Sandybells

I am a 2006 lapband patient. I have had episodes of constipation and have started taking a half of a tablet of a laxative daily. I get it at Walmart (Equate brand Vegetable laxative..It says on the bottle sennosides 8.6 mg..Senna concentrate.) It is very gentle for me and I rely on it to keep things moving through the weeks. Of course make sure you are drinking enough but for insurance..take a mild one.

Get to the doctor with that situation. I have never had blood in my years of lapband usage! Sandybells

I had my surgery in 2006. Have had a tummy tuck and currently weigh 133 pounds..Medicare paid and what they didn't Tricare (military ins. picked up) I have had a good experience except for early days when eating out. I felt deprived but have since gotten over all that. I now know how to handle my self like a pro. My doctor just saw me for an anniversary checkup and he was thrilled with me and my weight. I don't expect any problems and have had none in the past. Hope this helps! Sandy PS I lived in Sarasota since 1987 and moved to minnesota in 2003. I am very pleased with my band and would recommend to anyone. I should post a new photo. I do look pretty good now at 62 Years Old PSS: I had High blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, depression, just had a bit of trouble with getting through the psych appt. but finally made it. The first pscyh Dr. was being extremely careful. The second one I got much more comfortable with her so made it in a couple months.

In the past, before I had my tummy tuck. I used to put deodorant/antiperspirant under my apron after showering. Be sure it is dry before applying though. It doesn't work 100% of the time. Sometimes if it is extremely hot and humid I would get it no matter what. Some people are not able to use that because of the aluminum in the antiperspirant but it is worth a try. Hope this helps somebody out there! Sandybells

I just had to look up the site where you can see many tummy tucks. Makemeheal.com is good site to check out. Look for Panniculectomy or tummy tuck. Many pictures to see.

That spare tire can be pulled down when they do a tummy tuck and it will be greatly reduced.

I do hope you get banded and can be as happy as possible in the end. I doubted myself all along the way. Frustration can be bad but keep your mind committed and it can happen. I spent a year at 160 pounds and I felt it was just a lost cause. Not so... I got here after all. Keep the faith and keep on with your pursuit of it all. I can attest to the light at the end of the tunnel. Love to all, Sandy

MaRosie and others...For those on Medicare...(it is not really something doctors really want to accept....since the payment rate is so low). In my experience, you should just SIGN THE PAPER TELLING them you will pay for the surgery yourself if Medicare doesn't pay. In the end, Medicare will pay but not preapprove so you are going to wait a very long time (if ever)to get the surgery. The surgeons like to wait YOU out and hope you GIVE up... Don't fall for it... I have not had to pay for anything.... I felt it was a risk to say I would pay but remember that even if you do have to pay in the end....as long as you pay a tiny amount per month it is worth the weight in gold to get it done as quickly as you can. I am so happy to be done with it all. Always remember that getting the surgery is the most important part and the rest is up to you. The band is just part of the solution. It is work to lose weight and commitment is very important. I was at a plateau for about a year. 160 pounds and it just wouldn't budge. Then I got another fill and suddenly it started again. Keep your eye on the prize! It is so worth it and so are you! I have been shopping and twice in the last month and I have been told by ladies who didn't even know me that I looked nice. I had never worn jeans with a belt and attractive blouse tucked in. Well, I have the butt to show off now and it makes all the difference. I was always in elastic waist pants with a shirt covering my belly overhang. Just trust me when I say you will get there. It may take two or three years but it is so much within your reach. Please get the surgery and let me know when it happens. I am here waiting to Celebrate with you! -I have to say that both tummy tuck and the band itself are not preapproved so just agree to pay and then make sure when you go for the plastic surgery consult that you have a rash or take pictures of yourself with the rash and send it or take it in with you to the surgeon. These are all important to getting it all paid for by any insurance. Just remember that when you go in for the consult for either...you wouldn't go in with no weight problem and expect to be approved so don't go in with no rash either. PM me if you have questions as I don't come to lapbandtalk.com so much anymore but I want to help others so PM me to get my attention. I will try to get pictures taken by my husband so you all can see. I just hope to get them posted here as I am not so good with that. Sincerely, Sandybells

For those who may be worried about the pain of a tummy tuck. I had no muscle repair but skin (apron only removed). As for me, the pain was so unbeleivably minimal that now after a couple months I can honestly say I don't remember the pain. I have heard of those WITH muscle repair who had a great deal of pain so just remember...I had NO muscle involvement. Do wear the compression garment as it does help in support of the new you and pain will be minimized. (I still wear it on occasion just for kicks as it reminds me of where I came 'from'.) I bought some of the waist cincher type midsection girdles without the panty bottom. I bought a couple before surgery and bought with old measurments in mind. Well, I took several inches out of them with my sewing machine to fit my new after measurements. Since I am 61 years old.. my waist is not as small as I would like but still it is so far from my former 48". My measurements are 38 32 37. Sounds not so good but I still feel pretty awesome for my age. I weigh 121 lbs and at... 5 ft. 1 in. I feel pretty darn good. Hope this encourages someone out there!

I was banded Feb. 2006. I have just had my tummy tuck (June 26th, 2008). I am pleased as punch to inform all that Medicare and Tricare paid for my surgeries...All of it Lapband and Tummy tuck. I was unsure that it would be but just received all the paid receipts this month including tummy tuck. I had underbelly rashes to let you know that it helped the cause of having it paid for in the final billing. I did not have to resubmit anything. It was all paid right away without any questions. I know many people wonder whether it will be covered but in my case it has been and I am thrilled with my results. I also had gall bladder scarring that increased the risk of tummy tuck complications. No problem with the healing after all. My results are not symetrical but my stomach wasn't symetrical to begin with. I am 61 YO so I did not request or receive a new or replaced belly button as I felt it was an unnecessary wound to heal. If anyone has any questions...let me know! I now weigh 121 lbs and I am so happy with my new look!

I am scheduled for June 26th, 2008. I will be having the traditional surgery but with the special consideration for my gallbladder scar. The first consult made it clear that they couldn't do much about my bulge right above the belly button. I have an extra bit of fat on the opposite side from the scar due to the revision I had on the scar a few years ago. They took out some of the fat under and around the scar but it left a bulge of fat on the other side from the scar. I want it to be more symetrical by removing that bit of fat. They have decided to go ahead and incise above the belly button which was not in their original plan. In my second consult I made it clear that I want that fat gone or reduced somehow. So they will do the above the Belly button incision and then if needed will do liposuction later as is deemed necessary. I am 60 and so want this to make me look as good as possible for my remaining years. I didn't get the lapband just to look almost good. I don't expect to be gorgeous but at least look and feel as good as I can. Since I am paying for this I want it to be much improved.

I am scheduled for June 26th, 2008. I will be having the traditional surgery but with the special consideration for my gallbladder scar. The first consult made it clear that they couldn't do much about my bulge right above the belly button. I have an extra bit of fat on the opposite side from the scar due to the revision I had on the scar a few years ago. They took out some of the fat under and around the scar but it left a bulge of fat on the other side from the scar. I want it to be more symetrical by removing that bit of fat. They have decided to go ahead and incise above the belly button which was not in their original plan. In my second consult I made it clear that I want that fat gone or reduced somehow. So they will do the above the Belly button incision and then if needed will do liposuction later as is deemed necessary. I am 60 and so want this to make me look as good as possible for my remaining years. I didn't get the lapband just to look almost good. I don't expect to be gorgeous but at least look and feel as good as I can. Since I am paying for this I want it to be much improved.

I had requested they take as much of my pannis as they can. The first consult he only told me he would go just below my naval and down somewhere between my pubic mound and the navel. That would mean a minimal amount of my pannis would be gone. Just enough to reduce the droopy pannus but not at all address the upper bulge I have above my belly button. I had asked him in a letter if they could do a fleur de lys incision. He didn't like that as he said the blood supply to my lower stomach would be put at risk. So I agreed to a second consult. A second doctor looked and said he believes they could go above the naval and remove more than the first consult had led me to understand. So he said if after the surgery I am still not satisfied they could consider Liposuction if the bulge is still too much for me. (My bulge sticks out further than my breasts. Not attractive at all.) I am 60 but I still want to look better in my clothes. I will not have a belly button after this is done but I will not expect to wear a bikini at this age. My biggest concern in all was in my old age I do not want to be relying on a caretaker to wash and care for my underbelly being unhygenic and infected. I know they do not take care as I DO. If I am unable to care for myself...I want easy care...no special notes for caretakers who may or not pay attention to these special requirements. If anyone is as concerned as I am, Please mention this to your doctors so they understand your special needs. It could make a difference in how they submit it to your insurance. I hope this is clearly explained this time. I will not have the fleur de lys but the regular across the lower abdomen and over the hipbones type of incision. Wish me luck! Thanks for asking for clarification because I do want to help others who may need this information.