MichiganChic

IDK, but if you find something, let me know. I am shocked at mine. It looks like a sharpei! It's actually the worst droop I have so far....and the wrinkles run from my chin to my neck! I've been using lots of firming creams, but they don't work. And, it's too soon for plastic surgery, so that's out. I still think it's better than fat-filled, but I wonder how much worse it will get. I have a lot of weight to lose.

Congratulations, you look great!

2 days, and then every 4 weeks thereafter. I'm about 3 and half months out now, and it's starting to shed, too. I decided I'm not going to have thin gray hair, just thin hair!!

Congratulations, you look wonderful!!

I had a similar experience in that I just make up my mind one day, went to a seminar, and signed up the next day, and was sleeved within a couple of months. I had thought about it for years, but once I made up my mind, there were no barriers. During that two months while I was getting all the pre-op stuff done, I noticed I was mourning my really bad life style by making it my business to eat ALL of EVERTHING I ever wanted....and as I did it, I would think to myself this is going to be the last time I do this. Then, right after surgery, while still in the hospital, I had this shocked feeling of "what have I done?" The first month post op was super difficult. Eating and drinking was a chore. My life was revolving around food - the very thing I was trying to get away from, but now I was not enjoying it. Right around 6 weeks things turned around for me, and gradually I've progressed to the point where I feel pretty normal. ,I'm almost 4 months our now, and I can tell you, it is so much better!! And by normal, I mean that I'm no longer such a slave to food, either in a good or bad way. I follow the program, and eat right, and I'll admit that I do still think about food, or what to have, but it does not hold the same appeal for me that it once did. I can have a small portion of whatever, and I'm satisfied with it. That's the best feeling in the world. With each passing day, I'm happier that I did this. Your post just struck a cord with me, and just wanted to share that with you. You are probably in what I found to be the most difficult time period, so just hang in there a little longer. The combination of a healed body and significant drop in weight is a really powerful mood booster

Wow, you look great. Must feel great, too, huh? Congratulations!

Haha, you guys are killing me. I'm so glad to have company, because I've had the "front butt" for 25 years from a C-section where they cut me up and down, instead of side to side! I'm not sure if I'll ever have surgery, but that would be my opportunity to lose it. Didn't know I would have ended up with one anyway!

Those are called suture granulomas - for some reason they don't dissolve and your body reject them - which is why your skin opened up. Some people just get them, and usually work their way out. I had one, too. I also had an abscess at that same incision, and my Dr. pulled it out when he was probing the wound. That's great that the one is healing already.

I have to agree, it's a bit surprising to see a big gain like that. The surgery makes you hang on to fluids, it's part of the healing process. Think about a superficial cut, you can see the swelling, and swelling is fluid in the tissues. Now think about that really suture line on your stomach, plus any superficial incisions, and you get an idea of where that water weight came from. The catheter takes urine out of your bladder - it doesn't manufacture urine. Anyway, it will be fine And, you are not alone in feeling irritated, it's a bit of a let down to come off a liquid diet, to nothing to eat/drink, only to find a big jump on the scale. I think it took me about three weeks to lose it!

Exercise tones muscle, and unfortunately won't tone skin if it's stretched. Skin may or may not be elastic, depending on age, genetics, how much overweight and for how long, etc. I already know I'm looking at reconstructive surgery in my future. 50 years old, 3 C-sections, and overweight for 25 years is a pretty sure bet I don't have any elasticity left. Having said that - exercise is still so worth it! It makes me feel better, stronger, and is a great stress manager.

I agree! I can eat 1000 calories a day, though I have to work to do it. Not sure if that's because I want to "do this right" based on the brain wash, or if it's because I can't. Nah........I know I could (been blessed with a cast iron stomach)......but at the end of the day I'm usually around 800 cal, and then I debate if I should or shouldn't eat another 200. I have noticed I lose less when I eat less, and I'm pretty sure I didn't get fat eating 1000 calories a day, lol!!

I had those same thoughts before surgery, and I continue to have some of them (what if I'm not successful?) after surgery. I think it's normal. We all have to know our risk tolerance. Once you decide that, you'll be comfortable with your decision.

I took 4 weeks off, and needed it! I should have probably taken a little longer, but didn't. I had a an abscess that probably made me feel worse than I would have. I'm an informatics nurse, so desk work and walking is all I do. Also, I needed the time to adjust to my diet - in the early days it took me all day to get in 300 calories and liquids, had diarrhea, etc. Glad those days are behind me It truly does just keep getting better!

