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Hi everyone - I'm 10 days out from a lower body lift and inner thigh lift... I'm finally starting to feel human again. I knew this was going to be rough, but wow... Luckily, other than pain I've had no complications. I had 2 of my 4 drains taken out on Wednesday and am pretty sure the other two will come out next Wednesday at my 2 week checkup. I had my surgery with Dr. Shiffrin in Chicago. I think it was a little more than some of the quotes I've saw tossed around here, but I felt really comfortable with him and knew that I was going to get a good result based on feedback and pictures of the work he's done. He's just a really down to earth guy. I've been wearing really loose sweat pants ever since surgery. Today, I tried on a pair of jeans for the first time. They fit fine in the legs but were tighter around my waist than pre-surgery... but I had to laugh because I'm not really sure where my waist is anymore. I'm used to my pants going under my gut, but the gut is gone! Did any of you find that your clothes fit a lot different after surgery (or even go up a size), or is it just a matter of giving enough time for the swelling go down?

The nausea stopped right around the 24 hr point. I tried to walk two laps everytime my vitals were checked but I was tired and slept most of the afternoon away. Sunday morning, Dr. Kelly came by and checked me out then Cecy took me around noon for my swallow test. That facility is very nice, though the roads are quite bumpy on the way there. Thank goodness I still have cushion on my backside lol. The drink is disgusting, like aspirin Water, but it goes quickly and I brought sugar free mints for afterwards. Dr. Kelly recorded the test and Omar emailed it to me. My tummy looks so widdle on the video. They also gave me xray to take home. It takes like 10 minutes total. Cecy took me to the grocery store to get some cold beverages and my meds. The grocery store had the most gorgeous mangoes I wish I could take home and was sooo clean and colorful. Once I got to the hotel, Omar and Dr. Kelly came up to go over my diet and Cecy made me some rice water. I'd never tried rice water, but it has a nice cinnamon flavor. Omar went to get the other two couples then came back to get me. I took a big gatorade and headed to the bull fight with another couple. It was $20 for premium seats and $1 for a cushion (concrete seats). The food they brought by looked delicious, dried meat, fruit platters, but I sipped my gatorade. It was very...authentic. Beautiful bulls and horses. We stayed a little over an hour. Omar picked us up and we all went shopping at Avenida Revolución. You have to haggle for prices, but I yard sale every weekend so this is totally up my alley. I spent $33 on 3 luchador masks and some maracas. We stopped at Caesar's Restaurant which is the birthplace of the Caesar salad. It is made tableside with ground anchovies, dijon mustard, oil?, garlic, worchesterchire sauce, egg yolk, pepper, parm cheese & croutons. It looked really good. We then went out to eat at a mexican restaurant that has the.best.chicken.broth.ever. I don't remember the name of the place but I've never had broth that good, full of cilantro goodness. I chewed a tiny bite of rice with it. It was my first meal since Thursday night (3 days). I sipped too fast as about 5 minutes after I finished eating I felt way over full. You know how when you eat like a jumbo cheeseburger and fries then feel ugh? I felt that way after drinking 1/2 a cup of pineapple juice and maybe 3/4 cup broth. I kinda couldn't believe it until it happened to me. We got back to the hotel around 9pm. I showered, changed my bandages, took my meds, went on the balcony to check out the city at night, then online way too late. I got up this morning around 5am and had a drinkable yogurt. Omar brought me some thin oatmeal Cecy made me around 8am. I'm sipping on it very slowly. I'm chilling in the room this morning watching HBO. I have no nausea or pain. I get a free broth and popsicle from the hotel daily so I'll be checking that out later today. So far I've had a great experience in Tj. You don't get this kind of personal service in the US. Good luck Reese! It was nice meeting you yesterday. I'm sure you'll do great! Thanks thinmymind, I had a lot of fun yesterday.

I did keto for a long time pre-op and even before I thought about bariatric surgery. My program is different, I guess, in that we don't do purees or full liquids and move onto soft foods like cottage cheese and yogurt, etc. on day 10. We are allowed chicken salad, even. She said to start with Greek yogurt, which I did.

