tazzyinheels

Hello

I had a Tummy Tuck on March 15th and with Lipo of both hips, 2 drains, my incision was hip to hip and my umbilicus was relocated.

I went home from the recovery room and like you I am a teacher and was concerned. I had a niece who is a nurse stay with my for 5 days.

I am also the can't sit still type.

I have been very blessed. I had no pain, a little road rash from the binder (putting tight underwear and spandex under the binder resolved that issue in 1 day).Some people told me to wear my old big underwear and that didn't work for me (the wrinkles were worse) The hips were hard and hot for 2 days and about a week out they itched like hell for 2 days but that also resolved. I was told the itching was a good sign.

I still have my drains but one will probably come out tomorrow. I have varying stamina and had one dizzy spell in the bathroom the 1st day post op (i think i had a hot flash and was a little hypotensive so I skipped BP meds for the next 2 days and it all resolved.

As to activity, I was probably bad and had a lot of adrenaline the 1st day post op and actually went out to lunch and a little shopping. I probably over did it. I am able to walk daily (4-5miles), but have learned to listen to my body and take naps if desired.

My results are phenomenal already , no regrets and more than pleased so I am anxious to see the results in a few months when it all matures.

I wish you the best. Tazzy

Thanks for the suggestions. I have help planned for the first week (my niece) then I have good neighbors and friends but don't want to impose if I don't have to. So I am trying to get my stuff organized. I appreciate your help. Tazzy

I am 52 and getting ready for a Tummy Tuck as my abdomen and love handles resemble Jabba the Hutt or a shar pei puppy. Just to give you a mental picture. I am not complaining as I lost 100 pounds getting ready for surgery then another 60 since my lapband. So I have nothing to complain about. Starting a savings plan is never a bad idea. I wish you the best.

Tazzy

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My turn is coming soon.

Any suggestions to make the first week smooth? things I should get in the house?

Thanks Tazzyinheels

Hello

Okay I have lost weight (160 pounds from my highest) and am now 230 pounds and a dress size 16-18. I also have a 42DD chest so I can't go much smaller and fit them in (they were 44G a year ago) so I am making progress. I tried to venture into online dating but not getting many matches. I chose full-fiqured. Am i using the wrong category? I am still finding many shallow people, some are at least honest about it, others are what others have called frogs (half of what they said online was incorrect on further email).

I was hopeful and thought I was ready but this is so hard. This is really a lot of rejection. Makes me think maybe I shoudl get a pet. TZ

I am 1 year and 8 months out and I have trouble with moist bread, chicken and rice/nori sushi (I can eat sashimi and Poke without a problem)

If I am socializing I have to be careful to chew well as thats when the dry meat gets me if I don't chew to apllesauce consistency. I also drink in social settings (Water, ice tea) to keep things flowing ...My band doesn't like carbonated things

I am tight in the morning. Haven't filled in 7 months by my choice as I am trying to change my lifestyle and don't want to use up my band too soon

You do need periodic adjustments because you stomach also loses size so the band becomes looser from the changes

I had posted this in Introductions as I have just recently joined but I see that it betters suits here.

I was banded in March 2009. I came home, somewhat in discomfort and over the following days I progressed into agony. I ended up back in hospital having emergency surgery at 2am five days after the placement. I had been nicked in the first surgery and had an infection. The band was removed and I spent four days in ICU and then another four or five in the ward. It was the most PAINFUL experience in my life and it wasn't too good emotionally either.

After I returned home there was a long recovery period and I initially thought I could not face hospital again with rebanding. My surgeon explained that I may have to be opened up again (I have a huge scar down my middle because of the emergency surgery) if it proved impossible to do it keyhole. I had to gather up all my strength and return to try again in August 2009 because I didn't want all that pain and money wasted... with no outcome except a scar to show for it. Fortunately the second banding went without a hitch and it was a keyhole op.

It hasn't been an easy journey. I can't seem to tolerate a decent fill without severe reflux and choking during the night etc. So, I only have enough fill to make sure I don't suffer those symptoms but then it means I can fit way more in than I would like to. I initially lost a decent amount... but only after low carbing combined with 3 or 4 days at gym every week. I have the metabolism of a slug!! Over the past 12 months I have regained 10 kgs (22 lbs).

I am just beginning again to try to start from scratch in my mindset. Force myself to eat less, chew more, don't drink with meals etc.

