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After my first pregnancy I used the spandex bike shorts to help shrink my tummy. It did help a lot, so I am going to use them again along with sports bras to help decrease the need for plastic surgery if I can. At least it will hold the skin in place and it won't flop all over the place if it doesn't help it shrink this time.

Well I'm on solid foods now - but even when I was on mushy food - I tried to keep my calories on track. I orginally was at less then 1,000 calories but then I read many posts and thought maybe I was in starvation mode and that's why my body wasn't letting loose of the weight. What calorie intake do you think I should be at?

It mostly depends on the genetics of your skin. However, doctors agree that age takes a role in skin bouncing back. If you're younger then your body recovers much quicker than say someone in their 60s. However, another study I have read (Can't find it atm) says that people that have stretch mark and or scar tissue lose the elasticity in their skin. So if you have had babys and you have lots of stretch marks and lose alot of weight.... They say there is a big chance that the skin will not bounce back. I have stretch marks on my stomach, I am in my 30's, and plan to lose 100 pounds. I assume I will have to have surgery hehe. I have lost 40 pounds and no major hanging yet but I plan for the worst and hope for the best.

I saw this and about died laughing. I think any of us dealing with loose skin can relate!

Ok.. So i had just stepped outside to go for a walk when I had a coughing fit and dry heaved at the end. Right when I started to dry heave, I got this god awful cramp in my stomach right below my port incision. It hurt so bad! I thought that maybe I had ripped open my staples. (I am 6 days out of surgery). When the cramp subsided, I felt the port area and could distinctly feel my port. I haven't really been able to feel it since I had the surgery.. Just that there was something hard under my skin. This time I was able to feel the whole thing. Has anyone else ever had this? I hope I didn't cause it to flip. I thought that the port was stitched to the abdominal muscles.. Maybe it was just th cramp pushing it up to the skin?? I have no idea. It doesn't hurt any longer and I can't really feel the port again. Weird.. Thanks Angela

This will be my last tattoo until I finish loosing my weight and my skin stabilizes, then I will go back to working on my sleeve. This is on my left calf, and hurt like hell

Congratulations on a terrific start!!!! I am sort of hoping that I can get away without a fill for a while too, so your news is good to hear. You must have been thrilled to hear the nurse telling you how well you are doing! I am two weeks post op, and doing well so far. As of Jan 16 I am down about 30 pounds; 16 on pre-op diet, and 14 since Feb 3rd. I'm on the mushy stage now, and find that for the most part my hunger is easy enough to manage with careful planning and eating. I do have one problem- I seem to be allergic to the Protein powders I have been adding to my drinks and food. I've tried several different brands, but end up with skin rashes that let me know I'm not tolerating them well. So, I've got extra incentive to get my protein through food and not powders! I'm also trying some non-gmo organic soy powders, hoping they work better for me, but only as a supplement when I need them. Keep up the good work, hooray to you and everyone else who is making the band work for them! o.

Your BMI is pretty low I dont think you will need to worry about loose skin. If you carry most of your weight in your belly and the rest of your body is pretty small then you could possibly end up with some skin issues on your tummy but I dont think it would be a really bad case of loose skin. I had similar BMI and I am not having loose skin issues so far and I am down to 27 BMI. Exercise will help keep the body toned while you lose weight.

My insurance has an exclusion for any WLS, so my fills come out of my pocket. I pay $205 for a fill under fleuro. Your port is under your skin.

