pashmina

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!

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! : )

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!

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.