Kelliebelly

I wasnt going to post to this, but I cant help myself. I only had to be on liquids for 1 week, mushy for a week then regular. My Dr said if I felt ready in week 2 for regular I could give it a try and see how I go. Every Dr is different and I think it is imperative that we listen to our OWN Drs orders....with that being said....I still think this is a support board for lap banders new and old. OP obviously needs some support as she is struggling through the liquid phase that I so clearly remember like it was yesterday. I felt the same as her and I did a couple of the same wrong things but I was not game enough to post about it for this very reason. Dani, I think you should follow your Drs orders because quite frankly you will slip your band if the stomach has to do too much work before the stitches have healed. Plain and simple...you will lose your band before you really even had it. However, I know how hard it is, trust me I struggled so badly and mine was only for a week or 2. You can take from what all the other posters have said and use it the best way you can, we cant stop you nor can we condone it...but just know are here to support you no matter what happens. We have all been there and done that some of us just take a little longer adjusting. Hugs

This prompted me to think about my own situation. I have a 13 yo daughter, she is built exactly like me, looks like me and acts like me. She is about 5 foot 7 already and in a ladys size 11 shoe. I see her struggling already with food portions. She is always hungry just like I was. What do you do about this, I have tried things with her but she has seen me struggle with my weight all her life and now she is. Have I doomed her to a life like mine because she has the same genes? She is 176 lbs at 5 foot 7. I cant stand to sit back and watch her suffer like I did, yet I feel so powerless. There is not alot she can do, she has lost weight several times already and put it all back on and more. A band at her age is too young I think and I dont think she is responsible enough to handle the restrictions that come along with it...I also dont want her to suffer and be depressed for the next 20 yrs or longer before doing something about it. Sorry to hijack the thread but it really struck a nerve with me. Back to the original question I am only a couple of kgs away from my daughters weight and she is so happy for me, but I see her when she thinks I am not watching and I see it in her eyes. When I try on her clothes and they fit me, stuff like that. I really want to help but honestly I dont know how, this is the only thing that has ever worked for me losing weight and with her being a clone of me wouldnt it be the same for her?

My Dr said it was because they had sewn the port to a muscle somewhere in the stomach and until it heals and has scar tissue adhering it more securely you could flip the port or something like that unless you are careful in the first few months. I took it easy for about 3 months, then started doing ab workouts. I am not allowed to do anything ab for 12 months after my TT.

Hahahaha, dont you just love those fitting room mirrors. They give me a complex. Wow with that size breast I think the reduction would be covered, it would have to cause backpain and problems later on.

Just a favour to ask, I would love to have like a thing where all my pics from before to now are side by side or something so I can show my family and put it on my site. Does anyone know how to do that. I have played around in photoshop and I cant work it out, anyone want to let me know how or be a loving kind person and do it for me :bananadoggywow: Thanks again

Thanks everyone, had a little setback. Dr said I could resume exercise now so I went on a 12km bike ride and split my incision open a bit in a spot. Has been leaking alot but is starting to slow down, am on antibiotics just to be sure. I will never learn :bananadoggywow:

Wow Heather!!!! You are looking so amazing and I honestly wouldnt pick you for the weight you say you are. You look so much smaller. You are damn HOT and be proud!!! Big HUGSSSSSSSSSSS

Oh yes lazynana . I can ditch the garment this week. I am going to wean myself off it though, still wear it at night for a few weeks. I totally love the crotchless look though, Paul tells me I have pigs balls from the back and you can see it through my pants etc.

Anything made of chocolate. I am addicted and it is a CONSTANT battle daily to not eat it. I usually end up giving in and having a small bit each day. Alot different to the family block I ate daily pre banding. I used tolove french fries too, but I am so thankful that my band wont let me eat them now, I have tried a few times and each time i end up PBing...so no more for me.

I am 6 weeks post op from my TT and breast lift and just wanted to share the updated pics so you guys know what to expect if you go through it. It really is true that it takes months fro the final results. I had an appointment with my PS on Friday and he said I still had a lot of swelling and to expect more results over the next couple of months. He said I can stop wearing my garment as of this week too, but I am still wearing it because with the swelling it feels better. Anyway these photos contain NUDITY and all that stuff I have mentioned before, and like Jess said, dont look if you dont want to see thunder thighs, stretch marks and yucky bits. 6 weeks PO

I was just wondering if my secret bunny got theirs...Justbeingme?? I just want to make sure, because I am in Australia and bought something from someone in the US and I want to make sure they sent it. Thanks

I did ok with the food, but I over indulged on Easter eggs. I really didnt eat anything else but chocolate ALL DAY. Back on track today though and it will be ok, there will be times like this...like vines said, not a diet, a lifestyle change.