HI Cindy and New2TCh -- I am still doing well, now 2nd day of puree and I was told I could even add "a few" raisins to my oatmeal -- guess what? I managed to make the porridge last a full 15 mins Maybe the extra 2 T of porridge helped as well Cindy, I was on Optifast as well - and my Dr. actually had it for sale in his office. Every Dr. / clinic is different, but Dr. Klein insists that his patients have the optifast - for exactly the reason you mentioned - to shrink the liver (and also so you loose a little bit of weight too). He told me that he would be able to tell as soon as he started the operation if I had been "good" or "bad", and that if the liver was too big, he would not even risk the op, so I would have wasted my time and $$. I stuck to the plan -- 2 weeks of NOTHING but Optifast -- by the 2nd week I discouvered that adding Chrystal light made a world of difference -- I could have a different flavour and was able to disguise the chocolate (not really a chocolate fan). Tangerine Grapefruit makes a very good addition to Chocolate, and my favourites with vanilla were Summer Peach an strawberry Orange Bannana. I managed to loose 15 lbs on the Optifast. Your amount of loss will depend totally on you, everyone is different ... Nwe2tch - if you would like to see an interesting set of video clips about being banded, there is a series done by OBYGYN net that follow one of their editors on her journey into bandland -- these were done before banding became common in North America -- she went to Germany. I found them extremely interesting (and you will see the placement of the liver and how the have to lift it up before they can get to the stomach area) I am sure the link is elsewhere on this board, but I'll repeat it here so you can find it easily: OBGYN.net Weight Management Section Cindy, I want you to know that I, too, had a headache right at the beginning, and yes, I think it has to do with the drastically different diet all of a sudden -- if you were a coffee drinker, it could be a bit of cafine withdrawal -- OH, if you are a coffee person,I was also told that I could mix cold coffee into my Optifast, or even stir in some instant coffee (and since my dr. seems to be one of the "strictest" with his pre-op requirements I'm sure it should be OK for you too. Keep up the good work girls -- I'll keep posting on my progress as I go ... It is nice to have the great place to share info (and to get help and encouragement) MaryPat.

Yesterday was 6 weeks post TT/LBL, which meant I no longer have to wear my compression garment. I didn't wear it to work (which turned into an 11 hour day), and within an hour I just started feeling weird… not bad, just weird. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but it kind of felt like my skin wanted to come apart at the seams! When I finally got home, I immediately (right after I checked to make sure that I hadn't actually split in half… incision looks fine!) put my compression garment back on & felt much better! I'm totally ok wearing this for as long as I need to, but I'm wondering how long it was before other folks felt ok without.

When I started thinking about wls I started wanting the lap band. I visited with 2 doctors and with the amount of weight I needed to loose they both said they would not do the lap band for me. I then started researching about the sleeve and thought my doctor knew what was best for me. I have to say there was a lot of issues with the lap band that I was starting to hear about. slippage and erosion. That kind of turned me off because I had heard a lot of people getting a revision years after lap band. So I went ahead with my surgeons direction and I could not be happier.

My doctor said the fishing line type sutures to not pull those, that is holding together the incision on the inside, he said that I could hold the skin taught and have my husband clip them flush with a pair of scissors if it was bothering me. So far I have had no issues, but am only a week and a half out.

Most in here have answered your questions very well. From my personal experience I love the weight loss my band has provided but at the same time it can be a pain in the ass. The constant tweaking to get to a good restriction almost always tempts people to get too tight with disastrous results. Let me list some things that annoy me about the band. 1) I can't drink liquids quickly. I can't tell you how much I would love to down a bottle of Water in a couple of gulps right now! Lol. 2) Can't go straight to bed after eating or it's very uncomfortable. 3) Veggies can go down slow and hurt sometimes. 4) Daily heartburn if I don't take Prilosec. 5) TIGHT DAYS...out of nowhere my band can tighten up like crazy...causes can be drinking alcohol, stress, exercise, dehydration, early in the morning. 6) LOOSE DAYS...sometimes I'm just loose and can eat more than normal and then I'm hungry. 7) Hunger. Yes. I get hungry. No I don't need a fill. If I get a fill I will be too tight and bad things will happen. 8) Fills can be annoying...I had to get over 20 adjustments to get good restriction. I currently have over 14cc in a 14cc band. 9) I can't sleep on my stomach. If I sleep on my stomach I get reflux. No I do not have a dilated pouch. 10) Sinus drainage wakes me up at night because the nasty Fluid pools in the back of my throat. Gross! This can wake me up choking and is quite disgusting. I'm sure operations like the sleeve has its own bag of nasty tricks but those are some that annoy me about this particular surgery and applies to me. Your mileage may vary. If I had the choice to make over again I would SERIOUSLY consider the sleeve. Would I get the band again? Yes. If I didn't think the sleeve was all people make it out to be after research then I'd get banded again. Getting lapband surgery because you think it is a 'gentle' surgery is a mistake. To anyone that thinks they don't want to get the sleeve or bypass because it's too invasive and they want a gentle surgery then you need to diet and exercise and stay away from a doctor with a knife completley. Surgery is surgery and there's no 'easy' way about it even with the lap band. Look at what a band does to a stomach after 5 years and it's not all daises and sunshine. Don't even get me started on erosion or a slip. Lapband surgery is SURGERY and alters your body. Don't choose it because you're scared of something else. That's not a good reason to make a decision in my opinion. Good reasons to choose lap band are that it's adjustable and you can control, to a point, the speed at which you lose weight. You can usually opt for sleeve or bypass if your band fails which is a plus. Anyway, I've listed reasons why it's a pain in the ass above, but you can still lose weight with it and that's what matters. Is it better than the sleeve? I don't know. All I can tell you is what I do know. Good luck with your choice.

