kareyquilts

Just got back from a business/pleasure meeting in Puerto Rico. My DH and I had a great time. It fun to get in a bathing suit and not feel too self-conscious. I love my new tummy! Was able to go sea kayacking to a biolumcient bay (at night). It was a cool experience. Was worried about my muscle repair, but was able to row with out too much trouble. I guess I need to get back to regular exercise. I've been walking every day, but that's it. Busy with my DD's wedding. Will post some scar pictures soon.

Salsa: I've been out of town and just catching up on this thread. Being too tight can be miserable. Too bad you're so far a way from your doc. Hopefully, with all the exercise you're doing you'll be able to control your weight. What I've learned from my unfill is that I do rely on my band to help me control my appetite and that I am hungrier with an unfill. Like Mommi-Hammi, I tried the hamburgers and stuff I hadn't been able to eat in 1 1/2 years. Fortunately, I haven't gained weight. Haven't lost any either. I'm looking forward to exercising again. I'm walking but that is it. If I were you, I wouldn't get a complete unfill, just about half way. That's just my opinion. You're probably at the top of your game and will be fine. I've had to fills now. from being at empty and I'm more comfortable now, even though I'm not at my sweet spot. Good luck and keep us posted!

LJM: The pixs were great! You're looking good. Are you going to be ready for your marathon?

Neal: You're looking good. The belly button looks to be healing well. Isn't it great to feel normal!? As far as exercise, I feel the same way as you. I'm probably back about 90%. Still have lots of little tweaks in the muscle repair. Patience! So hard! Anyway, you're looking great. KUDOS!

Salsa: My surgery took 4 1/2 hours, that was with TT, MR, BL and BA and lipo. I'm exicted for you. You're going to love it!

2bslim: Are you taking synthroid? I take it everyday and I just chew it up in my mouth, as per, my doc's instructions. It doesn't have much taste. So not a hard thing to do!

Okay, you can google Thermage and find out lots. It's a very popular laser procedure, primarily used on the face, but people do the arms, and tummy area, but the results aren't as good. I had Thermage of the face and neck. In Utah it costs about $2300. After, I had lost about 50 pounds, I started having jowls and the double chin thing. It totally got rid of the jowls and most of the double chin. In fact, I think I will have it one more time. It works on the deep layer of the skin that produces collagen and stimulates more collagen to grow, thus tightening the skin and helping with minor wrinkles. It is painful. The doc administered a tranqualizer and a loratab. It's bearable, but uncomfortable. It does not hurt once there done with the procedure. It takes 3-6 months for the final results because of the collagen growth. Hope that helps. Sorry, I'm taking ovear your thread, Amy! If you all have more questions, see my thread, KareyQuilts, TT, BL, Lipo, etc.

I have heard of lipo dissolve. I even talked to a doc about it. It works for small areas that need conturing, but not helpful or affordable for larger areas. I thought about having it done under my chin, but then you have the problem of what to do with the loose skin. So, I opted for Thermage. Keep up with your fills, until you get to the right place and you'll to great. You just have to take charge of your life and make it happen!

LJM: It's so fun to see the progressive pictures. You're doing fantastic!

Julie: Sounds like your doing great! I wouldn't worry about what other people think. If your PS thinks you're ready for surgery, I say GO FOR IT!

Kiresk: It takes a while to get results when working with a trainer. You may find that you don't loose a lot of weight right off. If you're working hard, you're probably gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat! Keep at it! When I started with my trainer, I didn't lose any weight for a couple months. But, I did lose inches. Take your measurements and you'll see. I also had to get very serious about counting calories, increasing my protein intake and taking a multiple vitamin. After working with the trainer for 6 months, I had lost 30 pounds and 3 sizes. For the last 2 months before my TT, I worked with a trainer 3 times a week and got off the last 10 pounds. It was HARD work, but well worth it. My PS said that I had little fat on my stomach skin, just 5 pounds of skin. That made it all worth it! Keep working, do cardio when you aren't working with the trainer and watch what you eat. Good luck!

Julie: Wow your TT is coming up! Very exciting! I would do what BJean recommends and fill up on good things, like fruit and veggies. I'm trying that myself. I am feeling pretty good. My hormones are out of whack, but I'm working with my doc on that. I just starting walking again and it's a slow process. I'm trying to take it easy, but it's hard. My body lets me know when I've done too much. I think our bodies are remarkable, amazing things. Mine has really wanted to heal and it's doing a good job. I'm down to a size 8 and my original compression garment that they gave me in the hospital is alittle loose. I'm getting use to my new breasts and trying to find a fun dress to wear to MD's wedding. On the whole, life is good!

LJM: Your pics look great. You're doing wonderfully. I have the jiggley thighs going too. I'm very leary of more surgery. I'll be watching your experience!

LJM: I think I'm going to use the treadmill at a slow pace. I'm extremely frustrated with not being able exercise. But when I try to it wipes me out. I also feel like my hormones are way out of wack! My ob/doc said that going off the hormones for the surgery and losing the belly fat has me out of balance. She's been giving me progestrine shots, but I still feel tearful. No reason for it, my life is great! Frustrating! Anyway, do you just push yourself, or should I take easy? I really don't know. Maybe a combination. Esmeralda: How old are you? You had your breast redone and you went right back to work?! I'm very impressed. You're amazing!

