Molly23

After showering I use Palmer's firming coca butter. I'm hoping that it will help limit any sagging skin but I'm not sure it will actually work for that. At least it's moisturizing. I also use Mederma at least 3 nights a week before bed. My scars have faded significantly and I'm 4 months out. Hopefully by the 1 year mark they won't be noticeable. My NP highly recommended using Mederma. She also said it is more efficient on new scars so it's best to start using it as soon as you get cleared to put something on your scars.

Thank you! I was sleeved on 4/20/17. I guess I expected it to be a little harder and I didn't anticipate the mental changes that would come along with it. I know they remove the portion of the stomach that creates the hunger hormone but I think that part of it has had more of an impact then I expected. I don't really have cravings now at all I'm really just eating for nutrition/protein. Before if I had a craving I would obsess about it until I had that thing. Some times I'll want something specific but if I don't have it I just move on. That aspect has been easier then I thought. I've just been so used to struggling with my weight for 20 years that I was scared of messing this up too. I'm just thankful that I took the step to get the sleeve. It's completely normal to be nervous before surgery. I was terrified up until they started the anestesia meds. Just focus on the benefits and how much it will improve your health. I hope all goes well in your surgery!

Sleeved on April 20, 2017 and I wouldn't take it back for anything! I had seriously cold feet and even considered backing out the morning of surgery. Thankful I didn't because I'm now down 84lbs since my highest weight. My favorite moments so far: I no longer need to shop in plus sizes I actually fit in one of those tiny swings at an amusement park! My chronic ankle pain is no longer a daily issue No more CPAP machine Lowered my blood pressure meds I don't feel as anxious about being in public Ultimately surgery has made me feel so much more hopeful about my future and it's been a long time since I've felt that way.

For me the pain was pretty persistent. Felt a bit like period cramps x10 but over the whole stomach not just the lower abs. Holding a pillow over my tummy to add some pressure helped ease some discomfort. I took my pain meds for 5 days and Tylenol for another 4-5 days. It wasn't unbearable most of the time but very uncomfortable for the first week. The part I liked least about the pain is I had no idea if I was getting full while I was eating yogurt or drinking protein shakes. The only signals I was getting from my tummy were pain and nothing else. If you tolerate pain well I think you'll be just fine. And if you have a lot of pain that's what the meds are for! Use them as needed/directed.

Congrats!! Must feel incredible! It's a huge inspiration to hear your story! I can't wait to get there. You look incredible!!

Thank you! It was definitely a great realization! Congrats on your success as well! You'll be there before you know it!

Thank you for posting! You look incredible! The progress pics are so helpful to see. I'm not sure if I'll be having plastics but I think I have a couple areas that will need it even though I'm only midway to my goal. Seeing your example is a huge inspiration!

My nurse had warned me before surgery that a lot of people show weight gain between 6-10 lbs the first few days after surgery. I don't think I even weighed myself til after my 2 week post op. Also I didn't even want to bend over to take out my scale. They also recommended only weighing myself once a week. After 3 weeks I stalled for about 12 days which was frustrating. But I read a lot of people on here had the same happen at the same time. I remember for about the first month I completely regretted having surgery and thought it might not work for my but I'm still chugging along. I've been losing almost exactly 2 lbs a week since my first stall. I'm down 84lbs since my highest weight. Just keep reminding yourself of all the non scale related reasons you're doing this and it will be easier to keep focus. Measurements are another great way to see progress. I suggest taking them now if you haven't taken them since beginning the process. I didn't take mine until a month after surgery and I've lost 18 inches since then. Best of luck! It will all be worth it!

If you're having trouble getting in your protein since you said you aren't eating much I found a great protein water at Target that I used when I was immediately post op. It's made by Trusource and has 20g of protein in a bottle. Kind of tasted like a melted popsicle to me. Tastes much better cold!

I can definitely relate. I'm almost 4 months post op and I got my period for about 2 weeks for the first couple of months. I definitely felt super weak and a bit dizzy on the worst days. I had to increase my water intake. Drinking propel also helped a little with the dizziness. Last couple of months I had it for a week with a little spotting leading up to it. My PCP said it should normalize again once my weight stabilizes. Thankfully it does seem that my period is getting more normal each month even though I'm still losing.

I believe that this is for surgeries approved by insurance. The appropriate weight would then be determined by the doctor. It may also be determined by the doctor in self pay procedures as well. Fluctuations in weight can undo a lot of the work the plastic surgeon does so they want to make sure you're at a stable weight for the best long term results.

I completely understand. I didn't really express how nervous I was to family and friends but I thought many times about not doing it. Just try to breathe and get some rest tonight. Follow doctors orders and you'll be just fine. I was sleeved on 4/20/17 and I've lost 50lbs since then 32 lost preop. The loss has also helped resolve chronic ankle pain and has alleviated a lot of anxiety. Remind yourself of the reasons that you're doing this. It's about much more then the weight, it's your health. Every change since surgery has been completely worth it. Best of luck tomorrow!! It's the start of a very exciting journey!

