Violet953

Hi everyone...I had my surgery on February 8th and haven't really lost much weight since. I've been loosing inches because I still exercise but not really any weight. I just had my first fill a few days ago...and they told me that I won't feel restriction until my 3rd or 4th fill...so this means that I have to wait another 3 or 4 months? They do a fill every month...it just seems like that's soooooo far away.

I have no restriction yet. And trust me I know that I need to wait it out and see how it goes like everybody tells me...which I am prepared for...but it just doesn't seem right that I have to wait this long for restriction..does it?

I lost 30 pounds before surgery walking away the pounds! Look Insanity up...its from the guy who did Hip Hop Abs...Shaun T. Its really brutal but they say you will loose a lot in 60 days!

I didn't like Zumba for that reason...it was wayyy too fast and I couldn't keep up! Plus I didn't understand the moves...but I also can't dance...so it really just wasn't for me. I do Walk away the pounds mostly but have been switching it up so that my muscles don't get used to the same moves over and over..and now that its so nice out I've been walking outside and I'm going to today with weights. Last night I tried Insanity...LMAO! Have any of you tried that? Now its just crazy..but I did my best and I'm really thinking about sticking with it...the more I do the better I'll get!

Holy Crap what a difference!!!!! You look amazing girl!! Congrats!

Hey hunny...Idk if I've told you this before but I drink Danactive everyday. I have been for a few weeks now and it helps me go. It's been doing wonders for me and I think it tastes amazing...I just get the vanilla flavor but there's a couple more. I forgot to take it one day..and I definitely noticed because I had to struggle to go! Got back on track and have been fine ever since!

Hang in there I know how you feel and its just awful.

If I were you I'd be asking them why nobody called you to let you know about the appointment...that's not right! The lady that took care of everything for me always called and told me of my appointments and was very on top of things. Every place is different but still I would say something and ask them to please make sure that they call you for everything from now on.

Yeah it sounds like you should just get that fixed and get yourself some fills! At least you lost some weight..that's what I would do before having another surgery.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/143124-straws/page__fromsearch__1

Thanks guys. I called today and found out that it probably will be covered, it's just a big huge process. I found a pump from Lympha Press and they had me call one of their retailers and this lady who told me she had just started there helped me with everything...she was really nice and said it takes about 4-6 weeks

I soooo don't wanna wait! I need this now, not a month from now. So I'm thinking of maybe going to the hospital and having them put them on me for a while so I can get some relief.

All the paperwork is being sent to my doctor and to help speed the process I made an appointment to see her on Wednesday ...so when I go she will be able to write me a script for the pump and sign all the paperwork for me. Then it gets sent back to that lady and she will send it to my insurance...then I have to wait. Sweet!

Cheri found it for me ..it was the compression pump. I'm pretty sure that's what they put on me too during surgery.

Okay yeah I'd love to hear how she dealt with hers...

SHiki have you been to a lymphodema clinic? I just looked one up and I'm gonna call them as soon as they open. All I want to do is go there and get relief. I am praying they will have an opening for me.

Thanks Cheri. The one lady who I called that has the pumps said my insurance doesn't cover it...so who knows if it will cover these. I honestly feel that when I call the doctor I'm gonna burst into tears because I can't take this anymore. I felt SO GOOD after surgery and as soon as I was back on my feet they blew up again!

Wow Shiki thank you..that is terrible...I have seen some awful cases of it and I just feel so bad for everybody who has this...its SO bad! I too hide my legs...have had to for about 3 years now...its so embarrassing. I do not have any boils but my skin looks a bit rough at times...I put lotion on from time to time and it helps with that. Yours sounds just awful! I can only imagine what you go through..I have heard about draining the Fluid and that its a painful process...but I don't think I need to go that far. Sounds like you did that on your own!

Yes! Thank you:) I'm looking up all kinds of stuff right now too and didn't see that..lol

Elcee I have compression stockings, I get 4 pairs a month that the insurance covers that cost over $70 a PAIR! But I'm talking about the things they put on your legs that they plugged in, it was like a personal massage on my legs. Helped with the circulation flow. Is that what you mean...do they sell those?

And Cheri, that's what I'm really hoping for. I want it to go away so badly. I didn't have this when I weighed a lot less so I don't think I will once I loose the weight.

My ankles look unhuman. I was diagnosed with Lymphodema a couple of years ago and I can't stand it...all they did was prescribe me compression stockings...which worked at first and they went down significantly...but now they aren't working as much even though I wear them every single day and sometimes at night!

I looked up people with this disease on google images and saw some really awful stuff...people with wayyy worse cases then mine...So I can only imagine how much pain they are in...because I am hurting! And not to mention this extra Water weight I want GONE.

Just to let you know what I'm dealing with here...I'm going to measure them to let you know how huge they are right now. This is after being on my feet for 9 hours, too.

