KarenG.

Hey guys, havent checked in for a while now. I am now 2 months out and I am doing pretty good. completely back into the swing of things at work and almost back at working out (like at 80% at this point). I find that my only discomfort working out is in the area of my outer thigh lift it feels like pulling with high impact exercise like running. I also have a serenoma on mhy backside which I have to get drained frequently - it doesnt hurt at all just a pain to get to the surgeon's office. Aside from that I am doing pretty great physically. My belly is amazing now and my butt is basically fabulous -- i mean not perfect but much better than I ever imagined it would be. Problems - shopping. I have developed a taste for very expensive clothing which is really bad ... hopefully I will get tired of that or grow some self control. Another weird thing is that I see a ton of flaws in the rest of my body although I know objectively it is just fine. I think that my butt hips and stomach looking so good makes me see extra flaws elsewhere. I am considering getting some skin removed from my upper back and a breast lift but I wonder if it is worth the pain, extra scars and $$. I have a had a lot of requests for pictures and I would be happy to share but I don't know how to send pictures on LBT through private mail. Anyone know?

Hi guys, I haven't checked-in for some time. I will post more of that on my other thread. I have had tons of requests for photos but I don't know how to send them by private mail. Anyone know how?

I was told by my surgeon that about 60lbs was average for someone wiht my weight/BMI but I paid no attention to that. I have never been average! I have lost over 100lbs now.

Its hard not to be nervous but you will be ok. Really! For me the PS was less painful than the band - probably because I was in much better shape. The pain was less but the recovery is much harder - you are really uncomfortable for a longer period of time. It isn't bad pain just discomfort for most of it. I had a few stitches that were taken out after 2 weeks and the rest were disolvable. I had 4 drains because I had a Lower body lift. I still after more than 7 weeks go in to get Fluid drained off of one spot and I am still wearing compression - that is a pain. BUT I feel fine. I am a tad sore in some places but I am already back to running and spinning. I think X mas may still be rough for you - less than 3 weeks out of surgery. I would suggest planning something low key that doesn't require that you are off your feet too much. I am THRILLED with my results. 12-15lbs of skin were removed (no lipo) and I went from a lumpy tight size 10 to a svelte size 6 - which is about as low as I want to go since I am almost 5'7''. The one drawback is that now I notice my other flaws more! like other places on my body where I have a ton of excess skin still.

That was definately my happiest moment too! Almost a year since I made that change over it still hits me sometimes... it changes the way you see yourself for sure. Today I went shopping for clothing in size small and 6!

Has nothing to do with the port. Just keep shedding the pounds and eventually you will lose the belly.

If you are going to weigh yourself at all invest in a really good, really expensive doctor's office quality scale. Using different scales and gym scales is just going to screw with your mind. Also, when i first started losing weight i would go upand down 4-5lbs throughout the day and during differnet times of the month. Now that I am at goal I only fluctuate about 2 lbs throughout the day and throughout the month. In the long run 4 lbs is nothing given the amount of weight you will lose.

It isn't easy and right now you aren't seeing the rewards. When you start losing weight you will realize it is worth it.

Hi - sorry to tell you that it will take much more than 4-5 days to recover from the circumfrential tt alone. I was really out of comission for at least 2 -3 weeks and not in great shape for another week or two after that. I didnt have a breast lift (yet) but I imagine that another procedure will just ad to your recovery. Is there anyway you can get a family member to help out for a couple of weeks?

Hope you are doing well! Been a while since I checked in but it seems you are doing great.

I'd like to hear what people say about this too. I went from a 38G (DDD) and I am now a 32 F (DDD) - so no major reduction in my breast size and one is bigger than the other now. I am concerned about numbness also is it absolutely a ridiculous thing to do before having kids? I plan to do that in the next 4-6 years.

I live in fear of losing my band somehow. There isn't any really long term (like 10-20-30 yr) data but I think that in the short term there is a chance that we will experience some difficulty but the odds are still in our favor that we won't.

That happened to me too. Don't worry there is so much dripping out of you after the surgery that your period is the least of your problems.

Thanks for answering. I think it looks better today - the rest of my scars are healing very well so I am optimistic.

Had to take them down. I am happy to send them to you if you PM me and can also now send behind pics.

For me at least the pain was less than the band and much less than a broken bone. I also had my port removed and a hernia repair this time. Still, I was expecting much more pain. To me by far the worst part of this surgery has been the tiredness, the long recovery and the GROSS, annoying drains. That said the day after surgery I was almost giddy with the fact that I felt so good (considering). I was in the same situation - stayed with my parents and and they are older. I was also really worried aobut how much help I would need. But, it turned out ok - I could basically get out of bed myself after 2 days in the hospital. My mom would assist when I was changing bandages and drains and taking a shower but mostly to hand me things and make sure I didn't pass out. YOu will be ok but I totally get the worry.

Isn't it surreal? I am so glad you dont regret. I am almost 6 weeks out and I feel like it is some sort of weird dream. I n terms of weight - I was about 163-164 the day of surgery - I was bit bloated bc of TOM and now 6 weeks later I am down to about 151.5. AND TOM came agan so maybe I am bit below that. It really took at least a month for the total amount of weight remove to be reflected on the scale and it freaked me out (if you remember my posts about that) It seems like you are ahead of the game with your weight going down so early. Question: where do you notice your swelling the most? 6 weeks out and I still have fluid being removed from my bum but my stomach also feels very weird sometimes. Guess I will ask the PS about that on wednesday.

Good luck! I bet you will be very happy. It really isn't too bad - mostly uncomfortable not horrible pain. Keep us updated on your progress.

I have a question about belly button post tummy tuck. You know how you have the stitch/incision line around the perimeter of the new belly button? When the swelling goes down does that become the outer edge? Does that question make any sense? My belly button is still close to entirely closed at most points during the day and that incision line is not at all near the edge.

If you send me a private message I will tell you her name. I live in NY too so it could work out.

If you look down below at the other threads I did post them about a week ago. Good luck!

So glad to hear from you. 8lbs is a lot for a tt I think! You must be very happy - have you had a peak at your tummy? I found it really surreal at first (actually I still do). The first week was rough for me - mostly uncomfortable right? If you stick with your pain meds for as long as you need them you will get pleanty of rest and be feeling yourself in no time. Keep us updated.

YOu look AMAZING! I wouldnt even be able to tell from your face that you lost so much weight or were ever heavy. I feel like my face has a lot of saggy skin - what is your secret?

Somehow that past few days I feel much better than I have all along - its like I passed this magical point and full recovery seems really close. I went shpping yesterday (very dangerous) becasue I need some basics for work. I wore a tight 10 before the LBL now I am a 6! I got 2 skirts, 2 pants and some mix and match sweaters. Now I am set and won't look so sloppy. Shopping at a size 6 is kind of trippy. I spent all of last night asking my friend if she was sure the clothing wasn't too tight. I was worried because the clothing I got was not cheap and I went spinning yesterday and was worried about swelling. The 6's were tight around the waist but this morning when I woke up they were perfect - I was definately swollen after the exercise and after being on my feet all day. Now that I am working out again I think I am getting swollen and I am having more PB incidents. If I dont get that under control I will have to get a slight unfill (the idea fills me with fear!)

YAy Shalee - welcome to recovery world. Slowly but surely you will feel like yourself again.