TheRealMeIsHere!

Not sure how the method of closing has an effect on whether or not drains are needed. Even with drains (1 out after a week, other out around 3 weeks) I had swelling for about 6 months to a year, first three being the worst. To give you an idea of the amount of swelling, I was a size 00-0 before TT/Panni. After surgery, needed 4's for quite a while, then slowly moved down in sizes. Had somewhere around 10-20 lbs of swelling!! Don't remember the exact amount anymore. Make sure that your surgeon is aware of the swelling/pain you have. The compression that my surgeon gave was an elastic belly band with velcro, so it could be adjusted to what I felt I needed. Similar to this: https://www.abdomend.com/products/Abdominal-Surgery-Recovery-Products/hem-it-in-belly-band-support.html Since you don't have drains, you can try a firm control waist nipper or bodysuit. It may be a tad too soon for those, depending on how they feel for you. They can be found at Walmart and Amazon. The longer you wear compression, the better the final result. I wore waist nippers & bodysuits for a year. I looked at it this way, this is my only shot and i want the best possible result, so wearing them was a small price to pay. Again, make sure your doctor is aware of your pain level, he/she may want to check the swelling. You don't want to have fluid building up inside causing infection & further swelling or possibly ripping sutures.

Prior to bariatric surgery, my weight yo-yo-ed between 115 and 300. Much more time around 300 than 115. Before approval for surgery, needed clearance from a cardiologist. Did stress test, but due to severe labile hypertension, had to stop the treadmill and do the medication version. Did a stress test today (5 1/2 years out, maintaining 120 lbs for over 4 1/2 years, daily workouts 7 days a week and still following the dietary guidelines I did from day one) I have a very healthy, athletic heart!!! Despite physical limitations leg braces, etc..., was able to get my heart rate into the target range, it quickly returned to normal, BP went up, then when I was done, it quickly became normal, I was only slightly out of breath during and my heart is no longer enlarged!!! How's THAT for an NSV??!!

AWESOME!!! It really is the small things that keep us going! Many more NSV's to come!

Zero pain with my incisions. Insides, a lot of cramping with even the tiniest sips...........this resolved when I took my pain meds as prescribed (was not taking at first, since no incision pain). By day 3-5-ish, didn't need pain meds anymore.

First, there isn't the excitement and motivation from the scale, looser clothing or others complimenting. Second, it's a fine line between losing & gaining, at least for me. VERY difficult to find that line and be able to stay comfortably there, for life. You don't want to feel deprived as that will lead to old habits & regain. You need to always be mindful of eating/exercising without it consuming you. You need to find an exercise program that you can do consistently and your relationship to food must be eat to live NOT live to eat. In the losing phase, we sometimes feel like our way of eating/exercising is a temporary way of life until goal. It's not, this is for life if we want to maintain.

I'm 5'2" weighed 275+ at my highest. Less than a year post-op, I reached goal. Have been maintaining 120-122 for over 4 years now. Was a tight size 4X, been a size 00-0 ever since reaching goal. At first maintenance was VERY challenging! I think I've now figured out the right balance for me, so it's getting easier. I will always be vigilant about my food choices and exercise. But I'm very happy with how i'm eating & LOVE working out!!

If food was your go to to deal with stress, boredom, sadness, anger etc.... You need new coping mechanisms. This may be difficult to figure out on your own if food is the only thing you know. Therapy can be a great help and will help you to not fall back into old habits. Congrats!! 100 lbs is an awesome accomplishment!

We were actually advised that if we did have a brothy soup, to strain and eat 30 minutes apart. VERY thick stews, chilis etc...I just eat as is. And I'll sub similar tasting, lower carb veggies.

I still eat the same way as when first sleeved (5 years ago) and on to solid food. Dense protein, non-starchy veggies, no liquid a half hour before/after solid food, no pasta, potatoes, rice, flour, sugar, bread, cereal, etc......except for a rare occasion, and then not more than a couple bites. Rarely, fruit such as a few grapes or bites of watermelon. Cakes, cookies or desserts, 1-2 times a year. A Hershey's miniature, which I thoroughly enjoy with mindful eating and making it last with 6 teeny bites, once every few months. The only thing that has changed is that my portions are bigger than in the beginning. Basically, I follow the program according to the nutritionist.

On rare occasions and mostly my own homemade, which usually ends up being very hearty with lean protein/non-starchy veggies and very little broth.