BJean: You are a great "muther!" Sounds like my mom. I guess I'm just worried that I'm going to lose all the muscle that I've worked so hard to build. Worried I'll gain weight too. My appetite's picked up and I'm only filled slightly. Can't really tell that I have my band right now. I'm trying to watch the ole diet, as you know, there are temptations everywhere! Are you still doing Medifast? How's that going?

Salsa: I think you could go back to work full time after 1 month, but 5-6 weeks would be much better. Sounds like you're having some extensive work, but it will be worth it. Please keep us posted! LJM: A mini-marathon in May? You are very ambitious! I got up to go walk this morning at 6:00 and it was raining cats and dogs and nows it's snowing! Are you using the treadmill? My doc said no treadmill and no ellilpitical yet. What a pain!

Salsa: Check out the Make Me Heal website. They have lists of questions to ask your doc, as do many other websites. Just google your procedures and you'll get lots of suggestions. I would look careful at the doc's pictures. One thing that helped me choose was asking the different surgeons how long my procedure would take. I got from 10 hours to 5 hours. There was no way I was going with the doc that thought it would take 10 hours! He was young and I decided that he was slow and in-experienced. Didn't like his before pictures either. Good luck! Who has started back to exercising? I went walking today and was very discouraged. I have some nerve damage on one of my hips and the walking made it worse. How is everyone elses experience getting back into the exercise mode?

Well, my PS doc said I could start walking, so today I hit the trail. Before my PS, I walked this trail everyday for 3 to 4 miles. I could hardly go 1 mile. My tummy starting hurting and my hip was burning. I have some nerve damage on my hip from the lipo. I swear it was burning down to my foot. I don't know if that's a good thing, meaning the nerve is beginning to regenerate or what. What a disappoint. I thought I would be able to go at least 2 miles. I think I will try for 1 more mile later this afternoon. I've got to get myself built back up. This is almost as bad as after the LB surgery. Anyone else have experience with this?

Cherly: Glad you're doing so well! I think the first week pretty much sucked! I'm glad you don't have too much swelling. My doc used a foam pad under the compression garment, too. It sure makes things tight, but really is suppose to help with the bruising. Well, it's only going to get better from here on out! YEAH!

BJean & Salsa: I think it probably is best to take as many liquid medications as possible. I have had other pills stuck, but I've learned to half the ones that I can and to make sure that I drink a lot of liquid before I take the pill, so my throat is not dry and that I wait and not take a pill the first thing in the morning. I definetly would get my pain meds after a TT in liquid form.

BJean: You're too cute! I think what started my problems after surgery, was a couple pain pills got stuck, that coupled with some very bad swelling in the upper area of my tummy, right over my band. I think that my esphogaus must have gotten irritated and swollen and then I just went down hill. Nothing would stay down. Not really sure, the band doc thinks I got the flu, but I really didn't have any other symptoms. I think I will get a small fill, because my PS said that now is the time that ladies gain weight because they can't be as active as they were. I still have 2 weeks before the trip, if I feel at all tight, I'll scream, no, I'll get some out. UGH!

StephC: I wouldn't plan on being too available for your daughter's first prom. Make sure you have a camera and video camera. I would plan on feeling crappy and if you feel good than that's a bonus! For me the first 4 days were the pits, but of course, everyone reacts differently and you might be feeling a lot better by then. Esmeralda: I'm still getting swollen, especially in the upper stomach area. My doc said to expect swelling for up to 3 months or longer. As far as compression garments, I'm still wearing mine because it helps with the swelling and I feel more comfortable in it. A lot of the plastic surgery sites say that if you'll wear a compression garment for 3-6 months you'll have better results. The skin will adhere back better and tighter. Now, that doesn't mean you have to wear the one you got in the doc's office. A spanx type garment will work after the first 4-6 weeks. Salsa: I didn't have an unfil for the surgery, my lapband doc said it wasn't necessary, but I ended up having to have an unfill because of the surgery. A lot of people don't get an unfill and a lot do. I would say if you're a little tight, to have some taken out, but not all of it.

Diane: Thanks for the tip about Ebay. I forget about them! BJean: I was just going to call the doc about another fill (I only have .5cc) and now you have me pysched out. I definetly don't want to be in Puerto Rico and be too tight. I know my band doc will only add another .5 cc. I had 2.25 in my band before surgery. Do you think I could be too tight on 1 cc? Decisions! Decisions!

Diane: That's interesting. I've been trying to decide if I should get another small fill before my trip. I'm worried I'll gain weight, but I guess I should be patient and maybe exercise some self-control! GRRR!

I'm doing really well. I saw the doc today for my 1 month check up and he said I could start walking and doing upper body workouts. Said to wear the compression garment to work out and a sports bra. Also, said I could go to a stage 2 compression garment or a spanx type garment. I have to say that I'm kind of dependent on this compression garment now, even though it bugs the heck out of me. It feels wierd without it. I guess it's time to get back into real life!