Ms. Laydee2014

I had surgery May 12th and have lost 122 pounds to date. I am beginning to notice loose skin around ab area, legs and a little on my back but honestly it's not as bad as it could have been. It helped that when I was in the "pre-op" phase, I kick-started a weight training program to build up more muscle BEFORE the surgery. I'd read many articles about loose skin and wanted to try and get ahead of it, knowing I would continue with weight/strength training post-op. Some tips: Make sure to get your Water intake....EVERYDAY. Right after surgery, they will tell you to start walking.... get your walking in....EVERYDAY... When the Dr. gives you the "all-clear" to begin weight/strength training, GET ON IT. Commit the time to yourself (health/body) that's not negotiable. IMPORTANT: If you don't have any...... INVEST in good shaping undergarments/girdles or compression wear. Don't buy all at once-since you will be going down in sizes.( I've went down 4 sizes in shape wear so far)... The shaping underwear helps by giving a smoothing look--holding in skin and gives confidence while on your weight loss journey. Just remember it took years (in my case DECADES) to get my skin comfortable at a morbid obese level. I'm okay if it takes 2-3 years to get my skin back to a more normal weight. It takes time...... Don't sweat the skin stuff, just commit to doing what it takes to get your health back on track. For me, I can't rock that bikini (in public) like the supermodels can but I CAN NOW walk up a flight of stairs w/o going into distress, tie my own shoes and now see my own feet when standing.... I'll take THIS body (with skin) over my old 330 pound body---without a doubt. Don't let the skin stuff scare you guys off..... Good Luck on your journey...

Don't cancel your surgery!!! What you're feeling is normal and let's just say that the negative feelings will pass the closer you get to your date. I was "all over the board" emotionally prior to WLS--One day i'd be happy about the surgery then the next day I would feel the opposite. Because I was a 20 year yo-yo dieter, I knew how the lose the weight but NOT how to keep it off. The result was more regain over & over & over again till I hit my highest weight of 330. I felt like a failure and the medical issues from being morbidly obese was more "pile on" of negativity. I couldn't walk up stairs, problems w/breathing walking to my car, sleep apnea, back pain, knee/joint pains, asthma, couldn't fit in booths at restaurants, airlines.... and so on. Focus on the things that you plan to do once you get your health under control and ignore everything else. Put yourself (your health) FIRST this time. WLS is a tool to help you get to your goal but it's not a "cure-all" for everything going on in your life. As far as the skinny co-workers chatting-- IGNORE THEM. Their story is NOT your story and YOUR JOURNEY is NOT their journey. Check with the surgeons office to see if they have WLS support groups that meet and start going to the meetings. This helps me ALOT to hear the stories, tips etc from others that are in the same boat. And know that even after the WLS, there will be good & bad days. I'm still on my WL journey and even on the worst days I don't regret having RNY done. Good Luck to you both!!!!!

I also worried about loose skin before my RNY but i'm so glad it didn't stop me from having surgery. Each person is different but so far, I really don't have a lot of loose skin. What I did: 2 1/2 months prior to surgery date, I was really hitting the gym and working on strength training (weights) - CONSISTENTLY. I wanted to minimize loose skin as much as I could.... That was huge since you're not allowed to workout w/weights until cleared by your Dr after surgery which could be 4-6 wks after surgery. Either way, I've learned that good undergarments (like Spanx, Maidenform) is essential and staple of my wardrobe I'm now starting to notice loose skin on inner thighs and on my arms & back. But let's be real... I'd rather have that loose skin (that i'm working on w/strength training ) than my old body that was morbidly obese w/ health issues. Good luck to you.

I'd have to agree with the other posters here. It's a very personal decision and one you'd need to weigh the pros/cons. For me, I had a serious addiction to pastas, carbs & fast foods, sugars & emotional/bored eating. I was originally going to go with the sleeve but had to take a hard look at my habits, history and where I was mentally before the surgery. For me, this tool was the "last stop" on my weight yo-yo over the past 2 decades. I would lose weight, get comfortable then regain more weight--over & over till I ballooned to my heaviest weight of 330. I wanted that secondary "reinforcement" of staying on track w/ what you're eating AFTER you've healed from surgery and get back to "normal". With the RNY, if you eat anything high in sugar, carbs etc. your body will react right afterwards and YOU WILL have a dumping episode--which is NOT FUN. The upside (if you want to call it that) is that you can immediately re-evaluate what you just ate and adjust to ensure it doesn't happen again. Honestly, I've never had a "dumping episode" over the same scenario twice-- but I now know that I must evaluate not just the meats I eat but also the sauces etc., the combination of foods I eat & the length between meals. There's no "cheat" meals or days w/ RNY unless you enjoy "dumping" (which I don't). Are there days (like my birthday) where I wish I could've had a slice of that b-day cake w/icing? Yes. But these are also the times that I'm glad that I chose the RNY, cause I probably would've "cheated" if I didn't know what would happened afterwards (dumping). Also, seeing the scale go down since my surgery (May 12) let's me know I made the best decision for me. Whatever your final decision is (sleeve or RNY), if you use it as a "tool" for permanent weight loss/healthy living, you will lose the weight and keep it off this time. Good luck with your decision.

