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Frangi Great to hear from you again!! I am so glad you are back to your energetic self. I hope you have an uneventful trip home - as I am thinking it is not always that way from what I have read here :sad_smile: I was really lucky in that they used the wound vac more as a precaution for me (I also had 45 staples), so I had it for the 10 days I was in hospital, but didn't take it home. The bad things were that because it was a precaution, they actually packed the ENTIRE incision with the foam(from hip to hip). Let me tell you they gave me drugs before they changed it the first time since it was taped directly over my genitals. Not a very pleasant way to get "waxed" :rolleyes2:. The other bad thing was that I had the huge 20 lb hospital vac, so initially I couldn't even get out of bed without a nurse because I couldn't lift the machine. After a couple of days, I figured out how to "tie" the vac machine to my IV pole (where it stayed), so that I could get some independance. Once I figured that out, it was no problem. I am assuming you aren't taking the vac with you? Is the wound totally closed? How is the swelling? Jacquie

Your excitement is contagious!!!!! Good luck on Friday. It is really great that your DH is really getting into this process to help you out - great teamwork!!!! My thoughts are with you.

Shalee, I am so excited for you for your big day tomorrow. Be good to yourself today - try to relax and have a good sleep. I am sending positive thoughts, prayers and "vibes" your way. Let us know how you are doing when you can. Flatlands here you come!!!!! Jacquie

Thanks everyone!!! I am delighted to say that I had my first shower this am and it was HEAVEN!!!!! :sad_smile: You all know (or will know soon) how great it feels to get "all over" wet with really hot Water. I went for a massage today and my massage therapist says that one of the best things you can do for your scars (once they are really healed) is to massage them and stretch them gently (to break up the clumps and scar tissue underneath). She also says rub them with plain old castor oil, cover with saran wrap and tape before bed and leave on over night. Works as well if not better than all the expensive product out there at a fraction of the cost. I have another panic situation today. I belong to a local ladies gym and a couple of months ago they asked me if I would submit my story. They have a "wall of success" that they put up every year with stories and before and after pics. I got a phone call yesterday asking if I could be there today at 7 pm to get my picture taken. OMG - I need to head for my second shower of the day, hope my hair works out for once, learn how to apply some makeup and find something to wear that makes me look as thin as possible. As I write I have 3 and 1/2 hours til I have to be there. Do you think I have time to make a miracle happen? :rolleyes2: Jacquie

Thanks Wicked!! Most of this journey has seemed to be thrust upon me, so good for you for being as proactive as possible. Having the band has really cured my reflux (I stopped taking Nexium almost immediately after surgery), so hopefully it will work for you as well. Good Luck!! Went to the ps today and HOORAAHHHHHH I am finally drain free after 6 weeks. Of course he also pulled out 60 cc's from two different places, and I have to see him again next week, but hopefully tomorrow I will get to take a shower :biggrin: I had a horrible swelling incident yesterday - my mid section swelled up like a balloon and I went up about 5 pounds. By this morning it had decreased by about 70% and seems to be getting better over the day. PS has no explanation, but says I will have ongoing swelling in my hips and genitals for a long time to come (which I already knew, but they never touched my mid section, so I don't know what that was about). I started back at the Gym (twice last week, none yet this week). I am not cleared to do any weights or ab work yet, but can do cardio. I was very impressed with myself on Sunday when I did 25 minutes on the eliptical (2.25 miles) and 50 minutes (3.25 miles) on the treadmill. Nowhere near as fast as I could go in the past, and I was pretty tired, but it is good to know that I still have some endurance. Now I just need to find the motivation to go back regularly. I am back to having a wide open band - can eat anything and everything and it seems in any amount. I do fine in the day, but am struggling with evening head hunger. I will likely call to set up a small fill in the next month - I think I need the extra incentive of external portion control. Jacquie

Shalee - I am very excited for you as well. I saw from another post from you about the "hunch" and the no showers. You will be fine. I am almost 6 weeks out and still haven't had a shower!!!! I miss the hot Water, but I have a good hand held so I can lean over the tub (mostly standing straight with a slight lean) so I can wash my hair. After a day or two, I don't think you will have touble with stairs, just take it easy. If your surgeon says no activity other than bathroom - believe him and stick to it!! Pamper yourself this week and get in all the pleasure you can!!!! Good luck!! Jacquie

