altagirl

I completely agree - Nordstroms is a great place for bra shopping. Wacoal and Natori and my favorite. A good bra can do wonders. I am (fingers crossed) having the mommy makeover in July and can't wait!!

FYI - I have similar stats as some of you who have posted. I am 5'3" - and in Feb of 2012 I weighed 194 lbs and was pre-diabetic. From March until August 2012 I was able to lose and keep off 10 lbs - at that time I decided to have the sleeve. I could see that I was not going to do this on my own. I lost 2 more lbs before surgery on 9/11/2012. In December of last year I was a size 8 and thrilled beyond belief - I never thought I would be that small again! Well, I am here to tell you that just a few months later I wear a size 4/6 and they are not too tight. I NEVER in a million years thought I would be this size and I want to add that I am not "too thin." I sometimes get that comment but people often forget that I am short!! I am telling you all this because I would warn against buying clothes yet - I made that mistake and had to recently give away tons of clothes! Good luck to you all - you will likely have times of regret but it will pass.

Make sure you do get tested - you don't want to have another barrier to losing weight. It would be silly to just wonder or have a suspicion especially since you have a history of hypothyroidism.

Talk to your midwife or OB/GYN. I know you have ruled out IUD as an option - but I worked as an ob research nurse for 10 years and we did MANY IUD studies and the stories you are hearing are NOT common, in my experience. (We did pure research, ie not paid for by any drug company). Also, for anyone considering an IUD it is much better to have it inserted when you are on your period - it is much less uncomfortable.

I didn't lose anything. I believe I only did 3 or 5 days liver shrink diet - I can't remember now. But total pre-op weight loss was only 10 lbs - in March I started trying to lose weight. By August I had only lost 10 lbs - that is when I decided to have the sleeve! Don't stress too much - in my case it wasn't a big deal that I didn't lose any weight on that liquid liver shrink diet- so for peace of mind, just call the surgeon's office tomorrow. Good luck and I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

I am glad you are getting a new PCP - if your insurance covers it just have the new PCP write the letter based on her records. It should not be a big deal. You need to be supported and it sounds like she is anything but supportive. I would follow the advice of another person above and ask the bariatric surgeon for a recommendation - good luck.

I know the feeling. I didn't tell anyone, I had surgery on Monday and was back to work by Friday. Because I was a lower BMI my weight loss was not that noticeable to those I saw everyday - for people who have not seen me in a few months comment but don't dwell on it. It is interesting I find that most people I interact with who have a higher BMI - for some reason - feel like those with lower BMIs don't "need" or "deserve" the surgery as much as they do.

I don't have enough "loose skin" to even ask if insurance will cover. I know depending on your policy it could be covered, however, there is documentation that would have to be provided (rashes, etc). It is unlikely that being a lightweight insurance would cover anyway - most policies have a "lost 100+ lbs rule."

Just from the picture you posted I think the incision looks good. Granted, I am not an expert but to me it definitely doesn't look like something that would warrant an immediate visit to the ER! If you are worried, it never hurts to pop into your surgeon or PCP office and have someone take a look. Recently I was sick - it made me feel so much better to go in and have my dr tell me I wasn't going to die (ok, I was nowhere near dying - I had strep throat). Sometimes we just need a little reassurance -

I agree this is not helpful and I disagree with the thought - I had a relatively smaller amount of weight to lose as well and I am glad I didn't wait to have this surgery. In addition, I remember the first few months after surgery having regret and being miserable - in pain, nausea anytime I ate, constipation, etc - however, in my case, it was just a matter of adjusting to my new life.

I am sorry you are having so much trouble - I would recommend drinking Gatorade or something similar (don't worry about calories at the moment) and see if that helps. When I experienced that nausea that you describe I found that the Gatorade really helped.

I just posted this in another thread - I am re-posting since it may be an option for some: I just wanted to throw out another option - if you live near an academic medical center you might want to try the Resident Clinic in plastic surgery. At the hospital where I work and where I am having plastics the residents have all completed 5 years of general surgery and 2 years of plastic surgery fellowship - in their final year of the fellowship they staff this resident clinic. They are still under supervision of very experienced surgeons but the fees are 25% of the regular fees. It is a huge cost savings. I will get my final costs next week but the estimate I received in my consulation for a full tummy tuck, breast life with silicone implants and lipo in 2 areas it will be 4600 + the anesthesia fees. It is a great option, especially for me since I have known the resident who will be doing my surgery since she started her surgery residency!

