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I don't mean to sound discouraging, but you seem like you're at a pretty good weight and would be successful with diet and exercise. Like the others have said, you don't seem to qualify for weight loss surgery that insurance would pay for with your BMI.

Is your surgeon doing a standard ESG (reducing the size of the stomach) or a TORe - Transoral outlet reduction? The facebook group ESG failures has a high number of Australian users, it seems that there is a higher rate of failure for the standard ESG in Australia, perhaps because ESG hasn't been in Australia as long as it has been in USA and some other countries, so the doctors (majority are not surgeons) are not as skilled/experienced as those doing ESG in other countries. There have been some very successful Australian ESGers but for some reason the facebook groups have gone quiet, perhaps new members have been reduced because it is not covered by medicare so not so many questions on the groups (there has been an application pending for it to be covered, but it seems to be in limbo at the moment) http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/1555-public Standard ESG is not covered by medicare or private health insurance in Australia, you are probably looking at least being about $14k to $17k out of pocket. I looked at some of the outomes for TORe which is an ESG revision on bypass when the gastric outlet is reduced by endscopic stitching. There seems to be a better success rate for that (none of the studies I read were for Australia). It doesn't like like this is covered by medicare or private health insurance either. Some questions to be asked of your doctor - how many ESGs have then done? Or TORe if that is what is intended for you? Success and failure rate? If a standard ESG if they have done less than 50 I would consider finding someone who has done at least 150/200 ESGs or more. There are some out there who have done at least 250 or 300. In general, weight loss from an ESG is typically lower the surgical options. https://www.facebook.com/groups/238431870408750

There seems to be a high rate of failure for ESG in Australia vs USA (perhaps because its a newer technique here and doctors have yet to fully develop the skills/experience), note though that most of the people in the facebook group below had an ESG as a first weight loss procedure so the outcome for a revision ESG following a bypass may well be different for those in Australia. https://www.facebook.com/groups/238431870408750 (ESG failure group). Seems your surgeon is considering a standard ESG rather than the bypass revision called a TORe (Transoral Outlet Revision). TORe seems to be a successful revision for bypasses. ESG in Australia is not covered by medicare (hence private health insurance too) and can be a costly exercise for a day procedure. If you go ahead with the ESG ask the doctor how many they have done and the success rate of their patients. If the doctor has done less than 100 I'd go elsewhere - there are some who have done over 250 so the more experienced the better.

LOLolololzzzz...I had to re-read this sentence as at first I was all "What the?? she can see through her eyelids? Or Are her eyelids drooping over her eyeballs??" Then I realized you were talking about looking at yourself in the mirror. Duh. (I'm tired, I really need to go to bed lol). Armpits. They are concave now, so they are so much harder to shave (although there is a lot less to shave as my armlift had removed much of the part that grew armpit hairs!) Head circumference. Hats that were snug or well fitted 2 years ago are now loose and floppy. Back of neck hump. I used to have a fatty piece of flesh at the base of my neck at the back. It made me look like I was jutting my head foward when looking at me from the side. That lump is gone now, and like you, my neck looks longer, and also curvier from the side (at the front too, lol) Stretch Marks/Cellulite. I thought these would be with me forever even after the weight loss, but to my surprise, they are gone (mind you, I did have plastics, so some of that skin may have been cut off, but areas that weren't touched by plastics have dramatically improved: back of legs, side of thighs, lower part of butt). Nose: Everyone I've asked says they see no difference, but *I* do. Its smaller/less wide now.

Hi all! Looking for any good tips and tricks to start back losing pounds. My surgery date was 10/7/20. I am 143 and my goal is 128 by May 2021. I ate small amounts of about everything over the holidays and drank my fair share of wine/liquor. I was able to maintain my weight in December so I didn’t gain but no loss I am back to eating much fewer carbs and trying to get my water and protein in properly. Don’t scream at this part— I also take phentermine so it can take any hunger feelings away. I haven’t had any negative side effects from it before and none this time as well. I only plan to use it to help get to my goal.

So. Ok. I’ve been noticing some strange & totally unexpected changes to my body post weight loss. I’m not talking shrinking feet & fingers. I mean they seem logical when I think about it but... Was doing my makeup for Christmas Eve when I realised I could see the eyeshadow on my lids when my eyes were open. The reason this is strange is that for as long as I could remember, I’ve had hooded eyelids which run in the family. I had a fleshy overhang over my upper eyelid so I couldn’t really see any eyeshadow I applied & when I put on eyeliner I’d get a line on the overhanging part of my lid as well. But I’ve noticed my hooded eyes aren’t so hooded anymore. I can actually see eyeshadow & eyeliner just like most people do. So I guess I lost weight on my eyelids too. What the??? My neck is thinner & longer. Now the logic tells me this is because I don’t have a double chin any more & I don’t have extra flesh around my collar bones & shoulders. But I wasn’t really expecting it. I mean I’ll never have a swan like neck but I don’t feel like I’m being strangled physically or emotionally if I wear a high neck top. Now this last one is a bit personal so beware. I’ve lost weight around my lady parts specifically my pubis region. It’s definitely less fleshy & ‘puffy’. So I guess I’ve lost weight there too. Who’da thunk it? Anyone else noticed these changes or have other weird & unexpected changes to their bodies since they’ve lost weight?