You look fabulous Karen!!!! You must be incredibly pleased!!! Jacquie

Great plans Renewed!! I got my toes done too (complete with pretty flowers on my big toes). You won't be able to vacuum for at least 6 weeks, so get used to the idea of stuff on your carpets (unless you can talk DH into using the appliance :tongue_smilie:). I am still not able to bathe or shower because of the drains, so pamper yourself with a couple of baths since you don't know when you will be able to get "all over" wet with hot Water. Keep yourself busy this week and it will fly by. When you pack for the hospital, bring really loose comfy clothes, including easy on shoes (I had my crocs), just in case you really swell up. You might want to consider a looser bra or sports bra as well, as believe me, you don't want anything tight or even fitted rubbing against your body. Good luck!!!!! I am getting excited for you as well! Jacquie

Thanks Foofy and Karen :wink2: I truly appreciate the comments. I can see that quite a few people visit the thread, but not many make comments and in my self conscious moments I feel like a bit of a freak. Then I think to myself that posting is more about my journey of self awareness and self acceptance, than about the comments from others (although they make me feel much better about myself :eek:). I debated about sharing the pictures, because I don't have the terrific body that some have who post here. But then I thought - there are lots of us who were/are superly morbidly obese and our reality is that a simple pannicultectomy or tummy tuck isn't going to be the be all and end all - I still have the wrinkly (I call them shar pei) thighs that comes with massive weight loss. Don't even get me started on the bat wings :laugh: that are my arms (the pictures didn't subject you to those thank goodness). I think I can likely live with my thighs and butt (we will see), but I am definitely going to want to work on my arms, since they are on public view. I am pretty square through the body, and my waist is still bigger after surgery than pre-surgery (I think you were mentioning this as well in your thread Karen). That being said - I am extremely pleased with the results and how I look when I wear clothes. Since the surgery, I am feeling more like a "normal" sized person than before. I know it shouldn't be this way, but getting rid of the extra belly apron makes a huge difference pyschologically. I haven't really excersised yet, so I don't know the difference there, but I am sure it will be significant. I went for my first therapeutic massage yesterday and wasn't too ashamed of my body, for the first time in my life- wrinkly saggy skin, drains and all. A year and a half ago I would have never gone to a spa - I was too self conscious and ashamed of myself to put myself on display. The massage was a giant piece of heaven (although I hurt today) and I am an addicted convert after just one session :w00t:. Losing this weight is proving to be a very long term, expensive project :laugh:. Who woulda thunk it? Jacquie

In addition to whole wheat pita, try for a thin crust with a tortilla or a "flat out" wrap. Sliced turkey pepperoni is really good (I think 10 slices has something like 40 calories and very little fat). With no fat pizza sauce (or marinara), mushrooms and low fat (or no fat cheese) you can have a great pizza like experience with very few calories and fat. Try light feta cheese and spinach for something different.

I agree totally with what everyone else has said - get yourself checked by a dr who works with the lap band asap. To me it really sounds like your band may have slipped - if that is so, unfilling any more won't help. As well, since you didn't get any relief from a 5 cc unfill - I don't think another unfill will be all that helpful. This is no way to live - you are putting your health (and possibly even your life) at risk. I have had an electrolyte imbalance before and I was told that I was at risk for heart attack and other awful things, althouth I didn't have any heart issues. I don't know how your health care works, but if your situation is life threatening, maybe they will help you out for free? You were able to get an emergency unfill - could not the same dr or er look at the band placement? Even if not, is your life not worth the expense? Let us know how you make out.

Manatee, I am so sorry that you feeling so crappy. I think you need to take some time and be kinder to yourself. I know this is almost impossible to conceive of - but could you consider taking a week and just vegging out and resting? You just had major surgery and you almost seem to be punishing yourself with activity (1260 miles, weights, biking). I just have to say this - if you are like me, you used to abuse yourself with food and now you seem to abusing yourself with activity. I know my ps said I needed to take it really easy (in fact he wanted me to do almost nothing which was interesting as my other surgeon wanted to move as much as possible) and let my body heal. He also said that my body creating the extra Fluid was my response to the trauma and the more I did, the more I would need to trade off in terms of swelling and fluid. From what I have read on this thread, you took almost no time to heal and you have pushing yourself extremely hard since the surgery. The pictures you posted look absolutely terrrific. Try to remember that and try to remember that you just had MAJOR surgery. I think sometimes we think that because ps is elective and cosmetic, it somehow doesn't count as traumatic to our bodies and our minds. I know that one of the hardest things to do after all the hard work you have done is feel like you are taking a step back and turning into a "jellyfish", but deep down you know that your conditioning isn't going away and you will get back to fighting shape quickly - especially if you take the time to actually let yourself heal. Look at all those high end athletes who retire, return back to their sport after a long period of time and get back to their peak (and maybe evern better) in very little time. Trust in yourself and your body - your body is telling you you need to give it a break - maybe it is time to start listening to your body. As someone from the outside looking in - your money was WELL spent - please take some time to actually take care of yourself and LOVE yourself. I am pretty sure if you give yourself permission to rest, your body will start to respond and you will return to the vibrant, active person you want to be (oh and also include incredibly HOT). Jacquie

