Anghelys Garcia

I'm three days out and extremely emotional. I got my bandages removed today and went home and cried. I've had mixed emotions and have felt severely overwhelmed. I'm a wuss when it comes to pain so it hasn't been easy. I've also been experiencing severe anxiety over fear of gaining weight due to not being in my regular diet routine and experiencing cravings. I experience anxiety on the norm but it got worse after the procedure. All of this with stress from school and just what the final healed product will look like is driving me nuts. Any suggestions? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

3 months post op!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! Thanks for your response. My suggestion is to take it one step at a time. Wait to reach your goal weight before considering the pain of plastics. Trust me thinking so far ahead can be nerve racking. I'm sure everything will turn out fine for you. Good luck on your journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

One month post op! Surviving the craziness that has been this recovery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much! I'll definitely look into your suggestions. I will also be undergoing brachioplasty and thigh lift. Good luck with your procedures! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, As a few of you know I'm recovering from an abdominoplasty and breast correction with implants. I'm 21 days post op and am healing greatly. One of the things I've noticed is my increase in appetite. While I've been told this is normal, my psychologist told me it may be physiological (mental) hunger. I do struggle with mental hunger, and have had some instances of it recently; but I can't say that my extra hunger is all mental. On top of my hunger I just feel so out of routine and find myself going for carbs and grazing. I guess I can say I'm lacking The usual structure of my diet regimen. Last week I weighed 146.4 pounds, this week I'm at about 150. I feel awful. I know I'm not supposed to focus on the number, especially during recovery, but I can't help it. I have an obsession with numbers, it was to the point of obsessing over the ounces of food I was eating and or the number in my clothing size. I've backed off a little and have been trying to find a happy medium, but the scale went up and I'm not happy. I don't know what to do with this whole recovery thing. I know lack of exercise has contributed to weight gain also. I'm all over the place right now trying to stay on track with my healthy eating, finishing up my last month of college, and healing. It's too much. I need guidance. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Update 11 days post op 09/11/16, a little swollen but feeling better! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much for your response! I'll definitely keep this in mind! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, yesterday I underwent my first round of skin correction surgery to get rid of my excess skin. My of my has it been challenging, but I know I'll feel great in the long run. The surgeon started on my belly and chest. Bellow are images before surgery. After photos coming soon! Keep on keepin on! -Angie Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much! It's going pretty well for me. The one thing I could say is that I'd never go through this unless it's a medical necessity. It's so not worth the pain haha. I don't know how people can put themselves though this. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Hi Lisa, The pain is better now thank you. It's more discomfort and swelling than anything. But I'm progressing slowly but surely. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much. Your advice has been beyond helpful! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi thanks so much for your response. Thanks so much for assuring me that I'm not alone. Im planning on starting counseling once I finish school in late October. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is so amazing because I've been diffusing lavender to keep calm also. I've been using essential oils on and off for a few months now and they do help. I just seem to forget how helpful they are. I use a blend and dill for hunger but will definitely look into grapefruit oil. You're inspirational and strong to have gone through all of those surgeries. Truly inspirational. As for worrying about my weight gain, I'm going to either avoid weighing myself until the swelling goes down, or try and accept that the scale will be higher due to the swelling. Do you know of anything that can help with swelling? I will try and stick to my normal routine diet as best as I can. But I need to accept that I might have to make tweaks due to my healing. My cravings are strong but I have plenty of alternatives that can calm them down. Thanks so much for your advice. I greatly appreciate it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! How was your experience? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much on the advice and congratulations on your journey also. How did you deal with the emotions and pain? I'm trying to be kind to myself but I am so terrified of gaining weight, like even my doctors tell me to take it easy. They tell me I'm doing great, but I feel like I'm doing everything wrong. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everybody, My name is Angie and I'm new to this online support method. I'm looking for people my age with whom I could relate to and seek advice from with no judgement. I'm almost two years post op and have lost over 170 pounds. I actually dropped almost 10 pounds below my goal and have maintained it since my weight stabilized in September. I’ve been fortunate enough to stick to a healthy eating regimen for almost two years now. But realistically it's not perfect, and believe me the struggle is never over. Besides seeking advice, I'm also here to give advice when needed. I love to cook and remake healthy renditions to recipes, and am more than happy to share. I also struggle with depression and body image issues, and would love to connect and help others in similar situations. Feel free to contact me, I don't bite!

Hey Linda! I'd like to give you the warmest of welcome. Also, congratulations on starting this journey. Thank you girl, you'll be at your goal before you know it. As for recipes, you can look up Bariatric Foodie. She's a guru on all things WLS including recipes. I also recommend Pinterest, or just google WLS friendly recipes. My suggestion is to get as creative as you can. Best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You ladies just inspired me! I might consider getting one. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You got this!!!! Slip ups are bound to happen from time to time. What's most important is how we handle it. You're on the right track because you've acknowledged your error and you don't plan on repeating it. My suggestion is to not look at this as a diet, it's a permanent lifestyle change. Once you reach your goal you will be able to have an occasional slice of pizza (if your body can tolerate it). There are also plenty of alternatives out there that are just as yummy, my suggestion is cauliflower crust pizza. Good luck dear! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You go girl! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey Britt, I'm so sorry I'm long overdue for a response. But I hope all is going well with you and your journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App