TexasT

I've been at goal for a year now and am ready for a breast implant revision (had the same ones for 31 yrs now). I'm going for a consult in June with a local doc, but was wondering if anyone has had plastics done in Mexico. If so, by whom, what did you have done, what was the cost, and were you concerned at all about your safety? Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!

I've been off this site for months, but had a personal message from someone and logged back in today. I myself lost 7 lbs over Thanksgiving and haven't put any back on yet. And I don't need to lose any more! I eat all the sweets I can get in, drink wine when I want, eat nuts all the time, don't miss any carbs, etc. I have a relative in California who's on medical marijuana and she suggested I try it to increase my appetite. As I'm in TX and it's not legal here I deferred. But I never in a million years thought I'd have this problem!

I had my boobies re-done in July and hope to have the face work done in the next year or so. My cheeks are like deflated balloons and need some filler too. Plus as Nora Ephron put it in her book - "I Hate My Neck!". I haven't had a consult yet for my face, so not sure what my doc will suggest. Please keep us updated on what you do and how it comes out.

I've been dreading this for awhile, but as of this past Tuesday I'm no longer in my 40's - I guess I'm officially "middle-aged" - yuck! After all this weight loss most people say I look younger, and I FEEL younger, but I've noticed a huge change in the elasticity of my skin now that it's not full of fat to fluff it out. I hate the saggy areas near my elbows and top my arms, the crazy stretch marks on my tummy that look like a pleated skirt when I bend over, my non-existent butt (just boney now). And yes, to answer the question - I AM vain, and Carly Simon wrote that song about me - ha! I SO wish this surgery had been available about 15 yrs ago when I was still young and had more time to enjoy this slim bod. Now I feel like I'm too old to to wear certain clothes, and worry that even growing my hair out this long may make me look like I'm trying too hard to look younger. I guess I shouldn't wallow in self-pity too much. In the last week, I've had several people think I was in my 30's (sounds like they all need an appointment to LensCrafters!). My 22 yr old daughter and I were at a restaurant bar before my birthday dinner and the bartender thought we were two friends out for a drink. So I KNOW it could be worse. I guess I'm just having a hard time coming to terms with this whole aging thing, and knowing that every day from now on I'll just keep looking older and older. One of my co-workers who's around 70 told me I'm still young. Buddy, 50 is NOT young, it's just not as old as 70.

As someone who's been at goal for over a year, I can say it continues to be easy and I'm loving life now. Even if I splurge and eat sweets, sodas, alcohol, etc. I don't gain weight since I keep the portions small. And also as a former lap-band patient, the sleeve is a MILLION times easier than that ever was! Love it!!

I had a full hysterectomy at age 41, now I'm 50. I only stopped my estrogen for a few days around the time of my surgery. The pill is so small my doc said it was OK to take. So I never experienced any problems post-op. If it's an issue for you, you can ask for the patches or gel to use for a few months if need be.

I also make sure and take my dissolvable B-12 each day. I think it really helps and when I had labs last they said my B-12 was "through the roof", so I guess it's working well. Of course, the older you are, the longer it takes to recover from any type of surgery, so just be patient and I'm sure you'll feel back to your old self (even better!) once you're healed more and start dropping the lbs. Best of luck!

And just remember also that everyone's sleeve is a different size. If you are tall, or your stomach is just natually LONGER, then you may have a bigger stomach post-op than someone else. I agree with others - trying to eat chicken in a few weeks will be the true test. When I got to mushies, I couldn't eat but a few bites of eggs while the same size serving of refried black Beans went in fine. Don't get discouraged. The weight WILL come off! Your body just has to adjust to this new way of eating. Best of luck!

I was a revision from the lap-band, so the questions I had would probably be different from yours. Dr. Barker was very good with explaining exactly what the surgery was once I started telling him I didn't like the band (gave it a good 3.5 yrs). I know Dr. Kim and Dr. Davidson have great reviews from others on this site for other DFW area docs. One doc I can tell you to steer clear of though is Dr. Glenn Ihde. New to WLS and very dishonest. You'll want to know how long the doc thinks your post-op recovery will take, how often you should get labs taken to check that you're getting all the nutrients you need, if they have a support group (if you think you'd need it - Dr. Barker has one I know), what their schedule is regarding your post-op diet (how long on Clear Liquids, mushies, etc.), what his complication rate is, how many sleeves has he done, stuff like that. Good luck on finding the right doc for you!

Well, I'm 3.5 wks post-op from my breast augmentation revision and things went fantastic. Dr. Bogdan removed my 31-yr old ruptured silicone implants and replaced them with the new gummy-style silicone. I had a capsular contraction with my last implants, so they were hard as rocks. Now these new ones supposedly feel like natural boobies (though I really have no idea - it's been so long since mine WERE natural, and when they were there wasn't much to them to feel!). Dr. B removed all my old scar tissue internally and also my whole old scar along the fold under my breast. My new scars are so thin and gorgeous (for scars) that I don't think you'll even be able to see them once I'm all healed. I'm happy, hubby is thrilled, and now I have experience with an amazing aethesthic surgeon for when I want to do more. First thing on the list is some type of filler for my cheeks so they won't look so gaunt, then someday a neck lift to get rid of the turkey neck. But got to get back to saving the $$$ again first.

