AvaFern

Congrats! I am jealous! I did the abdominoplasty first and am doing the back part of the LBL in March. I would LOVE if my insurance paid for it.

I was self-pay. I joke that pretty soon I'm going to have a Maserati body. I have heard that financing options are often low interest if you have good credit and Mexico surgeries cost like 1/4 of what the same surgery in the state's costs. I really like my doctor a lot and he does a fabulous job, so I'm willing to pay the 50K it takes to get what I want, but believe me I would have preferred to have never been fat and bought the Maserati instead of just the new figure, lol.

So I'm not much help on most of your questions, but I can tell you a bit about bread. There are days I can eat a chicken sandwich (or like half of one) and I am fine, and there are days it makes me sick. I am 16 months post-op and I am very careful when I eat bread because I know it likes to sit at the top of my stomach, right around my esophagus, which feels awful. I can eat it, in slow bites, but I still have to be careful with dry bread or eating too much of it too quickly. Normal weight loss varies for everyone. I averaged about 10 pounds a month the first 7 months-ish. The about 7 pounds a month, then maybe 5, and now I'm lucky if i can lose 2-4 pounds a month. Some people lost way faster than I did and some lost slower. I'm bad about Vitamins. I take the chewable Flintstones gummies because regular vitamins make me sick. Your doctor should be able to give you more info about that. Lastly, you're far enough out from surgery where you shouldn't really be getting any clots, but I would let your doctor know about the leg and associated chest pain. It's his job to help fix you. Good luck!

I had Phenergan, Zofran, and the Scop patch after surgery. I was so ungodly sick and really none of it helped much. I specifically requested Phenergan after both of my plastics surgeries and didn't end up needing it. Phenergan is a wonderful drug and makes you a little sleepy I suppose, but I have taken it in the middle of the day during a sick spell and I didn't have any need to take a nap. In hindsight, the IV narcotics are what caused the nausea, and when I asked them to stop giving them to me in the middle of day two, all of my nausea was gone and the pain was easily managed with liquid Tylenol. When I had my plastics procedures I specifically asked for Phenergan, and I had zero nausea afterward. So, moral of the story, ask for Phenergan! It is good stuff.

Totally the baby first. When I went in for my consult the doctor asked me if I planned to get pregnant soon, and I said, no, but why do you ask? He said that medically there was no reason, but I just wouldn't get to enjoy my results for as long. Get the babies out of the way, save that plastics money, and then when you're done having kids go for the nip/tuck and you will get to enjoy your results the rest of your life.

Will I have to be on multiple different Vitamins for the rest of my life after the surgery? Nope, at least I am not. I tend to be bad at taking vitamins, because they have always made my stomach unhappy even before surgery. I take gummy vitamins when I remember and Calcium when I remember and otherwise I am a terrible example of Vitamin protocol, but all of my blood work is normal and I am 15 months post op, so fortunately the food I eat seems to fill that particular void. Is acid reflux something that is going to be a problem for the rest of my life after the surgery? (it seems practically everyone who has gotten the surgery claims of acid reflux problems) Hopefully not. I first started getting acid reflux about a month before surgery, which was truly horrible, and as it turns out the result of a hiatal hernia. They fixed the hiatal hernia during my surgery, which is fairly common to include in the surgery, and I have literally not had acid reflux once since. How long are you on a liquid only diet and what comes after the liquid diet and how long does that last? Your doctor's requirements may vary. I was on a no water/food diet for 2 days following surgery, then Clear Liquids for 5 days, then full liquids for 1-2 weeks-ish, then soft foods, and I was eating normal foods at about a month. Will I have to drink Protein shakes for the rest of my life after surgery or will I be able to gain my protein through food? I don't do protein shakes. They are not my particular cup of tea. I didn't drink them before surgery and I don't drink them now. To make sure you get enough protein it's a good idea to have them during your full liquids stage, but in an ideal world when you are eating normal food you should be able to get your protein from normal food and not protein shakes. For example, today I had oatmeal, with granola mixed in, and peaches. It works out to about 10-15g protein. For lunch, which I am eating right now I'm having the new Panera Quinoa chicken bowl which has a whopping 35g protein for 410 calories. I probably won't eat the entire thing or even close to it, but I'll eat the rest tomorrow or even later today when I get hungrier again. For dinner, I'll have salmon which has a decent amount of protein. I am usually a little low on my protein intake, but if you hate protein shakes, you don't really need to drink them if you're really cognizant of what you're eating. Can I add ice to my protein shakes post op? Yes, as long as you aren't swallowing chunks of ice right after surgery. Will I ever be able to have little bites of something delicious such as sugars or simple carbs or am I giving those up for the rest of my life? Little bites is all you will ever get, lol. I regularly have a few bites of cake at birthday parties, a bite or two of pie, maybe a cookie here and there. Last night we made the Pioneer Woman mystery bites, which are basically pillsbury muffin dough baked with butter and blue cheese. Kind of a heart attack on a pan, but really good. I had one (which is about two bites) and then I had a bite of another one as I was tossing out the leftovers and I was completely happy with that much. I know that if I eat a lot of sugar or fatty foods, I get dumping, which is particularly unpleasant. Plenty of people can eat a lot of junk food without an issue, so you are most certainly not giving it up for the rest of your life. The goal is to be able to eat anything you want, just in tiny tiny portions. Life is not about veggies and baked chicken for every meal and with the sleeve, after you've gone through recovery after surgery, you still get to enjoy everything, you just don't do so in large quantities anymore.

