Babysteppin

I've heard it's pretty common for emotions to run the gammut in the first months after surgery due to hormonal changes. Does anyone know what makes the hormonal changes happen in the first place? Why does it happen, and what hormones are either released too much, or not enough in the brain? Geeky biology question...but I've always wondered.

I've been getting back into smoothies now with the nicer weather returning. My fave at the moment is: 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder, 1 cup milk, 1/4 c plain greek yogurt, 1 cup frozen mango, lime juice, and a splash of coconut extract. Throw all of it in the blender, and YUM! For Breakfast or Snacks, I'm also grooving on either 1/2c cottage cheese, or cold ricotta cheese...then sprinkle a handful of sunflower seeds & raisins on top...then drizzle with raw honey. Sooo freaking good. I recently found Krave Jerky which is a great protein snack, besides yogurt, cheese, etc. Apparently Jillian Michaels eats it too! www.kravejerky.com These are a few of my fave meal recipes at the moment. You gotta try the apple chicken breakfast sausage patties! I freeze them individually, and just pop one in the microwave as I please. I like these kinds of recipes here because I make big batches, portion them out, and they all freeze well. For me, doing one day of 'batch cooking' and freezing helps me to have quality protein meals to turn to when things get hectic. Hope some of these ideas tickle your fancy. Chicken Apple Sausage: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_apple_sausage.html Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: http://southernfood.about.com/od/groundbeefrecipes/r/unstuffed-cabbage.htm Crockpot Black Bean & Mushroom Chili: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/slow_cooker_black_bean_mushroom_chili.html Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Casserole (Can't get enough of QUINOA! Pinterest has tons of quinoa recipes.): http://makingthymeforhealth.com/2014/02/16/spinach-artichoke-quinoa-casserole/?crlt.pid=camp.axBKiFxwUGcf Saucy Boneless Pork Chops: http://ourladyofsecondhelpings.com/2012/06/22/some-saucy-chops-that-are-not-boring/

I've lost 115'ish pounds, and am about 30lbs away from the goal weight I originally set for myself. However, the skin and 'saddlebags' as I call them are just too much of a nuisance to bear anymore. Like you, I've had an excessive pannis since I was a pre-teen also...so I know it ain't going anywhere on it's own! I also think I'm done losing weight because as it turns out, I'm happy with where I'm at now. (Well, besides the skin of course). I realized that I need to re-adjust my original goals and expectations, because I didn't expect to be at this weight...and yet feel fabulous, and ready for maintenance! I went for a plastics consult recently, and the surgeon agreed that the skin was substantial enough to remove now...regardless of my current weight. Of course I asked her, "But have I lost enough weight to get the surgery, or should I lose more?" Here response was: "Well that depends. Do you feel like you NEED to lose more?" My answer was no. So up, up, and away we go for surgery! Just my experience. I can relate with yours! I got a price quote. The panniculectomy is expected to be covered by my insurance so I don't have a quote for that, but the rest of the abdominoplasty/lower body lift will come to roughly $8k. In all, I think as long as a person feels they're 'done' losing substantial weight (say, more than 20lbs), then they're ready for surgery. Just my un-expert opinion.

Thank you for posting!!! I hadn't heard much about this lesser-known 'fleur de lis' technique, so this is UBER encouraging! Your new shape is incredible, and you look amazing! I'm in.

Hello! It's been ages since I've last logged-in...um the last time was when the site was still called VerticalSleeveTalk.com. So good to be back! I'm at the end of my weight loss journey, and now beginning the next phase: plastics. Over the coming years, the goal is to have excess skin removed from, well, pretty much EVERYWHERE. But I just had my first plastics consult, and the first plan of attack will be having the: Panniculectomy, Belt-Lipectomy/Lower-Body Lift, and Brachioplasty all done together. I'm well educated on the procedures, as far as research goes and asking questions of my surgeon. But... Questions. What am I actually getting myself into? From a firsthand perspective, just how painful is it? And what was your recovery experience like? Have any tips or advice for someone going into all of this? Good, bad, ugly...lay it on me. Thanks you guys.

Thank you all so, SO much! I am committed 100% in mind (and body!) to move forward with the procedures. Ready to be done with the physical discomfort, and the psychological discomfort. Because of the extent (and anatomy) of my excess skin, the plastic surgeon will need to perform the 'fleur de lis' incision, in addition to the typical circumferential cut around the lower abdomen for my lower body lift. Basically it's because I have a saddle of skin hanging from my middle/upper abdomen area, and another one hanging from my lower abdomen....So it's as if I'm getting a central AND lower body lift! Not super psyched about the vertical 'torso-length' cut in addition to the circumferential cut...but it's what I need in order to achieve the best results. I'm opting to do that and a Brachioplasty, which I guess will extend up to my armpit and down my sides slightly. Yup, I've got a killer pair of 'bat wings' too. I'll just prepare for the worst, and hope for the best!! Thanks again you guys. P.S. Boobs and thighs will be Part Deux.

