Julie norton

Yes. I also had to have a cashiers check ready 2 weeks before operation. Seems typical

I am trying silicone gel strips recommended by my doc. A bit expensive. And he said keep using for up to a year I started about 12 days in when my TT scar was dry. I got some online. But rite aid and cvs carry a lighter version. Doc says mederma is not likely to work and is a waste? Hope others chime in. It is a long scar!

Wow.. Hot topic Seems to be a real individual decision on useage. There is no doubt it can be used for fuel, Protein (seeds) material, rope and other items so it seems ignorant to not explore the possibilities. I believe it also grows at a very fast rate so sustainability is in play. As for smoking, people have and will continue to use it. Just be a tad cautious, as the newer strains are NOT what some of us more ... Ahem... Mature adults grew up with Glad to see there is more research for pain relief, nausea and insomnia . I have witnessed first hand how much relief seriously ill cancer patients can get. Also anecdotally MS, and HIV patients can gain relief I read Now remove the hunger strain and I could see more widespread use in WLS recovery!!!! Ps without transfer addiction!!???? And tax it at a high rate for more research and development

Sending positive blessings to you amponder. It is heart wrenching to lose a close one❤️????????....maybe more so when we don't have our coping mechanism of food. You will go on. There is no choice. And no, life is just not fair !It just hurts???? My counselor said "keep crying" which I found helpful... Oddly enough,in the car is where my sadness was strong. Please know we care and keep posting????

Wow. What a great difference! Congratulations on taking the plunge Scars look good for 11 days! Mine is 20 days and is calming down. Using silicone scar strips at night. My doc says to use binder as much as possible. Then. Spanx or constricting garment. All docs have their own way. Hope you are as glad as I am that it is done.

Three weeks tomorrow ... TT and plication. Glad I did it ....NOW. That first week was hellish... Second was ok but painful. Third week ok to work,drive. Carrying on business. Good luck w/ insurance and recovery For all those choosing to sculpt their bodies????

Lots of good info and nice people here. Good luck????

Awesome all of us that have stayed with the process for years! I appreciate your kind words????

Well. Just for kicks. I took the pen that the dr marks with....took a last look at my "extra lap" I had carried around for 8 years.... A big handful type of FAT roll... On each side of my belly button I wrote. GOOD. (Other side)RIDDANCE the doc and team liked it ....I'm assuming ....as I heard them laughing right before I went under And indeed. Goodbye to that fat roll. Hello flat stomach????

I ordered the new gel+ online and am happy with it. It is long term. Doc said up to a year. I just wear at night under my binder. How long do veterans wear the binder. I am only 3 wks out from TT. Thanks

For a lot of people, the apprehension and waiting are worse than the procedure... Relax.... You are doing a healthy improvement to your life???? Hope you come thru with flying colors. ????

Wow. Those fill charges seem reasonable. In calif. For self pay, I pay about $250-350 per fill or unfill I usually go once a year now that I am many years out. But it adds up Nonetheless .. Very happy with my decision to change my life over 8 years ago ... Hoping for no surprises down the road????

Flying bothers my pressure(?) in my band. I find more liquids and light on solids for the first day helps. ????Love my band... But at times it can be fickle. Guess I kinda am used to it after all these years Good luck flyers

I like your moderator rules. I chose to stop attending our local group. 35 of us and we couldn't get thru introductions and the 1 and 1/2 hour group was over. The moderator would say we are gonna separate into pre and post surgery groups... Sigh... Never got there. Time management is critical in my opinion... Good luck on your group!

I will respond kar..... You may find a lot of plastics stories on this site... I had a TT w/ plication 2 weeks ago yesterday. After 8 years of being where I need to be weight wise after surgery. I considered it a luxury???? It was not for the faint of heart. But does get way better after about 10 days Haven't seen this flat of a stomach since my 20's. Pre babies. I feel better and my clothes fit well At 60 ... I wasn't looking for sexy???? (My insurance did not cover it)

I find the shapers to help hold in the back bra rolls....I like the under the bra also. The best tip was to put them on from the bottom up Asserts, spanks, kohls brand. had to try on several to get the right fit, but like them

Good luck! One of the hardest things for many is getting the surgery done... I hope you get great results... Your doc might say : Lots of liquids first. Lots if protein when allowed. Lots of exercise (when doc says so too) It was the best decision I ever made and I have a good healthy life!!???? Best wishes and keep posting.

I agree wanna???? Body shapers help a bit with the lumps. Wish they would disappear tho... Also. Those shapers go on from the bottom up. Thanks to a friend for telling me that hint. I have been aware that a new big bra might help. Just haven't done it lately.... Sigh

Sounds like a deal. Come to the California coast!!! I'm going to somewhere outside Boston .. Tanglewood? To see James Taylor July 4 th. With fireworks. Not sure about the venue. Anyone been there? Thanks in advance Jewels

Your meet and greet sounds good @@lisacaron! Too bad 3000+ miles keeps lots of us from meeting our band friends. Hope you have a great turn out!

Rite aid and cvs carries silicone scar gel and pads also. Time will tell

@@tebowfan@michigan chic Thanks for the updates. Hope everyday gets better. I think you are doing very well????. I'm with you on TT pain. The first week is VERY difficult on a lot of us. It DOES Get better by the day for me It is nice to come to a board like this just to get different opinions and reactions to surgeries On to day 12 post op. Using silicone gel scar strips. I like them Wondered if others had luck with them? Thanks all

I'm adding my 2 cents I think COMPLIANCY is a huge issue. . You can find ways to sabotage any WLS if ya try enough. The key to me was to give in and not overthink this process. It will work almost all the time if you follow rules about protein, water, exercise. And self love. That last one took me awhile. I had fought and lost the weight battle so many times. I was successful in lots of other things. Couldn't get a grip on keeping weight off. Till now. I do believe in this process????❤️

So sorry for your loss. You will never " get over it" but I think time does soften the blow. Our loved ones would want us to be happy and healthy ... It just plain HURTS. For me, I have to mourn the life I thought I would have ( hubby died after 5 week illness last may) and there really is no choice for me but to go on.. Everyday. Through good days and sad days, just going through Sending positive thoughts of the fun you had with your sister????

Best luck on your surgery recovery! Personally, the first 7 days post TT Kicked me in the ass. Hard. After that, recovery is progressing much faster.. Way less pain. Getting up is much easier! Let us be honest. It hurt... But meds were very helpful. And rest. Do not overdo! You will pop a stitch or stretch your scar if not compliant ... At 11 days post op, I am now using silicone scar gel pads. They have helped with scar tissue... There is new evidence in studies... Lots of info to google So we learn new things and continue to improve???? Good luck to all considering WLS plastics!