Spydr

I have included several before and after shots of plastic surgery through the following links. They have not been edited so if you don't want to see them, don't click! They are nude and scarred and may be alot to take but for those who will make the transforamtion, you deserve to see the results and I know I would want to know. These shots are only 2 weeks post op and I am a bit of a bruiser and very fair skinned. I am happy with where I am and know that once the sweeling goes down, I will be even happier. Well, here it goes! http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/BeforeBreastFront.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/BeforeBreastSide.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/AfterBreastFront2weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/AfertBreastSide2weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/BeforeTummyFront.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/BeforetummySide.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/AfterTummyFront2weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/AfterTummyside2weeks.jpg

I just wanted to drop by and see how all my November 2005 gang is doing. Are you still losing? Have you stalled a bit? Are you happy? Would you do it all over again? It's almost 9 months out and I want to know where you are all at? I'll chime in with my progress later today after a visit to the doc!

Don't even think about pants that button. It is all about the stretchy pants. I lived in warm ups and pants with elastic bands. I was not in jeans for 6 weeks. Why? It was too painful. Remember, comfort is the key. Worry about fashion later.

It is a major surgery so don't be a hero. Let people take care of you. Yes, at first you may think, "Why the hell did I do this to myself?" That feel ing will pass as soon as you see how much extra space you have in your pants! I want to make sure you have all the information. I too felt really good at first and was surpriosed that the pain was not so bad. A few weeks post op the tummy pain started to get bad. That is because the nerve ending the doctor cut during surgery are healing and coming back to life. There is a strange numb feeling and every now and again there will be sharp, stinging pains. It is normal and it goes away. i just want you to know it will happen. Wish someone would have warned me so I didn't freak out. Listen to your doc. If something feels weird or not quite right, CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!! You paid them good money and deserve their attention. It does not matter if it's 3a. Your health and peace of mind are the most important things. Just ask my doctor. I woke him up 5 times in the first week with what I thought were "silly questions". He didn't mind and I felt better. This is so exciting! Everybody is getting skinny!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on your skin removal. I had 7 lbs cut off and did post some pictures on this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f12/you-asked-plastic-surgery-pictures-31361/ I also had a tummy tuck and breast lift at the smae time. can you believe how much skin we used to have just hanging from our bodies? It's like having a small newborn hanging off your belly! Weird! By the way, doesn't your belly button look all cute and different? I love it!

I had my first PS at 16 months post lap band. They had to remove the skin from my belly 'cause it was going nowhere. they cut off a flap that weighed 7 lbs! I could have done crunches until the cows come home and that was not going to go away. Not sure why your doc wants you to wait 2 years so I support you in asking him. Perhaps he wants to make sure you will maintain. Maybe he doesn't want people to think PS is an easy way to reach goal weight. (FYI it isn't) I always thingk we should question out doctors so we have all the information possible. If something sounds strange, make them explain it. Remember, you pay the bill, it's your right. Good luck!

I am planning to have the extra skin removed my my inner thighs and arms in late August. The lady who told me about my plastic surgery office has had great results. Perhaps it has something to do with the order of surgeries. I had my TT and Breast Lift with skin removal in Late February. I am healing well and back to working out so I can recover faster from the next surgery. Everybody is different and so is every doctor. I think everyone should do research and not jump into things. That's what I did and I think I still could have learned more to be more prepared. I have so much sagging, rubbing skin on my inner thighs that I think it looks worse since I lost weight. Sounds strange but when i was bigger the skin was tight. Now it hangs and I gotta tell you, I don't even want to see it when I shower! I think the skin removal is a no brainer for me. I don't want to feel half done. I lost this weight and I want to get the full benifits. Does that make sense?

Good to be back! To answer a few questions: I did not have implants put in. There was enough of me once they picked it up off the ground. I had a breast lift and they removed 4 ounces of skin from each breast. I am now a very full D boardering on a DD but not at my knees. Big difference! My cost to have the skin removal from belly and breast, tummy tuck and Breast was $9500 cash. It was higher but I paid cash upfron and got a discount. I know that my doc now takes Care Credit so I will use it next time for a portion of the cost on my arm and thighs. It took me almost a year to save that money and I gave up tons of things. Worth it! My real name is Spydr. It is on my DL and social security card. When telemarketers call, they often ask for Mr Mcpherson and tell them my dad doesn't live here. I think it's funny they assume it's a guy's name. Just one more bump in the road I guess. Having MS can be a real drag. At least I get to park close at WalMart on Saturdays! You have to find the humor in things or you stay in bed all your life. I have to take shots every other day and I tend to bruise like a peach. It was easier when I had 7 extra pounds of usless skin hanging from my bely but now things are tight and, well, let's just say the shots hurt these days. I am tired a great deal but I find myself looking forward to the gym on my non shot days. Who ever thought a fat girl would want to go to the gym?! Anyway, gotta get apcked for New Orleans. I may take a tank top or two on this trip, no bra! lol

You are fine Ghost! I am glad someone cared enough to call. If I am out of the loop like that again, I will make sure my caregiver gets in touch with my LapBand family. It's great to have a support system but we have to stay in touch with each other. It's not morbid at all. I consider myself lucky to have you guys!

Okay, here are some updated photos. They were taken at the 12 week out point. I think I look better today but these are the most recent. I don't think I was sucking in so be kind if you comment! Remember, there is nudity involved so if you don't want to see it, don't click it! http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/fullview12weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/FrontViewtummy12weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/sideviewtummy12weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/sidebreastview12weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/sidebreastview212weeks.jpg http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Plastic%20Surgery/frontbreastview12weeks.jpg

I am so sorry I fell off the earth gang. I did not mean to worry anyone. I was having some non weight loss issues with my MS and had to get a new doctor and on and on. I was not in touch with anyone. I know folks think we are just typing in cyberspace and no one is listening. I now know how important each one of you is to me. I am so greatful to have a cyber family that worries about me whn I am gone. Thank you all so much for caring about me. By the way, I don't consider it stalking to call my doc. They got a real hoot out of it. I told them I was popular, they just didn't believe me. And another thing, my name really is Spydr so I'm not too hard to find. Please forgive me for being lazy in my picture posting. I will make up for that this afternoon. I promise not to worry you guys again. I am taking my new boobs to New Orleans for the weekend so I hope to "show them off" for some beads! Thanks again for caring about me!

I will be taking new pitcutre this weekend and posting them by Monday. I went shopping yesterday and it's not as much fun as I thought it would be. I am out of proprtion. My tummy is flatter and my boobs are high but my hips and thighs are stil big. I end up with tons of extra fabric in the crotch and tummy area. There is a enough extra space that I could have....well, let's just say I would be very popular with the ladies if I could fill out the space. I'm a girl! I don't want a package! At least I look okay in a couple of dressed so i may stick with that. Nice to have something else to work on.

I was on a 7 day clear liquid pre op diet and everyone in my life wanted to kill me around day 3! When day 5 came around I surrendered myself and gave up my anger about the liquid. It felt like I was defeated. I know that seems so sad and unpleasant but that's just how it was. I ate everything I wanted for over 30 years and a liquid diet for a week would not kill me. I had to keep thinking about the greater good. of course, when I was able to have full liquids after surgery, it felt like a feast! I was never so happy to see a thick, creamy chowder!

I guess I'm a whore for infomercials! I love my Magic Bullet. I used it for liquid and mushie stage and now I use it daily for my protien shakes. Mine came with 4 migs and that's what I mix my shakes in. I think I can recite the entire infomercial including the british guy's accent!

Although I paid cash for my tummy tuck, I know that it could have been covered by insurance due the fat that the skin hung over in such a way that the skin itself broke open and bleed a few times a week. There are a ton of hoops to jump through and I am not a patient person. If you have the willingness to to document your skin issues, I say do it. If nothing else, have your LapBand doc or fill doctor make notes in your file about the problems so you have a record. Good luck!

As of today, I have 10cc in a 14 cc band. Stress causes my band to tighten so I have had several fills and unfills. Check out below my post for my fill/unfill history. It's all about finding your sweet spot!

My doctor sends me back to liquids 101 after a fill. I stay on full liquids for a few days, then mushie, then solid. I always try to ease back into it because I get swollen after a fill. I'm sure every doc is different. When I have an unfill, there is no need for me to change my diet.

I used shot glasses for my water the first few days. Someone on this site taught me that trick. If I'm looking at a big glass or bottle of water, it's too much. I would pour up a shot and just work on getting it down. In the begining, it's mind over matter. Hang in there!

NotSoBIg took my answer!

I too can be a fan of the Atkins protien bars. I look for at least 15 grams of protien or it's not worth it for me. The key in my eating is, NEVER RUSH!!! When I have rushed in the past in an effort to eat and go, I get sick. If I have to go somewhere in a hurry, I just don't eat. It's better to be safe than sorry in my life.

I think everyone will be different. I know for me, I have a small bite or two of bread at a meal. If the rice is mushie, I'm okay but I have not been able to really eat Pasta since being banded. Again, I can have a bite or two but that is it. For me, my restriction plays a big part. I just got a small unfill and things are going down with a bit more ease but pasta used to be one of my big feasting foods so I don't want to get too comfortable eating it again. I hope that makes sense.

Thank you for posting those pictures. I am 6 weeks out from my tummy tuck and still have pain now and then and my scar is really big right now. It's good to see that the future looks bright and I can't wait to get where you are! Congrats!

I have awful credit and I was approved for Care Credit to do my Lasik eye surgery. I don't think they even checked my credit. They offered zero interest if I paid off the surgery in 12 months. I don't know any doctors that take Care Credit for LapBand but there may be some out there. You should ask your doctor's office if they accept it or you will be doing all this work for nothing. I do know that my plastic surgeon takes Care Credit.

Although I'm not a friend of Bill, I am a friend of Lois. You are going to find friends here and I wish you the best of luck in the future. Remember easy does it and one day at a time.

Every body is different. I thought I would have much more skin left than I do. Please don't be mistaken, I have now had some skkin removed from my belly and breasts but it could have been worse. Exercise does make a difference. I will still need to have some skin removed from my arms and thighs but I keep working out to make it less. I have been overweight for over 20 years and my skin was so streched out I knew plastic surgery was in my future. My goal is to make things as easy as possible for me. I have tightened up quite a bit but i would never have been able to tighten the 7 pound peice of skin on my belly. That sucker had to be cut off and I could not be happier about it.