I just wanted to throw out another option - if you live near an academic medical center you might want to try the Resident Clinic in plastic surgery. At the hospital where I work and where I am having plastics the residents have all completed 5 years of general surgery and 2 years of plastic surgery fellowship - in their final year of the fellowship they staff this resident clinic. They are still under supervision of very experienced surgeons but the fees are 25% of the regular fees. It is a huge cost savings. I will get my final costs next week but the estimate I received in my consulation for a full tummy tuck, breast life with silicone implants and lipo in 2 areas it will be 4600 + the anesthesia fees. It is a great option, especially for me since I have known the resident who will be doing my surgery since she started her surgery residency!

It looks like we will be having surgery the same week....I am not set in stone yet but should be next week. I wanted to wait a little because I am not a year out yet but this timing works the best for me. I am having a tummy tuck, breast lift, and lipo. I haven't decided about the implants yet but if I do I will stay on the small side.

I had surgery with Dr Ariel Ortiz in TJ. I had a great experience and would HIGHLY recommend him. I will admit that one of the reasons I picked him is because he was on Oprah - but he and his partner, Dr Martinez are fantastic - and both very easy on the eyes!! I am a nurse in a major academic medical center - I thought the facility (surgery center) was very well staffed, equipped and clean. I didn't have any worries.

I was a lightweight. I lost consistently for about 6 months post op. Now I am slowly losing the rest. Ideally I would like to be at 120. I have a plastic surgery consult next week - I am hoping to get a tummy tuck, breast lift (maybe implants), and minimal lipo. I wanted to wait until I was 18 months out but I have a new job that starts in Sept so I decided that this was the best time since I am able to take 8 weeks off between jobs. I am so happy I got the sleeve - best decision ever!!

Yes - do it through settings and customize. I can't remember how to do it either but I always just look at the FAQ section - and to be honest I generally have to use google to find it on the MFP website!! I tracked religiously until Christmas and then stopped for several months. I just started back tracking since I am trying to lose my last 10 pounds. I love MFP because it makes me aware of just how much I really am eating. Good luck!

You look great! I am not brave enough to post a swim suit photo yet - yours is certainly an inspiration! Congratulations on your success

You look amazing - I have never had a flat tummy and that is what I really want! I am wondering how much did you weigh when you had the TT and at what stage (just by your stats I am guessing you are about my height). I am looking to have a TT, lift and lipo on my bra line in July/August. I am wondering if this might be too soon....I also am curious on the practical recovery time? The reason I am asking is that I am switching jobs so this is the best time for me to have the surgery - and take the most time off.

I never owned a scale before I had surgery. For the first few months I was obsessed with weighing myself but it was all very new - I obsessed about everything so the scale was just on the list! I now weigh myself every few days. It works for me - like someone said previously - it keeps me focused when I am stalling and discouraged.. I would recommend getting a scale and if it becomes a problem just get rid of it.

Personally, I did not tell anyone - however, I did not take much time off work. I had the surgery on Monday and was back to work for a half day on Friday. My weight loss has been fantastic but nothing to raise an eyebrow for the people who see me everyday. If I had taken an extended leave I don't think I could have kept the surgery to myself - unless I wanted to lie about it. Even from people who don't know I had surgery I get unsolicted advice about how I can do this or that better - you will get comments no matter what. Having said all of that - I believe what you want to tell people is very personal. I am now deciding on a plastic surgeon and I am telling EVERYONE about that surgery!

I know the feeling - although not the "working out" part! Just re-focus since you are not losing. I have been in a stall for what seems like an eternity but at least I am not gaining. I really would like to lose 12 more pounds to be at my personal goal but 7 more pounds would be great, too. I aim to eat 600-800 calories a day.

You look fantastic! I also have that loose skin issue - in the past month I have notices that my arms are WAY smaller. I haven't lost any more weight but everything seems to be shifting.

OK - I am thrilled with my weight loss but still need to lose to get to my personal goal. I googled the water loss and bought everything last night. I am giving it a go and will let you know how it works out!

What about just enjoying the movie? I look at my "naturally thin" friends and realize that they are not really "naturally" anything - they just have better habits than me. I really struggle with trying not to center everything around food - but for movies I have made this conscious choice. I have been to many movies post surgery and I have just not gotten anything and just my water bottle - it can be done, it is just a matter of changing the mindset. For me - eating during a movie is mindless and a habit that I need to get over because I am not able to control my eating just yet and would be afraid that a little would turn into a lot!