princess_n_thep

I really do like them but I really don't like the look of the right breast. I may have him redo it. It should be fuller. I don't think I am really swollen anymore on the left. Anyways.....

Thanks Windy! Okay all... the above picture from this post is the "before".

Since it was requested:

It was $12k for Lipo to the hips, back flanks, inner thighs, outer thighs, reconstruction fat grafting for a trauma to my left butt cheek (which didn't take by the way and I have to do it again in 6 mo.), breast biopsies and removal of 2 spawning masses and 3 biopsies of fibroendenomas and breast lift with augmentation. I also had 3 days in the hospital. My insurance paid $4000 of it. I paid $8k. My surgeon is Dr. Aldo Guerra in Scottsdale, Arizona (and he has an office in Phoenix) and his website is: AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Clinic He is truly amazing and has an awesome bedside manner. (smokers beware though, he is rough on you for your choices and will refuse to do his work on you!) I had 3 references directing me to him. One was a Tummy Tuck and augmentation, which looked fabulous. One was an augmentation and the other was a facelift, all looking great and he came highly recommended.

Hey Alex!!! Check out my bikini tan line LMAO!!!!

Thank you thank you everyone. I am healing very well. When my hubby comes home this weekend from training I will post some updated pics of them. They look good but I was hoping for "bigger". I know I know, but I like BIG boobies and wanted them a largeeeee DD not a large D, small DD.

Hmmmmm, pictures of before. Why, Yes, I do! WINDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY, can you post the picture without my head and poofy (just black it out except for boobs?)please sweetie?????????????????? Long story all, don't ask.

Bruising has been gone for about a week now. I will do updated pics on that too when hubby gets home from training week. Still a little sore, tender and without the "girdle" garment thing it tends to get numb and tingly on my flanks in the back. I have 2 more weeks of this garment thing (which totally sucks by the way!) although I am getting used to going pee without pulling my drawers down through that pee hole they got! HA HA HA.

I don't know if they use general anesthesia for Lipo. Since I was having the fat grafting to my buttocks and the boobs, it wasn't even a consideration.

Hey Fran, I was on antibiotics on the cruise and only cheated a bit on the alcohol but maybe I can give you and Carol some challenge for next time? Sorry your band was not cooperating. If it makes you feel any better, I ate your dessert every night!:hungry::kiss

Melis,

I looked for you for almost 2 days girlie!! We all thought you "missed the boat". Come to find out you were playing hide and seek on us. But once we had you you were OURS!!

Love ya girls and miss you all!

WELL FOLKS, NOT MUCH INTEREST IN A WINTER CRUISE. I GUESS WE WILL PREPARE FOR NEXT SUMMER'S CRUISE IN THE BEGINNING OF JUNE OR END OF MAY?????? SO STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS AS I AM ON THE HUNT!!

(a moderator may close this thread please)

I was a D before and I am a solid D or DD now. I was listed as only "moderate" sag. My nipples were not pointed downward nor did I have stretch marks (or any really noticeable). All in all, I had really great boobs for my age and having a kid, however, I just wanted them "filled up". If there is a tremendous amount of sag and nipples are way below the crease of the breast tissue then the vertical scar is needed. Mine on the other hand was just the nipple and under wedge because I still had a lot of breast tissue and was not "flat" with large breasts.

Hope that clears up some questions.

The Lipo was the worst part when it came to pain. The "dent" really isn't fixed. It will need more work. Damn dent!!

Here is 12 days post op. The bruising and the swelling have gone down. Bruising is down to yellowing and a few purple spots. I am still a bit swollen and a bit bloated still. I have to wear a compression garment for 4-6 weeks total. Notice the hourglass look that I asked for. He did really good at doing this for me.

I mean my LEFT breast is still swollen but it is only 12 days post op. The doc said today that the other one will fall into place. I have to admit, I am a bit concerned about the size difference but I have faith in my surgeon and he knows. I have another appt in 3 weeks for a follow up. If there is still a size and shape difference he WILL be doing them again.

More.....arms raised.

This is 2 weeks post op. My right breast is still somewhat swollen but it is getting better each day. I am happy with my results. The implants were placed over the muscle under the breast tissue, 360 cc and the lift was done with the Nipple/Wedge technique without a vertical incision.

On June 27th I had Lipo of the hips, flanks and thighs. I also had a breast lift with implants. These pictures were 3 days after surgery. I was way more bruised immediately after. The lipo actually hurt more than the boobs. The boobs have dropped now and aren't so swollen and I like them a lot. The incisions are healing great. I will take pictures soon of them now and add them. I had the stitches out today and my doc was happy and said my skin was amazing! WOOO HOO!

