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All minor,but that said, we all have a thing or 2 that does bother you! I thought they might laugh at me being so old, I missed my cats because my son basically "roomed in" with me, but my biggest? That my surgeon would change his mind at the last minute and WOULD NOT perform my surgery. And to me that was a date 10 times worse than death. And no, I never feared dying on the table, which at 72 I easily could have. I knew my surgeon would not let THAT happen, it would ruin his Perfect Record as well as screw up my life as well as my son's. And he also believed implictedly in Dr Needleman, so much that he is considering Bariatric Surgery for himself!

At this point I doubt I am! That said, I am vasically still healthy, protein and fluids first, veggies next if there is room, seldom have room for fruits, don't crave them anyway. Tried to discuss this a month ago with dietician only to be told, You Look Good, Diet looks pretty good , in less there is an emergency we will see you in August. The fact I feel instictively I am starving into malnutrition, not relevant? IDK- I feel like a Voice Crying in the Wilderness " ARE YOU SURE I'M DOING THIS RIGHT?" I must appear okay but I don't seem to handle anything with form, like chewed up meats, veggies et all. Last endo shows Jejunem is patent- well goody goody for that- my question is, and no one will answer it, not NP, not surgeon, not even gastroenterologist, did the severed and/or squeezed to death enervation in my pouch regenerate to point I have regained any peristaltic movement? Or is it as I suspect, there is no propulsive force to move things along and out, this is why and what I repeatedly emesis up more solid things? And also,ves there is enough gastric acidic juices to try eating holes in my pouch and jejunem, but are they starting to beak down proteins and the other foodstuffs or are they extruding like thick toothpaste into my small intestine? These are things NOBODY wants to talk about, I do know basis anatomy but I need a tutorial on Bariatric 201, 201 because this is at least Sophmore or Junior- level information.Do I demand another office consultation with my gastroenterologist Dr Upchurch, who is at least here in my city instead of in Columbus 50 miles away? He gas been a G.I. doctor for maybe 20+ years , so he is smart enough, does HE Want to SPARE ME the time? After years of Frankly Fathood it is still weird to feel clavickes, ribs, even the outside edges of my hipbones. Oh I am grateful my legs arevregainibg their youthful proportions even if the musckescare no longer as strong. And although many of my bari-sisters will disagree, I REALISH THE WOLF WHISTLES I GET! Yeah that doesn't mean they will ever catch me, but after years of being basically ignored , it is nice to be barked at, makes a gal feel alive instead of dead , I can handle being" meat, " because inside I'll feel like "eye candy"! Your specimen of reborn youth--- FRUSTR8

It sounds like you might benefit from talking to a therapist that specializes in bariatric patients. One thing the surgery won't do is prevent you from eating the "worst food." You will still be able to eat unhealthy food with your sleeve. If I get hungry during the night I drink almond milk because it's filling and low calorie. To lose weight, sleeve or no, you will need to eat a healthy, low-calorie diet.

You link me where I said 600 calories is a proper diet a year out. Here, or message me. When someone is in a bariatric forum talking about surgery, it's gonna be about bariatric surgery. What you need to do, is read more carefully. In my posts I said specifically to solve the fatigue problem, because if it's diet related, she'll have trouble. And that goes for men too. I really have no idea where in hell you get an idea this is a female issue. Then I specifically said to see her doctor and nutritionist because fatigue problems with bariatric surgery (what this form is for) are common with dieting problems. I'll also refer you to post #9 on this thread. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using BariatricPal mobile app

It's almost certainly the shakes, but my doctor doesn't allow substitutions, in general. I'm only allowed to use HPMR Bariatric Advantage shakes. They're awful. I hold my nose and do my best to get them down, but it's not working that great. I'm going to call them first thing in the morning and see if they can help me!

I loved my MGB, I had no issues for 11 months and lost 95% of my excess weight. I started having left sided abdo pain, had blood work and ultrasounds that were fine. I began having severe pain with nausea and vomiting 10 times a day for 3 weeks and ended up in hospital. Despite scope and CT I didn't get a diagnosis until 4 months and 4 re admissions to the hospital later. The area I live has very few bariatric surgery resources. I am now thankfully getting a revision to Roux n Y which should eliminate the problem, I was trialed on medication to help with the bile reflux and it ultimately failed. My surgery is in 10 days I am so relieved. I am still glad I did surgery despite my complications. You just never expect to be the low percentage of people with this complication. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Always heard you take your bariatric vitamins for you and prenatal for baby, that way you both get what you need.

