KristenVSG2014

Ok...these pics are 101.8 pounds from my heaviest weight, 72 pounds down since deciding to have surgery. Picture on the left is the day I started my pre-op diet and I've lost 4 inches from each thigh.

I'm sorry...but no. My doctor explained that once the hair has started to grow in the unusual places it continues to grow. To permanently remove the hair, you would need electrolysis (which is hella expensive). My hair growth has slowed down somewhat but still comes back every two weeks after waxing. I'm only 30 pounds from goal weight and my blood work is perfect. I've "cured" my PCOS but still have the hair as a reminder.

Most definitely. I wanted to hurt someone one minute then burst into tears the next.

I can eat one corn tortilla. That is my limit with meeting my protein.

I'm going to take updated pics on Friday and I'll post some then. My legs still have quite a bit of fat but I have lost so much they are a bit saggy now. Still love that I can cross my legs now!

I was drinking hot tea the day after surgery and have continued starting and ending my day with a cup of hot tea. However, almost six months later cold beverages still make my sleeve cramp and seize up. It's the worst feeling!

Here are two YouTube videos from women who lost weight and were left with saggy skin. I found these very helpful when making the decision to have surgery. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qYBInhWR2gU&autoplay=1 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wHiq9hckbIQ&autoplay=1

At 60 pounds lost I had no sagging either. But it's not fair to tell someone they're young so they'll be fine. I'm 29, younger than you, and I've lost 98 since my highest weight and I'm just now starting to see some sagging. If you need to lose 100 pounds or more, you will most likely have some loose/saggy skin.

Your story sounds so much like mine, except you are smart and are having surgery now. I waited. When I was 24 years old I weighed 290 pounds at 5'7. I took the nasty glucose test and my sugar after 2 hours was 202 which qualified me as diabetic. So I barely qualified but it scared me enough to start eating better and exercising. I lost 20 pounds then began to have digestive issues. A specialist, who happened to be a bariatric surgeon, told me I needed to have my gallbladder out so I did. Afterwards he told me I needed weight loss surgery if I ever wanted to get healthy. I took offense at his suggestion. I've already lost 20 lbs! How dare you suggest I have weight loss surgery? That's only for 400+ lb people! Eventually I went to a weight loss clinic and lost 70 lbs practically starving and hyped up on phentermine which almost killed me after six months. My doctor told me I cannot take stimulants or I will have a heart attack so I had to stop taking the medicine. I got back up to 260 pounds over a few years. I was depressed and realized my 29th birthday was coming up. I made a goal to be under 200 pounds by my 30th birthday and I knew that surgeon was right. I needed weight loss surgery. So I began my research and had surgery one week before my 29th birthday. In less than 5 months I reached my goal of being under 200 pounds. Guess what? The skin on my thighs is looking kind of saggy. But I'm 98 pounds down from my heaviest weight. What did I expect? That I wouldn't have any lasting reminders of my previous weight? My stomach isn't too bad but I still have 30 pounds to go and I know for a fact my stomach will look pretty funky...but I would do it all over again. Being able to shop in the non-plus sized section of stores, not be ashamed when someone takes a candid picture, fitting in an airplane seat and not being ashamed, standing on my feet or walking all day is no problem, there are SO many more reasons to lose weight than be scared by saggy skin. With the amount of weight you need to lose, you will have saggy skin. But it will be worth it. You can always have skin removal surgery if you can't live with it. I'm already considering a tummy tuck and breast lift but I'll wait for at least a year or two.

I have PCOS so my periods were irregular and when I did have them they were very heavy with clots. My gyno suggested the Mirena IUD so I got it. Six months later no periods or cramps ever again! Fast forward two years and I have my sleeve surgery. Then I had a period. Not too bad, just light spotting. Then the cramps. Oh wow! I forgot how much periods SUCK! Now I get it mostly every month. Thankfully because of my IUD they aren't heavy, mostly just spotting, but the cramps and cravings...the struggle is real! I'm happy my hormones are regulating though. That's a good sign!

I'm from Starke, Florida (not far from Jacksonville) and I have BCBS but my employer opted out of covering weight loss surgery so I went to Mexico and paid $4,500. No hoops to jump through but no follow up care either, except by my primary care physician.

It gets better!! This is the toughest time. Your body has been through the trauma of surgery, your calories are super low and your hormones are out of whack. The binging dreams are totally normal. I had food eating contests in my dreams! My sense of smell was very sensitive too so if I smelled anything it made me sick to my stomach. Your energy levels should come back sometime between the 4-8 week mark. All I can tell you is to take it day by day. It seems like forever in the moment but looking back it flew by. I had reflux but not until I was about two months out then it only lasted about two months then went away. But it sounds like you might need to change prescriptions or increase your dosage. Have you mentioned the reflux to your surgeon/doctor?

I found the 12 pack at Sam's for $16. I've tried all flavors and like them all. Strawberry is hard to find but oh so yummy!!!

That decision depends on so many factors. I chose the sleeve because it was a less risky procedure and I didn't like the idea of having my insides rearranged. I also didn't want to deal with a lifetime of deficiencies because I already had some pre-existing ones like Vitamin D and B12. I WANTED to be able to eat "normally" again after I hit my goal weight, just must smaller portions. I also needed to lose 100 pounds and I'm down 68 in less than 6 months. I consider that a huge success. I plan on hitting my goal by the end of the year. I'm 100% happy with my decision to have the sleeve.

It depends! Listen to your NUT. I kept mine below 30 grams the first three months then bumped it up to 30-60 a day per Doctor's orders.

I definitely second tracking your intake in MyFitnessPal. It's easier to track total calories, Protein and carbs. You could be eating too few calories and/or too little protein. Go back to basics. Really really focus on protein. meat, eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt. Also, your "hunger" could be acid. I thought I was hungry constantly until I found out it was acid. A PPI fixed that and now I don't need it at all at almost six months out. Check with your doctor.

It's been a while since I updated. Sorry!! I was out of town for training for a few weeks and had some personal issues to deal with that threw me for a loop so I didn't get to weigh or measure on the first of the month like usual so I'll wait to update my weight and measurements until May 1. However, today I completed my first 5K. Yay!! Here is my "after" pic where I'm all nice and sweaty. ????

Yep. I just tell people, "I'm eating a lot less along with healthier options." Then I change the subject or walk away. Simple!

Make sure you take a pillow for the ride home. You need to press it against your stomach to relieve any turbulence.

Yes, I was happy with the results. Surgery went well. I only had a minor infection in a few of my incisions but I continued to take my antibiotics and clean the incisions every day. Be sure to follow the pre and post op instructions carefully.

It will not let me post the link. Go to YouTube and search for "WLS - No Drinking With Meals!"

Yes, I did. http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/320791-Kristen%27s-Journey-From-Pre-Op-and-Beyond

Yes but I haven't been very good following the rules because I've been traveling for work. I'm going to do 5 day pre-op diet starting Monday to jump start weight loss again.

I'm am truly sorry for your loss. When you posted how proud your dad was of you and he was going to take you shopping it actually made me cry because it made me think of my dad. I've never lost someone so close to me so I don't have any advice but I wanted to let you know my heart goes out to you. I don't know your background but I always read my Bible and pray when I need help coping with any trial. 2 Cor. 1: 3, 4

Can you tolerate protein shakes? Try lots of different ones. They are less thick than soup and will provide the protein and calories you need.