GREATFUL

Sue - Thank you for your thougts. YES I will have the wonderful pain pump. I am so very glad, I have heard good things about having the pain pump and how much it helps the first few days. What kind of pain med did each of you have? He has given me the liquid loratab. I was given that after my band surgery and found that it did not work all that great for me. Do you think if I call the PS office and tell them that that they would give me something diffrent, just in case? I just want to say on top of the pain, I am such a wimp. THREE DAYS and counting...... Laura

Scrappy, I just noticed that you are almost exactly one month ahead of me. Nice to have someone to talk to that is experiencing what you will soon be going through. Be prepared to have your brain picked....thanks for sharing. Thanks Laura

Four day and counting!! OMG, it is this week. I am having my TT this week. I am so very excited. Suprising, I am no longer nervous, I am very calm at this moment. That may change as the week goes on. I have to work Mon and Tues, Wed I have taken off to do the things that I feel need to be done before surgery on Thursday. I just don't thing I will be any good at work on Wed anyway. Going to do some cooking for my wonderful DH, who will be my nurse for 4 days. And plan to do all of the last minute gardening that will need to be done. (Planted a huge veg garden this year, what ever was I thinking) DH will have to take care of it for the next 2-3 weeks at least. I have lined out one of my very good friend to take me to the PS on Monday for my follow-up. I have another one who has offered to take me to the second follow-up. A few have offered to come by Sat and sit with me and watch chick flick if I feel like it, I told them "Sure, that will be great, but forgive me if I nape throught the movie" they both said "Heck we will nap with you, we can start the movie over". Now that is some good friends. I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends. Have some before pictures, will post them when I have some after pictures to go with them. Take care all, and thanks for all of your encouragement and support. Laura

Scrappy - My PS has said nothing about drinking any Protein drinks. But, I know how important it is to keep your protien intake up for the proper healing. So, I have my Protein shakes and some shots on hand. Plan is to try to keep the grams up around 100 for the week after surgery. Heard that somewere here and it was a good point. FIVE DAYS and counting!!! Laura

scrappy - I took mine just for me to have. I took them myself standing in front of my bathroom mirror. Nothing special.... Yesterday it was a week until my surgery. Found myself all day long thinking..... this time next week I will be leaving for the hospital, this time next week I will be getting maked up by the PS, this time next week I will be.... you get the picture.....All day long, can you tell I'm excited and can't wait. This weekend going for a Motorcycle ride with my DH. We like to ride and I know that it will be a while before I will be able to do it. So that will help pass the time. Have a few more items to pick up at the store. My housekeeper will be coming to the house Thurday while I am having surgery, so that will be nice to come home and have the house all nice and clean. Waiting............... Laura

I am here. Been keeping tabbs on everyone, just have not piped in. I am sorry for your struggles. It is hard. Somehow, in my mind I thought it would be easier. I know we told ourselfs at surgery "This is just a Tool, not a quick fix". But I am tired, tired of the fight, tired of not being able to just eat what I want, tired of alway having to thing about what I put in my mouth. BUT, I am not going to give up. What helped me was a very close friend of mine who is very large wanted to get the lapband. She talked with me about it, started the insurance process and had the surgery in Feb. Somehow that helped me get refocused. Reminded me how bad I wanted to get this thing, and how hard it was to fight my insurance for it. I went to support meeting with her, for her. But, in reality it helped me more than it did her. I can't believe I am only 7 lbs from goal. It has taken me over 2 years. I remember my doc telling me that this is the CrockPot method that the Mirowave (bypass). This is for the rest of our life. Take it one day at a time. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, they have no use. (I sound like a self help book, lol) I am excited about this again, I dont know what made the light go back on for me. But, I did take about 10 months off. It started with me quiting smoking. So I thought I had to reward myself for that, and I used food. Lucky me, and thanks to my band, I didnt gain but 5 lbs during that time. I had an overfill and had reflux, had to have some removed. Then had trouble finding a sweet spot. Now I could use a fill but holding off, bulking up on healthy salads and fruit. Having a Tummy Tuck next week (YEA ME). Soooo, it can be done, you can fall of this wagon and clime back on. As I will more that likely have to do again and again. Sorry to ramble..... I just know where you are coming from. Take Care, Laura

Right now, a week from now, I will be in surgery!!!! Took before pictures last night. OMG, I have looked at myself and knew my tummy was bad, but seeing the pictures, just call me Jaba the Hut. It just makes me even more sure that I have made the right decison to have this TT. Can't wait to see the after, can only get better.