Hello Qianmij, Thanks for your message. We are very excited about having the surgery and beginning our weight loss journey. I am little nervous about the Post Op recovery but know that is part of the journey. I know preparing ahead of times with vitamins and such will be key. How much have you lost so far?

I should start wearing hats just to make them wonder about my hair loss!!! LOL

here is to 2021!!! I live in a very small town and I am not much on social media. I have kept my WLS on the down low, not because I am ashamed but because I am not looking for support or BS from anyone. My husband we into town today to the local cafe (gossip central) to pick up eggs that I forgot to get on my regular grocery run and the old gal who runs the place announced to the whole joint, during the morning coffee run, how sorry she was to hear about my illness. My husband said "she is feeling good but I will tell her your thinking of her" she carried on to ask him how many rounds I would need. He replied " I believe this will do it". The word is I am going though chemo, LOL. I am not telling them any different......let them talk. Chemo or weight loss surgery regardless, I am getting thin!!!! LOL

I generally wear briefs (just generic, fruit of the loom or hanes) for right now. Since I'm still in weight loss mode, I don't wanna spend on anything fancy or pretty since I'll only be able to wear it for a few months at best. I wear tighter fitting stuff (like yoga pants, tights, tank tops) that hold my belly and pooch in, and then layer over those most of the time (skirts and shirts) to hide it a little. If it's about comfort, just keeping it from flailing around while you do daily stuff is nice. If it's about looks, shapewear isn't always a bad thing, just make sure it's not too tight and you're not wearing it too often. People make the mistake of buying binders and things that they're hoping will help "shape" their bodies, but it just ends up damaging their muscles and making their body a little more saggy.

Hi Lynn and happy new year! You certainly have to be comfortable with the surgery. You need to weigh out the pros and cons. It is generally for people that are obese or morbidly obese and have been for a while. Those that cant get off the weight or yo-yo. Those that have health issues. As we know, there are major health issues of being severely overweight. With the surgery, you will lose weight, but if you push overeating and you continue to eat high fat and high sugar foods, you will eventually gain the weight back. It will take a while but you will. That is in your control. As for pain, the sleeve will be less painful than the full gastric bypass. I had the mini gastric bypass and I had no real pain. Some gas pain that was uncomfortable but no pain. I didn't have to take pain medication. I had it done on a Thursday and was working on Tuesday (desk job at home). I was doing laundry and walking around the house on the Saturday and Sunday - also trying to keep moving (it relieves the gas) and it was no problem. The only thing I would not do is lift anything heavy. Or bend with my stomach (I would bend with a squat) as not to put any pressure on the surgery site. I had the mini gastric bypass done in November 2020 and was also wondering if I should get it done. I did not qualify for insurance as my BMI was too low and I do not have any other health issues, so I had to pay for mine personally. I had a lap band that I needed removed so I had to make the call if I do a revision to mini gastric bypass or try weight loss on my own. At that time, I had already gained almost 30 pounds from my lowest with the band (I had the band in 2009 so it was 10 years). I tried and tried to loose weight on my own. I would loose 10 then gain it back. I never came close to losing 30. So, I did the surgery and I am happy. I am down 23 pounds in just a little over 6 weeks and I could never do that on my own. I want to lose a total of 60 pounds so I am 1/3 of the way there in 6 weeks. It may slow down but I am ok with it. Now, am I eating wings, nachos, pizza, burgers, fries, cake, cookies? Nope. Will I try these at some point? Yes. Just like any diet, as you see the results, its somewhat easy to be "good". I have had crackers, flavored rice cakes, bananas, salted almonds, carrots, turnip, butternut squash soup, etc and lost weight. When I hit a plateau ( recently) I went low cal and low carb and pushed through. So, you control your weight loss. The surgery just makes it easier to do that!

OK ladies, so this might be a weird question, but since the weight loss surgery I've noticed that I've developed some "squish (loose skin)." It's not nearly as bad as I'd thought it was going to be, which is good, but yet, it's bad enough wear it's difficult finding panties that fit...in a way that flatter me? I suppose that's the best way to put it. Is shape wear the only answer to this problem or are there specific brands, styles, materials that can be recommended? I hope my weird question makes sense...

I don’t have any advice on exercises, but I will say that for me, weight loss has greatly improved my flexibility and mobility. At my highest weight, I couldn’t tie my shoes while they were on my feet. Now, it’s effortless to bend down and tie my shoes. Everything is easier — getting up from the floor or chairs, going up and down stairs (I can climb stairs without holding the handrails now), walking, climbing over/under/around stuff — without the extra 150 pounds. I do still have some knee issues (stiffness when I sit for a long time, aches/pain when I stand for a long time, and I still can’t squat all the way down), but that has also improved with less weight stressing my knees.

While it is nearly impossible to exercise away a bad diet, just think how easy it is to eat 500 calories and how hard it is to work it off, exercise, including walking, provides a ton of health benefits. From everything I've read, it is also one of the keys to maintaining weight loss as muscle burns more calories than fat. I've been walking really consistently since about a week after surgery. I added in other exercises at about the 9 month mark to continue to build strength, stamina and flexibility but still walk most days because its such a good mental break and the fresh air and sunshine has been great.

Stalls typically last 1-3 weeks, but they can be longer. It varies from one person to the next, so there's no telling how long it will be for you. There's a lot of superstition around how to break a stall, but really, the only thing you can do is be patient. It's just your body catching up with all of the changes. Keep following the program and your weight loss will resume. Have you lost 56 pounds since your surgery, or was some of that before surgery? If that was all since surgery, 56 pounds in less than 2 months is fantastic! But on the flip side, losing so much so fast means that your body has a lot of catching up to do.

a lot of us loss our sense of hunger for up to a year after surgery. Mine came back at five months out. Take full advantage of this because it's never going to be easier to lose weight than it will be the next few months, when you're almost never hungry. And 10 lbs in 12 days is a lot!

Hi there! I have been snooping on this website and reading tons of posts. I have made the decision and started the paperwork to talk with a surgeon for weightloss surgery. I choose the Gal's Rooms as my first stop to say hello and let you know that many of you - are so inspirational and motivational! Thank you!! I don't speak out often and rarely jump in and say howdy - but all of the threads and replies made me excited to join in. I am not completely sure if I want the Duodenal Switch or the RNY Gastric Bypass. My mom had the RNY back in 2003 and has done so great with it. After I meet with the surgeon, I am sure that we will figure the best surgery for me and where I am at. It has been so long since I have even seen the scale say anything under 200. Hopefully I will get surgery date in the coming months, and some guidance on what my weight should be. I will be a self-pay/finance patient as my insurance will not cover weight loss assistance of any kind. My pcp- sees me as a walking diagnosis - anything that I am having issues with is due to my weight; yet won't help me with that. I have high hopes that the weight loss center I have been in contract with will not leave me to figure things out on my own. And this website!!!! Wow!! I am so thrilled that I found this! Thank you all for participating here and doing so in a way that encourages shy folks like myself!

you all are too nice. thank you 😏 Honestly the last I was this weight was probably when I was a kid, even 9 or 10 Id say. And I always had body issues. I appreciate the feedback. Having plastics felt like it solidified my weight loss journey even though I still feel challenged to keep it up. And funny I get comments from my doctors as if Im too skinny now 🤣 Im only 5' i still feel like the fat kid. But Im grateful to have come this far. and wish the best for everyone else on this journey too.

I live alone & I ended up throwing a lot of food out too. I didn’t like the idea of throwing away so much food either. I think it’s why I left it so long to do it but by then I didn’t have a choice except to toss it as the expiry dates had been passed. I had multiple packets of rice, pasta, quinoa, etc. It was ridiculous. As for the frozen, I tossed a lot of that too but do you have neighbours or friends with children? You could always offer them the ice cream & other frozen foods. I understand you’re not telling them about your surgery but how have you been explaining your weight loss? If you’ve said a dietician or change of diet use that as to why you’re offering them some of the frozen foods.

