Djmohr

This all depends on your age, the condition of your skin and genetics.

For me, no amount of exercise, creams, etc helped at all. I got my Protein from the beginning.

The difference is, I was 51 years old when I had surgery and lost 152lbs. No amount of exercise was going to help. The only thing that will is plastic surgery at this point.

I worked my arms the hardest because I carried so much weight in my arms. It made absolutely no difference to the loose skin there. 6 weeks ago I had plastic surgery to remove my bat wings.

Low and behold, I have these cute little biceps underneath from trying and my arms look fantastic.

My Motto: I will take loose skin over all that fat, I will gladly take the scars over all the loose skin

People don't realize it but that loose skin can really pull on your neck and back. It is not only about aesthetics for me. After having my arms done almost immediately I have less neck pain. I did not honestly even consider that when I had the Brachioplasty. For me, I have just been embarrassed about my arms for nearly my whole adult life.

Best of luck to you....I swear I would take the loose skin over the fat any day!

@@ellsmayy

Tough love warning here........YOU MUST STAY FULLY HYDRATED! No matter how badly you don't want to eat or drink anything it is a necessity. You will likely end up with complications if you don't take control now.

The more dehydrated you get, the less you want to drink and eat. This is because dehydration causes nausea, headache, weakness and if you let it go long enough.....it can be life threatening.

The first thing you need to do is get your fluids in and then you need to focus on Protein.

Your doctor is also right about Protein is very necessary for healing so you need to figure out what will work for you.

Of course in this moment you will regret your surgery but honestly you are not doing your part to make yourself well. You will continue to feel crappy until you begin to get your fluids in.

If you continue to go without protein, you will not heal properly and the potential is there for your hair to fall out among other things. You already have an infection so you need to follow the doctors plan for you.

This is not to be mean, but what were your expectations following surgery? You had to know that you would be required to drink fluids and protein for a long time to come.

I do understand it is hard and also most of us cannot come remotely close to 64oz of Fluid in the first week but we certainly can do better than 1/2 cup of Water.

You will feel better quickly when you start drinking Water and protein.

I wish you the best and hope you are able to start moving forward.

@@BellaHope

You won't be sorry, she is fantastic!

Best of luck to you!

I would do it if I had to. Unfortunately I moved from a state that did to a state that didn't and now getting anything like annual blood work is not covered.

That needs to change. Obesity is a metabolic disease, that causes so many other comorbitities. It doesn't make sense that it is not covered in all 50 states.

Imagine how insurance costs would go down for them vs up. I simply don't get it at all. It is ludicrous!

I hope you are able to figure it out and get it done. It is the best thing I ever did for myself.

@@Mudgy6

How are you getting Protein at this point? I know Protein takes some getting used to but it is critical in your diet now. You need it to heal and it needs to be a major part of your diet.

I would keep trying options until I found one. I had a similar situation and finally was recommended premier Protein shakes. They are great because they are ready made so no grit and no fuss. I feel like the chocolate tastes most like rich chocolate milk. Someone pointed this out and I never thought about it but the container is shaped square and the opening small so you don't smell the protein either which makes it easier to drink.

I still drink one every morning and I am 23 months post op.

Keep trying, you don't want to get sick.

@@Gordita81

I am guessing you already know this but only 30%of RNY patients have dumping syndrome. I have only had a very single very mild version of dumping and it it is anything like that, you don't want it.

Also both surgeries will deliver massive weight loss.

**********

To everyone that is researching, please make sure that you really do your homework on the differences between these surgeries. They are both excellent options for losing massive weight.

They both bring pros and cons with them that you have to measure for your own comfort. Both are aggressive but effective.

RNY both makes a small pouch to deal with quantity and also reroutes your digestive system making malabsorption a major role in weight loss. This is on purpose and is very beneficial but comes with a great deal of responsibility. You have to take your Vitamins for life and have your nutritional panel completed every year or you risk health issues. There is a short period of time when the hunger hormone Grehlin has been disrupted so you won't feel actual hunger until the nerves come back together.

RNY is considered the gold standard and has been around for WL a lot longer.

The sleeve removes 90 to 95% of your stomach and focuses on Portion Control. It is also very effective. The part of the stomach where the hunger hormone lives is actually removed so therefore your hunger should be gone. That being said, many sleevers report feeling hunger.

You are still required to take Vitamins for life and have your blood checked annually.

The best advice anyone can give you is to research research research before making the decision that is going to work best for you.

You need to take your current health concerns into account as well.

Can I ask one question?

What is your definition of real food? Do you need to adjust your mental model.

