TamifromAL

Thanks! It feels pretty awesome! I sometimes pull my jeans out of the laundry basket to fold, hold them up, and wonder who left a pair of jeans at our house. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that they're mine. Tami

LJM, I'm so sorry. I know you're disappointed, but as shown with my experience, sometimes things were just meant to happen. Right now I'm just miserable with a horrid head cold and raging runs. I can't even begin to imagine if I was recovering from major plastic surgery. One thing I want to caution you about, though. I was really motivated with my eating and exercise when I was preparing for plastic surgery. Once that was no longer in the forefront, I started getting sloppy, and I've put on a few pounds because of it. Please don't let this situation de-motivate you. You are doing an awesome job, please stick with it, and know that the difficulty you're going through is just a delay. (Edit: LJM, I posted this earlier, before I read your blog, and didn't know at that time what happened, and I'm embarrassed to compare your situation to mine. I am so sorry for your loss. Hang in there, darlin'.) Hugs, and best wishes, Tami

I was scheduled for plastic surgery last week, but had to postpone. Now, I'm questioning my decision to have surgery, mainly because I'm worried about gaining weight during recuperation because of inactivity and boredom, and I'm worried about getting off track with exercise, which is a huge priority for me. Can those of you who've gone through this already please share your experiences regarding weight gain (or loss) following plastics? Thanks! The choices I'm listing in the poll are: **I lost weight following plastic surgery. **I temporarily gained weight due to swelling, but lost it within 2-3 months after surgery. **I gained weight after surgery, and I'm still struggling to get it back off, but it was still worth it. **If I had to do it over, I'd skip plastics because of the re-gain. **Other (please explain) Edit to add: forgot to allow for a "have not had plastics" option. Please select "Other", if you'd like to participate in the poll, but have not had plastics. Thanks for your help with this poll! Tami

I'd recommend sticking with the post-op diet required by your doc. They don't want your stomach "churning" with digestion, because the band needs to settle in place to prevent slipping. I know it's hard at this stage, but stick with it! Are you still on Clear liquids? My favorite clear was wonton Soup from a Chinese restaurant. We asked for only the broth, and they gave us two quarts for the price of one. If you're now able to have full liquids, thinned baby foods would probably be fine, but to me they lack flavor. I'd rather take foods designed for adult tastes (like Chunky or creamed soups) and just blend with extra broth, milk, Water, or V-8. I was told that full liquids should be thin enough that it would pass through a straw, but don't use a straw because it can pull in extra air, too. Tami

Just curious...why does Dr. Adams no longer do the surgery? Best wishes for your husband's surgery approval. He's got a huge advantage with you going through this before him, and understanding what it takes to lose the weight! And, by helping him, it will undoubtedly give you the push t get all the way to goal and stay there. Tami

Eugenia, good to hear the brachioplasty went well. Hope you heal quickly! Neal, glad your'e feeling better, too. You guys remember that phrase about things happening for a reason? Well, I woke up this morning, on what would have been my surgery day, with a cold coming on. I'm all stuffy, and have a sore throat. In all probability my surgery would have been postponed anyway. Tami

NEAL!!!!!!!!! Good to hear from you. I'm sorry you had some difficulty, and I seriously hope that cough and congestion pass soon. Let me tell ya, darlin', if you could only feel as good as you look, you'd feel GREAT! (And you soon will!) Tami

Glad to hear Nina's surgery went well, and looking forward to hearing from Neal. Welcome to mommi-hammi, Esmeralda, Kelliebelly, and marypetunia. I'm the non-ps member of the group, since my surgery has been postponed! Esmeralda, just wear something comfortable to the hospital, that fits loosely around the waist. I had planned to wear a sweat suit, with a draw-string waist that could be adjusted. I requested all my prescriptions in liquid form, and *in advance*. My doc was going to mail them to me. I had to stop to get my prescriptions filled after my lap band surgery, and it was a PITA. As far as your fill level, if you've already discussed it with your bariatric surgeon I'd say don't worry about it. As long as you're not too snug now, you'll probably be all right. Personally, I didn't want to give up my fill because I was afraid of gaining due to over-eating from boredom, and lack of activity. Karey & LJM, glad to hear the anxiety level is down. I'm a little blue today, thinking about the fact that my surgery would have been in two days. I put away my arnica, bioflavonols, and bromelaid today. I got a phone call from my original plastic surgeon's office yesterday, telling me that if/when I'm ready to reschedule, that he has made arrangments with another bariatric doc for the two of them to do the surgery in a hospital where they both have privileges so that the bariatric doc can do the port switch. I didn't even ask whether there would be any additional charges, because I'm not sure if I want to involve another bariatric doc. I don't know why that bothers me. I was fine having the plastic surgeon do the switch, but if a bariatric doc is going to be involved, I'd rather it be mine. Plus, when I researched the other bariatric guy, all I kept pulling up was stuff about the gastric bypass, and I wonder how experienced he is with the band. So, for now I'll just wait at least until after the support group meeting this weekend. Hopefully I'll get a little more info from the plastic surgeon who is speaking this month (who I assume is the one affiliated with my bariatric doc). All my best to all of you working out your surgery plans, and those of you waiting patiently to just get to it! Tami

mamadi, I still get hungry, but not as hungry as pre-band. Some docs will tell you to only eat three meals a day. But, I eat 5-6 times a day, small meals or Snacks, and since I eat every 2-3 hours, I certainly don't suffer from too many hunger pangs! Tami

Nana, no wonder, you look mahvelous! Personally, I think the results from a tummy tuck or breast work seem to produce the greatest patient satisfaction. Unfortunately, the lower body lift and the medial thigh lift have limitations for what they can do for the legs. The improvements are more significant in the areas closest to the incision line. If someone (like me) has loose skin further down the legs, you either accept limited results or go with the lateral thigh lift, which comes with significant scarring and an extremely painful and difficult recovery. Tami

Don't know, Karey. I've just put things on hold for right now. We have a plastic surgeon who will be speaking at our lap band support group meeting this Saturday, and I'm going to ask him about the possibility of doing a port replacement during plastic surgery. I'm glad you were able to work that out for your surgery. I post over at Obesity Help, too, and really got slammed because of my port bump. There was a group of people who had the Duodenal Switch surgery who were claiming that lap banders don't get to goal. So, I switched my avatar to my "torso" pic in the pink bathing suit so I could kinda shove it in their faces that, yes, lapbanders can and *do* get to goal weight. One of the DS guys said my pic makes him want to vomit because of the port! As a matter of fact, he said it several times. I got overwhelming support from others on the boards and dozens of PMs. It was all kinda funny, and an awesome opportunity to spread word of the band, and the potential for success without modifying the stomach and intestines, or the life-long potential for nutritional deficiencies that can come from other types of wls. I also got an email from OH asking if I'd be interested in being featured in their magazine. I don't know how that will pan out, but it was an honor to be approached. Looking forward to hearing from Nina and Neal! Tami

Hi everybody! I haven't been in touch, because I'm totally jealous of all of you who are still scheduled for surgery! :thumbup: Just kidding. I've actually kinda come to peace with it. I've just decided to worry about it another day! Just wanted to pop in to say Best Wishes to Nina and Neal. Heal quick! Tami

What people consider to be a "good" level of restriction varies. *For me* the level of restriction that you describe would be too much already, and I would definitely not be considering another fill. I got slightly overfilled on my second fill (1.5cc in a 4cc band). I couldn't eat Breakfast, I got a lump in my throat frequently when eating, and I started eating soft foods (usually higher in calories) because I felt deprived and wanted to eat something that I didn't have to struggle with. I really was not enjoying eating at all! So, I went back and got a .25cc unfill. That took me to a level of restriction that was comfortable for me. I prefer a fill level that makes me slow down my eating pace (or I get stuck), and that means I eat less. But, I still *can* eat more, if I push it. It's been tough to learn the difference between eating to satiety rather than eating to "full". By keeping a fairly moderate fill level, I'm able to eat lots of healthy, whole foods which keep me full much longer than soft foods. And that, to me, is a huge factor in success with the band. Tami

