Question:
Having surgery in a few weeks, couple questions about things to expect post-op...

I'm having surgery next month on Dec. 13th and have been thinking about a couple things. First of though, my boyfriend had the surgery back in March and my father had the surgery on Nov. 15th (both lap. RNY also), so I'm familiar with a lot of things and know a lot of what to expect. One of my questions is that I am not super overweight. I'm only 217 with a BMI of 38 and I don't have any major co-morbidities, just GERD. (but, amazingly, the insurance company still approved me...of which I am sooo thankful for!) Anyhow, my question is, are there any people out there who were around this size before surgery and if so, did you have a lot of skin hanging or was your skin able to keep up with your weightloss? How much did your boobs shrink? I'm only 20, so my doctor said I really shouldn't have a problem because I still have a lot of elasticity at this age in my skin. I'm just curious though. Okay, another question. I've heard mixed things on this. I'm already on Depo. I've heard that after surgery some doctors day you should go on 2 forms of birth control. Isn't that only if you're on the pill though? Is anyone on the patch at all? Im thinking about switching to the patch once I get my weight down after surgery. I will be asking my surgeon about this though after surgery, but I was just curious to hear right now. Also, those of you who've been around my weight before surgery...about how much weight did you lose in the beginning? How fast did you lose? What sizes are you in now? I'm a little more muscular than the typical girl is too (in high school I beat many boys at arm wrestling and I lifted weights like the men did...all of us women on my mom's side are like this) so I was curious if I'll still be like that after surgery or if I'll lose that and be boney maroney. Okay, that's all I can think of for now. Thanks in advance!!! Megan    — m_bultman (posted on November 21, 2004)

November 21, 2004
HELLO MEGAN, CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY. WHEN I HAD MY SURGERY IN FEBRUARY MANY PEOPLE AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE THOUGHT THAT I WAS POST-OP INSTEAD OF PRE-OP. THE YOUNGER PATIENTS THAT I MET DIDN'T HAVE THE SKIN ISSUES AND LOST WEIGHT RAPIDLY. I AM DOWN ABOUT 90 POUNDS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MUSCULAR TOO. BUT, I WENT OVERBOARD AFTER SURGERY AND BLEW OUT MY KNEES AND SHOULDERS. THE KEY IS PROTEIN, PROTEIN AND MORE PROTEIN. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS, LORIANN http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianWLSJourney/
   — Loriann J.

November 21, 2004
Hi! Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth in since I am a depo user too. I got the depo shot for years prior to surgery and have continued getting it post op with no problems. The only thing that has changed since surgery in that respect is that I no longer have the occasional spotting I used to have between shots.. Good luck with your upcoming surgery! My 1 year anniversary is 12/11/04...hard to believe it's been almost a year! Take care!
   — huggygrrl

November 21, 2004
Hello! Congrats on your surgery. When I started, I weighed 232, and my bmi was 39. I've lost about 90 pounds, and fairly quickly. Some people said that because I didn't have as much to loose that I'd loose more slowly, but that wasn't the case for me. I lost really quickly, and then it abruptly stopped, and I'm happy with my weight where it is. I wouldn't mind loosing 10 more pounds, but I can maintain my weight right now very easily, so I'd rather stay here than have to kill myself trying to stay at a weight lower than where my body wants me. My surgery was last January 28, and I stopped loosing the beginning of August. I'm a size 10 mostly, can wear size 8 skirts. I'm pretty muscular, but I work at it. I excersize to the "Firm" video's about 5 times a week. I have a little trouble with some skind around my stomach that bugs me, but not enough to do anything about. My boobs are another story. I never had huge ones, at my biggest they were a C -- went into Victoria's Secret the other day to be measured for a new bra, and I'm not even quite an A. Kind depressing, but that's what "water bras" are for!
   — Deirdre M.

November 22, 2004
Hello Megan! I was 220 start at 5 foot tall (BMI 43). I am now in a size 1 or 3 (depending on brand, style, etc). I was heaviest in my abdomen area, therefore had lots of hanging skin in that area after losing all my weight. I had to have the excess skin removed and am so glad I did. I no longer have that bulge in my jeans that made me feel as thought I hadn't lost enough weight. I'm doing great...you will too, I'm sure. My boob are GONE...GONE...GONE. It sucks, but better to have no boobs than be 220 lbs at 5 foot tall. I went from a 40 C/38 D to a 34 barely A. I'm wearing A's, but shouldn't be, because they are still too big. I guess I'll have to go back to training bras. (hee hee) Anyway, you can read my profile for specifics. I hope this helps. Oh, by the way. I'm using the Nuvaring for birth control and I love it!
   — Renee B.

November 23, 2004
Hey, my surgery is also on the 13th of december--good luck to both of us!!!
   — marla R.

November 27, 2004
Well, congrats on the date! I started heavier than you, at 5'6 and 269. It's been 2.5 years (and a baby in between) and I am 125 pounds. Loving it at a size 4! I also was muscular and was only 25 when I had it done. Even being heavy, I was always an athlete and played lacrosse in college. I now work out more because I did lose muscle mass and strength after losing all that weight. I will tell you the boobs went completely FLAT! It sucks. I'm considering implants. I did have a tummy tuck to get rid of excess tummy. It wasn't a huge problem that anyone could see with clothes on, but I really wanted it done. I decided to go on the patch after surgery (and after I had my son 1 year afterwards). I love it. I had taken the pill before and had no side effects, but I didn't trust that it would be absorbed in my stomach enough. So, the patch was great and I've been on it since Feb. Good luck and feel free to email me if you have any more questions!! Emily
   — emilyfink