marcyinak

We are VERY blessed in Western Alaska to have LOTS of money for our schools...just wish they'd spend it right. Last year they decided to offer both the Elementary School Principal job and the Sped. Ed. Director job to ONE PERSON! He took it and...as you may have guessed...can't do either effectively. (Don't get me started on the Nome School District/Board....debacle after debacle! Hey, it's all I got going on here so this is where I put my energy!) Haha! We have a tsunami warning here...my relatives are worried (we're VERY near the beach)....but....it's....frozen.... 'nuff said! I AM, however, worried for all the other coastal towns/cities...especially in Alaska that are land-locked (only way in is by boat/air...no roads to drive out).

Questions are WELCOME! I had a goal of something like 180...but it was just a number. I had my LapBand surgery 7/10/07 and lost about 60 lbs. I hoovered around 202 for a couple of years. I knew I needed a tummy tuck (there was a HUGE amount of flap) and so I asked around for surgeons. My SIL had a tummy tuck and breast lift done by a surgeon in Seattle (Dr. Lisa Sowder) and was very pleased. So I sent info off to Dr. Sowder and got a quote and "suggestion". She felt I should have a full body lift...then have another surgery to do my breast lift and a little chin lipo. I had the body lift done on a Tuesday (early Feb) and then had the breast/chin surgery a week and a half later. NONE of my LapBand expenses, weight loss expenses, or plastic surgery was covered by my insurance. ALL out of pocket$$ My husband does quite well and I can make some "side money" so we have no debt from this. I recovered amazingly well. I was told I wouldn't stand up straight for weeks....I did in 5 days. (Both were out-patient. My husband came with my and a nurse friend was there for the first surgery.) I had no pain, just a lot of stiffness. I DO have a couple of sore spots still, but I'm sure that would go away if I....ya know...exercised! (gasp!) I still do not have a lot of feeling on my hips (like that's a big deal or anything). What she removed was 14 lbs. of skin/tissue! I'm at about 212 right now, but I don't really care about the number, I care that I can walk, breathe, have sex, etc. without feeling like a blob. It's winter in Alaska and I always "bulk up" a bit and then get active in the spring...so just a few more weeks and I'll be out and about more.

Hey ladies! For some reason LapBandTalk is sending me reminders all the sudden to talk to you....haha! Iditarod has started and the "fun" will really be in full swing next week. It will be Spring Break for the kiddos too. It's been a year now since the full-body lift and I'm still flat! (It disappeared in a day so it can come back in a day....right?) It's all very psychological! Unfortunately there aren't any therapists to talk to here....well there ARE, but either I know too much about them (and they shouldn't be counseling anyone) or I'm worried about confidentiality...it IS a small town after all. I've gained a little weight and just do not have the motivation to do anything about it. It would take just small changes to get it off, but I'm too lazy, too set in my ways...I don't know... Good to see you! -Marcy

WOW! 161 Pages already! You guys are going strong for realz! So, I emailed Indio (I think) wanted to make sure I was on the correct thread. My husband and I are currently in Seattle....the surgeries are COMPLETE! I had the Belt Lipectormy (abdominoplasty, flank lift, and butt lift) on 2/2 and yesterday I had a breast lift and chin lipo. I really healed AMAZING! The Belt was actually quite easy...the lipo hurts more than anything! I've been out walking the malls, Pike's Place Market, downtown tonight (although one-day out today after surgery I was a bit tired). Have some plans for tomorrow, but the rest of the week is RELAX until we head home on Wed. Used Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder and am VERY happy! Thanks for all the support and help!

Thanks for the advice on the plastic surgery. Took the nekked pictures today to send to the surgeon I'm considering in Seattle...not pretty...confirmation that somthin' needs to be done here!

Mini, that price is pretty decent...and SLC is a decent place for me to go (family in Logen, friends there) that may be TOTALLY doable...could you please email me your docs contact info? Thanks so much!

Alright ladies, long-time-no-hear-from-me. I'm doing well up here in Nome....been hangin' at about 210 for a year now and have decided that I'm good with it. Looking at a Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift....any suggestions of surgeons? Has anyone had surgery yet? It HAS been a while for us so I figured that someone here might be able to give me some advise...looking at pricing too...gotta travel for it all so it really does make a difference.

