JosieK

Hi Karen, I actually live in eagle lake now which is about 40 miles west of Katy. I come into Katy and Houston 2-3 times a week. I'm free during the days... Nights are a bit tough. Let me know what works for you.... Josie

Glad to hear you're doing well Jill. Keep us posted......

CVS has their own brand of liquid 1"Tylenol" which is adult strength. I compared it to the Tylenol adult liquid before it was taken off the market and it's the same ingredient/strength

Absolutely will keep you posted.... My eyes are getting better each day. Question: I'm 2 weeks and 1 day out from the brachiolasty. I wake up fine. Then at 3:00 in the afternoon my arms start really hurting. I don't take the pain meds unless the Tylenol doesn't work. I feel like the first week my arms didn't hurt as much. Could be because I was taking meds more regularly back then. I feel like I'm expecting too much too early. When I had my TT/breast lift I was in a recliner for a month but that was definitely the "big kahoona" compared to this one.... Anyway was just wondering... Thanks Josie

Thanks for the feedback girls... Vanilla: re: eyelids.. To be honest I'm not sure I'm happy I did these. My left eye is still swollen and won't close all the way. I know I'm only 2 weeks out so it's still getting better. I think I may have jumped the gun doing this. I probably didn't need it yet. Also if I could do it over.... I would go to someone that specializes in the face. I'm realizing body plastics and face are way different. At one point I told my husband to call me Paris Hilton. Not sure if you ever watch south park but they did a whole spoof on her and her messed up eye. Lol! Thanks again for compression info..... Josie

Hi Karen, you look wonderful. I did my tt and breast lift 2 years ago and I also feel it changed my life. I just did brachioplasty 12 days ago.... Now I'm done. But I like these results too. But like you my stomach was the bigger issue and I wanted that taken care. Take care, Josie

hi everyone, thanks for the well wishes.... it definitely was easier then the TT and breast lift. Coloradobanding...i paid 5500 for the brachioplasty. i went to the same doctor that did my TT/breast lift. my arms are still a bit swollen but i love the results already. my arms made me look fat even when i was under goal weight. since i was under anesthesia anyway... i had my top eyelid lifted and something called pearl fraxel for my face (some lazer thing). that was a pain in the butt but i'm loving the results. i have to say i'm done with elective surgery. i can see how this can be addictive. now i'm going to continue to work on conquering the head-hunger part and accepting me as i am... i think that is what this journey is ultimately about for me. vanillasky + betheboo... how long did you leave the compression garments on? my arms actually feel better with them on.... my doctor said the longer the better altho' 2 weeks is the least amount he recommends. hey sue...how are you? i'm recognizing less and less people on LBT. thanks josie

Hi, Like Jachut said, I think it will depend on your body. The Dr. gave me guidance when I went for my operation. i had a TT and breast lift. He did lipo on the sides of my thighs. i will say... post op... the lipo hurt. it was a weird feeling...like a burning. it wasnt constant pain.... came and went for weeks. I am having my arms done in 4 weeks and will do a little lipo there too and i'm not looking forward to it. But it does make the appearance better. Good luck in whatever you decide Josie

hey tammyj, please keep updating us. i like you am happy i was banded. i am totally unfilled for the past 1 1/2 years and still have restriction. i've learned to live with it. i'm just hoping it doesnt slip. but like you...i really love my life without that extra 100 lbs on me. i'm doing better with my head hunger.... it is a one day at a time commitment. so keep us posted and i'm praying for your journey in the next few weeks.. josie

Best of Luck..... the one thing i learned in my journey is....we have to work with the band to lose weight. The band itself will not make us lose the weight. I had the same concerns before I was banded and decided to follow the people that went ahead of me that were working a healthy program. On the other side there were some that did not lose weight and continually talked about dairy queen, margarita's, etc. Of course i had ups and downs... but i keep getting up and brushing myself off and get back on track. Some things that helped me... 1. journal what i was eating. too many times i was under estimating what i was putting in my mouth. also needed to make sure i was eating enough Protein. many great sites available. i used netdiary.com. but others are: fitday.com, (cant think of the other one i used) 2. stopped weighing myself daily as i would react poorly to whatever number came up. i weighed 1X a month and measured myself 1X a month. 3. exercised. weights and aerobics 4. used lapbandtalk.com for information. i didnt get into negative conversations as sometimes happens on this site. everyone has a right to their opinions. i can only share my experience and follow others that make sense to me. 5. did writings in a journals on feelngs, NSV's etc. best feeling was when i fit in an airline seat without an extra belt. or when i first saw collar bones. 6. drink lots of Water. at least 1 gallon a day. someone once said....nothing tastes as good as thin feels.... anyway wishing you all the best.... and if any help needed...please dont hesitate to ask. josie

Hi, I had a TT and BreastLift with Dr Adam in Webster, Texas May 2009. He was amazing and I love the results. In fact, I'm having my arms done with him end May. PM me if you want more info. Best of Luck

Hi Tammy, i know...i cant believe it is 5 years since being banded. My life is completely different from then. I've kept the weight off that I lost. It's a daily commitment. I'm really working on head hunger.... exercise is the key for me to stay on track. i'm addicted to sugar. But keep on keepin' on. And life is so good without all of the weight i carried around before the band. I'm sorry about your band slipping. My doctor actually moved back to Israel so i dont even know who i would go to if i were to have an issue. Anyway...good luck ... josie

hi, I am just starting my journey to undergo brachioplasty (this word sounds like a nosejob ro me lol!). Yesterday I went to see my PS that did my TT and breastlift. I asked him to look at my thighs and arms. No go for thighs. He said they are fine as is...He also felt my arms would look ok if I worked out. But i hate my batwings and i LOVE the way he did my first surgery. The scars are barely noticeable for my TT/Breastlift. So of course i want to get it done today. But we have quite a few trips planned this summer plus my stepdaughter is getting married in September. So my plan is to do it after the wedding. The Dr said he did my breastlift in a way that he can do the arms and also take some of the back skin away. So it's like a "gift with purchase" ha! I'm liking what i see on this forum in terms of the scar healing. Sueham....i'm right behind you on this one.......I'll keep everyone posted when i take my next steps....Josieioplasty

hi Becca, i know the feeling. i saved a skirt from 1978 that was supposed to be my inspiration to lose weight (which it never did). When i lost the weight i tried it on...and it was too big. So I treated myself to a new one... I feel your pain...but nothing feels like getting skinny... best of luck!

hi zeniada, things that affect me and tighten my band morning, exercise, flying, stress, if i PB it tightens, i generally switch to Protein shakes till it passes. i dont have any fill right now and i'm still get tight in the above situations. it's just a matter of managing through these episodes for me good luck josie

ha... i like apples suggestion of walking through a hardware store perplexed.....very creative!

Hi Mary, After being banded and losing my weight, i actually met my now husband on Match.com. i have t say i did have to go through a few frogs before i got him but it was well worth it. but i also met some guys through activities. i started cycling and went to the gym quite a bit.... so maybe try a combination of avenues. i think it is a numbers game...the more you put yourself out there....the more likely you have a chance to meet a great guy. but one suggestion... have fun with it. at first i took it too seriously and had my heart stomped on. then someone made that suggestion to me....and that's when i met Sam. and it didnt take too long for the entire process. i lost my weight in 10 months. and then started dating. we were married this past October. i couldnt have done it without losing the weight. i did not feel good about myself and it came across as such. best of luck..... josie

hi wheezygirl one thing i've learned is 85% of my weight loss came from eating properly. i didnt believe it even though when i was 270 lbs i exercised 2 hrs daily and never lost a lb. i was taking in too many calories at the time. so when i was banded, i journalled my food every day so i was honest with what i was eating. before journalling, little licks and bites added to alot and i never thought i was eating that much. wow...reality set in and i was able to make adjustments. having said that...exercise has helped me shape my body and tone. it also makes me feel great. when i exercise in any given day, i am less likely to eat junk since i think to myslef "why did you go bust your butt to eat junk" a few years ago i had a great trainer and he felt walking was the best exercise if you can get your heart rate up. i really dislike walking so i dont do it but i trust his advice. i prefer kickboxing, cycling and weight training. good luck on your journey. it is well worth it josie

