Some friendly advice from someone who is (almost) 2 years out.

The OP's program is actually quite good at laying it out for patients. I think the problem here is the patient with unreal expectations and no gratitude for the second chance she has been given.

We all make choices in this world. She needs to ask herself if she would rather be obese with smooth skin or thin with loose skin.

If its important enough , start saving for plastics.

The OP's post hit me the wrong way.

To the OP, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience so openly and honestly. I am scheduled for RNY in just a few short weeks. I'm one of those people who likes to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I really appreciate your honesty. Please know that I personally found it helpful and enlightening.

Thank you.

Same. I am 10 days from VSG surgery. I might not experience or agree with everything you shared but I found it helpful to read and really appreciate that you shared it.

OMG, you describe my youth to a T. I have never had my thyroid test either (12 yrs out from DS). I'm thinking that should be in order.

Not to beat a dead horse but the problem I have about the need for plastics is that for many of us, ok for me, it just isn't going to happen no matter how badly it is needed. Fortunately I had a panniculectomy that my insurance covered but beyond that I don't see how I can afford any more plastic surgery.

So the depressing part isn't the need for plastic surgery as much as the reality that it will never happen and what I have left after losing weight is going to be with me for the rest of my life.

I am ok with that and forever grateful not to be obese anymore but it is hard for many people to have that need and know it won't happen.

It's awesome to hear that you had your panniculectomy covered. I made the decision to do everything (less arms and thighs) or do nothing. It is a hard decision either way. I was lucky to find a surgeon who worked within my budget.

You might want to also post on the plastic surgery board. There are many with experience there and that board was very helpful to me when I was considering surgery and after for my recovery.

I had abdominoplasty (fleur de lis) and brachioplasty. Great results - but the most painful recovery of any surgery (including open gall bladder/liver resection). All costs were out of pocket and expensive.

My plastic surgeon wouldn't do surgery until I had maintained my goal weight for one year.

I have excess skin on bum and thighs, but decided the pain and recovery period were too much for me. I wear jeans and pants that squeeze and keep excess skin from jiggling around and I look good. When the clothes come off, I don't like what I see, but my weight is good and I've accepted my choice to live with the excess skin.

I also agree, that maintanence is very difficult.

Best wishes to you.

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My thyroid function is 5% or less. My thyroid also never force fed me pie.

While it can prevent weight gain, typically thyroid weight gain is water weight, and only 10-14 pounds clinically. Rarely does it result in hundreds of pounds of weight. Now, it can make it difficult to lose weight once we gain it, however hypothyroidism in and of itself doesn't cause severe obesity that can be repaired with surgery.

A more common underdiagnosed form of obesity is lipedema which does not respond to traditional weight loss efforts. WLS can help with that somewhat, however the lipedema fat typically remains and even skinny women can get this. It's a mitochondrial disorder that's almost never correctly diagnosed.

While OP experience is not like my own and I am 22 months out.

I respect the spirit in which she made her post, which was to help other people.