Karen12345

Lauralou, I didn't think I'd want or hopefully need the tummy tuck, but it became very important after 170 lbs. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I had my lapband 2 1/2 years ago and I guess I'm at goal weight. I always said my goal was 150 and I got there and have maintained it several months. I have so much lose skin that it never would have tightened up. Now it's so tight that I can hardly eat a piece of pizza! That "after" picture was just a few days post op. The doctor says I was still swollen and I couldn't believe it. The port wasn't so visible then but as the swelling came down, it's poked out more and more. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I had the same problem. My esophagus and pouch were all torn up. I've had a total unfill and am just living with it that way. Thank god I'm at goal weight. I've lost 170 lbs. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I have a wide mouthed Vitamin Water bottle and I drop 4-5 ice cubes in with with powder and my liquid. Then I shake it really hard. The ice gets it stirred completely. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I don't know why, but that picture uploaded upside down, lol. But you can see the hideous lump! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I don't know if you can really see it, but it's huge!! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

The whole situation of throwing up blood totally freaked me out! It would heal and then come back, heal again and come back again. The only way for it to heal was to be completely on liquids or mushys. I was starving and often just ate ice cream. I've got $11,000 in ps and spending $8000 more in the next few weeks with another $10,000 shortly after that. I'm hoping that will motivate me to not gain any weight. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I got an erosion in my pouch and was throwing up blood. I am at goal weight. I've been unfilled for awhile and am doing well. I am actually eating healthier since getting a total unfill. I know it's a possibility of gaining weight but the lapband isn't an option for me now. I understand that eating around 1200-1500 calories is now and forever my way of life. I have completely changed in every way in the last 2 1/2 years and having lost 170 lbs. I recently had a tummy tuck and am going for the breast and neck lift in 3 weeks and soon after getting my arms and thighs done. I absolutely love being a size 8/10 and my new healthy lifestyle! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Danielle, how are you doing? How was your experience with Dr Quiroz? I'm going there next month. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I understand your concerns. I had my abdominoplasty here in Houston for the same reasons. Now I wish I would have done it in Mexico because I could have had two procedures for the price of one here. But I just didn't feel comfortable leaving my area. I wanted to recover at home.nim having my breast lift and neck lift there and am looking forward to it. Staying in their recovery boutique for 6 nights. I will actually get more rest there because at home I was constantly popping up to do stuff. It will be a mini vacation. Good luck to you. Karen Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I am 7 weeks out and week 3-6 were the worst. I can't exercise yet but started feeling great a few days ago. Made me realize how bad I had been feeling. I went thru a little "depression" crying all of the time. It was kind of rough. I think it was also all of the pain pills I was taking and then trying to quit smoking. It does get better. I just signed up for an all girls mud run, an obstacle course thing and I'm looking forward to that! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I'm going on the 8th of August. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I emailed my PS that is doing my breast and neck lift next month. He will take out the port and all of the tubing for $200! He consulted with his bariatric surgery partners and they said it was totally easy and completely safe to just leave the empty band in. Yay! I'm so excited! My port is huge and painful. I may be more excited about this than the breast lift! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I had it out for about a week and my stomach was all swollen. She took out 390cc's of Fluid on that Friday and had me come back the next Tuesday (she was out on the Monday doing surgery). When I went back on the Tuesday there was another 380 of fluid so she put it back in. This one is pretty painful and always wanting to start to get red. I'm down to about 40 cc's a day but I'm not in any hurry. I don't want it out too soon and have the fluid come back. It seems this is normal. I had so much skin removed its just taking awhile to heal. I'm going to Mexico in 4 weeks for my breast lift and neck lift so I have to be totally healed. My port is sticking out a lot so I'm looking at prices to get that removed. Just the port right now because removing the lapband is almost as expensive as getting it put in. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

How are you doing now Jill? Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

You may want to check out Dr Quiroz in Tijuana. You can fly into San Diego, they pick you up at the airport and bring you back. He is board certified in the us and Mexico and does great work for about half the price. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Really try to get your 60 grams of Protein in. It will keep you from losing your hair and keep your skins elasticity. I'm 2 1/2 years out and have lost 170 lbs and didn't lose any hair and my skin is great. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Lol, yes of course it's normal. You'll probably need several fills to get to the sweet spot. We got overweight because we like to eat. For me it wasn't about actual hunger. I over ate many times in the beginning (still do occasionally). I've lost 170 lbs and what I did was start to get into a routine of exercising (just walking in the beginning). I started to learn how to get in at least 60 grams of Protein a day so that I wouldn't lose any hair and so that my skin would keep its elasticity. I started to learn how not to beat up on myself when I over ate and I just got back to eating healthy. I started to learn how to really chew my food. You'll really need this skill later on as you get more fills. Be patient and kind with yourself. You are going to be fine. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Before I got my lapband I knew a couple girls that had gotten lapbands and were actually angry and bitter about the differences in the ways they were treated after losing weight. I decided that I wasn't going to have any of that type of thinking. I enjoy the compliments and learning how to feel good about how I look. I never wore makeup before or high heels. Who would have thunk that at 52 I'm finally learning how fun it is to be a girl? Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I have a friend that carries a card showing she has had lapband surgery and she shows it to the waitress so she can order from the kids menu. I've thought about getting a card... Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I would give them to my sister to take to her church. I have lost 170 lbs so I have gone thru a BUNCH of sizes. From 30/32 to now an 8/10. I bought most of my clothes at the Salvation Army but every time I got a wardrobe, I'd shrink and have to start all over again. I just had an abdominoplasty and in August will have the breast lift with implants, so I'm hesitant to start buying new clothes again. It's a lot of work but so much fun! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I'm in the Heights and would like to be part of a group! Count me in! Karen Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Jill, I am getting the breast lift with implants on Aug 9th. Did you get just a lift? Does that part hurt? How does it look? Karen Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Neither can I! I'm so glad you are drain free. I had mine for 4 weeks (but it took that long to quit smoking). Are youmupmand moving around? What all did you have done? Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk