angelnurse

New Pics of me at 155 pounds.

As of right now, Dr. Bright and Dr. Rawlins only do gastric bypass, they're getting a Band doctor in Sept, I think his name is Dr. Spitz. Dr. Rawlins will be doing the bands with Dr. Spitz.

Inamed actually has 4 sizes of bands. First generation: 2 sizes, 9.75 and 10.0, which both have a 4cc balloon, the inflatable area isn't circumferential (all the way around) the band. Second generation: VG (VanGard), which has a 10cc balloon and the inflatable area is 340 degrees around. Third generation: AP (Advanced Placement) which has a 10-14cc balloon and the inflatable area is a full 360 degrees around. Your doctor usually chooses the band on these 5 factors: gender, BMI, height, intraoperative evaluation and stomach fat. Hope this helps.

As a Nurse, I wouldn't suggest partaking of the bread until you are able to eat solid food. The first 6 weeks after surgery you are healing and the band is "settling". I was on liquids for 3 weeks, so abstained for those 3 weeks, then when started on soft food able to take a small piece and chew it very well. This is just my opinion as a Nurse and experienced bandster, so you can do whatever you want.:biggrin2:

Karey, So sorry to hear about your band but it sounds like they got it fixed in time. Thank goodness! I am glad that I have never been too tight as some people are, it means a little slower weight loss, but less chance of a slip. Take care and know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery.

My port flipped, my doctor found this out while trying to give me a fill. As far as I know, this can happen, but isn't "normal". I am his only patient that this has happened to, just my luck. It's been two years since the port revision and I haven't had any problems with the port. I had a lower body lift 6 months ago and the only difference is that my port scar is now much lower than my actual port, as the plastic surgeon took off over 12 inches on my abdomen. Good luck with your revision.

Karey, Haven't heard anything about the Botox getting into the brain, but... As for the exercise, I'm back on track, had a hard time after the LBL, with the swelling, but today I worked-out, w/o my compression garment for the first time. I kind of felt like my butt was gonna fall off, but I did better than I thought. Just not used to all the numbness in the backside. I've found a new addiction, Turbo Jam, just love it, although I found out how uncoordinated I really am, LOL. How are you doing after your PS? How was the wedding? Hope things are well with you and yours.

Terry and Karey, I too got some Botox, between my brows, on my forehead and around my crows feet, and can say I am definitely hooked. I just love the results! I only bruised on one side of my eyes by my crows feet and it wasn't black, thank goodness. I definitely will be getting the Botox regularly. I also got Perlane in my nasolabial folds and the results are okay, just not as dramatic as the botox. A week later, I got my brows tattooed on permanently and will be going for a touch-up on 6/9. I felt like the vainest person on the planet, but then decided that I was worth it. I have spent many years not liking what I saw in the mirror and now I like the way I look, especially with non-surgical interventions like Botox and Perlane to help with the downside of aging. Jacqui, If they use the Botox sparingly, you don't get that expressionless or blank look. My Nurse likes to use less, so you still are able to look like yourself and have facial expressions.

Mine has moved several inches from my incision, but then again, I had a lower body lift and the doc took off over 12 inches on my abdomen, LOL.

Yes, a belt lipectomy is a lower body lift. I had mine done 12/20/07, 4 months ago today. The recovery has been a lot more than I thought it would be, but everyone is different. It has been worth every penny. I was a size 12 before surgery and am now a size 8 and can even wear some 6's. Now if I can just afford to get a mastopexy (breast lift), I think I'd be done with reconstructive surgery. Good Luck!

Jess, Thanks for your kind words. I just have to be patient with the healing process. As for your questions, I've been struggling with staying at my goal weight. I've gone up and down in the last 2 months. Part of that is because I've gone back to old habits like eating out of boredom and part by not being able to go to the gym. It really scares me, as I'm afraid I'll regain all my weight back. As for getting smaller, yes, I still want to be smaller, because in my mind I'm still that fat girl. Take care.

Haven't been to the gym lately, "spit" a stitch on my incision over left hip. Went to the doctors 2 X's in the last 2 weeks. They had to dig out the stitch and my hip has been swollen and painful, so I've been babying it. Gorgeous, sunny day today so I walked to the gym, 1.73 miles for 34 minutes roundtrip. 20 minutes on the ElliptiKILL, for a little over 1.8 miles. 30 minutes Wt. Training which included 100 crunches. Would of like to have done more, but I have to start out slow or won't be able to make it back on Friday. This latest surgery, lower body lift, has really been kicking my ass. I thought that I'd be recovered sooner and that the swelling would be gone. Okay, I'm starting to ramble, time to go.

Starting BMI:51 Now: 24.2 :eek:

Missed the gym on Monday, started back to work this weekend and too swollen to hit the gym. Gonna have to take it easier at the gym, because I need to work. :confused2: 15 min ElliptiKILL 30 min Wt Training 100 crunches

45 min ElliptiKILL 45 min Wt. Training 200 Crunches Back to work tonight after 2 months off.:eek:

30 min elliptiKILL 45 Wt Training 200 crunches 15 min treadmill

30 min elliptiKILL 30 min Wt Training 100 crunches Overdid it last Friday, so took it a little slower today. :cursing: