CowgirlJane

There are vets who post but you are right that many leave. Some just don't need or want it to be a focus anymore but many move on to private groups (Facebook etc) to seek support. This is why I hope we can keep the veterans forum active so people can get meaningful support here.

I am 2.5 years out and at goal. About month 7 my losses slowed to a crawl... like I dropped to losing 2-3# a month and I still had a long ways to goal. Too many carbs.... I eliminated Protein bars and changed my workout to high intensity and I got back on track.. losing more like 8-10 a month to get to goal. I lost 150 over 14 months to get to goal...lost another 18 after getting to goal.

It's more than height. Body type, how much muscle, even how long you were obese plays a role in how "heavy" you look at a given weight. I am 5'5" spent decades in the 250-300 plus weight class and I am big framed (wide shoulders, big ribcage, size 9.5 feet) and I currently weigh 140. I had breast augmentation but my measurements are approx 39-29-36 ... hardly too skinny. I think you would be fine in the 140s but are probably just fine where you are...personal preference.

You know I sorta forgot how...odd...I felt having to have WLS. I mean not just Frankenstein due to the incisions but freakish for having a lapband. I often even denied it..like...lapband wasn't "real" bariatric surgery. Queen of DeNile! !! Life has gone better for me once I recognized that I had a serious illness (obesity), it was getting worse and worse in spite of my treatments (weight watchers, medically supervised diets, Optifast, nutrisystems, lapband etc) and the complications (arthritis, constant pain, sleep apnea, decreased mobility) were sucking the joy out of my life. Once I faced how much it sucked, my level of focus toward making the bariatric surgery ( sleeve) work for me increased expontially... shifted focus away from worrying about scars, lose skin and missing food to worries about saving my life. I am not saving band to sleeve revision is right for everyone but I am saying...don't give up. I failed alot before finding this success. I have many "battles" ahead (maintenance) myself.

I was about 2 weeks post op before I weighed myself... I had gained about 8-9 pounds I think mostly from fluid/swelling. I floated around in the 5-8 pounds higher for months... It was probably 4-5 months post op before my weight reflected the 5.5# of skin removal. My appetite went through the roof after plastics.... increased need for fuel for healing. I had to work hard to eat Protein and not let my eating get out of control. Some people gain weight due to appetite. I am a bit surprised how much you gained, but, Fluid is amazingly heavy!

fye - your dad looking to adopt any new children? My 4th plans involve staying home to keep my dogs from going crazy and my horses from running through a fence once the air attack begins in earnest. I am outside any city limits so we get lotsa boom boom. tino invited me to go out on Lake Washington on his boat and watch fireworks... sounds fun, right? With the pack of 12-13 year olds! Now, they are a fun group but I want adult time and it is too early in our relationship for me to to take on some kind of role as "dad's girlfriend" so i am backing out of that one. Besides.... horses and dogs.... My friend Mary invited me to bring my dogs to her place and hang out with some friends for the day (she runs a doggie daycare and often hosts doggie parties!) but... the horses. Florinda - what neighborhood of Seattle did you land in?

I understand the desire for people to get their own personal answers to their own personal questions.... so I just ignore many of the repeated questions figuring others will answer, but I do try to stay on the band to sleeve revisions and the plastic surgery ones. It is a serious concern though of maintaining an environment that people stay around longer term because that is a real benefit to all of us. Part of it is that people frankly don't understand some things that they personally have not been through. For example, I was sharing something I had experienced, as someone who has been maintaining for awhile now, and I was accused of having an eating disorder because I was "hypersensitive" to criticism of the way I eat. WTF? Another time I was accused of being a bully for disagreeing with a factually incorrect statement relating to plastics in Mexico. I know that people newly sleeved and in the honeymoon phase, rolling along, think they got it all figured out - but truth of the matter is that as time goes on, your experiences and challenges evolve and change. I try to not take it personally. The more time goes on, the less I know - that's for sure. Back in the 2000 timeframe, when I was a lapband person (called Bandsters in those days!) the vet forum was HIDDEN on the support group site I frequented. It was a terrible situation for newbies - if I had access to that vet site before I was banded, I would have never done it. It wasn't till I was a year out and having complications that I realized how many people had my same problems. I hope that we can continue to have a vets forum here that is actually for vets to discuss vets issues (and not "ask a vet") otherwise people go underground and off to private/hidden support groups and everybody loses.... When Vets' conversations are visible to everyone, but the vets feel free to discuss and are supported by other vets - newbies learn from what they read while vets still have a meaningful support system. (oh yes, I have also been told off in a pretty hostile way for explaining the guidelines for posting in the vets forum too. Now, if a newbie post shows up in the vet forum I just move it and don't waste my time trying to be nice about it.)

