CowgirlJane

oh, and I left for mexico at 150, returned at 157 and this morning was just under 154... so slowly getting rid of the water. Since they took 5.5# of skin, my real weight should be in the 145# ballpark. Surgeon told me it will be two months before my end results can be seen so I assume the same applies to the scale....

My appetite is coming down a little... but I have been thirsty and drinking alot... like maybe 50-100% more then my normal. If I don't drink 16 oz of water overnight I wake up feeling dehydrated - its weird. My blood sugar was tested a month ago so I doubt I suddenly turned diabetic. Ideas?

shake it off..shake it offI am a Gemini and can be mercurial myself, we don't really mean anything by it!

fiddle - I am kind of enjoying that you are as vain as me..haha Honestly though I think you should consult with surgeons - they are free and you learn alot about what procedures make sense for you. Plastics are about tradeoffs and each individual is different. I did alot of research before going to Mexico, and I think the two of the best local plastic surgeons after massive weight loss are Dr Mary Peters in Seattle and Dr Egrari in Bellevue. They have lots of testinonials on realself.com and Dr Peters has an amazing hardcopy book in her office of before and afters that goes back for years. so, on the recovery - i am two weeks out from a jumbo operation where there were 2surgeons and did multiple procedures at once. NO way am I ready to go back to my desk job. I am planning on 4-6 weeks off tho I hope to do some professional development stuff during that outage. I am still needing naps and alot of mental as well as physical resting.

I had a similiar view about plastics as Cheri did. Not sure where that attitude came from - but my reality has been very little pain. The drains are annoying, but also not that bad. Plastics is a big deal, don't get me wrong, but I had it made out much bigger in my head then the reality. the worst things are the extended time off from life - all this laying around is annoying as hell. And the compression garments. Of course, I am pretty sure they made a mistake and gave me the toddler medium instead of the woman's medium...LOL.

I know we all need to price shop, but i hope you can find "several" patients. That is one thing that appealed to me about Dr Sauceda is that i was able to talk to and get info from many of his patients. I just came back from there - LBL, breast aug/lift, arm lift, small thigh lift all in one. Great care. I know there are other excellent choices in Mexico etc - just hope you can talk to several patients to get a real sampling and feel for what you are getting into.

I finally got my laptop virus killed so i can use it. Typing from the kindle was a bit tedious... i have withheld comment on the addiction/suicide discussions because i guess like many, i have been touched by this as well. It is such a painful and difficult subject and I sometimes feel like many of us could be "addicts" so easily. Like, my reliance on overeating seems to be in check, and so far i have squelched any transfer addictions, but it is like i sometimes feel they are lurking. I can't even say why I feel that way, but like there is something in the brain that wants something.. wants a stimulation. Even my exercise, I do it regularly, but watch to be sure it doesn't become my life. My hope is that year after year of successfully not using food or other substances in an abusive way will change that neuropathway.... that part of my brain that is always seeking something. I am so happy for all the successes, but sad that some of us are so down. I think that this group is universally just too hard on ourselves. Really. Really. the feeling of failure over being 15 pounds (or whatever) over some goal weight is just such a weight to carry in and of itself. I had an hour long phone call with my part-time non boyfriend the other day. I remember it, like i remember all the parts of it, but was on pain meds due to a little issue I had with a drain (body rejected it - not infected but hurt like freaking hell - it is out now). Anyway, I do recall him bringing up these huge important topics 1. wanting to really know more about how it felt to go from being obese most of my life to being "hot" (his words, not mine). He is a motivational speaker among other things, and is a student of human behavior, the way we think and is really interested in the subject. I do recall we decided to table that big huge subject for an in person talk. Then, item #2 we talked extensively about our non relationship and the running joke about that. So, while I remember pretty much the words that were said, but I can't make sense of any of it now. I do recall that he seemed quite concerned that I plan to move on now that I have had plastic surgery. And i do recall telling him that when ski season starts and he begins his part time ski instructor job on top of everything else he does that I just didn't really see how there would be time for me and I think he took out of that that we need to schedule things out but it isn't quite that simple. Reality of it is that he is super fun, super intelligent, super verbal, super physical and quite attractive - all the things I like in a guy, but he is basically into his own life and doesn't want a real fulltime girlfriend even though he sometimes kids himself into thinking he might. I am not sure what will come of it, but although that talk was quite lovely, I really wish we hadn't had it right now.... when I can't make sense of things...LOL I don't really want to leap into a long term/permanent type thing either but I admit I like having someone who is fun to play with - but they need to have time and focus for me. He imagines we will meet in the middle, but reality of it is that I don't believe people really change and he is who is - he has always been honest about it and I really can't begrudge any aspect of that. He is peter pan, he wants to play and enjoy life and simply finds small compartments to fit me into. More power too him, it has been great for me, but at some point, just not enough. I am not sure exactly when that point is, but I think this week I would like to meet him face to face - assuming that last drain comes out of course - and just kinda lay it all out. I hadn't planned on really getting into this until I am fully healed but I have this feeling that i agreed to some things that i don't really agree to - damn - should not have serious conversations when not fully ourselves!

