CowgirlJane

When was your surgery? Do you get 60 plus protein a day? Take vitamins and eat healthy? You might even need more healthy fats... are you current on bloodwork? Some nutrient deficiencies can n cause serious problems... this sounds outside the " norm" to me.

I haven't had an ulcer ( knock on wood) but I am very careful with say orange juice, kiwi etc, to not eat o n an empty stomach. I can feel the burn... actually, I mostly eat berries for fruit and have no problems. I think you should have it checked...this doesn't sound like a one off thing....

I am leaving monterrey today and the nurse who remembers me from 2 years ago was wowed by how invisible my scars are. Seriously stretch marks are more noticeable! The funny remark was that it helped a lot that I am "so white". yes I am the one that blinds people on the beach with my ridiculously pale complexion - glad to find an advantage! Ha Disadvantages - sunburns, skin cancer ( my mother had malignant melanoma ). And I like the sun and beach! I hope have not blinded or offended anyone today, but I was very worried about scars pre plastics and am grateful how well its turned out.

My opinion, when you get to goal, do consults with several surgeons. I learned alot from that process. Example, I thought because I have a large body frame (wide shoulders, big rib cage) I would look more proportional with big implants. It was the female surgeon who really convinced me to stay modest sized (actually all recommended that but she made the compelling argument). I am very pleased with my 240CC implants, people think I am busty but in a natural way. I thought about things like, what size jacket to I want to button up? I didn't lose all this weight to be an XL jacket just because of big implants on a big ribcage, ya know? Anyway, go to realself.com, read reviews look at lots of picks. Be careful of docs who cherry pick and only show a handful of pix of their best work. Surgeons I consulted with had literally decades worth of before and after. My number one recommendation tho is to focus on getting trim and fit and worry about boobs later!

I haven't heard of Embrace, should look into it!

Oh, my lover at the time had been seriously injured in his youth before they had the silicone sheets. He had used vit E oil and darker complexion than I and his scars were very faint. I think the idea with the massage is it helps break down any bumps, makes it flat.

My scar treatment protocol was silicone sheet/strips beginning AFTER incision is healed, no scabs. Then, when I couldn't take the hasssle, switched to massaging in Mederma. Then, when that just seemed ridiculous I massaged in various oils - vital E, coconut oil etc until I completely lost interest. Not very scientific, but thorough. I protected all scars from sunlight for 2 years. I had laser hair removal starting about 18 months post lower body lift (my pubic hair zone lifted too - TMI) and that had no impact. I am not actually sure what if anything works but the silicone sheets and massage in oils seem to be the conventional wisdom.

I did not have a medical necessity so I was cash pay too.

I did my first consults about a.month after hitting goal, actual surgery 8 months after that So I guess my plastics were nearly a year after hitting goal

Maintaining 3 years

In the airport, waiting to leave monterrey. I woke up in pain but the tramodol knocked it down. My biggest fear is leaking blood everywhere. The nurse bandaged me good and then the doc showed up with "medical towels". My stress level dropped immediately. I just fold them and the compression garment holds them in place. I am draining much less today than yesterday, but my hotel room looks like a crime scene. I tried so hard to keep it clean, just impossible. I left big tips each day... I just feel bad for the room cleaners. Anyway, told doc I want to go back to work Feb 1 and he laughed. I kinda thought I was dreaming but something important is happening at work and I will likely miss it. So, my plan is to rest rest rest, consume lots of Protein and do my best to heal. Then maybe next week I can at least "make an appearance " a few times. Dr told me that if I work a day and then have excess swelling or exhaustion to take like 3-4 days off before trying again. I don't believe in regrets, but if I did I would say I REALLY regret doing the thigh work. My replacement implant looks great, very little pain now, fat injection in cheek looks great. If i had just done that I'd probably be at work today. I only cried once over all this so no pity party. I asked Dr Sauceda to email my before pix so I can convince myself it was worth it. He gave me a hug.

My thoughts are with you, I promise this does get better!

This is a complex question, but when I look at childhood photos, I was pretty normal size until about 1st grade. What happened the year I was 5? I was molested by a teen boy. So I think I used food as a coping mecanism because in my family we weren't allowed to "act out" or verbalize our needs due to abusive father. Every time I dieted down I believe I became anxious (did not recognize it at the time) over time, I think the fat itself became what caused me to be hungry all the time (obesity as a disease process). Food became my self medications of choice because my dad was also obese and overeating was always an ok thing, even encouraged. During the 80s, I got sucked into the low fat craze - you know how Pasta and rice and whole wheat bread were good for you? Turns out, I am quite carb sensitive so my whole belief system around healthy eating was wrong.

First things first. You are dehydrated, ask for IV fluids. You will feel so much better. Then, make a plan to sip sip sip to stay hydrated. Choose a very thin, not thick Protein drink. Premier Protein is thick Syntrax nectar is thin. Sip sip sip. Keep working with nutritionist or surgeon's office until you are on track. Dehydration makes you feel like you are dying and must be addressed before you can really get to feeling better. Hang in there.

I don't follow..what are you on the fence about? Sounds to me like you now have a chance to live a full life without missing out. I am 4 years out and as a result of maintaining this massive weight loss I feel like the sky is the limit. The only sadness is for the decades I missed out on so many things, including being active with my kids.

