CBT

I see the pucker. I had that. I'm 7 weeks on Tues. My incisions are flat. I'm still in compression garment in the day time. At 3 weeks I could come out of it at night. Also at 3 weeks my surgeon had me start taping my incisions. This helps them lay flat. If your heavy scabs are gone, check into taping. I'll post pictures here if you want. Surgeon gave me tape called "3M Micropore." That stays on 24/7. She thinks silicone is over the top (expensive) unless necessary and she doesn't evaluate the necessity until 6 weeks. (I see her Monday.)

Vogue. Help! I don't see it?

Apple sauce and some cottage cheese.

I think it depends on a few things 1) how much fat to skin you have 2) the plastic surgeon's preference 3) insurance requirements if not cash pay. Also, the year thing is because your skin is an organ. It will retract...some. Probably not enough to make a difference post massive weight loss. KWIM?

Are you on a PPI?

Well perhaps I was eating nonstop because I was going to get a super bug. My entire family has this awful virus. My DH was 5 days in bed. I came home one day early from vacation because I knew I was getting sick and I'd seen what it looks like. This is my nemesis. Illness and food. It's a strongly paired coping skill. I don't get challenged by it very often so I don't see it coming. When I was really sick as a child it was the only time we ate out. On the way back from the doctor: cheeseburgers, French fries and milkshakes. It was also the very few times my mom was very maternal. I come from a family of feed-a-cold. What's weird is I really was hungry before I got sick. But now that I'm full spectrum sick, I can't tell how much is physical hunger and how much is self-soothing. I'm not going to gain in this short amount of time. I'd just like to slay the dragon

I'm glad you're getting back in control. It's a journey, for sure.

Skiddles are you maintaining your weight?

You got it right. It's scattered belly swelling that isn't a seroma and only in the abdomen. The surgeon says at 12 weeks the previously cut lymphatic drain channels will have established and that's the first significant decrease in swelling patients notice. Some people's bodies are better at absorbing fluid in other ways, too. Hence the "swelling for up to a year but mostly 3-6 months" chat we get.

Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughtful reply. It really does help to process with others. I'm not craving per say. Just had 2 days of hunger. Today was less. I did a moderate 2 mile hike so I'm curious to see how hungry I am tomorrow. I'm having abdominal defused edema in the afternoon and at night. Still wearing binder. The swelling and the binder impact how much I eat at any sitting, for sure. I do supplement at home. Too much to fuss with on vacation, though. Lol.

One if my closest friends and I talked about this very thing. She and I actually train and dance together. She does not have a history of obesity or weight gain. She said, "I really didn't know what to say that was my business." Because I hadn't started the conversation. We all come from different places.

I would say "I too have been working on weight loss and I'm surprised you haven't said anything." Just the facts. Keep it simple.

Sweet pea did you get super hungry? I've had 2 days of insatiable hunger. I've also been quite active relative to earlier recovery. The surgeon told me this would happen. I just want to hear it from a WLS-LBL patient. KWIM?

I was Rx Dilaudid and quit that quick for Norco. Worked much better in conjunction with muscle relaxers. I'm sorry you had a rough ride. I had a hernia repair in my lower abdomen a few months after VS. I think that mentally prepared me for LBL. My PS surgeon also has my number. She's been frank with me when I ask her to and she airs on the side of information. I had much harder time recovering from the hernia. Hard to wait for help. Hard to ask for help. Hard to ask for help then tell them they aren't helping the way I need. Ahhhhh. This time I knew that would end in 14 days and I had some reference. (((((Hug))))

I'm five weeks yesterday. Yesterday and today are swell hell with a side of muscle spams. I'm also noticing that with all the numbness and nerve damage, I am back to being very cold. My nervous system can't regulate my body temp. I'm eating nonstop because I'm hungry!!! I'm on vacation. I thought I was takin it pretty darn easy, for me. I am humbled in this recovery.

I used a lot of ice for the burning. I think it's nerve irritation. Mine went instantly away as the drains were pulled. If you try ice let me know if it helps you. I'm curious.

Yay! Looks great. You're going to feel so much better

Have you looked into cool sculpting? Just another contouring option. Non surgical.

I'm in the process of figuring this out. I'm 4 weeks post plastics (yay!) so I am not "exercising" yet. Prior to plastics consult I was eating 1800-2000 calories a day and still losing weight. So once I'm back to life, I will be trying to find the sweet spot between exercise and calories to maintain my weight. I have a balanced and reasonable approach to "exercise". Approved by all my doctors. I just have to really work on eating a lot and I don't like to be food focused. I don't like ice cream much anymore. I do eat highly nutritious foods like previously mentioned. For example I might eat half a banana smeared with peanut butter. Beans and cheese and avocado is a staple. Pre sleeve just thinking about that would've been a five pound gain penalty. I do work with an endocrinologist who specializes in bariatric patients but I'm over due for an appointment. I'll go see him once I'm back to "normal". I hope you get answers quickly. I'm glad you're seeing physicians.

I'm defiantly hitting that transition time where I feel fussy. I know that means a big change is coming. I just wish is hit that milestone already. Well it might have a little to do with vacation next week So I had all my hair cut off. It was the middle of my back. Now it's at my jawline. I love it. I thought it's be a good, strong distraction for ppl who will notice that something is different and then think it's the hair. LOL Really, the DHEA dried my hair out. Even though I was getting regular cuts, my hair really dried out on the ends and it kept getting worse. When the surgeon told me to stop losing weight, I was able to stop the DHEA. I think my hair and skin will be much improved. I hope to get pictures on vacation next week.

Thinking about you. Hoping you're comfortable!

I think you really don't want to mess with your GI or the bacterial balance prior to surgery.

Who knew that grocery shopping could cause so much soreness. I overloaded the cart because I'm the only one who can REALLY grocery shop and it's been 3 weeks : So turning the corners to go from isle to isle took a toll. I got stuck in the back of the store. Lol. I made a straight line to the check out. Had a carry out and family unloaded at home. I'm def sore. I'm surprised!

Wow! Seems to me you could get yourself a patient advocacy/appeals business! Go you!!!

Smokin' sporty!!!