crystal525

I had a reduction and lift pre-band--before I even considered banding. They have held up very well. I was very concerned with whether they would drop...they didn't. Good luck!

When you are at appropriate restriction, you will not be able to eat and drink at the same time.

The hospital provided me with a "surgical" bra--I was in it when I woke up. Once I could take that off, I had bought a sports bra that zipped in the front and I didn't have to try and lift my arms above my head. Just make sure it's snug enough.

They can do both. The reduction reduces your breast tissue and fat, the lift makes them point ahead! I had a reduction and a lift pre-band. It was very painful for about the first week (if I remember correctly). But they do warn about sensation issues. I had my nipples removed since I had an extensive reduction. But I do have full sensation--actually I am more sensitive now than I was. I think they were too huge to enjoy before--they just layed all over the place! I am happy that they have stayed "up" even with the weight loss. It was the best decision I ever made. Insurance does cover if medically necessary so remember to check. Mine was covered 100%. Good luck with your decision.

I had my reduction and lift a year and a half before the Band. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced...but all worth it. I would do it again in a heart beat. Since I was a 42F and nearly 250 pounds, my doctor would only take me down to a D saying that if I lost weight she didn't want me coming back for implants! LOL. When surgery was over I was actually still a 40 DD. Now that I've lost 75 pounds I just had a measurement--still a 38D (I can actually wear 36Ds--they give me my cleavage). I actually think they feel small, but that's because they used to be so huge. Alot of people lose/gain in the boob area first. Not me--they are always the last thing to go. I'm glad to say I love my boobs now! They don't touch my stomach anymore (which I feared them dropping if I lost too much weight). My boob job is actually the reason I got the band. I realized my stomach was now seen alot more than when I had boobs! Ugh. But, thankfully, my lift appears to have held up. Your girls will settle down soon, and I'm sure they'll match right up with your smaller body as you lose the weight. Good luck! Crystal

I always had heartburn pre-band. Throughout the testing (including an upper GI) there was no diagnosis for a hernia. The morning of my surgery, my surgeon had me sign a consent "just in case" I needed a hernia repair. He said that alot of overweight people have a hiatal hernia they do not know about...he's seen it enough to know to get pre-approval to fix it. I did have one. After surgery, I didn't have heartburn at all --woohoo--until my band was overfilled over a year out. Hope this helps! Crystal

Sometimes once we get to our sweet spot we don't know how to eat. We MUST chew, chew, chew some more. Sometimes we are too full and must get an unfill (I've been there), and sometimes we are just not chewing well enough and eating too fast (I've been there too). You need to review how and what you eat and what you are throwing up. And adjust accordingly. Put your fork down between bites, etc. Follow the rules we were first taught that we've not been forced to follow until our restriction level is there. And, as always--talk to your doctor. They know best. We are good for advice, just follow the drs. orders! Good luck. ETA: Oh--and when my band was too full, I lost really quickly at first and then gained back 1/2 of what I lost waiting for my next appointment to get an unfill (this was during the blizzard here in the DC/MD/VA earlier this year). Crystal

I have always been a slow loser. I'm 19 months out now (my surgery was November 2008), and I'm down somewhere around 75 pounds (I've met my initial goal--I'm not sure of what my new goal is, but I'll know when I get there). I feel great, I look good:tongue:. My confidence is off the charts like never before in my life. I get compliments every day. And--my doctor has ALWAYS been happy with my progress. I usually lost anywhere from 2-4 pounds per month. I even gained some months. My doctor and I discussed each loss/gain as they came and I was often disappointed in my band, and myself in the beginning -- almost the whole first year (even if I lost a few pounds I didn't feel it was enough). My doctor always said it was normal--he's happy with ANY loss. But now I am extremely happy also. I've had to learn patience and to look at the positives...I wasn't gaining for once in my life! Or dieting!!! Also--If you lose too fast and you have a lot to lose, you are more likely to have loose skin. I am totally happy with where I am now. I was an 18-20 in the beginning and now I'm in 12's...soon to be moving to 10s. I also had to come to the conclusion that (even though I knew this going in) that this was not magic and that I would have to work it. I am one that has to exercise. I love the feeling though of not feeling like I am on diet. I eat whatever I want (and can--I've not been able to tolerate bread) in moderation. I've never been overly strict on myself which also contributes to my slower weight loss I'm sure. I don't limit myself by telling myself that I'm on a diet and I can't have xxx. That's why I chose the band. And I'm glad every day that I did. Give it time, and good luck.

Wow! Everyone seems to be doing great. We are only a year and a half out and we are well on our way to being at goal. I don't have a "real" goal right now. I'll just know when I get there I guess. I'm having some inner thigh skin issues that I contribute to 1--running, and 2--being too tight and losing 20 pounds really quickly! I am also having heart burn issues...even after having .4 taken out in March. I'll tell my doc in two weeks...but If I took my prevacid everyday like he told me I'm sure it wouldn't be too bad. I just haven't had heartburn since before band surgery (my doc fixed a hernia at the same time). But damn...late evenings are painful. Since I don't get home from work until 7pm, unfortunately there's nothing I can do about eating late. I try to stay up for 3 hours after, but since I get up early, it gets hard. Anyway--everybody keep on doing good....getting ready for bathing suit season (my body won't see a bikini unless it's in my backyard...even tho my hubby bought me one). Crystal

Ouch...sorry to hear that. My doctor mentioned swapping my port out for a low profile (or as he likes to call it a "gucci" port) when I'm smaller and it becomes more noticeable...and when there's less fat to get thru I assume. LOL! Unfortunately, if it's been like that the first 2 times, I think it might not get better until you lose a little more weight. I hope you are close to your sweet spot and don't need another fill anytime soon! I've never had a flouro-fill, but my doc always pulls all the liquid that's in there out to make sure what's supposed to be in there is in there before putting it back. Then he adds the additional fill amount. I've been lucky with my doc hitting it the first try everytime. Good luck to you! Crystal

After a quick search I found these--just google bariatric and Virginia Beach. Bariatric Physicians Licensed in | VA Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss) Doctors in Norfolk, Virginia I love my dr. -- he's in Northern VA. We're only a 3 hr drive away if you can't find one closer! Again...jump back on the bandwagon and start logging foods. Get to the doc as soon as you can.

I'm just wondering why people make the comment that "you're losing too much weight." Are they just used to seeing us as very large, and now that we are becoming smaller, we look thinner than we actually are??? I am right around 180 pounds and in 12s and 14s. I know that I've never appeared to weigh as much as I do, but jeez, I'm still around 40 pounds over weight (although I feel just fine and I'm very happy with myself). People are just shocked when I say I want to lose another 20 pounds and be a size 10. Thought about this??? Crystal

It's 5 years later things are much more advanced. There are more places to go to get treatment and more doctors to see. You need to make a few calls and find a new doctor that is willing to see you--probably closeby. You cannot give up. You need to start completely over, but first you must get to the doctor to see exactly where you are. I am sorry about your separation, but stand up and fight for your band, for your health, and for your life. Once you take that first step, maybe everything else will fall into place. Much Luck, Crystal