loridee11

I'm 4 days out from an arm lift, J lift, and breast lift that included replacing and downsizing old implants. Basically, I have sutures from about an inch below my elbow, up my entire upper arm, down through my armpit, and continuing along the curve of my breast with only about an inch or two gap from the other side. Then anchor incisions on the breasts as well. Apparently, one of my old implants was ruptured as well so took a bit longer than planned. I'm doing pretty good - the only challenge is some tingling/loss of sensation in my thumb and index finger on my right hand (dominant). Dr. isn't worried and think as swelling in the arm goes down it will improve. Otherwise, I feel a bit like a stuffed sausage but not too bad! I was able to shower and switched to Tylenol today. Hopefully, the swelling will go down little by little over the coming days although I realize it will be months before my results are final. So far I can tell the arms are going to be MUCH better. Even all swelling the contour is significantly better. The "j lift" should mean no more skin pushing out under my arm from my bra, and my chest feels like its going to be the right size. Once closer to final I'll share some pics. Too much effort right now

It's been just over 3 years since I had my RNY (12/31/19). I am so glad I made the decision to do this. It's not easy and there are challenges, but I feel so much better in my own skin. Stats: 5'10; 44 years old Starting Weight: 336 Surgery weight: 292 Lowest weight: 155 Current weight: 172 Wins in 2022: Last year I really wanted to focus on strength and stamina. I set a bucket list goal of climbing Kilimanjaro (I did it in June!) and spent the first half of the year getting in shape for that. That included regular hikes, but also yoga and strength training classes to build muscle and flexibility. I also did a lot of time on the treadmill at incline (I hate the treadmill - but it served it's purpose). In the second half of the year I wanted to keep growing strength, stamina and flexibility but in a way I enjoy so I started HIIT classes. They are a great workout, give me cardio and strength in one which is a huge win. I also still do yoga once a week and try to hike when I can. At the end of the year I am the strongest and healthiest I can ever recall being. I also did a TON of traveling in 2022 which was great for my mental health. I got to see Equador, the Galapagos, Costa Rice, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Alaska, Victoria CA, Little Cayman, and other places in the US West. It's been amazing. Goals for 2023: In addition to continuing to grow on my physical fitness gains from 2022, this year I need to work on my relationship with food. In general I eat much healthier than I did pre-surgery (I was a total carb addict and rarely ate protein or vegetables), however I still struggle with emotional eating and moderation for trigger foods. I am very consciously NOT dieting. There will be times I eat pasta or sweets but I don't want to eat because I'm bored or <insert any emotion here>. I also want to be aware of the scale, I really want to stay between my low weight and where I am now, but not ruled by it. I'm not sure exactly what this will look like, but will figure it it. I also start a new job in a couple of weeks. I'm super excited about the role and the challenge it will present. It will mean a lot less time to travel, but I'm ready to take on something new. My goal (aside from doing well at the job) is to find a way to balance work and life in a more sustainable way that I have in the past. I hope all of you have an amazing 2023 and good luck in your journey's! Lori

Hi Colin, I don't hike 20 miles per day back to back, but I imagine you will be able to at some point. For the first year or so I'm not sure I was eating/absorbing enough calories to sustain that type of heavy exercise. However, once I was able to eat a little more I never had issues doing whatever exercise I wanted. Of course, as with everything talk to your doctor For me, I started training for Kili about a year after my surgery, with hikes 5-8 miles just on weekends. At the 2 year mark I was hiking 3-4 times per week, up to about 12 miles. And Kili was about 2 1/2 years after surgery and I had no issues at all. I was not active or fit pre-surgery, so my baseline was very low. ~Lori

Hi all, I'm having a skin only tummy tuck end of May (my muscles are not separated). I want to get an extra compression garment and I'm wondering about sizing. According to the size charts my under bust, hips and thigh would be Medium and my waist is just barely into the Large range. Given the skin removal from the stomach, do you think a Med would work? Also, would you recommend the garment with legs or one that stops at the hips? Thanks for your thoughts! Lori

Its been almost 4 weeks so I thought I'd share a pic. Healing really well and mostly happy. A couple spots we may need to do a little fixing on (but in office v. under) just to get everything to lay smooth but so glad to see how much skin is now gone. I'm not sure if I have any swelling left or not (no muscle tightening).

Good luck tomorrow! The first few days just plan on resting (even if you think you feel up to more). If you can, either have someone who can cook for you or have some pre-made meals in the fridge. Drink lots of water. Recliner and pillows will be your best friends. You'll want to keep yourself in a U shape for your abdomen but also want to keep your arms elevated.

Local Dr in San Jose who sadly is retiring this month

Tummy tuck done on Wed. I'm actually feeling really well - no pain meds as of today but of course still taking it very easy. I had skin only fleur tummy tuck as most of my extra skin was vertical. I have an incision from just below my breasts down to my mons, and a small horizontal incision, maybe 5 inches. Overall things look really good, especially for 3 days out. I'm swollen of course, but my belly button area is already 1.5 inches smaller than before (every place else is up due to swelling still) I tried the garment today and I'm still too swollen (I bought a stage 2) so I'll try again after the drain comes out on Tuesday. My only concern is how it will fit on my thights --- while the measurement was right I have a lot of loose skin there but we shall see. I'll try to take some after pics once the drain comes out.

