LittleGirlBlue

Everyone is different and every doctor's work is different I am a long distance runner that also works out. I wasn't really comfortable running until about 5 months out. My doc released me to light exercise at 10 weeks and full exercise at 16 weeks. You will be great just make sure you take your time to heal properly- if something hurts there is a reason.

My plastic surgeon and I agreed on a B cup- I feel like a B cup- especially compared to what I was, C cup bras just fit better. I'm a runner too and nothing gets in the way. So glad I chose not to get implants!

I had a full tummy tuck, flank lipo, and breast lift with reduction- NO IMPLANTS. I am a nice C cup and couldn't be happier- nothing like having the girls be the same size and facing the same way!

Checking in on the December 2011 bandsters... Hope everyone is doing well!

I agree- or at a minimum have someone with you the first week. The pain was nothing I'd expected- I mean I have kids and have passed kidney stones; what could have been worse? This was and no one had REALLY prepared me for it. The muscles were pulled so tight I was hunched over for 4 weeks- I'm 8 months out and still have little feeling on my sides/upper buttocks (at the end of the incisions) and from my scar to my belly button is numb. I am so pleased with the results that if I had to, I'd do it all over again! Oh- and can i just say I really enjoyed wearing a bikini this January when we were on vacation!

Sure I went to a reconstructive plastic surgeon... A surgeon that does plastic surgery but not Hollywood style more focused on medical needs, with a primary focus in mastectomy and breast cancer reconstruction. I had a Full TT, Breast Lift with reduction, (no augmentation as the lift brought me to a nice full, natural looking C cup) and Flank Lipo. Overnight hospital stay, anesthesia and all other expenses for $12,270. Cash payment so a discount was offered. I am more than pleased. My scars are even beautiful- not scraggly and messy.

I live in the Chicago area and drove to Indianapolis, IN to have my plastics done by Dr. Wagner. He's not just a plastic surgeon, he's an artist. I've never been happier and unlike most that have breast surgery my breast are symmetrical and point in the same direction . My tummy tuck scarring is minimal and the lipo he did was done in a way that what fat is left on my body looks natural. No one has a clue I've ever had plastic surgery and that's the way I wanted it- after meeting with 6 docs in the Chicago area and then Dr. Wagner in Indy, I knew the drive to Indy was worth it.

I tried Body by Vi too and was not impressed at all. Just threw four bags and about 30 flavor packets in the compost:(. Also tried the GNC 'Lean' shakes and they were worse.

I've been banded nearly two years. When banded I lived about 2 to 2.5 hours from my LapBand surgeon (he is great by the way, Dr Elli in Chicago). I'm now 3.5 to 4 hours away and have been looking for a LapBand doc closer to my home. I've been completely taken back at the fact that no one, not one LapBand surgeon within 100 miles, is willing to take on an already banded patient. No one will tell me why just a simple "such and such is not currently taking banded patients for fills". I've been very successful with my band and I'm self-pay so someone would be making money- I don't get it. Does anyone know if the brand or licensed LapBand company has a resource to match banded patients with doctors? Any help please... I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere Indiana (30 miles south of South Bend) just hit 12 weeks post op for a TT and would like to get my first refill under fluoroscope with a great local surgeon.

Two weeks post-op. Can't stand up straight yet (PS tells me by week 4). Still quite a bit of swelling around the incision site, upper-inner thighs and pubic area. Pre-surgery weight 128, I'm 5'5". This morning 133.8. Still about 5 lbs. of fluid and etc. Should be able to start running again next Saturday- I cannot wait. Talk about restless legs syndrome!!!

I went to a reconstructive plastic surgeon... A surgeon that does plastic surgery but not Hollywood style more focused on medical needs, with a primary focus in mastectomy and breast cancer reconstructive. I had a Full TT, Breast Lift with reduction, and Flank Lipo. Overnight hospital stay, anesthesia and all other expenses for $12,270. Cash payment so a discount was offered. I am more than pleased. My scars are even beautiful- not scraggly and messy.

Oh- and it's worth the overnight stay. Honest info... I have a vey high pain tolerance and a TT is very painful. Anyone who tells you it isn't is lying.

Sometimes it takes a little searching:). My surgeon is listed as a reconstructive plastic surgeon. He moved my port when he did the tummy tuck and in fact talked my band surgeon into not removing any fluid from my band. I had a anxiety about the no fluid removal and the port being moved by a non-bariatric surgeon but damn he knows what he's doing. He's not a reconstructive surgeon, he's an artist. Just a few more weeks and I will 12 week post-op photos. Full TT with flank lipo, breast lift, with a reduction on one side to create symmetry. I freak out every time I look in the mirror. Is that really me?

Oh goodness- good luck tomorrow! Will be thinking of you.

Something else to think about... I had surgery on December 23, 2011. My pre-op diet started two weeks before that and I couldn't eat anything of substance until the third week of January. While I didn't mind missing all the Holiday food everyone wondered what was wrong with me. I ended up skipping most gatherings to avoid the questions as I am one of those Bandsters that chose not to share with everyone. Only 6 people know.

I had surgery on a Friday afternoon and returned to work 10 days later. Along with the LapBand I had a Hiatal Hernia repair. My doc advised me the recovery would be longer and a bit more painful due to this. Good luck with recovery! Now the Tummy Tuck (with flank lipo and a breast reduction and lift) whoa! I'm almost 5 weeks post op and would still be laying in bed if I'd had the time to take off work. The recovery has been painful and exhausting. My Plastic Surgeon has yet to release me to do any lifting or anything strenuous. He says most patients take a full 6 weeks off work if possible. He was shocked I went back to work after 9 days but agreed as long as I did 99% of my work at my desk. I obliged, well maybe partially. I'd say 65-70% was done behind my desk. I'm too much of a busy body.

Yep- PS told me I'd need to ease into it. No more than two miles each run, if I can handle it the first week. After week 4 he feels I can increase the running, up to possibly 5 miles and progress from there. I found my niche in Marathon running and by Labor Day weekend will running a 15K. Compression 22 hrs a day the first 6 weeks, 12 hours a day (more if possible) up to week 12. I've always ran with compression so won't be changing that much... I know, I know- but I need the support.

Might sound silly but I picked up a "Genie Bra". No underwire .

Really- did I really need to do this? I understand this is a stage of recovery but right now, exactly one week from my full tummy tuck, flank liposuction, breast lift and reduction, I am regretting my decision. The pain is extreme. I want to be at work. I feel like a burden on my family... and I really want to cough. At any rate, I've attached 3 "1 Week" photos. I will post before pics as soon as I can find them;). I had two drains, one was removed yesterday. Pre-op weight was 128. I'm still very swollen and weighed in at 135.4 this morning. Oh happy days!!!

lellow- you are always very helpful! You totally get it! There will be no more body procedures in my future! This was enough. Actually glad it was all done at once, regardless of the pain. In two years I will however be getting that mini facelift.. That is not a body procedure:D.

So... I went back to work today. It's been 1 1/2 weeks since the big surgery. Fortunately I made it through the day without anyone asking why I was walking a bit hunched over. Actually, I have an office job and sit or travel from meeting to meeting all day. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't comfortable- that said there is so much going on at work that trying to get up to speed with issues kept my mind distracted from the pain- until the drive home. I took 1/2 a pain pill when I got home and am currently with my daughter getting a pedicures. Word of advice, even if you are Super Woman (like I think I am). Take at least two full weeks off work if you are having a full tummy tuck, breast lift with reduction and lipo. If you can afford to take three, do it! Aye, aye, aye!!! I really underestimated this procedure!

Thank you's to everyone!!! <3. I was down to 134.2 this morning. The more the bruising fades and the swelling goes down the better I'm feeling. Did have a little mishap overnight. I ripped the stitches out of my 2nd drain and pulled it 1/2 way out in my sleep. I'd collected less than 15cc's of Fluid the past two days. When I called my PS office and told them about it they asked about my pain, redness/irritation, and then how much it had collected since they took the other drain out earlier this week. When I shared the amount my patient liaison immediately said "oh goodness, we expected it to be draining more- at that amount it will cause you more pain in" I measured the tube to assure I'd pulled it all the way out and they told me to watch for infection but if no problems, bring it in with me for my visit Monday. This afternoon I drove to the store, walked around a bit and felt great! Oh and with less bruising and swelling I'm beginning to see a more desirable silhouette what a difference a day can make! xoxoxo- XiolaBlue

But I finally went through with it- full tummy tuck, breast lift (no augmentation) and flank lipo. Thursday was rough, Friday getting there, and today much better. Will certainly need at least 2 more days of

I should also mention... I opted for the breast lift without augmentation because I've never been anywhere close to symmetrical. One breast was a small D the other an average B. I've waited a very long time for symmetry. Took my bandages off this morning and I couldn't be happier with my girls! A very peppy size B and no worrying about maintaining implants.