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He's a damn a*****e. By law, he's supposed to give you copies of all of your records. Glad you were able to get the copies. LMAO - you must be 10 minutes away from PA or NY. Keep me posted. I'm sure you'll have smooth sailing from here. I actually go in to see my PCP today for my 5th visit and hopefully my EKG. I'll message you later tonight and let you know how it goes.

Hi I'm Glenda, I lost 108 lbs on my own, then decided to have gastric bypass to get to my goal weight. I'm so glad to join this group. I'm 3 weeks post surgery down 29lbs. I have problems getting my water and food in. I get so full so quickly. I'm afraid I'm not getting the proper nutrition. My fear is my upcoming vacation I'm going to Costa Rica. I'll be 10 weeks post surgery then. Very apprehensive about how I'll manage my food. Help please.

YES… Stress can stall weight loss. I have dealt with this challenge prior to getting sleeved. I was able to loose 65 lbs with low carb high Protein diet and hit a terrible stall when I was very stressed. The stressors affected my life for over 6 months and I did not loose another pound. I gained about 10 lbs over that 6 months and "justified" this as my body balancing out despite the diet. I went off the diet and gradually gained another 10 lbs. Then my PCP changed my thyroid medication and I gained all the weight plus another 10 lbs (getting to 265 lbs) Thats when I decided it was time for bariatric surgery. Now when I get stressed and see the scales stall…. I try to be calm, take a deep breath and tell myself that I am in control of the choices I make so, think, pray and choose what will be best for me.

They had me do the scope about three weeks Pre-op, but they said that it only showed what was on the inside. The outside was where the scar tissue was. It was actually looped over and grown into other organs with scar tissue. I think me having it for almost 10 years and it being a smaller band both had a negative effect. I am glad they got it all done in one surgery. Some people have to do it in stages.

10 pounds post-op!!

I was banded Nov. 24th so today will be 10 days post-op. As of this morning I've lost 12 lbs. Two days ago (according to the scale) I was two lbs lighter...but I blame the weight gain on Aunt Flow. Once she's outta town those two lbs in water weight will be gone, too.

Yeah, he has been sipping about a tablespoon amount once every 10-15 minutes and then he starts burping it back fairly soon to immediately after. Not really vomiting, just a frothy burp like when drinking something that's overly carbonated (He's just drinking water and protein shakes). The vomiting occured only 2x so far and it was when he went to lay down.

The doctor can see the level of restriction, but that does not necessarily translate into a lasting level of restriction that you'll perceive as your sweet spot. Some people really do feel quite a bit from their first fill. A few find that it does the trick. But most seem to feel very little difference from the first fill. There is a difference--but our pouches still empty too fast for us to really notice a difference in our hunger levels. This usually tapers down over a few fills. Fluoro or not. My doctor does use fluoro for all fills. I had my third about 10 days ago--and do feel restriction now. It's starting to dissipate a bit, though, so I suspect Fill #4 will be necessary. It's worth the wait :thumbup: Hang in there!

I had mine out close to 10 years ago, so of course my experience may not be quite the same as it would be now after RNY. However - at the time I had a desk job that I could do 99% of from anywhere I had my computer, I actually resumed work the same day once I was back in my room recovering. I worked from home the next day and then returned to the office the following.

Post op day 10 and for the past 2 days I feel like a different person!!! I am finally able to eat foods that I have to chew! Every night I've walked my block 1.04 miles. I'm sleeping on my right side (port) relatively pain free. Cooked hubby dinner last night. Yesterday was the first day I haven't required a nap. Cleaning the house today and feeling a lot more accomplished!!!

