Bkind2u

Hi everyone! I have gained and lost 75 to 100 pounds many times in the past, finally was sleeved 9/11/13. I'm 57 now, but when I was in my early 30s I lost 75 lbs and did not have any loose skin except for maybe thighs as I'm a pear shape. I did work out but nothing else drastic. I again gained and lost this time 100 lbs at age 40. This time my thighs definitely were a little soggier, but tummy flat and got belly button pierced to celebrate. I was the same size as my best friend - 5'5", size 6, 140 lbs worked out 4 days week. When we stood side by side I looked like a slightly melted version of her in the areas I had been heaviest which for me was legs and thighs. My arms and tummy were perfect. I was happy with my appearance. I am now 57 and have lost 80 lbs so far, down from 265. I have skin sagging on my arms, tummy, and legs. This time things haven't bounced back like in the past. I think my weight change is not THAT much more drastic, but the difference in sagging is due to age. Even now I mainly sag in areas that I was heaviest, and less so in other areas. Think of your skin like material that loses its elasticity. The areas that were stretched out the most are the ones that might not bounce back as well. Overall, I think your age is very much in your favor, and that you may have slightly sagger skin in the areas you were heaviest. Whether this bothers you or not depends on how often you plan to wear swim suits or other body baring clothes, and by how much of a perfectionist you are. Good luck and hope this helps! By the way, I am SOOOOO having plastics when I get to goal.

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe juviderm filler? Might be kinda expensive tho..... Ok I have to say that this was one area I never worried about sagging....UNTIL NOW! EEEEEEEKKKK

OK now I have a visual from "Last Tango in Paris", dang sexual addiction!

Hi Jane, WOW what a transformation! Thanks for posting your pre VGS photo, it makes me sad to look at it. Reminds me of myself pre op. I am planning on plastics when I reach goal and looking at your pics and reading your posts are very inspiring! I had breast cancer 3 yrs ago and had a lumpectomy and radiation, so am hoping the breast lift can be done at Stanford with medical insurance. I had the VSG in TJ as a self pay because I was off work for knee surg and impulsively decided to go for it while off. Best decision ever! I am definitely going to Mexico for any other plastics I need/want. I love reading about your weight loss journey and fitness regimen also. CONGRATULATIONS you l

I had an old analog scale that I used pre op but post op I bought a good digital scale that also gives my BMI and keeps track of last few weights ( only about $30 at Walmart). I can step off it then back on and weight is exactly the same including to the tenth of a pound. Now I don't care what any other scale says as my home scale is the one I am using to actually track progress. Now all I have to fret about is dang water fluctuation, and stalls, etc lol.

Oops I meant Butterthebean lol, also cowgirl Jane ( I am obsessed with reading about plastics!) and all of you who share your journey honestly and with an open mind.

Laura you have inspired, educated, and amused me so much! I just read your post on sliders and realized a sneaky slider that had crept into my life- reduced fat wheat thins! Your post on enabling and food addiction hit the mark also. I binged and starved and exercised for 3 decades, sometimes maintaining goal weight for a year by indulging other addictions such as sex, other times reaching goal then immediately binging out of control! I was sleeved 9/11/13 and an SO THANKFUL to have the food restriction that does not allow me to binge. I finally feel relaxed around food. My rationalization and food demons are beaten back to a controllable level. Every day I come on here and read to stay aware and awake in my new habits and realizations. You, Butterpants, Gamergirl and Lipstick Lady (I want to be a pretty pretty princess!) are gurus. Thank you.

Jessica you went from cushy momma to curvy bombshell! Huge difference!

The worst comment I ever got was not related to VSG, it was after I had a miscarriage then got pregnant again 3 months later. A person at work said "try to hang on to it this time" meaning the baby. If someone can say something like that, then I am not surprised by anything they say.

Soooo glad you posted! I had my VSG 9/11/13 and am 57. It is great to hear that you have lost weight and maintained a healthy lifestyle for 5 years and started at the age of 63! One concern I have had is that weight loss slows with age, but I am happy to lose slowly but steadily! Do you mind my asking how your body has adapted over the five years, specifically if your skin has tightened up and weight redistributed? I am thinking that I may have plastic surgery after I have reached goal. But wonder if I should give it a while to let my body redistribute and change.

