MySkinnyDream

Getting ready for my second surgery on Monday. I'm getting a butt lift to match my tummy tuck that I had in December. So excited to get rid of my saggy butt. Lol! .... I was banded in Nov '09 and have lost 100 lbs..... More updates to come.

Karen, hi neighbor! I had my tummy tuck on December 20th in Kingwood by Dr Straka.... I am scheduled for March 11th for my butt lift.... So excited! Your arms look amazing!... What an incredible journey you have been on!

I'm in Houston Texas.... I had my tummy tuck 3 weeks ago and it was $7800.... I will be doing my butt/thigh lift in March and it will cost $7000. That will compete my lower body lift with a circumferential scar all the way around me. I got my last drain removed yesterday, yay! Still wearing the binder for a couple more weeks and can start going to the gym again next week.

Was wondering who was given a binder the day of surgery and who got one at the post-op visit?

I just can't seem to wrap my brain around it. The time has come in my journey for my tummy tuck adventure to begin. Excited! Nervous! Anxious! I am scheduled for 12/20 at 7am with Dr. Straka in Humble / Kingwood, TX. I was banded Nov "09. The most I had lost was 111 pounds. I am up about 15 pounds, more comfortable at this weight. I will post updates for those of you who would like to follow along with me with my adventure.

I forgot to ask when I got my binder..... Are you supposed to wear it 24/7? Or just during waking hours? Was wondering if you're supposed to sleep with it on too.

Hi all. Today has been 1 week 1 day since my tummy tuck. I went for my first post-op appointment and got my binder today. Yay! They said I will probably get the first drain removed next week and then the other one a week or two later. I was able to sleep in my bed for the first time last night. I'm not quite standing up straight just yet, but I'm going close. Hang in there ladies, let's keep going up from here. =)

I had my TT on Thursday the 20th... I feel ur pain with the BM thing. I was ok with the surgery pain, but the gas/bloating pain moving around was horrible. Plus I hadn't went in 3 days because of the anesthesia. I took some milk of magnesia and was in relief in about 6 hours. It was recommended by my PS nurse. I apologize for the TMI, I hope this helps others.

I have 2 drains, they aren't too bad. I should get the first one out in 2 weeks and the other about 1 week later. I couldn't imagine not having them, there is alot of drainage and swelling. I took a full shower today, used a bar stool to sit on. I would have never been able to stand that long. My back muscles spasm from being hunched over so much. My doc prescribed a pain killer and a muscle relaxer for that reason.

Just checking in to see how Floridays and Qtjan5 are feeling today? My hubby bought me a pretty walking cane yesterday... It has really helped alot with getting around by myself. Thank you to everyone for the well wishes, they are greatly appreciated.

Today has been good so far. The numbing medicine is starting to wear off, starting to feel the tightness of my abs and the pull of the stitches. The real discomfort I feel is the gas/bloating moving around in my tummy. I have taken some GasX for it. My hubby helps me up to walk around about every 3 hours, go potty, empty/measure fluids in drains. I also write down when I take my pain meds, time of day starts to blur together. I have a neck massager that I put under my legs to help with circulation. If I think of any new helpful tips along the way, I will keep you posted.

So I am home, resting comfortably in my recliner. Pain isn't bad at all. :-) The surgery lasted 4 hours and I was in recovery for 1 hour.... Then home I go. So surprised it went that fast. :-o I have had a Protein shake and some crackers so far, no nausea. Yay! Tomorrow is a new day, update y'all in the morning. [ATTACH]25477[/ATTACH]

Hi to all November '09 bandsters, I got this thread idea from another bandster. I thought it sounded like fun. :smile: I will start.... I was a size 18/20 and now I'm a 6/8. :biggrin:

I use nectar Syntrax Protein Powders. They have great flavors. I get mine from mybariatricpantry.com

YEP, i get the dreaded bad breath every time i have a protein shake. I drink the Nectar Syntrax protein shakes as well. I love the flavors, so i just chew gum afterwards.

Has anyone here attended the support group meetings at the True Results - Houston / Physicians Surgi Center downtown on Main? I believe they are held on the last Thursday of each month.

to kflo2004 >>> CONGRATULATIONS on your lapband surgery . I wish you much success on your journey. How are you doing so far? to Mrs. Doxie >>> I feel the same way about the drive, I live in Humble (northeast Houston) and making that trip downtown during rush hour really holds me back from attending the meetings. I have never been to one there and was wondering how good the attendance was.

I was told over the phone that it would be $125 for cash patients at the Houston downtown location. My first year of fills were included with the price of the surgery. But now i am needing another fill, its been 4 months since my last fill. My one year bandiverary was in November. I have a scheduled appointment for February 2nd and I will let you know how much i actually paid after my fill.

At the top left of the page where it says "Signed in as.....", just click on your user name and it will take you to your profile. Once you get to your profile, there will be a tab on the right that says " Edit my profile". Hope this helps.

Good morning Kim, I hope i can explain this clearly. Bear with me. Please don't feel disappointed. This is very normal. When you have your band placed, there will be some amount of fat in the area that is in between the band and your stomach. When you get a fill, the band is tightened around that area. You might feel some restriction. But when you start to loose weight, that fat will shrink as well. Your will not be as tight then, and you wont feel the same restriction. This is when it is time for another fill. When you loose weight and the percentage of fat in that area is less and you feel restriction with a fill, that feeling will last longer and longer with each consecutive fill. I wish you a happy journey. I hope my explanation wasn't too confusing,

Today is my one year bandiversary! I started out at 238 lbs. and on surgery day, I was 228 lbs. Today i am happy to say I weigh 130.4 lbs. I have went from a tight size 18 and am now size 5/6. I just want to encourage everyone here on this journey by saying that if i can do this, anyone can!

My doctor has just announced his June support group meeting for Thursday, June 10th at 6pm. Dr. Wilkenfeld / Texas Gastric Banding is associated with True Results - Houston. He is located in The Woodlands / Spring, TX. Anyone here going?

I was on my period during surgery... the pre-op nurse i spoke with on the phone the day before surgery said that i could wear panties as long as they were cotton... Each hospital has their own rules and how strict they are to follow them... I would just tell them your situation and ask how they would normally handle it.

A suggestion that might be helpful for future bandsters.... my surgeon asked me to draw with a marker on my tummy where my pants and bra sit on the day of surgery. Many people complain if their pants waistband rubs where their port is, that it is quite uncomfortable. Also, if you wear an underwire bra, you don't want it putting pressure on your port either. This way he would know where NOT to put the port... very thoughtful!

Another suggestion that might be helpful for future bandsters.... my surgeon asked me to draw with a marker on my tummy where my pants and bra sit on the day of surgery. This way he would know where NOT to put the port... very thoughtful! :bolt: