danielle b

Almost 3 years for me....No complications until now!! Band suddenly got super tight along with reflux at night...getting an unfill May 9th...if it doesn't get rid of my problems...Upper GI will be next to rule out a slippage! I love my band and I can't imagine not having it....I have not gained any weight...I Have lost more than half of my beginning weight...whoohoo!!

I had lbl, inner thigh lift with Lipo on June 21. First pic was night before surgery...second pic 6 days post op. I am still currently at the recovery boutique in Mexico. Love my thighs so far!! No pics yet of LBL...still have drains and incisions...and very, very swollen. I will post pics when it looks a little prettier! Right now my behind looks deformed...but doctor told me, it is going to turn out nicely!!

I have been banded over 3.5 years....At 43 i was just diagnosed with breast cancer....after 3 lumpectomies I am now cancer free....I start 6 weeks of radiation treatment on Jan 6. not how I had planned starting my new year out! But it is what it is....I am still having a hard time dealing with it all. I have no plans of being unfilled. Love, love my band! Thanks for sharing your stories, Joanne and Shelley.

I have been banded over 3.5 years....At 43 i was just diagnosed with breast cancer....after 3 lumpectomies I am now cancer free....I start 6 weeks of radiation treatment on Jan 6. not how I had planned starting my new year out! But it is what it is....I am still having a hard time dealing with it all. I have no plans of being unfilled. Love, love my band! Thanks for sharing your stories, Joanne and Shelley.

Joanne, congratulations on both your weight loss and being cancer free.
I am happy to say that I am now 7 years cancer free and feeling well.. I just went in on Dec. 19th and got my first fill in over 3 years. Doing pretty good, got a little hungry today, but dealing with it. I decided I didn't want to wait until next year to start my next years New Years resolution. I have even been exercising the last few days.
I refuse to give into my weight loss struggles, just like I refused to give into my cancer. Working hard to win both these battles. I have learned to never give up!
Shelley

Hello! I've been banded for almost 4 1/2 years now with no complications.
That's not to say that my port doesn't rub me the wrong way now that there is not a whole lot of fat to cushion it anymore! I still have moments when I have to vomit. It's still a lot of hard work and struggles at times, but I have had a smooth ride with my band.

I am 5 years out and have NOT had any issues. KNOCK on WOOD. I am at 165 now, and have been at this weight for about 10 months.

Almost 3 years - no complications other than it did NOT cure my cookie obsession, LOL. Those little buggers still go down easy as anything!

Stress can make the band tighter.

I have lost 65 lbs in the 7 months btw. I would love to lose 45 more though!

Actually, if the excess skin is severe enough, it is considered medically necessary to have it removed and insurance will cover it.
I'm going to be having abdominal skin removed in the next few months and because I've lost more than 100 pounds, how low the skin hangs, and rashes insurance sees it as medically necessary and will pay for it's removal.
As far other skin that I likely will have to pay out of pocket for removal- the truth is I don't care if someone does think I'm vain. The way I see it is this: I have worked my big butt off to lose almost 200 pounds over the last 14 months. Because of the weight loss, I now look like a Shar Pei naked. If someone thinks I'm vain for wanting it removed then I'm totally ok with that, but vain or not, I earned this new body with my sweat and dedication. I deserve to be able to enjoy it without looking like I'm wearing a skin suit that's 3 sizes too big.
In my heart, I know it's medically necessary to be removed. I honestly don't care if anyone else agrees with that assessment. I lost this weight for me and I'll get the skin removed for me.
Best wishes

I found this out several times over and still have not learned to not eat when stressed by work or family issues. It is a GUARANTEE that I will be stuck, regardless how small the bites or how careful I am in eating. I have no fills and it gets super tight when stressed or first thing in morning when I wake up. I am almost 2 years out since being banded, and this has been an ongoing thing with me from day one. I stop eating immediately and make my smoothie with banana and strawberries and whey Protein to substitute for my meal.

