BabySpoons

If you plan to get skin removal surgery and want it to be covered by insurance, make sure you document with your doctor ALL problems with skin rashes, sores etc. It isn't usually covered since it is considered cosmetic but if you can show a history of problems, there's a better chance of it being covered. I have lost over 100 pounds and have some loose skin, but I am getting cryo therapy twice a week. It helps to produce collagen and tightens my skin as the weight comes off. If I had waited till I hit goal weight, I don't think it would have been as effective. I also sit in an infrared sauna which has its own list of benefits. Rebounding helps too. There are some alternatives to surgery. Being proactive is important but it also depends on the amount of weight you have to lose and DNA. When I had rashes before losing the weight, I used a baby powder/cornstarch blend to keep the area dry. Moisture can make things painful and possibly infected. Good luck!!

At 10 months post-op, I am losing fat stores that haven't been touched for YEARS. Since our fat holds toxins along with hormones, I can't help but wonder what's circulating in my blood. I have days where I feel tired or have headaches and know I am detoxing stuff my body has held onto forever. High Copper levels can become dangerous if not addressed. I would want to know how high and possibly get a second opinion if your doctor has no answers. But if he's testing every few months, I'm guessing levels are elevated but not in the danger zone. And it could be as simple as dietary. Good luck and hopefully you will get a good report soon!

It's tough to be positive during those first couple weeks while recovering from major surgery. Especially when experiencing complications. Be kind to yourself. Let yourself heal and look forward to (as your name states) new beginnings. If you work the program given you, results will come and you'll exchange your regret for gratitude. Wishing you the very best and good luck going forward!!

GOOD ADVICE^^^

I would allow yourself more calories. I'd hate to see you lose all that hard earned muscle by not consuming enough calories to maintain them. Maybe add a couple more high protein snacks which are more satiating. Carbs will stimulate your hunger. No fat reserves and muscle mass dying to be fed. I'd love to have that problem. LOL Congrats on your success!!!

Me too. My hair is wild and curly, so I use hair gel to try to keep them in line. When I was a kid we used to call them the frizzies. LOL I just had my hair cut today. Mine's in a long shag a bit below shoulder length and so the layers help to create fullness. Glad to hear yours is growing back. I feel bad for those who lost their hair in clumps. Yikes!

LOL!

Walking after surgery helps prevent blood clots and also to help dissipate gas pains. I made myself get up every hour and walk at least 5 minutes after I got home. I didn't have the bad gas pain many others experience but I was afraid of getting a blood clot. I can't imagine the pain you describe after WLS. I have read a few others mention waking up screaming from pain. It almost sounds like you weren't given the right amount of pain meds. Sorry that happened to you and glad you are feeling better now. I had some kind of nerve block shot administered by an anesthesiologist, directly into my stomach, right before they wheeled me into the operating room. He said it worked similar to an epidural. Also, while prepping me, they put a pain patch behind my ear and told me to leave it on for 3 days. That's not counting the meds thru my IV and the liquid codeine they sent me home with. Needless to say, that first week was a blur. I know nothing about spitting, but I did have dry mouth from hell for a couple days after my surgery. I wish you the best going forward!

One of the things I sorely missed when overweight and homebound was thrifting. I had plenty of old clothes in various smaller sizes I held onto that I have been fitting into over the past 9 months since WLS. I have been having the best time buying new to me used clothing and bagging up the ones now too big and donating. I'm just so happy to finally fit back into stylish clothing again instead of tent dresses and elastic waistbands. I love vintage clothing and have no qualms wearing used except underwear. LOL I guess the thrill for me too is finding expensive items for practically nothing. Also it's just not practical to pay full price for clothing you will outgrow in a few short weeks.

I can relate to the acid reflux issue due to having a hiatal hernia too. I was daily suffering with it for years until WLS. My stomach was also pushed up through my diaphragm. Docs found the hernia during pre-op testing and repaired it the same day as my RNY. I think your doctor was hoping by fixing your hernia, it might take care of your reflux along with you losing the abdominal weight from the sleeve surgery. I also carried the majority of my excess weight around my midsection and was told that my reflux was because excess fat was pushing food back up into my esophagus. That was before they discovered I had the hernia. But both problems contributed. After losing over 100 pounds, I'm finding that even though I am losing weight all over, my stomach is still the last place it is coming off. Very frustrating but I still have 40 lbs. to lose. And that's where it is sitting. I chalk it up to genetics. Sadly, the hernia repair didn't take care of your reflux and the sleeve is notorious for causing it. Even in those that never had it. One of the reasons I opted for the bypass and haven't had reflux since. As for your weight loss stall, maybe try backing off from hard workouts unless you are getting an adequate days rest in between. Increased levels of cortisol can cause abdominal weight gain. I lost all my weight from leisurely walking outdoors 2-3 miles 5-6xs a week.. GL. Your pics look great.