People who look at banding as 'cheating' and 'easy' have NO IDEA. Us banders still need colossal willpower and determination. It is a life-long struggle and the trick is to remain proactive in our journey and not give up. I always knew banding was just another tool in my arsenal and not a magic fix... I just have to sharpen this particular tool at this point in time and make it work for me.

Don't get me wrong though I WISH THIS BLOODY BAND WAS A MAGIC FIX and I didn't have to diet or exercise!!!!!

Now... first of all I am not vying for sympathy here or wish to put off any potential banders. I am just saying it as it is for me. The band has been a wonderful tool for many on this site as the many glowing posts attest to and I wish all you newbies the best of luck.

I would like to hear from others who have been on a similar journey. Having a fairly successful honeymoon period... putting in the hard yards with diet and exercise... and then grinding to a halt.

I would like to know how others who suffer from severe reflux and choking from having the band at a level where restriction is effective but need to unfill it enough so that those symptoms don't occur... and therefore can eat more than they should on the band.

I have considered changing to a sleeve but from what I have read they too have a honeymoon period of losing and then the same problems can occur... starting to eat more etc. I don't want to change one set of problems for another... I want the band to work for me... I want me to work for me.

I am at bit of a standstill. I am still having the same problems that I have had all my life. I hate people harping on about willpower. I have lost 1000s of pounds in my life and put them all back on. The periods of self denial and exercise are far more than most people ever endure. I have also enjoyed the times when I have got into the zone and eating well and going to gym etc has been easy and something that has become a pleasant daily ritual... and I believe that 'yes, I can do this for the rest of my life'. But life long habits are insidious... and creep stealthily back... and before I know it... here I am... asking for some advice from you guys because I honestly don't know what to do anymore.

I wish I could get my band filled more without the painful and scary side effects.

I wish I could maintain control as an ongoing thing rather than in spurts.

I wish I wasn't failing... and no matter how you dress it that's what I'm doing.

I know I have to climb back on the will power horse and just do it.

I just feel like I'm on this endless cycle. I hoped before I got banded that I would be able to break the cycle. I was wrong.

Thanks for listening.

PS Whilst I know that it is just a tool etc I also believe that when being introduced to the band it promises more than it delivers - 'you'll never have to diet again' etc. That's just BS. Read around the board and noone gets their weight to move without dieting - usually extreme, low carbing, resorting back to liquids etc. A huge amount of people seem to suffer the same or similar problems I do. I just think the information they give you should tell it like it is so we can weigh up our chances of success. Had I known all I know now I may have opted for a different surgery.

Also, the sanctimonious people on here who chide others for not sticking to an extreme diet and exercising... well geez... if it was that easy why the hell did those people need to get the band and why are they even here if they could do that as an ongoing thing anyway?

I understand your frustration as this is really hard work and when people say things about taking the easy way out. I could blow a gasket. There are no easy ways to lose weight (except maybe divorce it..my attempt at a little humor).

I lost 70 pounds during the pre-op process (11 months) as I was motivated because I thought I would not have to do the liver shrinking diet and Optifast again. I had done it with Oprah in the late 80's and did not think I could do that again. It wasn't as bad the second time around as I has higly motivated. I had my surgery October 2009 and have lost 40-45 pounds since. I continue to work really hard at this and haven't lost much in the last 6 months but I haven't gained and I have enjoyed life. I also have much better fitness and can do about anything ie swim, hike, etc. Where I hurt my back once and could not walk across a room without pain so I am thankful I am still not non-obese but overall I am 140 pounds better.

I wish it was magic but it is not. I exercise at least 6 hours a week and I try to be grateful that I can. I have had a lot of non-scale victories..I am also going thru menopause so I am not 27 anymore..I can buy clothes off the rack without traying them on in the regular womens dept, it doesn't say morbid obesity on my chart or my wii anymore, I can fit in an airplane seat without an extender. MY BMI was 55 and now it is 29.

I haven't tighten my lapband in 6 months and I am debating if I will tighten it anytime soon as it is at 6.5 ml. I had an epiphany about that or at least I thought it was one. That the big picture isn't making this so tight that I am miserable but to learn and be mindful when enough is enough food wise. I don't want to max out on my band and I think I realise this is about me and my body. I am that same size I was at the end of college (not thin then either) but I am also 30 years older. I also got rid of my CPAP machine by losing the weight and I am told only 20% get to do that so I am trying to be thankful.