Highest known weight: 205 1/18 DOS 179 Week #1 171 (-8) Week #2 167.4 (-3.6) 11.6 total Week #3 165.8 (-1.6) 13.2 total Week #4 163.8 (-2.0) 15.2 total 1 month 2/18 161.4 17.6 total Week #5 161.4 (-2.4) 17.6 total Week #6 159.6 (-1.8) 19.4 total Week #7 157.4 (-2.2) 21.6 total Week #8 155.2 (-2.2) 23.8 total 2 months 3/18 154.4 (-7lbs from month 1 and -24.6 total) Week #9 152.8 (-2.4) 26.2 total Total weight lost from highest: 52.2 Bmi: 27.9 I am pretty happy with my numbers so far. I don't feel like the "fat girl" so much anymore. I have decided that when I hit 150, I am going to clean out my closet. I tried on some clothes the other day and I am thrilled. As far as shorts go, the 12s are a little big and the 10s are fitting well. I am also able to fit in 1 pair of size 10 jeans, so I'm thrilled about that. I am not going to miss all the 16s and 18s that I have! I also take measurements once a month, and I have lost 5.5" at my waist, 3.5" from my chest, 5.25" from my hips, 4.5" from my abdomen, 2" from my calf, 1" from my arm, and 2.75" from my thigh. I have even lost 1" in my neck. I still feel like my lower stomach is my worst problem area. Also, my legs are still huge. Of course, my boobs are shriking faster than I'd like. :-( I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I can eat pretty much anything without a problem (maybe that isn't such a good thing after all. lol). I feel really good. I just haven't really had any problems. Even my scars are really looking great! I am getting tons of compliments from people saying how good I look, which is so great to hear. As far as future weight loss goes, I am trying to tell myself I will be happy with 5 lbs a month. I am sure it will start to slow down now. I am actually quite surprised that I am still losing over 2lbs a week. I think I'd like to stabalize between 120-125, so that is really only about 33 more pounds to go. I would love to reach that goal at 6 months out, but that may be unrealistic. A normal bmi for me is 136, so I'll be thrilled to get there. I feel pretty confidant that I'll be there by 6 months post op. I am really excited for each phase of this. I am now it the low 150s and I can't wait to hit the 140s. It has been a VERY long time since I have been there and I'm only 3 lbs away!! As far as working out goes, I have been doing okay, but I really need to step it up again. I have kind of slacked over the last few days. I'd really like to get at least 3 really intense workouts in a week. That's all for now.

I am 10 days post op and just got back from the doctors. I had a clear, little red liquid leaking from my large incision and he said it is an infection. You may want to go to your doctor and check just to be safe. You don't want to let it go and then get into serious problems.

SO, I am having this battle within myself... I don't want to tell anyone that I am having the band done. WHY? I don't know, well I hate that for an answer, "I don't know" that is not any sort of an answer. I am going to try and answer that WHY? I think it is because I am ashamed and concerned about how people will look at me. I at times feel this is the easy way out, which I know it isn't. I have not been over weight my entire life, in fact it has been really about 4-5 years. And even though I am overwieght, I am still very active. I remember what one of my husbands friend said to me not that long ago, "You are a big girl but I would still take you hiking/camping, you would be able to keep up." I thought how rude. But that is when I realized that I was in fact big. I wore a size 14 at the time. Now after the baby I am a size 16-18. I feel trapped and this is the only thing I can think of to fix it. Diets and the gym are not working, diet pills are not the fix, I want a long lasting healthy lifestyle. I am afraid to tell people like my Mom, who is also over weight. I know that she will judge me. I suppose it is better to be judge for being proactive than not doing anything at all. I am not one of those people that eat a lot, she says, "I can't believe how big you are you eat like a bird." Well night shift for over 10 years had something to do with it. But I finally broke down and told a close friend. She was very supportive and helpful. My husband of course knows and he is also very supportive. It is just this little thing in my head not allowing me to open up to others. Maybe it is a defence mechanism? My surgery date is coming up July 23 and I am nervous but excited as well. I can't wait to start my new life, being healthy and doing what is right for me. It is about time I start to worry about me, I don't think I have ever really done that. It has always been about helping others. I just realized that as I wrote, thank you.

Get back on track tomorrow. do a day of liquids. Drink a Protein Drink every 3 hrs. starting at 8am and finishing at 8pm. Alternate every three hours with first drink being either a shake like Atkins with no more than 200 calories and low carb. And the second one being one with no carbs and under 150 calories. No more than 10 oz each. I alternate with Atkins shake and a glass (1/2 bottle) of Isopure CLEAR premixed Protein. This will help get rid of the cravings. You need to detox those carbs out or you will continue to crave them. If you can do this two days, even better. And write all this down, calories and protein. Nothing fancy is needed just jot it down every day on a note pad. After the day of liquids, you must start to follow the band rules, protein first then veggies, stay away from other carbs (other than veggies) for the rest of the week. You've done well, don't throw it all away now. You can get back on track. We are addicts and fighting this addiction. Just like other addicts detox, you need to, also.

I didn't have to do any pre-op diet restriction at all, and I also got my surgery day with a pretty short period of time between that and the big day, about 10 days. I pretty much ate what I wanted, but my problem has never been eating 'bad' food per se, it's been more of a quantity issue and at 51, my metabolism is shot from years of 50 lbs up/50 lbs down/40 back up dieting. We went to a couple of my favorite restaurants and I had what I wanted, and I felt a little panicky the day after surgery when the enormity of the change I'd made really set in. Eat what you want within reason, I'd say...you're not going to gain significantly in a week and after surgery you CAN'T eat, so it's not like you're setting yourself up for some bigger change than those who are on restrictive diets already. And for what it's worth, I have zero food cravings now (except a weird obsession with blueberry scones?) and can watch others eat foods I previously loved without even wanting them.

Just need to give myself a little boost here. I know you all will understand. First, let me say that I hate exercise. I will find ANY excuse, even scrubbing a toilet, to not exercies. See, I used to be a competitive powerlifter and my demon-coach made me work out 4-5 hours a day 6 days a week and since I gave that up, I can't stand it. WELL, after my pre-op class, I was determined to try. I can hardly do anything because I get out of breath and my knees and feet hurt but I am doing it!! I did 10 minutes on the treadmill followed immediately by 10 minutes on the bike. And not only did I do it once, I have done it daily for 3 days now. I just feel so good and for those of you who have read my other threads about my husband, you will understand my need for validation that I am doing something good!! thanks for listening!!:thumbup::ohmy::thumbup::smile2:

Hey Mandi! I found day 4-8 great... but then day 9-10 were hard... and now...well I managed to go to Universal Studio's in Orlando (it's a theme park) all day with the kids/grandkids and managed to stay true to my optifast! Ohhh but the smells were inticing!! LOL! Keep it up! WE CAN DO THIS!! Hugs, Heather

Glad to hear you are better, where was the mucous plug & how does it develop? My surgery date is 12/10 and I'm trying to prepare myself to identify issues! lol

Sleeved on May 13, 2019 and have lost 45 but first appt. with doctor in Jan 2019 was 290 so I'm counting from 290. Total weight lose from Jan til now is 65... I'll take it!!!!!!!

Have you ever bought one of those already seasoned and ready to roast birds from the grocery store? Or better yet, one of the already roasted birds? I highly recommend starting this three-part series that way, depending on your personal confidence levels. You absolutely could roast your own chicken, and for those willing to do so, please feel free. I did, but there's no shame in letting someone else do the work. For the purposes of this series, it doesn't matter how you ended up with a "frame" of a chicken, meat removed and leftovers stored for future consumption. We'll use that lovely meat tomorrow. Now, you could be wasteful and throw away that frame of bones, but you're foregoing a very tasty opportunity for two more meals from those bones and tattered remains. You see, those bones contain a very essential ingredient called collagen. It's a thickener for soups! You know it. You've seen that disgusting jelled substance on cooled plates just before you threw it out with the garbage. That was the collagen. You have on that counter the ability to make your own "Condensed Cream of" soups for your recipes. Incidentally, you eliminate quite a bit of the excess carbs, calories, preservatives and sodium. How do you know when you've cooked out all the collagen from the bones? They'll practically crumble when you try to break them. The fact that you can break a leg bone all by yourself is a clue you've gotten all the condensing collagen out. Remember, you can use the frame in place of the bony meat in the recipe. Here's the recipe: Tomorrow, I'll post the recipe for using that chicken meat. It's mushy enough for Chicken Salad! Remember! This is the basis for many recipes. Freeze it in about 10 ounce increments. You should end up with about 4 containers. Double the batch if you like, and add el cheapo chicken wings if you just need broth. See you tomorrow!

