Chrystee

I'd be glad to help with maintenance phase info too. I'd need body specifics and more importantly your exercise regimen and goals. If looking to add muscle to help loose skin it's a different ballgame than simply living and maintaining!

I am 4 months post op, and 16 pounds from goal. I eat around 600 calories a day. Dont know what maintenance phase will be like as im not there yet, but my nut is pretty adamant about not counting calories, only focus on getting at least 75 grams of Protein, keeping carbs between 30-60, which im usually around 30, and keeping fat under 30, which is no problem at all. Thanks for the list, OP, i'll be going into maintenance soon and seeing what others do is a big help.

She's the nut at my surgeons office. And when she said between 600-800 calories she said that was the average. I emailed the other nut to get her take on it because some days I could eat way more but feel bad going over 800 calories. All these responses make me feel better though, so I do appreciate them!

Exactly correct. Forget calories, focus on Protein and watch your waist preferably not the scale! Workout regimen needs to be consistent and physical! Kill it! You got this! I'm down 218lbs in 10 months! Check my profile, add me as a friend and question away! We all stick together! #family

I emailed my nut today asking about working out and such. Like today my tracker says I have burned 300 calories and I have eaten 680 so far today. So, hopefully she gets back in touch with me soon. I feel like it's not enough either, but I have been trying to go by what the nut says.

Trader Joes or Fage 2% plain greek yougurt. Usually add strawberries or light drizzle of honey. 1 cup is 170 calories, 6g sugar 23g protien. After bypass 1/2 c gets me full.

New before/after..

It has actually been a bit later lately, maybe since he opened up about still being attracted to BBW..

Pre-Op, my psych eval had a segment focused on post-op and relationships. I forget the exact figure, but a number of relationships/marriages fall apart post-op.
Mine did.
I am happier now than I was before, but pre-op, this was a bit of a fear for me as well.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

New before/after..

Hi! I've lost 95 lbs and I have to lose another 23. In the last couple of months I noticed that the loss is soooo slow, but it's still working and I'm quite happy with my results so far. I feel really well, lighter and capable of everything. My life quality has improved a lot and I'm so happy to be able to do a lot of things that I couldn't before. This surgery was the best decision ever!

Doing good here. Haven't seen much weight loss in the past couple months but I'm still happy. I have bought more bras over the past year than I imagined. It's like I'm going once a month to get a smaller one. Honestly that makes me happy too.
The weather here has been so mild this winter that I've spent most of my time skipping the gym and going outside to exercise instead.
How is everyone else doing?

Almost a year down how's everyone doing??

Last October.. And this weekend.. A dress!!

New before/after..

Sometimes people forget you can "just keep scrolling."

New before/after..

When I can make myself gag down yogurt, I buy the Dannon Light and Fit. I am not a big sweets eater and the texture of yogurt makes me want to yak.
Now, that said, I am a BIG fan of plain Greek yogurt in the savory department. I use it in place of sour cream for dips (like french onion), in mashed potatoes, in guacamole, etc. I generally buy Oikos because it is richer in flavor and I buy full fat. It's a great sour cream swap!

Good timing. My surgeon just told me on Monday that at my next appointment in May, I could make an appointment with the plastic surgeon, and that it takes a couple months for approval, but he believes that insurance will pay for my Tummy Tuck and breast lift, because I'm having rashes and pain when exercising (woop).. and he said, if I wanted augmentation, I could add that in, or arms done.. since insurance is paying for everything else, it will be significantly cheaper.
So I'm going to see what they say.. but I'm not wanting my boobs augmented, just lifted.. and I want my arms done, I think.. I want thighs done too, but I don't think I'll be able to get all that done at once..

Hi everyone...I'm back from my abdominoplasty (is this also the name for a TT?). I guess I should know this. Anyway, after hearing so many stories about how painful it is and dreading the worst, I am hear to tell you that I am home after 3 days and doing extraordinarily well. I have had little or no pain, was treated very well (had it done in Amsterdam) and so far am very happy with the results, especially the fact that my labia is so lifted and not a flabby mess any more. I had to come home with the drains and will have them in until Monday but other than that, I feel great! Finally at age 62, for the first time in my life, I won't have a hanging tummy...wow.

