Hi All,

I am scheduled for a lower body lift Sept. 21st. I am so excited and starting to get a little nervous. So many others have been so gracious in sharing their stories and experience so I thought I would try and and add what I can from my journey. I have had my pre-op appointment Aug. 25th and go to see my family Doctor on the 8th to review all my blood tests. Other than that I have lots to do at work, organizing things so I can take 4 weeks off. I have bought all the after care items and filled my "happy drug" prescription from my PS surgeon. Now it's just the wait. I keep dreaming about it. I will keep you all posted if folks are interested.

Barb

Can I ask what people have found the cost of a procedure like this to be? I had my first consult this week and am in the research process. Was told by the surgeon that he would recomend an LBL... also said I could pick up another 5 - 8lb in skin weight by doing it.

I saw my family doctor yesterday as well as my band doctor. I am now on Palafer liquid Iron 3x a day. That boosts me from 33 mg of iron to 300 mg a day. I go for blood tests in 2 weeks to see where I am at. If my levels are good My PS office have an opening October 28th. That gives me 5 weeks to up my levels. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. So far I have had 2 doses of the iron today and my stomach seems to tolerate it.

Hi Mimi,

Thank you for your suggestion. I do take Vitamin C with my iron and so far have been able to take it on an empty stomach (best way for it to be absorbed). Lets hope this works!

Hi Beastbron,

The surgery is very expensive. It is not covered here (Canada) by medical in any way. The total for surgeon, private clinic, overnight stay, assistant and anesthestic is $15,000.00. :blushing: It includes binder, blood thinner injections (after surg) and all follow up appointments.

BarbBee, I will pray that your new regimen increases your iron stores and your surgery goes as scheduled. Keep us informed, OK?

Mimi

Barb that's wonderful news! I will keep all of my fingers and toes crossed, hoping that it works out.

Keep us posted!

Barbee that is a great rate! Imagine if you got all these things separately.

I am so excited for you hun!! We all expect to see you posting in your recovery boredom. You will do great. I am praying for you.

WoW! Thanks so much Mini, Mimi, and Fightergirl for the prayers and support. It means alot! Day 2 on the liguid iron and so far so good. I'm keeping evertyhing crossed! and hope Oct 28th will be my day.

Hi Barb. I just wanted to check in and see how your blood work is looking.

Hi Mini,

I went for my 2 week blood tests today. I should know by Wednesday or Thursday if Oct 28th will be my surgery day. If my iron is still really low they may consider an iron infusion (IV) but it has it's own risks and my family doctor may not go for it. She may just want me to continue on with the iron. Anyways...I'm going to think positive!

How are you doing and feeling? How is the healing coming along?

Thanks for checking in'

Hugs

Barb

Hi Mini,

I went for my 2 week blood tests today. I should know by Wednesday or Thursday if Oct 28th will be my surgery day. If my Iron is still really low they may consider an iron infusion (IV) but it has it's own risks and my family doctor may not go for it. She may just want me to continue on with the iron. Anyways...I'm going to think positive!

How are you doing and feeling? How is the healing coming along?

Thanks for checking in'

Hugs

Barb

Have you heard back on your tests yet? Let us know. I'm doing well . . . every day is a little better. Lots of swelling in the afternoon though. Very annoying.

inssurance doesnt cover any of this does it and ss u have to wait

Well I got my results back. I have been on palafer liquid suspension iron 1 teaspoon 3 x a day (equal to 300 mg iron per teaspoon) and my hemoglobin has only come up 1 point. It is 114 up from 113 and normal is 120-150. They could possibly give me a date Nov. 9th but that pushes my recovery time into the busiest time of the year for me.

I am involved in a lot of Christmas volunteer activities (as well as work) and the timing is just not great for me. (That's even if my iron comes up enough) so I have decided to put it all over till January. My new date is January 18th. I feel really disappointed but relieved in a way. That takes the pressure off.

I saw my family doctor yesterday and she thinks it was a really wise decision. I go for some lab tests to rule out any occult blood (fun stuff...poop on a stick!) :thumbup: Just to make sure I am not bleeding slowly inside somewhere. She says iron deficient anemia does happen to women my age (almost 47, pre-menopause) when your periods are heavier. Also because of my weight loss I don't eat much red meat at all. I am now eating alot more iron rich food...and lots of prunes too! well that gives me 3 months on iron and she is going to book an IV iron infusion for me. She says the infusion is 200 mgs of iron that goes directly into your system. All of it is absorbed. Even when you take large doses of iron by mouth not alot of it is absorbed so this will really help boost my numbers. I feel really great now and participate in fairly intense boot camp twice a week. I can't imagine how much energy I will have once my hemoglobin is in the high numbers!

Thanks everyone for the support and I will post again in January when I know for sure that this is going to happen.

You ladies are the greatest!

Barb:smile2: