depressed_bandster

THIS is why I LOVE my band!!!

WOW!!! What an amazing change!!!! Congratulations on your success!!! You look fabulous! The plaque above your head in the second photo says it all....

Yes, empty stomach works best....the fill is more accurate that way. I'd think 2 hours before with no eating should be good. I try to schedule my fill appointments first thing in the morning, so I can just wake up & go. Don't forget to drink water, but not so much you are full!!! My doc also says liquids only for 24 hours after fills! God luck & congrats on your new journey! The Lapband is awesome!!!!

The band is a "helper" and a "tool"....you still have to do your part. That is the most important thing to know and remember when you decide to have this surgery. You will ONLY succeed if you do your part!! I have corresponded (almost daily on a private FB site) with other people who were banded the same month I was & I have seen people both succeed and fail with the band. The ones I know have failed, stopped losing, or gained any weight back have not stuck with the life change of getting banded. Portion control is a big part of it, along with making better food choices. If you follow your docs instructions you WILL see the scale moving in the right direction, which was ALL the motivation I needed. As long as the scale kept moving in the right direction, I was motivated to keep going!! Maddysgram is right, you can fail with any WLS....you have use your tool as a helper, it won't do it all for you, so you have be ready to make that comittment and change your lifestyle!!!

As stated above, you can't feel the band around your stomach. I could always feel my port if I felt for it, from day 1...couldn't see it til I lost weight. I have lost 80 pounds and could see a small bump where the port is & it actually started to hurt, especially when I'd do ab workouts, it felt really bruised underneath and I had to stop doing ab workouts bcuz the "uncomfortable" feeling got painful during & after workouts. In Dec I had a tummy tuck & had my port changed to a low profile port at that time. Now, It doesn't hurt & I don't see it, even with my super flat tummy!

Insurance will pay for a breast reduction/lift if proven it is medically necessary....just as jenc87 stated above. I did have dents from my bras in my shoulders, as well as shoulder/neck/back pain from my size F breasts & insurance paid for mine....any my TT!!

My PS had to submit as well & as far as I know, for any surgery the surgeon needs to be the one submitting. However, info from your bariatric dr will be helpful to your PS to get approval. You will need to show weight loss & how long you have kept the weight loss, which is best shown by your bariatric dr that followed you close since surgery. As far as I know, lipo would not be covered by any insurance, bcuz insurance will only pay for what is "medically necessary" ..... I was approved for breast reduction/lift and the panniculectomy (tummy skin removal). Your PS may or may not charge you extra for the "tuck" part of the TT (which is the muscle repair, buck muscle repair is not really medically necessary). I had my port changed to a low profile port at the time of my TT & BR/BL & didn't have to pay for the "tuck" part. Submit for everything you want & see what is approved.....all they can say is no! Good luck!

By the way, you look fabulous!!!

Hahahaha!!! MeE TOO!!! I NEVER was a "plastic surgery person" before this.....but now!!! I want to get my legs and arms done!!! Good thing it's so expensive, or I'd be addicted!!

I'm using Biocorneum. I got it from my ps but I've seen it online.

I've always wondered when reading about all the people that go to Mexico....who do they see for follow up? What if they have a problem? I'm 5-1/2 weeks PO TT & BR/BR & on another site I'm reading of people having problems even this late into it...so what do they do? That would scare me. My doc is 2 hrs away & that has been a pain bcuz I have a small complication with one of my boobs....however, I have his cell phone # and access to him whenever I want. I couldn't imagine being out of touch with him!!

I am 39 days PO a full TT & breast reduction/lift (no implants). I had my port revised at the same time to a low profile port. It did stick out a little prior to PS, but does not stick out now with the low profile port. I still have 23 pounds to lose to goal, but I don't see it being a problem.

I am 38 days postop breast reduction & lift...I had the surgery 13 months after being banded & after 80-pound weight loss, 20 pounds to goal. Although I would go back & do it again, I don't want to do it again in the future!!! It is a LONG recovery and I read a lot about many complications on another site that other people have had. I am thrilled with my results, excited to go buy regular sized pretty bras & excited I will no longer have neck/shoulder/back pain from my boobs...I went from a F to a D-DD (not completely sure yet, bcuz I'm still healing & still have some swelling). If you still have a considerable amount of weight to lose, WAIT! You DO NOT want to have to have this surgery twice!!! I did have a TT at the same time, but my boobs have been more sore than my tummy. I am STILL so tired and sore! Wait & it will be worth it!!!

OK Nikki, let's see if I can contribute any new info for you. I had a full TT with MR and BR/BL on Dec 19; I am 31 days PO. I was really only completely DOWN for about 5 days. The only real PAIN I had was the first 2 days trying to get in and out of the hotel bed. I had to stay in a hotel for 2 days, because my surgeon is 2 hours away & he didn't want me to commute, be that far away after having both procedures & being under for almost 6 hours & he wanted to see me 48 hours after surgery. Anyways, when I got home things were much easier. I had rented a lift recliner (lifesaver for me) which made it VERY easy getting up & down & that is where I slept until I got both of my drains out. DRAINS....I had 2. I was able to shower after he saw me at my 48-hour PO visit. The drains got more uncomfortable the longer I had them in; got my first one out 7 days postop, 2nd one out 12 days postop. SHOWERING.....I attached my drains to a lanyard around my neck when I showered. I first showered on day 3 PO, wanted to wash my hair SO badly. Got in the shower, sat in a chair while my hubby washed me and by the time he washed me & rinsed me, I was DONE! I didn't even make it to washing my hair & BARELY made it back to my chair after getting dressed. Had to do that the next day (my hubby had to do it for me). SLEEPING....as I mentioned, I slept in a recliner til I got my drains out. For one reason, I didn't want to leak in my bed if it were to happen. Also, my bed is really high & I couldn't imagine climbing in and out of my bed. I was just more comfortable sleeping in the recliner. When I did sleep in my bed I put pillows under my legs. By that time I was standing straight, I just didn't want to put extra tension on my scar by laying flat. I can lay flat now, but still sleep with a pillow between and/or under my legs. I've heard some horror stories about peoples scars opening up, even at 4-6 weeks, so I'm paranoid and don't want to stretch it at all! BINDER (mesh thing).....I woke with a binder and have to wear it 24/7 at least until I see him for a postop on the 30th of this month, which will be almost 6 weeks PO. It doesn't bother me like it sees to bother other people. I wear a thin, long spagetti strap tank on top of my bra & panties, but under the binder so the binder doesn't rub on my skin. This makes it much more comfortable. In fact, I'm washing mine now & have had it off for almost 3 hours (I forgot to start the washer, DUH) & I can't wait to put it back on!!! It feels so much better, my tummy feels more secure & it helps with my swelling. I bought some Spanx.....a tall underwear type and an open-bust camisole type. The underwear type is super tight and you pretty much need to be a contortionist to get into it, but it is just as comfortable as the binder. I'm not cleared from my PS to wear it alone yet....hopefully on the 30th!!! EXERCISING/GYM....I am a gym addict!!! It has been so hard for me not to go to the gym or do ANY exercising. It's so strange how all the doctors are SO different with their rules, so ask yours about ALL of this!! Mine has cleared me (at 4 weeks) to do light cardio. NO lifting, NOTHING using my core. Basically, just light walking on the treadmill, elliptical (not using the arm part), and bicycling. (I had a BR/BL, so that's why no arm exercising). I think I remember him saying each week I can increase a little, 6 weeks I can start using my arms in exercising, but no ab workouts for 8 weeks. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!!! LapBand.....I didn't have to get an unfill. In fact, I had my port changed to a low profile port at the same time of my TT. I haven't gained any weight....MIRACULOUSLY!! The first 2 weeks PO I was eating horribly, I had NO restriction and was eating everything that wasn't nailed down!! Some how, I am down 10 pounds since surgery. ALSO, you will want to wear drawstring baggy PJ bottoms. Any elastic band will be uncomfortable pressure on your tummy. Mine were really baggy, so I didn't have a problem wearing them with the drains. I couldn't imagine having that extra pressure of an elastic band on the days I was in swell hell. I can't tell you how I would have been without meds the 10 days or so. I took my pain pills EVERY 4 HOURS on the dot (set the alarm on my phone) around the clock, bcuz I was so scared to feel the excruciating pain everyone had talked about. I was never in excruciating pain....not sure if that's bcuz I was continually meds or if bcuz it just isn't as painful as everyone says. I will never know, but I do know I wasn't ever in bad pain, more uncomfortable. You will need help at least for the first week, especially with your little one, cooking & cleaning. I went back to work on day 12, worked from home and struggled. Not bcuz of pain....I was just so incredibly tired. And even then, I had to rig a work station on my recliner couch. I still can't sit up straight in a chair for long periods or I hurt. (I'm still working from my couch) Go check out Realself.com it was & still is a HUGE help for me, as well as encouraging to see light at the end of the tunnel hearing from people who are a couple weeks ahead of me. I am healing well. My only complaint is being so tired all the time & I have to really watch to not overdo it STILL. It's getting old, but I wouldn't change anything!! I would do it again in a heartbeat!!! Second best thing I've ever done for myself!!!! Only second to my band!!! I think, I hope, I covered everything you were asking about!! Good luck and happy healing to ya!!!

Praise God!!!! That is awesome!! Your persistent paid off!!! So, are you just getting a panniculectomy or are you getting a full TT?

Congrats on this new journey you are about to take. My TT & breast reduction/lift was the 2nd best thing I have ever done for myself!!! 2nd only to my LB!!! I am 4 weeks PO my PS. I am swollen and still happy with my results!! I have lost almost 80 pounds since my LB in Nov 2011, still have 20 pounds to go. GOOD LUCK!!!

Shouldn't make a difference.....if PS is going to be covered by insurance it is for medical necessity....period. If it is medically necessary, it IS medically necessary. Medically necessary = rashes for excessive abdominal skin; neck, back, shoulder pain and/or rashes for breast reduction/lift. Make sure you have any of these symptoms documented, even by current insurance and get those records. See your primary doc for any aches & pains caused by your breasts & have them documented as causing continuing problems. See your primary doc for ANY skin rashes caused by excessive skin, even if it can be treated with over-the-counter products. This will make it MUCH easier. Also, make sure you get any medical records showing your weight loss. If you have all these records in your possession, it won't be a hassle when requested to prove medical necessity. Good luck!!!

Luckily, the problems are serious, so the doc says, just look bad....and thankfully they don't hurt. I can't believe how long its taking me to get my energy back!!! I don't know how to post pics on here, or else I'd post some pics of my problems and my scars

Just like getting the band, all our docs are so different! My PS told me I could start light cardio at 4 weeks.....4 more days, I can't wait!!! BUT he said start back light as I feel comfortable, don't over-exert myself, stop if I feel any discomfort, and don't use my arms for anything (because of my breast reduction/lift). SP1587....you might want to look into seeing if insurance will cover any of it. Because of my weight loss & excessive hanging skin, my insurance covered the breast reduction/lift and the panniculectomy (abd skin removal), I got my port changed to a low profile port at the same time, so all I had to pay was for the difference of the panni & TT.

Hi FLORIDAYS, I am one day behind you, surgery on Dec 19....TT/BR/BL (no implants). I didn't read through ALL the posts here, but I am glad you're doing better. I haven't had any problems like yours, but have had a couple problems with my breasts (not quite resolved yet). How is your energy? I am SO tired all the time. I have gone back to work, but I work from home and haven't worked very much & have been working at my own (slow) pace. I am just so tired, no matter how little I do. This recovery is much harder and much longer than I anticipated.

I'm in CA, my PS takes Anthem Blue Cross and my insurance paid for mine.

My band was covered due to my sleep apnea & BMI :-) I have Anthem Blue Cross My breast reduction/lift was covered but they would NOT pay for it if I had elected to have augmentation (implants). I teetered back & forth with paying for the augmentation so I'd have that upper fullness that looks so nice but after praying about it & the more & more I thought about it, seemed weird to get a reduction & then get falsies put in....my point of wanting it is to be smaller & I didn't want to have revisions & more surgeries later. So far I'm happy with my results & a good push up bra should give me plenty upper fullness....I'm still a D (from a G).

I have Anthem Blue Cross & they just paid for my abdominal skin removal (panniculectomy) and my breast reduction/lift after losing 70 pounds. If you have had any rashes (under abdominal fold or under breasts) or skin irritation go to your primary doc & have it medically documented...this will help A LOT, As will complaints of back/neck/shoulder pain from hanging and/or oversized breasts.

Sent hubby out to an adventure at Walmart on Christmas Eve for some milk of magnesia.....so thankful he's been so helpful!!! YUCK!!! Cherry was gross! Hope this works!!!! I REALLY need some relief!

I woke from surgery with mine on. I couldn't imagine not having one! As annoying as it is, I am very uncomfortable with it off and can't wait to put it back on!