Oldie but Goodie

[Coliver333]

Hi. I’m Carol. I had biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in December 2005.

Lost 160 lbs. best decision I ever made. Resolved sleep apnea, cholesterol is great and no longer pre-diabetic.

I still fear gaining weight and don’t feel “thin enough” even though I know I am at a healthy weight.

My issue is that I am never hungry and have to make myself eat. Thank God for protein drinks!

I keep a daily journal and track protein, carbs, calories, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium and take a daily vitamin mineral supplement. Since I am 72 I track all these things.

Lately I have wanted to hang out with people who understand my experience.

 

[Wicked Witch]

Iam also 72 and having skin removal surgery on my arms in May . Iam 3 years post op bypass. Had front skin removal January 2026 lost 13.5 pounds of skin. Breast lift, abs and tummy. Looking for buddy friend at same level .

 

[lyn2]

Iam also 72 and having skin removal surgery on my arms in May . Iam 3 years post op bypass. Had front skin removal January 2026 lost 13.5 pounds of skin. Breast lift, abs and tummy. Looking for buddy friend at same level .

Tell us about your experience with brachioplasty. I am considering it

 

[StephT]

I had a gastric sleeve September 2021 and a D&S loop February 2023.
After losing 185 lbs I had a panniculectomy in May 2024. I was getting sores around the stomach overhang, my bariatric surgeon recommended it and insurance covered it. Best decision ever but it did not change my weight.

In November 2025 I had a brachioplasty and breast lift. I went in for a consultation for the arms but there was so much extra skin on the sides of my chest that made it uncomfortable wearing a bra, but that tissue was breast tissue so required a lift and not just arm surgery. It was a hard recovery, had to keep both arms elevated for weeks, there was a tear in one armpit scar and I developed frozen shoulder. The tearing is apparently the most frequent complication from this surgery and I also had to do a lot of PT for the shoulder.

March 2026 I had a revision on my arms as I had lost an additional 50 lbs plus my skin overall is extra stretchy (EDS runs in the family, but at 58 there is no reason to be formally diagnosed). The surgeon did the revision for the cost of the anesthesia but I did not lose any additional weight with the arm surgeries either.

During the recovery process the nurse mentioned that the surgery they do that had the most difficult recovery is the lower body lift. I expect most weight would be lost with that procedure but it is not a consideration for me. The first arm/breast lift recovery was awful (results worth it though) but a lower lift is not in my future.