Tammie G

I had gastric bypass surgery on January 3, 2005 and I have done very well. No issues with my pouch-dumping or vomiting because of following doctor’s orders-no carbonated beverages, no sweets, no fried foods, no eating and drinking at the same time and exercise 5 days a week. After trying skin wraps in my arms and seeing no changes my husband suggested arm surgery. I had my first plastic surgery in December 2015-arm lifts (7 inches of skin removed from both arms). I was so happy and still very happy with my results. February 2017-liposuction in both legs(knees and calves). December 2019-extended tummy tuck (6 pounds of skin removed). March 2020-lipo 360(11 pounds of fat removed from stomach, flanks, and entire back). With removal of the excess skin I am able to wear size 4/6 in dresses , 8/10 in pants and some junior clothing. Starting size 15 years ago was 24/26. Preparing for breast reduction surgery around October or November. All surgeries have been preformed at the same practice. I am glad I had surgery many years later because I learned to plan/prepare meals daily. Exercise 5 days a week, and continue to follow the 4 D’s: Desire, determination, dedication, and discipline. Please share your story with me.

I dedicated a lot of time for caring for myself after each procedure. The tummy tuck required my husband assistance because I had drains that he had to measure the liquid and I was walking bent over for 2 weeks.

I waited 10 years before I decided to have plastic surgery(surgery date January 3, 2005) Because I wanted to learn how to maintain the 4 E’s-Eat, Exercise, Excitement of when I had my weight loss surgery, and Enjoy my progress. I never set a goal weight because this is a journey for the rest of my life. My goal was to be smaller than what I was before my gastric bypass surgery. Goal met. Clothing size at surgery: 24/26 and clothing size today: 4/6. A Good surgeon will only do one procedure at a time because of the time the patient is under anesthesia. 12/7/2015-arm lifts took 4 1/2 hours 2/17/2017-liposuction to knees and calves took 3 1/2 hours 12/10/2019-extended tummy tuck with pubic lift (6 pounds of skin removed, all stretched marks gone with removal of skin and 3 of my ports from gastric bypass gone). New belly button Drains for 2 weeks. Scar is like a small straight line beyond the hips. Took 4 1/2 hours 3/13/2020-lipo360 of stomach, flanks, and back (11 pounds of fat removed). I can feel my rib cage. Took 3 1/2 hours. Planning breast reduction and lift surgery for November-in treatment for varicose veins at this time. Did consultation this past Monday and my surgeon stated the procedure would take about 4 1/2 hours Because of molding the new breast . He is going to liposuction my under arms to remove fat.

Congratulation on your upcoming surgeries. I do understand the bat wings situation. I felt like I had been set free when the skin was removed. I remember waking up saying to my husband-look what he did to my arms. I am planning breast reduction/life for possibly November. I am currently being treated for varicose veins. Will all your procedures be performed during one surgery?

Thanks for sharing. My excess skin was due to being morbid obese for 30+ years

How far out are you with your surgery?

Hi Kaylieghm, I am 15 years post as of January 3, 2020. I used my crockpot and ice trays for transitioning to soft foods. Once the food was cooked in crockpot, mashed then placed in ice trays, placed in freezer for future meals. A handheld masher worked well with soft foods-cooked vegetables and meats from crockpot. I still live the lifestyle of a weight loss surgery person. Eating 4 to 5 ounces at meals. No eating and drinking at the same time. No carbonated drink in 16 years. No sweets or fried foods. I Plan and prepare all meals daily. There are occasional left over meals. Planning meals for the week worked for me. My favorite meals were oatmeal with peanut butter, cheese eggs with grits (I am from Georgia), tuna salad with eggs, chicken salad, Egg salad, crockpot chicken rice with cream soup, cubed steak with cream soup, mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, green beans, squash. Your process will get easier as you prepare foods you like and can eat. Look forward to reading your process.