Cherishthepast

Yes, this is difinately a sign that you've reached your fill. Eat slowly and take small bites, my food is usually cold by the time I'm done - yes, I have at times had to reheat my plate.

My 3 yr anniversary is next month. Still loving my band. Yes, take it easy as your body needs time to heal and adjust. The only thing I did prior to my first fill was walk around my yard. The doc told me NOT to excercise and I didn't. However, he did encourage me to walk as that helped to relieve the terrible gas pains. My best advice... follow the docs orders to the letter.

Thanks to everyone. Allison, my plastic surgeon is Dr. Robert Dennis (DC). Chrissy, I've never had any issues with my band. Early on I would feel some port discomfort, however, that I chalked up to muscle pain in this area due to working out coupled with the tummy tuck healing. I've not felt any discomfort or had any issues that required me to have revisions to the band.

It has been forever since I last logged into this site. Life has been crazy and hasn't allowed me the time to touch base with you guys. All is well, I've been maintaining the same weight w/n 3-4 pounds for the past year. Initially it drove me crazy that I couldn't get rid of the last 10 pounds, I won't lie, there are times that it still bothers me but I just make myself remember to be thankful for how far I've come. I've scheduled an appt with my lapband doc for the 28th, perhaps it's time for a slight fill as it's been about 8 months since I've been to his office. Thankfully, I've not gained any weight but I am able to eat more than I'd like. Cold Kosher pickles are now my new thing ~ 20 calories and I'm full, I resort to pickles when I get the munchies... The tummy tuck is great!!! I had the right side of my scar tattooed (sp?) a few months ago and plan to have the left side done this fall as I don't want anything to interfere with swimming this summer. Crossing my fingers that things will turn around financially for many reasons including (but least important) getting my saggy breast done. I plan to start a fund for the girls and once I'm 3/4 the way funded schedule my appt. Yes, I'm going with the same doc who did my tummy tuck - I love him, he's attentive, very easy going and a genius at his craft. I will touch base more often and lean on you guys for support when band life gets a bit bumpy... Wishing you all continued success.

Hello! It's been months since I last checked in, still in a size 6 jean and weight hasn't changed in over 8 months. Perhaps this is the weight and size I'm meant to be. I've come a long way, at the start of my journey I weighed 233 and wore a size 18/20. I still exercise (average 2-3 days a week for approx a hour), I eat small meals (thanks to my band). I'd love to lose an additional 10 pounds and have in the past increased exercise, changed eating to reduce calories and when that didn't work, I tried shaking it up with increasing calories. I'm done fixating on the scale (the illusive 10 pounds loss) and will go with the flow as it appears my body is in maintaining my current size and weight. To Celebrate my new content attitude, I've made an appointment to have cherry blossom branches tattooed on my hip - yes, this 50 year old taking the leap to have additional tatts done. I have a funny... I work as a manager of a public charter school (career change after losing my job last year), at any rate, I had a very sexy grandpa (all the staff refers to him as sexy grandpa) pull me aside and say that he had a thing for me. Well, I'm happily married and would NEVER delve into that but found it very flattering that sexy grandpa found this grandma attractive. Once my new tatts are done, I plan to post pics of the new me. Wishing you all contiued success.

Hello! Congratulations on your success with both ridding yourself of meds and the weight you've lost. I was lucky, my insurance at the time (BCBS MA) paid for everything. I had a tummy tuck, muscle repair and some lipo without paying a dime. I documented rashes with both the lapband doc and pcp; additionally, I had them prescribe ointments/salves... the insurance stated that they would pay for abdominoplasty or panniculectomy - of course I choose the abdominoplasty. I had the surgery performed just before Christmas and was in the hospital overnight. I stayed home from work for 3 weeks, probably could have returned after 2 wks. The first week is awful. The drains, incision, and the damn compression garment were a nightmare. I was lucky to have the drains removed at my first post op visit - I can't begin to stress the importance of following the doc's orders. I rested and didn't do anything strenuous until he gave the green light. In addition, I up'd my Protein intake 2 months before to help promote healing. Sad to say, the hardest part was giving up the security of the compression garment. I didn't stop wearing it for months after the doc said I could let it go. It felt better having it on than off as you tend to not want to stand straight w/o it. i gradually weaned myself once the season's changed and the heat aided me in letting it go. Oh, the swelling is another issue. Some days you swell to the point that you look like you haven't had a TT that subsides a couple months or so after you ditch the compression garment. There are some before/after TT pics in my gallery, this will give you an idea of how much of a change a TT makes. The after pic doesn't do me any justice now as my shape has continued to change - I actually have a waist now with curves... Contact your insurance and start shopping around for a surgeon. I will tell you that many plastic surgeons don't want to take insurance, don't let them frustrate you. My surgeon told me that I was the first patient he had ever had to get insurance to pay in full. Wishing you lots of luck.

Well, it's been 2 years since getting the band. I've gone from a size 20 to my current loose size 6. It has not been an easy road; however, my only complication was maintaining patience through the journey. Would I do this again? HELL YES!!!! I'm healthier, happier, and at 50 - I flaunt my stuff I have the body and stamina of a 25 year old and am loving every moment. Do I have advise for others - those that are getting frustrated, losing patience, hitting the dreaded plateau? I've been there and have definitely done that. Remember, the band is a tool. We really have to work to get the weight off. Find something that you enjoy doing and go for it. I found my niche in swimming and boxing. I didn't know how to swim pre-band and decided to take lessons so that I could exercise without harming my joints. The initial results, I lost 20 pounds and learned how to swim in a matter of 6 weeks. I still take swimming lessons as I want to learn all there is re: strokes and at some point I think I will join an adult swim team. When I reached one of many plateaus from hell, I decided I needed to shake it up a bit; I signed up for boxing - no, not kick boxing. I've been doing this for over a year now and LOVE IT!!!! The bottom line, find something that makes you happy and keep moving - walk, bike, garden, run, clean your house - Just keep yourself moving.... Last year (June 2010), I was frustrated as hell. I weighed 172 and was wearing 12-14 jeans and couldn't lose a pound. Well, June 2011 I weighed in at 160 (12 pounds lost over a year); however, I was wearing a size 6-8 - CRAZY!!!! With this said, STOP watching the scale; yes, easier said than done. With exercise, I was losing fat but gaining lots and lots of muscle. As a result, my body was changing but the scale appeared to stand still. I'm currently in a size 6 jean, some size 4 depending on the brand and weigh in at 154. I've modified my goal several times over these past 2-years. I made my initial goal of 155. Am I happy? YES Do I plan to adjust the goal again? YES I'm currently shooting for 140 - we'll see how that goes. I no longer take meds; no more HBP or cholesterol meds for me - I actually stopped both 2 months after band surgery. Plastic Surgery: Yes, I took the plunge and had a tummy tuck (Dec. 2010), which did lots for my self esteem. I've been debating on whether to get the girls done; however, they are constantly changing. They aren't as droopy as the were 6 months ago and it's probably best to wait another 6 months before taking the plunge as I may not need a lift after all. The initial consult was in August 2010, at which time I didn't need a lift. During a follow up visit for the TT (approx 6 months later), I asked the doc what he thought and he said I'd need a lift. Now, they look much perkier and a lift may not be in my future - perhaps small implants. I've rambled enough, but wanted to share how things have gone for me. I wish you all much success on your journey.

It's up to you. I didn't take mine with me; yes, he's very supportive and was there for me through it all. I personally wanted to do the consults alone, which had nothing to do with not wanting hubby seeing anything. I really don't think there's anything he hasn't already seen. I went to 5 different consults before picking the PS I felt suited me. I'm anal and didn't want my husband or anyone else having to go with me to these appointments and hear me grill the docs. All in all it was best for me to go alone. Hubby, took me to most of my post op appointments and was my nurse during the first week or so. He has been the BEST support system a girl could ever ask for. By the way, I'm going in tomorrow to have a revision done on my TT; yes, hubby will be right there with me.

I started getting consults in August 2010, had a total of 5 consults and had the actual surgery on December 22, 2010. As long as you're w/n 20 pounds of your goal weight I say go for it - start calling and scheduling your consults.

Congrats!!!! Please keep us posted.

My insurance paid for my TT w/MR. DON'T give up, I went to 5 different consults and the only doc that was willing to submit the paperwork was the first person I saw and the surgeon my LB doc recommended. I love my PS and am glad he was willing to take my insurance. Everyone else I saw said that insurance wouldn't cover the procedure - I assured them they did as I did lots of homework and spoke with the reps on a regular basis to make certain that I covered all bases. As a previous poster noted, most plastic surgeons don't want to take the reduced fees paid by the insurance and want you to pay in cash or finance the procedure through the many medical finance companies.

I went in today to talk with my PS regarding the look of my left side versus my right side - lower back. A little history, I had TT w/MR and Lipo in December; since then, the PS has given me additional lipo on my right side due to a dog ear, approximately a month after the lipo he took about 3 inches off the right side to remedy the problem. Well, 3 weeks later I called him and went in today to show him that my right side still isn't the same as my left. Yes, the dog ear is long gone; however, I seem to be a little fleshy (lack of a better word) on the right side still. I told him I'd pay for him to remedy this for me and he said don't worry, I'm not going to charge you - I see what you're referring to and I'll do some lipo and remove additional skin from the area. The area in question is actually more to my back than side - I have a type A personality and know that for most people this wouldn't be a problem but little things like this can drive me insane. I'm so happy that he doesn't think I'm crazy person - if he does he hides his thoughts well Anyway, I'm scheduled (6/22) to have what I know will be my last revision. Yippee!!!

Please wait... I had a number of consults when I started considering TT and breast augmentation and during that time (August 2010), I was told that I didn't need a lift. Well, I had the TT w/ MR (December 2010) as the insurance picked up the cost and I decided to wait for the breast once I saved enough funds. I just spoke with my PS about my breast again (9 months later) and now I need a lift due to additional fat loss. I'm glad I didn't do the augmentation with the TT now - the thought of droopy mellons versus my current tube sock look would have been very bad. I am close to my goal and plan to have the girls done this fall after I enjoy the wonders of summer - pool, pool, pool....

I waited 6 wks before returning to the gym and my cardio/boxing classes which includes LOTS of stomach crunches and situps. Even after 6 wks I took it slow - I was back up to speed after 2 wks of working my way back into things. Take it easy, you're body needs lots of time to heal.

I had to wait until the drains were removed - 6 days before showering. I'd strongly suggest contacting the doc. I also took the advise of others on the board and purchased baby wipes, I used these after using the restroom to freshen up. This coupled with sponge baths helped - then on day 7, the day after the drains were removed I couldn't get in the shower fast enough.