Oh that hubby story made me laugh so hard. good thing my industrial strength "body shaper" has the potty opener. actually it is post plastics compression gaments. the bra is actually a matador jacket and the bottoms come all they way up under the boobs. Where they overlap... I swear my rib .bones are compressed. My first shower post op it took 2 nurses forever to get it back on- i was swollen, there were drains etc. Those two nurses were sweating by the time they were done. I didnt wear heavy duty shapers prior though because of the discomfort. I tended to wear lighter control tanks. key is always to take them on and off down the body, not over your head.

The hardest and I mean the hardest thing about recovering from plastics is the firm instructions to move like an 85 year old arthritic woman walking on an icy sidewalk - slowly and carefully. I want to go freaking run a marathon or ride a bike or something. Good news... I feel GOOD (to the tune of James Brown, but dancing isn't allowed either) Since my dear friend care taker wont let me do a 5 k, and I have read alot and have walked the local mall and have explored every corner of the hotel and we have discussed the meaning of life about 100 times.... I am filled with random thoughts to spew...haha I watched a newstory about a woman boxer down here in Mexico. Didn't understand a dang word... but I thought...that looks fun, but I don't want someone hitting back.lol. It inspired my friend to tell me about a class to take that teaches women hand to hand self defense that is near me (her son works there) and also to think about doing crossfit or something like that once I am recovered. I just want to MOVE. Anyway, at the moment, the idea of doing hand to hand combat with someone that wont hit back just sounds very appealing... maybe I have been cooped up too long...LOL I do plan to take a gun safety and shooting course in January (ooohh maybe I can start a board war over the topic? - told you I am bored). I have several reasons, but one is that I am going to start competing in a horse event called cowboy mounted shooting. I am a pretty good rider, love to ride FAST but never shot a gun before so thought I should start there...haha I must also notice that where I am at in Mexico is so muchlike the USA that other then the language and the nacho like dish at the Breakfast bar at the hotel, I am shocked with howmuch things are the same. No problem at huge grocery store - laid out the same way as typical urban / suburban American grocery. cars are the same, people act and look very similar etc etc. I had been to TJ mexico before, but I am in Monterrey and it really is quite... familiar feeling. I have traveled alot internationally so keep that in mind too. Found the cutest dang outfit at the mall. cant try it on over drains, but think I am going to take a chance and buy it anyway because I want some kind of souvenier and it is at least useful (and my freaking drain doesnt count as a souvenier!!!) And it i just adorable. Today, 2 of 7 drains come out. I think 4 should come out based on output, but another day to be sure.... grrr. They tell me I will travel home with one drain which will be easy peasy compared to 7! Read a book called the 5 languages of love. Its been out forever, and I hate self help books in general, but it is really awesome. Clarified in my mind beyond what I already knew why I felt so unloved by my ex that is for sure. I recommend it - easy read and just helps you see that different people need to receive love in different ways to really feel it. I have more random thoughts, but nurse will behere soon so it is time to start undoing the torture device...ie compression garments... so my heart gets used to beating without without it before the shower. seriously, it is so tight you faint if you take it off and get up too fast. This is why women used to "swoon" I think... those corsets that they wore so tight change your blood pressure and when that thing loosens...hello floor if you don't give yourself a few minutes. your random thoughts for the day?

This is what i expected too! crazy. i think i am the only one who experienced no appetite drop. My thirst is very high too but the Water weight is dropping already. Yes I have been tested for blood sugar and its very good. I am just sticking high Protein low carb and miralax and hope for the best.

Yes that is natural curl but i am not quite ready to let go of my long hair yet. My caregiver showed me a new way to put my hair up that i cant wait to try - a going out hairdo! My hair doesnt suit current flatiron straight styles so i play up the curls to be different.

congrats Georgia!

Nearly 2 years out and I can eat any food but my tummy used to be "old ironsides" and now spicy or acidic food is irritating. The key for me is small portions, chewed well and not mixed with beverages. I dont eat bread but when i do mixed with Water or other food it is so easy to get too full really fast. I am wearing a very tight compression garment post plastic surgery so am being more careful about eating close to bedtime due to risk of reflux but so far its Ok

Everybody said their appetite dropped. mine did for maybe a day...lol. Anyway i am sticking to clean food but I need to go buy fresh veggies.. Today it was eggs and veggie omlette Carb master yogurt with a sprinkle of almond crunch Cereal for a treat natural turkey meat and slice cheese with tomato Salmon fillet About 5 unsalted.walnuts 1 Protein hot choc 1 Premier Protein And a ton of Water and herbal tea. And i am still starving

that is my dream. the guy i see was very accepting of my body with all the skin but you can be sure i warned him bigtime before he got to see me naked. The day he actually moved some of my tummy out of the way... well... that was the day I KNEW that skin had to GO. Maybe it didnt bother him... he is a special forces veteran after all...haha... but i was mortified. and notice i stayed small on the breasts. I just personally feel that i look big enough with those broad shoulders nd that big boobage adds bulk. i know that is a personal preference thing and i may later regret it....

i have high hopes that i will have a very flat tummy. i did the small thigh lift so no long scar. i sorta wish the thighs were tighter but i remind myself that they are as good as most 49 year olds and no huge scar to the knee. i am also hopfull that the arm will be good... but yes a scar there.

this was just a few days post op so swollen and uneven....but i am pleased so far

struggling with strong strong appetite. I am so far doing very well at eating protein,,, but need to go shopping to get veggies. I feel like I stretched my stomach or something I know my body is working hard on healing but crap I cant eat like this and sit around. well, i need to sit around and rest... so i cant eat like this.

Am I allowed to post naked photos?

My measurement changes daily due to swelling. Funny thing is my waist is not smaller but photos make me look more hourglass shaped. They are all nekkid so I can't post them. Soon as the last drain comes out I will get bikini shots and measure agAin. I flew back yesterday and blew up like a balloon. I haven't had cankles since I was pregnant but I had them yesterday. I was brave and weighed this morning.. still under goal but 7 pounds higher then when I went to Mexico. If he took 5.5# of skin that means I gained 12.5# in 2 weeks. I ate very very healthy and low to moderate carbohydrate the whole time but I was super hungry and ate frequently. Doc said so many procedures and my body needed double calories the first week. I am sure most of the gain is Water but I am puzzled that other r s report low appetites and losses. Anyway back home and watching the sodium so I expect this to sort out fine but I am wondering... part of the scary part is I normally workout alot and of course I am in the lounge around plan. So, do I cut calories or ?

I went to Dr Sauceda and strongly recommend him. It takes a few months post open to see results though and I am only 2 weeks. Experience, pain management, c are and safeguards top notch.

So much to comment on but I am pretty out of it. Yesterday was travel day and I am whipped. Daisy maybe we need to start a private forum like this for dating. I hate the online carp too. My part-time boyfriend situation is evolving and is complicated at times. I have mixed feelings

So I was told some people just lose it as a response to surgery even if their nutrition is perfect. I have massive hair volume so some thinning was fine for me. I wonder if I will lose hair post plastic surgery?

To clarify, I weigh daily first thing naked and have minor fluctuations day to day. If I weigg even a few hours late the fluctuations increase.

I weigh daily but dont get worried over small fluctuTion. post plastics i expect challenges due to swelling