Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum. I just recently started my WLS journey and find myself having more and more questions each day. My name is Kiley. I'm 29 (soon to be 30 in August), and hail from Ohio.

This coming week I attend my first support group but would like to get a head start on speaking with those who've already had the surgery or like myself, are in the pre-op period.

You know, it's a funny thing. I'm feeling pretty confident about the surgery itself, but the aftermath is what I'm concerned about. For instance, loose skin, saggy breasts and hair loss. Has anyone ever experienced any of these and if so, how did you deal with it? Is there anyway at all to prevent these things from happening? I really don't want to spend the rest of my life going under the knife. Any help is appreciated!

I hate to sound vain by asking these questions but alas, I can't help it, lol. :/

On 6/6/2019 at 11:18 AM, sillykitty said:

This is what the world sees now. Without a doubt worth the trade off!

Wow, you look amazing!

@silly kitty you look fantastic! I’ve started to find that elbow length or 3/4 length sleeves are my friend. I’m always cold anyways so my loose skin is covered and I’m warmer. Kinda worried about bathing suit season though....been procrastinating the new bathing suit purchase.

This is what the world sees now. Without a doubt worth the trade off!

Wow!! You look great!!

I’ll take this arm (with that extra wiggle of skin at the bottom) any day of the week. Being morbidly obese SUCKED

4 hours ago, NYJenn said:

I’ll take this arm (with that extra wiggle of skin at the bottom) any day of the week. Being morbidly obese SUCKED

Love that this pic matches your profile pic!!

On 06/08/2019 at 11:13, ms.sss said:

Love that this pic matches your profile pic!!

Oh my gosh! I didn’t realize! Lol, yes it does ?

On 6/8/2019 at 6:51 AM, NYJenn said:

I’ll take this arm (with that extra wiggle of skin at the bottom) any day of the week. Being morbidly obese SUCKED

Wow, so would I! Congratulations on all your success.

I had zero loose skin and zero hair loss. My wife, who also had the surgery, has some loose skin on her arms but had zero hair loss.

Our surgeon told us to eat tons of protein 140 for her and 200 for me to prevent hair loss. We did that along with starting a workout routine.

My advice, prioritize protein and start working out if you want to minimize these issues.

On 6/10/2019 at 9:18 PM, MeanSleevedMachine said:

I had zero loose skin and zero Hair loss. My wife, who also had the surgery, has some loose skin on her arms but had zero hair loss.

Our surgeon told us to eat tons of Protein 140 for her and 200 for me to prevent hair loss. We did that along with starting a workout routine.

My advice, prioritize protein and start working out if you want to minimize these issues.

Wow that's very encouraging to hear. Are there any specific exercises you'd recommend? Thank you!

I’m still pre-op (surgery next week!) And besides protein and stage appropriate exercise, my surgeon also recommended wearing compression garments during the weight loss phase to help reduce the loose skin (not just hide it after the fact). I should be able to start a week or so after surgery. Fingers crossed

7 hours ago, Never2 said:

I’m still pre-op (surgery next week!) And besides Protein and stage appropriate exercise, my surgeon also recommended wearing compression garments during the weight loss phase to help reduce the loose skin (not just hide it after the fact). I should be able to start a week or so after surgery. Fingers crossed

Good to know. Good luck on your surgery next week! :) I actually got some exercises from my in-person support group that have been known to help with reducing loose skin. The facilitator said that the exercises, coupled with meeting protein goals will help in reducing excess skin. She even said it's OK to add collagen peptide supplements to your diet which have also been known to help. I know Target carries some that you can just mix in with your regular protein powder or even mix with water and drink it plain. I'm not sure how expensive they are, I never checked. But I have seen them. I'm thinking of trying them.

Okay so I’m late to the party, but here is my $0.02.

10 years ago I lost ALL of my hair when I was on chemo for TNBC.
The single biggest risk factor for any kind of cancer is obesity.

Eventually chemo ended, the hair came back (it was really weird hair for the first year— it was frizzy and a bit orange) and by 12-18 months post-Chemo, nobody would’ve known I was bald as an egg previously.

I’m 4.5 months post sleeve, and I’ve noticed some thinning— especially around my temples and on the top of my scalp and it’s slightly annoying because I’d rather not cut my hair until I hit goal and don’t feel like emphasizing my face until then. If it thins much more I might have to cut it.

Another side effect from having breast cancer is 2 reconstructive surgeries and scarring, etc.
the side that got the radiation is much firmer than the unaffected breast and at the end of the day there’s only so much plastic surgeons can do. ?‍♀️

I’ve also got stretch marks in various places across my thighs, abdomen, and upper arms from rapid weight gain and pregnancy. My skin prior to surgery totally was a wreck to start with.

I wanted to go into this detail because I’ve already experienced all of these things you’re worried about, and I was morbidly obese!

How I look at it now is I can have all these issues and be fat, unhealthy, unhappy, and at continued high risk for cancer recurrence, or I can be fit, fabulous, and happy and decide later if I want/need plastics for excess skin.

Honestly the plastic that I want most of all will be Lipo on my thighs.
Even when I was in my 20’s and weighed at or under 135, I HATED my thunder thighs and I had massive cellulite even when I was a size 4/6. *sigh

Edited to add...

I’ve lost 61 pounds and have gone from a size 22 to a size 14 since February 6th.  

Well Wonderful and Happy Occurances for you, Sheribear68, and may they never cease. The World?is a better place with you in it!

On 06/22/2019 at 19:56, Frustr8 said:

Well Wonderful and Happy Occurances for you, Sheribear68, and may they never cease. The World?is a better place with you in it!

Thanks so much!

I absolutely adore all of the wonderful people here and the good vibes and support we get.

17 hours ago, Sheribear68 said:

Okay so I’m late to the party, but here is my $0.02.

10 years ago I lost ALL of my hair when I was on chemo for TNBC.
The single biggest risk factor for any kind of cancer is obesity.

Eventually chemo ended, the hair came back (it was really weird hair for the first year— it was frizzy and a bit orange) and by 12-18 months post-Chemo, nobody would’ve known I was bald as an egg previously.

I’m 4.5 months post sleeve, and I’ve noticed some thinning— especially around my temples and on the top of my scalp and it’s slightly annoying because I’d rather not cut my hair until I hit goal and don’t feel like emphasizing my face until then. If it thins much more I might have to cut it.

Another side effect from having breast cancer is 2 reconstructive surgeries and scarring, etc.
the side that got the radiation is much firmer than the unaffected breast and at the end of the day there’s only so much plastic surgeons can do. ?‍♀️

I’ve also got stretch marks in various places across my thighs, abdomen, and upper arms from rapid weight gain and pregnancy. My skin prior to surgery totally was a wreck to start with.

I wanted to go into this detail because I’ve already experienced all of these things you’re worried about, and I was morbidly obese!

How I look at it now is I can have all these issues and be fat, unhealthy, unhappy, and at continued high risk for cancer recurrence, or I can be fit, fabulous, and happy and decide later if I want/need plastics for excess skin.

Honestly the plastic that I want most of all will be Lipo on my thighs.
Even when I was in my 20’s and weighed at or under 135, I HATED my thunder thighs and I had massive cellulite even when I was a size 4/6. *sigh

Edited to add...

I’ve lost 61 pounds and have gone from a size 22 to a size 14 since February 6th.

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

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