I lost 150 in 14 months. Most importantly I am still at goal. My sleeve surgery was Dec 2011

I am not pissed off anymore. Carry on. Ha! Actually was on hold for united air for two hours and skype puked right when she answered. I wanted to throw my phone out the window which just made me laugh at how things have gone today so I am all chill now...on hold again of course...rocking to the elevator music. Any kind of luck I am home on Monday. ..woohoo!

Context is everything. So, I had worked with a sweet young lady ages ago but she took a promotion and moved cross country. We were at a big shinding for work at a big conference. It was for us mid level peons who had done good to smooze with the very upper echelon executives of our company, a small exclusive cocktail party. This was exactly one year after I hit goal, about ,4 months post plastics, I was still finding my emotional footing. Okay, we are mingling in a group of about 3_4 executives and she recognizes me by name, voice, and laugh. Mind you executives only know me from heading a very successful project. She practically screams out "OMG, Jane you are like half your size. You look amazing"..on and on and on it went. I wasn't sure if she was gonna cry, continue screeching or what -everybody nearby stared.. Then of course one of the executives asks "how did you do it?" Or maybe he asked what motivated me to change my life. Last thing I wanted to do was talk about WLS! So I told the true story of how losing my youngest sis who was also my best friend , to breast cancer, caused me to 're-examine my life and shift my priorities. I talked about several dimensions of my changes , including my inner life and actually had a captive little audience for a bit so it turned out fine. I was impressed with one of the execs who actually talked to me about it seemed to be really relating in some way...the loss of someone I loved so deeply forcing change and inner truths to be examined etc. She later apologized, in private. She was devastated that she embarrassed me like that, but I knew it was a heartfelt expression of shock and joy for me so I wasn't mad. She is a sweet woman who always treated me with utmost respect regardless of my size. However, that kind of over the top public declaration of how much you have changed should probably be reserved for a paraplegic who now walks. Hell, that person might have been a bit overwhelmed too. In general,I appreciate compliments. Words of affirmation is my main love language so I need to hear things from people and I especially enjoy genuine compliments from men about my appearance because I like dressing nice, having pretty hair and makeup etc and missed alot of that in my youth. I had a few funny of those at work too (remenber many people I only see once every few years as we work as virtual teams) that were pretty inappropriate,like "you're hot!" But again the context was genuine people who treated me great at any weight so the words felt good and in no way insulting. I have been at goal awhile and those moments are rare now. That's ok too, I like feeling normal. I don't like the implication that somehow because of my fitness/looks life should be easy for me. The whole, I can't believe you are still single vein of remarks for example.

I have a suggestion...if your insurance covers physical therapy, find an excellent one. They can teach you how to compensate for the physical limits and the best part is, the stronger and fitter you get, the less pain those joints will cause. Or maybe look into injections or whatever it takes because getting MOVING is an amazing solution to many problems, including depression. Let us know if you want specific advice because otherwise I will just play my broken record...get back to basics, protein, small meals, veggies, low carb, no grazing ,stay hydrated, track your intake and never give up.

Finally a sensible article on the subject. When I was 21 I lost 60#, had no excess skin, could wear a bikini. That is a whole different b ballgam affer having a kid, losing and regaining a few tomes, getting middle age and losing say 150#

Going home Monday...woohoo! Right leg draining like crazy, good news it means the hematoma is breaking up/resolving. Looks like hell but doc and nurse are full of smiles over it. Doc is optimistic that I will have good results...takes some weeks(months) to know for sure.

You are beautiful and I think we need to help others along with our changes. Lipstick lady is right, a kind education so they know what dummies they are being is the way to go. How about this one....I am single, at goal, had plastics, look pretty good for my age and have actually been told, more than once "You are so hot, I don't know why you aren't taken" while I treat it as a compliment and am gracious, what I really want to say is "no shortage of men who want to get me naked, but that isn't actually a relationship" only the actual words I want to say are much less pleasant than what I just typed. People generally mean well, but it's a little bit hurtful, it makes me feel like damaged goods on some level.

I wanted to triple like Ann's comment. At 4 years post op, many of my newer friends don't even know. The surgery itself becomes less and less center stage. Besides, I've got alot of worse deep dark secrets than that sleeve. I DO mention active, healthy lifestyle though. Dated a guy for about a month and he always took me to horrible food places. I cooked dinner for him once, it was our last date. Apparently a beautiful grilled salmon, roasted veggies, fresh salad and a small side of basmati rice could not compete with double bacon cheese burger and a pound of greasy fries which is the kinda food he wanted. He ate my meal, but the look on his face..... BTW he'd already had a heart attack and triple bypass...and still ate the poorest quality food imaginable. Anyway, I find it easy to find fitness, clean eating oriented men and the surgery isn't relevant. I think that's WAY too much information WAY too early on for an online dating site.

I don't think men are suspicious of me contacting first because I have at least 4 photos, clearly not of an 18 year old Russian model..ha. I also have some quirkiness and I mention some of them. I don't think I have been mistaken for a scammer. The height thing is a tough one I am 5'5 and while I am HWP I am not a petite frame. I feel more feminine with a man I don't tower over in my heels and since I weigh in the 150s, it is kind of nice if he isn't one of those 140# petite built guys. I know it is superficial, but it makes me feel like I am fat, when I know I am not fat, when I am with a short petite man.

I am wearing a marena brand with front hook closures. Very comfortable. If it turns out to be supportive when I move alot, this could be my new horse back riding bra. No wires, looks good, breathes.