I don't know what was said to you along the way where you went thru the process. I agree some of the seminars are like going to buy a new car, they try to push your buttons to believe you have found the answer and sometimes we all do get unrealistic in our expectations. I was never told I would not have to diet again. I knew I was going to have to exercise and try to find a way to like it.

I had friends that decided to have the bigger surgery (bypass and sleeve but many of them had diabtes I did not) and many of them lost the weight. But after the honeymoon is over, they still plateau and have to work at it.

Hang in there..life is how you handle every day not one day.....I know I haven't said anything that is "WOW" but I wanted to let you know that we all struggle and I did this about the same time as you.

I have worn some form of spandex for a long time and think it does help to remind me to have good posture and suck it in

Try things on: try the discount stores such as ross's TJ maxx and Marshalls and sample what you like

it does run small so Spanx was not my friend

I love flexees and they sell at costco

Avoid the dryer as it will weaken over time, don't buy too much of anything as hopefully you will shrink too.

Good luck

Hang in there. I am coming on being 18 months post band and only lost 25 pounds last year despite all my efforts including exercise x 8 hours a week. The body does get thrifty and I was extrememly frustrated but was seeing NSV (non scale victories) then boom My body has go9ne back to losing significant weight again.

So keep pluggin in as we are all in this for the long haul

I agree that it is probably variable for everyone but especially related to Fluid retention

I have gone from a 10W and 10EE to being able to wear normal 8 or 8.5's

I have lost 100+ pounds total: at first I didn't need the wide unless I ate salt (reason for my salt/fluid comment) and recently I have lost the length I am a year post op with a recent bandversary

So beware as my friends are making out raiding my shoe closet now..

As to your tennies: I was able to wear them a little longer by wearing thicker socks but my sandals/pumps that are too big cause blisters so no can do:thumbup:

Enjoy your family and take things at your pace

Your recovery should be going well at this point (gas pains over) and hopefully your endurance is coming back

I missed my naps when I went back to work

rememeber Soup and scrambled eggs or egg beaters in my case were good friends. I love the southwestern version.

Best Wishes

I have experienced your dilemma

I fly about a week a month and I usually do fine but I did have one bout of tightness on the plane. We are all inidividuals, I often get tighter 3 weeks after a fill then initially so I just eat how my band is, tighter in the am.

I can swallow pills except Calcium tablets

What seems to help me is when I fly I break cardinal rule #1 and drink with my meals to keep things flowing and I typically drink something warm to wake up my band that I want to eat. I also try to remember to chew, chew and avoid dry meat (my downfall).

I do take a few powder mixes with me on trips and a Protein bar or two for the travelling days especially when the airlines is only offering Pasta.

The sashimi and noodles in Japan go down easy.

Enjoy and take things as they come.

I was told they would re-test me at a year post op

I have lost 140 lbs from my heaviest and 100 lbs in the last year

I can manage a night or two without it now but on the fourth day or so my symptoms start to come back and I went out in a hot meeting so I know I am not ready yet

I agree that I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love that I sleep all night if I don't take fluids after 7pm and I dream again but if my allergies are acting up then its hell

So talk to your PCP as if you do need it and stop on your own you may also see your symptoms re-appear and of course your BP and crankiness will likely increase

I remain hopeful as I want to lose another 50 pounds but I am still a success regardless.

I have done the bra fitting thing and encourage it.

Macy's and Nordstrom's do it for free and I got much good advice then after I knew what I liked bought more on ebay

Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall, Stein Mart are also fun as you can try someone new with little investment

Someone (a friend) starting sending me Victoria's catalog but they still don't fit My bust did not shrink at the speed of other places and a good bra makes a big difference

I might suggest if your loss has been significant that you invest in one or two good ones along the way. I am becoming an exercise addict and a loose ill fiting bra just tears me up now

my 2 cents

I eat out alot

Some suggestions:

Soup

salad

fish

order an healthy appetizer which is just about the right size for me

order and request take out box to start meal so you only have half on your plate or share a meal. My friends love to eat my left overs or I have a great lunch for work the next day

avoid the kids menu as bad choices ie fried and/or fat

Good luck, it can be done.

V8 butternut Soup

goat cheese

hummus

frozen grapes

I seemed to get hooked on things for a few days so it went fast.