Well, had my pre-op visit yesterday. Talked to Doc about the boobs, decided to wait. Surgery time is already scheduled and time is not available to do the breast at this time. And he thinks I might feel diffrent after the TT, he thinks they are not that bad for a 45 year old woman who has lost almost 80 lbs. We shall see. Did my blood work, chest Xray, paper work, and of course gave them the money. I had some questions and concerns. He had told me no Vit E. Well my multi vit has some in it. He told me that that amount was okay, and to keep taking the multi vit. And good call on the Vit C guys, he was happy I had already started taking 1000 mil of it daily. He has aready call in the prescription for pain meds, and he is going to provide me an extra binder. I requested that so I can have one to wear while washing the other one. I have the surgery on Thursday, and will have my first follow-up on Monday. He said the second follow-up will be determined by the amount of out put from my drains. I will be required to call the nurse each day to tell her how much it is putting out, then she will tell me when to come in to have them removed. He said that would save me from haveing to come in, just to be told that they cannot be removed, and have to come back in a few days. I thought that was smart. What did you wear home from the hospital? Did you wear something like loose warm up bottoms? I was thinking more along the line of a button up Moo Moo, so I would not have to worry about putting on any kind of pants. I am so excited I am about to bust out of my skin. 8 days and counting. OH, went to Victoria Secret's yesterday on the way home from the Doc. They were having a panty sale. I bought 6 pairs of bikini undies. I have not has any of those since I was in highschool. I cant wait to see how they look after surgery, now I look like a bullfrog in a thong. Laura

NINE DAYS......whoooo hoooo. I am in the single didgets now. Have my pre-op appointment today. I decided back in Feb, when I started this process, to only go with the TT. Now as I look at myself I am thinking I am going to be sorry I did not go ahead and do the breast also. I do not think I need a lift just some filler. I think I will talk to the doc today and see what he says. These last 10 lbs I have lost seem to all come from the boobs. Do you think I am being to hastey? Should I wait to see what it looks like after the TT? Or would it be cheaper to do it along with the TT? I just know that I would like this to be my last surgery and be done with it, but want to be happy with how I look. Laura

Thanks you Sue, will take your advise and have someone line out to take me to the followup visits. I am very blessed to have a very good network of girlfriends, a few who are school teachers and off for the summer. They have all offered to be of help to me in any way I need it. I can't believe it is only 10 day out now. Looking over this thread when I started this process it seemed like forever. Someone told me that it would go fast towards the end will all of the things that need to be done keeping you busy. Well here I am, knee deep in it. One of the biggest thing is I have planted a huge garden this year. My poor DH will be very busy with it for a few weeks. Oh well.....

Thanks Sue and Josie for your kind words. My surgery is a go. I hope I am like you Josie and only need physical help for 3 days. I will have my DH for 4 days. Surgery on Thursday, he is taking off Fri, then the weekend. The only concern I am having now is Monday, that is when the PS wants me to come in to his office for the followup. One of my friends said she could take off a few hours and take me. DH has to be back at work, he has already take a week of with me due to Dad. Sooo, did any of you drive yourself to the post op doc visit? just in case my friend cannot do it. But I do have a few other friends I can call on if need be. I am just so disappointed that my sister cannot be here, I was looking forward to spending time with her, not just needing her help as a nurse or maid. Oh Well. Just a bump in the road to my flat tummy I guess. Thanks again for the sweet words, Laura

Happy 4th to eveyone. It has been a very busy few weeks for me. I had to go back to Texas with my Dad. He passed away on June 25th. It has been a ruff time but working through it. Have wavered on my surgery, have it, don't have it.... had to be off work over a week with my Dad, have the leave already approved for the surgery. Just feeling bad now about taking the time off. And my sister that was going to come be with me during the recovery time is now unable to come due to issues. My DH says not to worry about work, and he will take care of me. He knows how bad I want this surgery and how long I have looked forward to it. I am so lucky to have his support. I have my pre-op appointment on Tuesday (7th) and then the surgery is planned for the next Thursday (16th). I am so ready to shead this skin. Part of me is looking forward to having three weeks off work to just relax and recoop. So here I am 12 days and counting. Laura

Insurance is a funny thing. I looked into my insurance paying for at least the panniculectomy portion of my TT. (Will be getting on July 16th, YEA ME). I had pre approval from my insurance, along with their requirements that it be outpatient and in a hosptial and PS that was in my insurance network. So I visit with a three PS that are network. I select the one I want and we proceed to start the process. He does his work in a surgery center that is in the same building as his office, and just a few blocks from the hospital. In order for my insurance to pay for just the panniculectomy portion of the surgery I would have it done at the hospital. We ran the numbers and it was actualy cheaper for me to NOT use my insurance and just pay him cash. Due to hospital charges for the pre surgery room, surgery room and recovery room. So you never know. Laura

Thanks Sue and Josie!! It has been a stressful week. And my desk is plied high. So I have lots of work to keep me busy. But, it is real hard to stay focused. Sometime all I can think about is the TT. I was the same way when I had the band. Would that make me ADHD?

