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Sounds like u are doing good, i know lipo can cause loose skin or skin with wrinkles i have seen, might be worth see a lipo expert and a plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

I've lost 90lbs. I have some wrinkly skin around my tummy, thighs and upper arms. I'm 9 months out so I still have some time for some of it to hopefully rebound. Time will tell!

My Dr. said early on I should have a BMI of 25 and under. So for me 150-155lbs. I told myself my goal would be 160 first and then go from there. The thing is (and I'm sure you're heard this a million times), everyone's body is so different (body type, size etc). I love that I lost all the weight, plus some, but I am 100% happy at where my weight is now. I'm am currently hoping to tone, and maintain. I'm fine with no more weight loss, and my Dr. said I could stop loosing if I was comfortable with where I was with my weight. I just would look anorexic if I was in a size 5/6 (currently I am a 8/10). That's just me, I just don't have the body type to be super thin. Some people look great, I look like a bobble head.

Hi guys my highest weight was 110.3kg, the doctor said i could loose between 50 and 80% of excess weight, i think around there, anyways, so how many kilos would that be? And how much in % have i lost so far? Awaiting your replies. Highest weight. 110.3kg Current weight. 69.4kg Surgery date. 21.12.12.

I thought I would post this topic on the post-op section because I would like to hear personal stories of people who have had diabetes and got the sleeve, and what the outcome was. I have talked with my nurse and she keeps telling me that I should get RNY instead of the sleeve because of my diabetes (Mind you, they very rarely, if at all, do the sleeve at the hospital Im going to). I cant help but feel that the sleeve would be a better option for me for several reasons. I have no desire to have my intestines messed with and with having 75 to 80lbs to loose, I cant help that both the RNY and the DS would be an overkill for me. i could be totally wrong and would really appreciate any feedback I can get to help with my decision. If everyone tells me that RNY is the way to go to help with my diabetes, then that is what I'll do, but soemthing keeps telling me that isnt right. I just want to make the best decision to get healthy.

I have been a little down because the scale is not moving and has not for a week. I know about stalls I am guess I am in one at only 2 weeks out. However, I just went upstairs to get dressed for an open house I am hosting as a Real Estate agent this afternoon. First I put on my "hold everything in" foundation garments because my incisions hurt a lot and it helps. I noticed sagging skin on my legs I have never seen before. At first I was inclined to freak but then I realized that meant I was still losing somewhere even if the waist tape measure and scale were not budging. Then I started trying on clothes. All my favorites were too lose. Even some that were tight before surgery. I decided on something I used to love to wear that was very tight before surgery but looked so good on me now that I just kept looking at myself in the mirror...in wonder. This is the first time I am saying this: I LOVE MY SLEEVE.!!!

Do the best you can.... I would say for myself that if I could have lost all that pre-op weight, why in the world would I want to go through surgery? So yes, it was very hard to do...but I kept telling myself that this surgery is the most important step I can take and I was not going to do anything to jeopardize it... Now, all Dr.'s are different...My Dr. did not care what I ate or drank, ONLY thing he wanted to see was that I had to loose X # of lbs within 2 weeks of the surgery or he would postpone it...didn't care how I did it, as long as I did....having said that, Protein shakes was the easiest way to do it...but I did cheat, eating regular food, but keeping a close eye on the scale so as not to have my surgery postponed.... But that was Me and my Dr...if you want this surgery you need to do what your Dr. wants you to do...

Over 100 pounds down now and no loose skin for me. I am younger (banded at 29) so maybe that is a factor but I know I am and feel very lucky!

My largest jeans are no longer an option! They are TOO LOOSE and look horrible! Oh darn, I need to go shopping!!! I'm already a huge Goodwill shopper because we have a couple of super stores in our town, so I guess I'll see what I can find this weekend.

