Fleur De Lis, Albany, OR

I have 18 days off and two additional weeks if I choose to use!! I'm scared but excited!!

How long did you have until you saw what ur true shape was? I'm worried about necrosis did you have any recommendations on making scar heal well??

My scar is almost invisible. I kept the tape on for three months changing it weekly. I also wore the compression garment on for three months. I had no problems with healing except my belly button. I actually looked my best in the first month as I have put on about 20kg since I had it done. I still feel very tight, like I have eaten too much and can't undo my belt!!! I have a very smooth and taught result no problem with what it looks like. I had it done to relieve the back pain I had for more than 30 years after an accident. I thought the internal corset would be better than the external one and pain meds I had been using for years. It worked really well. I have no weight on my stomach at all.

That's awesome!! I can't wait good to know you wore it for three mi the and the tape! I will try that I'm so worried about healing! How was the pain??

The pain I had was mostly from a nerve in my thigh!!! It made it almost impossible to get on and off the toilet. There was no real pain from the operation itself as everything is quite numb. I still have no feeling on my stomach and upper thighs. I'm not complaining it feels like it's all scarred on the inside, there is no give. Doesn't hurt, just always aware of it. Not long for you now. I wish you well. Take as much time as you can as it takes a long time to heal!!

Thank you! Good to know!!

I was 197 or 195 at time of this surgery . I'm 5' 6". Pre weightless my highest weight was 367

Oh sweet, Thanks for the information. Did they make you lose anything before the bypass surgery? I'm thinking of getting one but I'm nervous lol I have my consultation on the 7th. Is there anything I should be concerned about with the weight loss surgery? Anything I should ask the surgeon or be aware of?

I had gastric sleeve I found it to be right for me. More natural no re routing. I've had no nausea no strictures and no issues. If your female of baby bearing age keep in mind you can get pregnant VERY QUICKLY!! I did three months after which was scary. And I had to be monitored close but still lost 45 lbs during pregnancy and my son in amazing. I had to lose 10^ or about 37 lbs. I can not say enough good things about my choice to have gastric sleeve. 5x day insulin diabetic with 17 meds for depression blood pressure cholesterol acid pain edema and now I take nothing I woke up from surgery NO LONGER DIABETIC. My surgeon was dr Yarborough in corvallis Oregon for sleeve and then dr day did PS for excess skin removal. There are a lot of program requirements but worth it. WLS does not change your head. It's still hard work to make food choices but it's an amazing journey!! Go for it!!

Thank you so much for all of the information! And congratulations on your son. I'm diabetic as well, but I'm type 1 so I can't get rid of it, however I'm hoping to drastically reduce the amount of insulin I'm on. (Lantus 70u 2x a day, novolog 20u base + 1:10 carb and correction ratio) I'm also on anti depressants and anti anxiety meds, and iron medication. I'm hoping to ween off of those as well and go toward a more natural approach to manage my depression, anxiety and PTSD. No worries about the pregnancy issue, I already have my son and I'm not planning on seeing anyone anytime soon haha. I'm just trying to get to a good place before I even consider that. I've heard a lot about hair falling out. Was that an issue for you? Sorry I'm bombarding you with questions. Lol.

Yes hair was a horrible issue!!! I stressed my body with the gastric sleeve and then on top of that pregnancy... Literally lost it as I moved very long full hair to barely any :( it started growing back after my son but with this surgery it's started to fall out again! I've cried so much over it but health is so much better . it's taking so much time to get my hair back :(

Oh no! Youre right, health is so much more important though. Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I'll go ahead and start taking biotin and nioxin again to prevent some of the hair loss.

I started six months prior with biotin and boozing. I was told if your body is prone to expelling hair it will no matter what. And it did but I've made it work hoping it will grow back

Thanks for the heads up. I hope it starts growing back soon! Good luck.

Lol not BOOZING!! Auto correct nioxin!!!thank you. Fyi I'm not a drinker lol!

You're welcome! Hahaha no worries. I figured. My phone autocorrects everything going at the most inconvenient times.

Thank you three weeks out now and doing pretty good

Trying to upload pics. Very happy with results

Can you see ur shape yet or still swollen? Are u using any specific oils or scar gels ? How's the pain?

I'm using bio oil and shea butter along with silicone strips. Still swollen but I love what I see

Oh my goodness it helps sooo much!! Do you know the name of the scar gel so I can order it? No necrosis of tissue for you? What size pants were you going in? And now? So was the pain hard? Your three months out and is it still hard to bend or work? I work in an office but see consumers in their homes. I'm so nervous!! How much tissue did they remove weight wise? Sorry so many questions!! Congrats on your journey!!

It is Skin Medica Scar Recovery Gel, 2 Ounce. I spent about $55 on it, but it is for a large size that the clinic sells for $95 I believe. You won't need it for a few weeks until the scar is healed enough. Don't start it until checking with Dr. Day. As for pants, I wore a size 10 usually, some 8's snug. I still wear my 10's which are much looser & now only buy 8's. I got an 8 for some Lee's jeans & they are a little too loose in the top waist so will look at some 6's or take these in. They are the stretch jeans that feel soft & wonderful! The main thing for me is that it is still more comfortable to wear things a little loose than really snug due to the scar going up. I wore loose lounge pants most of the time or knitty type dresses for the 1st 6 wks. Make sure to have a few items on hand. The dresses were my go to's for quite a while and I had the men's muscle T-shirts for under the binder garment. For bras, I found "Bali Women's Comfort Revolution Shaping Wirefree Bra with Foam Cups" the most comfortable because you will wear it 24/7; I still do. That will be about 2 wks in. I got a regular front hook & eye bra for the 1st one, like a sleeping bra from Donna Bella in Corvallis & the girl fit me. Go for snug, not too loose. I had 3 1/2 lbs removed. The pain was hard, I am not gonna lie. The muscle repair I think has a lot to do with it, plus the added scar up the middle. The pain meds made me nauseous & I was just really uncomfortable with any movement. When you get in a position & settle in, it isn't bad then you move & whammo! It will hard not lifting your little one. I have a grandson that really had a hard time with me not holding him. But you don't want to ruin any work that is done! Just remember that it gets better every couple of days & then each week you will notice a difference. I bend, stretch, and mildly lift frequently at work, but also sit at a desk doing computer work. Mostly I just get a soreness & fatigue, but it got much better after the 1st week back to work. I didn't go back to work for 8 weeks, so I am probably not a great comparison!! I could have went back earlier if my job hadn't been quite so strenuous.. I take tylenol when I need to & it helps. I just turned 58, so I am no spring chicken. LOL! I don't mind your questions at all!! Oh & one more thing... get a lanyard with a couple of snap hooks (google snap hook) on it to hang your tubes from your drains on. It will help to keep them out of your way without tugging too much. Have one you can get wet in the shower too. Tell Kathy & Dr. Day I recommended it!! They hadn't seen anyone use one before!! I had my drains for several weeks & it gets old. But the alternative is worse & I trusted Dr. Day totally to do what was best for my outcome. Hugs!

Thank you so much for that

Mines on 19th when was its?

Hi I had mine in June I am 8 weeks post op xx

Do you have pics?

Hi I will add some over weekend bit thick on how to do it xx so have you had yours yet or is it the 19th of this month x

It's the 19 of this month!! Scared about the healing! I do pain no problem but wanna do everything I can to heal well!