This is a good question. Only my three best friends know I had the procedure done and recently I spent some time with my family, who now think I have an eating disorder, lol. Much as I could explain away the fact that I don't eat much, I don't think it's any of their business so let them think what they want. I had an abdominoplasty so all my sleeve surgery scars are gone, so no evidence! I suppose after dating someone for awhile and considering it to be serious I may consider telling them, but my personal opinion is that everyone has secrets and if there is absolutely no way that my secret is going to hurt anyone, then I am free to keep it. If someone doesn't like the way I eat or the fact that sometimes I get sick if I eat too much, well then they are free to date someone else. I've tried to put myself in their shoes and if I found out someone I was seriously dating had once had a major bariatric procedure I would be a little annoyed that they didn't tell me, but I would also respect that it is part of their past and really none of my business. I suppose it is different for women in that we are expected to be very thin and not eating all that much is how that works, so men are less likely to question it. Comparably, if I went on a date with a man who ate like I do, I would wonder what was wrong with him. Sexist, I know, but there is def the perception that a man should eat, like, well a man, and a woman should eat like a bird. Therefore, I am fine with not sharing my secret and letting men think I am just very conscious of maintaining my weight. Good luck with your new man!

Your husband sounds like a manipulative tool, no offense. That being said, did he get you the sugar free popsicles as well or just the junk? My logic is that simply because I can't eat certain things, I have no intention of making anyone else suffer with me. I often cook food that I don't eat because I enjoy cooking, food makes people happy, and if someone wants to have a big old cupcake with ice cream, more power to 'em. Outside of that though, if he seriously only brought home that junk and didn't get you what you asked for so that you could eat your popsicle and he could eat his ice cream, I would be exceptionally mad and rightfully so.

I've been told to expect a stomach size of 5-8 ounces, or thereabout, but I seem to get filled with 1/3 of that, or less! Does this change in time? Not sure to be honest with you. I am 16 months out and I can eat a few bites of solid food and then I'm completely full. More than that I get sick. I have a VERY hard time meeting my nutritional goals (specifically 60 G of Protein a day) and would like to know what else y'all might suggest, aside from shakes? I drink those daily. I miss my protein goal every day. There is protein that is flavorless and tasteless that you can mix into Water or oatmeal or whatever. I ordered some with the intention of using it, but haven't had a chance yet. Seems like a good idea though. Oh and I eat weight control oatmeal for Breakfast (7g protein in a serving) with a little bit of protein granola on top (10g protein in a serving). I only eat about 1/3 the bowl, but it does add some protein early in the day. My weight loss from the pre-op diet (started 2 weeks before surgery) to today (almost 3 weeks after) has been close to 40 pounds. Is that average? I was self-pay so I did not have a pre-op diet. I was into surgery 2 weeks after I decided I wanted it. The loose skin is a cause for concern, as it's already started to show. Upper arms and tummy, especially. Have you been successful at bouncing back from that, or is this something I have to face for life? (If it matters, my peak weight was 280 lbs, 5'7, 38 y/o female) I started at 237 and after 100 pounds I was not looking hot. I've had a series of plastic surgery procedures done which have fixed the issue. I think if I had been more patient, some of my skin would have bounced back. It seems like this is really dependent on genetics and your own skin. Ladies - how much of your breasts did you lose? Forgive such a vain question, I just wanna keep 'em, haha. I started with a 38DDD, had a 36DD when I was almost done losing, and went back to a 34DDD with a breast lift and augment. I didn't feel like I lost size as much as they just went from being nice boobies, to droopy udders, lol. Do you find yourself having trouble sleeping? For side sleepers and tummy sleepers, how long until it stopped hurting and you could be comfortable again in those positions? I sleep on my stomach and it was about 2-3 weeks before I was comfortable sleeping like that again. Otherwise, no real issue sleeping. Speaking of pain, I will assume that does eventually go away completely, but I still feel twinges when I twist and move certain ways. Normal? Very normal. I felt twinges for about the first 6-7 weeks after sleeve surgery. I've noticed also with my plastic surgery procedures, while technically you're healed at 6 weeks, I still felt pain from twisting for a few weeks afterward.

