GREATFUL

Now new pictures.... I don't think there is that big of a diffrence since the last ones. But I will do more at 2 months, not long. Hope to drop these last 5 lbs. Not having much luck in that department, but giving myself some grace. I can only walk, and PS says not fast walking. So I hope when he releases me to exercise that these last five will just melt off.....(hey I can dream right). Swelling has been better the last few days, that is a great thing. It sucks when you swell, I feel like a drum that is way too tight and about to burst. I am wearing my compression garmet and I thing that is helping. It is helping how I feel, so it is helping. My pre surgery clother are fitting looser. Everyone at work keeps asking if I have lost weight. I tell them "A little, Thanks". They do not know that I had this surgery. My following up with the PS is Sep. 9th. So I expect him to release me to full exercise then. And then I can lift my grandbaby.YEA. Take care all, Laura

Thanks for your sweet comments. I was not at goal when I had my TT. I still have 5lbs to go. Thanks for the thight comment, LOL, I guess I was lucky I carried most all of my weight in my belly. (if you can call that lucky) The first time I saw a PS I still had about 20lbs to go. It does not hurt to go talk to them. It als helped me get more motivated. Take care all, Laura

I had my TT 6 weeks ago today. When I first went to talk to my PS we discussed a possible "anchor" incesion due to the large overhang that I had. He wanted to keep that option open, and I gave him full freedom. I did not need it in the end. During surgery he said that it went together great and he was happy with the results. I am too, thrilled really. I would just talk it over with your PS. Trust is a big thing. If you want you can see how mine turned out: password: OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792 Good luck, you will love your new flat tummy. Laura

Tomorrow will be the 6 week mark for me. My how time flys....The last few day have been a challenge. I have had some swelling issues. But, I am going to take full responsibility for it. I have slacked off of my low sodium diet and have stopped taking the bromeline. I had read that you only needed to take the bromeline for 2 weeks after surgery. I don't know if it will help me, but it sure could'nt hurt. I have incresed my Water intake and cut out some of the salty snack I have been munching on the last week. We shall see if it helps. I guess if you asked me what is the hardest part now, I would have to say not being able to lift more than 10 lbs. We are putting our house on the market and trying to move things, clean and paint. It is such a pain not being able to do much. But, I will behave, yes by dang I will. I have come to far to mess this up. I mean I look fine, and well, MEN......well lets just say, he forgets that I am limited. He will say "Hey, help me move this table". I tell you what, you sure can tell when you do over do it. Your tummy will tell you..... and it is not nice. Doc says 8 weeks, so 2 more weeks. But, I tell you what, I dont plan on going hog wild then either. I thing easing into it is the best. Take care all, Laura

Thanks for the nice comment. I am very glad to be out of the binder. Starting to feel kinda normal again. I have started walking, slowly. Glad to be exercising in some way, so want to drop these last 5 lbs. But it will happen. I can't wait to see that baby. He is just the most wonderful thing. They live in Waco, TX. I have another son that lives in Hillsboro, so I will get to see both of them when I go. YEA Take care all, Laura

Yes, I agree that the binder was supporting the muscles. Doc also said that it was to keep me from moving so that the skin would re-attach and I would not pull it loose by moving. The reason to come out of it was because Doc said it was time, and it it was uncomfortable as hell. I have hear of others who felt they were dependent on the binder. I also think that my nerves are "waking up" and I am feeling more in the tummy area. Plus, I am doing more. Maybe just a combination of all factors contribute to me being tender. But each day is better, time is such a big factor I think when it comes to this surgery. Take care, Laura

Okay, been without the binder now for a few day. Funny thing is that I find I am much more sore, and tender. I miss the support, but I do wear something like a spanx thingie. Each day is better, I have more and more energy. Second week back at work and I am making it all day. Still take time to baby myself in the evening....lol, I think I am just spoiled. Take care all, Laura

All I can say EbonyRose is.... You go Girl!!!! Take care all, Laura

Allie, You could be talking about me when you talk about someone who is uncomfortable with advances from other men. Through counseling and self understanding I realised a long time ago that I had put on my weight to protect myself from such advances. Long story....but it involved some inappropriate sexual advance when I was a young girl. So needless to say I have struggled with being uncomfortable with men and any kind of advances from them. Talking with my DH has helped me so much. Just telling him about how I felt, about other men making me feel uncomfortable. He told me that men sometimes just dont think, just because they look, or even say something does not mean that they are ready to jump your bones. They just like to look. I am very lucky to have him, he has helped me feel comfortable in my own skin. I know that I could have never gotten my TT with have this great level of comfort. Have you tried talking to you DH about it. It sure helped me. Take care, Laura