Congrats on being drain free!!! You will know if you start collecting Fluid - hopefully not and you can start the next steps in the new you!! Jacquie

Thanks Shalee, Good luck with your surgery - I know I complain about the drains, but they really are there to help you and aren't actually that big a deal to take care of. They are more annoying than difficult. I am sure you are going to have a fantastic result with the fleur-de-lis incision. I really think that anyone who has lost a great deal of weight would be best off with the two incisions (as long as you can handle the scars). My thinking is - who cares about the scars if you feel and look better and can wear clothes that fit your body rather than your excess skin and fat. Jacquie

Thanks for the positive comments Luu - with the exception of the drains, I think I am doing as well as could be expected. I never know whether I should be posting the pictures or not since I get very little feedback. Jacquie

WARNING Graphic (ok icky) pictures attached. They may take a moment or two to upload. I am not sure that I should do this, but I have attached a couple of pictures that show before and after my mega surgery. The first picture (sorry it is so blurry) was taken in May of 2008. Please note that you can't even see my genitals, because of the hanging pannus. Sorry - but you can also see my ileostomy stoma and the two huge hernias. Second picture is a couple of days ago - almost 5 weeks post surgery - I still have two drains, and no belly button :regular_smile:. My pannus is gone - yeah flatlands!!!!! It is not perfect, but I think it is a drastic improvement. Jacquie Pre Post Surgery 1.doc

I have been lurking here forever, but haven't posted before now. You have been pretty quiet Frangi - how are you doing? I had a wound vac and know they are annoying - but they are amazing when you look at the results for chronic wounds that won't heal. How long are you going to need it? How is the swelling? Do you still have excess fluid in the surgical area? How are you actually feeling these days? Is your energy back - most important can you shop til you drop? Curious and caring minds want to know :regular_smile: Becky - I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Please take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing when you are able. Jacquie

Lots of success Karey. My thoughts and well wishes are with you!!! Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing when you are able. Jacquie

Thanks Karen. I had antibiotics when I was in hospital for 10 days, but not since. He told me today that the fluid I was producing was a breeding ground for bacteria. He may have been talking about the pocket of fluid that he had to manually drain, versus the ones that are being drained continuously with the external drains- I didn't think to clarify. Maybe you could ask you ps. Good Luck!! Jacquie

Update: Well I went and saw my ps today. Unfortunately, I still have 2 drains for at least another week . That will make six weeks - I wonder if that is some kind of drain record? On the kind of good news front, I had a third pocket of fluid that had developed between the two existing drains, and the doc was talking about a third drain, but when he stuck the huge needle in, he only pulled out 30 cc's, so he decided not to. I am, however, on heavy duty antibiotics (4 times a day for the next two weeks) as he says all that fluid is a breeding ground for bacteria. I better go buy the yeast infection cure now, sigh. :biggrin: I was put on a mega dose of diuretics (40 mg is normal dose - I did 7 days of 80 mg) last week to try and get rid of some of the fluid I was retaining in my legs. Happily, I am within 5 pounds of where I started (I lost 24 pounds last week), so that is GOOD news. I took my "not ever used $157 compression garment" back to the outfit where I bought it and got credit to be used for massage (the place is also a spa that specializes in services for cancer patients). I go tomorrow morning and am really looking forward to it, as they specialize in surgery, recovery and well being - I am thinking I would rather have someone who can treat me with tender, loving care, than have a heavy massage that may be more painful than anything else. Today is the federal election day in Canada, so hopefully we will get a majority government (at this point I don't even care who wins) rather than more nonsense with yet another minority government (if it is a conservative minority, that will make the third in a row). Hope you are all doing well!! Jacquie

Wow Manatee - you look amazing. Congratulations - you must be sooooo pleased!!!! I bet you can stop obsessing about the swelling and puffiness now. Great results.

