Spiceyfrog

First off, I did not see dumping as a fear, but as a tool. I was actually disappointed when I didn't get it. The first six month, I "felt like crap, had to use the bathroom, then vomited" every time (about six before I just quit) I would eat meat and I tried all different kinds. Everyone said this was not dumping because it was not related to sugar, but that is what I called it. After about the 6-7 month mark, I could pretty much eat all meats again, though I am still cautious.

My BMI was just over 40 when I had my surgery. It's now 22 and I will be getting a tummy tuck and thigh lift in December. Could I live without it, yes, do I want everyone to stare at my saggy legs every time I wear a bathing suit, no!

You look amazing, keep up the good work!

My surgeon recommended I did not lift my hands over my head for three weeks. I am just over four months post-op now and there are days when it still feels like my arms are stretching when I lift them, but I would say it was a good six weeks before my arms felt normal.

I am not 10 years post-op but wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I too give myself that 5 pound variance. I quit tracking for the most part, but still get on the scale every single day. It my weight starts to increase even a pound, I am very strict the following day or two. I have run on and off over the past 2-3 years and am training for a triathlon right now, so I have just been running the basic 3.1. I know it's important to be able to run more than the actual race distance, so yesterday I ran 3.5 and felt like I was going to die. I really have no desire at this point, but are their any tricks of the trade to becoming a distance runner? Do you still run?

Has anyone developed a hernia their first year post-op? I had a consultation with a plastic surgeon last weekend and when I pointed out a section on my stomach that I thought would need lipo along with my tummy tuck, the surgeon felt it and said, "you know that's a hernia right?" and I said "well no, or I wouldn't have asked you to lipo it out.....lol". When he said he could repair it at the same time as my tummy tuck/thigh lift I explained that I was not planning to have the procedures done until December, he said as long as it was not bothering me, December was fine. The hernia was obviously not the reason I was there, so it didn't really sink in until on the drive home, then I had a hundred questions. So, if you developed one, was it because the intestine that was relocated during bypass is now weaker? What causes them? Did you know you had it? Did you change your daily activities? Did you change your workout routine? Now that I know what it is, it's obvious, so I can't stop thinking about it. Any other information/advice would be helpful - thanks in advance!

@@James Marusek, I wondered that, but wouldn't they have been able to see it while performing the endoscopy?

Congratulations - you look amazing. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

I had my first surgery (brachioplasty and breast lift/augmentation) before I was at my goal. I had them done in December and hit my goal in March. My second (TT and thighs) will not be until December, simply so I can get them paid for by my insurance. I would do it tomorrow, if I did not have to deal with insurance companies. There was a plastic surgeon, guest speaker at my support group meeting last night and he recommended being within 30 pounds of your goal. Each surgeon is different. I personally would book it and use it as an incentive to get that last 19 pounds off! Best of luck!

@@kealot, I used a scent free antibacterial soap on mine. I don't recall them telling me to wash them a certain number of times. I didn't shower for the first couple days, then showered daily and washed them daily. I had internal stitches and external glue, but my incisions had dried blood with the glue, so it was hard to tell what was what until it started flaking off.

I though about this, but it was difficult to find ones with much Protein. I do remember trying one and it was disgusting, so I moved on from that idea :-) !

That is great that you don't have much pain.....happy healing!

Keep up the good work! I am in the same boat as you, in relation to not seeing or recognizing the difference(s). I have never in my life considered myself skinny and the other day I was in the locker room (with a good friend) and she said omg, I just seen your ribs, have you ever seen them? I knew what she meant, but it was funny how it came out. So, I then explained to her that yes, I can see my collarbone, when I lay down I can see my hip bones and ribs and NO, I have never been able to see any of those things in the past.....EVER! It takes time to adjust to the new you, that's for sure!

In the earlier stages, when my nutritionist said I could have toast, I tried it a couple times and it was not that great, so I never ate bread again. Granted, I am only 10 months post-op, but I recently had my Vitamin and minerals tested and it showed I had a Thiamin deficiency. The bariatric nurse sent me a list of things I could eat that were high in Thiamin/B1 (I think) and surprisingly bread was on the list.

I seen my surgeon or a member of his team (4 surgeon team) every morning while I was in the hospital, then I seen him at my one week check-up, one month check-up and six month check-up. It was interesting that someone commented they were going to respectfully decline if they were invited back, because I actually cancelled my nine month apt because I am at goal, don't have any pressing questions and did not want to take the time off work. I will go for my one year appointment and call it good.

There is no way I would commit the time OR money to having a tummy tuck, knowing I was not done having children! I am not having my tummy tuck until December, but I did have brachioplasty and breast augmentation this past December and don't get my wrong, it was not like I was dying, but I certainly would not want to go through it again, not to mention it cost me $11,000!

Front opening bra for sure and I would recommend purchasing two. I wore mine 24-7 for the first 4-6 weeks and it's easier to wash one when you have another one on hand. I was sent home in a horrible surgical bra, so that did not help. If they give you a decent one, you can rotate that with your sports bra. One thing to keep in mind (my surgeon did not tell me this), is that there may not be room for the size you want once they get into surgery. I requested a minimum of 400 on my larger side and then whatever it took for the smaller side to look equal and he agreed. I woke up with 260 and 340, HUGE disappointment, but I came to grips with the fact that he did what was medically safe! I am scheduled to have a revision (larger implant on one side and making the aerola smaller on the other) June 29th. Best of luck to you!

My hair started falling out around month two and stopped around month six. I took Biotin religiously, however it just creates new growth, it does not prevent it from falling out. I also used Nioxin shampoo/conditioner, both of which helped it grow back faster. I would literally have a handful of hair when I was done washing and another handful when I was done drying. I was certain all of my hair was going to fall out and I was going to be bald, but when I asked others, they said they could not even tell. I am ten months post-op and at goal now, but still take Biotin and I can see a ton of new growth!

@@Elode, thanks for the list, that will be very helpful! How do those compression garments run, pretty true to size?

How exciting! I also had brachioplasty and a breast augmentation/lift done at the same time (December) and had a pretty uneventful recovery. Not being able to lift my arms above my head for three weeks kind of stunk, but other than that, it went well. Best of luck to you!

Hi There - one thing to keep in mind, is not everything you read is a problem for every person. I would of course follow your doctor's recommendations, but the two specific issues you listed "(whether it's never being able to chew gum again, needing to say goodbye to high-fat/sugar foods forever, and so on)" are not a problem for me. I chew gum on a daily basis, I actually think it prevents me from eating at times. I feel like if I have gum in my mouth, I will not put food in my mouth, however, I am VERY cautious about not swallowing it. As for high-fat/sugar foods, I still eat both but a reasonable portion. If I want some cake, I may have 2-3 bites, if I want some ice cream, I'll have 1/4 cup. I try not to deny myself of much because I find the consequences of the cravings can be much worse in the long run. What has been a challenge for me is exercise. I just recently reached my goal, so I have asked myself a couple times, why I should keep killing myself at the gym, well of course the answer is because I want to continue being healthy and maintain my weight, but it's an easy task to skip out on.

OMG, how flipping exciting! Best of luck to you tomorrow, it will be here before you know it!

At 18 days post op, I was still on pureed foods. I was on liquids for two weeks and then pureed for two weeks. It was not until stage three (soft foods) that I was able to eat cottage cheese and then stage four lunch meat (which I was not able to tolerate until nearly six months). Perhaps, you need to go back to liquids and drink strictly Protein until the requirement is met each day, then try soft foods. I know 18 days of liquids seems like alot, but you have to do what you have to do at this point if you want to be successful in the end. Best of luck to you!

Yes, my surgeon, PCP and nutritionist are all fine with it, as all of my Vitamin and mineral levels are on track and I am maintaining at this point. There are occasional days where I eat up to 800, but I tend to hover around 600.

I had not been tracking, but just offered to help out in a nutrition class where I work, so I have tracked my food intake for the last three days; 576, 676 and 638. I am 5'3" and 130 (at goal). Good luck!