VSG Maintenance Group
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Catastrophe averted!
I have to laugh, because it would have been a catastrophe of happy consequences.
Trying to take a page out of some of all y'all's organizational strategies I decided to get ahead on packing for my trip. Pulling my suits I decided to try on a dress shirt that had not fit my neck all that long ago. It fit, just not as loosely as I prefer. (I don't even like crew neck t shirts because they feel restrictive to me...) As I started to fold the shirt for the suitcase I thought, "Hmmm.... maybe best to try on the suit pants." OMG! They were HUGE! I tried to belt them, but there was just too much fabric. They were a tad loose in July when I wore them, but now they won't even stay up when I walk. So, I ran to the tailor at 3 pm and hot damn! he agreed to have them altered by 3 pm on Tuesday. Not only do the waists have to be taken in, he has to shorten the crotch and take in the entire inseam from crotch to hem. Basically, he's reconstructing both pair of suit pants. Thank goodness I am a regular customer. Otherwise, I don't think I would be getting such quick turn around and friendly service!
I am a melted candle! I think about excess skin removal frequently. I could only afford it if insurance covers it and I haven't explored that yet. I did get a referral from my WLS clinic for a plastic surgeon that specializes in post bariatric procedures, bit I chickened out. Which brings me to: fear. I'm only talking about a panniculectomy, which appears to have a decent recovery time. But there is just no way of knowing who will be an outlier, and have complications and extended recovery. I don't want to start my glorious retirement laid up. On the other hand, I'd love to start it without this skin apron. The other factor, DH is not in favor of it. That would not stop me if I was really determined, nor would he try to stop me. But adding his anxiety to my own fears is just one more consideration. In the meantime, always looking forward for good shape wear :)
on 9/28/24 12:15 pm, edited 9/28/24 5:15 am
You all know my skin removal was a traumatic experience and I never went back for my arms or boobs. I had circumferential body lift and upper thighs.
I had arms and boobs done and I think it was worth it. I had planned to have a tummy tuck and thighs done but then Ben got cancer so that was put on hold. Covid and menopause hit along with the weight gain so I didn't get it done. I'm already thinking I will do the tummy tuck. Thigh healing can be tricky and my body doesn't like sutures (I reject the dissolvable ones and inflammation ensues) so I don't think I will do the thighs.
5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!
Happy Wedding Day, Liz! You are already getting your hair and make up done and hopefully feeling relaxed with the pampering.
Made it down to 223 something today. Happy, happy!!!!
Great session with the nutrition therapist... Lots to talk about with body changes, eating challenges/awareness with the anxiety and depression I've been feeling. Happily, the depression was short lived and after having some really good laughs last night I woke up feeling much more like my cheerful self.
So, those of you who have had skin removal, body work... what did you have done and do you feel it was worth it? Was the recovery horrible? I am clearly going to have extra skin that won't firm up. Thinking about future options.
Busy the next few days getting ready for Pennsylvania. Not much else.
Oh, CC, please remember Kirby is a 10-12 year old human boy mentally. Physically he's about 15-16 years old. So, kid brain in a strong young man's body. Plus, he's a GR. Put it all together and he is behaving expectedly. I have some tricks to share for greeting people. Put him in a sit. Drop the lead in front of him. Step on the lead by his front feet. When he tries to jump, there will be no momentum and place for him to go. Also, tell BF and BF's BF not to speak only offer Kirby a palm. Should help, but I know.... He is Kirby!
Yes! Our situation exactly! I think if we snowbird, we will try out different areas, maybe even in the same winter. I could see doing a month each in 3 different places!
5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!
Happy, happy wedding day!!! Love the description of the fun the young people are having! Truly celebratory. Best wishes to all.
My wedding started at 4pm, and there were still little details being attended to in the morning. I had lots of feelings, but one of them, standing in the back of the church as the music started was nobody could ask me anymore questions or offer any opinions. Nothing more could be tweaked or changed. What would be would be. It felt so peaceful, and I was able to shift to being in the moment, standing at the altar with my beloved, surrounded by my best friends.
We are in Wisconsin, visiting our son. We met his new girlfriend last night. She was lovely, just lovely. When she went to the restroom, DH joked with son, you're being on your best behavior, right? Son laughed, Yes, she's great, isn't she. He was so relaxed in her presence, and happy. And she seems to really LIKE our DS. And she has a darling dog :) DS has met her family, and apparently got a thumbs up from her brother. She gets a thumbs up from us. :)
Paula I feel you on the snowbirds plans. We had so hoped to be able to afford two homes, one in Minnesota, and one in Florida. I wanted to spend 4-6 months down south, and develop community there too. Join a church, book club etc. Like you, I also considered selling our current house and just moving south, but DH was not on board with this plan. After Covid, my thoughts changed too, and I wanted to keep our Minnesota connection. With housing costs being what they are now, 2 houses are out of reach for us. So what does a new dream look like? It seems you may be in that place too: if you don't relocate, what does a new dream look like for you? We will likely be snowbird nomads, traveling to different places each winter, at least for awhile. And maybe being free to escape the snow and cold whenever you want makes it easier to have a home in a winter state? The next few years will tell.
That sounds like a good plan! We made a decision on where to live in Florida quickly because deceased DH already had dementia and I realized he would not be able to stay in a different place every year. We had visited our friends in that community many times so it was already familiar for DH. It was a quick change in retirement plans but made sense with his dementia. We might have made a different decision had that not been the situation.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
