Qtjan5

I had mine done in NYC on the Upper East Side. If you aren't familiar with the area, it is a pretty expensive area. I would have gone to someone who may have been cheaper, but my surgeon was recommended to me by my lap-band surgeon, as the PS specializes in body contouring following weight loss surgery.

I had a binder on when I woke up from surgery, and was told I had to wear it pretty much 24/7 for the first three weeks. I saw my surgeon on Monday for my 3 week post- op appointment and he told me that I could now switch to something else. I went out and bought myself a spanx-like garment, which is so much more comfortable.

I will be 3 weeks post-op tomorrow. I'm definitely still sore, but off pain medication. I have begun to drive again and I am more up and about than I was the first two weeks. The scars on my abdomen and one arm are doing wonderfully...unfortunately, I had a slightly infected stitch in my armpit, so the doctor had to take it out. Although it is now a small open wound, that has to be covered and cleaned frequently, I'm not in any pain from it. (Sorry if this is too much info, but it has been known to happen with arm lifts). The worst part of recovery is from the lipo of the flanks, as my entire lower back is bruised and very tender. I still can't sleep on my stomach, but I have been able to sleep on my sides and turn over pretty easily. All-in-all, it really hasn't been too terrible a recovery.

For all three procedures that I had done, it was around $25,000. I had mine in a surgical center instead of the hospital which saved me around $5000. I also went home the same day, so I didn't have to stay over.

The plastic surgeon that I went to is one that specializes in body contouring following weight loss surgery. He told me that during the tummy tuck, he would take out the stitch that was holding the port in place, and during the surgery, it kind of would just be there. He said that when he was ready to close, he would re-stitch the port to a place where it wouldn't be seen. I am 2 weeks post-op and my port was definitely moved. It used to be to the right of my belly button but it now a little higher and definitely deeper in the muscle (so it won't be seen). I am really glad I went to a plastic surgeon who knew the anatomy of the lap-band. I have heard stories of people going to regular plastic surgeons who don't understand the anatomy of the band, and the results are not always ideal (not to say that this is of all regular plastic surgeons). Hope this helps!

Hi everyone, So I had a TT, an arm lift and lipo of the flanks on 12/21/12. I was told by my surgeon to wear the binder around my abdomen, but I am finding that I am becoming very itchy in the flank region, where he did the lipo. As I'm still bruised and mostly numb in that lower back area, scratching really either makes it itch more or it does nothing. Has anyone else experienced this? And if you did, what did you do that either helped, or took the itch away? Any help or advice would be appreciated! Thanks, Jana

I had the band put in in august 2010 and lost about 75 lbs. I had a significant amount of sagging skin on my abdomen, arms and inner thighs. I just had a tummy tuck, lipo of the flanks and an arm lift, a little over a week ago. Plastic surgery for me was definitely necessary. I'll probably get my inner thighs done sometime next year.

From what my doctor told me, I have to wear the binder all the time for the next 3 weeks. I take it off once a day to shower, and if I don't shower on a given day, I take it off at least once a day for a few minutes to readjust the tightness of the binder, as the swelling differs from day to day.

I was instructed to wear the binder pretty much all the time for the next 3 weeks. I took it off early in my recovery, to clean myself and then today when I showered but I put it right back on immediately after. I found that even after 30minutes of not wearing it, I was more uncomfortable than I was when it was on.

Glad to hear you are doing well...I'm a week post surgery and I'm feeling okay. I'm still pretty sore but I went for my follow up visit yesterday and had both drains removed. Today, I was finally able to shower and I spent most of the day awake and about the house. For the binder, i find it is really helping, as it holds all the swelling in.