Hi Guys , post op 1 week ( 2 weeks from first band which had complications and fixed a week later ) . I seem to be having problems I think with dehydration , skin on face dry , my eyes sore , headaches last couple of days , Ive stuck to my liquid diet to the letter and in my opinion I am constantly drinking plenty Water , I walk around with a bottle of mineral water all day constantly sipping throughout the day. Anyway last couple of days Ive been run down , and all the symptoms of dehydration , yesterday I drank a rehydration drink mix I got from Pharmacy and it helped last night , today though as the day progresses I feel headache and a little nauseau setting in again. Where am I going wrong , any advice ? Should I just get more of these rehydration mix packs and take them daily for now ? Do you think its perhaps lack of food .. I know my Protein levels have been very low since op , but today to try combat that I when to store and purchased a load of Low Carb, High Protein shake Mix .. 96 calories per glass which yields 18g protein . Ive only been averaging 28g protein per day last two weeks, so think 2 Protein shakes a day will supplement this up to about 60 -70g daily , I believe I should be trying to achieve 80 grams , but as Im sure you will be aware , on liquids only , getting protein levels up is very difficult. Some help and advice would be very much appreciated. Regards Nick

I am only 3 months out and I am going to wait 1 year post op. That is what they usually recommend. I am starting to have some lose skin on my belly and arms. And my boobs are not perky anymore ,well they were not the same anyway right after I gave birth lol But losing weight so rapidly is not helping them either. So I am considering a breast augmentation with a lift and some lipo on my future

I am in the same fix as you had my surgery Aug 08 have lost 19lbs and nothing more. but I find that I only want to eat cheetos and popcorn. I know it is my own fault, I am like you I eat half of what I use to eat and still am not loosing. I gag when I have to drink the protein shakes but looks like I really need to buck up and do right. good luck to you.

I was banded in Houston, and stayed in a lovely cottage in GALVESTON where it was EASY to ride a bicycle every morning on the seawall eight miles DAILY. it was WARM and i loved life. i was on my feet and active each day. I loved it there. Now im back in Northern Maine. Its very cold. Feet of snow on the ground. im NOT happy here, but its where i live for now. Ive promised myself id keep up regular daily excercise. Ive joined a gym. Its near where i work. I plan to go daily. I go back to houston for second fill april 24th. Im mentally jumping in my skin and cant wait to go back. i need your support. I need to hear from someone else who is struggling to keep their activity levels healthy. Does anyone else live in a very cold climate? Please respond? Id like to keep track of the workouts somehow.

I have been through every stage of too loose and too tight . . . and you sound much too tight. You are not getting in enough liquids. That chest tightening feeling shouldn't occur with just liquids. Also, if you are only taking in liquids and have not moved on to mushies yet . . . it doesn't sound like it is going to get better quickly. Also, if you do start mushies and get stuck and pb . . . sometimes that causes swelling in your stomach which will make you even tighter than you are now. If you get much tighter, liquids may not go down and then you have an emergency situation. I would call now and see if you can get in today. Otherwise, given that this is a holiday weekend, you may not be able to get loosened up until early next week . . . which can be miserable and not very safe for your band or your health.

I have to say I totally agree. This 1/2 cup business is nonsense. My nutrionist won't even talk about anything other than 1000-1200 calores per day. I have been continually loosing since pre-op by counting calories. Please people, use some common sense and realize our bodies need fuel to keep going. 1/2 cup may be fine RIGHT after surgery but 3 month or a yr. out it will cause malnutrition and Vitamin deficencies.

Okay so I am usually very upbeat. But today I am feeling blue. It's pouring rain here, there hasn't been any sunshine for days, I haven't walked this whole week, outside of going to my classes. I want to be in a size 14 sooo bad!! I can get them on up over my butt and but there is like two inches between the button and the hole. I keep having to put it in perspective, it has only been 8 weeks. I mean really! My double chin won't go away, and it is all that I see when I look in the mirror. My stomach fat is starting to really hang now, and my inner thighs, and instead of feeling prettier, I am feeling uglier. Everything looks bad in the mirror right now. People have said that the double chin won't go away, that the skin will just hang there. I am 40 and realize that my skin has lost is elasticity but I was really, really hoping that the double chin would disappear. AND I HATE TO EXERCISE. I am walking, weather permitting, and doing crunches a couple times a week, but I know I need to be hard at it EVERY day. So the bad habits are still there, although I haven't blown it with food. That has been the one constant for me, thank god. I am losing, no stall, I have been down 1.5 - 2 lbs every week and that is all i ever wanted was to have consistent weight loss. Today I weighed in at 236, that is down from 272, that is 36 lbs in 8 weeks, I should be so amazed by that. But today, I am not. I am feeling like a big fat cow, still. The voice in my head that tells me I am fat and ugly and not worth a shit, it is back and I am sad. I have the tools, I know what to do. I just feel frozen in this muck right now. Anyhow, I am so glad I have a place to ramble. Maybe someone has made it all the way through my pity party here, or maybe not. Thank you who ever you are for taking the time to read my feelings. Somethings I can say here that I can't say out loud to anyone else. My husband get's so nervous if I even hint that I am not GREAT all the time, he remembers all the depression and how bad it had a hold of me. So I don't want to burden him with these feelings. It is the middle of the semester as well, and it is the end of my junior year in college, I am tired on so many levels. I quit smoking when I had the surgery and I have not started since and right now I would really like some chocolate and a cigarette. Haha, well enough for now. Bye.