My left ankle is the worst one and is 18 inches...the right is 17 inches. Its disgusting! They really should be about 12 inches or less to give you an idea of how much bigger they are.

Now, when I had surgery, I'm sure many of you also had those compression things on your legs to help with your circulation...well these were awesome for me...it was like a treatment because up until the week after surgery they were beautiful, completely un-swollen! And I lost 12 pounds from it! Once I was back on my feet, and my ankles blew back up again, I gained it right back. It was really upsetting.

The doctor also told me that I should be prepared because even after I loose all of the weight, I may still have this condition...but they say that a lot..for my sleep apnea too.

I really hope not...but I am going to call my doctor first thing tomorrow morning because I can't take this anymore I want those things that they put on me at surgery! What were those called? I called this one place who had something similar and they didn't take my insurance...I have Medicaid.

So does anybody have this condition and Medicaid? I need to know what I can get covered for this ..I looked it up online too and I'm finding all kinds of stuff but who knows if they take my insurance. It looks pricey. I also would love massage therapy for it. Ugh I can't wait to talk to my doctor about this!

I decided to take a couple of pictures to show you what it looks like. HERE GOES: 

God I look like my legs are stubs amputated off my feet!

Wow look at you! You are doing so great girl! You must be so happy. I'm doing great too except for the fact that my ankles are driving me NUTS. I have Lymphodema. Do you have it/know anyone who has it? My ankles are huge and its starting to cause me even more pain...

But anyway congrats...keep loosin it!!

I definitely agree to disagree! That's for sure! I have a right to rant if I want to...just like everybody else on here..just like Hummingbird has her opinions...

And one more thing, Cheri...I'm not "pushing my beliefs" on anyone..I'm simply speaking to anyone who wants to listen..Is that okay? Isn't that what people do all day long on this forum?

Like I've already said in another post...People will do what they want to do..

How dare all of you tell me to "shut my pie hole" I didn't have much more to say anyway but if I did, I'm allowed to say it! I never told anyone to shut up- just because I didn't like what they have to say...if you don't like what you are reading...stop reading it!

And Hummingbird, I apologize for letting this get out of hand. I admit I was rude to you and shouldn't have been...it is great that you lost the weight. Congratulations on your weight loss.

Who do I think I am? Hmm Lets see...I think I am an overweight woman who is trying to take a new lease on life and do things right for a change...and I think I should try to get people to do it the RIGHT way...not the wrong way...so whoever reads this...please think about whats right and whats healthy.

And they are excuses! I see people make excuses all day long in my own personal life and in here! And yeah its not my concern about how you lost your weight! You are the one who shared it with me though!

No actually I'm just using common sense and everything I learned from this forum & my surgeon! Are you really trying to argue that exercise is not beneficial? That its just "optional"? Its people like you on here who give false hope to the newcomers. There is no way I'd be able to loose the weight without exercising- and I wouldn't want to! Most of us here have to struggle every day! To make people think that you can just breeze through this is ridiculous!

Well, lucky you! You lost the weight in a very unhealthy way by not exercising..and didn't listen to what your doctor told you. That is not reality for most of us here...so the fact that you lost all the weight is your case..not everybody elses...I for sure don't want to loose my muscle ...I want my body to be strong and healthy..but ppl are gonna do what they want...that's what I have to come to realize...and its sad.

Exercise does nothing for loose skin that's already established yeah...but I know for a fact that it helps prevent it...from more than one person on here! Sure it doesn't work for everybody...but it definitely helps ..and makes you stronger and healthier!

G75funk- GIRL! Why wouldn't you want to be on the billboard??? lol...that is so cool!!!! That's when you KNOW you did an amazing job! You listened to your surgeon and ate less AND worked out! Who knew? It worked without getting loose skin? Gee wow, never thought that would happen! And if you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic...

I didn't use a straw at first...from what I heard here about not doing it! But to be honest I don't even remember my doctor telling me not to...or the dietitian...The only time I do drink out of one is when I get an iced coffee...and that isn't every day. And I definitely don't drink carbonated beverages. But I do take my time and drink slowly ..because I always have even before the band..and I have not had any problems at all with it.

So hummingbird how much loose skin do you have?

Hey...what can I say...I was pretty annoyed when I made this post and while I have cooled down...I still pretty much feel the same way...I don't want to do this the unhealthy way...I want to do it the healthy way. I want to be active and toned not only for my body...but for my mind. I went into this wanting to change my lifestyle- that means not only eating less, but getting off my butt and working out everyday. How can I make a lifestyle change if I'm still sitting on the couch all day? I really do think you need both for more ways than one.

And Kartman is very right...your body is designed to MOVE...it is SO unhealthy to just waste away your muscles with no exercise and fast weight loss...and no muscle is what causes loose skin!!!!!!