Search the Community

I stalled for a long time (several months) and I am within healthy weight range so I figured I was now at maintenance. I stopped weighing myself so often because I’m not obsessed about it…. BUT…. I guess I started losing again because I am at 173 this morning. If I reach 155 that is an unhealthy range for my height. So I am still twenty pounds from an unhealthy range and I have to pick up the calories before I get there and drop below that threshold. (family wise: my moms side of the family tends to be very thin and they usually fall below the norm BMI weight ratio) as far as activity: I don’t go out of my way to exercise but I am very active during the day. I am on my feet all day as a teacher, I go out and play handball/basketball with my students during recess and lunch, constantly walking across our large campus, and rotating the classroom all day as well. I swim and go to the beach with my own kids or hike with them on weekends. I’m definitely not sedentary but I’m not running any 5ks either. My joints are still damaged and I have to be careful. the nurse recommended strength training with resistance bands to help maintain muscle mass. she didn’t tell me NOT to loose more weight, she just told me that I should be looking towards improving my calorie count so my body doesn’t go into starvation mode and messing with my metabolism. i guess I will just have to throw in some snacks and get used to brushing my teeth a zillion times a day. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’ve been looking up higher calorie healthy foods and I’ll try some out next week

panni just removes excess skin and doesn't necessarily have the goal of making everything attractive or even natural. In fact, some people lose their belly buttons, from what i understand lower body lift does front and back plus mons lift. Lipo and muscle tightening are usually included. There is an attempt to make everything look natural This is what most people get. Fleur de lis is the lower body lift with the addition of a vertical incision going all the way up your front - up to right under the ribs. It's usually done if you have a lot of excess skin high up where it's hard to reach with a normal lower body lift. It's not very common, but it does really pull everything tight. I don't think I'd bother with a plain panni unless you have financial restrictions. The full lower body lift is going to look a lot better. If you have a ton of excess skin, esp up near your ribs, you may want the FDL cut added in as well. I was kind of borderline, but we decided to do the standard lower body lift first, and then if I felt like I still had too much excess skin, he'd add a FDL cut later. I ended up not bothering with it. I do still have a little excess skin up near my ribs, but no one can see it other than me, and it's honestly not that bad unless I bunch it up with my hands (which - when are you going to do that??). It pretty much came down to which would I rather live with - a little excess skin high on my torso, or a big scar going up my middle? Six of one, half dozen of the other, was my opinion. So I just kept what I had (a standard LBL (lower body lift)). The FDL cut would have been additional money, too, since it would have been done in a separate surgery.

Thanks for the encouraging words and advice everyone. Lol, I did the Botox thing once in my early 40’s (I’m 53) and my kids were relentless. They would intentionally do things to make me angry so they could laugh at me when I couldn’t scowl at them. I love the smaller version of me, but all the “droopyness” EVERYWHERE is really getting on my nerves. I’m definitely not a fan of fillers, I just want the saggy skin gone. I will start trying to get some before and after pics going soon. I’m definitely going to want to chronicle my plastics journey. Like so many people here, I’ve become a pro at hiding the excess skin, but many times that game gets tiring. I’m a wimp when it comes to pain, but I’m so over this extra skin that I don’t care anymore.

So good to hear about the success. Overall I am good, but I cannot say my diet is the healthiest. I find eating carbs to be way too easy to digest and my sedentary life style working home all day in front of a computer doesn't help. I am depressed that it seems way too easy to eat more food now, such as whole (store-bought) burrito in one sitting, or two pieces of pizza instead of just one, or a fairly large salad. My little egg-sized stomach has definitely stretched. 😞 I also starting drinking Diet Coke in the morning. For three years I didn't touch it, but recently I starting drinking the mini Cokes--only one in the morning--and was surprised there were no repercussions, so that is my indulgence when I start my work day. Unfortunately, the Girl Scout cookies also seem to be digesting all too well. I did undergo a panniculectomy and a breast reduction and feel so much better since I did that. The relentless neck pain from carrying the weight of the breasts and the back ache from the stomach skin pretty much disappeared. My arms and thighs are still scary large and saggy but I just don't think I have the bravery to do another plastic surgery. It was rough! One very upsetting side effect (other than I still have thinning hair) are that I have had four kidney stones since last May. Dr. Google confirmed that there is a correlation between gastric bypass and an increase in kidney stones. They are crippling, and from what I understand, an intake of animal protein is partly to blame. I absolutely need to consciously drink more water so would LOVE to hear y'all's tips and tricks for remembering to drink water!

This is what my PS told me when I first consulted with her and she's really good at what she does, she's also professor of PS at the local university, so I trusted her advice... she said most women that have lost a lot of weight, like over 100 lbs, usually have saggy skin above the belly button also, so they need a Fleur. If you go with just a "regular" tummy tuck that they do for like a mommy makeover, you will have a tightened lower abdomen, and still be left with saggy skin above the belly button. It will look out of proportion. So she did a Fleur on me. And I'm happy that she did.

18 years ago, I had a RNY. I lost 124 lbs. I kept most of it off until the last 3 years when I gained about 45 pounds. I have been successful in losing weight that additional weight and am back with 5 pounds of my lowest weight! I did not have plastic surgery 18 years ago and it's my biggest regret. Now that I am stable in weight, I'm looking at plastic surgery. I've talked to 2 Docs. And I'm confused and torn. Doc#1 says Fleur. He says that I don't have much back skin/fat. He can pull the skin forward and tighten it. I have a pronounced belly that hangs quite low and I get heat rashes/yeast infections frequently. Doc#1 says that Fleur should be a great solution. He said it will also take care of my sagging mons. (Which I really want gone!) He will also tighten my abs after nearly 50 years of weight gain and loss. Doc#2 says to do a panniculectomy and lipo around the sides. She feels this is the best option as my frame is not necessarily curvy and she could not be sure of getting a flatter tummy. Let's assume, this is all out of pocket cost. I like both Docs. Which would you choose and why? I could use some insight and advice! Thanks

I would definitely wait. I totally get your concerns and I know that most doctors have the 2 week liquid diet but in reality I know many people who they “pushed thru” with just a few days liquid prior. So yea I would not loose. Insurance can be a b***h!

Hey there! I am just at a 40 bmi with no co morbidities so my dr actually told me to maintain my weight until surgery. Although I do still have to do the 2 week diet prior and I’m sure I will he said at that point the weight won’t matter. My journey was a little different I did all my pre op testing cardio, pulmonary, nutrition, psych, sleep study and my 12 office visits (per my insurance, Aetna) then I was approved at the end of January. I asked to be scheduled mid April due to some work things I had going on. I now have to do more testing at the hospital on 4/15 an EKG, chest X-ray, Covid test and blood work, I’ll see my primary Mon 4/18 for final clearance and then hospital 4/19. But back to your original question don’t worry too much you will loose in the 2 weeks and be a rockstar!

Hey @Sheribear68. Lovely to see a post from you again & that you’ve been continuing o do so well. Yay! I haven’t gone down the plastics route but a girlfriend & fellow sleever (& both almost 57) often talk about the only way we will be able to get rid of our facial droop is with a face lift to cut off the skin excess skin but we’re too scared. We’ve only just gone down the Botox route (we blame peer pressure 😆) not that it will help the droop it but does reduce some of the associated wrinkling (my marionette lines beside my chin aren’t as deep or long whoo hoo ). I can’t do fillers because of an allergy but I’m not really upset about that as I’m not a lover of that puffy face look. I had a round face for too many years. All the best for your TT, lipo & thigh lift surgery & your foot surgery too.

It's the small things that really make the beginning of this journey wonderful. I'm not very far out (Sleeved 03/07/22) but the little things that keep happening and changing are reminding me that it was so worth it. I have lost about 30lbs since the start of my journey (HW:281 SW:268 CW:237) and am smaller than I have ever been in my adult life. I see the small things changing and it keeps me fighting. Yesterday, I bought size 20 jeans that are even a tad loose on me and I've always been 22-24s. I bought some workout pants a few months ago that I thought would fit but were too small and put them on today and they fit PERFECTLY. I see my face thinning and can feel my collarbone. Just remember to celebrate the little things! And when things are getting tough, remember where you started and where you are now and keep fighting! I'm rooting for you all!

