I started my journey on 09-09-08 at the Seminar, I had about 7 other appointments and my first appoint was 09-11 and on 11-12 had my first appointment with my surgeon and on 11-14 I got approved to have my Realize Band Surgery. I am waiting only a surgery date now.

However a spoke to a lady in the waiting room of my surgeons office and she said she had everything done from start to finish in 6 weeks.

Just thought I would post a quick note since i am almost to my 3 year surgery anniversay this Dec, and am about to head back to Hawaii later this week.

I am still holding strong at 120 pounds, after a loss of nearly 175, and that is even with getting pregnant with Mariska 3 months post op!! Who believe it or not is going to be 2 very soon!! She is growing up soo fast.

I had my tummy tuck done through tricare prime last Dec and just had my Breast Aug this last friday the 7th. Both performed by Dr Widenhouse of Palmetto Plastic surgery and I have to say that the man is AMAZING!! I can honestly say I am happier and more confident now about my body than I have ever been. I always told my hubby that it was sad that I could go through this amazing journy of WLS and lose nearly 200 pounds and still feel huge and miserable. The mind truely doesn't catch up with the rest of your body when it comes to body image. It had even gotten to the point that I wouldn't even get undressed if my husband was in the same room.

But I can honestly say that has CHANGED I think I have finally gotten my brain to accept that I look good! I am actually in love with the way I look now. And you know how hard that is for us, before and after sugery.

I just wanted to let the newbies know that there is a light and if you are still thinking about and researching surgery, wether it be WLS, or plastics. DO IT it's the best thing you will ever do for your self and your loved ones!

I am a completely different person than I was when I started on my journey 3 years ago. Last time we lived in Hawaii, I was miserable, who wants to live in Paradise and be stuck staying home hiding cause you are MO and too embarassed to go out in public, LET ALONE go to the beach. My poor kids missed out on getting to do soo many things while we were there cause mommy didn't want to be seen in anything other than jeans. And trust me going to the beach in jeans is NO FUN!

This time around I am going to do it all, my daughters and I are going to take hula lessons, I am going to go scuba diving, learn to or at least attempt body surfing. Anything and everything I can possibly think of. I am going to make the next 5 years in Hawaii with my kids count this time around.


WLS, and my plastics have by all means changed my life and I would do it again in a heartbeat..
I just wanted to say thank you to you all for the support over the years. You have been amazing!

Chris,

I must say I have not put in 26 miles this week ... I wish I could say I had.... I find your post to be encouraging and something I needed to read. After re-reading what I wrote several times today I did notice something very stupid of me.... my blessings.

There is a new member on our board, Annie B. - she is a WONDERFUL person. She contacted me about a week ago and has since given me a new sense of hope.... she has been VERY successful!! After months of prayers and thru the help of this website, the military, and just good luck in general... I really think Annie is going to help me get on the right track!! I am lucky enough to have her just a few miles from my house!

She has introduced me to a new protein that I DON'T puke up ... and to a number of resources as far as vitamins and nutrition goes. Heck, I even got to out to a movie with her last night ... and that was the first time in YEARS that I had gotten to just go out without my husband or son...

I know this is a journey - such is life - and its what I make of it that counts. I need to get over my pity party - pick myself up - and go back to basics ... and start again.

I am scared however that I may have stretched my pouch. I have zero confirmation that I have but its something that I am scared to death of doing.

Sometimes I get so frustrated at myself - I did 4 years of cancer and you know what - I can do this too - I CAN and I WILL !!!!!!!!!!!   The only reason for failure is because of myself... my choices... and when its all on me... it all adds up to one thing - I'm the SOLUTION to my very own problem.

I will do this thing ... one day at a time, one hour at a time if I have too... but I didn't come this far to screw myself over now.... tomorrow is a new day - - - and I will treat it as such!

HI

My name is Chris and I am a lurker...sounds like confession time...

Sorry you are going thru this but I agree with Julie-switch it up and take matters into your own hands. It comes down to what you eat and what you do. I concentrate on the protein also-take the vitamins for everything else. I slip, we all eventually do, but its not whether you slip but if you get back on track and how fast you do get back on track. Surround yourself with successful people, befriend successful WLS people, and and learn from them

Then its also what you do. Even with the Dr and support medical staff, its up to you. You had the surgery, you've been thru one of the hardest parts (the first few months), if you survived and lost 50lbs, you can do the rest. It is just different kind of work and time to switch gears. Exercise is the only answer. And you will plateau, we all do. I ran a total of 26 miles this week---and lost 2 pounds...that is discouraging!! But it is what it is-a plateau and it will pass. Just cannot get discouraged...which is why I have successful people as a back-up to keep me moving and keep me going

I wish you the best-I do not know your Dr, mine is Dr Bour and I have nothing but great things to say about him, and his staff. I am sorry this is happening to you. Time to do for yourself, and change things up....Good luck, always remember the board is here for you

Chris

I don't think there is an average weight loss, since it completely depends on how much you have taken off. It will be what they remove in skin and fat. I had 13 pounds of loose skin and fat removed, but it took a good  2 months before the scale reflected that loss. You have a good bit of swelling and it takes several months before you are completely down to the size you will be. I went from a 14 before the TT to a size 10, but again, everyone is different. If you are considering having it done please make sure your lab work is good and it is to your benefit to start increasing your protein intake now. Your protein level will determine how you heal, and if it is too low you can have a very difficult time with the healing process. My PS suggested taking a vitamin pack for pre and post op and I truly believe it sped up the incisions healing. They sold them in their office but I found them online a little cheaper and started on them almost a month before my surgery. Gastric bypass patients are much harder to heal after any surgery, so make sure you start early getting yourself prepared for it. And most of all, make sure you use a PS who knows how to work with GB patients and is familiar with problems that they can have after surgery.
I was very lucky that my lower body lift and breast lift went great with no problems, but I do contribute that to my surgeon being well informed and making sure I was healthy enough to have it done.
Take care and good luck!
Mary