Today, 1/31...marks 2 years with the band, and all I can say is I could not be more happy and pleased.....
61 years old, going on 40.......
A little background on MY JOURNEY....
first 6 months was HELL!! Very frustrating to say the least...all that anticipation only to be told I had to count my calories and measure my portions...I did not go through surgery to do that!! I've done all that before, many times.....But the Dr. explained to me until they get the band properly adjusted, dieting is the only thing I could do...be patient....
3rd and final fill 4 months after surgery, and it still took me 2 more months to figure this thing out....I wish I had a dollar for every time I got stuck, slimed and spit everything back up! But I was determined to make this thing work....and after 6 months things finally started to sync...in other words I FINALLY BEGAN TO LISTEN AND OBEY THE BAND....forcing me to break all my bad habits that made me "Morbidly Obese" in the first place.....once I got my act together, eating (and avoiding) the right foods, etc, etc....then and only then I found that "GROOVE" where everything became effortless and easy...that's why I do not call the band a "Tool", but rather the "MASTER"...if I do what the band tells me to do then all is good.....
I have not been stuck in over a year.....I have automatic Portion Control, and I am seldom hungry...and most times have no interest in food.....all because of the band and truly being in the Green....I do not need to count calories nor do I worry about portion sizes......just choose good foods and listen to the band when it says stop, I stop....
I have not eaten Breakfast in 18 months....
I reached my goal app. 13 months after surgery.....but my body continued to change and tone due to exercising....(I don't have much excess skin)
And now, 2 years later, I have to say there is a life after lapband surgery...there is a time when there is no more dieting nor is there any worry about gaining weight.....I do what every other normal weight person does every day...I enjoy certain food pleasures, have a beer or 2 (I know how to do it), but the bottom line is i NEVER (cannot) OVEREAT....and I REMAIN ACTIVE...running 5 miles a day, 5 days a week....
And always...get my daily Protein, Water and Vitamin requirements......
I know other people have a different approach....and that is good.....as long as people are successful and happy, then nothing else matters....
YOU CAN"T ARGUE WITH SUCCESS!!!!

And to all who are starting out...STAY AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVES>>>>THIS THING DOES WORK!!!!

It is cosmedclinic.com

I am not sure how they do their tummy tucks, as I had lower body lift. I stayed for 14 days, my choice. The rates for their recovery boutique were cheaper the longer you stayed. I paid $100/day that included all meals, Snacks, and 24 hour nurses.

Granny panties....check
Zip up front shirt....check
Yoga pants which are a little big.....check
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight..... Check
Telling my LBT buds ciao for now!!!! I will post when I can..... Check
Thanks for all these wonderful words of encouragement!!! I will answe your questions later.... But right now I have a date with a dr.....

Danielle is right about quality surgeons in Mexico, but don't go for the lowest price because abdominoplasty is major surgery, so save your pennies and get a good doctor. Also check first to see if your insurance will pay.

You will do great....I had total lower body lift...my incision was all the way around. I was in discomfort but not in much pain. Most of my incision area was numb, so really couldn't feel the pain. I also wore a binder....in my opinion it helps A LOT!! If I was swelled up during the day...I would throw that on at night and swelling gone in the morning. Also, It helps protect you incision. Good luck and keep us posted

I work at an elementary school and scheduled my surgery for December 17th. Taking that week and Christmas week off. I'm hoping to be ready to go back the first of the new year. I plan on having great resolutions for 2013!

All done, well my legs look awesome in my compression leggings,p I have 4 drains and a slightly longer scar down my right leg as my legs mere uneven near the knee. pain is totally bearable, it's just sore and pain meds doing a good job on that ..
Will try and do a pic tomorrow, it's 1.45am here Operation took over 7 hours anda total of 6lbs of skin removed ..
I was wide Wake the minute they finished lol so nio sleep for me tonight
Totally worth it tho ....

My dr cautioned me on my first visit that more patients then he could count who had a significant weight loss ended up divorced. Of course he doesn't know if it's because the spouse preferred chubbys and lost interest or if the person who lost the weight found the confidence to realize he or she didnt need to stay in an unhappy relationship which I happen to believe. Either way I went home and had a long discussion with my husband and told him I was going to do this for me and he could reap the benefits... Or not. He is still here. Lol. However I will tell you that we have noticed changes in our relationship and have had to make adjustments. So far so good.
But for you it sound like you gave it a lot of thought and while I never want to see a marriage end it sounds like it was for the right reasons.
Good luck to you.

You're exactly right. If he were to move back in the problems would still be there. Sometimes people grow apart. It happens. And I'm sure it's a difficult adjustment, but if you're happier, then you've made the right decision. Good luck to you on your weight loss maintanence journey.

Steph1967...if you aren't intimate with him and unhappy...why not be happy without him and at least put yourself in a place to be single and prove yourself wrong about no one else wanting the loose skin. Find someone who makes your feel good emotionally and once you trust them tell them that you lost all that weight to get the loose skin. They will probably admire you and love you as you are...if they are worth having you they will

I think you need to do what is right for you. The fact that you have the confidence to go forward and make all these positive changes is great.