Hey all,

Excited to post in this section of the forum for the first time! I thought it would be nice to share my ever-evolving journey with you all

To make a long story short:

My name is Mark - I am a few months shy of 23 years old and live in New York City.

I am a proud Bandster, having had lap band surgery with Dr. George Fielding of NYU Langone Medical Center on May 6, 2013.

My highest weight ever was 357 lbs. As of February 21, 2015, I am 201 lbs, giving a total loss of 156 lbs! I have attached some pictures that are pretty recent.

I am overwhelmed with joy to say that my next chapter in getting to my body goal is super near - I will be undergoing a body lift (tummy tuck + muscle repair, thigh and butt lift) as well an arm lift this coming Friday, February 27th at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

My plastic surgeon is Dr. Joseph F. Capella who specializes in bariatric patients and was recommended to me by fellow member Cheryl, also known as My Bariatric Life! I am eternally grateful to her for this.

I am excited to document this part of my journey with you all and become more active on this forum again! I'm super nervous for the recovery but have zero doubts that it is what I need for myself.

Thanks for listening please feel free to add me here, Twitter and/or Instagram.

- Mark

So glad to hear that you're home and improving every day. Take care and please keep us posted on your recovery.

Mark

Please keep posting.... I find your journey fascinating ....Lots to learn

And a new you!

Congrats for having the courage not only to take big steps but to document them????

Thanks

Came home last night! Truthfully, day #2 (Saturday) was horrific pain-wise, and I was crying in agony at several points. I had to spend a second night in the hospital as I could not urinate without the catheter.

However, since then I am improving more and more every hour! I am now able to sit up and walk a bit as well as eat/drink normally. I have switched from Percuset to Tylenol/Codeine and am excited to see myself feeling better in the next few days.

Thanks all for reading!

Day 2 and 3 were hardest for me. Remember to go slow, rest, eat your Protein and enjoy your new body! I am almost 4 months out now and can't get over how happy I am that I did the plastics!

Hi Mark, how are you doing? I am hoping you can share your experience with Dr. Capella? I am thinking of having him to a arm lift, thigh lift, and tummy tuck....or is the TT and thigh lift called a LBL? Did you have your procedures done at his clinic or a hospital? Was the facilities clean and modern? Where did you stay to recover? How many nights were you in Tijuana recovering? How was your after surgery care? Did Dr. Capella come see you at the place you recovered? Etc, etc, etc, lol. I'm full of questions, any and all details of your experience is very much appreciated. Thanks so much! Dee