chocolate_snaps

Wow i can actually answer this question! Having just had my TT 6wks ago yesterday! Its surreal!

First thing to remember is that everyone is different and every PS has her/his own postop methods.

DRAINS?

With that said, drains stay in (if ur PS uses drains) until you're draining amounts low enough. Their purpose is to prevent seromas and infection which obviously inhibit optimal healing. btw they are usually placed in the pubic mound.

For my PS this was 30ml per day. For me this took a month . That all changed when my PS informed me that wls patients usually drain for longer because of our low calorie intake. So I upped my calories and within a week they were removed. They do not stitch up the drain holes, they close on their own. I've heard it likened to a pin cushion, the tissue just fills the space.

I didnt get a pain pump just a heaping bottle of percocet. BTW the pain is serious. when it subsides there is a tightness that replaces it.

Back to work?

I sit at a desk as well but I wasnt ready to go back for a month. I live in NYC where mass transpo is king, parking is scarce, and the term City Block was coined. I could not commute. Subway stairs are evil. The healing process is ALOT longer than most people think.

Goal Weight?

Ask your PS. I am still about 20-25 from goal and she said not to worry about losing anymore before surgery. The general wisdom is that there is a 50lb buffer in either direction. Idk if Im completely convinced, but 15lbs is small. Remember, you will lose some during the surgery. My dr removed 8lbs of extra skin. Wowzers.

If you want hundreds of play by plays of the healing process, mental and physical, visit makemeheal.com. be aware that they are also a commerce site and will try to sell u lots of stuff. Stick to the forum and photo section. also Tuckthattummy.com has good info.

@Fordgal88: I have BCBS prism (or something) it took them 2 weeks to approve (one of which was a holiday week, so really a week). My PS even threw in a mons lift!

Congrats! I'm 2.5 weeks out from my TT w/MR. I love it too! My Doc removed 8lbs of tissue. This is the second best thing Ive ever done, getting Banded being the first.

Losing so much weight revealed a curvy figure I didn't know I had at 344lbs. And with the traditional TT, I was afraid it would square my waist. I feared that I needed the extended tuck to preserve my curves and that getting the tradtional was a budgetary sacrifice. But WOW was I wrong. My hourglass is even more prominent, and I'm STILL hunched and swollen. I cant wait to see what the final outcome will be. Maybe next year I'll get to the boobs but right now I'm just so happy.

Btw what kind of CG do you wear? I'm using the post-surgical binder and a Flexees girdle together, but sometimes i think I could use more compression (might be losing weight).

Congrats indeed!

Where can I get bl copies? Im in an exercise rut for reals. Ive been wanting P90X but that price tag is daunting.

I where close fitting bottoms when I run.

Hi everyone. This is my newest pic. I kinda love it so I wanted to share. Forgive the blurriness, its a cellpic taken by a kinda tipsy friend. LOL good times!

Way before. 340ish

Hey where is everyone! Well guys I have a new pic. Its a blurry Blackberry pic.

Oh gosh I want them soooo bad! Seriously, for me, getting braces ranks up there with a boob lift and Tummy Tuck. Looks like this year Im getting my TT maybe next year Ill get some tracks.

I have a relatively high fiber diet and extra fiber has the opposite effect on me. So I like Smooth Move tea. Its sold at most supermarkets. Its gentle but effective. More so than Miralax imop.

OHH! Add me plz! My goal is to lose 20lbs which will make me 195LBs. This is going to bring me almost to goal!:wink:

Also during this challenge I am going to start strength training to get stronger and to lose inches. So I'm going to set a non-scale goal as well. I would like to go down sizes from a 14/16 to 12/14. I know that gaining muscle may warp scale progress but Im hoping my BodyBugg will help mitigate that.

My main motivation is that I will be turning 30 in March and I want to wear something very sexy. This requires some work. Not to mention that summer is fast approaching and I love little dresses :eek:.

Im so excited to get started! Good luck everyone!

PS @ididit super good luck wishes and early congrats because I know what a big deal breaking the 300lb mark means.

Hey everybody this is my most recent "after". It was taken at my office Xmas party. If given an opportunity I'll pick it to shreds so...

Still in the 214-216 range.

I have some events coming up so I will definately have more (and hopefully better) pics soon.

Hey everybody this is my most recent "after". It was taken at my office Xmas party. If given an opportunity I'll pick it to shreds so...

Still in the 214-216 range.

I have some events coming up so I will definately have more (and hopefully better) pics soon.

Yup you sound LI. When I have Protein, I use Spirutein. However Im going to try Unjury chocolate, they claim to be lactose free or to have trace amts.

This is internalized hatred at it's finest and it's horribly sad to me. It's even more disgusting than people who don't have a weight problem making judgments.

I couldn't agree more!

I just got my Bugg and Im loving it! Despite having connection issues, Im fully in love. Ive lost 2lbs without even logging my food. Know Big Brother is watching just makes you move your tail more.

Next week Im getting back in the gym and cant wait to see how much Im gonna start losing. Ive given myself til summer to lose 25lbs. Im sure that with the Bugg i can do it without fail.

I got mine from target, its $10 this week. I think for the whole week.

I bought myself a BB for Xmas and cant wait for it to arrive. I havent ordered the display, yet. But I will most certainly do so before the month is out.

I want the whole set, my obsessive nature demands that I have the whole shaboodle to comfortably monitor my readings. It has been pricey but I know its worth it, thanx to bandsters like puddin (look her up, she rocked out her Bugg and band).

Way to go Allie! Ive been lurking here on the PS thread for a while and am glad to here you are recovering well. Thanks for all of us who are watching your progress and hoping to be next. Hopefully this time next year I will be in the flat lands as well.

Great NSV!

Its tough but doable. I lost weight over the 2 holiday seasons Ive had with the band. Im rooting for you Mr. RiceGuy!

Im trying go 3 out of 3 this year, Since its gotten harder to lose lbs, to help I just bought a BodyBugg, weights, and workout tapes.

Im going to shoot for 10lbs!

1. Exercise

2. Sheer will

3. Adjustments

"Hate" is a strong word indeed but what it really is is displaced self-hatred. I have the same problem but I cannot blame "fat people" for it, my feelings are my own. What I hate is how I felt at 340+lbs.

I hated my life then, and people who look like I did or look how I felt, engender some really harsh feelings in me. I feel those same exact feelings when I look at old photos, it sucks. When I see other obese people I see weakness, and it pisses me off because I felt weak and like a failure when I was obese.

I haven't read this whole thread but if you feel "hatred" maybe it would serve you to explore those feelings and where they really come from. Didn't we ask "normal" people to treat us like human beings when we were fat? Lets not be hypocrites.

Check with your doctor or your manual. Youve come this far try for one more day on Clear Liquids.

Or if you must break the rules, thin out a creamier Soup till its almost watery.

its great to hear what you guys think because i just bought 30 Day Shred. Im so excited to start! I will definately report back in 30.

Im getting my BB from Costco! Of all ofthe items on my Black Friday "to buy" list this is the one I'm most excited about. I have never seen a deal on it like this, and I have been watching (and waiting).

Im hoping it can help me over these last 25lbs.