GREATFUL

Hello Everyone, I want to have a TT and maybe breast implants. My tummy is awful, big lip thing hanging down. And my breast, well are no that bad, so I may or may not have something done to fill them out. I am just at the beginning of this journey. I have appreciated all of the post from everyone here. I have been lurking here, made a few post, but mostly just soaking up all of the info. I just love all of the candid stories and sharing from all of you who has gone before. I am hoping that I will be able to get this done this year, but that may be unrealistic, so it will more that likely be 8 – 10 months before it happens. But, I have made up my mind… It will happen. I know the new me that I have been working so hard to find is lurking under all of this flabby loose skin, I am so ready to have her revealed. I have contacted my insurance, they will cover a panniculectomy, subject to it being medically necessary, recommended by a doctor, and the person I talked to repeated twice, “That is has nothing to do with weight loss”. So…I was a little confused. She explained that I could not get it just too loose weight. I have a bad rash, my lower back hurts when I walk or try to exercise. So, I went to the Dermatologist, she confirmed the rash gave me a prescription for cream and powder. She said that she would recommend that I have a panniculectomy. She is going to fax the precertification to my insurance. She said she would be sure not to say anything about weight loss in her recommendation. Then I can go to a plastic surgeon, as long as he is in my network. I have found two that I would like to check out. I am also going to a chiropractor for the lower back pain. SO here is to holding my breath and hoping. This reminds me so much of what I went through when I started the fight to get my band paid for by my insurance. It has been good for me, remembering how bad I wanted this chance to loose weight and be healthy. I still have a few pounds to get off, so this has helped me to get refocused. If they will pay for the panniculectomy it sure will help, I want a TT most of all and I am fully aware I will have to pay for that. If anyone has any additional advice I sure could use it. Anyone else who has gotten there insurance to pay for a portion or ALL of the cost associated with a panniculectomy/TT. Thanks again everyone for sharing the details of your own personal journeys. I will do that same as mine unfolds. I hope that it will help someone as much as each and everyone of yours have helped me. Take care, Laura

I live outside of Murfreesbor and Dr. Eckels did my surgery also. Laura

Steph, I have been lurking here for some time and just wanted to pipe in and say "Thanks" for sharing your journey. I still have a few more pounds to go, but plan to have a TT in the next year. Reading what all of you have shared I feel like I am much better prepared. Thanks again. Laura

Karey, You have a very good point there. I wonder if it did happen while you were having your surgery? very interesting....... Just take care of yourself. Laura

Karey, One of my favorites was: Surgar Free Cho. Puddin mix - about 1/2 package One scoop Protein powder (vanilla) Once cup ff or skim milk I just would use one of my drink shakers, it would be thick like a milk shake, sure was good. Of course the longer you let it set it turns to pudding, so I would make mine with a little more milk. Laura

KAREY, OMG I am so sorry you had to go through all of this. I was gone over the weekend, and came back on here to see what was up. I am glad you are on the mend. Take care of yourself. This has beena eye opener for me. I was to tight a few months back and had to have a unfill and stay that way for over a month due to reflux problems. My surgeon was very adament that I never be over-filler again. I was a little upset with him at the time, but as I have learned more about what can happen I consider myself lucky. My surgeon has the band himself. So that helps, he understand what a fill is like, what a PB feels like, etc. Karey, just take care of yourself. The weight will come off, but you need to be healthy most of all. Laura

McGreen -Laura- yea for losing 5 lbs!!! I travel extensively and am sympathetic to you- how are you handling the eating while you travel? I find resturants to be much harder- so many tempting dishes! keep up the great work! Well I guess that I am lucky in some ways, I do have a small apartment that I stay in when away from home. So I am able to shop at the grocery store, fix my food at night and carry my lunch to work. That has been the only thing that has saved me. If I had to eat out all of the time it would be bad, bad, bad. I pack my lunch and Snacks each morning, plan out what I am going to eat. I have a hard fast rule, "If it is not in my lunch bag, I cannot eat it!". What has gotten me the most is how people at work try to make you eat, "Oh, we have donuts in the break room, or cookies" etc. I have just told them that I am a border line diabetic (was true before my band) and that has helped stop the offers of food. Laura

Well I can't believe it..... I am down 5 lbs..... The past few week have been a time to be refocused. Thanks for the thread, it is what got me jump-started. Becky - I checked into that book, Strong Women Stay Young, I ordered it from Amazon. It sound very interesting. I have entered a training program with my job, I have to be away from home during the week. Has made it hard to keep a consistant workout program. But this book makes it sound like it can be done. Walking and free weights. But if I am really honest with myself, the being away from home has just been a "Excuse" not to workout. So here is to no more excuses. Take care all, Laura

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I thing you are FABALOUS! You have come such a long way. You are a STAR, a bright shining one for all of us here who need to be inspired by your light. Hope you were able to get that un-fill. Laura

Thank you Dr. Schulman for responding. One more question. Is it too early to start contacting, consulting etc. with surgeons now? It will be at least 6 months before I will be able to have the TT. (saving up to pay cash, also seeing what insurance will or will not cover) I guess I am just eager to have the consultation to see what the cost is going to be. Thanks again, Laura

