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I meant to make a post for six months, but then life happened. So here I am exactly seven months out from surgery. Current weight: 268. Down 128 lbs. from my measured high, down 98 lbs. since intake, down 89 lbs. since surgery. 17 pounds to goal. It's gotten a lot slower, and I expected it to. I hit a major stall for more than a month right around the six-month mark. I'd lose a pound, and then I'd retain water or work out hard and cause inflammation, and those gains would be erased. My week-over-week average did drop, but by fractions of a pound. Then this week—whooooooosh, I lost five pounds in two days which just means my body cleared out the water, the 💩, and whatever else might've been hiding in there. The big marker has been my body fat; at intake, my body fat was over 40%. At six months (the last DEXA scan I had done), it was 26.8%, and has dropped since then. Because I have been training like a madman, my muscle mass also went up quite a bit from the initial post-surgical drop. My goal is to be below 20% body fat, whatever that number is, so I recalculated it at six months and my goal weight moved from 240 lbs. to 251 lbs. (I'm a thicc boi, by which I mean "incredibly dense".) Last week I was hospitalized for an infection and spent two days in there. While the infection absolutely sucked, I did notice my vital signs were exactly where they needed to be, without any medication at all. My blood pressure was 111/67, my SpO2 was 100%, and my resting heart rate was 48 bpm. That alone would have made it worth it. Also, the first night, I did not have my APAP machine and managed to sleep without oxygen desaturation happening (to the very great surprise of the nurse). I need to make an appointment for a sleep study to see if I still need the machine, I don't want to just drop it if I'm still having apnea. I am wearing size 34 jeans (down from 52), large t-shirts (down from 4XL or even 5XL), and my shoe size went down again, so I'm in 11.5s now, which are a lot easier to find. I eat 1500-2000 calories a day depending on my planned activity level. On days when I'm going to work out and then coach, I eat closer to 2000 cal; on days where I am more sedentary, I eat closer to 1500 calories. It's about a 40/30/30 split between protein, carbohydrate, and fat calories. If I start feeling the restriction, I just stop, no matter how many calories I'm up to. I find that if I force myself to put the spoon or fork down between bites, sometimes my brain just forgets the food is there, so if I go, "Oh, hey, there's still food in front of me," I know I have had enough. Yesterday's meal plan was this, along with 3 litres of water: 0700: Espresso with 3g brown sugar and 2 Tbsp. milk, 8 oz. tropical chia pudding with a few very small cubes of mango and nata de coco (coconut jelly). It took me about 20 minutes to eat this. 1000: Protein shake (Core Power 26g) 1300: 4 oz. ground turkey breast with 1.5 eggs, some spinach, mushrooms, and roasted yellow bell pepper, with a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese, some salsa, and a high-fiber whole-wheat tortilla-type wrap. This took me an hour to eat. 1800: 6 oz. grilled pork chop with 2 Tbsp. sauerkraut and some cooked apple and caramelized onion, with 4 oz. steamed green beans with a tiny bit of butter. It took me 45 minutes to eat this. 2030: Protein pudding (instant sugar-free pudding with protein powder mixed in, made with milk) and one single Thin Mint crumbled on top Total was 158.3 grams protein, 122.3 g carbohydrate, 58.7 g fat for a total of 1650 calories. Athletically, my mile run has gone from 15 minutes to about 10 minutes (though I don't run as often as I should), my flexibility and mobility are way improved, and my explosiveness has improved—from nearly missing an 18-inch standing box jump to doing a 30-inch with plenty of clearance. I'm juuuuuust about able to do a pull-up (soon!) and can do ring dips and support my own weight on the rings. I can also climb corral fences a lot better now that I don't have to wait at the top to find my center of gravity. There's some loose skin, especially around my belly. There's a little bit of chicken wing in my thighs and a tiny, nearly unnoticeable amount in my arms. The belly one bothers me because I feel like it pooches out, but obviously I will need to be stabilized at a weight for a while before even thinking about plastics.

