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!

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.

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.

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!

My only regret is that I waited so long to do it. It's been 1 1/2 years and I've lost 50 lbs. and KEPT IT OFF. I love food also so I've actually decided not to have a fill for several months so I could "enjoy myself"...mind you, I haven't gained anything while doing that. I know now that if I diet, the weight will stay off. That was impossible before! I like my Lap-Band because of two major reasons: removable and adjustable. With the other surgeries it isn't reversable...even if I get sick! I like knowing that I can cinch myself up if I need to or let it all out. To note: I'm a RARE example of someone that can eat and drink things that others can't. I can drink soda with no problem (diet is a little bubblier than regular though). And "crap" goes down easy. I don't even crave breat or Pasta anymore (those would be the two things that throw me over the edge...of the toilet). I went to Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver lapbandrockies.com and he has a "package price". There's a thread on here for him "Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum" and there are LOTS of positive things said about him...good guy and "guarantees" his work for a year! Can't get better than that! Good luck with whatever you decide!

I can't remember the x ray folks, but Dr. Jones's office knows...they're the ones that referred me. Good luck!

csteed - I don't know of anyone in Fairbanks...although I've heard that there's an "x-ray place that will do it". I'm thinking that it would be dang expensive and would be worth taking a few days to go to Anc. and see Dr. Jones (if you look under the fill-docs in Anc. thread you'll see why). I found a fill doc in Nome (where I live) and that's just plain LUCK. If you know any docs in Fairbanks personally then you could probably ask them to try...Dr. K was AWESOME and talked my Nome doc into how to do it. Good luck!

I live in Nome and have used Dr. Jones as my fill doc since I was banded 7/07. He's great, but insists that if you come from out of town that you stay for a few days just in case there are complications. I know he'll "tweak" the fill for free if it's within the week. He and I have had GREAT communication at our visits and he does what I want. I don't know how the other docs in Anc do it, but Dr. Jones uses a small needle...cleans the area with alcohol, shoots it in and it's done...other docs do a whole prep thing that seems a bit tedious (and I work in healthcare!). To note: I was going through Anc. a couple of weeks ago and was going to get a fill, but Dr. Jones was out of the office....bummer! So I called around (Dr. Searle, Dr. Todd, and the x-ray place that does the flouros) the docs were about $400 to set up and $200 for the fill, the x-ray place was going to be about $800....FYI. I was lucky enought to get a doc (Dr. Lawrence) out here in Nome to do my fills (he'll do them at the hospital or at my home). Our first fill together was a little crazy (finding the right spot), but things are good now and I have no trouble being the guinea pig for him...if it allows others to get fills out here without having to go to Anc. to do it.

It's been a year for me and although I'm a little ashamed that I haven't been around a lot, I DO keep tabs on all of you and am astounded at the weight loss that everyone has had! I have to say that I was surprised to read that Salsa had surgery already...I can't imagine doing that for at least another year, although I have to admit that if I had the money I'd probably do it sooner than later. Congratulations to everyone! I know my progress has been slow, but it's still progress and I didn't gain all this weight overnight! I'm down 50 lbs. that I know I won't gain it back! That, in itself, is just a wonderful feeling! Thanks for your support!

I agree with Tied....I was headed to Mexico for surgery...here in Alaska it would've been around $30K (and that's without pre-op appointments, aftercare, and fills!). Through LBT I was able to find Dr. K. I've worked in heathcare for half my life and was very pleased with his bed-side manner, his QUICK responses to calls, and how thorough he was. We had a TERRIFIC phone consult and I was totally at ease making the trip down. To note, I had no problems getting Dr. K to write a little letter of medical necessity. (This might help with insurance paying for it, if you primary care provider has already documented the pre-qualifying issues then the letter is all you really need if your insurance pays for it - mine didn't.) BUT this letter is good to have for tax reasons, especially if you've spent so much on medications, travel expenses are covered for this too so you can get that deduction! Besides, if I'd waited for insurance I would've been kicking my butt! The money was worth it! Just wish I'd done it sooner - and with an insurance provider that DID pay for it!

I'm here, I'm here! I've had some folks wondering where I am. Frankly, I have a daily update for the posts and I just can't find the time to read all the posts so I've given up. I managed to get into a "goal dress" the other day...it was way cuter when I bought it two days after surgery, but I still think it was ok. Weather's getting better in Nome...just in time for the Iditarod finish! I'm halfway to my goal, but my goal isn't that realistic for me...I'd need surgery to get rid of the friggin' pannus! 'Nite all!

I'm still around...a little too busy to read the whole thread, but I'm still watching you all...I get a daily update. I'm in Anchorage and got a fill today. Went from 3.0cc to 3.2 cc. I don't feel much so I may go in for more tomorrow...we'll see after breakfast tomorrow. I have a lot to do tomorrow, but the fill was my priority for the trip so we'll see what happens...I only have a few days. Things are good here in Alaska. We've been able to pull a lot of crab from our pots (it's pretty easy after you get your big hold chopped out of the ice...ice was thick this year ~ 4 ft and that made it a bit painstaking). I'm getting sick of winter, but spring is just around the corner. The Iditarod is coming (big sled dog race) and I'm looking forward to that. In case you wonder what Nome, Alaska looks like...there's a web cam that updates every couple of minutes at www.nomealaska.org check it out! The picture is of our Visitor's Center and in the background is the Norton Sound (that leads to the Bering Sea). Cool stuff!

