farmgirl04

56 when I was banded. 57 now, 104 pounds lighter. Below my doctors goal by 8 pounds, and looking to shed probably another 10 as my running gets back into high gear post tummy tuck surgery a month ago. So, yes, it does work!

I saw the story on the today show this morning. Not sure which surgery they would do. Not lap band, cause you still need to make good choices. Whatever they do, shame on insurance company for being so blind!

Just 4 weeks post tummy tuck and already thinking of a breast pick-me-up! It would be glorious, but I do want to look my age (57), so I'll need to think on iy some more!

Biggest issue, by far, are the restrictions! No lifting over 10 pounds for 6 weeks! No exceptions. Think holiday turkey, garbage, laundry, grocery shopping. No pushing heavy carts. Or anything. That has been the worst! Things happen on everyone else's schedule. Or standing in the isle waiting for someone to put dog food in your cart!! Never mind unload the car for you! Much worse than drains!

First drain came out about a week post surgery, it had never produced much. Second came out two and a half weeks after surgery.

First, drains are not associated with banding. I had lost 100 pound, but had a persistent and documented rash. Running has always been my exercise of choice. I don't know it that mattered.

I wrote a wonderful post, then deleted it trying to make one small change! Here we go again. How much was removed. I don't know because I keep forgetting to ask. My stomach is flat! I don't have any skin to wash under, or dry under, or get a rash under! That is what really matters to me. The drains are not pleasant, but then, it is major surgery! There are things that are not pleasant! I had two drains, one in each hip bone area. They are like a bulb on the end of a tube exiting your skin that you squeeze before putting the cap onto in order to maintain a draining pressures. Two or three, or however many times you need to, each day, you pop the top and squeeze the liquid contents into a little plastic beaker to record the amount of fluid draining. No big deal. Really. They are a pain showering, but that is where hanging them from a lanyard around your neck comes in. Removing them sounds a heck of a lot worse than it is. The dr cuts a stitch and pulls it out. I would compair any discomfort to having a fill, if you had lap band. I am still only 4 weeks out, but so glad I did it! Remember, when people like me come here to post it is to get info that maybe docs don't share, or are weird questions, or you just plain want support from people who've gone through it. Again, I'm so happy with my decision!

Yesterday I resolved to not lift anything (!), not even a mug, higher than my shoulder. This made a huge difference in how the drain hole feels! I swear I don't remember doc saying anything other than the ten pound limit, but maybe he did and I missed it. Or maybe it's just me. Anyway, I have step stools everywhere around the house prompting the revelation that I have A LOT of step stools!

Hi Countrygirl, 16 months between lapband and tt. I've been running and couldn't get rid of the rash no matter what, plus at goal for 3 months.

Hi All, I am 4 weeks post surgery tomorrow from a full tummy tuck. The first drain was removed at about ten days because it really wasn't producing anything. Everything was fine for a few days then I rolled over in bed and reached for something on the floor and felt a distinct pop! When I saw my ps about a week later (snow storms delayed an earlier visit) he removed the second, and last, drain. At the time he said the first drain hole looked fine. Well, it's been almost ten days now and the only pain I have of any significance is from that first drain hole!! because of Christmas and new year my next appointment isn't scheduled till the 9th. After being so good in following restrictions it is making me crazy that I might have compromised something by rolling over! I'm not sure if I should call my ps on Monday, or even if there is anything he could do. It does continue to drain very slightly. I feel like there is no support and anything I do re opens it. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hot butterfly, I'll be sure and ask. I don't want an increase just a pick-me-up!

Shiver! I can't imagine pulling it out, and I'm not usually a wimp. You impress me so much! Remember to keep your binder tight, it might help keep the fluid moving down. Keep us informed, we're all thinking of you!

Thanks for all the input! I know which way to go now. Now all I need is to heal from my panni/tummy tuck and get out of the binder and then I'm headed to probably to the Somas near here. Why Soma, it's right near JJill!

I had my first true 'slender' experience at JJill. Absolutely loved it and got unbelievable service. Granted I was the only customer there at the time but when they heard how much I lost they went nuts! They helped me pick flattering clothing that would mix and match, the. They found me every coupon under the sun! It is expensive so I do shop there on sale and with coupons.

I've always just gone to sears, kohls, walmart type stores. I guess I need to up the class a little!

