lynnt1215

Lynn, I had stitches inside and glue outside. It doesn't look like my scar will be bad at all.

I had another dr appt yesterday and I was really swelled so he put the extra foam under my binder again and since I am still draining so much he wouldn't take out the drain yet either. I went in hoping to have both the binder and drain removed. I was pretty disappointed.

He did say I am healing very nice. I go back in one more week.

Right now I am scheduling 3 1/2 weeks off. I have mainly a desk job, so if that makes it easier to go back sooner I will... but do not want to rush it, better to heal first and avoid cpomplications. Hopiehealing goes well for me. Others I know who have had the surgery did not have more than 2 weeks with the drains. Hope I fall in that category.

It is great being able to follow your recovery to see how it may be in my future

Statistics say that in most cases, people only lose 50% of their excess weight with the band. There are people who have proved that to be wrong though.

I am happy with my weight loss, even though I did not lose what I had originally decided upon.. All set for getting my body lift the end of the month. Too much saggy skin all the way around!! getting very excited

Way to go Eve and Lynn.

Lynn July 29 isn't very far off. I bet you are so excited. What all are you going to get done? How long are you going to take off work?

I will be 3 weeks out tomorrow I feel pretty good but I thought I would feel better than I do. I have a dr appt today and I hope he takes out this last drain I hate that so bad and now its sore where it goes into my body.

I am having the circumferencial, whole body, lift. I decided since I have all the excess folds on my sides and back I would go ahead with the whole thing. Only one recovery and one hospital expense..I am planning on 3 1/2 weks off. Better to be extra cautious. I can always go back earlier if I feel better and get DR clearance. I have questions for my DR, stitches or staples. I kno there will be 2 drains. and they get removed based on when the drainage subsides. My daughter is a nurse so she will be my main go to person.. Pre-op apt is July 23, only 1 week before surgery. So will call back to office and find out about any pre -op testing. And I am getting very excited..:biggrin:

scheduled my TT for July 29.... can't wait, even if it will be crazy for me at work when I return, I need the time off too..Added stress of the office is making eating choices tough

I did the Curves thing too, long before the surgery. I got bored and stopped going..Then joned a gym. tht was great, but the financial cost was a stretch so i quit that. Just walking for now. Getting ready to scheudle my TT. denied by insurance and decided not to fight it. I am lucky enough to have gotten a bit of inheritance and figure I am spending it on me.. Have to call tomorrow and start the process. hoping for end of July as a surgery date!!!

I wewnt back to school in 2005, had a great accelerated program to get my

BA in Organizational dynamics. I had an associates degree in lab technology and h ad takn several classes over the years. The program allowed most ofmy previous coourses to be used as electives and rewquired for the bachelors. I finished it in 18 months and still worked full time. It was only me at hopme, so no one else to answer too or share my time with. As I tell everyone, I did for myself, whether I got a new job or not. And I have found, unfortunately, no one wants to hire a college graduate, of 57 y/o, with no experience in the new field of her degree...Oh, well. I will conitnue to be a medical secretary and enjoy my life..

It was a great boost to be able to graduate with a 3.75..

Oh the temptations we face. :smile2: All part of learnig to change our eating patterns.

Cinnamon rolls, hot from the oven, MMMMM

Happy 4th of July to all. This story really inspired me and I wanted to pass it along. My father was career 24 yrs in US Air Force and our family made alot of sacrifices during those years and now I have a niece and nephew in the US Navy serving. I hope this inspires and lifts you up.

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?', I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan . After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.... As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks... I'll wait till we get to base. ' His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out hi s hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

May God give you the strength and courage to pass this along to everyone on your buddy list....

I JUST DID!

Signed,

Proud to be an American

I just read this on my e-mail and sent it off to all my e-mail friends. It is such a warming story

HAPPY JULY 4th to everyone, enjoy and be safe

Lynn did you just ask about getting the pannectomy done? That is all my insurance would cover. I had to pay for the upper part of my belly.

I am not exactly sure how the surgeon presented it, but will be in touch with them next week and go from there. I know the pannectomy is covered in most cases with my insurance, so will push forward. They told me that the first attempt usually gets denied and appeals are the norm..

just got my insurance denial for the TT. I am going to speak with the DR on Monday and see if it can be appealed, as well as find out the actual cost!!

Have a great 4th of July everyone

It's been 2 weeks since my tt and I am starting to feel better. I am getting my energy back and have been doing more cooking and cleaning. I still have my 10 year old help me and she's doing a pretty good job. She complains sometimes but I think it's a good learning experience for her.

I am still wearing the compression garment and after 2 weeks I figured it needed washed. So I had a spandx thing I bought to wear later and as the compression garment was being washed I thought I would wear the spandx. It is like a pair of panties but goes up higher on the belly, and like a body suit it has snap on the crotch area. I asked the dr what size to buy he says a small. I told him I don't feel small and he says well you are, so I bought a size med. Well as I was trying to put it on I put my legs in first and it just seemed too tight and I was scared to pull it up over my sore belly. Then i thought I would open the snaps and put it on over my head. I put both my arms in and it wouldn't move. I was stuck couldnt get it on or off. I finally did and threw the stupid thing on the floor so not sure what I will do when I get out of this binder.< /p>

I had a chuckle with your description of trying to get the spandex thing on. I don't thing men have an actual picture of women's sizes. I have a generic Spanx high brief. it is too small and I bought a medium too.... and as most things different makes and styles fit everyone differently..hope you didn't pull anything with your contortion act trying the tthing on!!:redface:

Glad to hear you are feeling well. I am still waiting for one DR letter for me dr to submit me insurance

I think I need to give the 5 day piuch test try. I have been getting by with slider foods and know that has been an issue with some gaining pounds.