First, thank you for your support and prayers. I was very nervouse the night before and almost backed out. My daughter told me I would never forgive myself if I did. I met with the anesthesiologist and the doctor the night before and they discussed everything and anything I wanted to talk about. I was afraid of the epidural, afraid of feeling pain and of being in pain afterward. I was sedated the day of surgery and remember getting the epidural, he said I would be out when I got it, but I guess I have a high tolorance. Anyway, there was no discomfort at all. I was out as soon as it was in. The surgery was around 6 hours. I had 2lbs skin and 3 liters of fat removed. I awoke in recovery in his office and was transferred by ambulance to the hospital. They gave me something through IV for pain, but it wore off after about 8 hours and it was suppose to be every 12 hours. They docs called me and came to see me both days that I was there and told the nurses to give me more. It was non narcotic. I wanted morphine, but did not get it. I made it the two days I was there, got up the next morning, wanted my folley out so I could walk. The pain was nothing what I expected. I did bring my own darvocett and loratabs and have used them a few times. The lipo to my back, flanks, hips, and bra line is another story. My back has hurt like hell. The swelling is not what I expected, but I did NOT do my homework on the liposuction. Apparently the swelling can last months off and on. The pain about a month. I have since read a lot on lipo and this is all normal. My drain was taken out yesterday, post-op day four. I was draining about 200cc in 24 hours but it was fairly clear and I weas told my body would reabsorb it and the tubes can irritate it and cause even more drainage. I have to take his word for that. Dr. Cardenas is a very conservative doctor and I like that. He is also a nice person. The anesthesiologist is also super. They both speak good english and don't want you to be in pain. Dr. Cardenas fixed my left ear at no charge that started sticking back out again after my ear job a year ago. His wife is a dermatoligist and gave me a great facial peel. (Best thing you can do for your skin) I am staying at a hotel with a great Breakfast and a bridge that you can walk to the mall. My daughter wheels me over daily for an outting. I will be here until Saterday unless I am able to leave sooner (getting stitches out) I am wearing a tight body girdle that extends from under my breast to my mid thigh and a hole in the middle. The swelling is terrible on my back. My tummy is flat and the belly button looks so good. One of the things I like about Dr. Cardenas is that he has an artistic eye. Dr. C did my eyes last year and I am very happy with them. He errs on the side of being conservative and I like that too. I am coming back this fall or the first of the year for breast lift with implants. I am a nice DD but saggy. I look sooo good thanks to Dr. Cardenas. I have built a relationship with the people down here and feel very safe with them. As I said the first time I went to Mexico, I had "peace" in my spirit about him and I have never been wrong going with my "peace". Any questions, feel free to ask.... I bet I am a size 10 now. I was a 12 and can fit in my jeans with a huge swollen back... I am so glad and grateful that I was able to come do this for myself. After six children (c-sections) and taking care of everyone else, it was nice to be able to do this for me.... If anyone goes to Mx for any surgery, please tell him that I referred you, maybe I can get a discount on my next surgery.....hehehe

I apologize if it's been addressed somewhere else, but I haven't been able to find it. I read this alot... people getting not quite to their goal, and getting their plastic surgery. Now... I had just always thought (waiting a year or so and seeing if things tighten up on their own, aside) that you would want to get even maybe a little less than your goal, get your PS, then once you gained a little back, things would fill in and be nice and tight. I'm sure they're all good once you get all this work done, but wouldn't at least getting to goal, and then getting PS be better? If you get a TT and then lose 10-30 more pounds, wouldn't it just not look as good? or even, say, a boob job/lift/whatever. ? What's the 'standard'? Do most surgeons say "Yeah, go ahead... get it done even if you're not quite done losing!" or is "Wait until you hit your goal wait, and then come see me." more typical? Please enlighten me !! Mandi

My surgeon also does PS, he said wait until I am at goal. Oh well, so much for the short cut. I know what needs to be "tucked" would be about 10 lbs of weight gone.

I have the same question! My surgery was 7/10. Some of the edges have pulled up, but overall the glue is still holding on. I thought it would be long gone by now. :biggrin:

Hi Lunasprite, WELCOME.... We live close I am in Forreston Il about 40 min. I was banded 10/4/06 and have already lost 12#,feel great, let me know if you ever want to chat, Jules

HI- I started out a 44 DDD - F before my lap band July 25, 2007. I'm now at a 38 DD with about an 80 pound loss give or take a couple of pounds. I would have to agree with your doc. If you're fat goes, the fat in your boobs does too. Have you always been larger breasted? I've been at least a C cup since I was 10 years old. By the time I was 13 I was a D cup. I've never been below a D in the last 23 years. That is from 150 lbs all the way up to 282 lbs. I guess what I'm saying, is if you have alot of breast mass and not just fat mass, then you could have the tissue removed and not get too small. If they're big because of your weight, then you should wait until your close to your ideal to have them taken down. Hope this helps, cause I'm going to have mine lifted after I hit my ideal.