I had Lipo done on my inner thighs last week. A lot of bruising and going to the bathroom (sitting on toilet) is tricky and can be painful. Gets better and better every day. I am happy with the results thus far and I am still a bit swollen still. I didn't have a scar but had the stab wound on each thigh for the fat to get taken out. it is about the size of a small milk straw and took 1 stitch. It won't even show once I am healed I am sure.

However, lipo is not for extra skin, so if that is what you are talking about, then the thigh lift leaves a big ol scar.

My husband has done 7 treatments of Lipodissolve and it does NOT WORK. It is temporary fix and seems to lose a few inches but they just come back. I wonder if the Fluid they inject is just temporarily shriveling the fat cells?

I just had lip done on my back, stomach handles, hips and thighs last week on June 27th. I am up and moving around but it is a bit painful and the bruising was outrageous! The lapband was not affected at all, however it is a bit uncomfortable with the compression garment (full length girdle) seems to mess with my port a bit. I still have numbness on the outer layers of the skin but is very tender deeper in. I am happy with the results I can see now that the swelling has gone down some. The little stab incisions they make and tie with 1 stitch are itching now but that is normal.

I also had a breast lift with implants done. Wow, those things are heavy!

PM me if you need to talk.

Good luck!

bump! Come on California people!! I know your out there! Treat yourself to a nice cruise for Xmas!

Oh dear! I almost forgot to give out "awards"!!!

Karla for "most involved in activities"

Jessica for "most in touch with the outside world by laptop"

Judy for "closet party girl"

Lin for "most creative" (thanks for doing the crafting greeting cards!)

Windy for "best breath holder" (I fart a lot!)

Paul for "token male" (we put that guy through a lot and he will need therapy after what we did to him!)

Stephani for "most elegant and poised"

Melissa and Dinah for "best at hide and seek" (we didn't find them until late on day 2!!)

Alex for "best dressed" (that turquoise dress was FABULOUS!)

Ali for "attitudalicious" (I don't think I ever saw her not smiling! she even made the dolphins smile!)

Fran for "most relaxed"

Carol for "best drink tester"

...........and myself Jenna for "best redneck" and "one of each please" (thank god there isn't any picture evidence!)

Man all of these pictures really makes me want to go back and cruise with you all forever! I am so glad that we could all get together and enjoy our victories and meet each other. It was a wonderful experience and I will definitely be organizing another one for next summer. I will have to get with Elisa and work on next summers sometime in August or September so stay tuned.....

And if anyone is interested in a winter cruise, Elisa and I are working on it. I have it posted at http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/winter-cruise-anyone-37410/ so far I have 6 cabins going. It is a 4 night/5 day cruise out of LA (December 3) and total cost (cruise, port charges and taxes) is about $240 per person. I am bringing the hubby and kids (ages 13/14) too! Another person is bringing their too (ages 10/13). So if your interested, vote on the poll or shoot me an email or PM.

HUGS TO YOU ALL! You are all marvelous and wonderful people! I hope I get the chance to meet more of you!

The band unfilled is a standard size, like a Bracelet. Depending on how much fat surrounds your stomach depends on how "tight" it feels with no fill. Many people, especially those with really high bmi's, feel restriction right away. As the fat surrounding the stomach decreases and the stomach muscle naturally shrinks, then you will need more fill to have the restriction. So if it is workin' for ya, leave it be! There will be plenty of time to have it filled!

<p>I have one and I wear it always. My husband used to be a paramedic and said to get the plain silver traditional one that is most recognizable. The newer fancy ones don't even get checked because "in the moment" it isn't recognized and may just be removed in a trauma situation. Sure, they look "pretty" but it is truly meant to save your life, not be an accessory. My friend decorates her silver plain for her diabetes with some embroidery floss just on the chain. (it is kinda cool but I don't have the time and patience to do it, she does it for every season and holiday, kinda fun looking!)</p> <p> </p> <p>Mine says:</p> <p>My name</p> <p>Adj Gastric Band</p> <p>No gastric tube w/out endo</p> <p>Allergies</p> <p>Dr and #</p>

I got mine on ebay and it is the traditional one. I think it cost $15 and I have worn it through all kinds of stuff. It is very durable and has no wear or breaks. I have had it on for 2 years now.

P.S. I do have a single traveler that would be in need of a roomie. She is 50 I think.

Hmmmmmmmmm, not much interest in this one? Surprising since we have so many West coast bandsters! Well, I will leave this for a few days and see if we get interest in me putting together another cruise. We just got back from one last week (do a search for cruise 2007 and look at all our pictures!)

Josette, How many people?

I always order the glass of Water for dinner and then just let it sit. Sometimes I will even go for a "sip" and take nothing.

As far as foods, I just merely say no thanks if I don't want something they are offering.

((sigh)) don't we all have a lot to lose? I think the band is for anyone who wants to use the tool in their weight loss endeavors. I think it is just important to know that the band is long TERM not life long and someone considering the band needs to know that up front that the band will require additional surgeries for maintenance and upkeep.