Yesterday was my one year surgiversary. Weight loss surgery was an amazing decision and my only regret is not doing it sooner. At one year, I’ve lost 47% of my body weight going from a size 18-20 (2x) to a size 4-6 (small). I feel better. I can walk around and do normal tasks without being exhausted. My acid reflux has improved, no more knee pain, no more incontinence… I feel great. I have excess skin I’m considering having removed, but it sure beats all the fat. I’m down to my goal weight and praying I’m able to maintain it for the long run! Losing 106 pounds (226 to 120) was not easy and I’m scared of gaining it back. My goal now is to increase my exercise to more than just chewing (haha). Shopping for “regular” size clothes and having them fit is so much fun. I love being able to cross my legs. I don’t need the X-Large blood pressure cuff at the doctor. I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable in a bathing suit, but I’m ok in my everyday clothes. I no longer dread having my picture taken. My BMI went from 42 (morbidly obese) to 22 (normal). My husband and son tell me they’re proud of me. Most importantly, I’m proud of myself. I was scared to have weight loss surgery, but fortunately it has turned out way better than I ever could of hoped for. I’d love to hear other peoples’ successes and hope my story inspires others considering weight loss surgery just as the stories other folks shared inspired me. HAPPY SURGIVERSARY!

Thanks for the input! I’ve heard horror stories of people looking pregnant for months afterwards or horrible infections, always having to wear compression, etc… From the time I was 13, I’ve had the most horrible legs/thighs. Even now at a size 6, I’ve got thunder thighs that are half cellulite, half hanging skin. Add in my loose tummy skin and I’m jealous of ET’s body. I’ve got a very strong core thanks to yoga and pilates and my PS said he doesn’t think I will need any kind of muscle repair. If you pull back my tummy skin, I’ve actually got some impressive abs! I’ve had 2 kids, but no C-sections so that’s good. Also, many of the horror stories are from women who had a much higher BMI going into plastics than I have. I’m mostly worried about how the thigh lift will go. I’ve purchased a few professional summer dresses that I can wear compression shorts under for when I’ll go back to work, which will be 3 weeks PO. If I have a good experience with this and like the work, I’m totally saving up for a facelift within the next couple of years. Lol, work and save. Have surgery. Work and save. Repeat. 🤣

Okay so lets both take a deep breath together and break some of this down: Almost everyone here is here because we’ve had a history of eating/food/metabolism/addiction/toxic relationship issues. Maybe I’ve left a couple of things out, but that’s a good starting place. Let me start by saying that I’m now 3 years and 2 months from VGS. I had exceptional results. Lost over 100% excess fat, exceeded everyone’s expectations, and have more or less maintained. I lost 135 pounds in 9 months. Went from 267-132 (SW was 246). I’ve managed to maintain between 137-147 in the last 2 years after the free-fall dropped me down to 132. I was a hot mess at 132– BMI was right at 20% and people asked me all the time if I was sick. What I’m saying is the 10 pound “regain” is okay because I know that’s where my body needs to be. That being said, it’s still work. I still have to monitor what/how much I put in my mouth. Sometimes I tend to drink too much and I realize I’m using alcohol as a sub for food and then I stop and regroup. Sometimes I will find myself emotionally eating and have to stop and regroup. Sometimes I’m having a bad day or I’m on vacation and I just don’t give a damn. Afterwards I will stop and regroup. Only you (working with a therapist) can help deal with those habits, recognize them either during or after, then course correct. YOU do have all the power. Families can and will be toxic. If at all possible, have an exit strategy when it becomes too much. Have a go-to that doesn’t involve comforting with food and do that activity. Even if it’s as simple as putting on earbuds and listening to a guided medication. Even if you can’t physically exit the room. Also, I’m going to recommend that-for the short term at least-you’re going to have to let a certain amount of it roll off of you. You have decided a change is needed, but others aren’t compelled to go along with. In a perfect world, they would, but none of us got morbidly obese by living in a perfect world. I’m going to come out front and tell you that you WILL lose friends over this. There will be some relationships that WILL NOT be the same. They might end forever. You are about to embark on an amazing, difficult, rewarding, trying, and fantastic journey. It will be ugly at times. You will have highs and lows that will give you whiplash. You will not be the same person next year that you are this year. You MUST be prepared for all of this and be willing to embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s okay to vent. This is one of the safest spaces ever so vent away unapologetically. I’m trying my best to take my own advice because I’ve got plastics set up for May and my husband and my son are the only other two people on the planet who are aware I’m going to do this. I’m keeping it a secret from the rest of my family because of how many of them reacted when I had WLS. If any of them notices (somewhat doubtful as I can hide a LOT of skin under my clothes and nobody is going to see me naked) I will tell them after the fact - unapologetically and with a challenge in my tone. That challenge will remind them of how far and how successful I’ve become since I started this journey in early 2018. You’ve got this. We are here to help

