OH Juli

There was an bunch of skin cutting with my surgery. A TT typically is hip bone to hip bone with maybe a vertical incision. I had a 360 around me with a vertical incision. Plus my arms plus a revision to my breasts. 8 feet plus in incisions all together. Ouch, ouch, ouch

I'm thinking about you, girl. Sending all kinds of positive thoughts your way!

My tummy is flat, though the sweater doesn't do much to show that. This was taken yesterday.

The tummy tuck hurts 10 times more than my breast reduction 7 years ago or the revision he just did.

Niki that's great news! Greg you'll make that goal, I know you will! Congratulations to everyone!

Let be the old woman to chime in. If you think you can't cut back on drinking or don't want to cut back on drinking you have a bigger problem than your weight. You might want to look at alcoholism. I'm over shooting it I'm sure, but it's something to consider. But like others said, you'll not be drinking beer, but a few mixed drinks and you'll be good to go. Things to consider with the band: you can't chug anything, so you'll be sipping. If you're sipping you won't drink as much over time. You're tolerance will go way down shortly after surgery. Carbonation kind of hurts so you'll only do it once or twice. The old lady will leave now.

Sue I think I'm unusual with my draining. They do call me the "Seroma Queen" at the surgeon's office. I got some chuxs for the bed. They are plastic on one side and absorbant on the other. not fun to sleep on but they save the sheets and are disposable. I'd say don't worry about the mattress until you have an issue. All As for my issue, I didn't get a drain put in. I'm going to continue to drive 1.5 hours one way twice a week to see my surgeon to get drained. I'm off for 10 more days, so we'll see where we are at the end of next week. I hope to have slowed way down by then. Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. I'm shooting into work for a minute today to gather some information for the Race for the Cure. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and yeah, I admit a little, I'm looking forward to being seen too.:cool2:

Mrs. H, I'll be posting pictures eventually. I hope to take some this weekend when I graduate. Glad to hear you're moving forward with your recovery. Keep us updated. Jeni, Get to that spin class. You may not love it, but you trying new things is the key to staying motivated in the gym. My5, Howdy! Please actively participate! I love that you are teaching a Zumba class. That's completely amazing! Janine, My belly was big. I was kind of apple-ly. Do I miss it? No! Do I notice it missing? Yes!!! It's so weird. Hi Carol! Catch you all soon!

Jeni- You just need to "GIRL UP" and do it. Come on!!! Go and do it.

About drains, after a the first few days, you'll be emptying them yourself. It's no as gross as you might imagine it to be.

Niki and Cori Hi, and thanks so much for the encouraging words and sweet thoughts. I am really feeling like myself more and more daily. It's so good not to feel so addled-brained. Also, I think my waist has reappeared, which makes a girl happy. The seroma is still huge and being drained twice a week. He mentioned wanting to reinsert a drain today. I was really not too happy with the thought yesterday. I'm back to exercising and want to enjoy moving around. Having a drain stuck in me just seems like a backward step. However, in the middle of the night last night a piece of my incision opened and I drained in the bed. I woke up to the same sensation as when my daughter crawled in bed with me then wet the bed. Cold and wet and scared to death I peed myself. (!) Apparently I'll share anything here. So maybe I do need the drain. I don't want it...I see my surgeon in a few hours and we'll talk it out...and I will do what he recommends, but boo hoo.:thumbdown: So there you go a little bi-polar post for you all. Seems about right as far as this surgery goes. I love and hate it at the same time.

Hi Kathy, I love my surgeon in Cincinnati. It's him and one woman in particular on his staff who reassure me every time I drive down there that it was the best decision ever. My scars already look amazing, he knows what he is doing. He's kind of funny and maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but we banter and he's compassionate and logical and will answer all and any questions. There were NO cost savings. Actually I've probably paid $3000 more to use him than if I had stayed in Columbus and went with, Dr. Howmuchmayicutyou. (The one who spoke at the support group.) Also his office staff while local didn't do a thing for me. No regrets with the choice of surgeon at all. Thanks for asking.

I tried to have my 7 year old take my picture yesterday. She wasn't too interested and I looked super angry in the pictures because, well, I was. She was fooling around and all I wanted was a picture of me I could share. Alas, next weekend when I graduate I'll pull the camera out again and see about getting a few photos before I put on the cap and gown.