I'm reading a book right now called "Bariatric Mindset". Got it on Amazon and I really like it. Very helpful. Sent from my SM-J737T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello all, I'm in a similar situation. Lap band in 2008 and I went from 433 to 178. I thought the band was a miracle! But in the last few years I have really struggled with GERD, throwing up, constant flem and white foam in my throat. Gross. And managing the pain from GERD has led me to various unfills and also bad eating habits gained from my fear of GERD pain (not "what is healthy for me to eat" but "what will my body not reject now?") have led to regaining almost 100 pounds out of the 250 I lost. So tomorrow I'm going to the Kaiser bariatric clinic to talk about having the band removed, and after the minimum 3 month waiting period, revised to RNY. Sleeve is out of the question due to GERD. It seems that everywhere on this board I see pre-revision people like me but not many post-revision people. I want to know how it has gone for those who have done the band to RNY revision!

Hello all, I had lap band in 2008 and lost ~250 pounds, from 433 to 178 pounds. I thought the band was a miracle. Then the band went from being my friend to my nemesis. Trying to manage severe GERD has led to almost 100 pound gain. Long story short, I have a doctor appointment tomorrow to see about getting the band out and convert to RNY. (Sleeve is out of the question due to GERD). I have Kaiser and they will only do it in two steps which I am bummed about, but I just want to get the process started. Anyway, the reason for my post is I have been re-emerging on this forum to find others who have transitioned from lap band to RNY. My main question is, for those who have gone from band to RNY, how was the transition for you and did you find that the RNY worked well for you after your band? I read a lot of these stories about people losing a lot of weight quickly on RNY but they are talking about their first bariatric surgery. As a second bariatric surgery I want to know more about what I can expect. Are there forums on here for revision patients? Kathy

“Protein first“ is the bariatric mantra of the first stages out from surgery. (your calories are so low its all you can fit in). Over time it’s easy to hit your protein goal and all other foods on your plan.

Hey Everyone, I just wanted to post for anyone in or around Kansas City. Dr. Fearing is my surgeon at Bariatric and Metabolic Specialists. She operates at Menorah Medical Center. SHE IS THE BEST!!! I have a chronic kidney condition and she has been amazing working with me and my nephrologist in order to get myself surgery ready. She personally calls me to review my lab work! Surgery is in T-5 days! I cannot recommend her enough!

but don't understand (the week when I was at 1000/day, I lost 2.5 lbs?? 1000 calories is still your weight loss calories. 2.5 loss is because your body needs more calories. See article below. https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20140529/fast-weight-loss-may-mean-muscle-loss What are your fat percentages? I consume enough calories to build muscle mass. my body fat percentage is in the 19-24 zone. I'm athletic in the fit/lean zone. do you put any importance on this statistic to yourselves, personally?  I put importance on my goal of healthy. I don’t pay attention to my body fat percentage. Many of us lose muscle with rapid weight loss. There is a difference between a low body fat percentage with burnt muscle and with muscle mass. My personal experience after goal, I continued to exercise and not consume enough calories. The result was I burnt muscle and dropped to the 120’s. (not a healthy look for me) Here is the maintance meal plan off of the bariatric pal website: https://store.bariatricpal.com/pages/meal-plans-for-one-week-for-a-weight-loss-maintenance-diet Meal Plans for One Week for a Weight Loss Maintenance Diet Congratulations on getting to goal weight! Now your goal is to stay at this weight and prevent weight regain. This meal plan can help you do that. Sample Daily Pattern: 3 meals, 3 snacks Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 1 Breakfast Cheesy Garden Scramble with 2 large eggs, 1 ounce cheddar cheese, chives, 1 cup diced tomatoes, and ¼ cup avocado slices (350 calories, 22 grams protein) Morning Snack 1 cup fat-free Greek yogurt with 1 cup raw vegetables (your choice, such as broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, celery, snow peas, etc.) (130 calories, 14 grams protein) Lunch BariatricPal Protein Soup – Broccoli and Cheddar with an extra 1 cup cooked chopped broccoli and 1 ounce shredded cheese;BariatricPal Lite Bites (360 calories, 33 grams protein) 1 ounce cheddar cheese (190 calories, 22 grams protein) Afternoon Snack 1 large apple plus 1 ounce walnuts (300 calories, 5 grams protein) Dinner Stuffed eggplant with 1 medium eggplant, 4 ounces ground turkey (or beef or soy crumbles), 1/3 cup whole wheat bread crumbs, Italian seasoning; 1 ounce mozzarella cheese melted on top; ½ cup tomato sauce (520 calories, 35 grams protein) Evening Snack Kay’s Naturals Protein Cookie Bites – Mocha Espresso (120 calories, 12 grams protein) Totals: 1780 calories, 121 grams protein Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 2 Breakfast BariatricPal Hot Protein Breakfast – Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal made with skim milk; 2 tablespoons peanut (or almond) butter (380 calories, 30 grams protein) Morning Snack Quest Nutrition Protein Bar – Cookies and Cream (180 calories, 21 grams protein) Lunch “Naked Burrito Bowl” with ½ cup nonfat refried beans, 3 ounces shredded chicken breast with taco seasoning, 1 cup shredded lettuce, ½ cup diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons salsa, ¼ cup guacamole (360 calories, 33 grams protein) Afternoon Snack 1 medium pear plus 1 ounce blue cheese (200 calories, 7 grams protein) Dinner 4 ounces broiled salmon with rosemary and lemon; ½ cup brown rice; 1 cup roasted bell pepper strips with 2 teaspoons olive oil (450 calories, 29 grams protein) Evening Snack BariatricPal Protein Desserts – Creamy Cheesecake (120 calories, 12 grams protein) Totals: 1690 calories, 132 grams protein Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 3 Breakfast Protein shake with 1 cup kale, ½ large banana, 1 container low-sugar nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons peanut butter or PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter, 1 cup skim milk (370 calories, 33 grams protein) Morning Snack 2 hard-boiled eggs (160 calories, 12 grams protein) Lunch Wrap on a low-carb, high-fiber tortilla spread with 2 tablespoons hummus; filling includes 3 ounces grilled chicken, 1 cup raw veggies (such as lettuce, sliced mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, etc.), 1 ounce shredded or sliced provolone cheese, 2 tablespoons sliced black olives (400 calories, 39 grams protein) Afternoon Snack 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1 cup blueberries and BariatricPal Cinnamon Crunch Protein Cereal (290 calories, 23 grams protein) Dinner BariatricPal Beef and Bean Enchilada; ¼ cup guacamole; 1 ounce cheddar or jack cheese; 2 cups lettuce and chopped vegetables (such as tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers); 2 tablespoons fat-free dressing (460 calories, 21 grams protein) Evening Snack Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows (80 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1760 calories, 143 calories Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 4 Breakfast Omelet made with 2 large eggs, 1 cup sliced mushrooms, fresh basil, and 1 ounce Swiss cheese (310 calories, 20 grams protein) Morning Snack ½ cup cottage cheese; 2 tablespoons sunflower seed kernels (170 calories, 16 grams protein) Lunch BariatricPal Beef Stroganoff; 1 cup grapes (360 calories, 21 grams protein) Afternoon Snack Turkey roll-ups with 3 ounces turkey breast spread with 3 tablespoons cream cheese mixed with ½ cup diced apple (290 calories, 18 grams protein) Dinner Veggie burger patty; 1 whole grain hamburger bun; 2 tablespoons hummus (spread on bun); 1 medium sweet potato baked into fries (baked with 2 teaspoons olive oil) (440 calories, 20 grams protein) Evening Snack BariatricPal Protein Oatmeal Cookie with Vanilla Drizzle (170 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1740 calories, 110 grams protein Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 5 Breakfast BariatricPal 35g Protein Shake Meal Replacement – Strawberry (240 calories, 35 grams protein) Morning Snack 1 container vanilla Greek yogurt with Kay’s Naturals Protein Cereal – Honey Almond and ½ banana (290 calories, 26 grams protein) Lunch ¼ acorn squash baked with 2 teaspoons olive oil; ½ cup cooked quinoa mixed with ½ ounce chopped pistachios and 1 ounce parmesan cheese (390 calories, 16 grams protein) Afternoon Snack 1 cup carrots; 2 tablespoons peanut butter (240 calories, 8 grams protein) Dinner 4 ounces lean ground turkey topped with 1 ounce cheddar cheese; 1 cup cooked spinach; 1 medium apple (370 calories, 28 grams protein) Evening Snack BariatricPal Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Bar (160 calories, 12 grams protein) Totals: 1690 calories, 115 grams protein Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 6 Breackfast BariatricPal Hot Protein Breakfast – Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal made with skim milk; 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (280 calories, 23 grams protein) Morning Snack 1 cheese stick (string cheese); ½ cup shelled edamame (green soybeans) (270 calories, 24 grams protein) Lunch BariatricPal Vegetable Lasagna; 1 ounce melted mozzarella; 1 cup cooked cauliflower or broccoli (340 calories, 20 grams protein) Afternoon Snack 1 ounce almonds; (290 calories, 18 grams protein) Dinner 1 cup chili made with garbanzo, pinto, and black beans, diced celery and onions, stewed tomatoes, and chili seasoning; ½ cup cooked barley; 1 cup roasted beet root (350 calories, 15 grams protein) Evening Snack Chocolate Chip with Chocolate Drizzle Cookie (170 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1700 calories, 115 grams protein Sample Meal Plan for Week 1, Sample Day 7 Breakfast 1 container nonfat Greek yogurt; BariatricPal Protein Cereal – Cinnamon Vanilla; ½ cup honeydew melon (260 calories, 28 grams protein) Morning Snack 5 cup tuna with 1 serving Moon Cheese (160 calories, 25 grams protein) Lunch BariatricPal Protein Soup – Cream of Vegetable cooked with ½ cup pinto, kidney, or garbanzo beans and ½ cup mixed vegetables; Kay’s Natural Protein Chips – Crispy Parmesan (330 calories, 36 grams protein) Afternoon Snack 1 banana; 2 tablespoons peanut butter (300 calories, 8 grams protein) Dinner Dinner scramble with 1 cup tofu, 1 cup veggies, 1 ounce cashew pieces, and 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce stir-fried in 2 teaspoons sesame oil (420 calories, 17 grams protein) Evening Snack Chocolate Protein Wafers (200 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1670 calories, 129 grams protein Sample Meal Plan for Week 2, Sample Day 1 Breakfast 1 packet BariatricPal Oatmealwith 2 tablespoons pecans and ½ cup diced apple plus cinnamon. Or other Healthy Breakfast Morning Snack Lunch BariatricPal Chocolate, Strawberry , or Vanilla Meal Replacementor other Healthy Lunch Afternoon Snack 1 bag Protein Chipsor Protein Pretzelswith two tablespoons hummus Dinner Cheese Steak Macaroni1 cup steamed green beans with 2 tablespoons sliced almonds or other Healthy Dinner Evening Snack Sample Meal Plan for Week 2, Sample Day 2 Breakfast Vegetable Omelettopped with 1 ounce shredded cheese, served and with 2 ounce turkey (or vegetarian) breakfast sausage links or other Healthy Breakfast Morning Snack Pancakes with Carbquik Baking Mixand 2 tablespoons of PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Lunch Salad with fresh spinach leaves, 3 ounces grilled skinless chicken breast, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons light raspberry vinaigrette dressing or other Healthy Lunch Afternoon Snack or another flavor of Quest Protein Bar Dinner 4 ounces of broiled salmon, 1 cup baked sweet potato fries made with olive oil, and 1 cup of steamed broccoli or other Healthy Dinner Evening Snack Creamy CheeseCake This is a very low calorie diet. Use only under the supervision of your doctor. This diet gives you about 1200-1400 calories per day. You may need more calories, especially if you are a man, if you are a taller person, or if you are especially active.If you need more calories, you can add in extra snacks. Go for protein and nutrition! Here are some suggestions for healthy snacks. Each has 150 to 250 calories, and at least 10 grams of protein. 1 ounce Turkey Jerky plus ½ apple 1 BariatricPal 10 g Protein Bar 1 cup edamame (green soybeans) plus 1 ounce low-fat cheese 1 cup celery sticks plus 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 package BariatricPal Protein Pretzels plus 2 tablespoons hummus

