acne is going away. There ARE major positive changes taking place as a result of my VGS. I can't speak for any other surgery, but this one is working for me, and I experienced many of the symptoms, if not all, and they were extreme. Please feel free to connect with me here or send a message if you'd like to discuss it further. Margie

Ugh I have the garments for 8 weeks... but allowed a few hours a day if freedom. Honestly though, with my stomach, it feels so much better with it on. It just feels.. loose and weird without it. My arms though... I could definitely go without them. lol. But it's also 15 degrees where i live right now so... added layers? Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks so much for posting, Nenes! I have essentially the same configuration of sagging skin in my upper body, and I'm reassured to see another guy with the same issues. I will post my before and after, but fully clothed. 🙂 (Unfortunately, my before picture was not taken specifically to show my weight--it's just a random shot.)

Hello Everyone, Had my post-op visit (first one) yesterday 9 days post-op. Surgery for RNY was December 10th. I was told I lost on my 14 day liver shrinking diet 10 lbs more pounds but my weight was at 254 today, I was so upset! That is like two pounds more than my last weigh in at the doctor's office! The doctor told me not to be alarmed that I was still swollen from the surgery and my legs were swollen as well and he was not concerned about it! It still bothered me, My scales showed a total of 248 but either way, I got home and programmed my scales to theirs and I have another follow-up appointment for January 8th. My rings are loose as well as my clothing feels looser so I truly believe I am and I say, I am on the losing side but got a bit discouraged when I am doing exactly what they have instructed on the full liquid diet! Merry Christmas to me because on Christmas day, I advance to the Pureed stage of my diet! WoooooHoooo! Anyone else have this happen to them post-surgery and if so what was your response as well to the news?

well my life i have always been the big guy or the fat guy since 5th grade in 8th grade i weighed in at 225 football and wrestling i would bulk up for foot ball loose it for wrestling and life goes on at 45 i found myself at 360 lbs with high bp and sleep apnea never got the mask cause i was gonna loose weight so i would 20 lbs and gain 30 keeps going on and on in july of 18 my bp was 204/106 on meds Dr said you are gonna die if you keep it up and i am not giving you any more Vicodin for pain so you need to make some changes or die your choice and live with the pain of the weight (in my mind i said i will get another Dr f*** him ) so i was talking to my guardian angle (my mom) said i need to do this we had talked about it prior as i have been obese my whole life she said she want me to live and enjoy life and move forward so within 30 days i was in mexico getting surgery now i did my home work prior already and had been thinking of this for 5 years now the good = no meds at all bp is 136/65 no more pain in knees and ankles or back feel like a new person and sleep great every night

You guys are funny. Those are curtains of skin draping from my arm in those before pics! Everything below the arm bulge is skin. You don't want that. But am glad to say all the skin is gone now! My arms are tiny. Like almost freakishly tiny. My forearms (and hands) are swollen, so right now my upper arms are smaller than my forearms. I look like I have Popeye arms! Am typing up a blog entry about my experience so far, but its taking me forever cuz I get sleepy very quickly and I get tired from typing. Im sleepy this very moment..post over. chat later.

SillyKitty, so glad the worst part appears to be passing... No doubt, you are excited to return to warmer and sunnier California soon! This will do volumes to be home for Christmas! Isn't that a song?! Haha. Your surgeon seems excellent and thorough. So glad you received his best care, especially when traveling to him. I wanted to give you my surgeons website. I liked her preview of what a patient can expect thru the process + aftercare that might be helpful? There is mention it can take up to a year to feel like yourself again. She, like most surgeons certainly have their own protocols - like I know she does not use blood thinners because the need for regular blood flow and congealing necessary for skin incision optimum healing. She does use compression garments and drains. I interviewed one that did neither. A lot of contrasts, I found. No catheter (but I might request it) as I am not sure how you go to the bathroom in such a raw state. Ouch. I think I'd prefer to sleep and be drugged out for the week. LOL. They suggest propped up on LR sofa with lots of comfy pillows for rest. Stay hunched over for two weeks with a walker given the Fleur De Lis intersection and tummy tuck. www.drdanamd.com May I ask, were you able to drink your ample water/liquids? Did you eat much? Saw my sleeve surgeon yesterday and he's given his blessings to proceed with January 21st plastics. Just to be sure to reeve up protein intake for better incision healing process. What proteins are you tolerating? So excited for you and the results beyond your wildest expectations. Your desire for the 40's pin-up girl persona. So what aircraft will we be seeing your new silhouette upon!? And, hope you can proceed with New Year's Eve dress-up festivities! Now that current condition no longer applies! ;]

Omg the gas pain is HORRIBLE! It feels like you're being stabbed sometimes. It feels absolutely nothing like gas that we are all familiar with. I had no idea that was coming even though I did lots of reading/research/etc. Thats because the gas in the body cavity itself and not the stomach. It took me about 10 days for all the gas to get out of my system and it was really bad when I was trying to sleep flat for the night. The only thing I could do to make it feel better was to walk for a good half hour and then it started to subside only to flare again in 5 hourse or so. It also could be the incision spot where it is healing not on the skin but in the fat content etc. I didn't have that problem so I couldn't tell you. BUT the gas is VERY real. It's even related to shoulder pains since the nerve around the diaphragm can get irritated and the pain travels the nerve up to the shoulder.

