kareyquilts

DR. S: I am going to seriously think about this. If I decide it's something I can do, I'll pm you my ideas.

Dr. Schulman: Thanks for your honest reply. So many choices out there. I have often thought that I should write a book with a doc (maybe you?) reviewing all the different procedures from a women's perspective and experience with the pro's and con's and advice from a doctor (like you do on this forum). I've done a prelimanary review of the literature and have found a few books out there on cosmetic surgery with explanations, but not anything on non-cosmetic procedures and what they can and can't do. What do you think?

Cori: Thanks for thinking of me. I'm doing pretty good. The knee surgery after the lbl was a lot to deal with, but it's all coming a long. I'm back to pilates. I'm going to start back to upper body weight lifting in 2 weeks. I'm going to the pool and doing a lot of physical therapy. I'm very happy with my plastic surgery results. I'm down to a 6 in my pants and things look pretty good. My arms are going to need a little lipo which I will probably have done in April. I still don't like those scars very well, but I like them better than the bat wings. I've been having problems with my band again. My ob thinks I should get it out and get a sleeve. I need to learn a lot more about the sleeve before I make any decisions. I will just live with the nausea for now. As far as having plastic surgery goes it's a big decision both financially and emotionally. If your afraid of the pain, don't be. That part passes quickly and is very manageable. Financially, it is a lot of money, so I guess it depends what you can do with all your children still needing so much from you. I guess it depends how much the loose skin bothers you. If your embarassed to be seen undressed and you think it makes you unattractive and you can afford it, then I would do it. I just can't tell you how much better I feel about my appearance since I've had all the body work. I'm really not that vain either, but my new body has brought me a lot of joy and confidence. I really do feel better about myself. It's fun to get new clothes. I enjoy exercise more (and sex). Life is just better. I know that you also know that there are a lot of adjustments with all of this, but it's all doable. I hope you can have plastic surgery. If I can answer any questions or concerns just let me know.

If you like your restriction I wouldn't get an unfill. You're probably be fine. If the swelling on your tummy seems to bother your band, just go on liquid protiens for a couple days. The swelling will go done and your band should be fine.

A toliet riser is a seat that you can buy at your pharmacy or medical supply store. They fit right over your regular toliet seat and add about 5 inches of height to the seat. This is VERY helpful when it's difficult to bend and get up and down. In the states, they cost about $26. You may also be able to rent it, too. Glad you got something out of my thread. Looking forward to following your journey. I would bring some things to entertain yourself in the hospital, IPOD, books on tapes, DVD's etc. You won't be able to concentrate too well, but it will help to make the time pass more quickly!

I started having problems with my band immediately following my first tummy tuck. Along with that tummy tuck, I had my port changed to a low profile port. I believe, but can't prove that someone, either the plastic surgeon or the lapband surgeon pulled to hard on my band. I had problems for about 4 months when I finally had a serious slip (probably been that way for a while) and had to have my band replaced. I know a lot of people that have had their port replaced at the time of their tummy tuck, and I think that I just had bad luck. That being said, if you have any problems right after your surgery, I would get it checked out ASAP, so that a relationship between the two events could be established. I just had to pay for everything myself and it really sucked! I love my new body and I would do it all over again!

You're so lucky to be able to stay in the hospital for so long. I had one night and it really wasn't enough. A recliner would be very helpful. A toliet riser is a must. A wedge pillow also helps alot. I understand your anxiety. I didn't sleep for weeks before my surgery. Don't worry too much about the pain. You will cope! Best of luck!

This is all very exciting. My last surgery was 7 hours and it was worth all of it. Just hope you have some good helpers when you get home. Let me know if you have any questions that I could answer. Wishing you the best!

Manatee: I totally understand how you're feeling and it's not good! We need to tell ourselves that are bodies are wonderful and forget the past! Our subconcious get's the wrong messages when we put out all these bad vibes out into the universe. I have had all the same regrets and I keep getting more things done and nothing changes. I'm never going to be perfect and I'm trying to be happy with that. I do think I need some counseling. I wish you the best with your healing and wish you happiness with your new and improved body!

Dr. Schulman: I'm wondering what you know/think about the Genesis or gentle yag laser. I had one treatment (I know that I should get them spaced a month apart for 5-6 times). I really didn't see much of a difference from the first treatment. I just wonder what you think of this laser, especially when compared to other lasers for the treatment of fine lines, enlarged pores and skin tightening. Maybe I would be better off getting fraxel repair laser or the gold standard CO2 laser? Sometimes, I wonder if some of the stuff could actual injure the skin in the long run. Are there long term studies on the effects of these lasers on the skin? Thanks!

Shalee: This is all very exciting. I'm sure it will all go well! Looking forward to the pix.

