ausmith

Thanks for your comments I for one do miss the opportunity to speak with someone about where I’m at and how others coped with it or are coping with it. I know for a fact when I went to have my operation I went in with a wealth of knowledge that I got from this site. I don’t always agree with everything that was said but if I didn’t, I moved onto another thread. One that I did agree with or that gave me answers or something to think about. Loosing the Long term Vets will never be a great thing.

I'm 4yrs out from VSG in Oct and I had all of my plastic surgery 13 months ago. Don't freak out swelling will come and go for at least 12 months. Just stick to what your doing and it will be fine. If you stress it will cause all sorts of problems. Try measuring this should show you when you are swelling which should be in line with wait gain or a stall. Your body is in shock so try to be patient with it.

Not sure where you live but I would suggest you go online to find a department store that does bra fittings. Get measured properly and just buy 1 bra until you know it's comfortable. In regards to swelling that will go up and down for a few months so you may need another fitting in a couple of months. I have had everything done breast reduction, arms, back, Circumference tummy. Everything except legs which I'm not getting done. Try not to get upset I can assure you once everything is done you will be in proportion. It's scary but it'll def be worth it. Next time you see your surgeon let them know that your nervous that they are now to small and they may suggest a very small implant to change the shape so that it will fit into a B cup. My surgeon suggested an implant to me to give me some fullness in the top of my bra cup but I wasn't interested. He did say if I change my mind it wouldn't be an issue at a latter date and would prob sit better anyway once the breast is over the trauma of the reduction and rebuild. If the surgical bra looks ok stay in that for a bit longer or even grab tshirt bras. Good Luck

Hi have you been given a quote for the work

Wow I have been struggling to find real vets with real advice on this site lately with all the politics. Thank you for starting this thread and thanks everyone for the comments. Life def is easier if you can talk to people living similar lives.

My Husband and I are at 3.5yrs and he has regained 12-15 I go up and down by 5 but I'm starting to get very bored and starting to feel heavy which is crazy I know but I can see that we have started to let the carbs in and that's not good. I also had skin surgery Aug last year so it's even more important for me that I don't do anything silly because I will never be able to afford skin surgery again. So it's fantastic to read that you got it back under control well done

I'm 3.5 years out and feeling the same way. I surpassed goal and got to my maybe maybe target of 132 from 254 and I go up and down within 5. My exercise has only ever been walk in the morning and walk at night total walking probably 90min. My Husband got in a rut and I keep encouraging him who is also met his goal but is about 12 up at the moment. Truth is I am bored with all of it food walking the lot. I feel heavy and it's a chore. I will be watching to see what you come up with because I know how easy it is for it all to fall down if we don't stay on track. Good Luck

Funny you mention the dreaded Frappe Starbucks Esspresso Frappe is hard to resist for both of us. Although we do have skinny milk and only one shot of the syrup

Yes I pretty much tried anything and everything that was high in protein and Low in carbs. There were many things I would not have eaten before but now find I like them. The same also goes for things I used to like that I don't like anymore. Your taste totally changes so try anything you never know

Hi my Husband and I had surgery in 2013 he lost 100lb within 10 months which was his goal. I lost 112lb within 12 months. The only exercise we did was walk using Fitbit we made sure we did 10,000 steps Everyday. Although I was in charge of food and not working so we were pretty strict with meeting our protein goals and keeping carbs as Low as possible

My Husband and I had sleeve surgery in Oct 2013. I really do miss the input from the vets. Life has been pretty easy for us but in the last 10 months my Husband has gained about 12lb and really struggling to not let that number get any bigger. I had a moment this week where I looked at us sitting on the lounge watching tv eating junk. I couldn't believe so many bad habits had slipped back into our life. I am still at goal but know if we persist on this path it's not going to be Long before I start struggling. I know what we need to do it's just making sure I can get him to engage and take notice. I almost have to find away to scare him into seeing what I can see. So if there are any vets out there that have been through this I would love to hear your story.

My Husband and I are 3 and a half years out we have both been very very lucky perfect story both at target weight within 12 months and moved up and down within ( 5lb) throughout the process. 10 months ago I had skin surgery and that started a bad slope for my Husband he is now about 12lb up and really struggling. I'm still at target but starting to worry is it all about to get very different from here. So yes this week I'm struggling a little with the mind games of the past that weight loss never lasts forever but I'm sure tomorrow the positive's will be back and all will be great

Hi I had a reduction and lift no implant and I love them.