Hey I always make sure I reply to these posts because I remember asking them myself 100s of times. I have the VG band and took approximately 5 months to feel restriction with 9 fills. The first 7 or so I felt restriction which didnt kickin for 2 weeks and dissapated over the next week or so. They never lasted and I was sure I was going to be the person that this didnt work for. Well I was wrong. I found restriction on the 9th fill at 9.6ml. I havent had a fill for a good 5 months or so and still have my restriction. Also until I found the sweet spot I really struggled....even put some weight back on. The weight loss came when the restriction came. It hasnt been fast like some but I am really happy with how it has been. Heck I plateaued for 3 months through Christmas and I was happy with that because I was maintaning someting I have never been able to do in my life.

Even if I ever ended up skinny, I would not wear a bikini...I have never worn one and wouldnt start now. I have always wore shorts and a shirt swimming. I would love to feel comfortable wearing boardies with swimmers underneath. I am certainly not aiming for "skinny" but a normal weight would be great. I just feel great for the first time being able to maintain my weight. My sister is skinny and has a great body. She is beside me while I type this and has supported me through all this. She has worn a bikini once in her life. She said she doesnt feel comfortable wearing a bikini...it shows off too much and feels better in a one piece or boardies. She said she can understand how we dream about the day we can wear them, but when the day comes will we really feel comfortable wearing them? Who knows...I know I would never. Normal for me and Ill be happy.

Engaged to be married 9/9/06.

Thanks everyone....Traceylou...I can only speak for myself, I really dont think I will ever get past the "fat" mentality. I still have a fair bit to lose to not be considered overweight. I am still obese according to BMI. Its a hard question to answer but I really dont think I will think of myself as anything other than fat, or someone that needs to lose weight. I have lived with it all my life so if it is going to change I think it will take a long time. Hugs and good luck with your surgery.

Thanks Janet...will go create one now.

Ughhh Ill never work out how to do the side by side thing, can someone explain it to me please. If someone is clever enough could they do it for me please. Thanks

I am 4 weeks post op from my Ps as of yesterday. Feeling great, get a little down because of swelling which sometimes is really bad. I never expected just how bad it could get. Here is a night before lapband surgery pic and 4 weeks post op TT and 1 yr after lapband. Hugs all

Ok This is only my opinion in all the research I have done. RUN!!!! Do not ever have plastic surgery by someone who is not board certified. They could be a normal Dr with no experience in plastics at all and call themselves a PS and operate. That is a scary thought. It is also her face. With that type of surgery you need to find a Dr that specialises in it. Some specialise in breasts etc but thats not good enough when it is your face and eyes. Tell her to research and research till she cant research no more Ask to see pics...lots and lots of them, ask to speak to patients who have had similiar surgery, do searches on them in google to check if they have been sued in the past, and MAKE SURE they are board certified. Just my opinion Tell her good luck...the eyes, lower or upper bleph can have some amazing results but can also go the other way with droopiness and too much white showing in the eyes, very important to find a surgeon who has performed hundreds of these types of procedures. Also tell her to ask the PS she sees if they specialise in scar minimisation because you dont want scars noticeable on your face. I could go on and on but I will leave it there

Here is a link to my post about mine, I am not sure if you have seen it. I havent updated pics there for a while but will do so in the next week or so. I am in major swell hell at the moment and look severly pregnant. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16435

Also, make sure you ask lots of questions about the Dr performing the surgery on someone with a band. Have they done it before. Also have them consult with your banding Dr so they know exactly where the port is and how far they can pull before pressure is placed on it. My Dr couldnt pull my tummy down as tight as he would have liked because it was causing alot of pressure on my port.

