Feel frustrated trying to reach a lower weight for plastic surgery
Lisa, I have just started the plastics process. Had two consults so far, a third one later today. In every case and in lots of the online research I have done, reputable PSes do not want to do LBLs and TTs on anyone with a BMI greater than 30 or 32. Statistically speaking, they know those patients who are larger than that have higher risks of operative and post-operative complications, from blood clots to poor healing to weight regain or loss afterwards, which can screw up the results. It is worth doing what is needed to get your BMI lower. If a surgeon is willing to do it on you, you should queston their ethics, in my opinion (which is what you asked for).
As to how much skin weighs, it is far lighter than everyone thinks. Every plastic surgeon I have seen or talked to (and that list is a lot longer) says the same thing: everyone hopes their excess skin weighs more than it actually does. For example, someone with a big pannus (like me) thinks it weighs 20 pounds, when it really weighs something like 3-8 pounds. That's why the PSes do not even factor that in when they consider your pre-PS BMI. The PSes do factor in that we formerly obese people have denser bones and muscle, though, so that is why some of them allow a "higher" BMI of 30 or 32 for bariatric patients.
I started at 344 pounds, so I know what you mean about having come so far. You are working very hard and it doesn't seem fair that you should have to wait longer, but maybe it is for the best. If you can break this stall you may lose more and that would screw up your plastics results if you got it now.
I would say that maybe you are not eating enough, given how MUCH you are working out. Your body could be stubbornly hanging onto every single one of those measly calories you are giving it. Could you try, for two weeks, to up your calories by a few hundred each day? How about if you ate 1000 calories a day, adding protein like some extra chicken or even some nuts or a protein shake/bar, to get there? Your body could figure out that you are not starving it and let go of some of the fat. Just a thought. If it doesn;t work after two weeks, then you could stop.
I know this isn't that comforting, but I just wanted to put that out there.
Nicolle
As to how much skin weighs, it is far lighter than everyone thinks. Every plastic surgeon I have seen or talked to (and that list is a lot longer) says the same thing: everyone hopes their excess skin weighs more than it actually does. For example, someone with a big pannus (like me) thinks it weighs 20 pounds, when it really weighs something like 3-8 pounds. That's why the PSes do not even factor that in when they consider your pre-PS BMI. The PSes do factor in that we formerly obese people have denser bones and muscle, though, so that is why some of them allow a "higher" BMI of 30 or 32 for bariatric patients.
I started at 344 pounds, so I know what you mean about having come so far. You are working very hard and it doesn't seem fair that you should have to wait longer, but maybe it is for the best. If you can break this stall you may lose more and that would screw up your plastics results if you got it now.
I would say that maybe you are not eating enough, given how MUCH you are working out. Your body could be stubbornly hanging onto every single one of those measly calories you are giving it. Could you try, for two weeks, to up your calories by a few hundred each day? How about if you ate 1000 calories a day, adding protein like some extra chicken or even some nuts or a protein shake/bar, to get there? Your body could figure out that you are not starving it and let go of some of the fat. Just a thought. If it doesn;t work after two weeks, then you could stop.
I know this isn't that comforting, but I just wanted to put that out there.
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
I have a lot of different thoughts on your post. I was 100lbs overweight when I had my Extended TT and Brachioplasty done in December. He took 9lbs off my Tummy and 4 from my arms. Believe me, it looked like a lot more. Skin really doesn't weigh much. You can look at my preop pics on my profile and you'd think I would have had much more than 9lbs.
With that being said, after being in Mexico for 14 days, I returned home weighing 27lbs less than I did the day I left home. I lost the 13lbs from skin and 14 lbs from eating less post operatively. I really upped my protein intake and I think that made a big difference. Since returning home I've lost another 23lbs.
Now with all of that being said, I wish I had waited till I got to goal. However, I couldn't wait because of chronic back pain. I was on Aleve 24 hours a day and my back pain wouldn't allow me to be as active as I wanted to be. I am now completely free of back pain and haven't take one Aleve since before surgery. I've been able to workout daily and harder than I ever have - it has helped me lost that 23lbs in the 10 weeks that I've been home. I feel I look better. BUT I will have to have an Arm Revision AND a tummy revision when I get to goal.
I think you have to decide - Are you done losing weight? Do you want to lose more? My plastic surgeon and I discussed this at length. He says some people get to a certain weight and they are done. He will do the best he can to make improvements by removing the pannis and the excess arm skin, but they don't really look that good. Since I wasn't at goal, my tummy doesn't look as good as others and I knew that going in. I didn't do it for appearance, I did it for functionality.