I have only had one fill so far (likely getting another one on Friday), but for me, my one and only fill so far DID hurt, but my Doctor doesn't normally need numbing med in his experience with most patients but I must be an exception to that rule because WOW did it hurt for me until I insisted on some numbing medicine. Once he put that in, smooth as can be with no further pain. I sure did bruise up a bit though from him having trouble finding my port under my skin (the port is clearly felt but he had trouble finding where they need to put the needle). He said that now that he knows exactly where it is on me, that wont be an issue next time. And definitely for me next time, I am insisting on the numbing medication before things even begin.

Well, I'm going to say I totally understand where you're coming from! =) I chose not to go public about having WLS, because frankly I was ashamed I needed it and I don't want to have to deal with anyone judging or voicing their opinion about my decision to have surgery. I have a few close friends and family who know and that's about it. I don't think I took an easy way out and I don't think it's easy not eating all my former foods but I could never have lost this weight without surgery. I get a little embarrassed when people make a big deal about the weight I've lost and I tell very few people exactly how much I've lost. People always ask how I did it and for the most part I say that I follow a strict Portion Control and Protein first eating plan which is true but I feel a bit like a fraud giving anyone advice about loosing weight or comparing what I've been able to accomplish (which is fantastic and I'm so, so, so grateful for) to what someone without the tool of VS might accomplish. I get both sides. I'm proud of what I've been able to do but because I'm not "out" about having surgery I feel strange about "owning" or bragging about my weight loss.

So I've been waiting since March 2013 for confirmation off funding for the Gastric Sleeve, Still nothing. My hospital hasn't called me either. I have called them roughly 4 times, and they keep saying that it's sorted that end, we just need funding confirmation. So I tried and tried and tried until I gave up.. Most people are just like "You haven't given up, it just takes time" but I did give up. I've had to see people who have less heath issues, weigh less, tried less and still don't like the outcome get the operation. Jelousy really isn't the word, more like anger but so so bitter, such a hypocrite, if someone wants something so bad and they work for it, they deserve it, right? I have tried for this operation for years, and I've only just realised that the last 3 (ish?) months, I haven't tried. I'm really angry with myself! All that time I could of been chasing them up, doing everything in my power for an answer, even if it means bugging them, I shouldn't care. So yeah it's now 2014 and I haven't got a new year resolution, I have goals. Chase them up on the operation - I won't give up! I can't. They promised me this operation, so now I have to work to get it. 2. Don't be so down - I have been really down on myself lately, and I joke my way through it but I now know that I need to be positive and know that I CAN do this! 3. Socialize - I literally can spend days just at home offering to babysit or just on the laptop/writing. Just so I don't have to go out, I hate it when people look at me, my mind automatically turns to paranoia "they're talking about me" "she's judging me" funny thing is, I was the one judging them for thinking they're judging me. 4. Diet! - Yess I gave up on that too, I need to loose some more before I go bug the surgeon. So yeah, that's all I have so far, but it's a start, right? Hopefully this time next year I'm well on my way and hopefully without jinxing it, waiting/had the sleeve done. I'm only really making this blog so I can motivate myself and look back in a few years and (hopefully) be proud of myself. I'll be posting every week, so for now.. That's it

I am so frustrated that I seem to have stalled out after a month of solid loss. I am excited to be 20 lbs down, but I really had hoped I would see a continual loss. Today has almost been a week since I have seen the scale go down. I know it is time for my TOM, but it is still bothersome. The great thing is, that years ago I would have said screw this I am going to eat whatever I want, but now I can't. While I could choose what I eat, I can't eat much of it. I know the band is already helping even though I am not at my sweet spot. I am staying on track longer than I ever have. I have managed to do the Total Gym and the Elliptical this week and it does help how I feel, but it's still not easy. So many others on this site have said we didn't get fat over night so we won't loose it over night. Here is to really hoping the scales start droping soon.

today was my Surgery and honestly I was scared to death he wouldn't perform the surgery because I was only able to loose 9 lbs instead of 12 on the pre-op diet. but after talking he agreed to do it. the surgery went well the doctor found a Hiatil Hernia in the process and fixed it. I think that hurts more than the band does. the Co2 gas is killing me! I'm trying to move around as much as possible but I'm so uncomfortable. And lying down makes to worse. I've gotten down one shake and my fluids. Not sure how sleep will go.