I have been banded for just over a year (September 25, 2007), but I really started the journey the June before, when I committed to making the changes in my life. Keys to my success: 1. I do not look at this as a diet to be endured, but rather a new lifestyle to be embraced. I do not diet per say (I do count calories), but I eat the way that I plan to eat for the rest of my life. Hopefully when I am done, I will be able to eat a few more calories, but I recognize that I can't go back to my previous lifestyle - that was the ticket to lifelong Morbid Obesity. I refuse to count carbs, and I still consider pizza, chocolate and Cookies basic food groups (only to be indulged in small quantities and not all the time). There are no bad or forbidden foods - just choices to be made. 2. I have taken control of my eating, rather than letting food control me. I am not a victim of obesity but a strong woman controlling MYSELF for the first time 3. I have incorporated exercise as a necessity in my daily life. 4. I write down everything I eat and make myself accountable for my choices. If I want to eat everything in site, I do it, acknowledge it and move on 5. I rejoice in my successes and relish the new me by treating myself to new clothes (or at least new to me clothes) that fit. When people compliment me, I smile and say "thank you" and I recognize they mean it. 6. I rely on the band to help me eat smaller portions and keep me from being continuously hungry. I don't rely on the band to make my eating choices for me or to keep me on track. I have to do that. The band hasn't made me lose the weight. It is just a tool that I have used to my advantage. Good Luck to you in your journey. I am proof that lots of weight can be lost in a relatively short period of time - but only with really hard work and strong committment. Jacquie PS You can see some pictures of me if you go to my profile (click on my avitar) and look at my album in the lower right hand corner. The pictures aren't in order, but they show different dates and weights.

As you are switching things up, could you consider writing down what you eat? I found one of the biggest keys to my success was faithfully documenting what I was eating, including quantitites (I also included calorie counts). By doing this I was forced to acknowlege not only what I was eating but how much. I found it way easier to make better eating choices when I became really aware of what I was actually doing. One of my biggest eating problems is "unconscious eating" - where I think of food and just reach for it - not stopping to see if I am actually hungry or if I could make a healthier choice. Keep your chin up and keep up the good work!!!

My understanding is that it is not uncommon for a ps who specializes in bariatric ps to do a panniculectomy (get rid of the the apron only) in the middle of weight loss for exactly the reasons you express. I don't know how much you need to lose first, and I wouldn't bother going to a ps who doesn't know a lot about bariatric ps or bariatric issues. I noticed you posted on Dr. Shulman's thread as well - he will be able to give you an expert opinion. Good luck!

Hi Juli I ended up having mega surgery on September 9 - one of the 4 procedures completed was a panniculectomy (considered to be medically necessary to reduce possible complications due to excess skin and fat in my abdomen). I can't compare to a full Tummy tuck, that includes liposuction, but I did have muscle repair due to two abdominal hernias. The ps took about 5 pounds of skin and fat (would have thought from the look of what used to be there that it would have been more- my apron used to cover my genitals). I am having fluid and swelling issues, and still have drains, but that said - it is an INCREDIBLE feeling to have the apron of skin gone at the base of my belly. I had the surgery at 164 pounds (I am 5 ft 4 and 1/2 inches tall). I am still in the same size pants, but I no longer have to "stuff" in my belly and my pants actually go in (concave) at the top of my thighs. Who knows - I may get really daring and actually tuck in a shirt one of these days!!!! As said before you will get different answers from ps, but I think if you are pretty close to goal, you should go for it. You are probably the most fit of your life and you are in great health, so the surgery should be at its easiest. It would also be good to have as much time off of work as you need. Couple of notes though: the excess skin and fat they take away doesn't necessarily reflect in your weight loss. I have read from many folks here that they have the surgery, expect to lose a lot of weight and it doesn't happen (I have no idea why). I am currently up about 6 pounds (was up almost 30 after surgery) - and am still not up to eating lots. The other thing you will notice is that when you get one thing "fixed" your other deficiencies get highlighted. I really want to get my arms done (with a possible breast lift) as I am very self conscious of the bat wings. I would really benefit from something getting done to my butt and particularly my thighs (can anyone say shar pei thighs), but I am not sure that my pocket book can justify it. If you can, you may want to consider doing as much together as is safe. Dr. Schulman has a thread here and I know he has talked about what procedures he will sometimes combine. One last note - I don't know where you live but one complication could be doing surgery in the heat of summer. Most ps require you to wear a compression garment pretty much 24/7 for up to 6 weeks. Think of your mother's full body girdle, but worse. I didn't end up using mine (because of other complications and long hospital stay - 10 days), but the one I was supposed to wear went from under my breasts to my knees. I kid you not, it was hideous and may have been terribly uncomfortable in a really hot, humid climate. Good luck in your decision making - there is lots of great information on this thread!!! Jacquie