Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss: Meet others & Share

@lacla12
Welcome to Mayo Connect. Good for you to take control of your life and set goals. I remember when I got under 200 lbs after pushing 300 lbs at one time. It is only a number, but it was a milestone. I try to use the SMART method of goals; SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. If I set too large goals and fail, it is such a disappointment. Smaller and realistic goals work better for me.

What are you doing to start your journey?

@terriwilcox
Hello, Terri. My name is Sandra and I am 58. I weighed 360 at 5’4” and was honestly happy. I lost 110 pounds real quick and another 25. I got congratulations for several years but unfortunately I couldn’t take credit after last year because for me it was uterine cancer that caused it. So I would say take it slow and build up muscle as you go. Why? A lot of loose skin can cause a lot of problems. After my 3rd chemo, I was having problems walking and a tightness like a band on both sides from the back. After being in the hospital tested for 6 days 1 time, then 9 another, only thing I got was meds. Luckily my cousin suggested a plastic surgeon and it does seem that a large, hanging belly of skin causes a lot more problems than rashes. I have to get confirmed with an orthopedic doctor, but apparently the pulling is so heavy that I am now in a wheelchair cause I cannot hold up my weight or fight the pull even though my legs work fine. It is also pulling on my abdominal muscles and causing spasms almost nonstop. The band around my chest may be a direct or indirect result of its pull. This is because I lost muscle during treatment and another 35 pounds. I could move better and had no pain at 360. So you should lose the weight, but see a dietitian so you keep up your muscles and don’t have all the hanging skin I do.
Now that I have given my story, can anyone tell me if they had similar problems walking and if so, what type of PT you saw for help. Also, I have tried to lift up the skin but compression underwear hurts and doesn’t lift the skin off my upper thighs. I know all about shapewear but like I said, it compresses so it hurts and doesn’t lift off my thighs. Anyone here have a massive “apron” hanging over the thighs and knows of something that lifts up the skin with mild compression? I have tried tape but it only lasted a few hours due to the weight of the skin. I should note it was tape made for the body. I have seriously considered duct tape as I am becoming desperate. Thank you

@theallbadhat - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. The problems you are having with hanging skin sound really constraining and hard to manage.

So, is plastic surgery going to be an option for you? You also mentioned having to get confirmed with an orthopedic doctor. Did you mean for plastic surgery to address the hanging skin?

Hi!

My name is Lisa and I live in Arizona. I started at my highest weight at 330.

I was 298 by my surgery date October 14th, 2026. Unfortunately my kidneys had a hard time and I was pumped full of fluid after surgery. I gained 17 pounds of fluid that took me two weeks after surgery to get completely off.

Now I’m in the 280s.

I’m excited what lies ahead for me.

The Gastric Bypass R ny saved my liver. The surgeon said he did the surgery in time!

I no longer have to take my ant acid and diabetic medication.

Lisa

@lisaducharme236 - the part about the fluid does not sound fun, but your weight loss sounds encouraging.

How has your recovery from surgery gone so far?

@lisalucier
Thank you! It’s gone really well. I can work out now so that’s helped me a lot to get into a routine. I have more energy and I feel much better overall.