Good luck

:thumbup:a few more suggestions

if you have netflix they have exercise items viewable on your computer that way you can do them whenever and mix it up without starting a library

also ebay has many used items as does craiglist that can reduce your cost

my library also has free loaners

I have just dance for the wii and love it so do the kids

Yes, I own one for a year and used it pretty faithfully for the first 2 months now occasionally I also have the wii active and the just dance, too

I am easily bored so I need variety, used when can't swim

Pro's: you can do it whenever especially if weather or allergies are acting up, quiet, don't have to leave home, gives you feedback, gives you wt, bmi and physiologic age, charts your progress, many activities including yoga and balance, can do it with others, doesn't take a lot of space

good if YOU have competitive nature

it does have a wt limit (350 lbs?) in case that is an issue

:tongue2:

The longer you are on this website the more diverse answrs you will see.

My physician, dietician and I talked about this at length. Soup is their opinion is not verboten but it is a slider food which means more will go in so you can get more calories than you need pretty effortlessly. If you are trying to maximize your loss large volumes of soup will not get you there as many Soups are pretty high calcoric.

The other issue is the sodium content of the soup which leads to Fluid retention.

Lastly as part of the bandster diet we try not to take fluids with meals so we fill quicker so soup is liquid so it does counteract the band.

That being said we all agree that it is not forbidden but needs to be done thoughtfully.

All the best,

You should not have any problems 2 week postop so I would just suggest high Protein and what you like. You won't be restricted yet from your band but I still tried to eat the band diet.

So some of my choices, scrambled eggs, i would deconstruct the burrito/ etc as bread is not my friend or really dry meat otherwise i did fine until I reached restriction after my 4th fill and oh my, I now need to chew and eating slowly or else.

Other things that were easy for me salads, tuna salad, chicken salad (not dry), meatloaf, etc hummus and the other slider foods such as Soup. Depending on your sensitivity, the big items that some of have trouble with are bread, dry meat, Pasta and rice as they tend to make dams versus slide thru as other things do.

Enjoy the conference and make sure you stay hydrated, exercise and rest. I still periodically wanted a nap at two weeks but I went back to work after 4 days.

:thumbup:

Just a few words of warning/learned wisdom:

It is good to find your limits but they will change as you get filled and are not always consistent thru out the day. Some of us ar etighter in the morning and looser in the evening or vice versa.

Be careful with Soup and slider foods as more can go in so more calories go down easy without filling you. Many Soups are not low calories at all.

I also have found as my diet has gotten better that I am more sensitive to salt and then retain water: My rings/watch get tight when normally they are have become bracelets. Especially the day or two before a weight in. My normal 2 pound fluctuation during a day becomes greater when I eat salt.

Wishing you all the best on your journey. All in all I am a very happy camper.:smile:

I just wanted to agree with everyone else.

I also wanted to say that pain is different for each person but this wasn't bad at all except the gas pains. I only took pain meds x 1 after getting home. Lots of Walking and spandex did more for me to push the gas out.

They gave me a long local anesthetic at the surgery site so it never really hurt. I only took the one dose at bedtime so I would hopefully sleep well which I did.

Looking at the site you can see that gas pains in the shoulders for a few days impact many people, that really was the worst of it.

Hang in there. I had second thoughts and put off the surgery for years. But things didn't get better and I wasn't getting any younger and having more health issues so I started the process and tried to live the lifestyle before surgery and lost 65 pounds. But I had lost 50 pounds before and gained it back too and then some. But I was exercising 7 or more hours a week, transferring my food addiction to exercise. My BP meds were cut in half, my arthritis has gotten better and I rarely take those meds anymore.

Then I had to deal with a few people who didn't think I needed the surgery since I had done so well. I had the surgery 6 months ago and have lost another 35 pounds.

If I hadn't done this I would not have lost the weight, it is a constant motivation. I still worry about failure but when you are facing that you are over 100 pounds overweight closer to 150, it just seems like an impossible mountain to tackle. I have found this a second chance.

It is very common as gravity helps it go down. Sometimes I just have to stand up and the food goes down.

Good Luck:wink2:

I had the same problem, wild swings in temperature

I was told that fat has lots of estogen in it and we are losing our insulation so this happens dress in layers and mind did get better in time. Hang in there.:thumbup: