GREATFUL

All I can say EbonyRose is.... You go Girl!!!! Take care all, Laura

Allie, You could be talking about me when you talk about someone who is uncomfortable with advances from other men. Through counseling and self understanding I realised a long time ago that I had put on my weight to protect myself from such advances. Long story....but it involved some inappropriate sexual advance when I was a young girl. So needless to say I have struggled with being uncomfortable with men and any kind of advances from them. Talking with my DH has helped me so much. Just telling him about how I felt, about other men making me feel uncomfortable. He told me that men sometimes just dont think, just because they look, or even say something does not mean that they are ready to jump your bones. They just like to look. I am very lucky to have him, he has helped me feel comfortable in my own skin. I know that I could have never gotten my TT with have this great level of comfort. Have you tried talking to you DH about it. It sure helped me. Take care, Laura

Nazzy, Thanks....I was right at 15lbs from my goal weight before I talked to the PS. He told me that was a good place to start. Good luck, Larua

Nazzy - my total for the TT was $6,175, I think I got one hell of a deal!!! I just love my new flat tummy. Would of been willing to pay much more if I had know just how well it was gonna turn out, LOL. Take care, Laura

Well, slept last night without the binder. Felt funny at first, but did okay. Today wearing just something like spanx, with jeans (very loose fitting). I feel almost 100%. The fatigue has been hitting around 5:30 pm each day, but that is better than earlier in the week when it was around 3:00 pm. So day by day I see imporovement. I want to go to Texas to see my Grandson. He turned one in July, and he is a chunk. My son told me at the last doc visit he weighed 30lbs. So I call my PS yesterday to see when I could lift 30lbs, because I wanna hold him when I go see him. He said not until after I was 8 weeks out. So 4 more weeks to go. Planning a trip to TX the end of Sep. I can't wait, I miss that little bugger. I can see that I still have a small amount of swelling. Still wathching the salt, more so since I am out of the binder. I so want to drop these last 5 lbs. I wanted to do it by the end of this month. We shall see.... hard to do when you cannot exercise much. PS said only a slow walk at this point. Day by day.......... Take care all, Laura

Today is 4 weeks out for me. I get to stop wearing this binder today. YEA, I think....have kinda gotten used to it. Feel supported better with it on. But I am looking forward to going with out it tomorrow, just a spanx. Hey, I have new pictures... don't forget you have to use the password: OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. Take care all, Laura

I wish you were looking in the Nashville TN area, I have the best PS. Good luck with your search. Laura

I am only 4 weeks out from having my TT. My PS was very honest about what I could expect, scarring, stretch marks etc. I have been overjoyed by the results. Just to have a belly button that is cute and you can see is wonderful. I guess what you have to ask yourself is "What are my expectations?" Take care, Laura

Thanks you for your sweet comments. The reason that I guess I wanted to share everything was because, when I was researching and reading, well I was addicted to it. I wanted to know everything, and appreciated it when someone shared what they were going through. I wanted to know what I was going to face. I was the same way when I was thinking about getting the band. I stayed on this site for hours a day, reading, looking and asking questions. I just appreciated it when someone took the time to share. So I told myself that when I decided to have my TT I would share everything. Maybe I could help someone else with the journey like so many people here helped me. So now what you have to do it share yours.... You can start now. Someone out there is where you are, with the same questions, fears and hopes. This place is a wonderful place, I just love it. OH, by the way - GREAT JOB on the weight loss. Not even a year since your band right? and 60lbs lost, you go GIRL!!! It took me 2 years to get the majority of my weight off. HEYand we are almost the same age..... I will be 46 in a few weeks. My TT was my 45th bithday gift to myself, it just took me almost a year to unwrap the present, LOL. Take care, Laura

Mimi - The PS did not relocate my port. He did pull the skin up, and he said he cleaned up around the port, but did not move it. He was extra careful with the tubing. He did make the comment that I would not have as tight an upper abs and someone without the band, he did not stitch the muscles tight there, he did not want to chance kinking the tube. To tell you the truth, I would not have even noticed if he had not told me that. My upper abs look fine to me. Take care, Laura

