Amyllf2

****warning- this is not a warm and fuzzy post****** I am just shy of 11 months post op. I am down 92 pounds from surgery, 105 from my first appointment. I have been between 152 and 157 for the past 2 months now. This is where it seems I will end up. I went from a 22 pant to size 10. A 2x shirt to a M. I even dropped a shoe size. I was able to drop a good portion of my heart medicine and I no longer feel like I'm going to die walking upstairs. A year ago I would never have been able to walk around campus like I do now. (I'm a college lecturer at a large university) All should be good, but in reality, I hate my new body. I don't think I'm alone. I think this is one of those "dirty little secrets" many in the WLS community feel but maybe don't verbalize. While I am thankful my health has improved, the mirror has become even more of an enemy. I didn't have wrinkles before, because my face was full. I had boobs, because as we know they are mainly fat. My legs were big but I still wore shorts, something I won't be doing this spring and summer. I had an ass, one that didn't sag and one that protected my tailbone that is now permanently bruised and inhibits sleeping on my back. I know this a negative post and I don't mean to be such a "debbie downer" about this experience. But I think it's important to talk about the tough stuff. The reality of what it might feel like a year out for many people. It's not all "kum by yah" and being thinner does not solve all of our whoas. I miss my boobs. I hate plopping my saggy skin into a sports bra and positioning it to resemble boobs. I hate the fact that the skin on my legs hangs over my knees. I hate the wrinkles on my face and the skin under my chin. I hide my body from my husband more than I did before. I don't smile when I look in the mirror like I assumed I would. Maybe someone warned me about these things- but I must not have listened because I was not prepared for how I currently feel. Was the surgery worth it? Yes because my health is still the priority. But this reality, well my friends, it sucks.

Anyone training for endurance events? How are you fueling?

Downlbs where did you have surgery? I'm wondering if some of the differences in our experience was hospital based. I only stayed 24 hours by choice as well and I also went home with no pain meds. I did see Dr. Fitzer and Jenny his PA several times. I talked to Fitzer several times the first week because I had a slight fever. He was very responsive. I also had a bleeding ulcer at month 5. Fitzer was my first call. He and Jenny were great and managed my hospital stay and medicine instead of sending me to my primary or my general surgeon.

2.5 years out and still cold all the time. Bloodwork perfect. Just no cushion left to keep me warm.

I agree it's an individual thing. I'm 2.5 years out. I don't track calories. I eat until full and try to focus on protein and good carbs. I too am now running. On long run days I do eat an extra time. I don't weigh myself often. Maybe once or twice a month. I'm in a 5 pound range consistently.

I had a bleeding ulcer 5 months out. 2 days in hospital. Lots of yucky meds and a lot throwing up blood. But the meds eventually stopped it and I didn't need surgery. It's been 2 years now with no more issues.

I am beyond thrilled with my experience with his practice. I had mine done in April 2014. At the time he only used Fair Oaks. I know he uses other hospitals now as well. I'm sure they are great too.

I'm almost 2 years out. Started eating very badly again. My husband decided to go on weight watchers so I joined with him. I lost 7 lbs in the first 2 weeks by just cutting out the crap! Back to healthier food makes a huge difference. I am only 12 pounds from my lowest weight but I didn't want it to continue to creep back.

I'm really late conversation but I figure done new person might look. I had surgery 4/15/14. Dr. Fitzer and Jenny are fantastic!!!!

Add protein drinks or healthy higher calorie beverages. Also higher calorie protein. That was the recommendation given to me and it worked. Fruit isn't adding any significant calories to level you off.

I'm 15 months out and have not changed my vitamin routine at all.

Take as much as you can. I was out 8 full days. First few weeks were exhausting! For me driving was the worst part.

I increased my calorie intake so I stopped losing. My doctor said it was fine and suggested adding a Protein shake instead of more food. My 1 year was in April. I have not lost anything since February. I've lost 92 since surgery. I probably could drop another 15 but have no desire to do so.