IF you truly want to lose more weight, I wouldn't get the surgery done now. I would lose the weight that you want and then do your surgery. BUT if you're happy where you are and don't want to lose more, then find a PS who would do the surgery for you. I truly believe that the closer you are to your goal, the better result you achieve with PS and the happier you are.
Are you going to be paying out of pocket for your surgery? It's a lot of money to get a result you may not be happy with. Just something to think about.
With that being said, after being in Mexico for 14 days, I returned home weighing 27lbs less than I did the day I left home. I lost the 13lbs from skin and 14 lbs from eating less post operatively. I really upped my protein intake and I think that made a big difference. Since returning home I've lost another 23lbs.
Now with all of that being said, I wish I had waited till I got to goal. However, I couldn't wait because of chronic back pain. I was on Aleve 24 hours a day and my back pain wouldn't allow me to be as active as I wanted to be. I am now completely free of back pain and haven't take one Aleve since before surgery. I've been able to workout daily and harder than I ever have - it has helped me lost that 23lbs in the 10 weeks that I've been home. I feel I look better. BUT I will have to have an Arm Revision AND a tummy revision when I get to goal.
I think you have to decide - Are you done losing weight? Do you want to lose more? My plastic surgeon and I discussed this at length. He says some people get to a certain weight and they are done. He will do the best he can to make improvements by removing the pannis and the excess arm skin, but they don't really look that good. Since I wasn't at goal, my tummy doesn't look as good as others and I knew that going in. I didn't do it for appearance, I did it for functionality.
IF you truly want to lose more weight, I wouldn't get the surgery done now. I would lose the weight that you want and then do your surgery. BUT if you're happy where you are and don't want to lose more, then find a PS who would do the surgery for you. I truly believe that the closer you are to your goal, the better result you achieve with PS and the happier you are.
Are you going to be paying out of pocket for your surgery? It's a lot of money to get a result you may not be happy with. Just something to think about.
12/09 and 6/11, 9 skin removal procedures with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico
Revised to the Sleeve after losing 271 lbs with the LapBand.
Dear Lisa:
Boy, do I feel your frustration. I began a weight loss program through diet and exercise almost 15 months ago. I started off at 310 pounds. I got down to 195 relatively easily through diet and exercise over a year, but then I hit a plateau...and what a plateau. I hired a trainer, walked 5 miles a day and worked out at the gym 5 days a week and ate 1500 calories...and I lost 1/2 a pound a week. It was so distressing. About 6 weeks ago, I consulted a nutritionist again and she recommended shaking things up...doing things differently. So, I started a low carb program (previously, my diet was at least 50% carbs) and adding running and bike riding to my walking program. I've lost 20 pounds since then. I am actually within 20 pounds of the surgery and I zipped up a pair of size 8 jeans this week. That darn plateau lasted for months. I personally think that I was afraid of a lot of things and my body responded by stopping the weight loss. Once I figured out financing for the body lift, my body decided it was safe to loose again. Looking at my body now vs. two months ago, I realize that being a normal weight is crucial to good results. As hard as it is, keep plugging away and loose the weight......and the advice on doing things differently to break a plateau is brilliant. Good luck to you.
Gail
Boy, do I feel your frustration. I began a weight loss program through diet and exercise almost 15 months ago. I started off at 310 pounds. I got down to 195 relatively easily through diet and exercise over a year, but then I hit a plateau...and what a plateau. I hired a trainer, walked 5 miles a day and worked out at the gym 5 days a week and ate 1500 calories...and I lost 1/2 a pound a week. It was so distressing. About 6 weeks ago, I consulted a nutritionist again and she recommended shaking things up...doing things differently. So, I started a low carb program (previously, my diet was at least 50% carbs) and adding running and bike riding to my walking program. I've lost 20 pounds since then. I am actually within 20 pounds of the surgery and I zipped up a pair of size 8 jeans this week. That darn plateau lasted for months. I personally think that I was afraid of a lot of things and my body responded by stopping the weight loss. Once I figured out financing for the body lift, my body decided it was safe to loose again. Looking at my body now vs. two months ago, I realize that being a normal weight is crucial to good results. As hard as it is, keep plugging away and loose the weight......and the advice on doing things differently to break a plateau is brilliant. Good luck to you.
Gail
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