I went through much the same thing of researching all of this a few years ago for a prospective cancer treatment (though didn't have to go through with it, as it turns out.) Your surgery should be coded as a gastrectomy, partial or total, for the sake of your GP, rather than an RNY gastric bypass for weight loss. Same basic procedure, (called a Billroth II, which has been around for about 140 years for just this kind of problem) but different codes and rules for the insurance. So, you shouldn't have to jump through the same insurance hoops of psych eval and possible 3-6 month diets, etc., though neither is a bad idea given the lifestyle changes you will probably encounter post op. There are a number of Facebook groups for partial and total gastrectomy patients, which would be good to look into. One of the things that I found there is that bile reflux is a relatively common problem post op, which doesn't seem to be that common within the RNY population. Discussing this with my prospective surgeon, he told me that he has never had a problem with that if he kept the limb length over 60cm, which would be fairly typical in the RNY. He also wasn't restricted on choice of limb length as he would be under RNY rules; he could go shorter or longer as needed for the circumstance. Implicitly, this means that many surgeons who perform this procedure for non-weightloss purposes try to keep that limb length, and the associated malabsorption, short to minimize weight loss, but that brings the pouch and anastomosis closer to the bile ducts. Since you are in the BMI range that would normally qualify for WLS, this should not be an issue as you can benefit from the weightloss, but it is something to discuss with the surgeon. It is good for you to work through a bariatric surgeon (most major hospital GI surgery departments are also their bariatric department,as well, given the overlap in skills and experience, though the surgeons may drift to their own specialties within) as you should get all of the necessary education on dietary, medication and supplement restrictions that you need; my wife knew a guy in her office that was having all kinds of health issues and it turned out that he had this same type of procedure for non-weightloss reasons (don't know if it was GP or something else) but he was never told about the ramifications of the procedure, so duh - yeah, he was having issues. Between your bariatric office (most are pretty good these days) and these forums, you should pick up what you need to know to live healthy in your post op years. Good luck.....

That depends entirely on your sugeon and insurance. At a BMI of almost 40 you are considered obese not overweight. Whether you have it for one reason or another, weight and BMI will be used in your file and hard to ignore by a Bariatric surgeon. But this may be to your advantage when trying to get approval from insurance. You'll want as many co morbidites (contributing factors) as possible so you can't be denied. Self pay is a different set of rules and time lines. Hopefully both health concerns can be resolved. Good luck 💙

I have gastroparesis. My PCP suggested I look into bariatric surgery and I'm going to the consult tomorrow. From what I've seen via research, it can help. I am so very hopeful, as you guys know, GP is so awful!! If all goes as planned, I'm hoping to do the bypass surgery.

Hello, everyone. I'm new here and just starting the WLS journey. I am curious if anyone here has had the gastric bypass surgery for anything other than weight loss? I have a chronic condition called Gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach) and it has turned my life upside down. I won't go into the details or symptoms (cause there's a lot), but suffice it to say it is pretty awful, greatly affected motility and slowly killing me. I am also overweight, just shy of the 40 BMI mark. Weight loss would be an added bonus, but not my sole reason for looking into this. My PCP wanted me to speak to a bariatric surgeon to see if a bypass would help since it bypasses the paralyzed, useless part of my stomach. I have a consultation tomorrow. I'm also wondering if this (medical, not weight management) might make the process go any quicker? I know you basically have several tests, speak to a psychologist, and diet, etc. Just wondering if anyone has gone through this for a different medical reason. Hope that makes some sense.

Would you believe, and I have been a participant of Bari-Pal for 1 and half years, You Are the very first Physician- participant I have known of! Welcome-Welcome and I do pray your surgery will also be successful. I usually offer to mentor and be a source of wisdom to all the "Newbees" in your case , probably un-needed, but still I call myself the Bariatric Godmother since I am probably the oldest Bari-pal active. I was 73 last 26th of December and will celebrate my 1st year Surgianniversity on September 5th. Yes, an untypical age for such Major Surgery, but my mantra is: I WILL MAKE THE REST OF MY LIFE THE BEST OF MY LIFE! And I believe I shall, even though I have had ups and downs, hairpin turns and just missed getting mired in quicksand on my Weight Loss Journey, it still goes forward and I hope to reach all my goals on time. My surgeon gave me quite a compliment. After my surgery he said You may be 72 externally, but inside you are more like a 45 year old internally. I compliment you on such good care!" And I was very fearful of NASH but went on his " Liver- shrinking Diet" the entire month of August, and made my liver smooth, sleek and smaller in size. Made it an easier procedure for him and a less pain-ridden recovery for me! So let's agree to be friends, you never can have too many of THOSE!

I hope to not offend anyone by my question...but here goes. In preparation for the surgery and all of the pre OP testing, giving up smoking is a requirement in order to be cleared and approved for the surgery. This includes nicotine, vaping, cbd oils, cannabis and etc. As of this weekend I will no longer be partaking until further notice, even though my bariatric team & I aren't realistically looking for me to have this procedure until January. I just feel like, I'm going to commit and give this my all and be prepared...who else has to give up smoking?

So here is something I just discovered after going to an AA meeting. The way non-WLS alcoholics talk about craving alcohol all the time is how I felt about food pre-op. However, that's not at all how I react to alcohol post-op. Since I stopped drinking last week, I have not craved alcohol once. I've found other ways to deal w/ my anxiety, and I'm also on additional anti-anxiety meds right now. I'm really thinking that the alcohol has to do with my previous anxiety meds not being at full strength due to malabsorption. Fortunately, I found a psychologist who works w/ bariatric patients with alcohol and anxiety issues. And I'm meeting with my doctor Friday to try to straighten out my anxiety meds.