Mimi - September 25th will be here before you know it. Funny how people are, they just don't understand that you can be doing something for just yourself. The Band, now that was just for me, and my TT also. I feel like it had to be just for me for it to be a success. I had to take all of the responsibility for it if it was just for me. The success or the failure, what ever it is. I cannot believe that tomorrow will be 4 weeks since my TT. I will try to take some new pictures in the morning, but will not be able to post them until later in the day. (cannot do that at work) I will let you know when I have them up. I am so proud of my progress and just love my new flat tummy. Each day is better as far as getting my strength back. I just listen to my body, and when I feel tired, I leave work and I get off my feet. I have been able to make it till around 3:30 pm so far. My boss was a little pissy yesterday when I told him I had to leave, but I told him that I was sure that my surgon would have no problem revising my work release and me taking off for another 3 weeks. He changed his toon. I am a good employee, but I am not a martyr. Take care all, Laura

Hey ALL, OMG, the first day back at work was..... overwhelming. I was so tired by 3 pm. I drove home and went to the couch and layed there until 8 and then took a shower and went to bed. Today will be better, that is what I keep telling myself. Skinny - YEA you have a date. And you are worth it!!! So glad you have the support of your mom. Mimi - The last 10 lbs. Lets talk about that.... I went the the PS when I had 15lbs to go. He said it was not a bad thing to set the surgery up with 10 lbs to go. 1. you get excited when you have a date and it will motivate you to work harder to drop thoses last lbs, it did me. 2. they will be removing some skin, mine was 5lbs. 3. having the ugly skin removed will motivate you, and I have heard that having the belly skin and fat will help to rev up you metabalisim and the last few lbs will come off. So if I were you I would go ahead and do it....but you have to do what is right for you. Sue - no comments on my tummy, there were a few comments that it looked like I had lost a few lbs. But, I did not tell anyone that I was having a TT. They just were told I was have some female surgery. Take care all, back to work, Laura

Well, one more week in the binder. Then I can go into any compressions garmet that I want too. He just like the results better when patients stay in the binder for a month. I am going to be a good girl and do what he says, even if it drives me nuts. Funny thing, on makemeheal forum, the ladies that had surgery the same time as I, all are haveing lots of problems with swelling. I dont know if maybe I am just lucky, or if it is the binder. Most of them went into compression garments after 2 weeks. What do you thing? I went to PS yesterday, and then I had an appointment with the eye doc. I am getting so old.... I have to get glasses. I guess I am lucky to have not had to wear them until now. My wonderful DH reminded me that I am 45.... men can say the sweetest things sometime. I was so tired after all of that running around. Came home and layed on the couch. It will be interesting to see how next week goes. I am going into the office today for a few minutes. A lady that I have worked with for while is leaving, and today is her last day. So, a trial run to work, and then full time Monday. Take care all, Laura

Today is my 3 week appointment. I am heading out the door in a few min. I am hoping I will get to stop wearing this binder and go into a compression garment. Take care all, Laura

chocolate_snaps - Thanks for your sweet comments. You know, when I first went to see the two PS that I did, I was fully prepared for a circumferential lift or at least a fleur-de-lis (anchor cut). The first one wanted to do the fleur-de-lis, because of the amount of skin I had. The PS I used, well, he had that option going in, I was not quite sure what I would wake up with. I was about 90% sure i didnt need one, but he said he wanted that options on the table. I just trusted him. And yes he used stitches, he called them internal stitches, it is like a loop stitch he does where you cannot see them. I had tape on me for a week after surgery. I am VERY, VERY pleased with his work. So if anyone wants to come to TN for their TT, just let me know. I can hook you up with one of the best PS. He is very young and has only been in practice for two years. So not many people know about him. I told him that I was going to be his best advistiser....lol.

