Congrats on your progress. How are you coming along. At 2.5 years out, I'm finding the hardest part is maintaining but I continue to work hard. I can now eat more at least a small saucer of food. I have to strive to make good choices. I've worked too hard to get to this point. Just sending you words of encouragement. I tell myself that eating the junk food does not make me nearly as happy as being healthy feels.

Good luck on your journey im sure you have worked real hard too. Best of luck on your success

Hi! The bandaging and massages have been very helpful! I just ordered my compression garments and my insurance covered it. What type of pump do you use? I'm thinking about getting one. Hopefully my insurance will cover it. Good luck to you and keep us updated!

Hi! I hope you are doing fantastic!!! Yes, I find the pump helpful with the lymphedema. I find doing both legs at the same time too much so I do one leg on one day, and the other leg the next day. What helped the most was the massage and wrapping. Yet the pump mimics the manual massage, which helps push the fluid back up and out. I hope you can get a pump as it helps as I find doing the manual massage difficult due to my weight problem. My insurance covered the pump but I had to force them (by providing pictures of my legs) to cover the compression garments. They finally said yes to the garments but not without a lot of proof that I needed the help since I live on SSI and money is scarce most times.

Good luck and God bless you!

Totally understandable. It's a huge decision and it is important you are ready! I am currently going to the hospital 3 days a week for lymphedema treatment...wrapping and massages. Is the pump helpful? Do you recommend it?

Hi bmi31! I hope you are doing well. Yes, I have lymphedema in both legs due to venous insufficiency. My psychiatrist and I are on the same page. I am disappointed about not having the surgery but I realize it is a huge decision and not to be taken lightly. I would hate to have the surgery when I wasn't truly ready, which is why my psychiatrist wants me address some things in the next year and then, if I feel ready, I will have the surgery in 2016. My lymphedema has gotten a bit worse so I want to also get that managed first. As you know as well, lymphedema takes time to get the fluid out by wrapping, massage, and using the pump.

I haven't given up hope on losing weight though. I am going to try other ways and pay for a nutritionist on my own to help me. So I have a plan. I am just scared of jumping into surgery too soon when I am not prepared. I have spoken to some people who realized after having the surgery they weren't ready and are not happy.

I hope you are doing great! My prayers are with you for a fast recovery and for a successful journey. Many blessings to you! Keep your head up and stay positive.

Hi! I hope you are getting the feel for your new sleeve and having blessings. My surgery is currently postponed for a year after my psych evaluation. Apparently, it came to light I might not be ready for surgery and my psychiatrist wants me to try gluten free diet and get my lymphedema looked at first. It's frustrating. But since my psychiatrist brought it up, I am going to work on some issues in the next year and then reevaluate having the surgery in 2016. I will know more in a year I guess.

I hope all is going great! Is the lymphedema still improving?

Hi! I hope you are having a fast recovery and getting stronger. You go girl!

You will do great my friend! So excited for you!

Good luck everyone...we will be on our way to good health and a "Skinny New Year"!

Anyone know how I can upload a photo for my profile picture?

Hi I have been a member of this site for over a year and everyone is wonderful! My heaviest was 347 and I'm about 10 days away from my first year anniversary and I go from 219 to 222. I actually had the bypass because my surgeon strongly recommended it for numerous reasons. Same incisions, diet, and recovery time. I wouldn't change a thing; however, I respect everyone's decision and this site helped me in enormous ways!!! If I'm not mistaken you were asking about the five incision scares. You can barely tell mine are here. I'm not sure if anyone's ever posted a pic, but I'm willing to show you mine. I say that so freely because I wish someone had shown me theirs because I was scared like you cannot imagine! My surgery was easier than a c-section and back surgery combined. I won't ramble on, but I'm here if you need me for anything. Best of luck to you along your journey!!!

I am right there with you. Just over 5'3" and have been hovering between 195-203. I'm tired of not feeling sexy. Tired of not feeling happy with my image. I don't qualify for surgery in the states so I am seriously considering mexico this january for surgery.

HI - I am in Orange County, California. At my heaviest I was 203/205 and I am 5'4" - I am seriously considering surgery. Doing tons of research :-)

Where are u from? I am currently at my heaviest. I am 5ft 3 in and weigh 195

Hi I am also considering to have surgery