No, it's been a full 4 weeks since I had surgery. And I'm not ready to say I'm even close to 100%. I just love spinning and my thinking is the sooner I get back to the gym and "regular" the better.

I did find some cutie pants, light tan, kahki (how do you spell that word?) which is a first in a long long time. I never wore light colored bottoms because I didn't want a shadow on the underside of my belly. Well since there is no under side anymore, just my crotch (!), they looked cute as could be. They are still a bit uncomfortable on my belly because of the incisions. And about the crotch, I'm not used to my clothes actually fitting my rise, which I guess is the appropriate word for that area. That's going to take some getting used to. So today's update is that I did as I was told by my surgeon which was srcub off the glue on my scabs. I think I took more than I should because I had a raw exposed little piece of me that stings when I turn this way or that, when I bent to polish my toes. Yikes. There's always something new happening with this recovery. I did however go to spin class today. I didn't make it the full 45 minutes, but I did go for a solid 30. I feel pretty proud.

You look amazing! Thanks for sharing your pics.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f90/may-marchies-may-93290/#post1214041 Here's the May thread for us Marchies. Hope to see you there!

Hi my Marchie pals. Here's our new May thread. Please share your ups and downs. The support we give one another is so important. Hope everyone is well.

So I went and got drained again today. The surgeon wants to put a drain in again. I don't want one. I'm graduating a week from Sunday and don't want to commence with a drain sticking out of me. I need to really talk to him about it. Ick. However, I have to say I'm feeling good having been drained and he told me I'm allowed to take a bath! That will be so nice. I love soaking. So kids, I have to buy a pair of short/capris to wear to an outside party tomorrow. A dress is too dressy and my workout pants are too casual. I'm not looking forward to it but psyching myself up for a bit of shopping and buying only a size 12. I know I'll be in a 10 eventually, but I can't force the issue. Rambling here......

canasta- The cost really depends on what you are going to have done and if your insurance covers any of it. Typically if you have a big pannus they will cover that, but anything more is going to be out of your pocket. And a pannuculectomy with out a tummy tuck won't give you the results you probably want. I don't know that it would be worth the pain either. My advice, call a few plastic surgeons and get consultations. They are free.

Josie, Take the damn photos. I took my befores hold a tape measurer around my belly and my arm with a focus on the number. It was cool to see I lost 2 inches on my arms immediately. I've yet to take my afters. I wish I had bought a bathing suit because I was wearing unmatching bra and panties, which while I do that regularly, I don't really want the world to know.

I'm glad you got a recliner. I love mine (borrowed from a friend) and will be sad to part with it when I must because it is so comfortable. Also, I highly recommend a wedge pillow. I still use mine and I'm four weeks out. I sleep with so many pillows now it's not funny. Three on the wedge, one under my knees and two little ones under each elbow. But our surgeries are not identical, I'm sure you'll create something that works for you. Also, make sure you eat with your medication. It's easy because we are banded to forget to eat, but you will become sick, like puking and that hurts sick, if you don't. And it's real vomiting, not a PB. Stock up on saltines and canned Soup if that's something you don't normally keep oh hand but can tolerate. And you probably won't need a toilet raiser if you've been doing your squats. You're legs will be plenty strong to move you about. Hope that helps.

Jeni, I think the biggest issues with the arms is raising your hands above your head. I'm finally able to do that better. Being 5'2'' and apparently having every item I purchase at the grocery store on the top shelf was a chore. I was asking people to get me things down left and right. Also my reach is still a bit limited, going through the drive through or the ATM is a little bit of a challenge. All doable though. I find it interesting that you are doing your arms and legs at the same time. Do you worry that you'll not be able to use one or the other to get from a seated position or out of bed? (I don't mean to scare you...just curious.) And lastly I've just a little seperation in my underarms. Less than half an inch on one side and about an inch on the other. I was told that's really common. I just dress them with bandages and go about my day. I'll be reading your every word, as usual.

Awe shucks, me being the all American Girl? That sounds nice. I'd just like to fast forward a few more weeks so I can be better healed and in less pain. Alas, I'm a plastic surgery whimp. I suppose I can answer all the people who ask if I'm going to become a PS addict with a truthful and resounding 'NO'.

BG, Alison is going to be doing that ride on Sunday. 65 miles, I think. Look for her if you do it.