IcanMakeit

Thanks for the tip @Rogofulm. I need to institute this practice right away. I think I'll start with iced red dragon chai spiced tea. I know when I have something delicious to drink, I'm more likely to remember to drink.

I was warned by the psychiatrist who cleared me for surgery that I would feel cold after losing weight. But that hasn't happened to me. As a matter of fact, now that my fitness level has improved, I think I'm actually more comfortable in cooler temperatures than I was 100 pounds ago. Just lucky, I guess. But what I did have to get used to is the lack of padding on my bottom. I now have to use a cushion in my car if I'm going on a long drive.

I suffered from "killer" constipation for the first six to eight weeks after my surgery. I started taking probiotics (the GNC 50 billion probiotic complex). It took a couple of weeks to make a difference, but I haven't had a problem since then. Full disclosure: I also eat two Hershey's special dark mildly sweet sugar free chocolates every day. That maltitol really gets you going!

If you have lost 60 lbs in 5 months, maybe you should re-examine your definition of "slow" weight loss. That sounds like a pretty fabulous amount of weight to lose. I know you're not done, but give yourself some props for what you have accomplished! As far as trying to lose the last few pounds to goal, I am in the same boat. I think your plan will work. Keeping a close eye on your intake, including measuring rather than estimating, is definitely key. And working out will help you build your muscles and burn more calories. Don't expect the last few months' weight loss rate to be as fast (or as steady) as the first few months, but do expect to reach your goal in time.

Are you on a mobile device and not able to see my summary or my ticker? They should fix that. Our stats are not too different. I'm 61 years old, 5'3" and my starting weight was 244. I consciously chose the sleeve over the gastric bypass because I believed it would offer me the least risk for long term problems and a great chance of long-term success. I would definitely choose it again. It was rough in the beginning (as I believe all the different surgeries are), but now that I'm six months out, I have hit my stride and have very few problems.

I bought tickets several months ago for a gospel choir holiday concert. My sisters and I go every year, and it's very special. It's held at a beautiful, historic theater and the choir is amazing. I really don't want to miss it. But my breast reduction surgery is scheduled for 5 days earlier. Am I crazy to be planning to go to the concert?

Tomorrow will be my 6 month gastric sleeve surgiversary. As of Friday I had lost a total of 99 pounds, but 42 of them were pre-surgery. Despite my back problem, I am so glad I had the VSG. Losing weight is not effortless once you have the surgery, nor is there a guarantee that you won't regain, but the surgery makes losing and maintaining much more possible.

I had my sleeve surgery in May. The breast reduction surgery is only peripherally related to my weight loss. Before I lost weight, my breasts were larger than a G cup. I don't really know how much larger because that was the biggest cup size I could buy. But because my abdomen grew along with my breasts, the breast weight was partially supported by my abdomen. Now that I have lost weight, my abdomen protrudes less and is no longer firm (loose skin). My back, shoulders, and neck are all in pain. Ironic, isn't it? You lose weight for your health, and actually make one health problem worse. That is why I'm expecting my insurance to cover the reduction. It is actually medically necessary because of the way I am put together. Most women who lose weight won't have my problem. The more common breast surgery after weight loss is the lift. Now, next year when I get my abdominoplasty, that will be mostly for appearance and to fit better into standard clothing. Right now I have to buy baggy slacks so that they'll fit my waist.

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I'll have to wait and see how I feel on the day of the concert. It will be socially awkward if I have to miss it, because I am treating a friend from work to the concert (and dinner) for her birthday. How do you say "never mind about your birthday present, I'm too sore to go out?"

When you start logging your food, pay attention to the carb counts as well. It may be that you are "carb sensitive." You might try a low carb diet [net carbs below 50] for a few weeks and see if that makes a difference.

I remember how frustrated I was when I was in your situation, so I sympathize. But just hold on. As you get further out, things will get better. As you heal you will tolerate a lot more food. You will one day (and it won't be long) find yourself worrying about eating too many calories, even though you eat much less than an average person. I am at that stage now.

