kristieshannon

Novaluna-respectfully, I’d suggest getting a second opinion about this. I’m a nurse in the big public health hospital in Seattle. Our head MD for infectious disease, as well as the head MD for public health in our county have recommended that immunocompromised individuals be vaccinated, as well as receive the booster vaccine. Both MDs are part of UW Medicine, which is a large medical research institution. I know of many colleagues and patients who are immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated and will be receiving booster vaccines in the coming weeks. I’m glad you are taking precautions for sure!

C’mon dude. We’re here to be supportive of each other, not be harassed.

I had a lift and augmentation, but went with 375cc moderate profile.

I paid $16,100 for a tummy tuck with muscle repair, breast lift & augmentation, and arm lift. My surgeon wrote me a letter of medical necessity relating the need for muscle repair to ease chronic low back pain. Although my insurance wouldn’t pay for it, I was able to use my flexible spending account funds ($2500) I saved and paid cash for about $7000 by working overtime shifts at my hospital and charged the rest to Care Credit with 0% financing for 12 months. I’ll have it paid off before that so won’t pay any interest.

My guess is that it may be related to medications, as many of the mental health meds have weight gain or increased appetite as a side effect. There are some that are considered metabolically neutral-check in with your psychiatrist about that. On the other hand, 16 lbs above “normal” BMI is really not bad! Many, many bariatric patients never reach a “normal” BMI and their surgeon will tell them that going from obese to just over weight is a success. Congrats on all you’ve done so far!

That seems low to me! I wasn’t given an exact calorie goal either, but a goal to get in 70-80gms of protein per day. My protein shake is 30 grams protein, 160 calories. Chicken breast for 3 ounces is about 165 cals, 30 grams protein. An Ooikos triple zero yogurt is 100 cals, 15 grams protein. So that gets you at 75 grams protein and 425 calories. Not sure how I could have possible met my protein goal for only 300 calories.

I am in the midst of a cross-country move so missed posting about my two year anniversary a couple days ago. I had a VSG in Seattle on 8/12/2019. My starting weight was 286, today I’m 140. Although I lost my excess weight, I gained so much in the process. I am happy, healthy, and active. My only regret is not doing this sooner. I’m off all medication and no longer have sleep apnea. My blood pressure and resting heart rate are that of an athlete. I’ve never felt better in my adult life. I had plastic surgery in January to remove the excess skin and I’m so glad that I did that as part of this process. I still weigh myself daily and track all of my intake. I have a little more wiggle room now for a treat now & then, but in general eat a pretty healthy diet making sure to get in my protein and fluids every day.

Yes please!

Amazing! Good job putting in all the hard work ❤️

Yes, this! I’m a nurse and live in Seattle. If you happen to be near here I’d be happy to be your surgery support person.

Like catwoman I had lots of excess skin after 140lbs weight loss. It was hide able in clothes, not so much out of clothes. I had surgery to have it removed from my abdomen and arms, and will have my thighs done next year. Even if I couldn’t have had plastic surgery the weight loss was worth it. I’d take loose skin any day over those 140lbs.

I’ve read a couple folks who were close say they wore ankle weights to their weigh in appointment to make sure they were over the BMI requirement. 🤷‍♀️

Zero regrets. I’m two years out as of next week. Down from 286 to just over 140. Off all meds, off CPAP. Life is good as a fit, healthy person.

Not really anything special outfit wise, but a fun day nonetheless. My daughter flew out to Boston to make the drive back to Seattle with me as my travel nurse contract has ended and I’m heading back home. We stopped in Chicago today to take a break from the road. We stopped at Millennium Park for photos with The Bean. My daughter was actually teary when I let her take a pic of me, said “Mom I’m so glad you’ll let me take pictures now so we can keep our memories”. I have so few pics of me with my kids while they were growing up, I couldn’t stand to see myself in pictures. One more benefit of WLS!

I was very strict the first six months or so. After that to always get in my 80gms of protein per day and have a little room for a treat on occasion. Big difference from pre op is that now I can be satisfied with just A cookie, as in one-rather than a whole package like before.

You’re only a few days post op! Give it time. Follow the intake and dietary guidelines your program gave you. The weight will come off if you do. You’re body is still likely in the process of dropping all the extra fluids they gave you during surgery.

@Kris77 you look amazing! I’m with you, my thighs look pretty rough. Like you though I imagine my new upgraded boobs distract anyone from noticing them 😂

Yes. I started at 286, now 140. I’ll be two years post op on 8/12 and am now in maintenance. 

I had my arm lift along with a tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation so can’t tell you what each cost separately. I paid $16,100 for all three procedures combined.

People started telling me the same thing when I hit about 150. I’m 5’3.5”, so a little shorter than you. I’m also a sm in tops and size 6. I’ve now dropped to 140ish, glad to have hit “healthy” BMI (just barely!). I’m comfortable here and am working to maintain in a window of 140-145, which at the high end will technically be overweight but I’m ok with that. BTW I lost 19 lbs since my skin removal surgery in January. According to the doc 11 lbs skin was removed so I’ve dropped a little more via diet and exercise since.

I agree with everyone else! You are totally rocking that dress and look amazing. Have a girls night out, a date night, or take yourself out in it-you’ll light up the room!

I’m a nurse too, so also on my feet a lot. Interesting that I’m not the only one whose experienced this! On a nurse note, I’ve also found that my previous go-to Danskos aren’t all the comfortable anymore and now have a couple pairs of running shoes just for work.

Are you a coffee fan? I mix my morning protein shake with cold brew coffee which cuts down the sweetness quite a bit.

My cup size didn’t really drop much. From 44DDD to 36 DD. However, what was left was just big empty sacks of loose skin. Anything at all low cut looked terrible because you could see kind of bunched up loose skin. I had a lift & augmentation to fill them out. I’m now a 32 or 34 F depending on the brand of bra. I think they fit my frame perfectly, are nice & full & perky.

My heels aren’t crazy rough anymore! I used to have to used a pumice stone on them several times a week between pedicures and even then they never looked great. No idea why being heavy would = dry, crusty heels but it has completely resolved. Yay for feet that look good in sandals!