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When I was younger, I could eat anything and never gain weight. I haven't always been big. I tried all ways to lose weight. 5 years ago, I watched what I ate and exercised. I got down to 310. I was on what some people would call the " broke" diet. I lost a lot of weight because I wasn't eating right. As soon as I got a better job, I started eating more, not better. I gained 90 pounds. Then the pandemic happened and I was sent home to work. I gained 60 pounds in a year and couldn't lose it. Every doctor I ever had told me I couldn't get the surgery, due to health reasons. Finally I get a PCP this year that suggested it to me. That was in April 2021. I got a referral in a week, went to a seminar and scheduled my first surgeon appointment in May 2021. I fully expected to be told no but the surgeon said I was a good candidate and started the ball rolling. I have great insurance and didn't need a lot of requirements. Just proof I tried to lose weight supervised, which I had been seeing a nutritionist. Upper endoscopy, psych eval, dietitian appointment, and blood work. I had all that done by July 2021 and got scheduled for surgery August 25, 2021. I am less then 2 weeks post op and already feel better. More energy, not thinking about food all the time, saving money from not eating out. My stats are 40 F, 5'10", HW 463 SW 430 CW 410 GW 200 Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app

Two and a half years out, I have no regrets at all. The process has its ups and downs, but at no time have I ever wished I didn't do it. I'm normal-sized for the first time since I was about eight years old. Things that used to be a struggle, I can do without thought now. I got stuck in a middle seat on a five-hour flight and I was REALLY dreading it. But when the time came, it was really no big deal. Sure, I'd rather have a window or aisle, but it wasn't the catastrophe it would have been when I was at my top weight. Because I had been heavy since childhood, I still find surprises every day as I learn to navigate the world in my new body. I even enjoy being able to walk into a room and not stand out because of my size. Maintenance is a learning curve for sure - sometimes I get too relaxed and gain five pounds and then I'll overcorrect and lose eight, LOL. But it's all good and I'm figuring it out.

I know some people say they are afraid to have plastic surgery because of the scars they will have afterwards. Well, I know everyone doesn't scar the same way but I think mine are pretty typical. I would rather have this scar all the way around my body than the rolls of loose skin I had before it was removed. I took these this morning when I realized yesterday was my one yr plastic surgery anniversary for my lower body lift and brachioplasty. These pictures are my hips and the scars are easily covered by underwear or bathing suit.

I had surgery on Monday 8/30. Since then I have had 1 of my 6 incision site continuously been extremely painful. It's the only site that's bruised, steri-strip is bloody and it hurts soooo much. When ever I move or have to engage that part of my core (sitting up, going to the bathroom, laying in bed, even just standing up) it hurts. It's like a burning, sharp ripping feeling and it legit makes me see stars and lose my breath. I called and sent a photo to my doctor and they said it was normal. They gave me a stronger pain medication but it only makes me high and doesn't tough the pain when I move. Could they have stitched me up a little off? Anyone else experience this? I need it to be tolerable by Monday so I can go to my work office for 1 hour. I feel alone and absolutely hate doing anything right now because of this. Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

I wasn’t a great sleeper averaging about 5 hours a night but would have odd nights where I would get only an hour or two or none at all. After surgery I started to sleep a lot better & average 7-8hrs a night. It’s wonderful. Not sleeping well though lately not sure why but that dang bird that starts twittering hours before dawn (sparrow fart) is pissing me off as is the guy across the road who leaves for work at dawn & needs to get his car fixed - it’s not supposed to grind & screech like that mate!! I still pee a lot a night. Never a diabetic or pre diabetic just drank a lot of water. Used to drink most in the afternoon & night because I’d get too busy at work. Now I drink all day & night so peeing a lot is to be expected. Just a thought but have you had your melatonin levels checked? Low levels can cause sleep issues.

I am not diabetic but I have to take oxybutinin for excessive sweating which is actually an incontinence medication and decreased sweating is a side effect. Anyways, since I started it i noticed that I do not get up to go pee nearly as many times a night (or during the day for that matter). Maybe your doctor would consider you trying that if you need it to get better sleep. Not sure if it works for men too??

@lizonaplane Yeah my doctor just told that is my body act works even had my urologist look at it and no issues with my prostate I know that is a huge factor specially for men over 40. I am a coffee head, but I usually stop my last cop before 3 pm. I will just have to wait and see how is turns out for me. And congratulations your on your upcoming surgery.

Yes, makes perfect sense. When I do what I'm supposed to do I can take off weight fairly easily but not as easily with the band and I haven't been as motivated to keep it off. I had my band removed in 2018 and I am now 2 weeks post op VSG. I'm glad to hear that you have done the work and have a supportive circle. Now, it's up to us to commit, remain consistent and do what we know to do.

LisaMarrie, I appreciate your reply. Have you had your revision surgery yet? I am taking all your words in and have been thinking about this all morning. I have had mental health therapy along with my eating disorder and have worked on a lot of this in the past. I just sometimes doubt myself. If I already know what to do, why do I ignore myself? I am super grateful I have a loving husband and a best friend that both support my decision. My family is on board too but it’s my own shame of having to do this again that is difficult. I guess that’s another subject I can touch on but after 17 years of living with bypass surgery, I almost have to starve myself to lose any weight at all. Is that ring true for you too? It’s so hard to lose weight now that my stomach is stretched and having to eat 800 to 900 calories to lose weight makes for a very cranky lady. I just want to feel like this time it’s forever. I feel ready and want these thoughts I’m having are normal and others might have felt the same way. Make sense?

I guess I will have to try something new now. I had my surgery Friday and they were unsuccessful doing the revision because of so much scar tissue from my perforated ulcer in 2012. He was able to repair my hiatal hernia but that’s all. Not sure how I’m feeling about it yet. I’m sure it will sink in sooner or later. Thanks for the reading references too.