Congratulations on your surgery date. I'm sure you're excited and nervous all at once. Regarding unflavored Protein power, all I've heard of is unjury. Lots of people here love it. I was always able to use the flavored ones with no problem, so I only tried it once mixing with broth and it was pretty lumpy. But the Soup was probably too warm, which is something you have to watch. There are tons of protein powders out there in fruit flavors, etc. so don't feel like you have to eat unflavored just because you don't like chocolate. I drank the ready-made Isopure drinks. They're clear, so no grit and come in fruity flavors. My favorite was the grape - tasted a bit like watered down Kool-Aid. If you have a Vitamin Shop near you buy a few to taste-test and take back those you don't like and you can get a full refund. I did that several times and never had a problem. Best of luck!

I got my band in 2006 and my revision to sleeve Jan. 2010. The revision was done in one surgery - in addition my doc removed my gall bladder and fixed a hiatal hernia I didn't know about either. But I didn't have an endoscopy, which might have found that ahead of time. It can certainly all be done at once, but I think it's a case-by-case thing based on what's going on inside. If all looks well and your doctor still wants to wait, I might go ahead and look around for a new doctor. There are plenty of us who had revisions done in one surgery with no problems.

I agree with the statment that nothing really helps. I was genetically predispositioned for good skin, thank goodness - and I've always stayed out of the sun and never smoked. That said, my cheeks have that hollowed out, sunken look now if I'm not smiling, along with the "marrionette lines" along my nose. I'm 50 and the elasticity is going, going, gone. I use Olay Regenerist products and love them for how my skin feels, so I'm sure what you're using is probably just as good if not the same thing. I'm already planning on having some fillers done to my face as soon as I can afford it. I found a wonderful Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon that just did some body work for me, and the outcome is amazing, so I'm sure he will do wonders for my face. I love being thinner, but I don't like my face looking like someone is trying to starve me. My neck is the worst though - chicken neck all the way. Not sure when or if I'll deal with that, but I'll probably wait untl I'm a bit older. I'm sorry about your friends passing - it does make us stop and questions things, huh?

Congrats on making goal! Regardig fitness, I have to admit I don't exercise but need to so I can gain back lost muscle. I'm 50 yrs old now, and after the weight loss my skin is loose and baggy on my arms especially. I broke some ribs earlier this year and had some plastic surgery the first of this month, so I'm just now approved to start exercising with weights again. So my fitness goal is to get some muscles back in my arms and booty (sadly it's flat as a pancake). Being thin is wonderful, but that doesn't make us healthy I've found. I just had a bone scan and now have full osteoporosis in my back (had a complete hysterectomy at age 41). And I was already on meds for it. Doc thinks it got worse after the weight loss due to being thinner and not getting enough Calcium and Vitamin D,so I've upped both of them when I take my Vitamins. And since your body will only absorb 500mg of calcium at a time, I feel like I'm chewing a tablet every few hours. But I'd rather do that than end up a little shrunken old lady like my mom and grandmother are. I know it will be inevitable eventually, but I'm trying to keep it at bay as long as possible.

I remember that they gave me coffee in the hospital when I had the VSG. I don't drink coffee though and didn't try it, so I don't know if it was decaf or not.

I'm also a Dr. Barker alum - from both the lap-band and now the VSG. And yes, he is super cute. His ads don't do him justice. I'm sure he knows all the ladies have the hots for him. A couple of days after my first VSG post-op visit (I had lap-band revision, he also removed my gall bladder and fixed a hiatal hernia), I got a hematoma under the incision where my band port had been. The incision opened up and the blood drained out, so I had to meet Dr. B at the ER for him to clean it out and make sure I was OK. Since I had just seen him earlier that week, he quipped "we're going to have to stop meeting like this or your husband will start to suspect something" and gave me a big grin. I thought I was going to melt into the floor.

Well, I hate to tell you, but 1-1/2 yrs out and I STILL have to pay attention sometimes and not eat too much. I spent 45+ years eating however much food I could stuff in my face, so this new way of eating just takes practice and patience to get used to. Tiffykins used to measure all her food for awhile to make sure she didn't try to eat too much. My hubby usually looks at my plate, shakes his head, and says "You know you won't be able to eat all that." And of course he's right. So having a "buddy" who can help you to keep from eating too much has really helped me. Now I feel like the saying "your eyes are too big for your stomach" actually apply to me in a VERY real way. To make sure I get in all the Protein and nutrients I need, I typically will eat a few bites, wait awhile for it to digest, then go at it again a bit later. That's hard to do at a restaurant when everyone else is finished eating and ready to go, but it certainly works for me at home. With your new baby stomach, take it slow and easy and don't overstress it to try and fit in more food. As time goes on it will stretch a bit and you'll be able to eat more. Right now though listen to your body and stop when you get that full feeling - before you start to feel miserable. It just takes time and practice. Good luck!