It may just be Water retention. I have days where I eat next to nothing and wake up and I've gained weight. It always goes away again in the next few days. Over Christmas I started Christmas week at 134, ate no more than 1000 calories any day, ended the week at 137, then woke up a day later at 133. As long as it isn't a consistent gain, then you're fine. Be patient...haha, or so I tell myself...I am not a patient person.

I started weight loss as a DDD and ended (sort of ended, still a bit from goal) as a DD and then when I had plastics done (breast lift and augment) I am now back to a DDD. I feel like now that my girls are higher and actually full instead of hanging like udders, I am more comfortable with them. As for back pain, have you tried core exercises? The stronger your stomach is, the less your back will hurt. I am kinda slouchy, so I have to put forth a focused effort to not only keep my back straight, but also to make sure I get in ab exercises, because I notice it not only in my posture, but in a sore back, when my core loses some muscle. Hope you feel better soon!

Have you checked out realself.com? They have reviews for a lot of the procedures, not just those related to surgery. In my experience, the skin tightening is largely a waste of money for anyone who has had major weight loss. Much as it is expensive, the only really good way to fix the loose skin, especially on your arms (tricep area) is through surgery. Kind of a bummer

I used BioCorneum for my plastic surgery scars and it worked well, but honestly I used nothing on my sleeve scars and they faded in a year to a point where you could barely see them. I put it on at about the 2 week post-surgery mark.

Fruit juices and smoothies are medically fine, as long as you recognize that you are likely taking in a lot more sugar and calories than you and your surgeon would find optimal. If you mix in some Protein powder and use light juices or low sugar smoothie mix options, you can still drink smoothies- it's just really important to be aware of how quickly the calories and sugar can add up. I am one of those lucky people that gets dumping and yes, fruit juice, smoothies, milk shakes, Desserts, and really anything with too much sugar or too much fat does all kinds of fun things for me. Usually with sugars I start getting really hot (like hot flashes level hot- or at least I imagine that's what it's comparable too), my heart rate increases, I get sweaty, and during the first six months or so of surgery I would need to lay down for about 20 minutes because I felt so crummy. If I realize what's happening quickly, I avoid the puking that is accompanied with mouthfuls of goo. If I don't recognize that I'm getting sick, sometimes I don't have the hot flashes, heart rate increase, and flushed feeling, but I just skip straight to the barfing. Basically when I eat something I shouldn't, I lean over the toilet (after sprinting to the bathroom), open my mouth, and it all comes spewing out coated in this thick slimy oozy goo- a little like the Exorcist. I don't regret my decision to have the sleeve and many people never experience any form of dumping, so I would not let the possibility deter you from the surgery.

I suppose I am a vet now (yay). I am almost 16 months out from surgery and I am currently 132 pounds. I had an original goal weight of 129 although I have always had the magic number of 119 in my head- I just have never been this close to it as an adult. I am very number oriented, so I feel like when I hit 129, it will be awesome, but when I'm at 119 I will absolutely be done. Outside of that though, it is also about how I feel. I can now go into a store and almost all of the small sizes (and some extra small) fit me in tops and dresses and in bottoms I am anywhere from a 4-8 depending on the brand. I had plastic surgery (breast augment and lift, abdominoplasty, lipo to a few areas, brachioplasty, and thigh lift) so the top half of me I am very good with but the bottom half of me I'm a little less happy with. As such, I am now at a point where I can be comfortable with my size and maintaining, but not at my goal number, and being goal oriented, I feel I will stop when I finally hit that point on the scale. Really though, when I was no longer classified as overweight, which for my height was at 137, I figured I was now at a point where medically I was no longer a risk and I had eliminated nearly all of the risk factors associated with being fat. Ultimately the goal should be to be healthy...although I'll admit, my goal is to be hot..hahaha.

