loridee11

I had an unfill in May and have actually been slightly underfilled since, so I wasn't planning on having another unfill. I really haven't had much in the way of restriction, and can take tylenol, etc... without issue. If I were at my sweet spot, I wouldn't definately be having an unfill. ~Lori

Thanks everyone! I can't believe it's less than 3 weeks. Ahhhhhh! I am excited and terrified. Karey - I'm so happy for you being on your last round. Hopefully we'l run into each other at the Dr.'s and meet :confused: ~Lori

4 weeks from today I go in for my extended tummy tuck (both vertical and horizontal incision) and a breast lift. And this morning, for the first time in my adult life, I hit the 100's (okay 198.5, but still, there's a one in front of it :thumbup:). I am so excited because I feel like the last year and a half of hard work is really paying off. Having said that, for those of you that have been there, what are the must have recovery aides I should be buying. I've heard wedge pillow and toilet seat riser. ANything else? Also, if any of you have done the research, is makemeheal really the cheapest place to get these. I am so excited to be joining all of you in this next stage of weight loss, and after surgery I will share both before and after pics. I look forward to any recommendations you may have! ~Lori

I did it! After 20 months, just over a year and a half, I have reached onederland. This morning the scale showed 198.5!!! That is a weight loss of just over 130 pounds. I am SO excited I could scream (and I did do a little dance). I just had to share my ONEderful news :thumbup: ~Lori

Thank you SO much Dr.! I feel 1000X better about the vertical incision. I've always had an hour glass figure (although as I've lost weight it's gone away due to the extra skin just around the middle) and I really want that back. ~Lori

Thanks all! It's interesting to see how two different people can have similar height and weight and be in totally different pant sizes. I am scheduled for a tummy tuck in November and I'm hoping that will help (I have a LOT of loose skin). Appreciate your insight! On a slightly related note... I'm going to an amusement park on Saturday and have this fear that I won't fit in the seats. Please tell me I'm crazy and a 16 should fit in the seatbelts ~Lori

Hi Dr.! I am scheduled for an extended tummy tuck in November with a vertical incision (in addition to the horizontal). I have another consult with my Dr. in October and will be asking him this question, but I thought I'd get your thoughts as well. What type of difference in my overall shape can I expect by adding the vertical incision to my tummy tuck. I'm trying to weigh in my mind if the results will be worth the extra scaring... Would you expect 1/2 inch reduction in circumfrance or more? I know this will change based on each individuals body type, I'm just wondering if there is any general expectation. For some background, I am 5'11 and weighed 330 at my heaviest. I am down to 202, and hope to be down to 180 by surgery. I carried a lot of weight in my abdomen and have two rolls of excess skin and fat, one above and one below my bellybutton. I appreciate your thoughts :thumbup: ~Lori

Hi all, So, as I have lost weight and am getting closer to goal, I'm trying to understand what a reasonable goal size would be. Would anyone be willing to share their weight at certain sizes? I'm 5'11 and currently weight 202 lbs. I'm in a size 14/16. My goal weight is between 165 and 180, and I'm hoping for a size 10, maybe 12. Is that reasonable? ~Lori

Hi All! It's ben a crazy month, but I have been getting my work outs in. I figure we're 1/3 the way through the month, and I'm 1/3 the way through my goal - Yay! My trainer is back from vacation and we have been kicking butt. PLUS... I just got a bodybugg. WOW - let me tell you how fast I get my butt to the gym when I realize I've only burned 1400 calories by 6:00 PM. Keep up the great work (and congrats on your bandaversary (sp?) --- you guys are doing AMAZING! ~Lori

Well, I haven't updated in a few days, but I have been working out! I took Sunday off, but Monday I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and today I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, and then 30 minutes with my trainer. I also took the dogs for a 10 minute walk. So far so good ~Lori

Wow! I can already tell you all are going to make me step up my game --- those are some killer workouts! Today I spent an hour at a yoga class. I always feel like a sissy when I say Yoga, but my instructor kicks butt and it is a great workout!!! So, two days of working out in a row. ~Lori

Alright everyone!!! Well, day one and so far I have 60 minutes down! I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and 15 on weights. Great start everyone! ~Lori

I'm new to this particular board, but am hoping to get a good competition and you all to help hold me accountable... so ---shall we begin? I am going to exercise for 1200 minutes in August. ALso, I just bought a BodyBugg and it should be here anyday! ~Lori

In January of this year I got a fill which took me to 2.9cc's. While my level of restriction felt great I would wake up chocking/coughing at night. This board helped me realize I was probably too tight and I got an unfill in May which took me back to 2.6cc's. Well, now I am too loose. I'm at a good maintenance level, but have pretty much stopped losing unless I kill myself working out (note: I am working out at this maintenance level). For those of you who have had fills and unfills, would you recommend I get a fill? I really want proper restriction again, but I don't want to wake up coughing or be too tight. I'm also worried about paying all that $$$ for .1cc if it's not going to work... THis was my first unfill, and I also don't want my fill doctor to think I'm just bouncing around. <sigh> Thoughts? ~Lori