Hey, I had a TT, Breast Lift and lipo of the flanks back and arms 4 weeks ago. I asked my Dr shitloads of questions, and I still emailed nearly daily with more questions to ask him up until the surgery. Jamie, just remember be CLEAR as possible about what you want. Let them know exactly so you both go into the op with the exactly the same ideas of the final results...How tight, muscle repair, sutures or staples, how high for the nipple, extended vs normal TT, lipo etc...ask it all!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying to find my questions I asked him at my first consult so I can show you... 1.Can you tell how far apart the muscles are before the op? 2.How aggresive are you with muscle repair? 3.How tight do you pull the stomach down? 4.How much longer is my ETT scar going to be vs a normal TT scar? 5.How long for the drains - how long for the binder? 6.How much are you going to take off with lipo in the flanks and back area? 7.Is the ETT going to pull the top of my thighs up and my pinny - Will it lift my butt a little also if the scar goes further around? 8.Will I wake up in pain or is that controlled already? 9.How high do you do the boobs with a lift and what happens with them if I lose more weight, say 15kgs 10.Will you use my ceasar scar? How do you do the scar, long or curved or?? 11.How much skin app will be removed with my TT? 12.Will I have a roll when I sit? 13.Does the ETT involve the vertical cut also? 14.How do you do the belly button - looks wise? Can it be pierced later? 15.How long till I am standing straight? 16.Will my body match with a flat tummy and a waist etc but still fat arms and thighs? 17.Will me having a port with the lapband effect where you can do the lipo on my flanks? 18.staples, stiches or glue? 19.Do we use Bromelain, Arnica or lymphatic massage afterwards? 20.Is pain levels controlled by a pump after? 21.Will I lose nipple sensation? 22.What kind of cut do you do with the TT and the breasts. 23.What kind of belly button do you create. These are questions copied from a plastic surgery forum I am a member of : Muscle Repair Most women who are seeking a tummy tuck will require some muscle repair. Childbirth, weight gain, and aging all contribute. The fascia which holds the muscles together to form a strong core is actually what is repaired, not the muscles. To understand what the fascia is, think about the gristley part of a steak. The part between the meat and the fat. That is what the PS's sew back together to draw the muscles back in. For those who need MR, it can be what causes the most dramatic changes in appearance. Most women having a FTT will have roughly the same amount of skin removed, the area between the pubic mound to just above the belly button. The main difference between a good TT and a great TT is in the details of the MR and the incisions. Having the muscles pulled in nice and tight is what brings in the waist line and the sides, so as to 'frame' the body that the skin will drape over. So how do you know which Drs do the better job? Here's a few tips. * First educate yourself by looking at tons of pics. You can find many right here on MMH -Pictures. Compare one persons results with the other. Visit the Tummy Tuck Message Boards, and follow the recoveries of women. Who was standing straight at what point, how do their results compare with others? What was their initial body type in comparison to yours? Learn to look at pictures with a discerning eye, that's how you'll be able to judge the work of the PS when you visit for a consult. I like to compare a good TT with getting a good paint job. If you take an old rusty car to Maaco and get the $199 special, you'll still be thrilled with the results in comparison to the befores. But if you take the same car to the custom shop, and they remove the bumpers and rebadge and do extra body work, you would be able to tell the difference when compared side by side. In PS, surgeons usually charge about the same in a given geographic area, so make sure you're getting the custom job. * Ask your PS what his philosophy on MR is.. He won't be able to gaurantee you what he'll be able to do for you until he gets into surgery, but he should be able to tell you what he 'usually' does. Is he aggressive? How close - in mm's - will he try and pull them together? How soon can you expect to stand straight? If he tells you, you can stand straight w/i a week, then he either doesn't do aggressive MR, or you didn't need it. Some PS still don't do any MR, and some do only a modest amount. They have their reasons. There's a longer recovery time, more pain for the patient. It also takes them longer in surgery to do a good job, as it usually requires more layers of stitches to do it tighter and have it hold. Discuss your Dr's techniques and his philosophy with him to make sure your expectations are on the same page. Your case may be one where MR is either not required or where he can't be as aggressive for very real reasons. Make sure you have all the info you need to make the right choice. Sutures and Closure Most Dr's will use disolvable internal sutures. Where they vary most is in how they close the incision. Here's the most common types: * Steri-strips or tape. This is placed over the incision to help the 'top' close cleanly. Your Dr will usually advise you not to shower for several days up to a week, to allow the incision to close before exposing to Water. * Glue. If your insicison has been sealed with glue, then you will be able to shower on or about day 2, as the glue will prevent water from touching the incision. Within a week or so, the glue will begin to peel off. * There are still a few Dr's that use staples. There is some risk that the staples will cause extra scarring, tho alot of women have done just fine. And the staples will have to be removed during the first week. Scar Placement As with everything else, this largely is a preference determined by the PS, depending on your body type, the amount of skin to be removed, and the natural fold of the skin. If you get an Extended TT (ETT), then your incision will go all the to the back of your hips. If you have a mini TT (MTT), then your scar will be low and much smaller than most. You may or may not be able to have much say over where the scar is placed, as doing it other than the way the PS recommends could give less than satisfactory results and cause issues such as 'dog ears'. * Where does he recommend the inisicion be placed? * Will it be the smiley face shape or a more straight line? * Can you wear your favorite panties or swim suit to help determine the placement? * How far back will the inicision go? Binders Here in the states most Dr's use a binder for at least some period of time. It helps close the space that was created when seperating the skin/fat from the fascia, which keeps Fluid from collecting. This is to help prevent complications such as a seroma or a hematoma. It can also reduce the amount of swelling by compressing the tissue and forcing fluids out. Some Dr's recommend the Stage 1 binder for a week or two, before graduating you up to a stage 2 garment . A stage 2 garment is usually just a high waisted support panty that you can buy in a store. You don't want something that just comes to the waist, as it can pinch the ab muscles and be extremely uncomfortable. Some Dr's will take the binder away from you in a couple of weeks and not have you use anything. And then there are some - especially in Great Britian - who don't use a binder or garment at all. * Will you wake up in a binder after surgery? If so, what kind? How long will you need to wear this binder? * If you're to provide your own, what does he recommend? * If you're having a combination of procedures, such as a "breast augmentation" or liposuction, how will that effect the garment you should wear? * Can or should you wear a stage 2, and if so, when can you switch from the binder, and how long should you remain in it? Drains Almost all Drs use drains of some type. This is because the lymph system has been disrupted with the skin removal and incision. The drains are put in to assist the body in removing the fluids, so as to reduce swelling and prevent a build up that could cause a seroma or a hematoma. There are some new techniques available now, where drains aren't required. One is a procedure where a sort of 'glue' is made from your own blood to seal the pocket, and another is called pregressive tension sutures, which also closes that pockets. Since they're both pretty new at this point, alot of Dr's are taking a wait and see approach before using this technique for themselves. * Where does the Dr put the entry points for the drains? In the incision directly? Or in the pubis area? Will there be a seperate scar? * How long does he typically leave the drains in? Will he remove one first and then the other? Does it depend on the amount of fluid being drained? * Is there a max length of time that he'll leave a drain in? If it extends for longer than anticipated, does he prescribe antibiotics so as to prevent infection? Time off work The amount of time for recovery depends alot on the amount of MR, as well as the general health and condition of the patient. It seems that most Dr's will recommend at least 2 weeks before returning to work, depending on the type of work you do. Even with a desk job. Sitting can be harder than standing, because of the pressure it puts on the MR. If you return to work at a desk job, make sure you get up often and move around to prevent the muscles from cramping up. During lunch, I would often go out to my car and lean the seat all the way back, so I could rest the muscles mid-day. * How long before you can return to work full time? * How soon before you can resume household duties? I recommend at least 6 months off from this activity. ; ) * How soon before you can take care of small children if you have them? * How long before you can resume exercise? Walking? Weights? * How soon can you drive? Definitions seroma A mass or swelling caused by the localized accumulation of serum within a tissue or organ. hematoma A localized swelling filled with blood resulting from a break in a blood vessel. fascia A sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating, or binding together muscles, organs, and other soft structures of the body. As for weight, you will lose about 6 or so kgs if you have a TT. Thats average, some dont lose any. It will also take a while to see it come off because of swelling etc. My Ps said that you can lose another 20 kgs or so after a TT so it doesnt effect the results. I really have to stress that muscle repair is a huge factor of the final results with a TT. It is an absolute must. Make sure you and your PS are both clear that he performs it, because some dont. Also make sure you look at lot of pics of patients they have done with the same procedure. I think you are a perfect weight now to have it done and will get optimal results being so close to your goal. Good Luck if want to know anything else just let me know.