Actually its been over TWO years since i had my plastics trifecta (time flies!) my arm scars have faded alot, but are still visble (and wide…boo ) they are light pink and white, but flat so this is good, especially cuz these scars see the light of day the most. my tummy tuck scar is thin and med/dark brownish and still a teeny bit raised in some areas, they dont look raised, but it can be felt when i touch it. Some parts of the line have completely healed and look like normal skin. I joke that my tum scar looks like morse code. My belly button is dark and looks dirty, like i dont clean it or something lol. I often put concealer on it if i know its going to be showing. now my breast lift scars have progressed the least…they are dark reddish brown and noticeably raised at the ends and right under the boobs. This area only had 1 round of steroid shots so I guess it makes sense. No one sees the underboob scars except me and Mr. and neither of us really care. But the ends (near the side flanks) annoy me cuz they can be seen when i wear a halter or bikini top….but i plan to get tattoos to camouflage them, just a matter or time. Oh and these scars are STILL effing itchy! Geez. Sorry this was so long.…and not about food. 😂

That is very normal. Each incision goes through skin, fat, muscle, etc. They are small, but they are VERY deep, and they take time to heal completely. Rest, use a pillow to brace for coughing/sneezing, and take meds to stay ahead of the pain if you need them. Thankfully, the pain usually subsides within a week or two. Hang in there!

Your first surgery was a band? then you revised it to what in 2017? and you just had bypass a few weeks ago? Are you sticking to the program? Following the diets and such? But you are just out of surgery and healing. Some people are slower than others and some loose a ton of weight quick. But as long as you stick to it and follow your programs diets and recommendation you will loose the weight.

I had a mini bypass in February and have had the same problem. Loose stools and gas. I find my odours revolting, as does my family. I think it may be related to what I eat. Recently I ate some fatty food on my birthday and the next day, I had diarrhoea and could barely make it to the toilet. It's so gross, and I feel your pain.

I agree - set reminders to drink every five minutes take a sip, or if you can drink more at once, every 15 minutes. Keep a drink right next to you at all times. Getting dehydrated can lead to all sorts of problems, and is the most common reason people have to go back to the hospital after WLS. You will feel better if you keep drinking those fluids. You will loose less hair and muscle if you get your protein in. You will still lose weight. Good luck!

Welcome. Not all but many bariatric centers require a psychological evaluation before surgery. As for supportive family i personally dont care what they or anyone thinks regarding my surgery. the surgery is for me not for them or anyone else. But i do have friends and family who prefer i dont get the surgery. But yea my bariatric center said those who are very overweight less than 5% ever manage to loose the weight and keep it off. Ive tried and tried and with the results of always gaining more weight than i started once i didnt keep up with the diets.

Lynn, can you talk about the skin surgery? What you had done, results, healing time/process. I anticipate that I will look like a baked apple in a year. I am fine with skin surgery but at the same time hearing from a patient and not just the doc is so helpful! Thanks

Hi! I just finished my 14 days of Lovenox last week, my surgery was 3/22. On the day of my op, the nurse showed me how to do the injections and while the needle was in my skin she would complete the injection and that would make the protective needle cover pop out. This caused a huge bruise. I learned that it hurts much less to give that extra push after pulling the needle out of your skin. I hope I'm making sense but it might be something to try! I also found the lower on my belly I did it, the less it bruised and hurt. Good luck, you'll get through this!!

I'm 3 1/2 yrs post gastric bypass. Lost more than I ever dreamed I'd lose. I'm maintaining at 105 lbs. I wear a size 2P. I've had 5 surgeries in the last 3 1/2 yrs-gastric bypass, hip replacement and 3 plastic surgeries for skin removal. No complications. I'd do it all again today! Absolutely no regrets!

Started at around month 3 or 4 & persisted for about 3 or 4 months. Just noticed more hair in my hands when shampooing. According to my hair dresser I lost about 40% (I think it was more 30%) but I had heaps to begin. You may lose more or less. It’s very individual. I cut my long hair to just above my shoulders so it wasn’t as noticeable. The hair the sheds is hair that you were going to lose anyway - your natural hair loss cycle is just accelerated. Your new hair is growing at the same time but at it’s usual rate so isn’t really noticeable for a while - you’ll start to see fluffy new growth after a month or so depending on how fast your hair grows. Remember all the hair on your head is actually dead & naturally sheds. The live part is root under your skin. So all the vitamins & supplements may do is strengthen your new growth. Fertiliser won’t save dead leaves on a plant or stop them falling off but can promote new leaf growth. Some people swear by vitamins & supplements but they still lose hair over that similar 3 or 4 month period. I never had a problem with my teeth. I go to my dentist every 6 months & he gives me a gold star every time (he was my PE teacher at school & we laugh about it as he never gave me a gold star at school 😆😆). My skin didn’t get drier actually the opposite. Always had dry & itchy arms & legs & those little bumps on my arms regardless of how often I exfoliated & moisturised. Don’t exfoliate at all now. My skin is soft but I do moisturise but not as lavishly. My legs have started to get a little itchy again but I think it’s more to do with shaving than anything else. The better diet. More protein & little or no sugar are why. You will look a little drawn & tired while losing but this settles once you are in maintenance & eating a little more. Everything seems to need time to resettle again.

Regret and Shame. I had a Roun Y 23 years ago. The first cpl years were maGical! The weight dropped off, my skin snapped back, I could do any activity I wanted. Then somewhere between 2-5 yr I started having one more bite, a glass of wine, a bite more dessert and so on. I don’t really have dumping or a ton of restrictions. I eat like everyone else eat the table. I started putting on 10 pounds at a time and finally reached my pre op wt. Because I had an open procedure it took a long time to find the right doc to do a safe revision. My revision was last Tue. I will stay true to the guidance for the long haul. It is a precious tool, but I have to take responsibility for what passes my lips. I’m great full for the community and the support.

I bruised a little but only had to do it for 5 days. You can try (1) icing the area just before injecting (2) insert the needle slowly vs fast jab, and/or (3) make sure to try to insert the needle perpendicular to the skin surface (i.e., straight down instead of at an angle) Good Luck! ❤️

I had the ESG with Dr. McGowan in Cary, NC Oct 14, 2021. VERY happy with him, all his staff and everyone at the Wake Med hospital. FIRST CLASS all the way! That being said. Day of surgery my weight was 253. This coming week is my 6 month anniv and I have lost down to 227. Yes it is great! but I was so hoping for more after 6 months. I reassure myself that my skin will adapt better by losing slower, I haven't had any hair loss, etc. But I am 54 and ready to live my life! This baggage is in my way and keeping me from living my life the way I want to. A few months ago, the nurse put me on Topomax to help with cravings (as my insurance will not pay for Wegovey or other "weight loss" meds- I was a self pay for the surgery). Several months after the surgery I asked the question . . does the Dr. make everyones' stomach in surgery the same resulting 20% size?? or is everyone's different because ... Patient A's stomach could hold 5 lbs of food, and patient B could only hold 1 lb of food. So did they both end up with same size stomach pouch? The answer is no. He gives you stomach pouch that is 20% of YOUR stomach size. So that is why some people can hold more than others. Makes sense. Kind wish I had thought about it pre surgery though! I'd asked for an extra small one! LOL I don't feel a lot of restriction anymore. So I am wondering where do I go from here? Should I ask for a different medication or increased dose of topomax? Does Dr. McGowan have a way to do a scan or ultrasound and see if your sutures have come loose or if your pouch has stretched out? Do they have a way to do a revision and put in tighter sutures or make a smaller pouch? and if they do . . is it the same cost as the original surgery? I know I am under their care program for a year that includes nutrition counseling, etc. Is there a cost to continue that after a year? Anyone who knows answers, please let me know. I want to be able to think about things before my zoom call later this week.

Thanks for the responses! And yes, catwoman7 you are correct you cannot tell. You did a great job hiding it in the pic and you look great! Ive often wondered if it will bother me or not. I guess Ill have a year to deal with it at minimum before having to make that decision. Seems I will most likely have it everywhere, I already have the preverbal dreaded "batwings" and a large belly. I have inner thigh "extras" as well. I pretty much believe my elasticity of my skin will be nonexistent. It took decades to get my body to this horrible state. I hope some of it will go away but if not at least I have some hope of hiding it for a time and getting it removed much later down the road!

