Puttingmyselffirst

Congratulations!!!! Can I ask what insurance you have?

My goal is to have PS this summer. Tummy tuck and breast lift with implants. I have gone to one consultation, and liked the doctor a lot, but really want to visit a few more before I make my final decision. How do you find the right plastic surgeon? Are there questions I should ask when looking at websites and talking to the receptionist on the phone to make the appointments? I am feeling so overwhelmed right now. I want to find the best plast surgeon I can. I figure that I have worked so hard on losing the weight. This will be icing on my cake (so to speak). Btw, I live in Jacksonville, FL if anyone has any recommendations or knows of doctors I should avoid

The beginning of my journey: 254 Surgery day: 233 Now (a little over 6 months post-op): 197 My goal weight is somewhere between 150-160. Not sure exactly where I want to be. I'll see how I feel at those weights and go from there. My weighloss has definitely slowed the past 2 months. I joined a gym 3 weeks ago and I am doing 4-5 days of cardio and 2-3 days of lifting weights. I am hoping that this will help move things along in the right direction...down!!

My surgeon is a big fan of "no/low carb" eating. Patients are to stay below 30 grams of non-vegetable carbs per day. I find that when I follow this rule, I am not as hungry and lose weight at a more steady pace. It has worked wonders for me. I eat eggs, tuna, chicken, any kind of meat really, salads, any thing that is high protein and low carb. My protein intake is consistently above 80 grams a day. You should try this for atleast a week. I promise that you will be fuller for longer and lose weight. But give it a few days.

That is awesome! I am going on a cruise next week, and am a little nervous about all the food that will be readily available. It is great to hear that people have been so successful when out of their normal routine. A little insight into low cal cocktails.... My friend introduced me to this and it is awesome! Sounds gross, bur give it a try . A shot of vodka over ice, water, a splenda packets, and a generous squirt of lime. It is sooooo tasty--can't even taste the vodka.

I am about 4 months post op, and I know exactly what you are talking about. It is like a "side stitch" you would get from running. It has happened to me a couple times. I have contributed mine to eating too much at one time. It has only happened to me 2-3 times and does go away by the next day. It can be pretty painful .

Does ordering a "hand roll" mean no rice? That sounds like a fantastic idea, I had no idea it could be done. Can someone explain exactly how a roll stays together without the rice? Thanks

I enjoy cocktails on occasion. I have to steer clear of beer and carbonated drinks---the gasses really build up and make me feel yucky. I have done a few shots since surgery. The only thing with that is it is hard to take the shot in one big gulp (like I use to do). I usually have to take the shot in 2 big sips.

Jenn, I am glad I am not alone in this either. I am hoping it is just a hormonal thing with the rapid weightloss. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon. I definitely had a higher sex drive prior to surgery---extra fat and all.

I had the band put in Feb 28, 2011. So a little over 3 months ago. I have lost about 40 lbs in the past 4 months. I figured my sex drive would have increased, but unfortunately, I have little or no libido right now . It is extremely frustrating for me! I feel great about myself and am wondering what is wrong. Am I the only one with a lowered sex drive?

I have 3 incisions. 1 in the middle right under my bra, 1 on the left of my abdomen, and a larger one in my belly button. When I first took off my bellybutton bandage, I was concerned that my bellybutton looked messed up. But now, 3 months post op, you can't even see it, and my bellybutton looks completely normal

I have nothing but great, positive things to say about Dr C. He did my surgery in Feb 2011. He is motivating, explains everything to me, and is more than willing to answer all my questions. I love the accountability he provides for me. After all, we are the ones in charge of our weightloss. In fact, he gave me his cell phone number after the surgery and told me to call if I had any issues. By chance, I saw Dr Pinnar for my last fill. He also seems very informed and caring. He took a lot of time with me during my appointment. But that could have been because it took him 20 minutes to access my port---ouch!!!

I know this is a long shot, but I'm looking for someone in or near Oakleaf Plantation to work out with. I was banded in Feb 2011, and it's time to get my tush moving. I figure it would be great to have a buddy .

I know this is a long shot, but I'm looking for someone in or near Oakleaf Plantation to work out with. I was banded in Feb 2011, and it's time to get my tush moving. I figure it would be great to have a buddy .