Hi All, I am basically at goal (actually 10 under my original goal), and am having fits finding the right bra. When I get measured and get the size they recommend once I put it on there is so much sag that there is extra fabric on top. My only solution so far has been a bra that is basically a workout style. If I knew where to go for a good fitting I'd do it, but up here they don't know anymore about measuring than I do! I'm thinking of trying a push up style just to solve the issue. Surgery isn't an option because I can't imagine insurance covering that! I'm 57, lost over 100 pounds, and my boobs were working models (three kids). Any suggestions?

Before we knew what insurance would cover my doc said if insurance was paying for the hospital, insurance, ect, the added cost for the above the belly button was minimal (relatively) expensive. Your friend should ask her doc what the cost would be.

Hi All, I know I'm not going to do anything without talking to my doc first, but when where you all given the green light to at least start walking distances (2-3 miles). I can't remember what he said, I think it was week 4, but I may be way off base. I do know he said no sweat inducing exercise for a while. My next appointment isn't till January 9th because his schedule gets so busy during the holidays, otherwise it would have been due right before the new year. Thanks for your input. It is always wonderful. Ps- experiencing 3rd week stomach cramps, seems to be par for the course for what I'm reading.

I'm in Connecticut. Dr. Alex Cech did my surgery. To anyone in the area I would recommend him 100%. Perfect experience in every way!

I just got my last drain out last Thursday evening. My doctor stressed, and stressed again, how important it was to keep the binder on and snug to help deal with any accumulating fluid. He said fluid retention was prevented by both the drain and the compression garment. Maybe you want to snug it up a little, although that sounds like torture also! Good luck, you're very brave. I was more than surprised at how long mine was when it came out. There was over a foot in there!

My dad and I raced sailboats my whole life, once I was out of diapers. He's world class so it took years till I was good enough to be a regular on his big boat. This past spring, during a health crisis at age 97, I decided I wasn't waiting till he was gone to immortalized him on my body. I have an outline of our boat with his initials on the sail. Contrary to my my concern that he might be upset he love to have me show it off to people. My mom just passed away 3 weeks ago. She loved purple martins (birds). I wish I had done it so she could see it, but at least I'll know. That is my vacation plan. And yes , they are addictive!

Hi everyone, I've been so disgusted with how fat the top of my legs had become since taking it easy after surgery. Lamenting how fast they had gone to h*ll without running. Then I realized I simply hadn't seen that part of my legs in years! When I used my hands to cover up what used to be covered by my flab it was a miracle! They looked the same! Between learning that I don't need to wash under my belly and seeing parts of me I haven't seen in years this experience is certainly a learning one, in such a wonderful way,

I agree with Scout 1234 completely. I did take a paperback that I had picked up at a garage sale just to occupy me prior to surgery. It was one that if I lost or left behind I wouldn't miss too much. Anything else, except cell phone, would have been a waste of time because I slept! The one thing I wish I had prior to surgery were plain white cotton tee shirts, not too big. I wear them under the compression band, at first over the bandages, and within a couple of days just the tee shirt. And a lanyard for when you are allowed to shower, which differs drastically from doc to doc. Good luck. Take your pain meds when you need them, don't be brave! I still (3 weeks out) use my Valium in the evenings, especially as I am doing more each day, and my stomach muscles definitely spasm. No surgical pain for at least 7 days now.

Looking Ahead, how are you doing? I'm thinking about you!

Hi all, I'm feeling much better today. I've done some simple things like decide to not make the greens for the table. Just putting away the cups, floral foam, and scratch collecting greens off the to do list helped a lot! I've made the executive decision to make a turkey early on Xmas eve, that way the men in the house can A. Lift it! and B. Eat their own dinner and finally C. I can take some down to my daughter. She, being 38 weeks pregnant has been given 12 hour call on both Xmas eve and Xmas day (not sure they thought that one through) and her husband has decided to go to him families traditional Xmas eve party 2 hours away. I said no way to her coming home to an empty house even if all she's doing is eating and going to sleep, so I'm spending the night there for support and just in case someone decides to be a Christmas baby! Feeling much more relaxed today. I'm trying to decide if I'm up to 7 hours in the car tomorrow to go have some face time with Dad, something that would heal us both! Just not sure I'm up to it, and I know there is no way to talk anyone into driving me! I know he'd understand, and be upset if I jeopardize my health, but he's also 97 and grieving as well. I wish we had transporters!