pashmina

Thanks to everyone for their stories and shared concerns. I had my reduction on Friday on couldn't be happier. The pain in my shoulder, back and neck have disappeared over night. I would also say, for me, that the pain with this procedure was a fraction of what the pain was with the band. The drain removal Monday wasn't comfortable, but it was quick and I was able to shower today- yeah! My breasts are smaller than I have seen since high school. No more pain, no more embarrassment, and I fit into shirts properly. I am elated. Again, thanks to everyone for your stories, and if you're thinking about it- don't wait!

Thanks so much for your response. I think the best thing you could have given me is the comparison of pain from a band to the reduction. That really helps with identifying what to expect. My shoulder indents are really small these days, and are barely noticeable, so I'm less concerned with that, and I don't plan to have children so I have no worries about breast feeding. What I DO worry about is the inevitable 3-5 day post-op "what did I do?!?" depression that seems to come with any elective surgery...and the scars. Neither though are enough to scare me away from this. It's 20 years in the making!! I am so excited to have finally made the choice, and already wish I had done it sooner! Thanks again! : )

It's been a while since I popped in here, but I'm hoping to find some good experience stories. I am just under 3 years post-op and planning on reduction surgery in June. I haven't found any good sites like this to share worries/concerns and general experience. I wasn't expecting to lose enough in my breasts to be happy; it's not in the genetics cards for me and I lost in the band rather than cup size. I'm expecting to drop from a 36 DDD/E to a 36 C. I'm excited and hopeful to not have horrible back/neck pain, shoulder grooves, etc... but it would be nice to hear from anyone who's been through it. It doesn't matter to me if you're post or pre-op for the band. Thanks all, I've missed this place!

Hi Babe, I'm sure there are a lot of us out there with similar tales of depression and emotional eating. I've had chronic depression my entire teenage/adult life as well. I'm over a year out now and I can only say to you that the issues that were there before didn't magically disappear. They operate on your stomach, not your head. Continue on your medication and please make sure to get regular therapy before and after your surgery. If you are a binge eater, please seek help to address that before your surgery. You will still be able to defeat your band if you want to, and you may hurt yourself in the process. Slowly you will find other outlets to express your pain/frustration/sadness, etc... Hopefully they will be healthier ones. Please feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

WOW, what a great weekend!!! Cher, there were some hiccups, but that's to be expected at a first-time event and I thought you did a great job. Thank you for putting the whole thing together, and I'll be happy to help you and Alex with planning New York! I had a wonderful time, and met some ladies I hope will be lifelong friends. Most of the speakers did a really great job, esp. Mary Jo. I stayed for the sessions that I thought could be useful to me, and went back to rest during the others. I hope that those who are critical realize that most of what you're paying for at a conference are facility fees and speaker fees. The food served as a decent snack, but I didn't count on it for main meals and hooked up with others to go out. This was my first trip to Texas and I felt warmly welcomed. Thanks to y'all for that. : )

Definitely Regina! I travel with a heating pad.

LOL- ok, definitely bringing layers! I suspect the hotel will be heavily air conditioned too. Thanks ladies!

I'll be there solo too Patricia, can't wait to meet you tomorrow! Question for the mostly Texas folks here- weather service says temps in Dallas are at high 80's, low 90's this weekend. WOW. Is it a sticky heat or dry heat down there? I'm in Manhattan and we're in our full fall gear- going to have to dig out the summer stuff, just not sure how hot it will really be. Thanks for any southern tips!

I am SO excited to meet all of you! I will definitely say 'hi' Wendy!! I'm bringing some clothes, but only what will fit in a second bag on the plane...no room for hangers, etc... I may be a bit overdressed, but I got a cocktail dress for the fall fling. I feel great in it, and I think that's what counts the most, right? Otherwise, I'll keep it cas for the seminars and meet and greet.

I'm not at goal yet- but I'm pretty proud of where I've gotten so far! Buying size 8's now- and I haven't seen that number in 15 years!

Just thought I'd add my two cents here. I've done the two sports bra thing at the gym in the past. It gave double the support so I didn't feel like I was bouncing like crazy or would take out an eye on the elliptical. At my heaviest, I was around a 40 F. It's hard to say exactly because I was squeezing myself into smaller sizes. Now, I'm in a 34DD- almost D. I won't get a lift because I scar hypertrophically, but I'm happy with the way they look in a bra/bikini top. I never had the wire problem. My port is way down on the right side, where low rise pants sit. I understand the other short poster re: wire into the pits. My advice is to stay away from balconette's, try demi, or a professional fitter.

Hi Dr. Schulman, It's great to see you started a thread here, and one that seems to be helping many! It's been a few months since I had my consult with you, and I've lost considerably more weight. I'm aiming now for a February or March surgery date so that I have more maintenance time. I'm definitely ready for the TT, but have two questions. One, what can be done about thigh cellulite aside from the inner lift? I don't think that procedure would remedy the genetically cursed cottage cheese lumps I have all the way down to just above the knees, and I just don't trust the silly ads in the AM NY or morning Metro. Is lipo the way to go here? Second, and I don't think I'm the only one with this concern, what can be done about the fatty area I think they affectionately call 'mons'? This is the area above the genitalia, but below the 'apron'. It gets fat just like everywhere else does. Is that something lipo combined with the TT takes care of? Thanks so much in advance, and I'll be seeing you at the Obesity Walk next week!