I was told drinking before a meal took up space that should be reserved for food. That never made much sense to me since liquids usually move quickly through. But in the beginning, I still waited 30 minutes before and after eating. Nowadays I wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour but only after a meal. Depending on the meal. It is quite painful otherwise if I don't. I would forego the snacks if I had to choose between them and staying hydrated. GL

The benefits of WLS far outweigh the risks. I would be more afraid of doing nothing. You'll do just fine. 👍

I'm 9 months out from WLS and I've been following this forum since January 2023. I can't count the number of posts here of people struggling to drink protein. I consumed a lot of them before ever having surgery. Back in my weightlifting days. Maybe it's an acquired taste sort of thing but never had a problem with them except for a few premade ones tasting too sweet. Food/drink aversions are pretty common post-op though. taste buds change etc. I can't help but wonder, when using the powders... if tasting chalky, use a good blender. I have a Vitamix and even the cheapest protein powders taste good. I tried Walmart's Equate Whey Protein powder for $18/18 servings. If you are mixing with a spoon or shaking in a cup, even the best powders will taste chalky. I buy vanilla or unflavored powder so I can change up the taste by adding frozen fruit, SF various flavor Greek yogurts, peanut butter or cocoa powder, Crystal Light or stevia to sweeten. I like to use milk and ice. It comes out tasting like a milkshake. Strawberry being my fav. Experiment to find what you like. Variations are endless and beats drinking the same premade ones day after day. GL on your weight loss journey!!

I woke this morning to the sound of a snowplow in my driveway and a snowblower. Not sure who my good Samaritan is yet, but it was 5:30 AM. I normally would go back to bed and sleep till 9 or 10. When I was young..er, till noon. Before WLS I always woke up tired no matter how many hours of sleep I had. Anyone who knows me is aware I am not a morning person. Don't call early unless it's an emergency etc. LOL Of course, early on after surgery, I was tired. I had major surgery. But now?? I can't believe how good I feel and waking up rested is nothing short of a miracle. YMMV. I made sure to stay hydrated, take my daily vitamins, drink my protein and move post op. And rest. Let your body heal. I did have a time when I felt exhausted and found I was low on iron. I switched vitamins with added iron and that made a huge difference. All I know is that WLS does wayyyy more than just effect food restriction. It rewires the brain, resets your body fat setpoint and reverses a lot of co-morbidities. 👏 And I never would have guessed I would become a morning person. LOL GL @Tamika James , speedy recovery and boundless energy to you!!

I have a Vitamix but have yet to make ice cream in it. Thanks for the reminder. Need to give it a try. Sounds yummy and Ninja does make good products. I recently bought a Ninja Woodfire Pellet Smoker Outdoor grill. Do you have a favorite recipe to share that would work in my Vitamix?

Forcing yourself to eat to meet a suggested calorie count sounds very problematic. Reminds me of the days of eating past the point of being full which led to weight gain and our need for WLS. Hmmm.... Mindful conscious eating is key to success. Listen to your body. Stop eating before you get full and stay away from the scale. GL to you!!!

I saw a few relatives over the Christmas holiday that hadn't seen me since WLS in April. All were very supportive and complimentary of my 100+ weight loss. One gal who is overweight, was very interested and asked many questions, considering WLS for herself. Then she said, "I don't know... I'm not really ready to take the easy way out." 🙄 Uhhhh I didn't get mad because I knew she was just being ignorant, but I did say... "Honey... it's far from easy." No one had been rude or called me fat when I weighed 320 lbs. at my heaviest. But they didn't have to. The look of shock, to those who knew me before, said it all. Strangers all treated me like I was invisible. But now? I read someone on here say, if I wasn't good enough for them when I was overweight, I'm too good for them now. Kind of agree with that.

It's one of the best feelings in the world for me too. I bought myself one of those big fluffy one size robes a few years ago and couldn't even close it in front. I saved it along with a bunch of other clothes "just in case" I ever lost the weight and now I'm swimming in it. I'm also looking forward to swimming at the lake this summer and trying my hand at kayaking. I haven't got in the water for years. I usually sit in the boat and watch everyone else. That's gonna change Congrat's on your success @JFreeman

I bet you get standing ovations Today I would attempt this song, although I usually just watch karaoke. I'm a big introvert but finding my social anxiety is getting better as I lose the weight and feel better

That's one of the best feelings everrrr!

I don't know if weight loss has put me in a mind state of "cleaning house" but I have been going through every room, closet and cupboard getting rid of junk and unnecessary items I've held on to for years. Losing the weight and an organized house feels reeeeally good. Even though I haven't tried this trick, it still made me smile. Happy Healthy Holidays everyone!

I don't know when I reached Onederland but just weighed myself @198. Like you I haven't seen the ones for many a moon. I'm elated as I'm sure you are too. HIGH FIVE!!!

Who knows. I was basing my comment off the discussion here on page 2. Tony called OP a troll. Either way, it's sad to me, the regret, real or not, that people feel post op. I can understand it if someone is experiencing physical problems from the surgery but mourning the loss of food? It's what we signed up for. I don't know what other outcome they are expecting.