NewSetOfCurves

@@sleevedinseptember ...Girl, you are 40 pounds down in a little over a month! What?! Congrats to you. Just wait until you incorporate a solid exercise program...you're going to melt away like the Wicked Witch of the West!!! LOL! Good luck to you and your continued success!

In the 3 or 4 times that I have succumbed to a craving for carbonation, I have either thrown up or burped non-stop for quite a while; and that is at 2 1/2 years out. It is not nice. It does not feel good. You're not suppose to do it. I know the head hunger and cravings are hard at first, but it will pass. If you want long term success, you have to teach yourself to eat and consume healthy products. Diet drinks are not healthy. Someone above already mentioned the ill effects of diet sugars, so I will not repeat it; but the bottom line is that they are not good for you. Wish you the best in the battle against head hunger and cravings, and on your journey.

@@Babbs ...I am glad that I can offer some inspiration. I know there have been many women on this site whom have inspired me and continue to inspire. You yourself are means of inspiration for many with your thoughtful posts and your ability to pass your goal weight! Best of luck to you on the next phase of your journey to a HEALTHIER YOU!!!

@@Inner Surfer Girl & @@KindaFamiliar ...THANK YOU!!! @@akreese02 & @@Kathy812 ...The weight room has really given me a new set of curves! I go heavy and I go hard (3-4 sets per exercise; 6-12 reps, failing on the last). Women--with their estrogen filled bodies--struggle to acquire mass; so, going heavy, consuming lots of Protein throughout the day, and especially within the first 30 minutes post workout, is key to building that mass. Not to mention consistency! Working out is part of my daily routine. It has officially become habit. Good luck to you ladies and I hope you too can find your groove in the gym for a better, healthier, SEXIER YOU!!!

WOW @@livvsmum!!! You look Awesome...Congrats to YOU on your long term success!!!

I do, @@Margie122! Thank you and good luck to you!

You've had weight loss surgery, reached your goal and went the extra step to achieve the body of your dreams by getting plastics! Post your before and after pics here and share your awesome transformation! Inspire us pre-plastic potentials!

You're looking GREAT!!!

Thank you for sharing! I can completely relate to your story. I have gone through many similar experiences in my journey. My husband and I hit a very rough patch, but through communication he came to realize that HIS insecurities were creating unecessay tension. We now workout together, eat healthy together, and engage our four kids in physical activities together. After 13 years of marriage, our marriage is better than ever. However, during and after my transformation, it took me learning to love myself, my husband accepting my new self love and self confidence, and my husband regaining confidence that his "hot" new wife was the same person who still loved him unconditionaly in order for our marriage to overcome the hurdles that my transformation brought out into the open. I do not regret anything. I think we are better people because of it. There will always be people who will condemn you out of spite, anger or jealousy; but we cannot allow that negativity to infiltrate our lives! Life is too short to spend it in misery and because of the sleeve I have opend my eyes and live & love to the fullest!!!

If we, as bariatric patients, want to see indifinite change/long term success: We have to CHOOSE to retrain our palattes. We have to CHOOSE replace bad eating habits with good habits. We have to CHOOSE to become active. We have to CHOOSE to live longer, healthier lives. If we so CHOOSE at anytime to eat, drink, or consume goods that are NOT GOOD for our bodies, then we are faced with the CHOICE to get back on track and start all over again with CHOICES that are better for bodies/health/lives. Many of us will CHOOSE to "indulge" in non- healthy foods, but how often and how soon you get back on track is your CHOICE. I have stumbled many-a-time...but I have CHOSEN to get back up, wipe my knees and go at it again. As my journey has continued, I seem to stumble less and less. I DO NOT blame anyone or anybody for my stumbles...they were my CHOICES; and because I CHOSE to fight back against my years of bad habits, and because I CHOSE to fight for a healthier way of living, I consider my sleeve story to be one of success despite my stumbles. So, @@LipstickLady is right. What we eat and what we do with our bodies is a CHOICE...not a cheat, just a CHOICE...good or bad.

I am getting ready for plastics myself in just a few weeks. I read a lot of women wear compression fitness leggings, from brands like Under Armour, Nike, or other cheaper brands. I personally own about 6 pair of the under armour ones (they range from $30-$60, and I tend to buy the $30 ones; however, you can get the more expensive ones for less on the outlet site). I buy them a size smaller because I do not want my extra skin wobbling about when I work out, so I think they will be a perfect fit post surgery. My doctor said that those types of compression leggings are perfectly fine. Oh, and the Under Armour ones do not stretch out! Trust me, because I really have to stretch those suckers to get my thighs into them (a problem my plastics should reslove quite soon!).

What a great feeling, right?! I too would role my eyes when people would say, "You're so tiny." I often respond with quips like, "You're crazy!" It took a long time to accept that I was not a big girl anymore. I am getting plastics in about 5 weeks. My doctor said I will go down another size or two...and I am already down to a 6!!! My advice: Accept it! Own it! Work it!!!