hi, definitely doable....i'm down 110 lbs. in 1 year. i worked hard to accomplish this. before i was banded i noticed some people that were banded for a few years that hadnt lost weight. they talked about dairy queen visits, margueritas, candy/junketc. this scared me. i thought am i getting an operation only to stay heavy? then i saw another group that ate healthy, tracked their food, exercised, etc. They were successful with their program. i decided to follow this group. when i "fell off the wagon" i picked myself up and worked to get back on track. i'm not saying this to brag. merely to explain my process. one thing i've noticed is lapbanders tend to keep weight off over the people i know that have had gastric bypass. reason being we need to develop skills to lose weight (such as writing food down , exercising, journalling). on the the hand...bypass patients lose weight from the operation itself. anyone i know that has had that operation has gained all back and some. this is just my experience.....not scientific by any means.... josie

hi mrs husker, Thank you for starting this up. Yes it seems like when the years pass...the new breed crops up in LBT. I'm sad i dont really know anyone on LBT anymore. i think the last change they made really turned alot of people off. i too dont feel like taking time to learn the new system. they changed it too many times. i use the other website called "Band2gether". it's much easier to navigate. i am 10 lbs away from goal. i go up/down with 20 lbs. the head hunger part is the hardest part these days. i recently started attending OA-How here in texas. it is REALLY helping my head hunger. i'm abstinent 11 days (no sugar/no flour/3 meals a day...no in between) i recently got married...another gift i've received since being banded. my band doctor wants me to go for an xray. i am totally unfilled and have trouble eating. not alot...but since it is unfilled...i should be able to eat anything i want. i'm putting this off thill i get these last 10 lbs off... i will definitely check in next month. i cant believe it has been 4 years since we were banded. glad you have your chemo behind you. sounds like you are getting back on your feet. josie

Hi I was 10 lbs below the target weight. my doctor asked me to add 10 lbs. i recommend waiting till getting to goal weight to get the optimum results on the plastic surgery. i felt if i still had 20-30 lbs to lose...when and if i did lose the weight...i would have extra skin again or it would be loose. the surgery was way too $$ and it was a major operation to do again. i actually put weight on after my surgery. (i have since taken all but 7 lbs off.) also as was said in a previous post...it isnt a way to lose weight....my skin taken off was only 4 lbs and it did not translate into actual weight loss. My TT and boobs are still tight i think because i waited till i was down to my goal weight. good luck in whatever you decide. josie

Hi SVM, I had a TT and boob lift at 51. i am now 53. the results are better then i ever thought they would be. i also had a little bit of liposuction on my thighs and he took some fat and injected it in my booty. the main reason i did it was to remove the belly skin. i worked out like crazy beforehand the try to avoid the PS. but the exercise could only help so much. the TT is great. my belly is flat. the doctor did tighten my stomach muscles so if i gain 5 lbs....i feel it. it is a GREAT reminder to slow down. my favorite part is the boob lift. they are perkey once again. the lipo hurt alot and i dont think i would do it again. i dont think it's worth it. no matter how old you are (or young) they cannot reduce the skin in that area. plus they can only take out a limited amount. my doctor only did it to sculpt the sides of my thighs. i love the booty injection as it rounded out my butt. But i will tell you i continue to exercise to keep the surgery looking tip top shape. good luck in whatever you do. sueham...looking great! josie

hi, i didnt lose any pant size but like others said...my pants fit better. i think to lose a pant size one would've had to lose alot of weight and have alot of skin. my doctor took off about 5 lbs of skin for me but i LOVE my flat tummy and my lifted boobs... josie

Good luck Sun Rae. this was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made...I hope it is the same for you. see you on the other side in "band-land" josie

hi, I was at my goal weight for my TT and breast lift. i am glad i waited as i also wanted to do it halfway down to my final weight. the muscle tightening is very important. I didnt even know they did this till after the operation. if i put on 5 lbs...i feel it. and it helps me to get back to track. my stomach is nice and flat. i think if i did it earlier...i might have to do it again... josie