Well, I am not underweight but I did learn something about recovering from a loss of appetite episode. Carbs are the key. Eat more of them to trigger appetite and put some weight on. go easy, add a bit of Peanut Butter or some nuts everyday. You don't need to gain massive weight, but how about 5# and see how you feel? If it feels good, you look and feel healthy, stay there. In truth, MOST women look hottest at BMI above 20 (I read somewhere that most women like themselves best at 22-23 BMI) but it is very much a personal decision. I think you need to do what makes you feel good and I understand the fear of regain. That is why I suggest very small changes... then get used to it (like weighing 5# more) and decide if it is comfortable or if you agree that you should go a little higher or just hang out there.

I completely relate. When I felt so awful and a friend of mine told me that I looked great and I should try to maintain "right there". My reply was something along the lines of "thanks, but I feel like sh*t, so I don't really care how I look." My situation is different in that according to very extensive labs, my health is outstanding. I didn't wind up getting scoped because in truth, I didn't have any clear symptoms pointing to a physical problem with my stomach and time has sort of proven that. Now that I feel better and have a strong appetite, more energy etc. is when a person even has the ability to think about the kinds of questions i posted. I really don't understand your health struggles, but i do get that you are really trying to be healthy and not so worried about some of this other nonsense. The old saying is that without your health you have nothing... has some merit. Feeling good is the key, after that, everything else is icing on top.

When I was banded, I was sure I would be successful, and I wasn't! When I was revised, I was more determined than you can imagine, but not very confident. I wonder if that is part of why this is so emotiional for you too. I had the band removed and was revised to the sleeve 2.5 months later. I remember the spot of the port removal was so sore and there was like a "hole" where it used to live that filled with Fluid and took awhile to resolve. It freaked me out but it did go away. I felt awful the first few weeks being sleeved, I was so obese I had lost 50# before anybody even noticed. That was a time when it took alot of internal mental focus and even toughness to keep on keeping on. I am not sure why you feel like Frankenstein, I was relieved to have that foreign object out of me. Once the port area healed - it was like thank the stars!!!! My surgeon reused my old lab scars so they weren't bad... and well I guess when you weigh over 300# a few scars on that HUGE belly just wasn't that big of a deal to me. Take a look at my before and after photos (click on my profile) and maybe some other revionistas on here and you can see what is possible and come to believe that it is worth it.

I would like to suggest counseling and support from a good nutritionalist. I have been very successful with the sleeve....lost over 160 and been maintaining. I gotta tell you...not sure how I would have done at 20. The emotional part of this is as hard or harder than the physical. Many people have regret at your stage, mourning the loss of food. You mention not knowing how this is going to impact your social life. If you hang out with people big into eating and drinking (college!) This could really be a challenge so getting advice and counseling might make a huge difference. I am more than twice your age, very self confident and I am so OVER food as a. "Friend" and it can still be hard. I have a new friend who is so food orientated and combined with my big eating son home from college....it is exhausting even for me at 2.5 years post op to keep the carbs etc at bay but it is so worth it (size 4 butt instead of 28W).