Hi yes I've spoken to her she has had a problem with the revision to her arm but everything else she was really happy with. I'll let her know you were worried

It's a great feeling I still wear a bra but the fact I could go without is a great feeling. No implants either

3 years ago I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery on the same day as my Husband and we have done so well. A few ups and downs but still within our goal weights. I started at about 254 and am now at 132.5. Then in August this year Plastic Surgery to remove all of the excess skin. I was at about 143 before the surgery so I'm really happy with where I am. I had a Circumference Tummy Tuck with muscle tightening, Bra Lift ( Back) then 2 weeks latter I had my Arm Lift, Breast reduction and Lift ( my own tissue used for the rebuild). So all great only very minor infection in one of my arms that once treated was fine. Once again like my sleeve I absolutely love the work that was done it has made such a difference to my life. Now after all those hurdles I'm being dragged kicking and screaming and lots of tears into Menopause ahhh. If anyone has or is experiencing Menopause after one or both I would love to hear how your coping and what you are using for the symptoms. I think I need to find out as much as I can real fast. My poor Husband who has been fantastic my not survive this one lol Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I haven't ruled it out but taking it one step at a time. The symptoms are random at the moment but great to hear someone who is having success with HRT Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

So far I get overheated randomly at night but not sweating yet. My biggest symptom so far is the anxiousness from nothing at all. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I had Backmax contour foam pillow it's supports the whole body which is what you need after the TT. You can get it on Amazon. If you don't have a recliner it's the next best thing. You can lie it on the lounge during the day and on the bed during the night Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I pretty much had it all within a 2 week period Circumference Tummy Tuck with muscle tightening, Bra Lift ( Back) first surgery that took about 7hrs then 2 weeks latter Arm Lift Breast reduction and Lift (restructured with my own breast tissue ) 6.5hrs What I can suggest is that if you normally get sick after surgery that you tell them before you go in, so they can give you something to prevent nausea. After both surgeries the day after I became nauseous and it was the most painful feeling. The second wasn't as bad because they gave me something but very painful. I also got a small infection in one of my arms after about 5 weeks, which took about the same amount of time to heal. I think I caused the problem because after a shower one morning I noticed a stitch coming out of my tummy area so I got the tweezers and pulled it out, no problem no pain. A few days latter I noticed one in my arm so I did the same thing but it had a not under it so it wouldn't come out. I had remembered reading on one of the sites someone saying that if they won't come out trim it back so it doesn't aggravate you. Which I did, bad move I just cut it with the scissors and forgot about it. The Doctor said he thought the infection got in through where I cut the stitch. So my advice don't do anything without speaking to your Doctor no matter how simple or minor something sounds. The only thing I don't believe you can live without is a recliner or contour pillow system. I traveled for my surgery so had to use it for the 5 weeks I was there but don't know how I would have coped without it. Good Luck Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Keep it dry but also call the surgery and make sure your Doctor knows what's happening. Best to be safe than sorry Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi if you can hire a recliner it will make all of the difference. You will sleep in it for at least 2 weeks. I had my surgery overseas and stayed in an apartment so I couldn't get one so I purchased a wedge cushion system that elevates your back and knees. It fit on TOP of the lounge during the day and then my husband moved it to the bed of a night. I used it for 6 weeks and it was the one thing I would never be without if I had to go through with the surgery again. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I agree totally, it's hard work finding the money for it or even taking that step to say yes I am going to spend that amount of money on myself no matter what it takes. Most of us have been overweight for a Long time and our bodies are still fighting back after the weight loss. The only option for some of us is to have as much of that stretched beyond repair skin removed. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi we are similar I'm about 4 months out from Circumference tummy tuck, bra lift, breast lift and reduction and an arm lift. I had the tummy and bra lift on my back done first and the rest of the work done 2 weeks latter. The hardest was definitely the arms as I had a small complication with my left arm. A stitch tried to come through and when I couldn't pull it out I trimmed it and I think that is what caused an infection. It was a very small spot and lasted about 5 weeks but is now closed and looking great. The Doctor opened it and removed the stitch and any others that were around it, cleaned it then I had to put cream on it day and night while making sure it was covered with a waterproof dressing. It worked because it's fine now. I will prob go back to have a little more skin removed from the TOP of my tummy as it's now noticeable as the swelling is gone. Definitely a vanity thing because it's a million times better than it was and I don't need it but the Doctor said he will fix it so why not lol. Good Luck Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Take it easy now is the most important part of your recovery. Use ice packs if the incision burns for to Long it will give you relief. If you don't feel like eating at least make sure you get the Protein drinks down the protein is so important for recovery. I also found fresh pineapple seemed to help with swelling. Good Luck keep us posted on your progress Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App