I went through the same issue... What helped me was refried Beans & other beans in can. They're pretty soft and my stomach was able to handle it-- so you're getting some Protein in. To the day, chicken still gives me issues but i'm just now able to tolerate beef, steak etc.... Also, eggs were easier on my pouch and went down easier. Your stomach is still healing but as time goes on, more meats will be palatable.

chicken was a culprit of mine as well- food getting stuck.. When it happened I called my Dr's office and was advised to do the following to help break down the food that's stuck--This info is also online.... but you'd still want to check with YOUR Dr. to get final ok 1. Take a 1-2 SIPS of carbonated soda (Sprite/7Up).....The carbonation helps to break down the food particles that's stuck. I keep 2 small cans of Sprite in my fridge, but it's ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES...It's NOT a "badge" to go back to drinking soda/pop. 2. I also went to drug store and bought papaya enzymes tablets (chewable). These are in the Vitamin section and they also help to breakdown the "stuck" food. I actually bought 2 bottles and keep one in my purse in case it food gets stuck when i'm away from home. You're right... It's a very uncomfortable feeling when food gets stuck. Be careful, slow down when eating and if in doubt, choose other options. I used to love chicken (pre-surgery) but now find myself getting my Protein from cheese, finely ground turkey and Beans.

Have to agree with other poster..... you aren't alone and every person's heal rate is different. I had my RNY last Monday 5/12 and I still have a terrible pain in just one of the incision points (right below left breast) that's also still swollen.. the other ones are fine. Also, my steri-strips still haven't come off with the daily showers etc. In looking at You Tube vids and talking to others, it seemed like no one else was still in pain or they bounced back 2 days after surgery... Not me .... so you're not by yourself. I stopped comparing my healing rate and just making sure to do everything they tell me in post op. I also called my Dr. when the pain from eating pureed chicken got to me. (That's what we paid the Drs. fees for)

We're in the same boat!!! My RNY is also Monday also (5/12) and trying to calm my nerves... Feeling anxious, happy, nervous, resolute all at the same time..... My time to be at the hospital is 11am- nothing to eat/drink after midnight tomorrow. I'm sure you will be fine (we both will be) I went to by a timer for after I get home to time my meals vs. when I can drink liquids. So glad it's finally here but it's really nerve-wrecking.... Good Luck to you!!!!!

Couldn't have said it any better! Perfectly stated. Same here, I'm having RNY on 5/12 and the only people i've told is my immediate family circle -- my son, daughter, mom and brother. They are 100% behind me and my decision. In fact my kids saw firsthand the health struggles that came with excessive weight and tried over the years to help me lose with various programs but they just didn't work for me or i'd lose and then gain more weight back on. As far as i'm concerned, it's no one else's business. I won't lie if they ask me but i'm not volunteering to talk about.

The info on your post has really given me a boost. My starting/heaviest weight was 330 and i'm down to 311 with my RNY scheduled for 5/12/2014. My goal weight is 128 so reading posts from people who have actually done it is motivating. How many days did you work out a week? Did the majority of the weight come off during the 1st 6 months? Do you have any "dumping" episodes? I know I also have to work hard using the RNY as a weight loss tool but just wondering if your weight loss was constant over the year since your surgery?

Good Luck to you! My date is 5/12/2014 and i'm getting excited/nervous and a slew of emotions. You've made it this far and now your health/weight journey is going into a new phase with the surgery on Monday. Of course all moral support helps but i'm sure you'll do awesome.. Here's to taking our health and bodies back....

Good luck to you Laydee! I'm right behind you on the 16th!!!! I'm super excited. Yesterday when I started my pre-op diet it started sinking in for me too. Its starting to feel surreal for me. While we were driving yesterday, I kept seeing fast food restaurants and I never really paid attention at how many but I was looking at them and saying this is really it, it's really gonna happen!!!! Since we are so close we should keep in touch! Wow!!! We're really in the same boat....It seems like as soon as I started my pre-op meals every Fast food place purposely opened their doors so the scents can whiff out. Even the grocery stor (Jewel Foods) was cooking fried chicken in deli section..... At least having a small 1 meal helps but Dr. said to measure the amounts.... so easy to nibble more but we're too close now to screw up at the end.... Biggest fear..Dr said if the liver is not shrunk enough, he will close a patient back up and reschedule the surgery.. IF the insurance would pay for it.. and they usually don't. Who wants to chance that? Defin. keep in touch!!! I see you're scheduled on Friday (5/16).. Mines in Monday (5/12) so (God-willing) I'll be home, up and about walking by then... GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

Met w/ surgeon yesterday and now and it's really starting to sink in my head that this is really gonna happen. Surgery date is May 12th (yep, I chose a Monday) and finished Day 5 of my pre-surgery diet. My surgeon's pre-op diet is 2 weeks The pre-op diet's not as bad as I thought it would be but I was imagining the worst .... 2 protein shakes to replace 2 meals and 1 meal must consist of 4oz of protein & 1/2 cup of approved veggies. Bought a food scale but worried yesterday I ate a little more than 4oz of baked chicken....Hope I didn't mess up too bad but it was only about 1 oz more.. Just fretting.. Don't want any issues on surgery day. Back on track today but not more slips (hopefully) between now and surgery day

I have 10 days to go, so just getting a little anxious..... I'm sure everything will go fine... Try to get some rest day before since they told me to prepare to be up/walking about after surgery.... Good luck to you

Hi, I'm pretty new to group as well.. Looks like you received your surgery date a while ago ( I got my date 3 weeks ago). My RNY is scheduled for May 12 also-- I figured the Monday after Mother's day should be ok. I'm on Day 2 of my pre-op diet and hoping this 2 week period goes FAST!! Not sure why all of a sudden I'm thinking about food all the time when I was a-ok before starting the pre-diet.. Good luck to you!!!