It is easy to cut 10-15 pounds in just a few hours if you use techniques that wrestlers and other weight-specific sports use. Since you have two weeks, you can certainly accomplish this, it just won't be any fun. I would google weight cutting techniques. As a disclaimer, this isn't a healthy way to lose weight, but if you want surgery bad enough, this is a viable option. Good luck!

I am 15 months out and I still routinely get the slimes. Some foods I know cause it (melty cheese, melty chocolate, anything fried- so stuff I shouldn't eat anyway), but other things such as meats, bread, and some Snacks are fine one day and have me barfing the next. Eating really really really (yes, three really's) slowly is the only way to avoid it or worst case recognize when you start to feel it and stop eating so you barf less.

I don't forgive or forget, lol. I am tolerant of those who happen to still be around and who have wronged me, but for the most part I eliminate them from my life. The only person I am worried about forgiving is myself and frankly, to hell with anyone else.

I had pho a few weeks ago and also got pretty sick. I puked for about an hour and then felt better about 4 hours later. My sleeve does not seem to like something in pho and given past experience, I tend to think it was probably the noodles. Hope you feel better!

2 weeks I was self-pay. I'm not very patient and my private insurance (also Aetna) would never have covered it. Good luck in your process!

I think the only person who can decide if it's right for you is you. That being said, when I was 185, it took me about 4 pounds to drop down into the 130's, and of course then I gained it right back. I still think, knowing the challenges and benefits of the sleeve, that if I had only been 185, I would have gone for the more traditional route without surgery and I feel like, just like the 10 times in the past I would have gained it right back. I have successfully maintained in the 130 range for almost 4 months, which is the longest I have been at this weight my entire adult life. The sleeve allows me to eat like a normal person in the sense that I can have a few bites and not have the need to eat an entire box of anything. Despite that though, I can't eat quickly or much without puking, so I sacrificed eating like a normal person to be thin. So far I'm ok with the tradeoff.

The best way I was able to get all of my Fluid in was to drink things I actually liked- which was never water- and to use a straw. As long as the straw doesn't give you gas, you can drink with it, and for me this made the difference between getting all my fluid and not. I am 15 months out and still don't drink without a straw because it feels like I'm swallowing rocks. You can drink Propel, light gatorade, and after awhile diet soda. Fluid is fluid, you just need to watch the calories and account for fluids that are also diuretics (like tea).

If it makes you feel better, I saw myself in a security video the other day, and I was like, holy crap, I do not look hot! As of this morning I am 132 pounds and it looks like I wadddle when I walk. Also, my butt is giant looking compared to how I thought it looked in a mirror. I have a camera at my house that we turn on when we're leaving and I forgot to turn if off while I was changing one day a few months ago...oh yes, naked Ava was not hot at all- I could actually see all my rolls of skin flapping as I walked. That day I decided on plastic surgery. At any rate, I also know how you feel about seeing yourself on camera, although I also tend to wonder if our opinion is not influenced by the other people we see on camera. For the most part, we don't see normal people on video- we see touched up, attractive, movie stars in the video medium, so when we compare ourselves, it's not quite the same thing as seeing a picture, where we're used to what normal people look like. Unfortunately, video doesn't lie, but maybe our perception is a little off. (Or at least I hope so, lol)

Haha, I thought about the same thing! Fortunately, I still have a few pounds to go so I won't have to be creative this year and come up with something new, but what a novel idea- to not have to go on a major diet on New Year!

I was a cash pay patient and I have been successful. I would much rather be cash pay because you don't have to jump through all of the hoops that insurance requires. I haven't been to a single appointment after my 3 week follow-up, I saw a dietician once before surgery, I haven't been to any support meetings, and the point between deciding I wanted surgery and walking into surgery was 2.5 weeks. Paying cash gets you in faster and if you are self-motivated is far less of a hassle than dealing with insurance. If you need tools that are provided through insurance, then perhaps that is something to consider. I tend to be fairly do-it-myself oriented, so I had no issues. As for alcohol, after the first six weeks your stomach is pretty much healed, so nothing wrong with drinking a bit. I had a few sips of champagne at 4 weeks and in the last year I've had a few nights that involved a couple shots, or a few glasses of wine, or a few cocktails. I'm not a huge drinker, so I was already a lightweight. I have not had any issues with the sleeve and drinking but I also tend to drink slowly and/or pace out the shots over the course of a night.