A few years ago, at my heaviest, my husband complained that I always said I was going to do something and then didn't. Simple things like vacuuming the living room or taking out the trash...I just couldn't muster the energy to complete even basic tasks. Boy how things have changed!!! I cannot believe how much energy I have now. Such a busy weekend starting Thursday when I went out to happy hour and dinner with an old friend and was out quite late. Then I was at work early on Friday followed by lunch with friends, popped into my local on the way home, full weekend grocery shopping, made a fresh lasagna (including my own sauce) and then after dinner, full work out at the gym then met a girlfriend for drinks afterwards. Saturday, even though I felt I was getting a bad cold, I woke up early and mowed the lawn and re-seeded the bare patches and watered it. Cleaned up the back patio, took my daughter to see Shrek (walked there) and then to the pool at the YMCA for 1.5 hours where I carried her on my back while running laps in the pool and walked with her while she did laps on her back. After that book shopping followed by a bite at a nice outdoor cafe and gourmet shopping before heading home. Sunday, went to the gym at 8:30 to get a work out done before we headed out to a friends' bbq, head cold at full steam now and sinus pain but powered through it and managed a great day out including making about 100 water balloons for all the kids. Home by 10:30 and a friend popped in for a visit so we sat in the garden chatting until 1am. You'd think I'd be done but no, I kept going. Monday, cleaned out all the clothes that are too big for Salvation Army (5 garbage bags, including shoes and some of my daughter's clothes), cleaned my bedroom and the office -- including moving furniture and wiping down baseboards, took out the trash and recycling and did 5 loads of laundry -- all folded and put away too. Also helped put the AC in the windows and seal them, changed lightbulbs and finally, got my hair colored and worked out again Monday night, getting home just in time to put my daughter to bed. So, if anyone asks me how I'm feeling since losing 80 lbs, I honestly have to say that I have never had this much energy in my entire life. I feel so much more positive about getting things done because my back doesn't hurt and I'm not sweating like a pig and walking to the gym ISN'T TOO FAR at just over 1/2 mile when you consider how long I can go on the elliptical, bike and treadmill now. I am hoping to lose 6 more lbs before I head to Montreal on the 11th. If I do, I will hit a major milestone and will have lost 31 lbs since I first stated my mini goal of 20 lbs for Montreal! Yay. Hope you all have as much energy as I do and are feeling great!

Me too! My date is 10/11/12 - next week, already! The way I'm trying to "unscare" myself is this rationalization- the odds of the same horror story happening again (sorry for the people who do have complications, of course!) are slim. So....why keep "going there". In reality, as far as obesity related deaths, etc. I just found out I have severe sleep apnea (I thought it was harmones-menopause, etc. And asthma/allergies) I could die or have a stroke anygiven night! So..... I need to try to be excited not terrified (a fine line separates)! Good luck, everyone!

Hi guys! This is a great thread! :party: I was kinda worried that I was drinking too much too fast too... but this sure puts my mind at ease! I'm pretty sure I don't have restriction either because I can drink quite a bit at once (& belch like a lush too!:w00t:) but I'm down 15 since my pre-op diet 10 days prior to the Aug 20th surgery so, I'm totally happy with that.:thumbup: Mushies start on Sunday for me - can hardly wait for egg salad!:sad: Thanks for the peace of mind on the sip vs the gulp!!! Stace

BTW, MY doctor told me that if you will lose anywhere from 5-10 lbs a month, you're doing fine. So, if my math if right, according to MY doctor, you're fine. Plus, you've been working out. Building muscle also increases your weight. (But it's a good increase!) Again, much luck to you.

I am very frustrated. I had the sleeve on 8/10/09 and have lost 38 pounds. However, I am on my second stall. Have not lost a pound in 4 weeks. I feel the urge to snack all the time. This is so upsetting to me. I want to lose more weight but it's not happening. Any hope?

Congratulations Dee Dee! Happy 3 month surgiversary! It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready for our surgery. But on the other hand, it seems like so long ago - so much has changed. Keep up the good work. You will be wearing your size 10 dress any day. Linda

Hello all, I am from Springfield MO, 32 yrs old, 300+ pounds. I can lose weight but have never been able to keep it off. I like to eat. I am lucky to feel full after any meal maybe once every two weeks. That is reguardless of what I eat. I can go to pizza buffett and eat 20 slices and feel pretty much the same as when i entered. If any of you were similar to this before the surgery can you tell me if the band has worked for you. I am also looking into the mini gastric bypass surgery just for this reason. I know a person who had it done, and he is down over 100 pounds and still losing, but is able to sit down to a dinner and eat a 8-10 oz steak and baked potato and salad. Any input is greatly appreciated.

How's your life changed since surgery? How many of you have gone from a 5 to a 10? Haha. How has your confidence changed? Your dating life? The looks? Opportunities? I want to hear all the changes. It gets me excited and makes me feel amazing hearing all the success stories. I can't believe I'm living in my own success story. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went into the OR roughly 6 months ago. The operation and hospitalization itself were not too painful. I got the surgery for free because I live in a country with universal health care. The wait was long, 9 months, but it wasn't too much trouble. The first few weeks were rough and there was some (but not a lot of) vomiting. Then I started eating what the hospital's dietician listed for me - 6 meals a day, one in every 3 hours, give or take. I don't follow her guidings too strictly, but those 60 lbs just came off by themselves. I didn't exercise intensively (once a week or less). I didn't abstain from candy or carbs - I ate less of them, not because I was "on a diet" but because I didn't want more than one slice of bread. It was enough. I'm down 3 sizes and I wear UK size 14 pants now (US size 10, EU size 42). I can shop for clothes on any store and I don't need to go to the plus size section. My face is looking a lot better now. I realize I didn't shed all my excess weight yet, but even if I stay this way for the rest of my life, I'd be very happy. I started making further changes in my life - I'm learning to play an instrument, I date more and really try to be out there instead of hiding. I hope some pre-op readers pass by here and read this. Go do this procedure. Life's too short.

I am 3 1/2 months out from surgery and just got back from a 10 day, tropical Caribbean vacation. The vacation was planned before I even decided to have surgery and have been stressed about going due to eating restrictions. I am back, and actually down 2 lbs. I average 2 lbs every 7-9 days now, so I was right on track. I had a cocktail each day (usually only got through about 1/2 of it) and stuck to the plan to the best of my ability. Due to flight issues coming and going, going to restaurants who didn't have what I needed, I was sometimes stuck with bad food choices but did my best to eat right (scraping off and eating only the pizza toppings, getting a chicken salad and only eating the chicken, getting fried food and scraping off the outside, etc.). I will say it was not as difficult as I thought it would be but am relieved that I can get back on track. Being on vacation with 10 people, none of who knew I had the surgery, made it a bit tougher. I will say watching them eat and drink in "vacation mode" made me a little nauseous - not envious at all. Most of them gained 7-10 lbs! Then I remembered, oh yeah, that was me not too long ago. So those dreading going on vacation, you can do it!

I'm on day 8 of 10 day liquid protein diet. Surprising I'm doing really good mentally with it. It hasn't bothered me like I thought it would. I'm really proud of myself. I went to my normal dr. yesterday morning for my pre-op checkup and he did some blood work to check a few things. When I got home from work I had a message to call in. My blood work showed that I was dehydrated. I need to drink lots of extra fluids this weekend and go back in on Monday to have it re-checked. How can I be dehydrated when I'm only drinking all day long? I guess that might explain why some mornings I feel a little light headed and strange. Anyone else have this issue before the surgery?

First off take a deep breath and realize on the internet you can't always believe everything you read. Part of the issue with message boards and internet sites is many of the people who report are those with complications. I understand fear and regret, I had some myself but this is literally the best choice I've ever made. I've been overweight since I was 12, morbidly obese most my adult life and now for the first time in years I have my freedom back. I had the sleeve 12/30/16. I've had no issues with my surgery and my recovery was smooth and as easy as to be expected after major surgery. My physical pain lasted about 2 weeks with minor aches lasting about a month. I returned to work at the 2 week mark and other than being tired, I had no issues going back to work. The worst part for me was the gas pain, which you can help minimize with gas meds and walking as well as pain where my drain was but that was removed on Day 2 post op. I also has nausea on Day 1 but that is a side effect of anesthesia for me and had it after every surgery I've had. I was allowed to begin sipping about 24 hours after surgery and had no issues taking small sips. I had no swallowing issues, no pain with swallowing and have yet to have an issue eating or drinking as I move through the stages. I did have some minor heartburn early on and was prescribed Protonix once a day for 3 months. I no longer have had any issues in terms of heartburn. It's was a minor issue for me and taking a pill once a day didn't effect my life negatively or set me back. To this day, I've been able to eat almost everything I did pre surgery (though I chose to avoid unhealthy foods). I've also been able to tolerate straws, caffeine and carbonation with no issues. I also enjoy going out to eat on a regular basis with my friends and family. I've lost 101 pounds so far and wouldn't change a single thing. I had no co-morbidities but it would have only been a manner of time as I was at the highest weight of my life. My lab work (blood sugar on the climb, cholesterol was high, thyroid was off) was not great the last time I had a physical and my body ached. Now I'm in perfect health, just had my yearly physical and I was 100 pounds down since last year, my lab work was perfect and I feel 10 years younger. As for sleeve effectiveness, I have not heard that it's not recommended for weightloss. In fact at my clinic it's replaced all over forms of weightloss surgery in popularity. I have people in my local support group who are 3-5 years out and have success still.