Thanks notime. I think I must've just been 'checked-out' or something while I was eating. Definitely ate too fast and didn't chew well enough. Lesson learned!

....Or is it both that can cause it?? I'm 3 months out, and have mouthfuls of 'thick' saliva come back up shortly after meals sometimes. Grossness. I feel fine, but it's just an unsettling experience. Why does it happen? Is it a sign of doing damage to your sleeve?

Thank you for posting, Cheri. I'm almost 3 months out, and it is so valuable to read about your perspective and experiences in the longer term. Btw, you look uh-mazing! Don't doubt yourself, your looks, or your abilities for one second! I know we're all our own worst critics...but being an objective observer, it seems to me like you are wonderfully self-aware, and determined to maintain your healthy lifestyle. Fantastic!

....Wow that feels good to say...we're "April sleevers"! Finally got my surgery date pinned down (4/22). I'll bet others must be equally as happy/nervous as me!! I'm from MA and having surgery in Cambridge. Where are folks here from? Glad to find this group started up, because April will be here before we know it!

Oh that is fabulous to hear!! Yes, I think I can finally say that "I love my sleeve" too! The first month was rough....had to be readmitted to the hospital at 2 weeks out for dehydration and excessive swelling of the sleeve. But then magically at week 4, things got SO much better. These days I'm able to eat 3-5 ounces of protein, and 1/4 - 1/2c of veggies alongside it at meals. Although some days my sleeve is tighter, and I end up doing less. But those days are fewer and farther in between now. It's still a challenge trying to coordinate my meals, snacks, and fluid just right....but My Fitness Pal is helping me so much with that lately, especially when I pre-plan for the following day. (Doesn't always happen, but ah well!) The other challenge is grocery shopping. I keep having to throw so much out because things go bad! I'm trying to freeze whatever I can though, and that's helping a bit. Sometimes I'm still in awe of that fact that I did the surgery. It's still surreal to me sometimes! Hope everyone is doing well these days, and best wishes.

I haven't had issues with acne so far, but I heard from another sleever that taking a zinc supplement each day can help!

I'm a foodie too and I actually find it manageable post surgery, in that I keep a variety in what I'm eating (within my NUT's list of allowed foods). I also still experiment with preparing my proteins in all different ways, and finding recipes to jazz up my boring fish, beef, chicken, etc. The other day I even made crispy cottage cheese patties with fresh chives, yay! :oP The only downside for me I will say, is that I can't eat in quantity anymore...and being a foodie I love the tastes so much I would like to eat more of it. But the pro's of the surgery far outweigh this limitation...and the limitation is actually a blessing when all's said and done. I'm just trying to teach myself how to enjoy and savor the flavor of the small portions I have, and for that to be enough.

Pureed chicken salad really isn't bad either. I make mine with a little mayo, a little plain greek yogurt, and a whole lotta buffalo wing sauce!

Fat free refried beans w/ sour cream and Ortega taco sauce is my fave. Cottage cheese is good too. I like it with a dash of onion powder.

I'd say it's firstly up to the doctor. But also, I tend to agree with your idea...to maybe wait until after the end of freshman year. Preparing for, and adjusting to college life is a task in itself and it might be overwhelming to couple that with a complete overhaul of eating/exercise/lifestyle, etc. But don't get me wrong, the sleeve is the best thing I've done for myself and my health! Good luck with whatever you both decide!

No problem! I just felt strongly about some of the comments that were kind of going left field. When I was pre-op I asked questions about the bougie and bougie sizes, because just I'm a researcher all the way! I wanted to be educated about everything...and I find it really interesting too, to see what differences there are out there. I saw one doctor online demonstrating that there's hardly a difference between one size, and the very next size....but when looking at say, a 28 vs. a 38 (I'm making up the numbers) there is a sizeable difference. He said these wide ranges determine whether your sleeve is the diameter of a big highlighter, a Sharpie marker, or a pen! Wow! (Yeah I'm a biology geek all the way, heheh.) Oh, and my screen name is from an old Bill Murray movie called What About Bob, haHA!

IMO - Lots of unnecessary judgment about asking the 'bougie size question'. It does matter to some folks, otherwise they wouldn't have reached out to our SUPPORT group to ask. If you didn't think it was a valid or important question, why respond? Just move on. Everyone is different in their curiosities and concerns. We're all here to relate with one another, and to also feel that we are relatable. I loathe seeing unconstructive criticism.

36

36 for mine