Congratulations on your TT!!! Wishes go out to you for a speedy recovery and no problems. I am not far behind you. Will be having my TT in 4 weeks, I cannot wait. Keep us posted on how it goes. Laura

It appears that Dad will be okay for now. WHEW . So surgery is on. Four weeks, seems like FOURever. Very excited. Sitting at my desk and thinking how nice it will be to not have to suffer with this nagging itch that I have due to the skin fold. powders help some, but dont last long. Sometime I am sitting in church and have to get up and leave, itiching so bad that I feel like I will loose my mind. Will not miss that at all. Going shopping this weekend for some cute panty and bra sets. Have any of you ever had friends try to talk you out of it? saying "You dont look THAT bad" "Do you realize how bad you will be hurting?". I have told them that they dont see me without my clothes, only after I have put on this Iron clad girdle, and covered up. But lately I just say nothing, I have quit talking about it. Kinda sucks because part of me wants to scream "free at last, thank God I will be free at last". I didnt tell anyone about my band becasue I did not feel I needed to explain it. OH WELL, thank God for this place and you guys. What would we do without being able to vent, share and ask questions here? Thanks everyone!!! Laura

Allie, You have done a FABALOUS job loosing the weight, and in a year!!! Go YOU!!! I am scheduled to have my TT on July 16. This is a wonderful place for advice and information. Let us know how the appointment goes. GOOD LUCK Laura

A bump in the road, maybe or maybe not. My dad is very sick. He is in ICU and does not look good. SOOOO, we shall see if this thing happens on July 16. (I hope I dont sound selfish or uncareing) It may just have to be put off for a while. I have had to come to Texas, and not sure how long I will be here. Time off work is the real issue. I have already gotten the time off for surgery approved, but concerned that if Dad makes it through this time, and I have the surgery, and then he takes a turn for the worse and I am unable to travel here (I live in Tennessee). SOOOOO in limbo at this time.

Sue, Do I start taking the vit. C now?

One good thing about the 5 week wait is it has made me very focused on my diet and exercise. I want to be as healthy as possible. I hope to be at my goal weight by surgery time. I have already lost 4lbs. I have 8 to go. I should be able to do that in 5 weeks, ya think? Thinking the skin removal was add up close to 5 lbs, so that will just be a bonus...YEEE HAAA

Thanks Sue, I did not know about the Vit C. Thanks for the info. Buy BIG panties.....Can I buy some little panties also, I want little panties. Good point... Granny Panties here we come. I think I have plenty BIG pajama bottoms that I have not thrown out yet and warm ups also. I need some new slippers and flip flops, good reason to buy them. I am only 5'2", so I think I better have it handy just in case. Dont want to dread going to the potty. But heck if I dont use it I can always take it back, right. Thanks for all of your help. Laura

I am looking at my calander, at what seems to be FOREVER, it is 36 days or 5 weeks or 864 hours till I have my tummy tuck. Do I sound excited?.. I can't wait. I am trying to focus on the things I need to get done, things I will not be able to do after surgery. I have a big garden this year. Am a little concerned about all of the work it will need while I am recovering, but my sister (who is coming to stay with me) will take care of, she also loves that kind of thing like I do. Someone is coming to clean my house the day of my surgery. I found a nice gown that buttons up the front. Have a wedge pillow. Need to get a toliet seat thingie, and a chair for the bath. Thinking and making a list groceries. My sister will be here the day before, we are going to go rent a bunch of chick flicks, plus have on demand, and have DVRed alot of thinks I think I will enjoy -(HGTV, Discovery, History and Friends). Oh thinking about picking up some of those blue pads, you know the kind they have on the bed at hospitals, and you can use to potty train your dog. Just in case I have leakage problems. So, all of you who have gone before, what am I missing? Laura

THANKS for thr response and information Dr. Schulman. You know it great to have someone like you to talk too. Thank you! Laura

Question.....I did not think to as my Doc this, but will at next visit, but was thinking maybe you could answer it for me... My Doc said that I would only have internal stitches. So what will be on the out side? I have heard of them using something like superglue, is this true, or do they use some kind of special stich? Sorry, should have told you what type of surgery. I will be having a full TT. Laura

Question.....I did not think to as my Doc this, but will at next visit, but was thinking maybe you could answer it for me... My Doc said that I would only have internal stitches. So what will be on the out side? I have heard of them using something like superglue, is this true, or do they use some kind of special stich? Thanks Laura __________________