Nazzy, Thanks....I was right at 15lbs from my goal weight before I talked to the PS. He told me that was a good place to start. Good luck, Larua

Nazzy - my total for the TT was $6,175, I think I got one hell of a deal!!! I just love my new flat tummy. Would of been willing to pay much more if I had know just how well it was gonna turn out, LOL. Take care, Laura

Well, slept last night without the binder. Felt funny at first, but did okay. Today wearing just something like spanx, with jeans (very loose fitting). I feel almost 100%. The fatigue has been hitting around 5:30 pm each day, but that is better than earlier in the week when it was around 3:00 pm. So day by day I see imporovement. I want to go to Texas to see my Grandson. He turned one in July, and he is a chunk. My son told me at the last doc visit he weighed 30lbs. So I call my PS yesterday to see when I could lift 30lbs, because I wanna hold him when I go see him. He said not until after I was 8 weeks out. So 4 more weeks to go. Planning a trip to TX the end of Sep. I can't wait, I miss that little bugger. I can see that I still have a small amount of swelling. Still wathching the salt, more so since I am out of the binder. I so want to drop these last 5 lbs. I wanted to do it by the end of this month. We shall see.... hard to do when you cannot exercise much. PS said only a slow walk at this point. Day by day.......... Take care all, Laura

Today is 4 weeks out for me. I get to stop wearing this binder today. YEA, I think....have kinda gotten used to it. Feel supported better with it on. But I am looking forward to going with out it tomorrow, just a spanx. Hey, I have new pictures... don't forget you have to use the password: OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. Take care all, Laura

I wish you were looking in the Nashville TN area, I have the best PS. Good luck with your search. Laura

I am only 4 weeks out from having my TT. My PS was very honest about what I could expect, scarring, stretch marks etc. I have been overjoyed by the results. Just to have a belly button that is cute and you can see is wonderful. I guess what you have to ask yourself is "What are my expectations?" Take care, Laura

Thanks you for your sweet comments. The reason that I guess I wanted to share everything was because, when I was researching and reading, well I was addicted to it. I wanted to know everything, and appreciated it when someone shared what they were going through. I wanted to know what I was going to face. I was the same way when I was thinking about getting the band. I stayed on this site for hours a day, reading, looking and asking questions. I just appreciated it when someone took the time to share. So I told myself that when I decided to have my TT I would share everything. Maybe I could help someone else with the journey like so many people here helped me. So now what you have to do it share yours.... You can start now. Someone out there is where you are, with the same questions, fears and hopes. This place is a wonderful place, I just love it. OH, by the way - GREAT JOB on the weight loss. Not even a year since your band right? and 60lbs lost, you go GIRL!!! It took me 2 years to get the majority of my weight off. HEYand we are almost the same age..... I will be 46 in a few weeks. My TT was my 45th bithday gift to myself, it just took me almost a year to unwrap the present, LOL. Take care, Laura

Mimi - The PS did not relocate my port. He did pull the skin up, and he said he cleaned up around the port, but did not move it. He was extra careful with the tubing. He did make the comment that I would not have as tight an upper abs and someone without the band, he did not stitch the muscles tight there, he did not want to chance kinking the tube. To tell you the truth, I would not have even noticed if he had not told me that. My upper abs look fine to me. Take care, Laura

Mimi - September 25th will be here before you know it. Funny how people are, they just don't understand that you can be doing something for just yourself. The Band, now that was just for me, and my TT also. I feel like it had to be just for me for it to be a success. I had to take all of the responsibility for it if it was just for me. The success or the failure, what ever it is. I cannot believe that tomorrow will be 4 weeks since my TT. I will try to take some new pictures in the morning, but will not be able to post them until later in the day. (cannot do that at work) I will let you know when I have them up. I am so proud of my progress and just love my new flat tummy. Each day is better as far as getting my strength back. I just listen to my body, and when I feel tired, I leave work and I get off my feet. I have been able to make it till around 3:30 pm so far. My boss was a little pissy yesterday when I told him I had to leave, but I told him that I was sure that my surgon would have no problem revising my work release and me taking off for another 3 weeks. He changed his toon. I am a good employee, but I am not a martyr. Take care all, Laura

Hey ALL, OMG, the first day back at work was..... overwhelming. I was so tired by 3 pm. I drove home and went to the couch and layed there until 8 and then took a shower and went to bed. Today will be better, that is what I keep telling myself. Skinny - YEA you have a date. And you are worth it!!! So glad you have the support of your mom. Mimi - The last 10 lbs. Lets talk about that.... I went the the PS when I had 15lbs to go. He said it was not a bad thing to set the surgery up with 10 lbs to go. 1. you get excited when you have a date and it will motivate you to work harder to drop thoses last lbs, it did me. 2. they will be removing some skin, mine was 5lbs. 3. having the ugly skin removed will motivate you, and I have heard that having the belly skin and fat will help to rev up you metabalisim and the last few lbs will come off. So if I were you I would go ahead and do it....but you have to do what is right for you. Sue - no comments on my tummy, there were a few comments that it looked like I had lost a few lbs. But, I did not tell anyone that I was having a TT. They just were told I was have some female surgery. Take care all, back to work, Laura

