140lbs Lost! Just got Skin Removal Surgery (M/21)

escotech2883 wrote: »

May i ask you how you did it ? And about how many cals did you eat ?
I am 310 currently and looking to get to around the same *kitten* you

Hi!

I started out at 308.4 so it looks like we're in similar conditions. I ate a vast different amount of calories over the course of time, but here's what I can say. In the beginning, because I had such a high maintenance number, I set my activity level on MFP to sedentary and then aimed for 2lbs (-1000 calories) per week. In the beginning I ate around 2200 calories a day and was still able to lose more than 1 pound a week.

At a certain point, it became too difficult to sustain 2lbs lost per week, so I gradually shifted it down, usually eating anywhere from 1800-2000 calories per day depending on how aggressive I wanted to be at the time. Exercise certainly helped in expediting the process, especially as I got into the lower 200s where I couldn't lose multiple pounds per week without drastically reducing my caloric intake.

Overall, I'd say that:

310-280lbs: 2200 calories a day
280-220lbs: 1900-2000 calories a day
220-170lbs: 1700-1800 calories a day

Please ask any other questions you may have. My first advice is to stay committed and disciplined to counting your calories even if you have a bad day. Don't let an awful day make you fall of logging. Make small changes. If you eat burgers and fries and also chips and also drink 6 cans of Pepsi, maybe start of by still eating burgers and fries but cut out the chips and Pepsi. Small steps at a time are better than no steps at a time.

My other advice is that the beginning is the hardest part. I'm not sure where you are on your journey, but there are points early on where it feels like it is taking forever. With that being said, time does eventually start speeding up and you'll look back and realize 6 months (and 40lbs!) are gone.

Please please please add me and message me any questions you have. I want you to do this man!

cmr3399 wrote: »

Wow thats Amazing...Do you happen to know how many pounds of excess skin they removed?

Not sure yet, I actually haven't weighed myself yet because my scale is back at university. The way they explained it to me they not only remove the skin but "gunk" that's built up down there, so Im sure the procedure would cause 2-5 lbs of excess lost.

farmerpam1 wrote: »

You're rockin it, thanks for sharing! I have to ask, was it very painful, the recovery, that is? I'm saving my pennies for the future.

It's been a week since the surgery, so it's probably an OK time to give an update:

Day of Surgery
- Post surgery "pain" is not that high, certainly not the worst pain I've had or anything (keep in mind I was on anaesthetic)
- Drain placed on my right upper side (tube coming out of me with body secretions)
- Discomfort is quite high
- Little food (ate two jello cups and one pudding cup the entire day)
- Operations was 2hrs long
- Drugged up pretty hard, was sleeping all day from the medications and essentially bed-ridden.
- Important to walk around after surgery to prevent clotting, walked around the kitchen 4 or 5 times, and the A
- Need to wear compression socks for minimum one week, as high as three weeks
- Need to wear abdominal "binder" for at least three weeks, potentially four

Day + 1 and +2
- Pain/discomfort is a 4 on a scale of 1-10
- Move around a bit more frequently and with less ease
- Bed ridden most of the day
- Lots of drugs, lots of sleep

Day +3 + 4 + 5
- Moving around a lot more
- Pain/discomfort is a 2 on a scale of 1-10
- Standing up for extended periods, left the house for the first time on Surgery Day + 4

Day 6
- Drain is removed (discomfort goes down)
- First check up appointment
- First shower!!!!


Overall, the pain was/is quite low but at the same time the doctor did tell me that I've had less pain than most people generally report. Still, I don't think the operation is agonizing, but you would definitely need at minimum one week off working, etc.

Update:

My belly button is definitely higher lol. This photo was taken 9 days after the surgery

amarie210 wrote: »

Wow! You look awesome! Way to go! My partner is having a hard time finding motivation to start and stick to a plan. He says having so much to lose (100+ pounds) is disheartening. I will be showing him your pictures in the morning as inspiration!

Tell him that the hardest part is the start and once you get on a roll, it gets easier !!!