Thanks Mimi and Sue. I can't believe it is really me. I am so happy with the results and how I am healing. I do love how my BB turned out. Even my DH says how it really does look natural. It is so nice to have this one, instead of the one I had, troll could have lived in that one. LOL I remember looking at pictures of other people who had already had their TT, and just hoping and dreaming mine would turn out good. I was so glad they had shared their journey and pictures. Now I am glad to be one of them. My PS is an artist, he is so funny, the first appointment with him after the surgery, he took off my bandages and just stood there admiring his work. He is good at what he does. Cathy - Thank you for your nice comments. My port is up high, below my breats bone, to the right. Hard to describe, but I love where it is, you cannot see it, an it is not even a low profile port. Take care all, Laura

Skinny - Yes I am all rested up from Sunday. And I have posted some new pictures taken Monday. (in my new sexy panties, lol ) Thanks about the kind spirit....that was sweet. Password - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. This week is flying by. I guess because I know it is my last one off from work. I find myself each day trying to "get things done" around the house. I have to remind myself that I am not off for that, I am off to recover. We have decided to put our house on the market, and so there is alot of things that need to done, painting, yard work etc. I am not one to just sit...... so having a hard time this week. I keep reminding myself that next week is going to be crazy, once I go back to work. I will have wished that I had taken this time to rest, and recover. So, I sit, watch movies, nap, take short walks, nap, watch some more TV, nap..... But, I am going to Home Depot today to pick out some paint for the bed room. Go back to the PS tomorrow, 3 week appointment. He still has me wearing this binder all of the time. I have only one, it is starting to get ragged. I did wash it once. I am hopeing he will let me go to the compression garmet, it will be better when I go to work next week. But, he is the boss........ I love my results, so I will do what ever he says, he has been right so far. Take care all, Laura

Funny thing about insurance. Yes my insurance would have covered the panni removal. But..... My PS performes his work in a surgery center located on the lower floor of the building where his office is located. In order for the insurance to pay for the panni removal I had to have the surgery done in the hospital. My PS would have gone to the hospital to do the surgery if I wanted him to. His office ran the number for doing with insurance/ and doing it without. And, can you believe it, it was cheaper for me to do it without using the insurance. They were only going to pay for a small portion of the surgery. And well, after you add all of the extra expenses of having the surgery at the hospital, well it more then ate up all of the savings I was getting by using the insurance. So, I didnt use the insurance. Happy sexy panty shopping..... Take care all, Laura

I got up this morning and went to church. DH was leading the singing so we had to stay for both services. Wanted to be there for him in support. So had to get up at 6 AM. Then we had lunch with some friends after, so it was around 2 PM before me got home. OMG, I was wiped out. I went to bed and took a 3 hour nap. I am so very glad that I decided to take 3 weeks off work instead of 2. I realise after today that my body is still healing and needs its reast. So hear is to looking forward to another week at home, and being very thankful that I have a job where I can take 3 weeks off. Take care all, Laura

I do not know. You would just have to check with them. I just wouldnt call it a TT when I talked to them. All TT are considered cosmetic, and not covered by insurance. I would talk to them about skin removal, Pannicelectomy. That is what I talked to my insurance about. GOOD LUCK Laura

Mimi - Like you I was worried about this also. I talked to my PS alot about this. I had heard of a few people who had problmes with their band after having a TT. The tubing had been pulled or kinked during the TT. He had worked on a few other band patients. And actually was very proud of himself, he had developed a way to roll the muscle, working with the tube. I also think it has alot to do with where your port is located. Mine is very high, kinda in the middle of my rib cage to one side. So it only affected the upper muscel tightening. He was very careful about the port when dealing with the skin. If I were you, I would just talke to my PS. Ask him if he has worked with other band patients. Stress to him your concerns. My PS also knew my Band Doc. He said if there were any problems he could call him in. That helped me not to worry as much. You have to trust you PS, that is the biggest thing. And talk to him about your fears. Take care, Laura

Mimi - I dont know if you could call me a cat lover or not. The kitty refrence came from a very funny story, well it is funny then anyway. My mom had to have open heart surgery, and they had to do one of those heart caths. Where they go into your groin area. Well she was one blood thinners and brusied very bad, and they had shaved her privates, and she was on heavy pain meds. Well..... my sister and I were helping her to the bathroom, and well, she said "Look Girls I have a purple Kitty". We almost died laughing..... one of those moments I guess. The week of my surgery I went to Victoria Secrets and bought six pair of sexie panties. I have so enjoyed wearing them, even if it is with my binder on. I have worn them in my pictures. So you need to get you some before surgery so you will have them for you before and after pictures. Yesterday was a funny day. It started out fine, but early on it was like BAM.... I hit a wall. I had no energy and just wanted to lay around. I was checking with with some others that have had this done and they told me that it was common. To have a great day, with lots of enery, where you feel like you can do anything. Then you will have a bad day, just wiped out. Two steps forward and one step back. I think this has tought me that I am not out of the woods yet. And I am still healing, and I need to take it slow and easy. So today is just going to be that. SLOW AND EASY.... I hate it, DH has all of these projects planned. We are putting our house on the market and there is painting and such to be done. But I will behave. One more week off work, I am going to make the most of it. Take care all, Laura