I used to think real food was burgers, fries, pizza, Cereal, Pasta, bread.....etc.

Now real food to me is good dense Proteins, fruits and vegetables and I look forward to eating those most of all. On the days that I try those other things, I feel like crap. And I am glad about it....at least I know I won't gain my weight back.

Does that make sense.

3 to 4 bites is about normal at your stage. For me it was more like 2. No more than 1/4 cup and many times could not finish it or it would put me over the edge.

Try eating slower and smaller bites. That will give your brain time to catch up with your tummy.

If that don't work, call your doctor you might have something more going on.

I just had my first glass of wine about a month ago. I am 23 months post op. Seriously, I am shocked at how quickly and completely it effects me. Half a glass, I am buzzed. A whole glass and I would definately not be able to drive. I could have had alcohol 1 year post op but I was on medications and couldn't.

The thing is, it doesn't last very long though. It seems to go through my system fairly quickly.

I have yet to have more than one drink.

I had bypass and no blue stain. Not sure what that is all about.

Just remember the gas pain subsides more quickly if you get up and get moving ASAP after surgery. Also plenty of Water to flush the toxins.....

Best of luck!

A couple of things to clear up:

- Both the bypass and the sleeve will handle massive weight loss

- Don't count on dumping as a benefit given only about 30% of RNYers get dumping syndrome and you really don't want that. It is really the on purpose malabsorption factor that differentiates RNY from the sleeve. That malabsorption is on purpose to help you lose weight and keep it off. This means that you have to have your blood checked annualy to ensure you are getting proper nutrients and you will have to take Vitamins for life. Sleevers also have to have their blood work checked and take Vitamins.

- RNY cures reflux/Gerd....the sleeve can make this condition worse and in some cases cause it.

- Both surgeries are safe these days and have a very very low death rate. 1 in 1000.

- In bypass the nerves to the hunger hormone Ghrelin are severed and hunger is gone for a temporary period of time. With the sleeve, the part of your stomach that houses Ghrelin is completely removed so you may or may not ever feel hunger again. Keep in mind, there are other hormones that control hunger and there is also head hunger with both surgeries that we learn to deal with.

This is just me but I would go back to my surgeon and ensure you are 100% comfortable with the decision you are making before moving forward. Both surgeries are aggressive, one removing 90% of your stomach the other rerouting your intestines to work differently.

I had bypass because I had severe gerd and I only wanted to have surgery for WL one time. I also had type 2 diabetes and RNY has the best chance of curing that. I also had other comorbitities and every single one of them has been in remission since right after surgery.

RNY was the absolute best thing I ever did for myself. That being said, I would have had the sleeve if not for the gerd issue and I am certain I would have been just as happy.

Best of luck to you!

I ended up choosing RNY because I had severe gerd and the sleeve can make this much worse possibly requiring a revision to RNY anyway.

Now, I am 100% thankful that I had the RNY. My gerd is cured as is many other comorbities. I lost 152lbs in 18 months and have been at goal since March.

Hi There and welcome! Congratulations on making it through the first week. This part will be over before you know it and you will be on the losers bench with the rest of us!

No need to freak, it happens to everyone following surgery. I gained back the 13lbs that I lost on the liquid diet. LOL.

You have to take that into account.....fluids.

90% of the battle is diet. If you are having a hard time getting those last 20 off you need to look at where yours slip ups are and decided if you are ready to go the distance.

If you are exercising that is great but it is not enough by itself. I would also add once you get the maintenance, you really have to focus to remain there. At least that is my experience so far. Little slip ups go from not losing to suddenly gaining a pound here and there. I have found the only thing that resolves this is going back to the basics.

I have never regretted my decision to have this surgery. Even when missing the ability to chew those first few months.

Down the road, a ways from now you will be able to eat good quality food. You will hopefully likely find that you simply enjoy real whole foods more than all the other stuff.

The first 8 weeks for me were the hardest, but now I don't feel like I am missing anything. Contrary, I am able to actually enjoy life.

I eat to live, not live to eat. Hopefully you will find that same is true for you in the future. If you are really struggling it would be a good idea to meet with a therapist that focuses on Bariatric patients.

Best of luck to you.

I am with everyone else here. You have an absolute right to know what exactly happened to you. I would request your medical records immediately and honestly I would seek legal counsel just to help ensure your butt is covered down the road.

The biggest issue for me would be the fact that no one has told you the truth about what happened and if in fact you were to have an emergency procedure, doctors need to know your actual real history.

I would be pissed, but I would follow through so in understand so that you can move on.

At 7 weeks post op I went to Vegas for 11 days and was literally on my feet running around the city the entire time. I felt fantastic even though the most difficult part was figuring out what to eat and to continually focus on getting my Water.

At 1 week I had very little pain but I was weak from so long on the liquid diet. It took me probably until 4 or 5 weeks post op before I started to get my groove back but I could have easily worked 1 week post op.

It's the water........you have to remember the Water.

@@LadyDarkness415

You are expecting too much too fast. You did not put that much weight in a month, it won't come off that way either.

When is the last time you lost that much weight in 3 weeks? As the swelling goes down, the weight will continue to come off.

Also you cannot compare yourself to others who have lost before you. Many have more weight than you to lose to begin with so although it seems like it happens faster, it slows down in the end.

I lost more weight in months 1 through 3 and then, I lost between 5 and 10lbs per month on average. There were 2 months where I lost nothing.

It took a total of 18 months to lose my weight. I lost 152lbs.

Also expect lots of fluctuation from day to day so if you struggle with that it is best to stay off the scale.

Be patient, follow the plan and the weight will come off. Also know, the slower you lose the more chance you have at building excellent habits to maintain it.

If you think losing is hard, wait until you hit maintenance. It is a contestant process.

@@Suzannie19

Thanks so much. Dr. Maida Parkins at Quintessa Medical Spa in Delafield Wi did my arms and I absolutely LOVE her.

I went to see her for a consultation on my arms, tummy and breasts. I will be having a breast lift with augmentation and an Abdominalplasty.

I loved her because she is very down to earth, honest and doesn't try to up sell procedures that you don't need. Also, (LOL) she totally got my husbands jokes about boob size and his very stupid questions.

He is all worried about the breast lift screwing up my nipples. LOL so he asked her if he needed to be worried about that as he as seen some surgeons make the nipples smaller and he likes mine the way they are. I was so embarrassed but in the end he actually asked a lot of great questions and she was both professional but had a great personality.

By the way, none of my plastics are covered. Which is a shame but it is reality. My Abdominalplasty and breast lift with augmentation will cost 17,500 with one night in the hospital. If I want another night it will cost another 500.00. Again, I think it is reasonable compared to what I see on realself.

By the way, I found Dr. Parkins on realself and had been interviewing plastic surgeons when I came across her name and her great reviews.

She took her time with my arms. I was scheduled for 3 hours total and she took nearly 6 and she did that because my left arm was giving her trouble. She took her time and let me tell you, they are awesome. I am thrilled I spent the money and I will for sure have her do the rest of my plastics.

@@sheila2016

Brachioplasty is almost never ever covered. I paid out of pocket and thought it was reasonable given what I saw on line. I paid 5950.00 and went home the same day which was just fine.

Also about a week ago, my surgeons assistant provided me with some free services as well. I had those done today. I was given 1 area of free Botox which I have never tried until today. Should see the effects within 4 days to 2 weeks and also a Ultrasonic facial which was very nice and my face looks fantastic today.

I never would have expected to get some services additional out of it.

@@B_Blake

5'10" - 158lbs

When I needed it, benedryl or Zquil works great for falling asleep and I too slept sitting up for about 2 weeks.

@@LisaMergs

My scars are more toward the back and very straight. Once they are fully healed it will be hard for anyone to notice.

Again, keep in mind I am still quite swollen so that is putting pressure on the incisions. This was taken at 4 weeks post op. I will be 6 weeks on Thursday.

Hooray! That is great news!

I had my blood work done at 3mo, 6mo, 12 mo,18 mo and now I am on every 12 for the rest of my life. Which I just found out my new insurance does not cover it at all and it cost $2237.00.

Of course I had no idea that my new Cigna insurance would not cover it as long as the word Bariatric is in the coding.....I am getting a letter from Park Nicollet Bariatric Center to indicate that this is a medically necessary testing required once annually to see if I can appeal it. I am guessing I might not be the only one that this happened to over time.

Anyway....enough about that. As far as my blood work changes it really is very minimal. Now I take a few more than you. I take 1 multi, 2 Calcium citrate chews, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B1 and B12.< /p>

The only one that was ever changed was they added B1 to my regimen because by the 6 month mark, that was moving into the low range. So we added it and my blood work has been stable ever since.

Now if you take anything for hypothyroidism there are lots of changes that happen all along the way. They are still trying to regulate my TSH. Having lost so much weight that hormone has been reduced a lot however I still need it and likely will the rest of my life so those of you that have hypothyroidism, you need to watch that closely.

Best of luck to you!