Lap_dancer

Dr. thank you for cutting to the point. Thanks to this response I've called my insurance, spoke to a 'Drone" who had no idea what I was talking about, switched to a supervisor who did and is calling me back later this evening when I have more details of the specifics of what I am looking for in a surgeon. "Your plastic surgeon should understand how skin reacts to massive weight loss, and the nutritional implications of this weight loss on your ability to heal after surgery.". I know by my intake that it isn't what I am eating or how much but more to do with what is going on with my body and lack of ability to move. I think reduction now will certainly allow me to move without the after pain I suffer. I'd also like to correct the area around my pelvis that has been "morphed" by the weight rubbing against it for so many years. Thanks again. I sure wish you were in Florida! PR

This is one of my dreams!! Congratulations on realizing one of your goals.

Dr. Schulman thank you for fielding our questions. It's very educating to read the questions and responses. I posted a question earlier regarding my breasts and stomach. It is difficult for me to exercise without having an "exercise hangover", that is, pain that requires I take medication for back pain and upper shoulder pain. My weightloss is down to a crawl and my portion control is fine thanks to the band. I don't know where to begin in looking for a surgeon, what to tell them and frankly, because I still have over 100 pounds to lose I'm afraid I'll just be told to lose more weight (my plan anyway). Should I suck it up, quit whining and deal with the pain or should I pursue reduction at this stage? Thank you in advance.

It is such a small world. I have lived in Florida since 1981 but was born in Detroit and grew-up in Livonia. My nephew attends U of M ( GO BLUE ) and of course I have loads of family up there. I remember U of M for the Hash Bash (dating myself). Boo glad you are feeling better in retrospect ( Yes, 20/20). I searched his CV on the web and, dang, I think that was a fortunate pick for you so close to home. When you live away from Michigan, the one thing you hear about his the quality at U of M. To get a Prof? Again, DANG! I'm just glad that much of this is behind you, the toughest part is over now you are fine tuning. Again, thanks for opening up to the rest with your story. It helps.

Thank you Dr. Schulman. This makes so much sense to me!

Hi Dr. Schulman: Thanks for offering your thoughts and giving us a chance to field questions. I peaked at 389 lbs. I carried most of my weight in my stomach so it hung very low off my body and against my thighs. My breasts were the second source of weight holding tanks. I'm now wearing a 46DDDD and although I notice some reductioin I still have the pain in my shoulders and back. Honestly, In ever pursued a breast reduction because I was fearful I would be told I was so fat I just needed to lose weight. I do experience persistant pain in my upper shoulders and have indentations where my bra rests. Although I have lost some size in my breasts they now hang longer. I was hoping to get some relief by now but to no avail. What are your thoughts on reduction at this stage of the game with another 120 pounds still to go? Secondly, my stomach, I have some loose skin and a pannus that has rubbed against my pelvic area for so long, it's reduced any stimulation I use to feel. Again, when is a good time to seek evaluation? Thank you in advance.

LUCK!!! Looking forward to hearing your report.

Boo Boo if it makes you feel any better, I would have gone with Professor Kuzon as well. His credentials are steller.

Hi BOO! I've got a two fold response for you on your question. "To Whom much is given, much is expected." and I'm sure you are probably realizing that being where you are and having so many come with much attention (deserved) for you. The Band: Any advocating that comes your way on behalf of obesity/healthy changes/Lap-Band you do the world a favor by sharing your story. *I just spoke to a woman I work in the same department, different worksites who is severely morbidly obese and now on oxygen 24/7. the compassion, the empathy one feels when you've been there is a story that can't be shared by someone who doesn't know. I say Go-Go-Go!! As for Dr. Kuzan and your experience. Girl, you are much nicer than I would have been. The second he started digging into my skin pulling out experimental staples is the second I would have grabbed a nut and squeezed hard...'how does that feel? You dig, I'll squeeze." Share the pain. What kind of doctor does that? I had staples post two c-sections and both doctors gently removed them after superficially numbing the surface of my skin. I would not promote any place that had a surgeon with poor skills, poor response to your question such as "who pays"...you have every right to get an answer from him be it "Let me work something out and get back with you" something besides a vague, "We'll talk later". Later as in later after I get the bill for 12 G's? Later as in when? If you feel so compelled to share your complications with Make Me Heal, by all means do so. As best I can tell it's a consumer site for all things Plastics related. You have much to share as we have all witnessed and your experience with plastics can save another consumer from the same experience or guide them atleast into asking the right questions. Either way, telling your story makes those starting the journey, on the journey, become more educated and informed.:rolleyes2: ........................................................................... How are you feeling? You are looking amazing but you were cute heavy so it's natural that you thin down nicely. ............... I have a "muffin" question. My pubic bone has an excess fat amount. What is the procedure called where they reduce the area and pull it back up? The fat from my PENN has pushed down on my pelvic area for so long the fat has shifted downward causing desensitization. Sex ain't what it use to be, almost as if the area is less sensative. No what I mean anyone? My stomach is looking so weird. I carried most all of my weight in my stomach so it hung down rubbing against the top of my thighs. I now have a Buddah belly. It's pulling back up again but the sides of my stomach are concave, the skin is loose around the navel and below and my girls, still big at 46DDDD/F, are beginning to lose some elasticity in the skin. When did you all go in for pre-op evaluations?