I am not big on the breads, Pasta and potatoes but chocolate and ice cream are my demons!!

Kathy I am feeling far from fabulous. I hope I will in the next week or so.

I had another dizzy passing out episode on Thursday. The dr thinks its just my body adjusting to all the changes it has been through.

I am just trying to take it really easy and not doing much at all. I have a dr. appt tomorrrow morning.

I can't wait till I am healed and I can go on with my life.

Did yur doctor give you a time line of getting back to a normal routine? Mine told me 2-3 weeks to get back to work. I have a desk job so as long as I am able to sit for a length of time I think that would not be a problem. I know everyone heals at different rates. What about driving.. ? I know resting and taking care of myself it top of the list after surgery.

I am glad to hear of your progrees so I may have a better idea of what is ahead of me later this summer..

I wish the tickers would freeze when we made a post so that it reflect the weight we were at when we made a particular post.

I was looking back at old pages and the tickers show current weight and it looks a bit silly.

Am I the only one that thinks this???

I agree. I feel the weight we were at a specific time should be shown in that ticker.

As you can see I have not changed mine in a bit. strugling with 5-10 # plus or minus over the past few months. I just can't get myself back on track

So many March Bandsters! Is anyone else hitting a platue?

I have been battling a plateau for several months. Actually gaining and loosing the same 5# or so.. very frustrating..

But I am looking forward to my Tummy Tuck, so am working hard to drop a few more pounds before the end of July

Had my follow-up dr. appt today. He said everything looks good. I go back next wednesday. He hopes to remove one of the drains by then. I saw my belly no sags but it is still swelled guess I'll have that for a while. I am so glad the worse part is over and am looking forward to the benifits yet to come.

I am glad to hear things are going well. I am waiting for insurancw apporoval before scheduling my Tummy Tuck. Can't wait. My DR told me 2-3 weeks recovery before going back to work. I worry most about the discomfort and pain, but know in the end it is all worth it.

Everyone has a different experience with the lapband. I am totally satisfied. I had quite a few fills before feeling good restriction. There have been issues, trouble with PBing and getting inflammed, so DR took out 1 cc a few weeks ago, doing better and had 1/2 cc added back today.

I was not good at journaling my intake in the past few months and it has shown on the scale. I NEED and MUST get back to journaling my food intake.

I am also getting things on a roll for my Tummy Tuck. I can't wait to get rid of my 2 sags. My stomach looks like raising bread dough, soft and floppy, almost feels like a semi full Water balloon.. now that is enough of my visual graphics!!!!

UGH!!!! I had 1 cc removed about 3 weeks ago, had trouble with PBing and got a bit irritated and swolen and it would not subside.. I gained 6 # back!! H-E-L-P Had 1/2 cc put back today and go back in 1 month. I feel terrible that I gained so fast. Back to the journaling, I find that is the best way to keep myself honest and on track!!

Hey, a quick question: I just got my bill for my two most recent adjustments - $200 each!

Is that what everyone is paying? I'm thinking I might start doing it myself, if that's how it's going to be. The surgeon offered to show me how - and, obviously, it's not very difficult - but I was worried I might abuse the technique, and start deflating and reinflating at will!

wow $200. I only have to pay the copay for an office visit..

Well still in the hospital dr came in and thought it best I spend another night. I guess I feel better staying too. Been sleeping on and off today. Everything seems ok with my blood pressure and I've not been dizzy no more.

Last night as soon as I would go to sleep they would come wake me up. I got about 3 hours total sure hope I do better than that tonight

As much as being home in your own bed would have been great. Listening to the DR is best. Hope you head home early today. Relax, heal..

Go to my DR today, maybe get half of my unfill back...

Things were going too good I was discharged at 9 this morning so I got washed up and got dressed then got real dizzy and nausious and passed out so here I still at the hosptital. My blood pressure dropped really low too. I'm gonna beg then to let me go home later this evening.

Hope you get home soon, nothing is as good as being home to recoup

I'm on my laptop in the hospital things went wonderfull This has been the easiest surgery I ever had. I didn't even take one pain pill and I'd say my pain level is about a 1 one a scale of 1-10.

I was talking on the phone in the recovery room. been up walkikng the halls I bet I walked a mile, it was slow but it felt good.

I have this huge binder on and 2 drains so I look really fat, and I can tell I'm swelled even my hands are. I will go home after Breakfast tomorrow.

Thanks for the prayers they must have helped!!!

Glad to hear from you. Sounds like things are going well. I can't wait to hear how your recovery goes.

I think the binder and the drains will be the worst of the whole procedure.. How long did it take? I have so many questions. Speedy recovery, take care

livn..........we are leaving now.He should have surgery early this afternoon. I will check in when we get home on thurs night or friday.

All the best. Keeping you in my prayers..

Scrappy - keeping you in m yprayers, Can't wait to hear how things went. I am hoping to get my tummy yuck the end of July.

Harley - sorry to hear about impending divorce. I divorced after 21 years of marriage and sounds similar to you. Kept trying and then ecided it was no longer worth the effort to work on it by myself!! Good thought for you in the process

Christine - it seems there are several of us that are struggling at this time. I had 1cc removed a few weeks ago and have had some relief.. and healing from the continual PBing I was having. Go to doctor on Friday and even though I would love to have at least part of tht 1cc replaced I am still have a few issues with certain foods. And those soft carbs just go down so easy!!

FENTON _ Glad to see you are back. WE have all gone through those "slips" in our travels: wit or without excess stress from everywhere.

Those carbs that slide right on down are the devil.. always my demon I am dealing with too...

As I always say- we are a work in progress, with dips and turns, good and bad.. but always moving forward..