X-post Staying motivated with "skin weight"

Perhaps motivation is not exactly the word for what I'm feeling, as I am following my plan to stay healthy.

I have hit a brick wall that, no matter how much low-carbing or  shake fasting I do, will just not fall.  

My weight has stabilized at 180.  A long way, to be sure, from my Highest weight of 405, and my surgery day weight of 397.

At a visit with my PCP last month, she told me that  in all liklihood, removal of the skin will be the determining factor in my acheiving the ideal of 155-160 - heavier than the charts because I'm over 50, according to my PCP.

I'm finding it a little difficult to think of my weight loss as success at this point, because I haven't reached goal, and as of 2/25, I will be two years out.  Right now, I can see my ribs through my chest.  As many of you have read, I am an extreme pear shape, in that my weight was mostly carried below the waist on my butt, hips and thighs, which now have obscene amounts of hanging skin (thank G-d for capri shapers!)

Any suggestions on getting my head aligned?

I can completely understand because that is my situation....I had lap RNY 10-15-08...my highest weight was 293.....day of surgery 276......summer 09....stabilized at 182.....summer 10.....lost 10 more pounds painting the interior of my 2 story house 2/3 by myself for "exercise".......I too hit the brick wall because for my age 39, gender...female.....height....5'5 and body frame....large build....I should be 127-140.......yeah right!....well I have had 3 PS consults and my consult with PCP and all tests and exams say the same thing......the excess skin is what is keeping the scale from moving...My face is thin....my chest is thin...I have a large pannus hanging that keeps me in clothes 2 sizes bigger than I wear, lots of inner thigh skin hanging, bungee cord tits..., a flat ass with a protruding tailbone, not too bad "bat wings"  ya know under arm skin...so with all of that, a winning mega millions ticket and lots of percocet or Tylenol 3's w/ codeine of course....that will put be at about 140 and some change............right now my insurance will pay for panniculectomy....praying that the PS will have pity on me and throw me in a belly button.....and crossing my fingers because of the shoulder and back pain that my breast lift mayyyyy be covered.......otherwise back to the lottery! and my sweet dreams and hopes! cause this makeover will be costly and lots of scars!  you will be surprised at how much skin weighs and my docs tell me I have about 20-25 pounds worth on my body!....diet and exercise will not fix that ****IT IS WHAT IT IS!

birthdaygirl-

I'm so glad that the bras that are popular these days come with lots of padding! That's the only way I can look like I have some kind of bustline!

I just kind of roll them up and put them inside the padded bras! I'm cool with that for right now, but I will eventually have a mastopexy with augmentation. It's my butt and thighs with all that skin keeps me in size 16 jeans,. I would love to be able to wear size 10-12, the same as my dress size. I can even wear some size 8's, depending on the manufacturer. My PCP says the lowest she wants to see me at is 155, and that will still leave me dang near skeletal on top, judging from what I'm seeing now! My bat wings are pretty bad, too, but I usually wear 3/4 length sleeves, even in the summer...lightweight or sheer, to camouflage the arms.

I have never been a regular lottery player, but you can bet I'm going to buy at least 2 tickets every week, and maybe even some scratch offs!

It's all about percentages!!!!

To calculate your Excess Weight use this equation

Starting Weight - Goal Weight = Excess Weight

(current loss) divided by (excess weight)  X  100 = Excess Weight Loss %

225 divided by 245 x 100 = 91.83

That's definitely a success. I have no way of knowing just how much your extra skin weighs but a plastic surgeon could probably estimate for you. You are failing to look at the big picture. Look at your ticker. Look how far you have come. It's not uncommon to still see yourself as fat when you look at all of the hanging skin. It happens to a lot of us. But you can't lie about your stats. You have lost 92% of your excess weight. Forget about BMI charts and that magical number you have set in your head as "goal". I can assure you that once the extra skin is gone and you see the actual shape of your hips and legs you will see yourself in a totally new light. That number on the scale will not rule your life! You have done AMAZINGLY well!

REnee-

Thanks so much for your encouragement!

I guess I was only looking at the wrikly hanging skin, and the number on the scale, and lost sight of what the real goal is!

Thanks for reminding me, and thanks for the equation!

How is the weather in Indiana?????  I am from Chicago...been here in Atlanta for 4 years now....and I totally can relate to you...rolling them jokers up...yep, that's me! and I can "literally" roll them under and see no nipple...very foreign looking I must say....my DH gets a kick out of it! and so do I....I agree with the weight range....my lowest weight on record was 127 pounds....9th grade and slightly anorexic...skin very thin and easy to bruise/bleed.....at 172 now  I am very thin on top...hanging boobies keep me from wearing a small-medium top so I wear medium to large depending on brand....as well as with pants...I currently wear a 10-12 but when panni is removed I can wear 6-8 easily...actually I have 2  "8's" now so they would be too big....go figure...but I am thankful for the good health that this surgery has brought...a true Gift from God!...everything else is a painful bonus,  ya know?

Weather went to H*** in a handbasket today! 

It started snowing about noon, and we've got about 6 inches now.

Roads were slippery as all get out.   It seems they never plan to get out ahead of the rush hour traffic like they used to in Chicago.

I lived in Chicago frm 1988 to 1997.  I used to be a radio news reporter at WMAQ-AM (its gone now, after the Westinghouse/CBS merger, 670 AM became WSCR " The Score" Sports/Talk radio.)  I'm back in my hometown now, just two hours away!

I love Chicago!  I wish I could go back there, but Lupus and Fibromyalgia will not let me do that kind of work anymore.  Doctors say it's too physical and stressful for my conditions. 

MY BAD JAZZBABE!......I did not have my glasses on.........you have done absolutely,  freaking, amazing.....405 to 180....girl.....you rock and so does RNY........The skin issue caught my eye so I had to come back and give you your proper "props"!......U GO GIRL!

birthdaygirl-

Thanks for the high five!

I'm a DSer... but  as WLSers, though we have different tools, we share many post-surgery 
issues.

We all knew hanging skin was going to be an issue, especially for us Baby Boomers in the SMO category!  You know we don't have that elastic skin of our youth anymore!

I'm still thankful for the renewed health I have found.  The DS has worked so well for me, and improved my lupus and fibromyalgia symptoms (the medicines actually work now, and I no longer have to do long-term prednisone!) that I have gone back to college, in pursuit of an RD (registered dietitian) certification, and a Master's degree in Nutrition Science, since  lupus and fibro keep me from resuming my former profession.   I'm currently on disability and in Voc-Rehab, which pays for my reeducation through Social Security's Ticket To Work program. 
When I'm done, I intend to specialize in Bariatric Nutrition.  I'll still be a NUT, but at least I will be able to actually help folks follow the correct eating plans for their specific surgeries.

You have no idea how much wrong information DSers get on how to eat post-op!