Congratulations on making it to Surgery Eve! I remember I too was so excited I could hardly eat anything before going NPO. Speaking of NPO, I will be joining you later this evening, I have an Endoscopy😷 scheduled tomorrow MORNING, this is either my 12th or 13th lifetime, and don't laugh, but before each one I have a few chilly toes if not a whole cold feet. I have had poor and slow healing from my RNY, a stricture showed up only a few weeks in. Have had gastritis, a structured stoma and ulcerations in my jejunem, the portion of my small intestine the pouch now connects with. Oh I am a rarity, there are only a few others on Bariatric Pal and mine has been the longest duration, it has been 9 months since my surgery, usually only takes a short while to be repaired, but ME I just got to be SPECIAL! So I am hoping there will be a noticable improvement, but I am not so certain. Still having my ulceration pains. But I promise, since my procedure will be mid- morning to🙏 pray for you that all will go well. It Will distract me from brooding about myself and my troubles.👈😛👉

Hello, I also had my surgery with Kaiser Sunnyside. It's a wonderful program. My tip would be follow the program as much as you can. The bariatric team is so nice and helpful. I have nothing negative to say about the program. Well other than disliking the Boost drinks, but that we don't have to do for very long. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Okay so I’m asking to see if anybody else is/has experienced what I’m going through. As of today I’m 17 weeks post op and I’ve done wonderfully so far. Didn’t have any adverse reactions and it’s been fairly smooth sailing. Then about 3-4 weeks ago, my skin has become SUPER DUPER itchy and small bumps keep breaking out all over my arms, legs, and torso. Just had my 3 month labs done and everything seems to be just fine. I haven’t tried any new foods and all my meds are the same. Normally I would think maybe the new bariatric supplements are to blame, but I’ve been taking those since the week of surgery and they didn’t bother me before. I’m practically bathing in fragrance free lotion that I’ve always used and the itching is driving me nuts!

It could be that food and habits associated with food were comforting you, and now that comfort is suddenly gone. I know that I’ve personally experienced this at times. One thing I’ve done to combat this is to throw myself into a workout routine that eats up some down time. The bonus is you can’t eat or think about while working out, and you get the positive reinforcement of a sense of accomplishment. I’m also thinking that you might want to change psychiatrists and find someone who specializes in bariatric patients. I had one for my first couple months post-op, and she got me through some really rough moments.

I was willing to consult with him, except he didn't return my calls - I feel like there's something wrong with a patient having to chase down a doctor. Like, I'm paying YOU tens of thousands of dollars and you're the guy that's supposed to look out for me pre- and post. Answer the phone? I have been working with a trainer pretty hardcore starting at 4 months post-op. I talked to him about the skin issue - if I lost more weight after reaching my personal goal. He thinks that since, especially by 13 months, I will have built up significant muscle on my arms that even if I did the arm lift at 13 months if I lost anymore weight, any loose skin would easily snap back, rather than droop. And even if it did, I am not opposed to revisional plastics down the line if it bothers me THAT much. My bariatric office knows I plan on plastics by the end of the year and they are okay with it, since I have exceeded their expectations thus far. Something I will certainly discuss with my plastic surgeon regardless, obviously. I'm going to consult end of August/September and if I don't get a good feeling or am not 100% confident, I will continue to pursue other options. There is a second "specialist" surgeon my office recommended that is 3 hours away, but they are in the mountains and it would be impossible to reach them during any inclement weather, so that ones pretty much out of my thoughts. I also don't trust the hospital system they are with. At least the 2 hour away guy is in the same hospital system as my local plastic surgeon. I don't know - things to consider in the next few months. When I had lipo in 2009 I lived in Baltimore. It was 11k worth of lipo on virtually every part of my body (it shouldn't have even been done). I got very, very ill and had to stay with my mother, two hours away from Baltimore. I had to see the plastic surgeon twice a week because of how sick I was and the four-hour roundtrip was horrific and painful to make. In 2017 I had a breast reduction and my nipple starting rotting off! Thankfully my surgeon was local and I could see him right away and he identified that it was an allergy to Neosporin and I was able to see him quite often and it saved the graft. That's why I have such a preference for someone very close to me. You just never know what insane thing could happen.