@@My Bariatric Life, I am going with Dr. Peter Fisher from San Antonio. He has 25 years experience in the field and 15 years specializing in post massive weight loss corrective surgery. I think it is so important to go with a doctor who is experienced with MWL patients because it takes a different set skills to work with our bodies. I am--at this point--extremely happy with him. I like what I have seen of his work, he has a great reputation, comes highly recommended, and he has VERY AFFORDABLE prices. When talking to him, he seems genuinely passionate about what he does: "helping weight loss patients complete their journey...achieve their dreams."

@@AZDee you look AMAZING!!! Congrats on your fabulous results!!!

Good job @@Positivelife! You took the first step by stepping into that gym and you deserve a huge high five! My biggest tip is to keep it up. Rain or shine, tired or not, something to do or not, MAKE YOUR WAY to that GYM! Like @@KingMoose said, take it slow and at your pace, but get into that gym (or any other physical activity) and continue. You will see, as you build up your endurance and the weight continues to come off, that it will get so much easier and that you can test and push your limits. In that first year post-op, my regimen was cardio focused. After the weight dropped off, weight lifting is what helped to truly shape and build my physique. I love the fact that as I began to add on the muscle mass, my body fat seemed to deplete and burn off much faster. You cannot go wrong with weight lifting! Read, read, read and inform yourself is my other big tip. Inform yourself about the different types of exercises, exercise combinations and isolation exercises, and nutrition for optimal results. I take pre-workout and post workout supplements, and get my protein in at crucial times (first thing in the morning, 1 hour before my workout, within 30 minutes after my workout, and a casein protein before bed). I know you are only 4 weeks out, but the sooner you inform yourself, the better you will be able to perform and challenge yourself as you continue to change and grow in this new journey to the new you. Good Luck!

It depends on what procedure. Breast augmentation and reduction seem to be faster recoveries. However, from what I have read and heard from others, the recovery for things like the tummy tuck, lower body lift or thigh lift can range anywhere from 4-6 weeks before you are comfortable enough to return to work. Some, whom have sitting jobs, have claimed to have returned after 3 weeks. It is a full 3 months to complete recovery, and about 6 months to see final results due to continued swelling. Again, my plastics are not until June 9th, but this is from my doctor and from reading others personal experiences. Total cost for my surgery--which includes the lower body lift, tummy tuck, spiral thigh lift and breast augmentation--is $21k. This includes doctor fees, hospital fees, care facility 3 day/2 night post-op care, and all post-op visits. My doctor has 25 years experience, 15 years specializing in post massive weight loss surgery. It is imperative that you find a doctor that is experienced in post massive weight loss. Our body and skin is not like somebody seeking a mommy makeover.

I found my surgeon via RealSelf.com as well. His name is doctor Peter Fisher, out of San Antonio, TX; and I loved his vast years of experience--especially with post weight loss patients--as well as his results. I've consulted with numerous doctor's, but really felt myself drawn to him. He did not try to sell me any procedures--in fact, he convinced me I did not need so many. His prices were very competitive and I am all set for a lower body lift, tummy tuck, spiral thigh lift and breast augmentation on June the 9th (and yes, ALL at the same time). I am excited and looking forward to the results, NOT the PAIN, but nevertheless...weight loss journey completion...here I come. Good luck. I hope you find a surgeon that will help you achieve your goals.

If I drop my carbs too low, I definitely feel tired and cranky. Worse than that, I'll have little blackouts (as in, everything goes black with a bit of dizziness when I workout or get up too fast). When I up my carbs, I make sure that they are complex carbs from food sources like oatmeal and sweet potato. I will consume them primarily during the first half of the day, including simple--but natural--carbs from fruit rich in antioxidants.This way you are more likely to burn those carbs and natural simple sugars with your daily activities. My dinner is ALWAYS low carb (or close to non-existent).

I upped my calories and started to carb load on my weight training days...healthy/good complex carbs, of course. My sessions are anywhere from 1:15 to 2:00 hours long (depending what body part or parts I am working out). I noticed that my fat to muscle ratio greatly improved...literally, I went from a size 10 to a 6...and I still weigh the same . I low carb it and drop the calories on my non training days...well, maybe I just go for a run .

Lol! Maybe I will start practicing now so I will be used to it by then!

Oh my goodness, THANK YOU @@JamieLogical for taking the time to respond and for the helpful links. You are correct, I am not getting the leg lift that has the vertical incision. Fortunately, my problem area is the immediate upper thighs. You can actually see the muscle definition from my quads and hams (I work out my legs hard core!). So, my doctor said I was a perfect candidate for the spiral thigh lift. Did you use any creams to aid in healing and lightening your scar?

Okay ladies...so what compression garments do you all most highly recommend? Scar creams or anything else?!