Thanks mini...I took a peak at your pics....awesome! My tummy has a *bit* more skin...quite a bit more actually...which I should be happy about because it can come off, but disgusted I let myself get that way! Oh well...can only change the future! Now, just researching docs and prices...since I have to travel, etc. Anchorage is pretty pricey, but it IS closer to home...I have a friend/sis-in-law that went to a surgeon in Seattle she really liked so I'm really thinking of heading in that direction...it's just a long time to be away from home - especially so far away...you know? Nome is getting cold. Summer sucked...we had over 70 degrees maybe 3 total days! And I had some killer shorts too that I couldn't wear! We're gathering wood for the winter - which is work out time for us...lots of chopping to be done (my husband and I actually fight over who gets to do all the chopping! haha). We added on to our house this spring/summer so we have a little more room to spread this winter...it helps when you're stuck inside for so long sometimes. Certainly doesn't help when you're already unmotivated to get up and move!

I'm just looking at the last page and can't belive that mini and prty are still on...it's been so long since I've been on. I've been "stable" for about a year and now we're looking at a tummy tuck/breast lift. I wonder if I could lose more or am I REALLY happy where I am? I'm at 210...(I actually look and feel VERY skinny at 180), with a TT I'd probably be at 200, then with the improved mobility probably drop another 10...so I'd be purrrfect... advise?

talkalot - my SIL had surgery w/ Dr. Todd back in January and had her first fill last month. She was/is very pleased with him...although her insurance takes care of all the costs. I haven't heard anything negative about him.

Hello folks! Been a LONG while...thought I'd just update and let you know I haven't died or fallen off the planet...yet! :-D I'm just hovering at 210 and although I really think this is fantastic, I'd sure like to get under 200...it's been almost 2 years, you think I could control myself! Geez! I'm going to get another fill in May and hopefully that'll cinch me up good and I'll lose that last 10 this summer...of course we had a BAD winter and it may be late June before all the snow melts here, but I went out walking today (and that sure isn't a regular activity for me!) Take care!

Holy crap Indio!!! 138???? WOW!

Been a LONG while...just an update...to let you know I haven't fallen off the planet! I'm still hovering around 210, but I'm actually ok with it. Still working with my "new" fill doc here in Nome and will probably have another fill in May...last one was in Oct. Looking into a tummy tuck. When I was married, weighing 180, I was SKINNY so I think if I were to actually lose another 10 and then have surgery, I'd be a skinny little thing (well, I'm tall so not really little). I've learned to eat around my band pretty easily, but noticed today that I didn't have much in the way of breakfast or lunch and when I sat down for dinner I could barely eat anything..then didn't really stop...just nibbled all evening...therein lies my problem. At least I figured that out!

You are correct...do as much research as you can. Every doc is different with each procedure too (my docs pre and post op diets and instructions were quite different than others). My background is in health care so I didn't feel I needed to be coddled by my doc. although I've heard that Dr. K is a coddler when needed. I have friends that have had the bypass and the sleeve. They all lost weight QUICKLY, but I just don't think that's healthy...slow and steady...and I've kept it off. ALL of my bypass friends have gained some weight back. My sleeve friends just had it done last year so they haven't really "bottomed out" so don't know if they'll gain some back or not...that's why I like ADJUSTABLE. :-D I have issues with meat, but have found that I do ok when it's greasy like meat balls, Jerky, roast chicken that's not dry. The great thing is that (even though this took about a year) I don't crave things that I have "trouble with". So...if I get a fill and can't drink soda I'm sure I'll lose the craving for that too.... It's fun and quite interesting how it happens.

I live in Nome and was previously going to Anchorage to see Dr. F. Leland Jones. Charges ~$225 for a fill...quick, easy, and uses a small needle...also puts in as much as you want. Insists that you go in on a Mon., Tues., or Wed., just in case some "tweaking" needs to be done...doesn't charge for tweaking within a week of the fill. Found a Dr. in Nome, Dr. Bob Lawrence. He did his first fill on me and after some trial and error we found the spot. Made a big produciton with streile stuff and a different needle than Dr. Jones...no biggie, it worked and that's all that matters. Cost less than Jones' office too!