@@KristenVSG2014 I am excited for you. I know how emotional it can be to make the decision to have plastics. It is a lot of money and feels selfish, but this is the body you are spending the rest of your life in. You have to live with it and feel comfortable in it every second of every day. It is worth the investment.

I had my consultation with the plastic surgeon today. The first thing Dr. Weiss said after I told him I've lost 130 lbs. is, "Well you look great!" And I laughed and said, "Well yeah, with my clothes on!" He asked what my biggest concerns were and I told him stomach, boobs and side boobs (that bit that spills over the top sides of my bra).
After I got undressed he was impressed with the amount of excess skin I had. It was funny sitting there and him gathering and poking to see how much is skin. The good news is he said I can get away with an extended Tummy Tuck, I won't need a body lift (whew!). He said he should be able to remove nearly all of the loose skin, including my stretch marks on my stomach. He showed me where he would cut and I could not believe how high up he would be able to go. He said I should end up with a nearly flat stomach and he and his assistant said I have a very nice body shape/build because I'm a natural hourglass and under my loose skin is a small waist so I will avoid looking boxy like most tummy tuck patients. ????
He said there is quite a bit of loose skin in the breasts and showed me where the nipple should go. Again, I was surprised. We are talking about six inches or so. He also said I really REALLY need implants because I have zero upper breast. I'm basically pectoral muscles and then breasts below that. He wants to remove all the loose skin, some of my existing breast tissue and then put implants at the top where I'm completely lacking anything. Without them I can get a lift but will end up with the man boob look I'm dreading so much. Right now I'm a 36DDD and I told him I'd like to end up a 34DD. He also said he can easily fix the side boob issue with expanding the lower incision line.
I asked him about my back rolls and he said they are all loose skin. He basically said there is nothing to Lipo. I'm just skin! Which blows my mind because I still feel so fat when I look in the mirror. But he said that could be fixed later down the road if I decide to do any other surgeries.
He said there is an increased bleeding risk when there has been extreme weight loss which is defined as losing more than 60 lbs. However, he has never had to give anyone a transfusion and he is very confident I will have no issues since I've never smoked and my skin is in great condition. He does want me to have a CBC done to make sure I haven't developed anemia from bariatric surgery.
He said I could probably return to work after a few weeks if I'm sitting but I still plan on taking at least three, if not four. I can begin light cardio like walking after four weeks but no high impact exercise or lifting for many months. Also, no resistance exercise for many months although I can use my own body weight.
It will cost $8,150 for tummy tuck only or $15,310 for tummy tuck and breasts. He offered to repair the side boobs for free. The cost includes all post-op care and if I'm not happy with my results he will do a free revision. He said, "If you're not happy with the results, I'm not going to be happy with the results."
Now on to the mental/psychological part of this. I had a bit of a meltdown on the ride home. Part of it was because I made the mistake of listening to "Reflection" on the way home and started bawling. "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?" ???? So I did a lot of thinking. On one hand, I feel selfish for spending $15,000 on myself. I don't feel like I deserve it. I don't know why I feel that way. I also don't know why I feel so weird about implants. I've always had very large breasts. But I've always kind of thought of women who got implants as phonies trying to be something they aren't. Just accept your natural body! But now I'm trying to replace what I've always had. And now I'm becoming more understanding towards those who want/need plastic surgery. On the other hand, when I see myself in the mirror I can see my potential but I feel like I'll never feel complete until this excess skin is gone. I really want to finish my marathon and get the medal at the end, my new body.

@@cadladykim I feel so much happier too.

@@cadladykim I feel so much happier too.

Why think you did something wrong? Sounds like you dodged a bullet before things got to be too deep. Move on! You are so worth it. <3