Apparently this doctor has not done his research and is only going on hearsay. If he wants to learn about the success rate of VSG he should come here and look at the pictures of those of us that have been at goal and kept the weight off for awhile. He was probably basing his remarks on what he may have seen from bypass and lap-band patients in the past. I'm glad this isn't your regular doctor, or I would be advising looking for a new one. By the way, I take a daily B-12 supplement that dissolves under my tongue, tastes really good, and only costs a few dollars a bottle. On my last labs they said my B-12 was "through the roof", so it works great and no shots to deal with. I get mine at the local grocery or discount store. I'm sure you could probably find it where you are at the pharmacy if it sounds like something you want to try.

My body seems to have a 3/lb cushion that I bounce around. I don't do anything to "watch my weight" now, I just eat what I want when I want and it never really seems to change. I need to start exercising to build back some muscle though, and the thought went through my head that I would probably weigh more after that. But as long as I look the same and fit in my clothes, that's all that matters.

Testerone is not just for the boys you know ladies! I've been on a cream for several years now and love it so much I brought my gyno flowers. She laughed and said she'd gotten them for delivering babies before, but never for helping someone have better sex again. It has to be made at a pharmacy that can compound their own drugs - your doc can usually tell you where to take your prescription. It's been a life saver for me. I had a hysterectomy at age 41 and went many years of not caring if I ever had sex again. Now that I'm on the cream, I MAKE the hubby save a date night for me each week no matter what. And then there's always Humpday midweek you know.....

I had a full hysterectomy at the age of 41, I'm 50 now, and I had no problems losing all my weight.

Well, dear, it might be OK for you to do that if you're single, but I've been with the same guy for 31 yrs and I would never wink at a stranger - ha! I will rock the hot outfits though, but for the hubby's benefit only. Others can look, but no touching. I want to ask the guys, because this happens to me too. Is the local grocery store THE come-on spot for guys now? I feel like the Kroger meat market is now a MEET MARKET and we ladies are the weekly special or something! All the single guys, whether they have kids with them or not, stare like I have spinach between my teeth or something. If any single ladies are looking, just go to the grocery store, walk down the aisles VERY slowly, make eye contact and you should be able to meet someone. As for me, I keep the big rock on my hand visible and my eyes checking out the fat grams on my labels .

I had my breast augmentation revision done last Friday and am a bit sore today myself. The boobies look great, and now hopefully I can be done with surgeries for awhile now. Glad you're doing well post-op and adjusting to the liquid diet. This is the hardest part, when it's over it will be smooth sailing from here on out. When you get to mushies you'll think you're in heaven! Best of luck with your recovery - sounds like you're doing fantastic!

I know you're so excited - I'm sure you'll do great! The staff at the hospital are WONDERFUL and are very good at making sure you're not in pain. Don't be afraid to tell them how you feel. They don't like your pain level to go over a 2-3. Walk the halls as much as you can stand. My hubby had me on a 3 hr interval and that worked well for me. While I don't envy you the surgery, I DO envy you being able to look into Dr. B's eyes tomorrow, if only for a few minutes. He's the real Dr. McDreamy !! And he will definately get the Skinny Girl to come out and be noticed. I'm also having surgery this week - on Friday I'm having my 31-yr old breast implants exchanged for new ones. I'm super excited to get the new ta-ta's - ha! Since all the weight loss I need them to be filled out again that's for sure. I know you'll probably be super jittery and nervous today, but just think - the waiting is OVER and you're moving on to a healthier new you!! Good luck and take care!!

I can only speak for myself and what I've experienced being at goal for over a year now. I turned 50 this year, and was 220lbs at my highest weight. My neck was chock full of fat before WLS, now it's empty and saggy. I don't think there are any creams or serums that can help - plastic surgery is the only way to get rid of it. This is from someone who most people think is in my 30's due to my good skin (lucky with genetics, non-smoker, and stay out of the sun). If I look straight forward and jut my chin out, it's not noticeable. But if I relax, look down, etc. there it goes - all flabby and loose. I also took Biotin, Vitamins, special shampoo and scalp serum to slow down the hair loss and it didn't help one bit. Hair loss will most likely happen 3-6 months post-op, last for approx. 4-8 months and then start growing back. You just have to take deep breaths when pulling handfulls of hair out of your brush and say to yourself "this too shall pass!". And of course, it does. Being slim now and in great health is worth the saggy skin. My legs no longer feel like stuffed sausages, the skin taut and firm. They are MUCH smaller but the skin is soft and empty feeling now. I've lost quite a lot of muscle along the way too, which is a constant struggle to regain at my age. Getting in shape will be much harder than losing the weight with the sleeve has ever been. My goal is not to be discouraging, but upfront and truthful about the effects of massive weight loss at an age of slow collagen growth. The sleeve is the best thing I've ever done for myself, and as a self-pay it was a sacrifice with money. But I would do it again in a minute. I wish you the best with your weight loss and know your health will improve greatly. Just be realistic with your body image expectations and not be dissapointed if you don't look like a super model when you're done. Embrace your healthy body no matter what it ends up looking like and good luck!