I had a Belt Lipectomy/ butterfly lift with stomach muscle tightening, augmentation and thigh lift. My worst areas were excessive loose crepey sagging skin of the butt area and even more so my thigh area. I should have kept my own before pictures of how bad it was but I was so ashamed. I did let the surgeon share my before pictures but its hard to truly see how bad it was before. for me it was worth the scars. I had a T incision due to how much sagging skin so a incision in the groin area T shape and down the inner thigh. I only wish it had gone to my knees otherwise I have no regrets. I had some issues with the incision healing in the T Incision area but its now healed fine. I have many chronic health issues which made it a challenge so a healthy person fares better of course. Also having a lower BMI and making sure your blood work is healthy (the surgeon checks these things) helps the healing process. I took Turmeric, collagen, vitamin c, biotin (extra) and extra protein and made sure not to push too hard while healing. Im not on my own computer I had problems and had to replace it but its going to take a while for me to get a replacement. my photos are on a solid state drive. I took pictures of my scar progress. In all honesty for me it was a huge difference. I didnt have a lot to remove but it was all loose skin. I would do it again definitely. some people I see have it they dont have alot of skin but they seem to remove fat along with it for me it was about horrid excess skin. It was a challenge also having the Belt Lipectomy which is basically a body lift procedure. Along with the thigh lift. You have areas high tension that the incisions hold together and these can open. There is risk with anything. Basically if it does open the best course of action is secondary wound healing. using Bactigras and keeping it dry and bandaged until it heals and closes on its own. I had some challenges. But I think its mainly my chronic illness that made it challenging. my surgeon made sure I was good for surgery and made sure I was aware of possible things that could come up and I was prepared. My thigh Lift T incision opened but now you cant tell. to me its just a scar and still better than it was before. My body lift I had incision open at the coccyx that also is very common. its a high pressure point. some of my scar areas are so light though, it surprises me. I dont regret that either since my backside was the worst absolute worst. My body and skin felt like 90 years old. I mean i still do. because of my health issues but at least my body isnt sagging anymore! do I see some little things like my calves and backs of my knees and excess skin under my arms yes. but Im grateful I had my surgeries. I am ... I think seven months out from surgery. I had it June 14th. I braved putting on a swimsuit. Just not in public yet. but Ill look for the picture maybe share it here. Im not a fan of myself. I didnt do it for cosmetics but for the physical effects and yes also how it made me feel. I wish I were better at explaining. I tend to write too much. I havent been around Im dealing with some health issues. every time I go to write a post to discuss it I delete it. Thigh lift is a challenging surgery but for me it was something I needed to do. I was so scared when I thought it might not happen. and grateful my surgeon helped it happen. so no regrets here. I am not a fan of sharing pictures sorry I dont have my before. My surgery pictures are on the Hospital BC Facebook Group. probably not the best pictures. My One side the scar is darker because that is my "bad side" medically. I dont remember if I shared other pictures here. I do have other pictures on my portable hard drive some very graphic scar pictures. Ive had so many surgeries in my life the scars dont phase me. I guess Ill say again its still better than all that loose, wrinkled and sagging skin. It helps the weight loss journey feel like i made goal. Im still working on body dysmorphia that likely wont change. but the sagging skin gone is something I dont regret.

I started to respond "Yeah, COVID is really surging here too" and then I looked at your profile on the side panel. I'm in California too, so yeah, LOL. 😂 I'm in a similar place as you - I've reached my weight loss goal and now I'm experimenting and learning how to maintain. I used to say I'll never be thin but then I woke up one day and I was pretty thin! LOL I have excess skin on my tummy and until I get that removed I won't really feel thin, but the rest of my body really is. Sometimes I don't recognize myself when I catch sight of myself in a mirror. I walk 1.7 miles every day and I strength train three times a week. I occasionally allow myself a treat but I mostly eat clean from day to day. I still weigh myself regularly because I've seen so many people say they started to gain in their second year. So I'm staying alert but so far, all is well! Happy new year! Edit to add: this is my silhouette in the window. Sometimes I think my reflection is someone else!

January. 2021. Whoever thought we would still be doing COVID almost a year later ? So tired of this. Maintaining my weight between 172 and 173. Not concentrating on weight loss at all, mostly concentrating on staying heathy. Covid is rampant here. Doing as many of my own ranch and household repairs and things on my own... miss having my handyman able to come a few times a year. But the chickens are doing ok, vegetable garden planted and harvesting and replanting.... working too many hours, but that is the nature of social work and therapy today. Happily wearing my size 16 petite clothing. Jeans a bit big in places, but NOT buying anything until I can actually try things on again !

Wow, that's horrible. I hope you know, but I'll say it anyway, that you do NOT deserve to be treated this way. There is a lot of stigma on obesity and weight loss surgery, and I think almost everyone on this forum has had to deal with hurtful comments about it, but it is the worst when these comments come from people who are supposed to love and care about us. It looks like your husband is not speaking from a place of wanting what's best for you, so it is all the more important that you look out for yourself and don't be influenced by people who are biased against weight loss surgery out of ignorance or personal disgust. Now, there are pros and cons to it, and you should definitely research on your own before you take the plunge, but your decision should be about what's right for your health and your life. (And the next time your husband says he doesn't know why he married a fat woman, you can reply, "I don't know why I married an a-hole!")

I'm only 9 weeks out from a RNY bypass - my stomach definitely bloats after eating anything. I am wearing stretchy clothes atm and I can definitely feel them getting tighter after eating. Also, while I'm happy with my weight loss and I've lost some off my stomach, I haven't lost as much there as everywhere else! I've gone down a shoe size but still have a spare tyre 😞