I had surgery April 2015 with Dr. Fitzer. I've had a great 15 months with the practice! You only see Jenny post-op but that's still been great. I did end up with a bleeding ulcer at month 5. I didn't know if I should call Fitzer or my PCP. So I called him and he was great. Had me transfered from the ER in Leesburg to Fair Oaks in case he needed to go in. Luckily medicine resolved the issue and I did not need any surgery. They didn't have take of me and I truly appreciate the fact that they did! I also appreciate their realistic approach to the entire thing. Fitzer was very good about setting realistic goals and not focusing on being "skinny". I feel like he's a numbers guy. He told me I could realistically expect to lose 80 pounds after surgery. That didn't even put me in my chart range but based on statistics, it was realistic. I think that was very important from the start for me. I have actually lost 90 since surgery (give or take a few pounds that I fluctuate). I still have excess weight but I don't have any intention on losing any more. Jenny was totally supportive of that decision. I wear a size 10 bottom and a M top. I've never been this small. At nearly 50, I'm good here and I'm happy to have their support. Email me anytime. I have not been on here in a while. AMYLLF2@AOL.COM

I agree. I'm a year out and no regrets. it's not always easy or fun, but it's worth it.

Moltoguy- did you have your surgery yet? I had mine a year ago. I had a great experience at Fair Oaks. I live over an hour away in Frederick CO MD. It was worth it.

mrmbv I had surgery 4/15/14 @ Fair Oaks with Dr. Fitzer. I had a great experience at Fair Oaks. I ended up there in September as well for a bleeding ulcer and again, great experience. I actually live an hour away in Frederick County MD but chose Fair Oaks.

I am naturally very muscular. This is part of the boob issue because when I was an athlete I had pecks not boobs. So I don't have much breast tissue. My arms and legs are very muscular and have been throughout the last year. I met a trainer who was shocked I wasn't on a lifting program already because of how stacked I look in the arms and legs. He agreed I would have to lift like professional body builder to fill out any more of the excess skin. Most women tone muscles but mine are really built like a guys. I have not been doing formal cardio other than the 7,000 steps I walk daily at work. I do a some light arm exercises. If the weather ever improves, (It's snowing here in my section of Maryland) I will be out doing more things. I have an April 2 appointment with a plastic surgeon who specializes in after weight loss procedures. I'm not getting my hopes up but I want to see what the options are and how much it costs. My daughter heads to college in the fall so paying for surgery is probably not realistic. I hope people who read my initial post, especially those who are starting out, understand this issue is part of the journey they need to deal with. I think we all focus so much on the food, and the Protein, and the scale, and the exercise etc. I think many of us assume a smaller body is going to transform how we feel about ourselves. My point is the fact that the new body is different, not necessarily better. You gotta wrap your head around it sooner rather than later.

Well I gave up on the group page. I could not figure it out. You could not access if from the phone app. It just wasn't working out for me or the other 27 people who were members. So I am starting this thread. I know there is already an April 2014 post op thread but it's a variety of people. While I totally support everyone having any kind of WLS, our experiences are not the same. Bariatric Pal has 3 sections for that very reason. I'm a perfect example. When I started on this board I used the Sleeve boards because I had every intention of having that procedure. When it changed, I jumped over here to the Bypass surgery forums. So I just wanted to make sure our April 2014 bypass folks had their own thread because we need to support each other and the issues that arise specific to the bypass. I hope that the sleeve and band folks find the same specific support in those forums. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/384-post-operation-gastric-sleeve-surgery-questions-answers/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/152-post-operation-lap-band-surgery-questions-answers/

You look great. More importantly you like like you feel great!

Can anyone share anything that they feel helped with the excess skin issue? I know hydration and exercise are big things. But has anyone had any luck with products, scrubs, lotion, homeopathic, essential oils, brushing etc ? I'm 10 months out down 95 pounds which is hopefully the end. I'm not sure I want plastics. I am struggling with arm and leg skin.

jump on the VSG boards. Those folks can probably answer more of your questions. This is the bypass board so our post op and long term stuff is very different.

That's a very individual thing. I'm 9.5 months out and I rarely feel hungry. Every once in a while when I get up. This is the case whether I am being good and eating 3 high Protein meals, or whether I am being bad and eating/snacking whatever. Lots of people report being hungry from day 1. So there is no magic right or wrong, normal or not normal.

1 night, no pain meds sent home. Went back to work on day 8. Should not have. I teach college and didn't want to miss classes. I sat during class for a week. Driving to school was the worst part. I did not have ports which I think also makes a difference in the time frame for many people.

As we all get closer to surgery, I thought having our own group would be a good idea. This is my first group so be patient as we all figure out how to use it.