I'm 9 months out and am super happy with my arm results so I wanted to share some before/after pics. As you can see, the scar is still pretty visible although it is fading. My surgeon thinks it will likely fade for up to 2 years.

Does anyone have recommendations on a good protein bar? I generally have a premier shake for breakfast but I am traveling and am looking for something I can bring with. I'd love something with similar nutrition (30g protein, <200 calories, low carb) and of course, tastes good

Thanks all! I found a variety pack of Built Bars and am going to try those. I appreciate the advice!

Even pre-RNY I had really low Iron levels and have taken a supplement. It takes time for us to build back up. I'm sure your Dr. mentioned, but there are other vitamins you can't take Iron with (if I recall correctly Calcium is one) and it absorbs better with Vitamin C taken at the same time. I take Iron +C daily now (end of day, 2 hours after my last calcium & multi) and that has helped bring mine up. Of course everyone is unique and I'm sure your dr. can help figure out what you need. Good luck!

That's amazing! I'm not a runner so 33 miles may as well be 1,000. Way to go!

Maybe I'm in the minority, but at 3 years out I still struggle sometimes with my image of self - I often "feel" like the biggest person in a room even though I know I'm not. It seems to be exacerbated when I don't do the self-care things like regular exercise or eating well. When I'm in routine with exercise and healthy meals my mind set seems to settle and I just think less about my weight than I ever have. Having said that, I just started a new job and it is a mind trip that they will never know the obese me I was for most of my life. Lori

Agree you should check with your team. However, personally I struggled with high fat foods early on. So even though Queso may be a "soft food" (depending on what you eat it with) it would have made me sick until I was well into solid foods. Side note: High fat and high sugar foods are still hard for me. I get very bloated and gassy if I eat to much.

When I was at my heaviest, I think I felt littler than I was. Now at 3 years out, I know that I am at a normal weight, but I still always feel like one of the biggest people in the room (logically I know that's not true but it's how I feel). And of course, some days I'm more bloated than others and that doesn't help.

I've been considering filler - since weight loss I have what I feel are pretty deep folds around my mouth. Not sure if you chose filler for the same reason - if yes, does it help?

Thanks all for sharing! I tend to meal prep since it's just me and it's easier to cook once or twice a week than every day. That's really the only reason my days tend to be fairly similar. As many of you hinted at, I am really trying for that healthy relationship with food where I enjoy in moderation. Glad to see that seems to be working for so many!

Hi All! Summary: I'm bored of my go to meals. What healthy options do you love? Detail: I am almost 3 years out and have put on a few pounds from my low - 155 to 170 at 5'10. I think I'm still in the normal "bounce back" gain range but I want to make sure I stop any further gain. I work out pretty heavy: 3 days of HiiT, 1 day hiking, 1 day yoga plus daily dog walks. I had stopped tracking all my food but started back up and I am around 2000 calories a day which with exercise seems to be right (when I am tracking and staying there my weight stopped moving). My challenge is I tend to eat 3 meals plus an afternoon snack and I am looking for lower calories, lean protein options. I tend to like one pot or casserole type meals v. a piece of meat and side dish but I am open to any thoughts! For those of you curious, a regular day for me may be: Breakfast: Coffee w/ half and half and Green smoothie (with protein, frozen fruit & frozen spinach) Lunch: Chicken salad Snack: Greek yogurt with keto granola Dinner: Ground chicken tacos with carb conscious tortilla's or Breakfast: Coffee w/ half and half and 2 eggs on an english muffin Lunch: Chef salad Snack: Premier protein shake Dinner: Au gratin vegetables casserole with chicken dinner sausage I may also have dessert which is usually sugar free jello/sugar free jello pudding made with Fairlife skim milk Thanks for sharing! Lori

Hi Laneeb23, Unfortunately I didn't experience this so I can't give you advice beyond go back to your team (this does not sound normal). I just wanted to say I'm so sorry and I trust it will get better for you! Lori

Costco carries premier protein shakes. Reasonable and good - at least the chocolate and latte flavored. I personally think caramel and vanilla are WAY to sweet but that could just be me.

I had some issues with low blood pressure and dehydration that caused dizzy spells for me. Make sure you are drinking lots of fluid and including electrolytes.

My Dr. had me taking solid vitamins from day 1 - I use Kirkland brand for the most part (Multi Vitamin, calcium, etc...). I can't take them on an empty stomach or I get nauseous, but as long as I eat a little something first I'm good.

Ditto what others have said - I had really bad hair loss and unfortunately, it just took time. Like others, I cut it short and that helped the appearance a TON.

Operation was about 6 hours - my surgeon had a partner help him with closing all the sutures to keep the time down some. Overall pain level hasn't been too bad. I've stayed on top of pain meds and am now at the point where I am starting to ween off them. Definitely sore and the incisions are pretty uncomfortable, but the drains came out yesterday and that helped a ton. I am starting to itch today though which is no fun.