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Sorry arm didn't post.

Sorry arm didn't post.

I have attached two pic of my skin 20 months post open, and 100 lbs lost. Belly not so hot, but not horribly. Arms not bad at all.

I had my RNY at 47, and have lost 100 lbs, would like to lose another 8 lbs, surgery was 20 mos ago. Except for my stomach, I have virtually no loose skin. That said, I have a fair complexion, have never tanned, didn't get many stretch marks during my one pregnancy or all my weight gain. I have also never smoked as much as on cigarette. All this worked in my favor for not having a lot of lose skin. All the things I mentioned are causes or signs or less elasticity. I do a fair amount of weight training so the muscle tone will help loose skin appear firmer, I think but won't "cure " lose skin. Now I'm not saying I will ever wear a bikini but I feel.100 percent comfortable in sleeveless shirts.

I always find it interesting that people find rny more extreme when it is actually reversible and the sleeve is not. I was not a sleeve candidate because I had bad acid reflux and as others have said, the sleeve makes it worse. Also, people lose more weight with rny statistically.Ultimately though, they are both just tools. I have never dumped but if I eat something unhealthy like ice cream, I feel queasy. My pouch protests, but I don't dump. My nutritionist said there is a correlation between the amount of intestines removed and the likelihood of dumping. I had a bmi of 40, on the "lower" end for rny, so I had less intestines removed Of course your surgeon can provide the best advice but these were my factors in my decision making process.

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If you haven't already done so, I would expect some mindfulness classes, or behavior modification classes to help teach methods to deal with stress eating, mindless eating, etc. Most of us didn't become obese just from over eating when hungry. At some point, your hunger will come back so you should practice eating slowly, and mindfully now. Prepare yourself for the shock of surgery. It's not uncommon to feel like "OMG, what the heck did I do?" A lot of this will be from all the excess estrogen leaving your fat stores during that first month of rapid weight loss. You may have mood swi rom this. It's normal. Keep telling yourself NOW that if you feel overwhelmed drinking from one ounce cups, trying to get your protein and water in daily, it is temporary. It passes. I can't stress the mental preparation enough. Some people need to go on a liquid diet to shrink their liver preoperative, I did not. The best advice I can give is prepare to feel overwhelmed by the overnight changes and remember they are temporary. Keep doing the right things, and you will be okay. I am I am 20 months out, have lost 100 lbs, am 2 lbs under my surgeon's goal weight for me, 8 lbs higher than my goal weight. Best wishes and remember, it's a lifetime journey.

I am sorry you have stalled. I know it's discouraging. Your body is clinging to its excess weight. Try mixing it up a little. Or you're not doing any weight training try adding some 1 lb weights, arm curls or something. Start with canned tomatoes or empty water bottles with sand or full water bottles. Try to walk a little more if you're able. Exercise is an important part of this lifetime weight loss/maintenance journey. Add a protein shake or two. Shoot for very low sugar, no more than 3 gsm and 25-30 g protein. I like Premier chocolate, 130 cals 30 g protein. Hang in there, and not to scared you but I had a stall 8-10 mos post any but now I am 5 lbs lower than my surgeon's goal weight, and 6 lbs away from mine. I have lost 101 lbs but it took 18mos so be patient! Best wishes!!

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Go to a food pantry if you have to to get cream of chicken soup (strained), bullion cubes, broth, anything you can tolerate also get tuna or canned chicken for the puree phase - you will need it. Then, swallow your pride and fess up to the hospital/surgical team about your situation. They probably have samples of the protein shakes you can use and that are so critical for rebuilding muscle and healing. Good luck - and please find a physical support group.

Call me strange but I like protein shakes and will miss them when I am supposed to stop them phase 3 post open. I like EAS lean advantage, 120 cals, 17 g protein a serving.

I have told very few people and agree it really is your decision to tell or not to tell. Fact is, for both of us, once we begin having extreme weight loss, the questions are going to come. Then, we can lie and be judged, or tell the truth and be judged. I don't know about you but I know people already judge me for being 100 lbs overweight so if they judge me for "taking the easy way out" which this by no means is, to heck with them. I can't worry about it anymore. Surgery scheduled a week from tomorrow - woohoo!!!

