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Congrats on your decision @rp1980. Wishing you success on your journey!

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Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

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Hi Dione,

Congratulations on your decision to be a healthier you!

I would suggest you walk a lot and do some extra strength training on your lower body.

I have been doing a lot of walking and have lost a lot of inches off of my hips and thighs. I am apple-shaped and I wish the inches would leave faster from my upper body. Especially my stomach. Oh boy! Everyone says that the stomach is the last to go. I can't wait for it's exit! :blink:

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I totally agree with the stomach issue. I still have a ways to go with lose but the sides of my stomach are smooth. The front sticks out,smh. I use a waist cincher and it helps with the inches on my stomach.

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Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

I'm not pear shaped, but I am definitely bottom heavy. Even though I have lost 80lbs I can still wear some of my old clothes because of my thighs & hips. I've been doing a lot of cardio and some weight lifting/strength training. I'm going to try and switch that around. My biggest challenge is arthritis in both my knees.

On a positive note, the stretch marks on my tummy and arms appear to be fading as I lose weight.

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Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

I'm not pear shaped, but I am definitely bottom heavy. Even though I have lost 80lbs I can still wear some of my old clothes because of my thighs & hips. I've been doing a lot of cardio and some weight lifting/strength training. I'm going to try and switch that around. My biggest challenge is arthritis in both my knees.

On a positive note, the stretch marks on my tummy and arms appear to be fading as I lose weight.

Congratulations on your weight loss! That's awesome. I know that I will have to be diligent in working out to tone my trouble areas. I love Water aerobics and swimming, so I hope I can start off with that before the summer ends. Have you tried Water exercises? Your news on stretch marks is definitely encouraging. I'm looking at firming and stretch mark creams right now. Thank you for replying and I wish you continued success. :)

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I do aquafit classes at my gym. However like everything I do, I go hard. I was going to the gym 5 - 6 days a week. I had to take this week off because my knees were really starting to hurt. At my gym the aquafit classes vary depending on whose teaching. Some classes are weight lifting and stretching, others are like zumba in the Water and others are high energy aerobic workouts with lots of jumping and running laps in the pool. I wear supportive TEVA Water shoes, but my knees were starting to feel it. I just need to change up my routine. I'm only going to do one high energy class a week and then try and add some other types of exercise into my routine.

For the incisions I used scarfade gel since I tend to keloid. On my stomach and arms I just used bio oil, however I have very dry skin so I use Johnson's baby oil gel with aloe vera on my body daily after showering. I also drink plenty of water so I think it's really a combination of things.

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Hi, everyone! My name is Dione, and I am so happy to have found this support group. I am scheduled to be sleeved on June 10, and the anticipation of it all is almost unbearable sometimes. I have to be honest, I am feeling all kinds of ways about this journey, but the most dominate feeling is excitement! My birthday is July 3, but my new life day will be June 10.

I have read a lot of the earlier posts about the worry of where excess skin will be. I am pear shaped and carry all of my weight in the lower half of my body. By my surgery date, I will still have about 170+ lbs to lose. Is there anyone who is shaped in the same way and has experienced that type of weigh loss here? I would be interested in knowing what you have experienced.

Also, any suggestions you have for preparing for surgery would be greatly appreciated, as well. Be blessed, everyone.

I'm also pear-shaped (meaning my waist is at least 20 inches smaller than my hips). It seems I've lost weight all over, including my waist. I started out at 402 and on my surgery date (12/15/14) I was 370. I am currently at about 335, so I've lost weight kind of slow or at a more natural pace. I still have about 135 to lose but I think I'm happy with my progress so far.

I definitely recommend exercising regularly in some form (including weight training) and sticking to high Protein, high veggie diet.

Edited by MyssJones

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Hello Ladies. I am early in my journey (meeting with the surgeon in two weeks) but I am so scared about losing my hair. I have very nice dread logs and I am so afraid of losing them. Did anyone notice lots of loss? If so, how much and for how long?

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@@Highdee215 - I have just a little past bra strap length locs. I noticed a little thinning around the end of month 5. Mostly it's just my temple area. This was already a weak spot for me because I am post menopausal. I already take Biotin and use JBC regularly. I am 7½ months and it seems to have stabilized. I don't see lots of new growth, but it doesn't feel like it's getting any worse. I can style around the thinning areas and I've just taken care to be extra gentle with my hair. Apparently there is not much you can do except wait it out. I meet my Protein and fluids goals daily. I get between 70 - 85 gms of protein each day and take my Vitamins and supplements daily.

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Hi everyone my name is badia I go by babyboo I have been slowly getting my clearances done due to lack of support and a recent change of heart and fear I'm back at it now ready to finish my clearance so I can get a date for surgery everyone wish me luck

Edited by Ms. Babyboo

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Hi everyone my name is badia I go by babyboo I have been slowly getting my clearances done due to lack of support and a recent change of heart and fear I'm back at it now ready to finish my clearance so I can get a date for surgery everyone wish me luck

best wishes!!

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Hello everyone, I want to respond about hair issues. I was worried about Hair loss. I am relaxed and no color :-). I heard about Andrew Lessman, hair, skin and nails Vitamins. I bought them and did not experience hair loss. I cant say it was the only reason but I swear by them. I also take the other required vitamins. Make sure your Iron level is good or you will definitely have hair issues. Good luck everyone.

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Hi everybody! Im from phila and my surgery date is June 3rd!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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