KristenVSG2014

I recent!y discovered that women are judged based on their appearance no matter what size they are. Somehow I thought becoming a heathy weight would make me blend in and not be targeted. Not the case. I've learned a heck of a lot about how shallow some people really are. The mental aspect is most difficult for me. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

18 months is smart. I'm 20 months but alas, BP will not let me sign in on my iPhone and I HATE this Kindle. I'm posting less and less because of it. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

How do you define sick? I haven't gotten any viruses since surgery. Sometimes I ate things that didn't agree with my sleeve and I felt unwell for a while but learned from my mistakes. I lost quite a bit of hair but it grew back nicely. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

So...one coworker told me, "You shouldn't lose anymore weight. You've gotten really small." Another chimes in, "Yeah. You looked healthy before but now you look sick." I cried for four hours. Cried myself to sleep. Then the next morning while I was in the shower washing my 5+ lbs of loose skin on my stomach I started to cry again. First of all, I'm 5'7 and 157 lbs. That is a BMI of 25. My doctor, who I just saw a month ago, is thrilled with my progress. The plastic surgeon I saw said I have a great figure not many women have naturally. Second, I would never comment on anyone's weight no matter what their size. Isn't that common courtesy? I was starting to finally love my body and feel like I wasn't being judged by my size. NOPE. Now I get to deal with jealous bitches at work.

Yes, I met with Dr. Bruce Mast. He is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at UF and specializes in massive weight loss patients. His prices are similar to what you would pay in Mexico too so win-win. He is in the top 1% of plastic surgeons in the U.S. I plan on having my surgery in November. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App I have an appointment with Dr Mast in July for my initial consultation. When you say his prices are like Mexico, can you be a bit more specific? I need the works and I met with Dr Aguiar in Tampa, and loved him, but all told it would be almost $45,000 for a LBL, breast lift, arm lift, thigh lift and that was spread out over 4 surgeries. The doctor's fees weren't outrageous but then you have to pay for the surgery center as well. Needless to say, that is WAY out of my price range so I started looking in Mexico and to have everything done there is about $20,000 - $22,000 all inclusive. I live in Ocala and would much rather have surgery near home but cost is definitely a factor. I appreciate any insight you have on Dr Mast. I am doing extended fleur de lis tummy tuck and breast lift/reconstruction which includes extending my incision to remove my "side boobs". Price is $8,400. He only charges a $50 consultation fee which is applied to the cost of your surgery if you book. The surgeon I went to see before him in Orange Park wanted to do a standard tummy tuck, breast lift and augmentation for $15,000. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I scheduled my massive reconstructive surgery for November 21. I'm so excited!!! It's the final countdown! Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

$8,400 for breast lift and fleur-de-lis tummy tuck! Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Oh yeah. I forgot to answer your questions. Yes to mint. Be careful your herbal tea is only herbs and doesn't add soy lecithin (you'd be surprised). Most of Celestial Seasoning teas are safe. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Any tips?? Starting on Monday. Do you know if you can use mint? Herbal teas? I know you can't use sweetener natural or artificial.Hey! I started my third round of Whole30 last Monday. I am already at goal. My first W30 I was still in the losing phase and I lost 10 lbs in 30 days. I have been at goal for about four months. Giving up dairy was much easier than I thought it would be. Avocado is my favorite now. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Yep. I had my surgery in Tijuana and recovered at my in-laws home in Los Angeles. My husband ate all his favorite things in front of me while I was stuck on liquids. I cried a lot the first week. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Yes, so I eat mostly Paleo. Protein, then veggies then starch. No dairy, legumes, soy, added sugars, grains...I thought cheese would be hard to give up but it wasn't. I love almond milk. Coconut milk is alright. Canned coconut milk is delicious but too much gives me terrible stomach cramps. Every now and then I'll give in to some dairy in the form of dessert and I pay for it every time. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Dr. Bruce Mast, Gainesville, FL Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I met with Dr. Bruce Mast. He is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at UF and specializes in massive weight loss patients. His prices are similar to what you would pay in Mexico too so win-win. He is in the top 1% of plastic surgeons in the U.S. I plan on having my surgery in November. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

At the beach last weekend. It was so nice to not worry about my body constantly or wonder if people were staring at me. I felt so free, relaxed and happy. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Would you be willing to travel to Gainesville? Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

How tall are you? I'm thinking a few things. 1) My mom was always thin and when she turned 50 she started gaining weight because of menopause. She cannot eat more than 1,000 calories or she gains. She is only 5'3 though. 2) Very good point made above about sodium. Try cutting out as much processed food as possible and see if the swelling subsides. 3) My older coworker exercised with a personal trainer and watched what she ate but never lost any weight until they found the right combination of pills that helped her body with the Water it was retaining. Now she is dropping weight relatively easily. My point is medication can cease or disguise weight loss due to swelling. Keep up the good work! You will get there. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

If it is someone I know very well and would benefit from surgery I may tell them but I generally say I work very closely with my doctor and pay attention to what I put in my mouth. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

The pressure the first week is pretty intense while the gas from the surgery is still in your body. Every sip or bite causes pressure. As the swelling goes down you are gradually able to eat a little more. However, you should remember and avoid that feeling of pressure because it generally means you've pushed your sleeve to the limit. Try to eat until you are satisfied, not overly full. As far as drinking, I can drink normally now. I even use a straw because it helps me drink more Water. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I was having a similar issue and my doctor told me I had depleted my glucose stores because I had kept my carbs too low for many months. He told me we NEED carbs, just not in the form of French fries or cake. So I started eating good carbs and it helped a lot! Glad you figured it out. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I met with a different plastic surgeon last Friday. He is the chief of plastic surgery at a University and specializes in patients who have lost massive amounts of weight and also breast reconstruction. He said he should be able to do a breast lift/reconstruction and achieve the look I want with my own tissue (no implants) which is exactly what I hoped for. He also recommends a full tummy tuck with vertical incision to take care of all of my loose belly skin. I never plan on wearing a bikini so I'm fine with a vertical scar. He was impressed that my loose skin is mostly only on my front side. He also said I have great muscle tone in my core so he may not need to do any muscle repair, he will find out once he gets in there. I definitely got the 100% trust/warm fuzzy feeling about the entire encounter so I'm going to get with my boss tomorrow to discuss scheduling it. Right now I think it will be November 21. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I met with a different plastic surgeon last Friday. He is the chief of plastic surgery at a University and specializes in patients who have lost massive amounts of weight and also breast reconstruction. He said he should be able to do a breast lift/reconstruction and achieve the look I want with my own tissue (no implants) which is exactly what I hoped for. He also recommends a full tummy tuck with vertical incision to take care of all of my loose belly skin. I never plan on wearing a bikini so I'm fine with a vertical scar. He was impressed that my loose skin is mostly only on my front side. He also said I have great muscle tone in my core so he may not need to do any muscle repair, he will find out once he gets in there. I definitely got the 100% trust/warm fuzzy feeling about the entire encounter so I'm going to get with my boss tomorrow to discuss scheduling it. Right now I think it will be November 21. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

5'7 (technically I think I'm 5' 6.75 but I round up) Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

Oh wow. What a great before pic! Glad your daughter saved it so you can show your progress. Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

290 to 160

290 to 160