I can't say for bypass, (I had the SADI laproscopic) but I imagine healing is similar. I had my post-op and staples out at 10 days. One of the areas where a port was opened back up a bit after they were pulled so we just did steri-strips for another few days. The rest were well healed.

Karey-Thanks for asking how I'm doing. Got cleared to start back at the gym on the first, so went back this last week. It's been 7 weeks now since my LBL and I'm doing pretty good. If I do too much, on my feet too long or overdo it, I swell and have a little discomfort. I'm looking forward to the day that all the swelling is gone, but I know it'll be awhile. I still have a large area w/o a lot of sensation but some may come back and the doc hopes enough comes back for safety issues, like if I lean up against something hot, that I'll feel it and move before I get burned. Very happy with the results and even with the swelling got into a size 6 jeans a couple weeks ago. No regrets about the surgery just hope I can save enough to get the girls lifted later this year or next. As for the gym, I'm only going 3 days a week for the first couple of weeks, I don't want to overdo it. I've had to cut back on the weights by about 10 -15 pounds and only 30 min. on the elliptiKILL instead of 90 min. I did 200 crunches on Friday and really felt some pulling on the abdominal muscles, so I need to slow down and not try to do it all. That is the hardest thing, not be able to do all that I could before the surgery. I'm not very patient and want to be were I was before. Good luck on your upcoming PS and try to be patient with getting back to normal. Take care and God bless!

I do have rashes from time to time, but my insurance just looked at the pics and the considered how much I have lost and basically said "Of course she has skin issues". I was approved!!! I know my ticker says I am still at 162 or something but I am actually down 149 pounds total. I only weigh 145, so they really considered the fact that I have lost more than my actual body weight to approve me. I do have really good insurance even though I fought for 10 months to get the approval for the LapBand. They have pd for all four fills and now reconstructive surgery. I am thankful!!!

Wow! all i have is zip/button up. right now i'm a comfy size 10, snug 8. were you a size smaller at 6 weeks?

Hi Cathy! I am seeing my doctor on Monday and have planned to speak with him about my options. I haven't had any consults with surgeons, but it is my understanding that the majority of them want us to be at goal weight for at least a year prior to performing surgery. I am only 2 pounds from the goal I set for myself and I believe that I have a good 10-15 lbs of excess skin on my tummy alone, this would put me closer to what the doctors charts say that I 'should' weigh. I feel fantastic, however, the skin bothers me a lot. I will let you know what the doctor says when I see him on Monday. Best of luck to you!!! If it were me......I would lose until YOU feel you are finished, then schedule your surgery.

I went through this. I really wanted a tummy tuck about halfway through my weight loss - about November last year. I too thought that if I just lost my tummy, I would be happy with how I looked at that stage. I was convinced that it was the best idea. It was actually Dr Schulman who reminded me that if I lost more weight after the tummy tuck, that I'd likely need even more surgery later because the 'effect' of it wouldn't be as good as if I waited until I was closer to goal. So I waited. I figured at about 7-10 pounds a month weight loss, I'd only have to wait another three months before seeing a PS. So I rescheduled my PS appointment for Jan 09. When I saw him I was 8lbs from goal, instead of 25lbs. He scheduled me for body lift surgery (it's today actually, in about 6 hours!!) and as of today I'm below goal. So I would say that it may be an idea to wait. Even if it's only for 2-3 months. You only have 25lbs left to lose according to your ticker. What's 2-3 months in the scheme of your whole life? And the results will be much better if you wait just a little bit longer.

