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I’m so glad and grateful to be home. Even while in the hospital I noticed how much I was able to walk and hold a conversation while even just walking 300 feet (little over 90 meters). My surgeon even said I looked much better than before surgery and my 15yr old told me that she was happy to see me back and that it was sad watching me slowly decline (she had never shared that with me! 😭). Recovery is expected to last 4-6 weeks for bone healing but cardiac rehab lasts 8-12 weeks and starts week 2-4 post op.

I just got the call today that my surgery is scheduled for February 7th! I'm both excited and nervous, I knew this day would come, but I'm still in shock 🤣

And here are my stats! I cannot believe I am 1/3 of the way towards my goal and that I've lost 76.5 inches from all over my body!! I definitely feel it!

I'm on a bra fitting FB group and this complaint gets posted ALL THE TIME!! Usually by post nursing moms and weight loss patients. I too am really surprised no one has targeted this market with a cutlet thing that helps fill in that space and can be transferred from bra to bra! The prosthetics don't work because they are for a totally different breast issue. And push up bras can only do so much and sometimes make it look worse!!

You must be pleased to be home. How long is the recovery time expected to be? Do you notice any difference yet? A few people I know who’ve had various heart surgeries all have said said they didn’t realize how much they’d deteriorated & struggled until after their surgeries.

Oh yeah. They’re a big thing. I still get attacks usually if a food is coarser than I expected (some vegetables can be too fibrous some days). And sometimes if something sits a bit more heavily in my tummy. Some people rarely experience them & others, like me, are a little more sensitive & have them more often. I can go for months without experiencing one & then oh no. As I said I feel fine after I’ve bought up the offending mouthful or two & often can go back & finish my meal (avoiding the offending component). Had an attack last night with mince. Yes mince. Yet I ate it the night before without a problem. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I bought so many knickers & bras as I lost weight cause of the sizes I dropped through. Baggy knickers & saggy bras are the worst. Buy the bare minimum. Who cares if you’re washing every couple of days. I did get properly fitted for bras on the way because of back pain - bras that fitted & back pain went. (I’m larger too & also need cups wider than many make.). I also bought Bonds/Hanes bralettes for around the house. They’re cheap & I can get them from the supermarket here in Australia. I went to Target for knickers. I didn’t/don’t wear any compression underwear so I can’t help you with that. I donated my proper bras as I dropped sizes. Couldn’t with my knickers though. All the best with your continued weight loss.

If you plan to get skin removal surgery and want it to be covered by insurance, make sure you document with your doctor ALL problems with skin rashes, sores etc. It isn't usually covered since it is considered cosmetic but if you can show a history of problems, there's a better chance of it being covered. I have lost over 100 pounds and have some loose skin, but I am getting cryo therapy twice a week. It helps to produce collagen and tightens my skin as the weight comes off. If I had waited till I hit goal weight, I don't think it would have been as effective. I also sit in an infrared sauna which has its own list of benefits. Rebounding helps too. There are some alternatives to surgery. Being proactive is important but it also depends on the amount of weight you have to lose and DNA. When I had rashes before losing the weight, I used a baby powder/cornstarch blend to keep the area dry. Moisture can make things painful and possibly infected. Good luck!!

Menopause is the worst. It’s when I gained my weight. Went from 60 to 75kg very quickly during perimenopause. This was my usual fluctuation so I didn’t worry that much. Then entered full menopause & bam another 15kgs. I swear I gained it overnight. Several of my friends were the same - gained 10-15kgs very quickly with menopause. Couldn't really shift a kilo of it. Drop a couple & put them straight back on. I had hoped that being on HRT might balance out my hormones & help me lose some weight but nope. Struggled for a couple of years. Wasn’t happy. That’s when I decided to have my sleeve. Why don’t you try getting in contact with a bariatric surgeon to discuss your revision options like to a DS. Does your surgeon who did your RNY still practice? Have you considered whether the new GLP - 1 medications might be an option? Certainly worth a conversation with a surgeon. PS Congratulations on your long term success with your original surgery. Such an achievement.

I am sure the good people on here will help you out with finding a group. Lots of us have used this forum to chat and find advice. Its a wonderful group, we have all be through it and between us have had every problem going related to the surgery and recovery.