This is going to be a very busy weekend. Yesterday I had my hair colored and it looks like s**t. Going back today to get the very dark red lighter. tonight is my nephews rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow my daughter-in-law's baby shower. Sunday is my nephew's wedding at a very fun type museum (in MA) and Monday morning an after wedding brunch at my brother's house. Non stop food the whole time but I didn't get a band to eat, eat and eat more, I got it get thinner and thinner! The more I look in the mirror the more loose skin I find. Like my bat wings (bingo arms) whatever you call them. The turkey neck which I over moisturize and the fat is leaving the face. When you get over 60 the skin doesn't go back into place like a 30-40 year old. Have a super weekend everyone in Lap Band land!

Well really as the title says where do I start? Its been almost 10 months since my surgery - and I've got to say - time has flown by - and though progress has been slow... its still progress... I've also learned a lot since last March... about the band, about me and about the relationships I have.. who would have thought that getting the band could impact ALL aspects of my life? I mean yes - we've all read about how the band impacts not only our health - physical and mental -but it impacts our relationships - to food, to people, to clothes, to ourselves.. I suppose I've been naive to the whole thing.. and haven't really taken a hard look at myself (lets face it - looking at myself was NOT something I wanted to do) but hey it has to be done eventually right?! Now don't mind me if I start to ramble here.. but wait.. its my blog right? ha ha... kidding.. but seriously... See.. it was in 2008 - that I started this journey... when the Lap Band was merely a 'fantasy' for me... I was at my highest weight - 495lb... and wearing a 30-32W pants size... I knew I was fat... I had known that all my life.. being the 'big girl' was nothing new.. but this was different... I was having trouble with my health, with even doing the easiest of things... getting out of bed in the morning, or shopping? Yeah.. lets say even Lane Bryant no longer 'fit' me right.. but it was one week before my birthday in 2008 that I had the scare of my life... I hadn't been feeling well at all - but I had ignored it.. afterall I was such the 'non-compliant' patient... I was a diabetic - who didn't take the prescribed meds, nor did I check my blood sugars - and eating right? YEAH RIGHT... anywho - one morning I was in severe pain, weak, and vomiting... my neices were the ones that convinced me to go to the hospital.. and from the Emergency Room I was admitted directing into the hospital.. where I stayed for two and a half weeks... the diagnosis? Early Renal Failure... really? Me? I wasn't even 30 years old yet.. I didn't understand it.. and that's when the Doc came in and 'yelled' at me... letting me know that my kidneys were shutting down... due to uncontrolled diabetes.. he yelled at me about my weight... he yelled about me not caring about my life... This was so very far from the truth... because I did care... didn't I? After spending those two weeks in the hospital - being completely furious with my Doctor - i realized he was right - this was the first time in my life that my health kept me from work.. I realized that he was right - dialysis was a certainity if I didn't make changes... So it was then - when I was released from the hospital that I decided that I needed a change... When I walked out of that hospital - I was taking approximately 15 pills a day and 2 shots of insulin a day... I weighed 495lbs, had high blood pressure and my A1C was a 13..so my daily blood sugar on average was over 330... Flash-Forward....Its 2011 - and here I am... I am now 130lbs lighter - give or take... and still - I don't see a HUGE difference... is that wierd? but what I do notice is those 2 shots and 15 pills a day I was taking? Nope.. no more... only pill I was taking was a multi vitamin... THAT was success enough for me... but I was still considered Morbidly Obese... and there were some family issues that came up... that woke me up.. my weight was a contributing factor to increased risks for the Cancer that was affecting so many in my family... I HAD to do something more... Diabetes and high blood pressue were not the only enemies I had to fight... As 'luck' would have it - the company I work for changed insurance plans - and it was then - during a benefits meeting I realized that the Lap Band Dream - was now an option.. REALLY? So there I went... I met with Dr. Simpson for the first time in October of 2011.. after our first consultationn - it was a go - now the only issue was to get approved by insurance... and from what I heard - getting approved was to be a 'bear' to deal with... and it was.. no lie.. they wanted EVERYTHING... letters from my primary care provider, 5+ years of medical records, proof that I indeed had co-morbidities... Of course at first glance these requirements looked daunting... but in reality - it wasn't at all - for I met all those requirements - EASILY.. which in this sense.. was quite sad.... The letter my primary care provider wrote? That in itself was an eye opener... She had gone back - way back in my medical records - and found that at age 12 I was diagnosed as Obese... really?! What happened? and then she tracked from that point all those other little issues that came up.. Asthma, Chronic Lower Back Pain... and then at age 15? Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure?! and then at 23 years of age diagnosed with Diabetes? I had ignored all this... This letter had proved to be yet another eye-opener - one that reminded me that yes - I had made progress - but I could indeed become a better version of myself... a healthier version. So in less than a week after submitting all the needed information to the insurance company - that's right - I got the call.. APPROVED... So after much trial and error in scheduling - I finally had my surgery on March 20th, 2012... So now? That we're in the present day? Its been 10 months since my surgery... and since the surgery - I've lost just over 50lbs... see what I mean? SLOW going... but its going right? But somehow I feel like I should have made more progress.... Dr. Simpson always reminds me that this "is not a race, its a marathon".. REALLY? Ugh.. I have no patience... but he's right.. it took me a good while to gain the weight - so its going to take me time to lose it as well.. My struggles of late has been to realize that success can not be measured by the numbers on the scale.. (however lets be honest kids... it matters...) Shopping has been fun.. I mean for the first time in my life - I can fit into 1X and 2X tops - and the cool thing is I've finally made it into a size 20W pants... really? YAY me.. but even with all those little successes.. why am I finding myself not so happy with everything? Why am I finding myself less confident than when I was 495lbs, why am I finding that my relationships aren't as stable as I thought? Is it me or them? Who is the insecure one? Why is it that when I look in the mirror - I don't see the new me - but I see the old Bea... the 495lb one... why is it that when I shop - I still attempt to dress myself in the shrouds of clothing I was so used to... why is it that wearing clothes that actually fit... is uncomfortable and unsettling for me... and what about the changes to my body? the flabby skin? Yes.. I was well aware of the 'side effects' of the surgery - but I want my old body back somedays... at least it was full and somewhat firm... but now? this flabbiness? especially the arm flab.. baah... or lets talk a little about the undue attention I receive now.. THAT's different... however... I'm the same person I was when I was 495 lbs... why all of sudden are they paying attention now? so now - I wonder who's really interested in the me... the real me - the me inside... because somedays it seems that my appearance is all that matters to 'them'... But really ... why am I complaining? This is what I wanted right? and I have to take the good with the bad... so for now? I just take a day at a time... And I think I've caught you up... so until another day my new friends.. take care, be good to yourself and to others... and remember... "A Day Without Laughter is a Day Wasted"... Just me - Bea

I have always struggled with the instant gratification thing as well! I had to rethink the way I "think" about exercise. I list all the benefits of exercise, other than weight loss (i.e, sleep better, better mood, clothes fit better, regulates blood sugar, helps keep my skin from getting too saggy....). I exercise for all the reasons listed. I am not religious about it....but I am getting there. I always enjoy your posts.....this really transforms the way we think about everything. I just had a conversation with my inner 2 year old that wants everything RIGHT NOW! She seems to be a little quiet this week. Today I am the adult.

I'm 31, I had a BMI of 40 when I had surgery. My surgery weight was 238 and I am 162 right now still losing around 2lbs a week at a little over 6 months out. My high weight was 252. I thought by now the loose skin would be horrible, but it's really not. I have a little bit of loose skin on my arms and my stomach. But my stomach was bad before from pregnancies so I'm really not attributing it to the weight loss. I have like 17 more pounds to loose to a normal BMI and I don't think things will get much worse. My breast didn't even drop, sag, or deflate just got smaller. I honestly have been pleasantly surprised by my body. I thought I would need lots of plastic surgery, but now I wouldn't waste the money on it.