Hi Maria, Congratulations on having a healthy baby! What I can tell you is that the surgery is a "tool" to help you lose and maintain weight loss, and since 85 percent of your stomach was removed the VSG. can still help you even after 2 years. What I have been told to do is eat 70 to 100 grams of protein a day. It is easy to track your protein and calories if you get the application MY FITNESS PAL. it is best to spread the eating out to 3 meals and 2 snacks. Do not drink 30 min before or after meals as this will wash the food through faster and you will get hungry faster. Do not eat simple carbs if possible, as this can actually trigger MORE hunger and carb craving. Most people I have read about limit their daily caloric intake to 900 to 1200 calories a day, depending on how much muscle you have and how much exercise you are getting. It is important to drink at least 64 oz of water daily also. Last, but not least, get your daily exercise in- or at least 30 minutes 5 x a week. Don't panic, relax, be good to yourself. Good luck!

Hi Lynn, I think picking the surgeon is the most important thing! Many surgeons have NO leaks and very few if any complications. I had my surgery 9/11/13 in Mexico since I decided to self-pay. During surgery a hiatal hernia was discovered and repaired at no extra charge. I had no post op complications and am doing great at 5 1/2 weeks post op. I read a lot on this forum and other places and am very excited about the future. For me after years of yo yo dieting I know this will help me get control to keep the weight off and be able to maintain cleaner eating and a healthier lifestyle!

Omg lipstick you are hilarious! Unfortunately, I usually do not have someone around to annoy except my little dog! He is annoyed because he loved sitting on my boob shelf and now that my upper tummy that held it up is gone he has to settle for my lap! On the other hand, I now HAVE a lap. I totally get on the scale every day and analyze my weight, as well as after occasional "movements". I have been trying to figure out how to take my selfie next to random chubbier strangers to compare our sizes, but am afraid I would be arrested... My daughter is 16 and totally obsessed with herself and her own life, when I try to get compliments out of her it takes WWWAAAYYYY too much effort. My son is 19 and out of town playing ice hockey for the season, so hopefully can get some good feedback and annoying moments out of him!

Pepcid is a pill. I took that also. What I ALSO took was a LIQUID antacid. This is what provides the quick relief. I got a generic brand of Maalox. Yucky to drink but works great.

Welcome! I am so happy with my decision. Had VSG 9/11/13

Are you taking any liquid antacid? My doctor Rxd it for 3x a day post op and whenever I have tummy ache I take a swig, very quick relief

Hi Italian, there are 3 hot tubs next to each other outside also. The pool is nice if you hit a warm day, but we mostly hung out in the hot tubs.

I had my surgery thru Mexico Bariatric Center, everything the same as described by ITALIAN CURVES except I chose Dr. ponce de Leon. I met Dr. Valenzuela while I was there and I've heard nothing but good things about her. I liked Dr. ponce though because he is much more experienced, and I wanted someone who would keep me under anesthesia for the least amount of time, and that could handle anything that came up. They found a hiatal hernia during surgery that they repaired also, at no extra charge. The experience was excellent, and I have recovered well and am very happy with my choice.

Hi Daydra, I totally "feel" you. I agree with your assessment as you described, and have had some similar issues due to yo yo dieting/binging for years and my age slowing down weight loss. One thing I wanted to mention is that surgeons become surgeons because they like to go for the quick fix. I don't think many surgeons are interested in exploring other options as to why a body isn't functioning optimally. It sounds to me that you are your best resource. An endocrinologist is helpful to order and interpret hormonal tests, but again I don't see them giving you the answers and guidance you are looking for. I did see a kinesiologist who was also a holistic practitioner and he really knew his stuff. Over the years I have used both western and eastern type practitioners, and have found the eastern type to be much more whole body oriented. Western medicine has become more specialty oriented, to the great detriment of the patient in my opinion. Good luck to you, and keep posting how your quest is going. I am very interested in hearing how you do and what you find out.

If you post your email I will ask Ashley love to send u an invite:)

I had the trapped gas near lt shoulder for 3 weeks! I was told to walk and take deep slow breaths in and slow exhale. Pain got better each week, but it did take a while for it to go away altogether!

I would like the info. I notice we had the same surgeon, does he do plastics also?

I had surgery on 9/11 with Dr. Ponce de Leon. He is the most experienced of doctors who do the sleeve in TJ, and is called a super doctor! He was a little more expensive but I felt his experience was worth it. He does not speak English, but he works with a family practice physician who is fluent in English and actually had the surgery herself! I had a hiatal hernia that was discovered during the surgery and that was repaired also. I have had no complications post op and can highly recommend him to you!

Also man people say that it is easy to confuse acid in the stomach with hunger. My doctor prescribed a liquid antacid 3x day for one month. If u r not taking one might be a good idea to try...

Hey PHAT pat, you look great! I definitely want to know more about your journey and success!