The body fat scales measure impedance (electrical resistance) between your feet (or in the better ones, between your hands, too.) As such, they are sensitive to your body's water content - hydration - so variations in your hydration will change the readings. On mine, there was a 4-5 point difference between first thing in the morning, when we tend to be dehydrated, and late afternoon, when we tend to be more fully hydrated. So, being consistent with time of day is important. There can also be a point of two difference day to day from simple hydration variations due to diet, activity, weather, hormones, etc. Of course, there can always be differences between scales (or any other measuring instruments.) The most accurate way to measure body composition is via autopsy, but that has the undesirable side effect of having to be dead first. Next best is generally considered to be DEXAscan, which is pretty good, though there can still be differences between machines and even software loads (as it is dependent upon large population datasets.) Hydrostatic, or water dunking, (or the related BodPod, which uses air instead of water) is next best, but may be a bit quirky for us former fatties as the excess skin that we often have can create some errors in the results. The calipers are generally considered to be the least worst, as they are very dependent upon operator skill and experience to interpret the results, and given the problems of skin condition (excess) that we typically have, they are virtually worthless for us. I have found that the scales work fairly well if you have one at home and use it consistently, same time each day. Given the day to day hydration variations that we can have, it is only good within a point of two. I found that using a moving average of daily measurements worked well - as I was losing, I may have seen BF readings in the 32's and 33's, after some time I would start seeing 31's and the 33's dropped away, so I was consistently in the 31-32 range, and so on. It couldn't reliably show may anything closer, but that's a pretty good ballpark. How much variation would one see if you did a DEXA or dunking every day (I suspect similar, but maybe a bit narrower bandwidth on the variation.) Using this method, the scale was pretty consistent with the water dunkings that I had done. The way the scales are used in gyms and doctors' offices - read at month or more intervals - they are of limited value (even detrimental) as the variations from time of day and day to day hydration levels overwhelm whatever true changes have actually happened since the last reading. I played with the one in our surgeon's office when my wife was going through her surgery, and over the couple of weeks that we were in town for it, I had "gained" about 10 lb of muscle mass with no weight change. Right - from walking around the hospital and SF some every day! For the OP, if you can, try to use their scale each time you go to the gym, preferably before working out and dehydrating yourself, and keep track that way. Your readings may or may not be "accurate" on an absolute basis, but relative to where you are now and in the future, it should give some useful insight into your progress, Note, that mid teens BF% is quite lean for a woman (though about average, or "normal" for a man,) while mid 20's is "normal" for a woman. Mid teens was my target when I was in losing mode. Good luck in further progress!

Hey everyone. Just checking in. I’ve tried some carbs and all of my old “trigger” foods make me sick! Pretzels yuck, potato chips I throw up, cakes and ice cream I can’t look at. French fries are absolutely disgusting. Hamburgers taste like wax. I like boiled eggs, a little slice about 2 inch by 2 inch gluten free bread with boiled egg on top for breakfast and homemade iced coffee. I also loooove ceasare salad with chicken. I hate and throw up butter, peanut butter, guacamole, etc. I hate fat. Chicken and turkey skin. No mashed potatoes. I love carrots broccoli green beans, bananas and oranges. I love sushi still. Spicy tuna roll. But I can’t really eat much. My whole meal is 50% of one roll. I still dream of food. I still cheat and love hard candy but I don’t keep it in the house. Im down from 295 to 260 day of surgery to 212 yesterday. Most fish makes me sick. I can never look at another protein shake. I like crock potted moist fall off the bone meat with veggies. Im still hungry a lot! I sleep the night thru and no cpap! I cant believe how much attention I get from the opposite sex even though I’m married. It’s so weird. Like I’ve been hit on 1-3 x a week! I struggle with calories in. Only getting 1200 per day. Still losing weight. Im really happy with the surgery. Still struggling with food is NOT a reward. Food is NOT a comfort. Food IS sustenance only. Like they say in The Mandalorian, “I have spoken!”

This!!!! I look at pictures of others on here that are similar weight and height and think they look better (healthier, fitter, thinner) than me because I still don’t see myself as a “normal” weight. I also try to remind myself that I am carrying around a few extra pounds of skin that someone who was never overweight would have so my BMI isn’t accurate. I also have found that with only a 2-3 pound loss over the past few months (purposely trying to maintain now) that my body looks much different than 3 months ago since things are shifting around re muscle loss, filled in cheeks, flatter stomach etc.