See, if I DID loose my mind, the gutter is the very first place I'd look for it.

Have you had skin reduction? I had abdominoplasti, and breast lift, but I need my inner thighs done, and my backside is kind of droopy too. Abdominoplasti helped my self image tremendously. I found it so disheartening to get the weightloss work done, and then still look in the mirror and be disgusted. I wasn't expecting to be stripper material, but I would like to be able to wear a swim suit without having to hide my legs. I am pleased to report, however, that all through my weightloss effort, I kept reminding myself that being thin, (like having money) would not automatically guarantee happiness. Thin people still have problems, and challenges. However, I am unbelievably happy most of the time. I am in love with the man of my dreams, and he thinks I am beautiful, and my job is going better than ever, and I feel healthy. So, it may not automatically guarantee happiness, but it does allow it!

My starting BMI was lower, but around 35...... I think its all relative size wise - the higher BMIs might loose quicker but then they have further to come down, if you look at it as a % of your body weight, for each extra lb you shift the lighter you become the more a % of your body weight it is... which is why its harder the nearer you get to your 'natural' weight.

I had my surgery in 2003 I've lost over 150 lbs. I had some skin removed but I need more removed. But Mass Health won't pay for it they say its cosmetic surgery.. Which it isn't.. I really like my doctors and they do fight for me. I just wish if u approved a person to have gastric bypass surgery make sure u allow them to go all the way. Because this extra skin needs to go. It holding me back. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

wavy - i work at cic but don't tell anyone, i like to keep my work private, especially because I have some issues. Good Luck though. Kim - good luck tomorrow. I know being a patient will make you a better office person. Having been through the whole process. As the weeks progress on, I'm still glad I made RNY my decision. The whole expense and fill thing is enough to make me loose sleep. I worry about $$ all the time. I got my final figures from UHC for surgery - I will post them tomorrow. I left the sheet at work. For what North East Medical charged it was nuts. I got sheets with holes in them, this is nasty to me, and I didn't get one bite to eat. I think there should be a discount especially when you cannot eat. So, I'm back to work and things are busy. We are still with only 1 car and I don't know how were supposed to get gym time in from 6-9pm I will never see my daughter. I went to the gym yesterday and my heel is hurting really bad on my foot. My wonderful husband is like so, I need to buy some good quality athletic shoes for using on the treadmill. I'd invite you to join me at the gym, but i zone out really bad and can only focus on walking without flying off the treadmill. I hope every get's out of their funk. Maybe when Spring comes the funks will be long gone. My funk is I have nothing to wear. Boo Hoooo. My chunkie belly is still swollen and very sore too in the incision sites. WHy does healing take so long?

