BlueCrush

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

Hi everyone! I have no clue how I didn't know this forum existed until just now! I love sharing my story and learning from others so I thought I would introduce myself.
I'm 11 months post op
Ht: 5'5"
HW:264
SW:260
CW:142.8
I have an Instagram where I post quite often @justinas_journey_vsg

This is a long post. I promise there won’t be many like this. My hope is that my story will help inspire someone that is on the fence. My story is about some really good decisions I’ve made including marrying my wife. I submit to you that our respective journeys are about decisions and commitment to a process. The surgery fixes the physical for a period of time, but it does not work on your brain. The short and sweet version:
HW: 602 lbs I very rarely admit to this.
SW: 552 lbs
CW: 260 lbs
Total weight loss: 342 lbs
On this day 2 years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life. At the time, I had no idea how great I was going to feel or the new experiences I was going to enjoy. All I knew was that I was about to turn 50, and I came to the realization I had to make a change. I always told others, that you can’t do the same thing over and over and expect different results. That was my a-ha moment prior to the surgery. I decided I was going to undergo weight loss surgery. I decided I was “all in” on this process. The day I went to initially meet with my surgeon, I stepped on the scale and weighed 602 lbs. It was hard to look at. Every part of my body hurt... my knees, my back, my ankles, etc. Almost impossible to walk. To put it into perspective, I could barely walk for a couple of minutes without pain or having my heart beating heavily. The good thing was I had normal BP, sugar, cholesterol, etc. I can’t even explain my mental state. I had slowly withdrawn from almost all aspects of living. I am the by-product of losing weight successfully and then gaining it back with interest. I could always lose 75-100 lbs on my own. But since I had a lot more than that to lose, I would eventually hit a wall and revert to my bad habits. I initially wanted to have VSG surgery because it was less invasive and quite frankly I was scared of surgery. Although my surgeon recommended RNY, he left it up to me. I researched a lot and decided RNY. I asked soooo many questions. I spoke with people that underwent surgery. I also decided that I was going to pay out of pocket for the surgery. I felt it was an investment in me. I also didn’t want to chicken out during the insurance process as other times. From my initial consult to surgery day (about 60 days), I lost 50 lbs. 27 of those were during the liquid diet. And no, I did not cheat once during the liquid phase. Was I scared about surgery? Absolutely. But I also understood, statistically, men of my weight do not live long lives. My surgery weight was 552 lbs. I was blessed to go through the surgery without complications. The 1st 6 months out, I focused on the nutrition aspects. The only physical activity I tried was Water aerobics. At about the 6 month, I weighed in at 425 lbs. I felt things were beginning to slow up. I decided to hire a personal trainer. My first conversation with him was that I knew I needed to exercise for my health but there’s no way I could ever have the passion for going to the gym like him and others. My first goal was to walk a 5K. I accomplished that 6 months after. It took me 1.5 hours to finish. But I did it. What an incredible feeling. Today, I do that on a daily basis. Both walking and jogging. I have never felt this good during my adult life. I have embraced this new lifestyle and now look forward to working out. During these unprecedented times we are facing, I have found alternatives to going to the gym and refuse to allow the situation to dictate my life. Today, I stand at 260 lbs. This is the lowest weight I’ve been since high school. It’s important to build the right team. To my wife, my surgeon, my primary physician, and my trainer.......THANK YOU. I would not have been able to achieve these results without your support, encouragement, and advice. I also look at my own level of commitment during this journey. As I said, I hope that my story helps others.

I went to Mexico. $10,500 for 360 LBL, BBL, Lipo in 3 sections, and male chest reduction. Price included 2 nights at the hospital + 8 nights recovery at the Hyatt hotel where they had 24/7 nursing. I did have to pay about another $1k for first class flights to get there and back, but that could have been cheaper if I went coach. Flew into San Diego, CA, and they had a driver pick me up and drive me across the border (about a 45 minute drive from San Diego to the hospital in Mexico).
Researched and found a surgeon I liked. Followed the surgeon's daily procedures on Instagram and Facebook for nearly a year, and interacted with LOTS of his past patients in the FB group to get a good comfort level.

I'm at about the two year mark now. Definitely slower gains at this point, but still going strong.

I went to Mexico. $10,500 for 360 LBL, BBL, Lipo in 3 sections, and male chest reduction. Price included 2 nights at the hospital + 8 nights recovery at the Hyatt hotel where they had 24/7 nursing. I did have to pay about another $1k for first class flights to get there and back, but that could have been cheaper if I went coach. Flew into San Diego, CA, and they had a driver pick me up and drive me across the border (about a 45 minute drive from San Diego to the hospital in Mexico).
Researched and found a surgeon I liked. Followed the surgeon's daily procedures on Instagram and Facebook for nearly a year, and interacted with LOTS of his past patients in the FB group to get a good comfort level.