Hi Meagan, I am only 24 and had a tummy tuck, an arm lift and some liposuction of the flanks done a week ago (last friday). I lost about 75 lbs with the lapband, which I had done in 2010. Before surgery, I also had the same thing occurring in my mind but I realized that if I want someone to like me for me, I had to feel good about myself. I had two drains, both of which were taken out yesterday, and the pain hasn't been terrible. The liposuction areas were the worst of the pain. I have needed the pain meds although the past 2 days or so, I've been trying to cut back. I have also moved from the recliner to my bed, which is a huge step for me. If you have any questions, please let me know! Jana

I had my tummy tuck, an arm lift and liposuction of the flanks on Friday. Have pretty much been either in the recliner sleeping, or walking up and back to the bathroom. Since I had lipo, my whole back is one giant black and blue mark. I took bandages off both arms and tummy yesterday so my mom could sponge bathe me, and it was a little overwhelming to see my flat tummy. I have two drains in my abdomen, which hopefully will be taken out on Thursday when I see my surgeon. Overall, it is not as bad as I expected. Will post pictures when I finally get back to where my computer is.

Congrats on your surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery. I have mine tomorrow morning at 10am in NYC. I am having a TT, some lipo of the flanks and my arms done all together. I feel like you did yesterday!

Thanks for the advice! I am 3 days away from surgery and I'm prepping my recliner for post-surgery.

I got my unfill today...surgery is on Friday. Im excited and nervous at the same time. Did any of you who got the TT done, get your arms and some lipo of your flanks done at the same time?

Both my bariatric surgeon and my plastic surgeon told me to get an unfill about a week before. I'm scheduled for a tt and arms on December 21 and i am scheduled to have an unfill on the 18th. I am more concerned with having food get stuck without having the band loosened more than anything else. I don't want to imagine what throwing up after a tt must feel like. I also had my plastic surgeon prescribe me all liquid medications.

Hi all, I am scheduled for a tummy tuck, liposuction of my flanks and an arm lift for December 21st. I was banded in 2010 and have lost about 70 lbs. Although my surgery is still 2 months away, I'm trying to get as much advice as possible prior to surgery. I'm so excited, yet so nervous as well. I'll be having my procedure done as an outpatient procedure (not overnight) and all three things will be done during the same surgery. Any advice or tips will be helpful and appreciated!

I had my surgery done at NYU Langone by Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding in 2010. My dad had his done a few years earlier than me also at that office but by Dr. George Fielding. We both speak at the information sessions that they have. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have (if I can).

I just got the unjury chicken soup flavor today and it is so good. I was shocked at how good it was. I've read on their website that the unflavored is great too, especially if you pour it into crystal light or iced tea...

Hi Everyone...I am being banded on the 23rd. I'm self pay at NYU...so I didn't have to go through the hoops that the insurance companies send everyone through (although my dad's insurance has an exception so I wouldn't have been covered by them regardless.) I am really excited and nervous. I started my liquid diet on Monday and I'm not finding it hard to drink the many shakes a day but I've been getting really bad gas pain from the slim-fast shakes. Is anyone else having this problem? I work with little children at a day camp so I am constantly running around and out in the sun... Oh, and for those of you who are on protein shakes and don't like the flavor...I just tried the Unjury brand protein shake (chicken soup flavor). It is so good and it doesn't taste like a shake at all. I've heard from people the other ones they make are good too, including a non-flavor one so you can mix it with anything you like. (unjury.com if you are interested) To those being banded soon...I wish you all well! :thumbup:

Hi Everyone...I am being banded on the 23rd. I'm self pay so I didn't have to go through the hoops that the insurance companies send everyone through (although my dad's insurance has an exception so I wouldn't have been covered by them regardless.) I am really excited and nervous. I started my liquid diet on Monday and I'm not finding it hard to drink the many shakes a day but I've been getting really bad gas pain from the slim-fast shakes. Is anyone else having this problem? I work with little children at a day camp so I am constantly running around and out in the sun... Oh, and for those of you who are on Protein shakes and don't like the flavor...I just tried the

Hi Blair....Congrats on finally going through with the surgery. Thanks for that...it helped a little. Def keep me updated so I know what to expect...lol...

Hi everyone...Last week I scheduled my date to be banded...AUGUST 23rd! I'm excited but really nervous at the same time. I have never undergone surgery before and I think I more overwhelmed about this than I am about getting the actual band. I am very familiar with the whole process of having the LAP-BAND® as my dad was banded 2 years ago and has lost over 150lbs. Anyone have any advice they can give, being a younger bander?