I am 2.5 years out and notice big changes in how much I eat depending on circumstances. Bottom line, at this stage it's a lot about eating low carb and making conscious choices about small portions, not snacking etc. Sleeve still helps me greatly but as time goes on its less about the sleeve and more about me. I try to re frame it in my mind as being what normal weight women do all the time. I used 5:2 to get rid of a 5# regain last summer and liked it so well I lost a few more. Good luck you've got lots of company!

From karen s beauty supply till they folded. Hence the Amazon excitement! Things are looking up. My lame horse is mending. ..probably ok after 1 more week. My son is home. We got so much done today Washed 2 dogs Shampooed carpet in his bedroom Vacuumed most of the house Fixed a small issue with a toilet Fixed lawnmower Picked my truck up from shop My ex moved some stuff of his out I got very anxious while my ex was around. He doesn't do a thing wrong but seeing him triggers such a sense of loss. I was going to leave and run errands but it didn't make sense with the flow of the day. I stuck it out and we got alot done and I was ok. Today felt like a victory over what's been ailing me. I keep reflecting on how (verbally) loving so many people have been this week. Wow that feels great. Went grocery and hardware store shopping... bought supplies to do some fixing Had a late lunch/early dinner out with kiddo

Be gentle on yourself. So many of us were there in that same place at one time.

Mixed Chicks Leave in conditioner is a miracle defrizzer, detangler and gives me defined curls.... I am sure there are other great products and I have tried dozens, but this one is a standout! Alot of the products I have tried suck at one of the 3 - especially the detangling.

I answered this on another thread. You don't leave the clinic till you are able to use the restroom etc. I think the bigger issue is feeling lonely. ..some people need and want companionship.

Itching, tingling. .Nerves are waking back up I think! I even had some numbness for awhile on the left arm...but it all went away.

Lets talk about 5:2. I am not really following it right now, but I think hang on to some of my 5:2 habits.... like trying to delay break fast so I get a longer fast etc. My son thinks that combined with eating low carb makes me feel crappy. He stayed at my house for 3 days and said he felt terrible not eating bread, rice, pasta etc and that I need more carbs to feel better. I admit I am a little afraid of a regain so I am hesitant to eat more carbs even though my appetite is definately improved. I think if I could start working out intensely again it would all work out, but I am caught in a circle that isn't really good I guess. i have lost ALL desire to exercise which used to be a highlight of my day. Damn, what is wrong with me. I am on a sub thereupuetic level of Lexapro and having the sexual desire/response suppression side effect already so I sure don't want to up it. In a quandry. Good news is that I was out of de-frizz hair product, and the store I bought my magic from went out of business... thank goodness for Amazon. A certain amount of order has been returned to the top of my head! ha!

By the time I went to the hotel I could use the restroom, walk down to the Breakfast area, take a shower by myself. The nurse visited everyday at around the same time in the morning and was there for quite awhile - an hour? The doctor came every day too (except for 1 when he had a very long surgery) but his visits were typically short - 10 minutes maybe. I had his cell phone number too. The hotel staff was also very "tuned" in and available. English was spoken at the front desk and the housekeeping staff (room cleaned daily), and the breakfast lady were very friendly (daily hugs!) even if I didn't always understand them. I was there with a friend which was wonderful, but many do this alone quite successfully.

I was absolutely terrified... I have a bit of a nervous feeling about medical stuff anyway but the idea of the sleeve (or bypass) just sent me into a tailspin. Then, I was quite worried I would be a failure. I mean, I had failed at the lapband and was already told that meant I wasn't likely to do very well with the sleeve. Luckily, my fears were unfounded and I had great results and maintaining my weight loss so far...