I posted about my port delimma over at Obesity Help's plastic surgery forum, and one of the responses (from "luckyme") was very encouraging: "I frantically tried to get my port changed with my TT. I even got my PS to agree to change it. My band surgeon tried to get a new port for me but Allergan will only sell them to the site that does band surgery (hospital or surgery center). I even talked to the rep from Allergan (Don Mills) and he agreed that it made sense to make them available to PS, but that it would require a "policy change". My band surgeon was going to squeeze me in to replace the port with a low profile port the week before my TT, but my PS said "NO - it would affect the blood supply". He said he'd try to move it during surgery. He decided not to move it because it was "well encapsulated" and he felt that would keep it stable. So I still have my original big port in it's original location and it is completely invisible. How? My PS said he "recessed" it into the muscle. Basically, he sewed it in a little deeper. I was worried that it would pull out or be painful. I do lot's of crunches and no problem at all. In fact my port used to catch on my waistband prior to the PS. Now I can't even tell it's there. It's just above and the the left of my BB. It is closer to midline due the the muscle tightening. Hopefully your PS will be able to hide yours also. I'm so glad I didn't spend the extra money for the new port and replacement as this one works just fine (I've had fills) and doesn't show at all. Good luck with your surgery. Hopefully your PS will come up with a solution that works well for you." Just thought I'd share that info over here! Tami

Nina, have a great trip! We'll miss you! Best of luck with the surgery and for a quick recovery. Keep that morphine a drippin'! Thanks, ya'll, for your supportive messages and suggestions about my surgery. It means a lot to me to have people to share all this with who understand it. Nina & Karey, you both make some excellent points to consider, and in a way you're making this decision much harder for me, :eek: I almost decided to give up getting *any* surgery, because until reading your messages, I was feeling like everyone I know was against me getting surgery! My husband tries to be supportive, but keeps reminding me to be realistic, at least about the lower body lift, and he's right. I know that even if I get the lower body lift and medial thigh lift, I'm still not going to be happy with my legs (happier, yes). I keep trying to weigh the all the risks and expense against the outcome that I can reasonably expect. My best friend was downright ugly about it yesterday. I *briefly* told her about canceling my surgery, and that I was re-considering all my options. She said "no one else wants me to get the surgery", that it's all "about me", that I'm "skinnier than everyone" now, and don't need surgery, that I should accept my flaws and get on with life, yadda yadda yadda. I know there's some jealousy there, but still... And, the simple fact is that the reason I got the lap band is because I wanted to be healthy and physically fit, especially with menopause and middle age looming. I honestly didn't think that my appearance was a huge factor, until the weight started coming off and I started looking better! So, here I am now, considering *major* plastic surgery, which is all about looks, and the process of getting the surgery will potentially impact my original goals (health/fitness), at least temporarily. Earlier today, I finally decided to just go ahead and have the bariatric doc replace the port, figuring that at least that would be done, and if I decided to go forward with the lower body lift, that I'd be set to go. Then, I read a message on another plastic surgery forum from a lap bander who simply had her original port recessed into the muscle, and she said her port is completely invisible, and that it is not affected by exercise (one of my concerns). Ahhhhhhh! I've "made my decision" about how I'm gonna proceed about a dozen times so far. My husband keeps saying, "OK, so that's your decision of the hour. I'll ask you again the next time I call." It doesn't help that I'm a Libra...sign of the scales...I have to keep weighing my options over and over. I went through all this for *months*, and once I had the surgery booked, I let it all go, because the decision was made. Aren't ya'll glad you're booked, and ready to go?? Tami