CowgirlJane

As someone who is going through the nightmare of plastics consultations right now (wow, what a way to make yourself feel awful...lol!) I have thought about this question. I think the answer is yes. I like ME. i feel good about myself. I can do so many things and feel self confident - I will fit in that chair, I can go dancing and actually wear feminine shoes. I look good! I think that attitude is more important then looks even to most men. The energy, joy and warmth your project is what will attract people to you. When it comes to intimate relations, well, it might weed out a few, but, I think mature men are realists and are more interested in you as a total package and not just in whether you have some extra skin. It may require a converstation in advance but I would not let it interfere with you finding your joy and good health that weight loss will bring. I have lost 150 as a result of sleeve, more like 170 from my all time highest. I have enough skin for two people and 95% of the time it doesn't bother me THAT much. People tell me I am good looking and I feel that way inside. I will tell you what sends me over the edge though - doing an exercise like pushups without wearing a compression garment. That is absolutely awful, but now that I know it - i just don't do it...lol A current photo for reference: My starting photo.... worth a little extra skin don't you think?

They are very very hard...I can't do very many and I hate them.

The gastric sleeve, approximately 85% of the stomach is removed - that is what I had. that is not reversible The RNY, they do not remove any stomach. The staple off part of it and reroute intestines. That is theoretically reversible since the stomach is still "there". I linked to a drawing of the RNY to clarify what i am trying to say. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.surgery4diabetes.info/images/RNY.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.surgery4diabetes.info/procedures2.html&h=325&w=280&sz=25&tbnid=asv5-X0N5UwKcM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=82&zoom=1&usg=__o8YSVOq0k6oe8NXgt5OUrg-P-qw=&docid=KtGeEpF8Tv5qQM&sa=X&ei=AIRcUcXLEon2iQK_0IC4DA&ved=0CEsQ9QEwBw&dur=6686 I think we are saying the same thing - just misunderstanding.

The most serious surgical risks for revisions are the same risks that anyone could have - although I am told we revisionistas have about twice the incidence of these problems. 1. Leak 2. Excess bleeding If you read the complications forum you will hear many horror stories about leaks in particular. If you have a leak, it can be a real nightmare. Now, what i have also noticed is that many of the people who went through that eventually decided it was worth it, but it is sure a nightmare if it happens to you. Most of us WON'T have those serious complications, but if you do, well, I guess the % don't matter do they. For me, I felt it was a matter of life and death. I thought alot about those risks and decided that I was 100% sure to become disabled and die young from my obesity and could not address it without surgery so it was worth the risks. I don't know actual numbers... but my gut feeling is that something like 2-5% of revisions have serious complications. Don't quote me on that.

Yeah, mine is still "enlarged" up near the stomach, but pelvic bones are definately nearer the surface of the skin- I am getting ready for plastics and I need to ask more about expected changes there. This is a common issue for people who lose alot of weight, but I don't know why.

I agree! I don't do it anymore but I did Water aerobics for a long time and it was a critical part of my succcess. Here is a tip - I have horrible thighs. Nobody laughs at you if you were something like bike shorts under your swimsuit to help with your self consciousness. Please, don't let your body image issues stop you from water aerobics, I believe it is the BEST exercise for people who are still overweight, and/or have joint issues. It is as easy or hard as YOU make it. I know I stopped when I was about a size 16 (I am an 8 now) because I need variety but I highly recommend it - one of my "success factors" for sure!

Oh Cheri, she is precious... almost enough to make me wish I was still in the baby phase... well no, no, no not really as I am having too much fun being a mom of men not children! Congrats on such a lovely and healthy baby. And congrats to you for the weight control.... you are setting such a fine example to the other young moms on this forum!!!

M2G - I don't know how it is possible we haven't met. I was sleeved in Dec 2011, hit goal in Feb 2013 - and i admit used to be a more active poster on a different forum because VST at times felt a bit too caustic for my sensitive soul. I did read here alot though, because I felt there was more hard info provided here - and I appreciate so much from the people who came before me. I really miss tiffany and lilmissdiva - both band to sleeve revisionistas like me! Even as we enter the next phase - maintenance - I so much appreciate people who hang around (or come back) and bring their stories and lessons. Just glad you didn't call me an "old timer" a sensitive subject with me...lol. I feel so incredibly young... at age 48 I feel younger then I did 10 years ago because life is just so much better without all the extra fat, isn't it! I am so glad you returned here, i know that newbies are so hungry to hear from people more then 2 years out and it is wonderful to hear that you had a little regain, and are fixing it - that is the REAL WORLD!!! Normal people live this way and I think all of us appreciate that kind of role model.

Yesterday I went on a hike, a fairly steep hike although only 2 miles each way, with my son. It was georgeous weather and I literally felt on top of the world and so dang ... AWESOME... that I could do this. We weren't as fast as the fit 20s crowd running up the mountain, but we hauled ass compared to most of the 40+ crowd. I just feel wonderful that I am so dang normal... actually, I am better then normal!!! The photos below are of me and pup pre-hike and then a view from the top... and finally a look from the bottom... we climbed to the top of that big rock!

okay, first off, taking photos for plastic surgery consult is... hard... emotionally. Just when you are feeling kinda cute looking, seeing yourself photographed nekkid...yikes!!! Anyway, I have had several people comment on my shoulders. My sister noticed how shapely my shoulders and upper arms are in a close fitting shirt. A man I know mentioned that I have "Swimmers arms". I didn't pay much attention to this until I saw my nekkid pics and i am wondering.... what is going on here? My main workouts are spinning (cycling), kickboxing, walking, horseback riding etc. I do Julian Michaels ripped in 30 days but only a few times a week - max 24 minute workout that is a mix of cardio, abs and strength. I don't currently lift weights, my strength training is the push ups and stuff from the DVD plus a little work around my mini farm. So, how the heck did I get what looks to me like way over developed deltoids? Now, this picture is weird because of the position. When my arm is relaxed it doesn't look that crazy, but, still. does any body have any ideas? Oh yeah, and that extra skin is what happens when you get to be 150# overweight... actually I weigh about 170# less then my all time highest weight which I was at back in 2005. The thighs and tummy are even more frightening.

Shrugs that was totality inappropriate; besides I am ambidextrious. Mark, thanks for the compliment. I don't mean to sound racist because I am not but I live in an area with many Asians and I often find myself feeling HUGE compared to these tiny women. It is a good reminder that I am right sized for my genetics and I like being strong and fit. I hope after my plastics that the toned abs, thighs etc show up better too...right now hiding behind loose skin. I don't lift weights but I do work out and deserve to feel toned! Thank you...made my day.

Okay, some of these remarks may be relevant to fiddleman, some may be relevant to others. I had no hunger once I was on solids until about 7 months post op and the hunger returned. I squelched it by going low carb. Now that I am at maintenance and allowing myself more carbs... I get hungry again. It is in control though and I have decided that I won't die if i feel the occasional hunger pang so for me I am watching it closely but managing... As for fiddleman, you know all that, but i still think you are eating fairly low cal for a guy who is so active. I seriously wonder if you just need to eat more? I don't track, but I think (guess) I eat around 1200 cals a day and I am a girl, 5'5" tall and probably older then you too....and i am maintaining my goal weight with that. I too workout. I also go out from time to time and I am sure those days are higher calories, and some days I am probably under 1000. Anyway, i know it is scary, but what about eating a little more and seeing what happens?

People did know about my surgery and I never had anybody say anything rude like that. screw 'em. this is YOUR journey and it is a different one then everybody else. Don't let it get you down, stay strong and just remember... you WILL be thinner and your friend there will likely always been an insensitive a$$.

I am of no help... but a friend posted a funny on Facebook: "Now I remember how skinny feels.... HUNGRY!"

I agree it is a pain. I was trying to put in "before and after" photos and remembered why I never did it before - I am tired of hunting around trying to figure it out!

Had the band for 10 years and it sucked. I did not like having a "pouch" and feared the rny would be too similiar. I had so much weight to lose, I decided that if the sleeve didn't give me good results, I would be open to getting the DS, but not the RNY. The sleeve worked great for me, I have lost 150+ in 14 months and am now maintaining.