5.5 months post sleeve. Down 90lbs in this photo. I’m getting there!
Sw/hw 284. Currently 193. 5’4

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

The photo that kick-started my motivation VS current. I'm about 2.5 years post-WLS and about 14 months post-skin removal surgery.

Im Dana had sleeve surgery April 2018 and am having the Duodenal Switch January 22nd 2020. I have lost 240lbs and still can't find a decent person to date. I'm awesome lol I don't really think I have any MAJOR character flaws...im thinking maybe it is my excess skin? It is awful 
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

It's official! My date is may 1st! Not sure if anyone is following my story but insurance approved my skin removal surgery but the surgeon charges cash up front and you are then "reimbursed" which was a $5,000 reimbursement on a$20,000 surgery. No thank you!

I'm going the "cash patient" route. I didn't want to, but I've got to! I'm tackling my most hated (loved) body part, my fupa. It's carried 2 children, gained and lost weight. I can't say I'll miss her LOL.

Any advice for a Tummy Tuck patient? What's my must haves post surgery?

Three pics:
The day before VSG (already down 88lbs from my high weight of 406lbs
At my goal weight of 225lbs, with all the loose skin
2 weeks after plastic surgery to remove the loose skin. Still at 225lbs. Still a little swollen from surgery.

I've embraced talking about the surgery AS PART of a lifestyle change. I've actually had a few coworkers pursue the surgery after seeing my success with it.
I'm not sure why some are so ashamed to discuss surgery. I see it as an opportunity to better educate people and perhaps help a few with their own struggles along the way. No shame in my game.

I'm over 2 years out from surgery now, and I average about 2600 calories a day (closer to 3000 calories Fri-Sun, and closer to 2200 Mon-Thu). I've been doing this for over a year now, and have been maintaining between 220-225lbs (6'3").
Your capacity will change over time. Your relationship with food will as well once you stop thinking of yourself as a dieter/weight loss mindset and shift to an eat-for-performance mindset. I still track food every day, but not for weight loss purposes, rather for hitting my macros (specifically protein) for fitness/performance goals.

I'm over 2 years out from surgery now, and I average about 2600 calories a day (closer to 3000 calories Fri-Sun, and closer to 2200 Mon-Thu). I've been doing this for over a year now, and have been maintaining between 220-225lbs (6'3").
Your capacity will change over time. Your relationship with food will as well once you stop thinking of yourself as a dieter/weight loss mindset and shift to an eat-for-performance mindset. I still track food every day, but not for weight loss purposes, rather for hitting my macros (specifically protein) for fitness/performance goals.

Dr. Aex Galvez in Tijuana, Mexico. Yes the hotel stay and aftercare nursing at the hotel was included.

I slept in a recliner for about 4 weeks. It was a lifesaver.

Hey guys, new video up on Bariatric Strong, the show all about bariatric fitness and nutrition.
Today we discuss the wonderful world of Chipotle (can be a really good choice for macros and performance).

Just click here --> Bariatric Strong Channel to be taken to the channel!

Dude, I posted a HAHA to your pictures. Not because of the way you look which is GREAT, but the "HEY" that appears over your manly parts. That cracked me up!

I had plastics in May and also got the fleur de lis as I wanted things as tight as possible. We had planned on doing abdominal wall repair to tighten the muscle, but when I woke up from surgery, he told me that my abs were already very tight and did not need any muscle repair. He said this was likely due to my weight lifting routine which includes lots of squats, deadlifts, and other core exercises over the past 18 months or so prior to surgery. So, yes, it's possible that you do not need muscle repair, but I don't know how your surgeon would know that before he opens you up and sees it. It's likely he's just assuming at this point. My surgeon said less than 5% have abdominal walls tight enough to not need muscle repair after massive weight loss, and they're most always male.
I've attached a picture for reference, but I also have a few videos of the procedure if you're interested as well. One of them includes where he's working on my abdominal area and speaks to not needing muscle repair. Just send me a private message and I can send them your way.

Just got back from my postop! 6 pounds of skin removed which is hard to imagine. I get an "A" from the surgeon on how well I'm doing. I saw my belly button for the first time and he removed the stitches from it. I go back Thursday to have my drains out. I stopped pain meds Saturday and have been talking tylenol as needed. I've been able to go out for little walks, etc.

So happy that I had this done!! I can't believe how good it feels to not have the skin there!!
   

HW = 360
SW = 292
GW = 220 reached 3/7/18
CW = 210 @ 6'5"
150 pounds lost!