Hi Skinny: So tough to be back at work so soon. I hope for the best for you. While I was reading your post about your first day back to work I was wondering if you're still wearing a compression garment or binder. I found that it helped alot with the swelling if I kept it on all day and didn't take it off until bedtime. It also helped keep everything in place for those unexpected sneezes. I wore mine for about 3 or 4 months. I'm sorry about your son making you worry. That's our job as parents isn't it? Hopefully he'll listen to your advice and do the right thing. If not, maybe it will work out for the best anyway. Like 10 to 16% of Americans I am unemployed. My company was closed in April by the new Parent company. I had three weeks of rest before my tummy tuck and unfortunately I've had six months of rest afterwards too. I'm very anxious to get back to work and have been trying very hard to get a job. There aren't many jobs out there for my position at this time. I am hopeful that things will turn around soon. I was okay with being laid off in the summertime, but it's so boring now and I really want to work. It's too easy to eat when bored and am now weighing in at my lapband surgeon's office weekly so that I can be accountable to someone besides me. I've gained 20 pounds since being laid off. I took off 4.5 the first week I weighed in (last week). I am hoping for two pounds a week until I can take off the remaining 15.5 pounds that I don't want to keep. I'm not changing my ticker because it's just a small bump in the road that I'm getting over in the next two months. Have a great week getting back into the groove. Take care. Sue

I had a consult I think back in May/June and it's finally here. Surgery is Thursday 11/12 and I can't believe it. I'm having a breast aug and extended tummy tuck. I went today for my un-fill. I'm a little worried because now I think my band may have a leak. I knew I had been able to eat a lot more since a fill in Aug (thankfully didn't gain, but didn't loose). I have my fills under flouro everytime and supposedly I was at 4cc (i have 4cc band) but NP was only able to pull out 1.6cc. I hope they just messed up at last fill. I won't know though until I can get fill again. Anyways back to PS. I'm super excited. Will be staying the night in hospital since having both procedures at once. I will have a pain pump. Husband it staying with me and my mom and dad will be coming next week to stay a week. My son is a teenager so he is pretty much self sufficient. I'm taking off through Thanksgiving and hope this will be enough time. I have a desk job. I'm worried about the pain but feel the extra $ on pump will help a lot. Over 11 years ago I had a breast reduction and didn't get very good advice from my PS. I was young and was just tired of my big boobs. Went from DDD to B. We'll after gaining 60 lbs and now loosing they look flat on top. I'm a 38C but that is mainly from the side fat boob. I'm only going to a D but Dr. said I could easily be DD. I just dont' want to be that. Been there done that. Just need a little more on top. I'm currently in a size 12 pants (started out tight 20w) and was able to fit a 10 the other day. I still have 15 lbs to loose to get to goal. Dresses I wear 14 (broad shoulders/back) and tops PL. I'm 5'2 and 160. I carry my weight in my belly and can't wait to join the flatlands. I have learned so much from you all. I debated about starting this thread but felt if I can play it forward than I will. Matter of fact it took me 15 min to figure out to even start a thread. I only did this once when first banded in 2007. Here's a link to some pics hubby took. http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/breast-augmentation-implants/tt-ba-a10474 PW -- byebyerolls

Thanks Mimi and Allison! I am having a down kind of day today. Not really sure why...well actually I showed a friend of mine my tummy yesterday and she didn't seem super thrilled with it. I showed her a little bit of flubber that is left on top just under my ribs and said I hope this would go when I lose the last 10 pounds and start working out again. She said "I would have thought he would have gotten rid of that". I know I shouldn't worry about what others think. I am thrilled with the results so far and so happy I could do this....I still really struggle with the emotional stuff...feeling like I am still a 300 pound person. I know I am a normal weight person but after seeing myself as an obese woman for almost all my life it is taking me time to adjust. ....so much is new to me. Like buying clothes in a "normie" store and picking out a size medium. I used to be a 6X at Penningtons. Wearing high heels..my feet could barely hold me at 300 pounds let alone walking in heels. I love wearing dresses and skirts to work. On one hand it is thrilling to expereince all this and I am proud of my hard work, on the other hand it is hard to explain to other people the huge emotional process that goes with it. I am grateful for all that I have learned from everyone on this site!! What would I do with out you! (I've attached a before and after pic...the first one is 1 month before band surgery..the 2nd one is 2 years later and 155 pounds lighter) Allison....I could sit on a plane for 3 hours now but would bring a pillow (I use a small thin one placed just above my stiches on my back or sometimes just under the stiches) to take any pressure off. Also it would be helpful to get up everyone in a while and walk for a few minutes or just stand to take any pressure off and get your circulation going. Your pictures are gorgeous! Have you had PS? Also How tall are you? I am 5'4.5 and am hoping to get to 135 maybe 130 I'll see how I look and feel at that weight. You look amazing! you have a Killer figure!