Janet - Sorry I'm late....time difference here ya know! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Yes, I'm here at the party! Brought all sorts of things (leftovers from a potluck that we had tonight - the theme was "game meat"). So we have: Sweet and Sour Musk Ox (was WAY good!) Moose meat spaghetti (that was me) Dried fish strips (my kid loves 'em) Seal meat chunks over rice (not the favorite, but gotta try it once) Sauted goose meat with onions (pretty good) Moose steaks Baked salmon Tundra berries (blueberries, salmonberries, cranberries with sweetened condensed milk - YUM!) Blueberry pie And my favorite: moose sausage stuffed with olives and jalapenos!!! Funny...meat usually gets stuck on me and I didn't have trouble with anything tonight! YUMMY food (even for game meat!) NSV: I wrapped a REGULAR towel around myself after a shower today! I usually use a "bath sheet"...and Andrew was holding me close tonight at the potluck and said that I was getting smaller. Nice completment...AND he kissed me in front of everyone (this is big...he thinks that since he's the Sergeant he shouldn't do those things in front of his peers and underlings). Anyway, hope you had a great day Janet!!!

Now, you KNOW I like the shirt!!:tt1:

Jackie - the pictures are real telling of your weight loss! But I noticed even more the look in your face on your before picture...look how sad you are! Sure we can gain confidence, etc., but gaining happiness is what really matters to me! Good job!:tt1:

[quote=IndioGirl55;694495Hey Chim - CONGRATULATION 44 LBS GONE... Can't wait to see your pic's – And Please come around more often – last night I was thinking about all the people who don’t post anymore –You - Sunny – Jeanine – Lynette – Marcy – Dini (well her and Marcy do stick their heads in every now and then) and I know I am missing a whole lot more but – I am old so please forgive me I a forgetting a lot of names but these are the ones that are coming to me this second. Hay Indio - Here I am popping my head in! Things are good here...lots of snow! Which means lots of shovelling! Which means EXCERSIZE! Yuck! But I'm doing it and keeping active...if that's all I can do. I'm still working out at least 3 times a week with a class and then there's all that shovelling!Ahhh, so much to do, so little time! I'm looking forward to spring, but rest assured that THAT won't happen until May - at least...just count your blessings you "Lower 48 folks". I'm down another couple of pounds...that plateau was going to kill me! I'm chalking it up to working out. Although I've noticed a trend that when I have a "bad eating" couple of days I drop a couple of pounds! I don't like this trend, it makes eating crap look good!

Kari - Yep, I agree....reading and typing keeps my hands busy and I'm not eating! Haha! Also, good job on the biking...why don't you bike yourself up here? There's no road here, but you can bike to Fairbanks and then just add about 400 miles! You could say your headed to the Idtarod! (Which is just over 1000 miles so you could actually bike the Iditarod!) There's an Idita-swim challenge here...swim a minute for every mile (it's like 1049 miles or something). I go at least twice a week with the family, but only for about an hour...I don't think I could make it, but then, maybe I could start getting up early and doing laps? Nah....what am I? Insane? No way! I'll leave all that to Phyll!

I "worked out" with our Wii the other day...I exaggerate the moves and totally worked up a sweat with the boxing trainer...you just hit the bag over and over...not a lot of thinking, just punching! It was fun and the boys thought I was hillarious! I totally recommend the Wii for a little workout...better than nothing! Funny with the Wii though...I get sick watching other video games, but not with this one! Cool! OK, so I've got a friend that I tried getting to go get the band with me last summer, but now she's decided she wants the gastric sleeve. Has anyone heard of this...she says that the "reports look promising"...I thought this was pretty new and experimental. I have since learned that her idea of research is a lot less than my idea. We talked a bit about it last night. She is definitely and "excuse person" with all the excuses she makes about how she is just "hungry all th time" and it has nothing to do with WHAT she eats or HOW MUCH she eats. I watched her eat at a New Year's Eve party and the size of bites she could get in her mouth were ginormous! I very gently (although this is not my nature) explained about "head hunger" etc. after the surgery and that there are ways to get around all the surgeries. Incidentally, her mom had a RNY bypass several years ago, lost a bunch of weight - looked like she had cancer, then gained back almost 50lbs. I think my dear friend is looking for a quick fix and I don't think she's going to find it under a knife! Anyhoo...I've been the same weight since I got back from the cruise in November....It's suckin' and I'm ready to go get a fill. I won't be able to get to Anchorage until Feb. so it'll be a while. I've done really good excersizing though and have stretched out enough to lower myself to the toilet without too much comedy! :-)