Made some Jalepeño Cheddar Corn Bread this AM that we ate with Jerk Chicken wings from the frozen section of the grocery. 2 wings and some cornbread (1/16 of the pan skillet contents) for me: 380 calories. Ate all the bread and one chicken wing (the skin on the wings were too soft for my liking).

I lost 175 lbs and I have a reasonable amount of loose skin. If I didn’t get it removed it would not be the end of the world, by far. I wear close fitting clothes and you can’t see it in pretty much anything I wear, outside of the arm skin for shorter sleeve shirts. I am a daily runner now (which would have been a comical thought a few years ago) and I do have to be mindful of what I wear to “hold in” the loose skin. But overall in daily life it just isn’t a huge issue. I always said I wouldn’t get it removed and you’d think by now I would learn to knock it off with these sorts of statements because now I’m booked to get a fleur de lis tummy tuck, breast lift, and arm lift at the end of august. I have the funds and I just felt like it was time.

My date is April 29.. Really excited and nervous as well..lol. I've been buying stuff for weight loss journey for last 2 months a little at a time and in different brands to see which I.like better. I'm also diabetic so I really have to watch myself. ESPECIALLY when first come home. I'm in great hopes I can stay with the program and loose the weight. I need too. I'm here for anyone that needs to share. God Bless.

Further to this, i’ve been told as little as a 10lb LOSS after plastics may result in less-than-desired results. While regular skin tissue is more elastic and “shrinkable”, scar tissue is not. BUT… full disclosure, i was impatient and had my procedures 6 months after i reached goal (and TBH, was at a “stable weight” for only the 3 months prior to surgery as i kept losing weight for a bit after goal). Im 3.5 years post wls and 2+ years post plastics now…and so far so good. YMMV.

Hi! I had excess skin..and had some of it removed via tummy tick, breast lift and arm lift 14 months post WLS (would have done it earlier but my chosen surgeon was booked) In all only 400g of “material” was removed as it was literally almost all skin (which weighs little) and minimal fat (which weighs lots)…so it had no real impact on my scale weight. Insurance paid for the panniculectumy portion of the TT and i covered the rest. I’m pro-plastics after massive weight loss. Its def a game changer.

I think I can speak on behalf of most of the long-timers on here in that yes, we dreaded the loose skin at first, but we'd take it any day of the week over being morbidly obese again. ANY DAY! I lost over 200 lbs, so I had a lot of loose skin. It was easy to hide in clothes, though (I'll post a picture below). I'd just wear long-ish tops with 3/4 or full-length sleeves and tummy-control leggings (although some thing like Spanx would have worked as well). I had my removed because it started to drive me crazy. My abdominal skin would slap up against me when I exercised - ugh. But yes - it was really just cosmetic, and like I said, no one but me (and my husband) knew it was there. skin doesn't weigh very much. Unless you get a lot of lipo done, too, we're talking less than five lbs. I think I "lost" maybe four lbs when I had it removed (which unfortunately came right back on!) some insurance policies will cover removal if it's causing medical problems, like chronic rashes, that don't respond to conventional treatments. I never had any issues with anything like that, so I paid out of pocket. anyway, here I am BEFORE I had plastic surgery. I had a TON of excess skin, but as you can see, it's pretty easy to hide it if you're wearing the right clothes.

Had my bypass 2017 and ever since I've had problems with wind and bowl movements. They are offensive, often loose and you have to spend ages just flushing the toilet to make them go down. The wind is also uncontrollable, it's embarrassing. Has anyone else found the same and found anything that works.

I get asked this all the time. I always say if you are doing it just to loose weight then don't, the side effects are a lot to deal with. If you are doing it for mental health problems then do it.

How many post sleeve or bypass have the dreaded loose skin? Did you get it removed? Im sure its added weight still there and I imagine it could be a few pounds lost if removed. Im almost anticipating it to be bad for me. Im not sure if my insurance would pay or not. Pretty sure its considered cosmetic. I may pay out of pocket just to finally rid myself of it. Good thing is my Dr who does the sleeve also removes excess skin from weight loss but you have to maintain weight for 1 year before its even considered.

Yes! And felt bones in the back of my neck, on my hip, and even saw ribs in my chest. (Still have tons of excess skin elsewhere, but interesting to see/feel these for the first time).