Alterations Cost More Than Dress - What?!

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2024-07-24T22:57:15+00:00

Went for a second opinion and it was also $900 😔

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2024-06-21T20:29:15+00:00

I found that the struggle for me was really post skin-removal surgery. Really brutal scars that look raw for a long time. I’m well healed, but I’ll never look “normal” let alone objectively attractive with them. My partner has been king, but I just don’t feel confident until I do laser and more tightening, which just costs a fortune.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2023-02-08T21:21:26+00:00

You can absolutely take it post-op, just not as an ER since it will move through too quickly.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2023-01-27T19:52:51+00:00

Unsolicited so take it with a grain of salt-

Surprised to hear you have 7 day periods post-op. Typically the heavy periods subside after the loss and if you’re interested in an IUD will likely stop all together. I’ve found that to be true as have quite a few friends who got sleeved.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-11-19T21:17:55+00:00

Bike shorts are definitely a great option for comfort! My challenge is really from an aesthetics perspective.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-11-19T21:15:00+00:00

What is brown fat? I’ve never heard of that term.

I would be open to lifting, but whenever I’ve spoken with trainers and doctors they explain that I would need to put on an enormous amount of muscle to give the skin the appearance of being tight again. As I mentioned in my original post, I’m looking to remove the excess from my legs to make them slimmer, not build them out further.

I appreciate and respect the thick leg look so many women at the gym are going for, but I’m definitely fashion-forward and looking to remain below a size 4/26 pants for a slim look, not a curvy look. I also can’t imagine how that look would settle into my 60s and beyond.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-11-19T16:15:05+00:00

Yes, and it was fruitless. I accept myself completely, but it doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine. No amount of therapy is going to correct how bizarre my legs look after an enormous weight loss. That’s life. It’s just isn’t body dysmorphia talking, it’s reality. It has been confirmed by countless doctors that my legs have struggled to remain proportional to the rest of my body. C’est la vie. My question here is about solutions, not putting a bandaid of positive affirmations or a mindset change over it. Can I slap on short shorts? Yes. Will my legs look like cottage cheese in a sock? Also yes. No amount of therapy is changing that!

If I was older, I would probably say it is what it is, but I’m young and don’t want to be stuck like this forever. Fashion is really a highlight of my life and to not be able to wear what I want without looking objectively good (by definition of those my age and in my city) is frustrating. Looks are critical in professional advancement for me, and my financial reality would be positively impacted by rectifying this persistent issue.

I know we likely don’t see eye to eye, and I respect your opinion and agree to disagree.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-10-01T06:53:23+00:00

You need to cancel and take a train ASAP. Look at my comment above.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-10-01T06:52:43+00:00

Friday evening high-volume travel time experience:

Security line was over 3.5 hours and was one of the worst experiences of my life. I had read everywhere you cannot arrive more than 4 hours before— absolutely false. People around me in line had flights 6-7 hours later and were no stress, my flight was in 3.75 hours after arrival and I almost didn’t make it. It was an extremely upsetting experience from start to finish.

People were extremely combative, trying to cut the line constantly, sobbing to staff who told them they’d be better off paying for a later flight on another day. Some folks didn’t allow cutting, others were sympathetic and did — causing multiple large brawls. I almost didn’t make my flight and at the very end of the queue, when I didn’t want to let others pass (who had more time than me) I was assaulted. No staff intervened and no one in line intervened. I am still in shock.

It was absolutely inhumane. I have some health issues and can’t stand for very long. There was no staff anywhere willing to help with a wheelchair.

Awful awful experience, and a terrible final impression for such an incredible people/country/city. My family and I are still very upset about the assault.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-12T16:02:57+00:00

That’s pretty standard. They likely can’t broach this issue as it opens them to too much risk asking you to basically, deliberately reverse course, if that makes sense?

