Julie norton

Awesome all of us that have stayed with the process for years! I appreciate your kind words????

Well. Just for kicks. I took the pen that the dr marks with....took a last look at my "extra lap" I had carried around for 8 years.... A big handful type of FAT roll... On each side of my belly button I wrote. GOOD. (Other side)RIDDANCE the doc and team liked it ....I'm assuming ....as I heard them laughing right before I went under And indeed. Goodbye to that fat roll. Hello flat stomach????

I ordered the new gel+ online and am happy with it. It is long term. Doc said up to a year. I just wear at night under my binder. How long do veterans wear the binder. I am only 3 wks out from TT. Thanks

For a lot of people, the apprehension and waiting are worse than the procedure... Relax.... You are doing a healthy improvement to your life???? Hope you come thru with flying colors. ????

Wow. Those fill charges seem reasonable. In calif. For self pay, I pay about $250-350 per fill or unfill I usually go once a year now that I am many years out. But it adds up Nonetheless .. Very happy with my decision to change my life over 8 years ago ... Hoping for no surprises down the road????

Flying bothers my pressure(?) in my band. I find more liquids and light on solids for the first day helps. ????Love my band... But at times it can be fickle. Guess I kinda am used to it after all these years Good luck flyers

I like your moderator rules. I chose to stop attending our local group. 35 of us and we couldn't get thru introductions and the 1 and 1/2 hour group was over. The moderator would say we are gonna separate into pre and post surgery groups... Sigh... Never got there. Time management is critical in my opinion... Good luck on your group!

I will respond kar..... You may find a lot of plastics stories on this site... I had a TT w/ plication 2 weeks ago yesterday. After 8 years of being where I need to be weight wise after surgery. I considered it a luxury???? It was not for the faint of heart. But does get way better after about 10 days Haven't seen this flat of a stomach since my 20's. Pre babies. I feel better and my clothes fit well At 60 ... I wasn't looking for sexy???? (My insurance did not cover it)

I find the shapers to help hold in the back bra rolls....I like the under the bra also. The best tip was to put them on from the bottom up Asserts, spanks, kohls brand. had to try on several to get the right fit, but like them

Good luck! One of the hardest things for many is getting the surgery done... I hope you get great results... Your doc might say : Lots of liquids first. Lots if protein when allowed. Lots of exercise (when doc says so too) It was the best decision I ever made and I have a good healthy life!!???? Best wishes and keep posting.

I agree wanna???? Body shapers help a bit with the lumps. Wish they would disappear tho... Also. Those shapers go on from the bottom up. Thanks to a friend for telling me that hint. I have been aware that a new big bra might help. Just haven't done it lately.... Sigh

Sounds like a deal. Come to the California coast!!! I'm going to somewhere outside Boston .. Tanglewood? To see James Taylor July 4 th. With fireworks. Not sure about the venue. Anyone been there? Thanks in advance Jewels

Your meet and greet sounds good @@lisacaron! Too bad 3000+ miles keeps lots of us from meeting our band friends. Hope you have a great turn out!

Rite aid and cvs carries silicone scar gel and pads also. Time will tell

@@tebowfan@michigan chic Thanks for the updates. Hope everyday gets better. I think you are doing very well????. I'm with you on TT pain. The first week is VERY difficult on a lot of us. It DOES Get better by the day for me It is nice to come to a board like this just to get different opinions and reactions to surgeries On to day 12 post op. Using silicone gel scar strips. I like them Wondered if others had luck with them? Thanks all

I'm adding my 2 cents I think COMPLIANCY is a huge issue. . You can find ways to sabotage any WLS if ya try enough. The key to me was to give in and not overthink this process. It will work almost all the time if you follow rules about protein, water, exercise. And self love. That last one took me awhile. I had fought and lost the weight battle so many times. I was successful in lots of other things. Couldn't get a grip on keeping weight off. Till now. I do believe in this process????❤️

So sorry for your loss. You will never " get over it" but I think time does soften the blow. Our loved ones would want us to be happy and healthy ... It just plain HURTS. For me, I have to mourn the life I thought I would have ( hubby died after 5 week illness last may) and there really is no choice for me but to go on.. Everyday. Through good days and sad days, just going through Sending positive thoughts of the fun you had with your sister????

Best luck on your surgery recovery! Personally, the first 7 days post TT Kicked me in the ass. Hard. After that, recovery is progressing much faster.. Way less pain. Getting up is much easier! Let us be honest. It hurt... But meds were very helpful. And rest. Do not overdo! You will pop a stitch or stretch your scar if not compliant ... At 11 days post op, I am now using silicone scar gel pads. They have helped with scar tissue... There is new evidence in studies... Lots of info to google So we learn new things and continue to improve???? Good luck to all considering WLS plastics!

For some of us, a small amount of alcohol goes a long way. 2 drinks has become my personal limit. Often just one before dinner But I love that I get to change my attitude just a bit. Since being widowed last year, I rarely find myself out at night.. But it is a nice treat to be civilized and have a cocktail with a small dinner for me????

Interesting topic Glad to see an open discussion about a very prevalent herb that not only has been around for centuries, but seems to be making legal inroads in the us. Seems like some tolerate it and others are anti .. I would think appetite stimulation is not cohesive with WLS. Others report it is useful at bedtime to sleep I'm not here to judge anyone's preference on how to enjoy life on their own terms ( ok. I will judge how I really dislike methamphetamine and it's culture and poisons used) I Just like open discussions. That is why I like this forum so much

Good job. Being in the one hundred somethings seems like you fit in with most of America. That was comforting to me when I got there ... And it got better!!!????

So glad you got thru the first week. ????I am also recovering from plastics on march 10. Each day was better. All I can say is it is not for sissies. I thought I was strong having 2 large babies. Ha! Different pain. By Monday I hope to be ready for work Tuesday hope your recovery hoes smoothly also. Ps I was thankful for lidocaine pumps for the first 2 days!

I'm chiming in with some other long term bandsters. It has allowed me to go through almost 9 years of my life feeling like I fit in normally. ( whatever that is to each of us) No more worrying about when or what or where food will be be literally freed me from the mental merry go round that spun in my head daily. My life feels simplified and healthy and the gnawing hunger that drove everything is literally gone! It is a very personal choice, but you are embarking down a road that can save your life and give you back health and FUN! I felt too young to just let life wash over me. I hope you are happy with whatever choice you and your dr decide on????

Silicone scar pads were recommended by my doc yesterday. I bought new gel+ silicone pads off the internet and they feel cool and soothing on my 10 day old scar. About14 inches and I hope it fades. A bit pricey. We shall see

I like to read. Others suggestions I've heard are: walk, garden, library, rent DVD series, movie (yikes popcorn) volunteer, .... Often I think our world is so food oriented it is difficult to get away from. We have a hot /cold tub /sauna rental place about an hour away. No food allowed. When I can treat myself, I go there and when I can also throw in a massage.... It is wonderful and feels like I fill myself up with care! Good wishes????