I just wanted to let you know I have the big band also. I could eat steak, bread and all those things up until my 8th fill. I have had 9 fills and have 9.6 mls in my band. I didnt have any type of restriction until I reached about 7mls. Dont panic too much, it will hapen it just takes a little longer with the bigger band. Good Luck

Hi I live in NSW but it is pretty much the same. I dont have private health insurance and self paid. As for a student health program I dont think it would cover the stay in hospital and operating costs, because you pretty much need the top cover for that. If you could find a surgeon who would operate in a public hospital the costs would be for the surgeon only which in my research varied from $2000 to $4000 with about $800 coming back from Medicare. If he went to a Dr that operated only in a private hospital setting your looking at operating theatre costs, hospital stay and anaesthesistist(sp). Again just in my research, private hospitals are anywhere from $700 per night in my area. I stayed one night, but most stay 2 nights. Theatre costs were $5200 and the anaesthesistist was about $1000 getting back $300 from Medicare. I didnt recieve any back for the hospital or theatre costs but any out of pocket expenses can be claimed back on tax in July. Another option is doing it the public route. I think from memory the waiting list in QLD is about 2 yrs. That way he wouldnt pay anything. I think the best thing would be to research fro surgeons that do the lap band in a public hospital setting to minimise costs, cutting the nightly stay fee, operating costs and the anaethestist...public hospitals have their own. If you want me to sniff around a bit for you let me know. I also am a member of a large Australia wide lapband forum and there are plenty of members in QLD that could help you better with DRs, fees etc. PM me if you like. Good Luck