Thank God it's not cancer! I'm sure it was disappointing starting over (I know I wouldn't want to), but it sounds like you have a great attitude.I know what you mean about not fitting in the world - I want to scream every time someone shows me to a booth in a restaurant. I'm 100 lbs overweight - do you really think I'm going to be comfortable in your tiny booth?????

I'm having surgery Nov 10th in NH. I used to live in Fall River, many years ago when I was attending UMass, Dartmouth, which was SMU then (that's how long ago I lived there.) Best wishes!

I really hate nightgown. Much prefer p.j.'s so my thighs don't rub together (shocking that a bypass candidate has touching thighs, right ? ) I bought new p.j. I also have a loose robe because I am very modest. I have to wear Danskos when they make me walk. I am sure I will be a sight but I have horrible plantar fasciitis and must have supportive shoes. Thanks for the insight everyone

Thank you. Sorry for the typos, don't know how to edit on my Kindle

I understand being anti abortion but I am baffled as to why know it how imperative it was not to get pregnant I understandyou didn't take more precautions, like you using a semipermenant method and using something as well. Babies growing in uetero don't grow from fat - where did you learn that? Hopefully you find an on/gyn who has experience in pregnancy post bariatric surgery, especially 23 months prior to when it's allowed. If I souInd harsh it is so you will take this seriously.

Hi Lisa, I have been told post op hair loss is due to not getting enough Protein. I have suffered from depression and PTSD but am stable, approval wasn't an issue. No disrespect to your Mom but perhaps check into different surgeon or hospital. It does not seem that her program has good after care or prep. If a post op patient chooses to eat high calorie food and no protein the surgery won't work. It is an excellent tool for thousands though. Best wishes!

I am have surgery in two weeks, it will be 53 weeks after my first info session. There were a few reasons why the journey has been such along one; I couldn't get an initial appointment until 8 weeks after the first session. Then, I stat a new job and couldn't get time off to see the P.A., or exercise physiologist. I had a few other delay but fortunately they were not due to being unable to lose the pre-op weight or pass the exercise test. The info sessions and six weeks of behavior modification training, mindfulness eating has been helpful. I have also gone to therapy and a 12 step program for over eating. I know full well this is not a cure all but a tool. I think full disclosure is crucial as well as realistic expectations. I learned that the first year is critical for getting the weight off, while my body is healing from the bypass and afterwards I will be focused on maintaining. The post open people explained how important it is to follow the instructions to a "t", and discussed all the good and bad. I have had a few major surgeries and one laparoscopic so I think I am prepared physically. I have also been told by surgeon and others the first couple weeks are very hard psychologically and I will have a stage of "OMG, why did I do this?" I read the boards and think a lot of people have unrealistic expectations and also have a lot to deal with if they are also going to be learning how to be a healthy weight for the first time as well. My surgeon start up told me people have killed themselves if they don't have another coping mechanism besides food. One woman told us she ran up an $8000 credit card bill buying new clothes right after she started losing weight. So, i am grateful for the stories, education and know I will still have down days. I also know that I will still be disorganized, have a temper and other issues but will have less pain madness body fat as I continue to work on improving.

I haven't had surgery yet but I was told that day 8 I will still be on liquid only. I know I have no plans on rushing anything. Pushing it only leads to complications. I have read so much and had a lot of meetings that I attended that discussed these issues. Please take it easy. You have many more birthday dinners in the future to celebrate!! Congrats on your surgery!

Hi Lisa, Congrats on taking the first steps towards a health life. In addition to your insurance rules, the hospital you chose will have a protocol and program. My insurance would only approve a "bariatric surgical center of excellence" which was also recommended by my PCP. I had to lose 8% body fat, attend six weeks of lifestyle classes, go to two bariatric surgery meetings, have an extension psych profile, two visits, will an exercise physiologist, and meet with P.A. and dietitian before I could meet with director of surgery. You also need blood work and maybe other tests like a sleep study, stress test and also an EKG. Once she approved me, I met with the surgeon. SO....not a quick easy fix nor the easy way like some think, lol I did get insurance company approval though in 24 hours though I am having bypass in 2 weeks and can't wait to be 100 lbs lighter