Hey guys I finally did it! I had my surgery on 7/27. Stayed overnight in the hospital and came home the next day. I feel like I had the perfect surgery and so far everything has gone well. I am now sitting at home (well, not exactly sitting as I have a tri-level house) and was just thinking about all you wonderful people who have unknowingly helped me along so much in this process. I was amazed at the lack of pain post-op, and how quickly I was ready to get out of that bed and meander up and down the hallway. This was the first time I had ever been in the hospital and the first major surgery for me. I just keep waiting on something to happen because I just know it can't be this easy. I started out on Clear liquids and am now consuming full liquids without problems. I wil continue this until week 3 when I start pureed food and finally transition into regular food by week 5. I have my first MD appt in 2 weeks to remove the staples (couldn't talk him into using the surgical glue). I will have my first fill at 6 weeks. Just a question or 2: Anyone remember the "liquid days" and did you feel full after consuming the 4oz of liquids you took in? I am also kinda scared of doing something to my band in that I am afraid to cough but I need to cough to help my lungs recover from the anasthesia. Anyone have a comment on this issue? Anyhow, Just thought I would drop in and tell everyone about my progress so far. Oh, BTW, when they weighed me at the hospital I was 15 lbs lighter than my last MD appt. Did I really loose 15 lbs in the 2 weeks I was on liquids? Oh well, makes me happy to think that it may be possible.....:whoo:

Hi, From your ticker, you have lost 45 lbs! Celebrate that! Not sure if your surgery was Jan 2009 or Jan 2008, either way, 45 lbs is a lot of weight! You can do this! It sounds like you are very anxious and could benefit from talking to someone. The pressure of thinking other people are wondering why you haven't lost more is a tough spot to be in ( I can relate, and that is why I told only my DH about my surgery). I can only imagine that the injury to your knee and the issue with your skin folds is very tough to deal with, but don't use it as an excuse - You can do this! You are doing it! Make the decision to talk to someone, get a number, and make an appointment. Then make a promise to eliminate the foods that are tough for you to control - start one by one. Keep us posted, we are here for you!

Dr Lo, I'm counting down the days till January when my surgery is scheduled with you for my perky new chest (among other things!). You are also doing lipo on my neck and I'm wondering if my skin is too loose, can you just tighten it up during the surgery, and how much more downtime/PAIN is that going to involve? Where would the scars/incisions be? Also, how much more Operating Room time would that add? Side note, I have several of the girls I work with making appts at your office for various issues. After I told everyone how wonderful you were during my consult they all want to come in and see you!!

I'm 11wks an my nut advised me to get 1000-1100 calories per day. That however is easier said than done. Me personally I am having a real problem when I feel hungry I take a few bites and I'm done. Eating more I feel sick or loose it all. I've slowed my eating and eat with a small baby spoon so bites are not too large. The nut advised me that I shouldn't have to worry about calories because my intake is so limited that I'm only getting in about 1/2 and feel as if I am eating all the time . Hope things are going more smoothly for you!

Sleeved May 16, 2011. Maintaining at goal (135 lbs. , 5'6" for 14 months) Breakfast: 1 cup Fage 0 Greek Yogurt with 2 T. Whipped Cream cheese and splenda, topped with 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, thawed and mixed with Splenda to make them syrupy. Snack mid-morning: 1 slice whole wheat bread, 2 oz. low fat ham Lunch: Southwest salad (1/2 cup loosely packed mixed greens, 1/3 cup black Beans, 1/4 cup corn, 2 oz. chicken mixed with 2 T. BBQ sauce, 1/4 small avocado, 1/2 oz. low fat shredded cheddar cheese, 6 cherry tomatoes, 1/8 cup celery, topped with 2 T. lowfat ranch dressing Afternoon snack: 1 oz. pretzels, 1/2 apple Dinner: 1/2 cup brown rice, 3 oz. shrimp, 1/4-1/2 cup mixed veggies After dinner snack: Hot chocolate

First of all great progress and attitude. I'm retired so I don't have to face the return to work good thing too because while the incisions dont particularly hurt the gas pains do. I had thought I was going to avoid them but yeaterday afternoon Wham there it is. For all those that had this from the begining of post op, my sincere condolences. For myself (whimper, whine) I'll just suffer in silence,(sniff.) Well I hope that you recover quickly and that the weight you want to loose comes off leaving you healthy and happy. Best Wises Tom