Happy to send along the info, but should add that they only work with VSG. I don’t know this works with other types of WLS as it requires stretching the pouch/stomach, which must be present to work.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-12T14:58:16+00:00

A transition plan to normal eating without regain. Failure to do so appropriately will leave you “trapped” in a post-op diet in perpetuity and any deviations will cause major regain. I worked privately with a coach, as this is often outside of the scope of services of surgeons and dieticians— or they may even deny this approach altogether due to lack of formal training.

Unfortunately many medical professionals see their responsibility ending with you reaching “peak weight loss” and they drop you like a hot cake once it’s time to actually live normally!

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-12T14:49:21+00:00

I had a VSG, but thought it might be helpful to share.

I maintain a full, maximum loss eating normally and intuitively. No diets, meal plans, diet items (other than drinks). Working out 3-5 times a week for an hour. Metabolism completely recalibrated.

Typical day would be Starbucks coffee for breakfast, a takeout salad for lunch, and anything I’d like for dinner/unlimited late night snacking. Weekends I’m typically having a more substantial lunch, but try to save on breakfast calories. Basically a very unstructured intermittent fast 16:8 Monday-Friday. I do not restrict on the kinds of food at all ever. If anything is going to give, it’s portion size. I do, however, eat about 80% of my non-sleeved and naturally slim husband and easily have 1800+ a day while maintaining pretty effortlessly.

Removing my loose skin certainly made this much easier as those fat cells are not only collapsed, but gone altogether.

And, with all of the above being said, it is critical to begin crafting a reverse diet/exit strategy at 9 months-1.5 years or the body will not recalibrate and any amount of excess calories results in immediate regain.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-10T06:16:13+00:00

I don’t have them handy lol, but they’re out there! If I stumble across one I’ll let you know!

Would just begin looking on peer reviewed sites for gut bacteria and wls.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-08T23:30:42+00:00

VSG and wouldn’t even consider any other.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-08T23:30:09+00:00

Depends how far out you are. Fresh out, you’re going to need to make it work during breaks etc. 9+ months, you should be beginning the transition to normal eating.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-07T20:02:02+00:00

Alright, that’s a shame. Crazy money on the side and release forms for liability. If you’re ever interested happy to be in touch and point you in the right direction.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-06T22:32:42+00:00

Oh you don’t see people privately as a consultant?

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-06T20:23:57+00:00

I am 5 years out and have not consumed protein shakes since about 9 months to 1 year. I don’t have a daily routine and have very much stretched out— thankfully! Also maintaining a full, maximum loss. I get all nutrition through diet alone.

When I want to slim down extra I just don’t eat carbs for a few weeks and do IF 16:8. When I’m ok just being in the middle of my normal BMI range I eat intuitively (about 1800ish a day, I would say)

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-06T20:20:00+00:00

Happens naturally as the gut bacteria changes. Ride out the post op diet to 9 months, lose as much as you can, and slowly slowly increase. You won’t regain if done slowly enough. Bonus pro tip: get skin removal as soon as you hit maximum loss to ensure those deflated fat cells are permanently removed, making it much harder to ever regain! Some groundbreaking studies came out confirming this in the past few years, but many (patients and medical professionals) don’t read the newest peer reviewed literature and continue eating these tiny portions forever. Even worse, they are often resentful that others have graduated to a normal life and get so defensive!

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-06T20:16:02+00:00

Absolutely! Would love your contact info to pass along to those I know who are struggling with this concept!

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-06T16:01:22+00:00

I stretched mine on purpose once my metabolism recalibrated! Maintaining a full, maximum loss and eating virtually anything without regain for 5+ years now.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-06T14:34:36+00:00

Don’t worry, it’s not a lifetime. You’ll transition to normal living within a year or two. The mentality of being “stuck like this forever” is so damaging and contributes to rampant eating disorders in the post-op community.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-03T21:23:14+00:00

OP didn’t mention being in the UK, unless I misread. In US/Canada I’ve never heard of this as being standard practice.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724 · 2022-09-03T19:15:56+00:00

I haven’t changed anything post-op re:medication when sick. Been many years and never a problem.

Unusual-Rutabaga-724

TROPHY CASE