I have always carried alot of excess weight on my inner thighs. Years of thighs rubbing together has left the skin weird. I will probably be stuck with the pocket of fat and a bunch of excess skin there unless I do surgery and/or lipo, but I have a question about the skin. The skin is sorta darkened - I assume that is essentially like a callous or toughening due to the rubbing. In addition, there are quite a few blackheads on the skin there - I would say 1-2 blackheads per square inch in the worst area. They aren't like open zits, just black spots in enlarged pores. I just started using a zit scrub in the shower like you use for your face, as over time they do reduce blackheads. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to otherwise improve the skin and make it look more normal I know that the excess skin isn't likely to improve, but wondering if I can reduce the discoloring and blackheads. I have never seen this discussed, makes me wonder if I am the only one with this issue. I definately have loose skin, and stretch marks from a lifetime of obesity but I don't have a large panny or any skin irritation anywhere else - this is my ugliest area.

Oh not insulted at all..lol.. I don't think I have short arms but the pic makes them look that way doesn't it! I do clean stalls daily but lotsa cowgirls do that without building muscle..lol. Mark, I am not sure I follow the terminology but the crazy thing is I don't do much upper body work at all. I make lame attempts at pushups...I can finally do some from my toes...and planks but not much time per week. Must be genetics.. My son is built like a linebacker...lol I guess when I posted this I was feeling emotional about the photos for the plastics and I turned what was a compliment from my sis (shapely shoulders ) into feeling a little freakish. I am basically an optimist so decided that I am looking forward to seeing my muscles once the skin is reduced. . my calves are shapely and defined and i hope my thighs will look that way too..right now hidden by the skin! Thanks everyone!

I hiked mt constitution many years ago - loved it. My son goes to school in Cowtown...er ...Ellensburg...so meeting along I-90 is great. Maybe we need to do a sleever gathering dayhike. My original point was how much joy it gave me to be able cruise up 1100 foot elevation gain over two miles without needing life support. Around here that is rated as an easy hike and I could have done more! Life is good!

I come from a family of food lovers. They aren't all obese like I was, but we are big eating, hard working, hard playing kinda family...lol Personally, I don't have expectations of changing anybody just like they couldn't change me - I had to do it myself. When I go to family events, I make sure I am not overly hungry, I have a plan etc etc. I honestly avoid certain areas at a gathering, I don't hang out at the food buffet line which is a feature at every family gathering. I know this isn't much help, but I can relate! As it relates to my own little family, I have come to realize I was the center of the food problems. The first 6 months post op I did have to do alot of asking the guys to keep the junk food out of the house. Once they got used to it, it was easy for them - I was the food addict and the one that bought that crap "for the guys". Sad, but true. Even now, when I am tempted to get them a "treat" I have to remind myself that I am telling the same lie that every addict tells - that I am doing it for them when in reality,I am buying it for me.... so I walk away before it ever hits the grocery cart. Heaven help me... so far it is working. I didn't know I was such a liar before... I really didn't know.

Well, I am at goal so too late for the photo study but my eyes don't look any different after losing 150+ pounds what is different is that you can SEE my eyes now. people often say they are my best feature, but when I was so heavy they were kinda buried in fat and seemed really small. Are you sure that this change isn't just an optical illusion so to speak of just being more visible? I just had my vision checked and one eye requires a slightly stronger scrip now but doc says that is normal, my vision hasn't changed in several years and I am aging....lol They both used to -1.25 but now they are -1.75 and -1.25

This is in a more natural postion so a little harder to see, but compared to other women... a developed upper arm. At this angle, it does not look odd to me, but with the arm raised it does. I was at a friends house today and asked her to compare and her arms are not defined even though she works out. Mine are covered in loose skin so hard to see when relaxed, but in my mind it is out of proportion. Or, i am actually out of my mind and i would not rule that option out.

I know this sounds trite and silly, but i honestly never ever ever imagined the success I have had. I feel like a woman again instead of an blob. I haven't been this thin since i was 22 - I am 48 now. I was more terrified of this surgery then I could imagine. I feared I would so regret cutting out a portion of a perfectly good organ. Then, I started thinking, no my stomach was not "perfectly good" in fact, it was defective. It was hungry all the time and was way too big. Good riddance!!! Honestly, even just losing a good portion of your excess weight is amazing. My high blood pressure, sleep apnea and all sorts of other demons just disappeared when I got under 200#-225# range. Now, even though my BMI is still sligthly above normal, I feel like a million bucks, I can wear dresses and just feel so great. When the fear overtakes you, just remember the great success the future holds for you. You too can have your life transformed!