I had lap band surgery February 28, 2011. I have lost about 25 lbs. since surgery. I went in for my third fill 2weeks ago. The doctor put in 1 cc at first, but that was too much--I couldn't even swallow water. He took out .6cc immediately. The doctor seems to think that I am close to the "green zone". So I have 5.4cc in my band now (not sure if it is a 10cc or 14cc band). Point is.....I was really hopeful after this fill. I was feeling good restriction at first. I could feel liquids going down, and I was losing weight. I lost approximately 5 lbs the first week. Now I know that most of that weight was water weight and can be contributed to having absolutely nothing in my stomach for a few days. My doctor puts me on clear liquids for a day and then full liquids for 2 days after fills. But now, 2 weeks later, I feel nothing! I do have to chew my foods better than before and eat more slowly. If I don't I can feel the food get a little stuck before it passes all the way through the band. This week I have been gaining and losing the same 3 lbs. I am super frustrated and just need a little support. I am eating healthy (for me that is a low carb/ high protein diet). I was hoping that I would be closer to the "sweet spot" by now. Anyone have similar stories that ended well. Once I get good restriction, will the weight come off more consistently? Thanks in advance

Thank you so much for the encouragement. That is exactly what I need right now I hope you guys are right about being close to my sweet spot. I go back to the doctor (for hopefully another fill) in about 2 weeks.

Thank you for the replies. I think I might try the increased water idea....can't hurt

I feel pretty satisfied after I eat. I am probably not 'really" hungry for about 3 hours after I eat. I am eating a low carb diet. So for lunch today, I had about 1 cup of chicken salad on a bed of fresh spinach leaves. I definitely could have eaten more, but chose not to

I just went on for my third fill today. The first 2 went fine, with very little pain. But this one hurt quite a bit. My port flipped on it's side, and the doc had to dig and fish around a bit to find the injection site---felt like forever!! I am so sore right now and scared to go in for another fill. Anyone else have their port flip sideways?

Thank you so much Deb! I actually have a coupon for some Gas X that I plan to use tomorrow

I was banded Feb. 28, 2011. So I am a little over 2 months post-op. I have little, if any restriction, and my weightloss is a little slower than what I had hoped it would be (I have lost 19 lbs since surgery). It seems like I lose most of my weight right after the fill---like 5-6 pounds, and then nothing the rest of the month . I have been getting terrible back pain toward the end of the day, into the evening. It is pretty bad, and is concentrated in my middle back. It is pretty debilitating in the sense that I just want to try and stretch my back out and lay down. Which of course, being a mother to 2 young children isn't always an option. I am getting extremely frustrated! I had this surgery so I would feel great and healthy . I am going to speak to my doctor about it and make sure it isn't anything serious, but has anyone experienced this? I just need some guidance. Any suggestions......???

Sorry, it cut me off..... Congrats on your weightloss! 50 lbs is awesome! And you are right, 20 lbs is 20 lbs I'll never see again! We gotta stay positive . Thanks again for the info. It is so reassuring to know I'm not alone.

Thank you so much for the reply. Now that you mention it, I think my back pain is related to eating to fast/too much. I have really tried to slow down and it seems to help. But I get SO starving and end up eating too fast. I have to work on that for sure. I'm a little leery about talking to my doctor about it cuz I would be so disappointed if he unfilled me tomorrow. I'm hoping to get another fill---not the other way around. I think I will try to make a conscious effort to slow down and limit my quantities more. If the pain persists, I will definitely talk to him tho. Congrats on your weightloss

I was also banded on Feb 28. The first 2 weeks were great with weightloss. The third week....it all stopped! It can be very frustrating . I go for my first fill next Tuesday, and I am hoping that the fill will help things move along a little. It helps to know that I am not the only one going through this stalled phase. At least we are not alone.

This post was extremely helpful. Thank you! I am 3 weeks post op (surgery Feb 28) and I have noticed a huge stall in weightloss this past week. The pounds were just falling off the first 2 weeks, but now nothing. I haven't gained weight, just maintaining. It can be very frustrating, especially when hubby is following your low carb diet and losing like crazy without the band LOL. I am going for my first fill next week, and I'm hoping that will help things move along in the right direction....down! Good Luck!