Years ago I worked on a team - my boss lost over 100# using weight watchers and I lost about 85 on WW too. Well, she got to her goal and I never did. She substituted her desire for food with becoming a food pusher. Every.single.day. there were mounds of food that she didn't eat, but loved watching others eat. We had constant "parties", potlucks, birthday cakes, donut Fridays, really - there didn't need to be an occasion - just piles of junky food. Even the guys started complaining about it - everyone was gaining weight. I finally got pissed off about the HUGE, and I mean HUGE bowl of chocolates that sat right outside my office... everybody that walked by took one. All day long... I watched people eat chocolate like 10 feet from me. I made a deal out of that damn bowl and it actually interfered with our friendship because she thought I should just learn to "deal" with my own food issues. You know, she was right but nobody needed the piles of crapfood and she was behaving in a very controlling and emotionlly abusive way, in my opinion. So, years later, I had the sleeve surgery and finally got to goal. Junky crappy food is still my enemy but I have a better tool to manage it now. One of my techniques is I simply won't place myself in those situations... I realize not everyone has a choice but I do and wont physically work in a location that is so unhealthy for me. I am very open about my battle with obesity, my weight loss surgery - and you know what, normal people are very very supportive. It's incredible actually how supportive my thin/fitter friends are. My former boss/friend has regained all that weight and then some. I feel bad for her, I really wanted her to succeed since I know that heartache all too well, but I can't be around a food pusher. I know I have metabolic issues, I know I can easily slide into crappy eating but at least I don't try to push it onto others... I really don't get it.

Okay, I am relieved to hear - 5-6 hours is what most usa plastic surgeons cap it due to the general anesthesia so that sounds good. Arms - well, all the Julian Michael's workout DVDs in the kingdom did not get rid of my extra arm skin...haha... it took plastics. I will say that I didn't have any fat left on my arms by the time I went into surgery but i have a muscular body type so have good definition, but not alot of bulk. Of course, I lost over 160# and more like 185# from my lifetime high... so I had skin! Your procedures are different than mine but one thing to think about is putting stuff in reach for the first 2 weeks. I am not sure if it is due to the breast work or the arm work, but I wasn't supposed to do a bunch of reaching and lifting etc - even light things. My caretaker put a towel on the counter with drinking glasses, plates, flatware - so I didn't have to reach over my head or struggle with a drawer or anything. Not sure it was absolutely needed, but it was a nice to have. Line up some books, movies, friends to visit whatever charges you up and helps with boredom. Do NOT do what I did which was binge on all seasons of Walking Dead on netflix. What a freaking depressing show!!! LOL Even though I had nearly two weeks of nursing care, I still needed help after i got home - mostly with my garments. Talking those bad boys on and off for the daily shower and bandage changing routine was not something I could do myself at first. I am thinking yours will be simpler since I had a lower body lift plus other procedures. I think with a tummy tuck, they use a binder which is easier to manage. I am not sure how they compress you after lipo, but you might be shocked at how challenging those garments can be especially if you still have drains or whatever. Good luck to you - you will love your new body!

Okay as someone who has recently struggled with mood stuff, I am wondering what is at the root. Is it how you feel about yourself (the feeling fat)or is it the MS ? I had a less than perfect week and jokingly told my ex, "well, at least I look good doing it" He got the joke which is that being fit,normal weight and healthy has been a life-long dream,struggle,....obsession even. Now that I got it, wonderful - but crap still flows my general direction and overwhelms me at times. Lately, all the time. Steven would get so frustrated because in his eyes the world is my oyster so quit complaining..Haha..I actually think that way too but it doesn't change my struggles. My son asked me the checklist of basically good mental health hygiene. "Mom, are you exercising,eating often to keep blood sugar steady, are you doing meditation (he means like positive self talk)?" SURPRISE!Nope. No wonder I sometimes feel awful..it's like I lost the recipe to my daily life that used to work. So my gut feeling,without ever having met you is that getting emotional support on the MS topic has to be part of the solution. I am talking a positive support group, a counselor, a mentor, some way to help you live peacefully with that reality. My vet was out yesterday doctoring my lame horse. He gave me a big hug...he said "your animals look great, you look great, screw Martha Stewart...your place is fine and you can get caught up Again". That hug and someone I respect telling me I am not a total loser helped alot. Life is harder than they advertise it being...