Well, one more week in the binder. Then I can go into any compressions garmet that I want too. He just like the results better when patients stay in the binder for a month. I am going to be a good girl and do what he says, even if it drives me nuts. Funny thing, on makemeheal forum, the ladies that had surgery the same time as I, all are haveing lots of problems with swelling. I dont know if maybe I am just lucky, or if it is the binder. Most of them went into compression garments after 2 weeks. What do you thing? I went to PS yesterday, and then I had an appointment with the eye doc. I am getting so old.... I have to get glasses. I guess I am lucky to have not had to wear them until now. My wonderful DH reminded me that I am 45.... men can say the sweetest things sometime. I was so tired after all of that running around. Came home and layed on the couch. It will be interesting to see how next week goes. I am going into the office today for a few minutes. A lady that I have worked with for while is leaving, and today is her last day. So, a trial run to work, and then full time Monday. Take care all, Laura

Today is my 3 week appointment. I am heading out the door in a few min. I am hoping I will get to stop wearing this binder and go into a compression garment. Take care all, Laura

chocolate_snaps - Thanks for your sweet comments. You know, when I first went to see the two PS that I did, I was fully prepared for a circumferential lift or at least a fleur-de-lis (anchor cut). The first one wanted to do the fleur-de-lis, because of the amount of skin I had. The PS I used, well, he had that option going in, I was not quite sure what I would wake up with. I was about 90% sure i didnt need one, but he said he wanted that options on the table. I just trusted him. And yes he used stitches, he called them internal stitches, it is like a loop stitch he does where you cannot see them. I had tape on me for a week after surgery. I am VERY, VERY pleased with his work. So if anyone wants to come to TN for their TT, just let me know. I can hook you up with one of the best PS. He is very young and has only been in practice for two years. So not many people know about him. I told him that I was going to be his best advistiser....lol.

Thanks Mimi and Sue. I can't believe it is really me. I am so happy with the results and how I am healing. I do love how my BB turned out. Even my DH says how it really does look natural. It is so nice to have this one, instead of the one I had, troll could have lived in that one. LOL I remember looking at pictures of other people who had already had their TT, and just hoping and dreaming mine would turn out good. I was so glad they had shared their journey and pictures. Now I am glad to be one of them. My PS is an artist, he is so funny, the first appointment with him after the surgery, he took off my bandages and just stood there admiring his work. He is good at what he does. Cathy - Thank you for your nice comments. My port is up high, below my breats bone, to the right. Hard to describe, but I love where it is, you cannot see it, an it is not even a low profile port. Take care all, Laura

Skinny - Yes I am all rested up from Sunday. And I have posted some new pictures taken Monday. (in my new sexy panties, lol ) Thanks about the kind spirit....that was sweet. Password - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. This week is flying by. I guess because I know it is my last one off from work. I find myself each day trying to "get things done" around the house. I have to remind myself that I am not off for that, I am off to recover. We have decided to put our house on the market, and so there is alot of things that need to done, painting, yard work etc. I am not one to just sit...... so having a hard time this week. I keep reminding myself that next week is going to be crazy, once I go back to work. I will have wished that I had taken this time to rest, and recover. So, I sit, watch movies, nap, take short walks, nap, watch some more TV, nap..... But, I am going to Home Depot today to pick out some paint for the bed room. Go back to the PS tomorrow, 3 week appointment. He still has me wearing this binder all of the time. I have only one, it is starting to get ragged. I did wash it once. I am hopeing he will let me go to the compression garmet, it will be better when I go to work next week. But, he is the boss........ I love my results, so I will do what ever he says, he has been right so far. Take care all, Laura

Funny thing about insurance. Yes my insurance would have covered the panni removal. But..... My PS performes his work in a surgery center located on the lower floor of the building where his office is located. In order for the insurance to pay for the panni removal I had to have the surgery done in the hospital. My PS would have gone to the hospital to do the surgery if I wanted him to. His office ran the number for doing with insurance/ and doing it without. And, can you believe it, it was cheaper for me to do it without using the insurance. They were only going to pay for a small portion of the surgery. And well, after you add all of the extra expenses of having the surgery at the hospital, well it more then ate up all of the savings I was getting by using the insurance. So, I didnt use the insurance. Happy sexy panty shopping..... Take care all, Laura