Ms. Elcee, you rock this dress! Looks like you and I had great fun in the hosiery department... What a pretty figure. The red lipstick is a wonderful pop on your beautiful porcelain skin. Wow.

Excited to follow this thread & see your progress. I agree, your arms look great already @ms.sss. Wish mine looked this good. I’ve been anti surgery for me because I scar badly (keloid) and felt the loose skin was better than any hideous scars I might end up with. So I’m interested to read about your experiences. Love you have a Dr who gets excited about removing loose skin @rs. Good luck with your surgery & recovery.

My stats: 5 ft 6.5 in. Sleeved Aug 2018. In maintenance about 4 months, at ~145 lbs. Had an extended arm lift (brachioplasty) yesterday 12/16. Incision is from elbow through the arm pit area and down to about the bottom of my bra line which should also help with the side boob excess skin. Cost is $9600. Includes everything - surgeon, anaesthesiologist, facility, etc etc I'm wearing a compression garment that's sorta like a really tight crop top with long sleeves. I also have two drains which I have to empty 1-2 times a day and log the amount. The doctor will remove the drains at my one week post op appointment. Between the tight garment, the drains, and general incision pain, I'm pretty uncomfortable. I'm taking the pain meds as often as prescribed which is helping though. The Dr said he removed a lot of skin (nurse said almost 1 lb!) and that I'm going to be very happy with the outcome. I really like him. You can tell he really likes his job. He gets excited talking about it. And he's confident in what he knows because he's been doing it a long time. Ok, I'm going to lie back down now. Will check in again later today and post some pics.

I let go of some focus of weight goals I’d set while working on my health issues and I think I’m on the edge of healthy weight. In all honesty I’m at the lowest I’ve been in a long long time. My perception of time sucks as in doesn’t exist but when I first fought to lose weight against metabolic disorders and physical disability I might have hit 125lbs it didn’t stay there long before settling at 135lbs. I’m hoping due to my height and bone density change over the years that I can reach optimal goal weight for me of 100lbs (106lbs dressed) or in that general vicinity. I’ve a sinking feeling I can’t hit goal without some skin removal surgery though might there be some eating disorder issues involved. Probably. But I’ve struggled to deal with this alone for many years. I’d say it’s par for the course with Autism. Do I wish I didn’t need to worry so much, sure? But between metabolic disorders, physical disability, and inability to exercise it naturally complicates things. I’m trying to take things moment to moment and not worry about the goal weight but at the same time it’s in my mind the issue of excess skin skewing the numbers and how I see my weight.

sorry for the delay. I havent been on here. I do have a lot of loose skin. I had a consult in Oct but because i am still losing i have to wait till April go to back and see if they consider the weight stabilized. I have lost 12 since my appt.. so we start counting 6 months over

K, just got a chance to take some before pics of my arms (see below). And here are some background details: 5'2" female, 14 months post op, weight stable +/- 5 lbs for about 7 months. Today's weight 115.7 lbs, 21.2 BMI, 13.7% body fat Procedures, as listed on procedure form: BRACHIOPLASTY (aka Arm Lift) + BILATERAL BREAST REDUCTION REVISION (aka Breast Lift). I am getting the Breast Reduction Revision mostly for the fact that it addresses my excess side boob skin. The actual boob lift aspect of it is just an added bonus. In June 2019, when I booked the procedures, the cost of these two is/was $10,000 CAD (plus 13% taxes), and it includes all costs associated with the procedures, including 2 overnights in a private room.

Thank you! I took the picture on the left in downtown Philly which is my hometown about 3.5 years ago. I feel great knowing when I shop for clothes, I don't have to ask "Do you have that in a 3X or in a 46" waist. My transformation has allowed me to more bold in choosing the style of clothing to wear. I used to wear loose clothing but now I much more confident in wearing clothes that fit close to the body. I still got work to do on my belly area, lol! I've been bit by the fashion bug and I'm always picking an article of clothing to add to my closet. Fly Eagles Fly!!!

Pinch and release the skin on the back of your hand. If it snaps back immediately and perfectly, your hydration is good. If on the other hand the small bit you release stays up a bit, or doesn't immediately mold back like nothing happened, you are dehydrated. You can literally go months without food, but you need the liquid, and some enzymes. Gatorade zero, stat.

Ok, here is my OODT. I found this cheap faux moto jacket at the thrift store and couldn’t resist an outfit that is verging on costume. Unfortunately all of the students are gone so there was no one at work to admire it 😢 ok, I think the striped dress might be getting a bit loose and less flattering, even with the belt. Thoughts?