I'm glad I chose the sleeve instead of the bypass. The complication and success stats for each are not that different, but with the sleeve, you have little or no dumping, and less chance of malnutrition. Plus I heard that some time (maybe a year or two) after the bypass, your body adapts and you begin to absorb more of your calories, while the malabsorption of micronutrients continues. Two of my sisters had the bypass and both have experienced regain. I'm the first person I know with the sleeve. I'm hoping my results will be better than my sisters' but time will tell.

I'm sorry 2014 has been so difficult for you. But: new year, new you. Sounds like you're ready! Good luck.

Thanks for all the replies. For some reason, I didn't see any notifications and thought my questions had gone unanswered. I think I will take @@AvaFern's advice and talk to my doctor about going ahead and cutting off the flaps that are attached to my breasts and sides. I kind of wondered if that wouldn't make more sense when the surgeon suggested lipo, but I think she knew I was concerned about cost and was trying to accommodate my budget. But what good is "cheaper" when you don't end up with what you want? And @@Scamp gives me just the push I need to talk to the doc about brachioplasty. It might be that she won't be able to do my arms at the same time because the breast reduction is going to take 5 hours, but I should at least ask.

I decided to go forward with breast reduction surgery even though I'm still 13 lbs from my goal weight. My plastic surgeon told me, in the first consultation, that it would be better to wait until I was done losing weight before getting plastic surgery. But right now my back is killing me and it keeps me from exercising like I need to. I can't wait any longer. The tentative date is Dec. 1st (pending on insurance approval). I have some questions that I hope some here will be able to answer. 1. What is the minimum amount of time I should plan on staying home from work? I need to minimize it because I had WLS this year and used up all my sick time. I'll be using vacation for this absence. 2. I have some large flaps of loose skin/fat under my arms that make me wear much larger clothes and bras than I otherwise would. I want to do something about them at the same time. My doc recommended lipo, saying she'd rather not give me more scars, if I don't have to have them. But I'm afraid that once the fat is removed, the remaining loose skin will look even worse than scars. Has anyone else had lipo in that area? What was the result like? The lipo will cost about $2,000. If I decided to have the skin removed instead, I wonder how much more it might cost? 3. I thought I was willing to live with my bat wings, but now that I'm having surgery anyway, I'm beginning to consider getting my arms done as well. I haven't discussed it with the surgeon yet, but I'm wondering how complicated the procedure is, what the recovery is like, and how much it might cost. Thanks for any advice and information.

You just had major surgery. Your body is still recovering and adjusting. It is pretty normal to see little to no loss at first (some even gain water weight). But as you heal, and start hitting your water and protein goals, you will see some results. Hang in there.

I really don't like it when people call me skinny. Partly because I am clearly not skinny, my BMI is still above normal. But mostly because I don't like that kind of attention. If I want to give a compliment, I just say, "you're looking great". I guess I'm old fashioned but I was taught that comments about people's weight are rude.

My weight loss rate has slowed down quite a bit, so I don't want to set too high a goal. But I really need a challenge to keep me on track. 11/7 weight: 145 Goal weight for challenge: 138 Final goal: 135

Congratulations! Isn't it great to see results after your great efforts?

I am sorry you are having such a horrible time. I'm sending you internet hugs. Do your doctors know what is causing the vomiting? Have they given you any kind of prognosis? Please keep us updated.

@shizwiz:I was late to discover this thread and read it with growing disquiet because I was afraid that you were headed for serious trouble. I am so glad that you reconsidered that horrid loan. Your new plan seems so much safer. Any company offering loans on terms like that should be avoided.

One thing to consider: If you get the VSG, and find that it doesn't get you all the way to where you want to go, you can later revise to the duodenal switch. The VSG was commonly used as a first step for high BMI patients. The DS has some pretty impressive statistics as well. I personally chose the VSG over the gastric bypass based on the long term impact each would have on my ability to get good nutrition.

You are a better person than I am. I don't think I could have let that pass without comment.

Wowza! You are an inspiration.