From371to184's Journal, 15 Jan 19

That is good news.  

Congratulations, you have done so amazing. Ty for being such an inspiration and example. 

Okay that good, I just pray and trust God threw the process, and pray for the surgeon, that the surgery is a success.  

I will pray for you! 🙏🙏💙 I don't know about those surgeries, I would suggest that if you are planning on losing more weight you do it before the surgery. 🤷‍♀️ 

I haven't had surgery yet, but I'd recommend you keep well hydrated and protect the skin  

I’m part of a group on FB that gives awesome info. It’s for women only but certainly they have other groups. It’s really helpful and I recommend that if you FB! Exciting with surgery. I’m contemplating abdominal and arm surgery but it’s pretty costly and I don’t qualify via insurance 

Be Blessed 184. I’m sure you are excited about this big change in your physical appearance! I mentioned here just a few short months ago that a friend of mine had this procedure as well. Unfortunately, we were mostly unaware of some of the details of his health at the time. He forged through the procedure and everything seemed normal and healing had begun. Then suddenly one morning 3 weeks after surgery he passed away. I am not aware of the risk factors in this area but please ask your medical professional every question you can think of and know your risks! We found out in the days following my friends passing that he had been diagnosed several years earlier with an enlarged heart. It is undetermined but also questionable as to weather his EXTENSIVE skin and tissue removal could have stressed his heart to the point of failure. Looking forward to hearing of your successful procedure! 

Congratulations on getting this set - I know that it made a big difference (emotionally and physically) for my wife when she had it done after Gastric Bypass. the only lesson learned that I can pass on is give yourself time to heal - it takes as long as they say. Prep as much as you can so you don't have to move as much as you think you will be able to.  

good luck 

I just had the loose skin and fat removed under my arms. It was painful for five days and then got better. I am about one month out now and glad I chose to do it. The real healing will taken six months at least. Best thing I did was to be sure I had my spouse at home with me for the first week. 

That’s awesome your doing this for yourself. ❤️💪 

I don’t know about your doctor, but most of the plastic surgeons I have worked with have been very particular about a vitamin regime and foods that support wound healing. Most were also pretty adamant about not doing elective plastic surgery on people who were not willing to stop smoking for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery. Since you are asking this question I’m guessing your doctor did not say anything to you about either of those issues. 

I haven't made it that far but that's awesome for you!!! Best of luck with the surgery!! 🤗🤗🤗 

I would eat fresh pineapple a lot. It helps with inflammation snd cicatrization. 

A friend of mine is almost recovered from his last skin reduction surgery (I think he had three). He was originally about 320 pounds (5'10") and was in his own words "super sedentary". For his future health (to see his kids grow up too) he went on a diet and started exercising at a local gym. Over a few years he lost about 130 pounds and also, along the way he became a tri-athlete in his early forties. For him, after he lost the weight no matter how hard he exercised, etc. he still had a lot of loose floppy skin "hanging" off him. He is very happy with the end result and the whole process and also has a good photo and journal record of the journey. If you've done your research, know the risks and have reached your goal weight then it is just a decision about weighing the pros and cons for you. For my friend it was a mix of body asthetics and losing the extra, now useless skin weight. He told me how many pounds were removed a few weeks ago, but I've forget exactly how much, but it was significant. We ride bikes together and he's a beast...I'll need to put a 25 pound backpack on him now so I can keep up. 

Oh ya, for a couple of weeks he could only lie down or stand...no sitting. He recuperated at home, car travel only in vehicles that seats laid pretty flat. 

Sounds like a OUCHY to me , I heard you will be sore for a while !!! My friend had it was not working for a month , took that long to recover !!! Good Luck !!1 

thanks, @jengetfit123; appreciate the sentiment, @Retta_Smith; oh, I'm gonna try, @Keilin_4! will do, @conicassity; @Draglist: I've been putting it off as long as I dare, but its at the point where I'm "pinching" myself awake multiple times a night; @Swedishblondie: very cool, and if it wasn't deemed medically necessary by the VA I wouldn't be able to afford it myself; @60pack: sorry about your friend - all my medical conditions are out in the open; will do, @tahoebrun - got a desk job, so I should be fine with a driver for a week or two; wow, @HCB - impressive rate of recovery! @g_ortegam... and, for my daughters! @Kenna_Morton: I'm looking into vitamin E for wound care and collagen for the surrounding (stretched) skin - doc was focused on POST-op questions and the RN will have three contacts with me in the coming weeks for PRE-op questions; thanks, @Pattima26! @Roseliw: pineapple, hmm? gotta check that out; @Steven_Lloyd: baby-stepping through this, but your friend sounds like a champ! @DON_N_OK: yeah, recovery time seems to be the thing to watch out for - thanks, everyone! 

Hey from371, i just thought of something. I follow (in retrospect) "diva slims down" on youtube she vlogged her weight loss for several years. Eventually she had skin removal surgery and she gives a lot of info about her recovery. She went from ~340# to ~160#. The tv show "the doctors" sponsored it. I recommend her vlogs to anyone. Super inspiring.  

Don’t take any supplements without discussing it with the doctor or nurse who contacts you.. Some have minor blood thinning properties. They need to have input and awareness.