Greetings to all: I have been working my food addiction recovery since last summer. I think the misconception with the world is that we don't REALLY have a food addiction, we just need to pull away from the table. (*winks...yeah,right*). It's important to note that if you have a resolve that no one will make you give up a certain food, Lap Band or not, you might be in for a rude awakening. Sometimes that journey is one people must take on their own and slime and vomit and pain are needed to make someone realize that the very things they consume that got them to where they are can be the very same things that they still battle regardless of having the band. Like it is always said, the band is a TOOL. OA has been part of this tool pack I carry. I acknowledge and accept that food has an overwhelming power over me. That there are some foods that speak my name and I obsess over them. These same foods got me pushing close to 400 pounds, barely able to walk, unable to fully recover from surgery and restricted my life function to a breathless and apnea filled sleepless night. *Nothing should have this kind of power over you* I encourage you to explore OA. There are several Yahoo groups. There is an OA group on yahoo. There is an emotional issues and OA group that I belong to. One thing I discovered in trying to peel away the why of my addiction is a comment by a friend who found in her therapy group, 7 out of the 10 individuals in this group had been abused. And the journey goes on. If anyone has any questions or needs support, please feel comfortable contacting me. I am a safe and confidential source of information to help with OA questions. Patty

Nancy what happened? Just curious.

<TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 868921" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 align=middle width=125>dyannamelia</TD><TD class=alt1>Has Anyone Had Any Trouble With Watermelon </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Not a bit!!! Watch the seeds, suck the juice eat slowly like we are suppose to do. <TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 860839" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 align=middle width=125>HarleyNana</TD><TD class=alt1>Call it what you want, but I KNOW my band has changed my "going" habits. Prior to the band, Correctol was part of my daily diet. Now 3.5 years later, the least bit of fat, ie..chips, cheese crunchies, and heaven forbid I should eat some of a bloomin onion, lol. Thank goodness my issues are the next day and not like diarrhea. My doctor, Lap-Band doctor not my MD, wisely gave me some superb advice when I called complaining that, basically, my back end had a "tail" if you catch my drift. Since then, I have a regular habit of using Bath and Body Works Moisturizing, Anti-bacterial soap in the pump (Coconut Verbena) added on to TP for a comfortable end to my visit with Johnny. In less than a week the pain was gone and things cleared up. Now for the dumping syndrom. There is a culprit in your diet that sets this off. Process of elimination (pun intended) will help you zero down to what it causing it. For me it is certain combinations of meat and cheese mixed with something else. If I have milk product with meat I can expect a TWO MINUTE WARNING...what we call it in my house (dumping). It's trial and error. Eventually you will hit a good combination in your diet that will slow this down. My nutritionist at my doctor's office recommends fitting an all vegetarian meal into your day once in a while. I've done that. That helps. I also drink Protein in Blue flavored raspberry mixed with Propel fit Water, Kiwi-strawberry for a fruit punch amped with 25 protein grams and loads of Vitamins. That is my favorite meal. I seldom have two minute warning moments these days and sitting doesn't hurt. Hope this helps!!:thumbup: </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I've gotten several books off Amazon.com. Do a search of OA books, pick some that you would like to read. I recommend having the Big Book. I also recommend the pocket version of OA.

Jack's got this one right as far as my situation. I have dumping on occasion. Yes, something I do not care to do. first paragraph pretty much nails what happens to me. I'm guessing the lactose combined with the high sugar and fat of the Cookies did the trick on you.

I am thinking you mean you haven't had a bowel movement, yes? (#2) If yes, I would try some green tea. That always helps me. You can buy it at the grocery Arizona brand is fine. Room temperature. Good luck.

I didn't have problems with headaches but you could be having some after effects from the anethesia. Not sure how you can tell. try switching out your pain meds. liquid Tylenol. You can pick it up at Walgreens or CVS, any drugstore.

Hey Boo: I thank you for sharing this with us, pics and all. I am so glad that I took full photos from the beginning. Perhaps the swelling is making everything bulge and pucker, maybe in six weeks time it may go down some. Keep us posted on that. How is the pneumonia? Hopefully resolved. I have to be careful with my lungs (ex-smoker) and going under. I sometimes have respitory difficulites and was told getting up and walking as soon as possible was a positive thing to do. Tell us more about the new procedure on your girls. Why does the doc want to go back in? I also didn't understand the PS rationale for not wanting you to go to the band surgeon. Dr. K, my band doctor, is one to communicate with my Florida doctor. Curious about that. Overall are you feeling more like yourself? You are almost there. Dang, you've gone the distance. I for one am so very proud of you. Way to go! Keep posting your progress with details. It helps. Patty

Hi Moe: It's really hard to talk to people who don't have all of the information and only glean some of the information they share. Sure, if someone is determined to gain weight I suppose they can grind anything and eat it. Heard people gain the weight back, does that mean all of the people who have banding gain it back? If so how did they hear that? I imagine some folks on here would show otherwise by their loss....at any rate, I like the thought of finding someone else to assist you along your weight loss journey. Never let anyone steal your dream. My best to you.

Hey Boo! I've been stalking this thread checking to see how you are doing and today thinking of you. I hope you are healing well, surely sore but healing well. I started off having a "deuce" to lose from the very beginning which was 389, I'm at 309 right now. My girls were a 48DDDD and are now a 46DDD. I am so interested to see how your girls turned out and if he could keep you near a D. The diagram of your surgical lines was helpful. Glad they didn't do the vertical line down center. Looking forward to an update from you.:biggrin:

Leelanau, the same thing happened to me! I was six months into my pre-op stuff, had my tests all done, stress test, psych eval., sleep apnea only to find I had a clause in my insurance plan that indicated there was no coverage for any type of bariatrics. The sadder thing to me was that ALL treatment was not covered including the opposite condition that I have...bulemia. Can you image? Fortunately, this was a hidden victory. I ended up shopping for surgery, found a doctor I LOVE LOVE LOVE, discovered Denver and parts thereabouts, has a breeze of a surgery at a beautiful facility and made some amazing friends out there. Trust fate. Follow your dream to get this done. Insurance does NOT have the final say in our health. We do have a voice even if we have to pay for it ourselves, even if we have to go to other means to get it done. LUCK :thumbup:

!!! WOO HOO !!! ~ You give us inspiration ~ _______________________ :thumbup::biggrin: HOT MAMA!

This is great advice. I can't really add to it. You are lucky to live in Colorado as it is such an amazing state and very beautiful. My doctor's aftercare is part of the package for a small fee and everything you need, nutritionist, fills, ...are there. My doctor hits my port on the first go so the advice on finding a skilled doctor is key.

Welcome! Go to the FORUM JUMP at the bottom of this page and click. The drop box will open and you can see all the categories. The other option is to SEARCH. I am carb sensative so coming off a carb stoner for me can feel like a withdrawal. I would encourage you to cut the fat from your diet...no skin on chicken, nothing fried, breaded, buttered, and stick with lean meats. If you are feeling weak, amp your diet up with a Protein bar. I love Gold Protein Bars sold at Walgreens. Buy ONE because I bought three and ate all of them. Making time to meditate helps me. Stay away from food situations so you aren't tempted. Drink lots of Water. You want to shrink your liver in preperation for the procedure.

Wayoflife I'm hoping by now you see others felt the same way. I can't say that I did but that's only because I fought like a banshee to get insurance to pay...which they didn't...so by the time I was in my hospital gown, and minutes from being rolled in, it was do or die for me. I was dieted to death and still fat. I wish you the best experience and enjoy the journey.

I wish I could say I am one of those who has had it. Since it took me a year go get to the Band, I've started researching the procedures available. I already know my stomach and breasts are a must. It's not even a matter of cosmetics and more of life function. I liken my ever decreasing stomach, which was burdgeoning at at 389, to tag mole. It's there and serving no purpose. The rashes are a daily thing I have to attend to so I don't get a breakout. Best to you NancyJ.