Taking it easy sounds like a good idea! Glad you're happy with your results, they will get even better with some more time. None of this stuff is really easy is it?!

Jaymie: Glad you're doing so well. Are you also having smart lipo for the flanks and abs? I just remember when I had lipo of the same areas, I was very, very sore. Maybe I should look into Smart lipo for my remaining areas? Anyway, keep us posted. Good luck!

Congratulations! Glad all went well and your pleased with the results! YEAH!

That's great. I had a braichoplasty and it sounds much more traumatic. I lost 4 inches on my arms, but I also have the ugly scars. I think you're going to like your arms alot!

Hope all goes well on the 20th!

Congratulations. Hope you took before pictures and will share you're results when all the swelling goes down!

Foofy: Thanks for the tip.

Renewed: So you think the sleeve is a good alternative? My doc says I have to get built up better before we consider anything. I'm thinking that the sleeve would be better than going solo. I am watching what I eat, but still have too many hang ups about food. jbFlorida: I had my arms done in October, you can see pictures on my thread, Kareyquilts arms, butt and thighs, etc. The arms aren't too bad to have done. They are heavy and tightly wrapped at first and for a few days you won't even be able to feed yourself. It gets better after that. Not too much pain. I'm still trying to get use to the scars. I would do it over, because I really do look better in clothes. I wasn't able to wear a lot of mediums because my arms wouldn't fit. Now I can wear mediums and a lot of smalls. It's a big decision. Good luck!

Great to hear from you! Very exciting stuff! I bet you do look awesome! After my LBL and having to stay in bed for almost a month and then knee surgery, I too gained 10 pounds. I am happy to say that I have lost the weight, but it really is an eye opener. I put it on so easily! I am having problems with my lapband again. It looks like a slip, but doc isn't totally sure. I have a lot of nausea. I may have to have my band removed. I'm trying to decide if this happens whether to get a gastric sleeve. Does anyone know about this? Anyway, I'm having a few problems with my knee and am working hard at physical therapy. I need to healthy and strong before I can deal with the band. Anyway, keep us posted! You're doing great!

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you're doing well!

My recommendation would be to be prepared to rest. Make sure you have some help for at least 4-5 days. Get some good movies, books on tape, etc and just rest. Have some good quality food already prepared, protien powder is fine and yogurt, lo-cal rice pudding, lo-salt saltine crackers, etc. A toliet riser is a must. Ask your surgeon about your compression garment. Mine had them for sale, but Make Me Heal carries them as well. A tummy tuck is a big deal, but you're going to love it. Best wishes!

Lauriegee: Isn't that just earth life!? Nothing is constant my friend!

Laurigee: As a matter of fact, I have thought about getting counseling about this and other body issues. I think that it is hard to know when to call it good. One way to tell is when it takes a super effort to lose anymore. That could be your body letting you know that it likes where it is. Another way to know, is to get feedback from your loved ones and doctor. Now, my band doctor and husband said that I was good 10 pounds ago, even though my BMI is 24.5. I didn't want to be on the cusp of having an overweight BMI, but as was explained to me, I am physically in excellant shape, my heart problems are a thing of the past and I look good. That being said, I have my own goal, which is 10 pounds less. As I said in the last post, I'm going for it. My reasoning, I had my fat, muscle and water tested and that showed that I could lose another 10 pounds. I'm on the verge of a size 6, sometimes I can fit that and sometimes I can't. It would personally mean a lot to me to make that goal. It would also give me a little leeway as I go into maintance. Are you burned out on dieting? If so, quit for a while and re-evaluate. You can always try for more. Sometime, I think that breaks (without weight gain) are good for you physically and mentally. I was looking around at church on Sunday and it occured to me that I am definetly in the normal realm for my size and peers. That is probably another measuring stick, so to speak. Are you comfortable in your own skin? Do you like MOST of what you see? I guess that these are other indications. I'm just ready to begin the next big adventure in life, along with maintaining my weight. It might help to think about new goals and things that you want to accomplish because there is a void when the big push is over. Just some thoughts. What do you think?

Lori: Thanks for the encouraging words. Have lost the weight I put on (10 lbs) after 4 weeks in bed for lower body work and 2 weeks of immobility for the ole knee (oh and eating a lot of candy at Christmas). Would like to lose 10 more and than I will call it quits. This has been some ride. There is so many adjustments that you don't think about when you have body work done. It's good, but I guess I'm so use to working on a goal that I've become uncomfortable with thinkiing that how I am is the final product. I do have many areas to improve, but there's comes a point where it's time to think about other things in life. I've decided to try and write a book about my life as a veterinarians wife and do some volunteer work. It's time to start giving back.