Please go see your doctor. I'm 3 months post op and haven't experience me those feelings. I've had a little bit of "sticking" if I ate too quickly but protein drinks and water shouldn't cause that feeling, unless you're chugging it. The only time water has been uncomfortable is if I drink too soon after eating without realizing it. Better safe then sorry but it may be possible you have a stricture. If not they should be able to work with you to see what can help alleviate the discomfort.

I was sleeved on 4/20/17 and I've lost about 35lbs since then. Lost 30+ pre surgery. So far it's going well and I'm feeling better. I had severe ankle pain even with prescribed pain meds twice a day. I'm no longer taking any pain meds for it and it only acts up a tiny bit at times. My hypertension meds were cut in half at the hospital. I was also able to discontinue using a CPAP and returned the machine within a month of surgery.

I was really worried about the negativity before I had surgery. I was just so nervous that people would think I was taking the "easy way" out. It is most certainly not the easy way, as I'm sure anyone post-op can confirm. Since having surgery I find myself telling anyone. If someone compliments my weight loss or asks why I was out of work I just come out with it. I realize that's not everyone's path and I didn't think I would want to share it with many people at all. I've found it a bit cathartic to just be honest about surgery. I luckily haven't had any negative reactions, at least not to my face. People are going to think what they want anyway, and all I can do is deal with my experience. I can't imagine having someone you trust enough to disclose about surgery being so negative. I know that it's way easier said then done to ignore the comments. The truth of the matter is that what's done is done. The most important thing is that you take care of yourself and focus on your journey. You've taken a huge step towards self improvement! There's nothing wrong with that. I've found that reminding myself of the NSVs is a huge help to staying positive. You got this!

I'm so thankful for this site to be able to hear about everyone else's progress and experiences. It has definitely helped me though a lot of times especially in the first couple of weeks after surgery. I'm just over 2 months out from my surgery. I have those moments when I wonder if I've made enough progress or if I'm not doing well enough. There's no real guidebook to having weight loss surgery. I keep reminding myself to look at the positive changes since surgery. Yesterday I had an exciting NSV when I got to buy a plain XL shirt and some skinny jeans. Those moments are so exciting and always seem to catch me by surprise. I find a lot of times I don't really see the changes in my body when I look in the mirror. Looking at pictures makes a big difference. I have my first set of progress pics attached. The picture on the right was just taken in December 2016. I was wearing a size 24 pant and 3XL shirt. The picture on the right was taken yesterday. I had on size 18 jeans and XL shirt.

Congrats! Glad surgery went well for you. It's great that you're in such good spirits so soon after surgery. Best of luck with recovery!

I have heard this is normal. I had this happen about a week after surgery. It wasn't constant but it would happen a few times a day at least. Everything had a rotten egg flavor to it. It started to taper off and stopped completely after a couple of weeks. Just get your water however you can. Crystal light was a big help and my NUT also approved herbal tea. There are a lot of mint herbal tea options which was also helpful. Just check with your NUT first to make sure it's okay for your plan. Hope it goes away soon!

Amazing transformation!! All of your hard work really shows. I love the pink hair!

Congrats! Hope all goes well on Thursday! My only advice is to follow your doctors orders!

Mood swings are completely normal especially in the early stages. I can completely relate. My NP also said that hormones and my monthly cycle could be affected. I've been having my period 2 weeks on then 2 weeks off which is enough to make someone grumpy. I'm seeing my PCP next week to see if my birth control needs adjusting. So if you're on any birth control check with your doctor/nurse to see if that needs to be changed to help regulate your hormones. It gets better, I promise!

That's so exciting, congratulations! This is a great NSV! I'm only a couple months out from surgery, but this is something I'm looking forward to. I have a trip to Disney planned in October so I'll be 6 months out. I'm hoping my hips won't need to squish between the arm rests!

I agree with everyone else here. There are still options for you to eat especially at a BBQ when you can bring items that you're able to eat. I did this before surgery when I was on diets, I would bring chicken sausages to put on the grill or bring a salad. Also my NUT said no alcohol for at least one year after surgery. I don't drink often so it's not a huge deal for me. Hope you find the things that work for you and enjoy your family cookouts!

I had this happen after a few days post op. It didn't happen every time but sometimes when I had my yogurt or protein shakes they had this weird rotten egg/sulfur taste. Sometimes it would even just be one or two bites would have that taste. It doesn't happen with everything thankfully. I'm onto the soft food stage so I've been blending the protein with ice and haven't had yogurt as often and haven't noticed the taste again. Hopefully yours goes back to normal soon!

I started having dizzy spells when I was on liquids post surgery. My nutritionist had said Propel drinks were ok at this stage so I would drink at least a cup when I woke up in the mornings which helped. It's not a pleasant feeling but just make sure you're getting the recommended amounts of protein and water.