So life happened and I haven't been around for a Really long time but I've missed some of my pals!! From a quick scroll through the list I don't see anyone I recognize here, I was a member when the site was named Something else.

I'm now two years and 3 months out and I had gotten to 120 lbs but did fall at one year out when I hit goal. I think the "what now's" hit me and I failed. Started bingeing on poptarts and Cookies. In ashamed but I'm back on track. Ready to do this thing.

I'm glad to be back. My goal is to lose this weight again keep it off for six months and hopefully get a mommy makeover

Hi and welcome back. Since you don't know anyone currently here, I will introduce myself. Maybe others will, too.

I am Miss Mac, a 63 year old retired federal employee living in the Chicago suburb of Alsip. I got my sleeve and new birthday on December 23, 2013. I am a slow loser, and for a long time my weight loss has been in micrograms instead of pounds, but I am still hanging in there, working toward the prize.

Why did I get bariatric surgery? Unfortunately, I put it off until I had a stroke. Also, my spine was collapsing because it could not carry my weight any more. I have 17 herniated discs that are very happy that most of that weight is gone now.My quality of life has noticably impoved and I have no regrets about the surgery. It saved my life.

Thanks for revealing that your journey has had its ups and downs. You sound like a genuinely open person who will tell the truth and make it real. I hope to see your posts often.

Welcome back Amy! We had surgery around the same time and did C25K at the same time on the "Started C25K..." thread. I'm still around but don't post as much because I'm now living my life to the fullest. I do still read posts on here a lot, especially the vets.

The one thing that helped me mentally the most was plastics. I had mine at 18mo out and the results keep me motivated and at goal. I'm 49 and have a better body than I had at 20.

Thank you for the warm welcome miss Mac! You seem like a sweetheart!!

Hey I remember you!! Iirc, you had less to lose, right? Ooh where did you go for plastics and what did you get? What was recovery like? I want to get it done really really bad but my insurance won't cover a panninulectomy, so I'll have to pay out of pocket.

Any chance you had it done in Mexico? I could have sworn that I saw a hole for him dedicated to people who wanted to get plastics done in Mexico but maybe I'm wrong. And I haven't quite figured out how to navigate this app yet.

*forum

Thank you for the warm welcome miss Mac! You seem like a sweetheart!!

Hey I remember you!! Iirc, you had less to lose, right? Ooh where did you go for plastics and what did you get? What was recovery like? I want to get it done really really bad but my insurance won't cover a panninulectomy, so I'll have to pay out of pocket.

Any chance you had it done in Mexico? I could have sworn that I saw a hole for him dedicated to people who wanted to get plastics done in Mexico but maybe I'm wrong. And I haven't quite figured out how to navigate this app yet.

*forum

I lost 100 total from my top weight.

Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey, MX did my surgeries. There's a forum on ObesityHelp for his patients and when you're close to surgery, there's a Facebook group you can join.

I got a lower body lift, butt flap implant, breast lift/small implants, arm lift and neck lift. Happy with everything except the scar on my back has some keloids. Recovery was uncomfortable but not painful. It took about 4 months to feel normal. At six months I was running half marathons again. I would go to him again in a heartbeat. Such a kind and humble artist.

I lost 102, okay, so similar. Wow, half marathons, you're a rockstar!! Oh goodness four months is SO long!! Iva got 6 children from 3-14. What took he longest to heal!?

Butt flap implants. They really need to come up w a better name for that!

@@amytug welcome back! I remember you. Good for you for getting back on track. Life has a way of derailing us, for sure.

I've never actually reached goal, but it is because I'm too stubborn to just adjust the goal. I really wanted to hit a normal BMI, but that might not even be a good goal for me. I'm in a size 8, and look and feel great (if I do say so myself ). So, I just never change that number, and I think if I went back eating 900 calories I could get there, but not sure it's that realistic. I am working hard enough to maintain this - losing another 10 or 15 pounds just isn't worth it to me! I'm 52 and look better than most people my age.

I also had a lot of plastics in the last year, starting at about 18 months post op. Right behind the gastric sleeve, those procedure were one of the best things I've ever done!

@@amytug remember me? I am 3.5 years post sleeve...1.5 years post reconstructive plastics. I lost over 150. ..so also went to the kind and talented Dr Sauceda! Welcome back!

Welcome back!

Hey!! I remember you as well. I decided to check in today and lurk around. I'm a few pounds over goal and a lot of pounds over my lowest weight. I'm crazy active but eating like an idiot. I'll do well for two weeks and then make stupid choices. Bah to cyclical dieting. Anyhow- I'm glad you're reaching out and getting back on track. I'm reading over threads and I'm seeing it's definitely possible but the struggle is real. best of luck to ya!