That's a lot of carbs, it may be causing a problem. Carbs are easier to burn, so if you consume rice/potatoes/pasta/flour/sugar/bread/cereal/grains, etc... your body will burn that rather than fat. Also, take a look at the protein shakes, some are made for gaining and are not appropriate. Look for 100 calories per serving, and less than 5 gm carbs/10+ gms of protein. That being said, at a year out, protein shakes should just be to supplement if you are not able to eat enough protein (this took me a year & 1/2) Try to move to consuming more dense protein and healthy fats. Lean meats, turkey/chicken breast, low sodium lean ham, 93% lean ground turkey/beef, lean steak, seafood, etc..... The veggie pasta that you mention, do you mean spiralized veggies? If so, as long as they are non-starchy veggies like zucchini, that is fine.

I can totally understand the fear of regain and needing to buy larger sizes again. Especially after yo-yoing for so many years. I was the same way. Held onto clothes for several years before giving them away. Maybe some therapy would help get to the root cause of re-gain and help prevent it?

Beautiful pic!! I can see how happy you both are. Good for you!

Would it work to buy 1-2 pants/skirts/jackets in a color that goes with many things? Then a few shirts to mix & match? Until your loss stabilizes. $800 in 4 months, holy cow!!! Hope that job pays well, lol!

For the 1st few days, I was tired and weak, but once I focused on getting all my liquids, that helped tremendously!! Even though it took 18 months before I could, consistently get in all my protein, staying hydrated was the trick for me. Now, I drink a gallon or more a day of water. If you're getting your liquids, protein & vitamins, speak to your doctor about the tiredness, they may want to check blood levels of nutrients to make sure you are not deficient.

Be sure to get clearance from the surgeon before doing any lifting. It's typically 6 weeks & you may have to start with lower weights as you heal. The weight does not automatically come off due to surgery. The surgery is a tool and only 1 piece of the process. Exercise is crucial to losing weight as well as maintaining. You are at an advantage, since you are already used to being athletic. If you have a routine that works for you and you enjoy, that's a huge step in the right direction.

The doc removed about 2 lbs of skin, but I gained a good 20 lbs of swelling. Instead of a size 0-00, I was a 4 for a while. Don't remember how long, but it gradually improved and I'm amazed at the result! I also bruised more than most people, which may have had something to do with the swelling.

Great article, btw!

I have bilateral pttd, stage 2 in left, stage 3 in right (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction). When I was first diagnosed i was casted for AFO's. Since, I have used Arizona braces, custom SMO's and orthotics. Physical therapy helps regain some strength. Find a good orthopedist that has experience with pttd as well as an orthotist that does custom work. My braces allow me so much more freedom from pain and allow me to do things that I would not be able to do without! I ride a bike, walk on a treadmill, hike, take long walks, etc.....

Don't remember how long. I'm usually a size 0-00. After surgery I was a 4 for quite a while, then 2, then eventually back in 0-00

Took months, for me. Wasn't back in pre-tt/panni clothes for a long time. Was probably 6 months before I felt NO swelling anymore.

When I had my TT/Panni, I was so worried that I'd be completely debilitated and that the drains would gross me out which causes me to pass out. Actually there was barely any pain, just a tightness from the muscle repair. Be prepared to walk/sleep in a slightly hunched position. They won't want you straight for at least a week. Woke up with a compression belly band, which had to be worn 24/7. I was told that the longer I wore compression, the better the final result. Once the drains were out, I bought compression body suits and waist nippers. The drains, while being annoying, were not that gross. Never even felt queasy, and for me, that's saying something!! Had a long piece of gauze, tied so it's a big loop, and a safety pin. Would put it around my neck so that I could hang the drains while showering. Make tabs from cloth tape around the drain tubes. I was shocked at how easy the recovery was! Felt like I barely skipped a beat, just moved slower and hunchy. Best of luck! Keep us all posted on how you are doing.

My boobs are just empty wind socks, lol & surgery not an option. I've found some great bras that shape, separate and are comfortable. These are my favorites: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C1Z27SA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.walmart.com/ip/184766958

While you are on liquids and puree it's likely that you will have loose bm's. liquid in =liquid out, lol!! Definitely keep in touch with your doc. You may want to take Miralax and/or colace if constipation is an issue once on solids. They help a lot and don't cause your bowels to become dependent on them. I was getting completely blocked without Miralax twice a day. I mean COMPLETELY, gas and all, nothing moved, very painful!! Also, increasing liquids might help. 64 oz a day is not much, I drink at least twice that. Best of luck with your surgery!

Getting all of your protein minimizes hair loss