I’m pear shaped and have lost weight/inches off my stomach, but the extra skin still hands off the front like an apron. I’ve a ways to go yet and try to look at a number of non-scale victories like climbing stairs easier, new smaller flattering clothes, or balancing on one leg longer than 10 seconds. I still measure mostly so I find the right sizes online or in thrift stores. I realized that the bat wings on my arms are not going to give me an accurate measure because there’s so much leftover skin. I try to focus on my muscle definition instead. The skin is my Clark Kent outfit, but underneath I’m Super Woman!

I had that so bad before surgery. My skin looks amazing now. One thing tho I have the most sensitive skin now. Anything sets off a rash. Sent from my SM-A326U using BariatricPal mobile app

The belly button is new. I naturally have a high belly button and with the existing tattoo (what remains is the half that was above my "old" belly button), we (me and PS) decided to be "conservative" and go with a higher placed scar with scar revision(s) planned in the future. I didn't have enough skin to remove the tattoo completely so it was more important to me that the remaining portion not be totally distorted. My bikini wearing days are long gone so hiding the scar was not as important. It will be easy to remove more of the tattoo without distorting it and lower the scar an inch at a time. The scar revision is an office procedure done under local anesthesia so not a huge deal.

Just the lateral one unless you have a ton of skin above your belly button. I had muscle repair with my tummy tuck. I'm still quite swollen in the picture. My scar is high (planned) and I will be having scar revision to lower it.

I am so sorry that this has happened to you, its so tough loosing your Mum especially during this pandemic. You have woken up and have asked for help and thats all that matters. There is a lady on here called @GradyCat Who has started her diet from the beginning again and she may be the best one to advise you. Good luck and be kind to yourself, depression is awful. Hugs x

I was sleeved 12/14/21 and I have lost 50 lbs. I’m starting to experience hair loss , I’m noticing In The shower I’m loosing more hair I’ve been using a very good shampoo since 3 months pre op . I’m hoping it’s a very minimal that I loose. I don’t color or chemically treat my hair also . My hair is very natural. So I’m hopeful this isn’t to bad.

I have problems with different things (berry skins!) and it's different on different days which makes it tough to get used to things. But I can eat a wide enough variety of things to keep me happy and interested and healthy. It's scary sometimes but it's already starting to get slowly easier.

I do not know if it counts. I am used to take my blood pressure every morning after taking my pills. I normally just slide my arm in the sleeve of my monitor without adjusting the Velcro. Well, yesterday I had to re adjust the sleeve because it was too loose in my arm

Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear! I'm going to wait until June to try any Low carb tortillas or bread. I hear chicken can give people problems too. I'm a vegetarian so I haven't found my protein sources to cause any issues. I eat tofu, eggs, cheese, plant based burger meat, chickpea pasta and I'm 34 days post op about. I got really sick eating zuchinnni because they weren't cooked enough and I didn't chew the skins properly. I get being annoyed by the pain. I'm so scared of dumping. Will keep you posted. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok. So the apron skin is getting chafed and blistersy underneath but a search for underwear that protects it is coming up empty. Who recommends what? Ive got medicated spray powder and baby wipes but I live in the south and I garden. Help! Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app

OP is participating in the chit-chat, so I think OP will survive now that OP did get an answer (I'm in this thread originally answering the question) But you're right. It'd be nice if we had a more loose forum for socializing beyond answering if it's normal to have a stall at 3 weeks for the 10000th time.