I've been purging mine steadily for the past month or so. I had sizes 26 to 20, 1x-3x. I have lots of really nice clothes, and I'm also having a hard time getting rid of things. In fact, I moved them out of the closet, and have a 4 foot wide by 4 foot tall stack of things I feel like I should go through again!! I sure hope I never need those things again. I still have lots of things in the closet sizes 20 and 22, and they are getting too big. After that, I'm out of stock. I am surprised I'm having a hard time letting go of this stuff. I have a beautiful black suit with the tags still on that I bought last fall. It was slightly snug and needed to be hemmed, and now it's just huge on me. sigh. Talk about a waste of money. I also have the issue with not feeling right about shopping in "regular people sizes". So, I bough a couple of things at Costco this weekend, something I wouldn't have attempted before. But it was SUPER fun buying "regular people sizes"

Every day, first thing. I also graph it, lol. I really "count" the Monday morning weight, that's sort of my weekly gauge to watch the trend. It keeps me focused, and I love graph because the trend line is in my favor I think if I were in maintenance, it would give me the information needed to increase exercise, decrease calories, etc. Also, I can't stand the suspense.

You are so right! We really can be our own worst enemies sometimes, and I know I have been mine regarding my weight. I still don't what's harder to believe - the self loathing related to weight, or disbelief that I am actually succeeding...both of these are different forms of negative self talk. Funny, because I really don't feel like I have self esteem issues. I'm pretty confident and successful, and I think others see me that way too, but when it comes to my weight, it's another story. Anyway, Changing, you are doing a great job, and you EARNED the right to wear whatever you want!! You deserve to enjoy it and feel so proud of what you've accomplished. I bet your head will eventually get there!

I don't agree that weighing every day is "massively unhelpful" to every one. For me, it helps to keep my focused. I don't believe there is a direct correlation between daily weights and inability to see the big picture. I think we are all individuals, and for some people, daily weights may not be the way to go. For others, it is quite helpful, as it provides information that helps contribute to the big picture. Kortolano - hang in there. It is frustrating to see the scale go up, but it's only water and it will be gone before you know it. Then you can enjoy the huge loss You are still pretty new and will learn how your body is going to behave with your new life style. Good luck!

My doc also tried to persuade me to have RNY. I just didn't want that surgery (malabsorption, can't take NSAIDS, etc). He said statistically, I would lose more weight with RNY because of my high BMI. However, he did agree that as long as I worked at it, I could lose 100% of my excess weight with the sleeve. At first I agreed to the RNY, but just couldn't get comfortable with the idea, and a week before surgery, I changed my mind. I've been so grateful in the time since then that I did. I'm no where near goal and I don't know how this will turn out, but I don't think I'd be doing any better if I had the other surgery at this point. At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with your decision, because you are the one living with it.

Hi Larry, good luck tomorrow! Let us know how you do.

I don't have those symptoms....but I do have an extraordinary sense of smell, and I also notice I'm a little foggy sometimes. Like I forget what I was doing. Maybe due to 800 calories a day?? My surgery was also 12.19.12.

I agree with the other posters - it's normal, and we've all gone through this. You will find that your body needs to catch up...then the weight loss will start again. I am one of those people who has to weigh every day. I've learned to just look at the number, then forget about the number, and focus on the other things - am I following the plan, am I exercising enough, etc. It's the nice thing about the sleeve - it is permanent, and it does help up through the difficult times when we might get discouraged and give up. Hang in there, you're doing great!

RareGold, I think you're right, I can't see myself thinner yet. I'm surprised that my clothes keep getting longer. BTW, Your stats look great, you'll be at goal in no time - that's got to feel great!

Love the title of this thread, and your humorous "vent"! It does get better - once you get to dense proteins, you probably won't be so hungry, and might find eating is more effort than you thought for a little while. I loved me some mashed 'taters during that stage, too (a whole 2 oz of them, lol!)

I know what you mean. I was thin for 5 minutes in the 80s. Barely remember it! Now I alternate between dreaming of reaching goal and staying there, and being incredulous that it could actually happen. And, when I'm at work and in a meeting that's boring, it's what I daydream about. I'd say you have company

OMG!! Costco muffins = crack to me! I would never be able to have them in the house.....because they'd be in my mouth. Same way with cake. But I could probably do just fine with a taco, and I bet I could manage a flour shell, too....