Dr. Schulman - first I want to say "THANKS" for the great info. I am still about 6 month to a year away from having PS (TT). I want to inform myself as much as possible before selecting a Surgeon. Any suggestions on how to began the search? I am in Tennessee, aroung the Nashville area. Wish you were here........... Thanks, Laura

I saw that on TV also. They were saying that the "Fit Flops" does not really work you out more, they are just comfortable and you feel like walking longer. What I have are MBT shoes. So far I love them. Here is the site for them. MBT :: IDEA Laura

Hey everyone. Well I love the new MBT walking shoes. The work out is intensified, or seems to be. I sure feel it in my hiney. I injured my knee some years ago, walking on pavement has been uncomfortable and caused me some pain. With these shoes have had no pain to speak of, except for the muscles I am working out, but that is all good. I even ran for about five min and enjoyed it. WOW, who is this person? Take care all, Laura

Thanks Karey.... I would love and need to be a part of this. I am having such a hard time with this last bit of weight. I had to be unfilled and stayed that way for over a month, due to reflux issues. I tried so hard to stay on plan, but I still gained 5 lbs. I have now had a small fill and back on track. Has anyone heard of MBT shoes. I had read about them and thought they were neat. Well there was a store here going out of business, so I got them 1/2 off. OMG I love them. The souls are in a U share, kinda like a rocking chair. Takes all of the pressure and strain off your knees and hips when you walk, plus they make you work your core and other muscles. So, I have started walking at least 30/45 min in the AM and doing weights in the PM. Good Luck All Laura

I just want to pipe in here and say "GOOD LUCK". I right there with you on the last 20 to go. It is hard. Keep up the good fight. Laura

Salsa, I have been lurking here for a bit. Just wanted to pipe in and say "Happy Birthday". You are such an inspiration to all of us. Just wanted to tell you GOOD LUCK with the PS. Look forward to seeing the pic. I will be having my own PS jurnery, just want to get rid of these last few pounds. Thanks to all of you who have shared your experience, it helps us coming behind you. Laura

I did not tell anyone at work, I am so glad I made that decision to keep it to myself. Told DH and a friend. Just remeber, once you tell you cannot "Untell" and people tend to talk, and it will be told to others. It is a personal choice that you have to make. Some have told everyone, they say it helps to have the support. I just did not want the ever prying eyes on me and watching me every time I took a bite of food etc. I has to be up to you, you will be the one that has to live with it either way. Good Luck Laura

BBK - I have been lurking here for some time. Following your journey, inspired by your progress. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting as you have. The good, bad and the ugly is alway good to know when you are looking to have something like PS. I hope that the problems you have been having get better. Again, thanks, and hope it gets better. Laura Future Flatlander wannabe

Thinking about you two...... sending out good vibes ************* Can't wait to hear how things are going. Laura

Good luck to you both. I am looking to get PS in the future, enjoy and look forward to all of your post about you journey. Thanks for sharing, it helps us who are coming behind you. Laura

My overall experience with the Murfreesboro Surgical Clinic has been great. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I have had 4 fills and one unfill in the past year. I will be going back in a few weeks to get refilled. I can tell I need another fill when I get hungry less than 4 hours between meals and the amount I eat is over one cup. Dr. Eckles did my fills and I have not had any under fluro as of yet. He makes you drink Water as he fills you to see how much you need. My surgery and fills are covered by my insurance. I think my surgery was around $16k, had to have a hernia repaired also. I think fills are around $250 but could be wrong. I would just call their office and talk to them, ask for Angela, she is the best. Thanks, Laura

Hello, I live in Murfreesboro, I was banded by Dr. Eckles, Dr. Westmorelands partner. I have never been filled by Dr. Westmoreland, but I hear he is great. Now , Dr. Eckles is wonderful if you want to consider him. And on a side note, Dr. Eckles has the band himself, so he knows what it feels like to have a fill, restriction etc. I am very pleased with him. Laura

Hey Karen, How are you Girl? I will be out of town and unable to go this month. Boy I sure do miss the meetings.

It is funny, but I have to play tricks on myself. I hate exercising. I have joined a gym on the way home from work. Because if I go home I will not work out. And I bring my workout clothes to work with me and change before I leave to office. Because if I do not I will talk myself out of it and go home. And, I tell myself I only have to go for five minutes. No matter what I only have to stay for at least five minutes. I get there and start on the tredmill and the next thing I know it I have been there for over an hour. Funny how you have to play games with the innter "fat kid" inside of you. But like the others are say, JUST DO IT!!! Laura

Hello my name is Laura, and I am an Ice Cream addict also. It is very bad when it comes to that wonderful creamy easy to eat sweet cold treat. I just cannot have it in the house. I am a stress eater, like comfort food. Ice Cream is the one thing I can eat alot of, so it works as a food fix for me. I can sit in front of the TV with a 1/2 gallon and spoon in hand and just veg out. It was not working for me, I did not let someone cut me open and mess with my insides just to be slower at eating ice cream. I got the band to change my life....... one time I was standing in front of the Ice Cream at the grocery store, I called my husband and asked him to talk me out of the store, about why I do not want to eat that stuff. So Girl you are not alone, I feel your pain. I have taken up knitting, you cant eat ice cream with a knitting needle in each hand. Laura