Hey Sula, I'm struggling with that last 30 pounds as well. I think for me the biggest struggle is exercising regularly. I acknowledge exercise is necessary and wil be for the rest of my life. And, I don't even hate it anymore. Unfortunately, I still don't like it. <sigh> Congratulations on your success as well! Anyone else from January 07? I want to hear your successes as well!!! ~Lori

So, in January I had a fill to 2.9cc's and had great restriction. However, I would wake up coughing at night and found out that was a sign of being overfilled. So in June I had my first unfill to 2.6cc's. Unfortunately, I don't think that I am filled enough... I'm not gaining weight, but I'm not losing either. Have any of you had this type of situation? If so, how "full" should I have my doctor fill my band. I hate to spend the money for only .1 cc's, but I really don't want to be overfilled either. <sigh> HELP! ~Lori

Hi Salsa, I've been following along on your PS journey. Congratulations and I hope you're feeling better after your last fill! I'm having the same type of tummytuck you had in November so I'm definately interested in your experience. I've got to say, you're 4 days post op pictures look great! How are you doing now that you are almost a full month out. Any updated pics? Again - congratulations! You look amazing and are an inspiration! ~Lori

Well, for me I know I need to PB because I get a lot of pain and pressure under my breast bone. It's not like vomiting where you may feel a little pressure and then you have no choice... the pain and pressure just continue until I PB. So, I generally wait up to 5 minutes when I feel the signs in the hope it will pass... If not, I PB... Again, I've been in a meeting and had to wait 20 minutes. It hurt like @#$@ and I definately rushed out of the meeting, but I don't think anyone knew anything.

Hi Snappergirl, I'm not going to reply to your poll because I am only 18 months post op, but wanted to reply because I hate to see you get discouraged. In 18 months I have lost over 125 lbs (goal is loss of 150). The first year I relied very heavily on the band to help with portion control and I lost 78 lbs. I also started adjusting my diet. For the last six months I've taken up exercising, and my loss has really picked up. I think the key for long term success is using the band as a tool. It cannot do 100% of the work. You need to eat healthy most of the time and you need to work out. If you're not willing to do those the band won't solve your problem. However, if you are willing to put in the work the band is the best thing you can do for yourself. I'm down from 330 lbs and now way only 203.5 as of this morning (YAY!!!). I feel 1000% better (I can go out with friends and I'm not the first one winded or who needs to sit down). Hope this helps a little! ~Lori

Hey Lemon, I didn't even tell my family, and they still don't know a year and a half later. YES, the do notice my eating habits have changed, but they also noticed how amazing I am looking and compliment me on making the needed changes to get there. As for PBing and burping, I actually don't burp that often. Oddly enough, it's ice Water that makes me burp a little, not food. And if you do end up needing to PBing, you know in advance and can excuse yourself to the restroom. But, once you know your band PBing is very rare. Good luck! ~Lori

Well shoot - I meant to add.. I sometimes get really depressed when it feels like the scale hasn't moved in forever. But what I have done is kept a weekly weight journal (I just way myself on Sat. AM and jot it down). When I'm feeling down I'll look back a couple of months and see it really has changed. Even if I don't see it day to day, it isn't coming off. ~lori

Congratulations, and good for your doctor. I am also a slow loser (I have averaged just over a pound a week since my surgery over a year and a half ago). Like your doctor, I think slower is better because you are making sustainable lifestyle changes. You can ABSOLUTELY lose that last 30! ~Lori

OK - I wil be having an extended anchor tummy tuck on Nov. 20th (Verticial incision in addition to the horizontal one). Has anyone on here had one? If so, are you willing to share pictures? I agree with my plastic surgeon that with the amount of extra skin I have I really want the best shape possible (plus, it's not like I don't have stretch marks all along my abdomen anyway... no midriffs for me). I'm aware of the extra scaring, but would like to see some pictures of those who've had them. ~Lori

Thanks all! I have been exercising 4 days a week, and have been planning to pick it up a notch (5-6 days a week). Karey, I'll use your advice as extra motivation to make it to the gym. That and I am only 3.5 pounds away from Onederland!!! In my entire adult life I haven't been below 200 lbs... I'm SO excited. ~Lori

Hi everyone! Well, it's been 18 months since we all had the lap band surgery, and I thought it might be neat to see how everyone was doing and whether or not they consider their band experience a success. I am definately thrilled with the results! In the last 18 months I have lost 125 lbs and am down from a size 28 to a size 14. I still have 40 lbs to lose, but I know I can do it. Also, I'll be having a full tummy tuck and breast lift in November. The band is the best thing I could have done for myself. Anyone else? ~Lori