TamifromAL

They won't make you look heavier as long as you don't go too big. Implants that are proportional to your overall size actually make your waist and hips look smaller, in my honest opinion. Go for the boobies! :cursing: Tami

I really, really hated the staples that I had during my lap band surgery. I had little spots of inflammation at each point where the metal touched the skin. I think I might actually have a slight allergy to metal (or at least some kinds of metals), because I get a reaction when I wear certain rings. So, I was disappointed to learn from a nurse at my ps's office that he plans to use some staples on my incisions (she said that they would only be used at "high tension" areas for the lower body lift and medial thigh lift). Is that a fairly standard procedure? Or should I request sutures only? What method(s) of reconnecting tissues/skin did your surgeon use? Tami

Not really. I still haven't even told her I'm having surgery, because I know she'll try to talk me out of it ("You're perfect just the way you are!!"), and she'll worry about it. But, I'm still leaning towards bringing her home. Neither of us will be capable of much, but we can keep each other company! And, LOL, your "little action woman" has been putting in double time at the gym. But, I don't know what's with me food-wise. I've been grazing like crazy over the past couple of weeks. It's that TOM, and I'm blaming at least part of it on that, but I also wonder if some of it is anxiety over the upcoming surgery. Sometimes I get almost sick at my stomach thinking about the possibility of regaining the lost weight *again*. God forbid. I'd shoot myself. Is anyone else having food issues with ps looming? Glad to have you with us, Karey! The company is SmartBomb.com, 1-800-425-3115. The Bromelein was 6.29 + 6.00 sh/h for 100 chewable tablets. Since the ones at my health food store were over $20.00, non-chewable and huge, that sounded like a good deal to me! Nina, since you might not have access to the internet after surgery, could you please get someone to log on and let us know how you're doing? Or maybe at least email one of us to post a message? We'll all want to know how you did in surgery, and how recovery is going. Neal, I'm doing my pre-ops at my pcp's office, too. She wouldn't do my clearance letter without an office visit, and unless I wanted to do my blood work twice, I had to delay the visit until I could do the blood work at the same time, which had to be w/in 2 weeks of surgery. That makes me just a tad nervous, though, because my $500 deposit for ps is no longer refundable at that point! (Refundable up until 2 weeks before surgery.) Why do the docs have to make this so difficult? Are they in cahoots or what??? Tami

So, Nina & Neal, as of Monday you'll be down to two weeks. Are either of you planning on taking Arnica Montana or Bromelein? They are supplements that are supposed to help with bruising and swelling, and were recommended by my ps. I'm taking both, and was told to take them two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. I found the Arnica at a local health food store, but had to order the Bromelein online in order to get a chewable form (which was also cheaper than the ones they had at the health food store). Tami

Dang, Jacqui, I'm 48, and I plan on at least another ten years...of course, that's *with* new boobs and butt, :redface: Tami

Get thee to the lingerie department, and experiment with different things that you wouldn't consider before. I found a wonderful nightie that's sexy but still gives me a little "lift". I bought two! The right undergarments and nighties can make all the difference in the world. Tami

There is undoubtedly something you can do to speed up your weight loss. But, since we don't really know just what you're doing (or not doing), it's difficult to say what that might be. But, here's a link to a site that was taken from the Lap Band book by Jessi Ahroni, which outlines many, many factors that can impact weight loss. Maybe you can spot an area that you think you can work on: Adjustments Tami

They will sometimes cover breast reduction, if you have a medical history of problems caused by heavy breasts such as back or shoulder pain, or rashes under the breasts. A friend of mine who is not obese had her reduction covered by insurance. I've heard of insurance also covering brachioplasty, but that's fairly rare from what I've heard. And, as the other poster mentioned, they will cover the panni, under certain conditions. Tami

Thanks, you guys. Mom is ambulatory, but uses a cane. She doesn't have much energy or strength, though, and spends most of her day in bed. Her mental condition is slipping, too. I prepare most of her meals and take them to her. All she has to do is stick 'em in the microwave for a few minutes. But, her micro went out recently and I bought her a new one that said it was "QUICK and EASY" (and it is). But, it took her three weeks to learn (and be motivated) to use it. In the meantime, she was using the stove top and had a scary incident where she left the food on "high" and walked away and forgot it until the smoke alarms went off and reminded her! Aging is sad. But, I'm glad I'll go into my golden years thinner and healthier! I'm still leaning towards bringing her home with me, even though I know she'll be challenged to work *my* microwave, remote controls, etc., just because if she's at her apt. alone, she'll just lie there and worry about me. Tami

I always encourage new bandsters to use the band as a catalyst for change. Those who do all they can to follow the post-op diet and the "bandster" eating guidelines right from the beginning, even though they may have to struggle with hunger, often do better in the long run than those who wait for restriction to kick in to do the work for them. Most people who go through surgery to lose weight are motivated (at least at first) to do the right things, because they feel this is their "last shot" at being healthy and thinner. As long as they can tough it out for those first few weeks until they start getting fills, then they are even further motivated by the weight loss. Then, at about the time in traditional dieting (2-3 months out), when you're ready to throw in the towel, you finally get "good" restriction. So, use that early momentum, follow the doc's orders, eat healthy, and *most* people will lose weight right from the get go (which your poll bears out). Then, adequate restriction will help with the bulk of your weight loss journey, and *exercise* will take you all the way to goal, and help you stay there! (And to answer your question, I lost 25 lbs. in the first 3 weeks, and 108 lbs. to goal in 9 months.) Tami

I'm so sorry about your friend. But, if making a drastic change in your eating habits is a risk factor for a blood clot, then I should have died a long time ago, because pre-band, that's how I lived my entire adult life...yo-yoing between extreme dieting and eating everything in sight. Tami

Nina, how's the ear? Do you have full hearing back yet? Harley, is your back feeling better? Nina, Darlin' you seriously crack me up! :smile: Yeah! Congrats! You are moving right along, Harley. Thank you so much for helping the rest of us ease into this, knowing things have gone so well for you so far. Neal, glad to hear you've got your ducks in a row, and ready to go! No real excitement or news on my end. Just busy, trying to get stuff done before surgery, knowing I'll be laid up for a while. I'm a little worried about my 85-year old mother, though. She lives in her own apartment, but I'm her sole caregiver, taking care of all her transportation, grocery shopping, meal prep, organizing meds, paying bills, etc. etc. She has done pretty well over the past few months, but recently has taken a turn for the worse, physically and emotionally, and I've been researching Assisted Living facilities. I had planned on bringing her to stay here during my first week after surgery, but now I'm a little concerned that it might be too stressful for us both. On the other hand, she might actually do better having someone else to care for. Tami

Here are a few favorites from my Workout Playlist: Ready Set Go, and Scream, by Tokyo Hotel Headstrong, Trapt Into the Night, Santana with Chad Kroeger Laugh at the Sun, Send Me on My Way, and Drum Trip, by Rusted Root Crushcrushcrush, Paramore Alive, P.O.D. I'm Not OK, My Chemical Romance How Far We've Come, Matchbox Twenty What I've Done, Bleed It Out, Numb, and In the End, by Linkin Park First Time, Lifehouse Mr. Brightside, The Killers Reason is Treason, Kasabian Who Knew, Pink Here it Goes Again, OK Go Welcome to the Jungle, Guns and Roses I Don't Want to Be in Love, Dance Floor Anthem, I Just Wanna Life, by Good Charlotte Whatever, Godsmack Over My Head, The Fray Falling On, Paralyser, One Thing by Finger Eleven This Ain't a Scene, Thnks fr Th Mmrs, Sugar We're Going Down, and Dance Dance, by Fall Out Boy Bodies, Drowning Pool Crazy B*tch, Buckcherry The Great Escape, Boys Like Girls Tami

Nina, glad to have you back! It sounds like you had a good pre-op visit. I'm so jealous of your post-op plans. A week in hospital followed by a two weeks of medical assistance at a hotel? And a morphine drip for the first week??!! If they serve margheritas, I'm gonna seriously join you! I'm down to four weeks, and I'm excited and apprehensive. I've run across messages at a couple of sites (including LBT) saying that most "loose skin" is just still too much fat. Although I disagree, it makes me wonder if I've really done all I can to make the most of myself without all that surgery. I hate it when I question decisions I already made! I got my pre-op package in the mail, and have spoken to the surgeon's office a couple of times. No surprises so far, and all looks good. One thing I'm excited about is that I finally tracked down a lift chair to rent. I almost had given up, after calling several medical equipment places, and then finally found one. It's $50/week, plus $45 each way for delivery. I got it for two weeks, but can get a refund if I return it after the first week. I'm really pounding away at the gym. I want to have as much muscle as I can going into surgery, knowing that I'll lose some from being unable to do any lifting for 6-8 weeks. Oh, and it *snowed* in Alabama today! Woo hoo! That's the first snow we've had in years. My daughter made a 4" snowman, LOL. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Tami

I haven't had it yet, but I'm scheduled for 2/15. I've heard that before, about the scar drifting downward. But, I'd rather have a scar on the upper inner thigh than that crepey skin! Tami

Good grief! I figure I'll be an invalid for at least a week. Good for you! Hope you had a good night's sleep last night. Tami

Here's a link to her thread, Neal. Ladies-Perfect Cup Size? Congrats HarleyNana! Hope you have a quick recovery. Tami

Hope you have a safe journey, Nina! Check in with us when you can, we'll miss you! Tami

Thanks, Nina. I've been busting it at the gym for the past few months, knowing that ps is around the corner. I work out an hour to 2-1/2 hours six days a week. I do quite a bit of cardio/Spinning, plus 2 group strength classes a week, and usually another 2 sessions of strength training on my own with weights or Cybex equipment. Thanks, Neal. I love my arms and shoulders (my fav body parts!) I love the new tat drawing! Believe it or not, a phoenix was one of the ideas I had, as well. Either that, or maybe a butterfly to signify the changes I've gone through, both physically and mentally, over the past year and a half. I found one drawing in that all-black, tribal look that I really like. Buffie, welcome to the group! Tami

It really depends on your own size and build. I have broad shoulders, and a wide bottom, and a "D" cup looks proportionate for my body. Tami

Love, love, love it! I want to do something with that "tribal" quality, too! (Edit to add: I like yours too, Neal!) Tami

I told friends on another board that I would *not* post "before ps" pics until I have "afters" to compare to, but if you guys are brave enough, then I am, too! The good: The bad (port bulge & frowny belly button!): And the ugly: The bent-over front view: The "lift and see what it might be like after ps" view: And last, but not least, the "butt puddle": Tami

Wow, some of you seem a bit judgemental. I had plastic surgery 12 years ago: Breast lift/augmentation plus a bi-lateral thigh/buttock lift and mini-tummy tuck (cut all the way around, but only a bit of extra skin removed below the belly button), and quite a bit of lipo. I was in great shape before surgery, and pretty much back to normal within a month. Unfortunately, I regained the weight, plus more, but with the help of my band, I'm at goal once again, and have been maintaining for several months now. I'm scheduled 2/15 for all of the above, plus more. I'm getting a lower body lift, breast lift with implant replacement, laser lipo, port replacement, and a medial thigh lift (if surgery doesn't run too long). My surgeon is confident in his approach, and is well-respected in the surgical community. He is a pioneer of endoscopic (minimally invasive) plastic surgery, and teaches other doctors how to do it. He also does the newer laser lipo, which is much less traumatic on the body. So, yes, there *are* doctors who take a more comprehensive approach, and it doesn't mean they are irresponsible! Tami

I'll add a great big "ditto" to that. LJM, you have impressed the h*ll out of me over the past year. You've really worked your band, exercised like a demon, and are also a very kind, supportive person to others here. I'm excited for you! Tami

No tattoos, yet, but I will get one sometime in the next year. I promised myself one after reaching goal weight, but now I want to wait until after the ps. Maybe I'll get one for my 49th bday in October. Tami