Allie, Fan Club, now that is funny. LOL Was I unfilled for surgery? Well, I talked to my PS and my Band sugeon both about this very thing. I had went in for a fill back in April, and well lets just say, I was tooooo tight. So I had to have a slight unfill. Doc wanted me to wait 6 weeks before he did another fill. So I have not been very tight anyway. So I just stayed that way, and I had no problems. Just to note, and something I did not put in my post above about my diet. I did stay on liquid for the first 2 days after my TT. I did not feel like eating, and wanted to get in the Protein, so I stayed on liquids, with one exception. I did eat low sodium cracker before taking pain meds. I did not have any problems with my band. I just took it real easy the first week. WOW, December.....I was like you, I wanted to do all I could to make this surgery a success. Every time I put something in my mouth I would think "Is this going to help me, or hurt me". My band was loose, and I dropped 10 lbs. That was all because of my mind set about having this TT. You will do great!!! And you will love FLATLAND! I still cant belive I am here, Each morning when I take off my binder it is like unwrapping a present. I get excited to see my flat tummy. I know..... I'm weird. But I think only people like you and I can understand, after you have lived with the "kangaroo pouch" for most of your life, and then it is gone. And you have a belly button that is cute and not one that trolls could live in. And you can look down and see your "kitty" (LOL), without having to lift up flab and look in the mirror. Oh, I could go on and on......but you know what I mean. That is why I love this place. People who know where you are coming from. I will be watching and looking forward to your journey in December. Take care, Laura

WOW - you have done awsome!!! I took of 3 weeks from work. And I highly recommend doing that. PS said some go back at 2 weeks, but it is hard. I have spoke to some who have, and will it is tuff going, you are very tired and achey by the end of the day. I just paid too much for this to mess it up. I was lucky, I had the time to take off. I am so very glad that I dont have to go to work next week. Do I think I could if I had too? YES. But I am so glad that I have another week to rest and recover. I have read that alot of the problem that pleople have after PS is because they have over done it too soon. I do not plan to be one of them. Yes I took vitamines before surgery.....a good friend of mine had breast cancer and had to have reconstrution surgery. She gave me this diet she found, and she swears by it. She had very little brusing, no bleading during surgery, almost no swelling and her scar, well you cant hardly see it. What it is is - 2 weeks before surgery -each day take, One multi Vit, Vit C - 1500 mg eat fresh spinich at two meals Drink at least you 8 glasses of Water 3 days before surgery, same as above but add, increse Protein to 100 grams (I used protein shots, one has 45 grams drank one of them each day) After surgery - Same as above but added, Bromelain - 2000 mg (4 pills per day, take 2 in am on empty stomack and take 2 at bed time). They are big pill, I broke them in two. Increase water intake as much as possible. I don't know if it made a diffrence but I drank "Smart Water" with electrolytes. I like the tast of it. I was able to get down almost 100 oz per day. Be prepared to get up and pee alot, I got up every hour after surgery. My poor DH.... but it flushed everything out and I was supposed to move to keep away blood clots. In addition to all of this, no vit E, no herbs that begin with G (ex. garlic). I don't know it this made a diffrence, but it has made me feel like I have been apart of my healing, and I am a controll freak. LOL Laura

Mimi - Well, before surgery I went on to "Makemeheal.com" and ordered 2 compression garments. A stage one, for the first 2 weeks, and stage two for after that. I should of talke to my PS before I ordered and paid a bunch of money for them. He has me in a binder, and wants me to wear it for a month. I asked him about the compression garment (CG), and he said "Yes, you can wear that, but you have to wear the binder over it". It is hot here.....so I have just worn the binder like he said. I have considered sending the stage one CG back, but tried it on, and well I liked how it fit and felt, so I am keeping it for later. Who know I might want to wear it. And the stage 2, I will wear for sure after the month of the binder.