I will be there- looking forward to it!

I can't post the article because I doubt the people at SELF would be pleased if I did, not to mention the copyright powers that be. But if anyone wants to see it, send me your e-mail in a private message.

I don't remember having to do this for NY, but I remember having it in other states. LIE, LIE, LIE. Yep.

Hi xgrl- First congrats on taking the initial steps to improve your health and fingers crossed on your insurance approval. As to #1- I have been there. I was there. I think you will find that a lot of the negativity that you hear from your bigger girlfriends is jealousy. One of mine specifically said she didn't want to be the only fat one left in our group. Misery loves company, after all. Don't let them dissuade you. Continue to get more information, try to explain to them that this is a decision for your health, that you're not in competition with them. You may find once you start losing weight that it motivates them as well. As to #2- I am a completely different person than I was when I began the "journey" a year ago. All things being what they are, I think (jmo) that you should hold off on things with this guy until you're a few months down the line and have been able to process all of this change on your own. Get comfortable with yourself again. Find your inner confidence. Get support from your understanding friends and family, and later, when the time is right decide if you want to persue something with him. Best of luck!!!

My August issue of SELF arrived today. I love the magazine because it's got great fitness articles, tips, and motivation ideas along with the typical beauty/relationships aids. But I am STEAMED at the article they printed this month called "The Weight Loss Miracle that Isn't." It's not on the site yet, so I can't link to it. By and large they reference Bypass patients, but bands are mentioned numerous times. Frankly, the overall aura of disapproval and superiority over bariatric patients smacks of the same crap Oprah pulled not long ago touting people she admired to doing it the "hard way". There are risks inherent to all bariatric surgeries, and some of them can be awful, tragic in some cases; I'm not trying to minimize that. It is not a "miracle" and is a TON of hard work. I also don't believe companies/MD's should be "advertising" weight loss surgery to those needing to lose 40 lbs, etc... However, the primary goal of this article seemed to be soley about DEMONIZING the process and those who have made the choice. As if they're saying, "see you stupid cow, you have a surgery and you're either going to have so many issues you may die and need reversal, or you're going to gain it all back anyway. Not a wise choice." Perhaps overly critical, but I am SO sick of this stuff. Rant over.

Thanks Heather! Congrats on your loss so far too! I think an outfit is definitely in order, and I love the idea of a slight hair changeup at the salon coupled with a mani-pedi. Highlights maybe? Kind of your own TLC makeover, right!? I remember marking the 6 month point with some new shoes, because I had already spent so much on in-between sizes. I absolutely think you should celebrate too!

It will stop, Lis, eventually. I had that problem for a while when I hit around the 4 month mark, and even bought a wig for days when I felt particularly sparse. I would take the advice others have given about Vitamins. There are hair and nail supplements easily gotten at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. A doctor at one of my support groups also recommended chelated zinc. It's difficult, but be patient. Your body is just adjusting to a major change.

Thanks Sizzling, that's great encouragement!!! I'm still mulling my options, but definitely motivated for the course ahead.

It's been a while since I poked around here or posted, but my one year bandiversary is coming up next month (luckily a Saturday, as it turns out) and I'm having mixed feelings about either celebrating with some friends at the beach or just quietly tooting my own horn with a toast, etc... Have any of you marked the day specially with the people you know and love, and if so what did you do? I'm not at goal yet, and obviously don't want it to come off as a bragging thing, but I feel like this positive decision for my health should be celebrated. What do you think?

Thanks. I'm down about 60 lbs, but I hit a plateau; but I'm starting with a personal trainer this week to get over the hump. Hopefully that will do it. The consensus seems to be that you should wait until you're at a steady weight for 6 mos. before PS. I'd like to be at goal weight by 1 year out (also August) so I'm thinking by December I'd like to have a surgery date...earlier if I/Dr. Schulman think it's going to work out better that way. I want to give my body maximum time for muscular tone and healing. How about you?

Hey yeah! My consult is with Dr. Schulman at Welcome | Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery These are the other PS's I checked out for consults: Dr. Michelle Copeland: Plastic Surgery Plastic Surgeon NYC New York City Manhattan Manhattan Plastic Surgery New York City NYC Englewood www.drafridi.com I found I was most impressed by Schulman's work. My holdback is that his surgical fees seem to be double of what my NYC metropolitan area research has shown (i.e. breast lift in the neighborhood of $10K- not including anaesthesia, hospital fees, etc..) Who are you seeing? Congrats on getting so far by the by. That's amazing!

Sorry, meant anchor, not hook. Those scars are hard enough when you scar well...but when you don't?