GREATFUL

Question.....I did not think to as my Doc this, but will at next visit, but was thinking maybe one of 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. Anyone know? Thanks Laura

Thanks Sue for the heads up on the fatigue. Doc said I could go back to work 2 - 3 weeks after surgery. I took the 3 week option. My sister is coming to stay with me the first week to help (along with my DH). She said she could stay longer if needed. No kids at home and not even any pets, so not much to take care of but myself.

Thanks Josie, 1. I have a wedge pillow for my bed and we have a reclyner, so I am good to go there 2. toilet riser, I am only 5"2', but think I will get one just in case (better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it) 3. button front clothing for the beginning. - have some, but will get some more cumfy stuff 4. i am still using knit bottoms. ie. shorts, pants and skirts. - yes more shopping....!!! 5. saltines, ginger ale, sprite for when i was nauseous - have this stuff and my doc is going to send me home with the patch behind my ear. I bet having someone comment on your flat tummy was wonderful. I cannot wait.... Laura

Well talked to the boss man at work. Asked for 3 weeks off for surgery. Just told him I had to have surgery, no details. He acted like he was embarrassed, he just assumed it was "female surgery". I didnt tell him any diffrent. Heck I am female and I am having surgery. So that is one more thing taken care of...... Can any of you think of anything that you wish you had taken care of before surgery that you did not? Any help is appreciated! Laura

Just got back from the docs. My surgery is scheduled for July 16th. I am so excited, wish it could be sooner, but heck I will take it. Right now it seems like forever. But when I think about all of the things I need to get done before hand , it seems overwhelming. Oh, the doc said he did not think I need the fleur-de-lis cut after all. He thinks the last 10 lbs I lost has done the trick. So just one incesion. And I will have a pain pump to go home with. """"Do the happy dance""" Laura

I am ready to go..... I have my follow-up appointment today at 2:30 with Dr. Medling. We will be scheduling my surgery, I am hoping for eary to mid-July. Busy here at work and have a few things I need to wrap up before taking a few weeks off. I am so excited, nervous and everything all balled up into one. I could not even sleep last night and that was only the day before my appointment. No telling how it will be the day before surgery. Thanks everyone who has posted their journey here, it has helped me so very much. Hope I can help someone as much. Laura

Mini, I have the 4cc band. Before my last fill I had 3.4 in it, he filled me to 3.8. Today he backed me down to 3.6. Feel so much better. It is amazing just what taking out .2 cc will do. I am just glad that he did not think it was necessary to do a total unfill. whew....

Okay I am bummed....I went 3 weeks ago for a fill. Well all went well.... normal day of liquids, then mushies. All seemed to be going well. I was so very happy to see the scales moving again. Well, last week was a very stressful week at work, crazy crazy. And my In-Laws came in from out of town. We went out to each for lunch Saturady and I was eating a salad. Well it got stuck. And I have been having trouble ever since. Have stayed liquids ever since and having trouble keeping them down. Called doc, going in tomorow. Will see what he wants to do. Hope just a slight unfill, not a total. But ready for some relief either way. And sure do not want slippage problems. Wish me luck, Laura

Hey Metal & Tami; I did'nt tell anyone except my DH and one of my sisters. The friend that just had her surgery guess I had the band. We were out to eat with her and her husband and I ordered water to drink and then when the food came I set my drink to the side. There was pasta on my plate and I ate the chicken, and very little of it. We go to church together, they knew when I had my surgery and were told just that I was having some kind of medical procedure done. She had been doing alot of research on the band, and was looking into having the surger herself. So she noticed my eating habits, and had seen that I had been loosing weight. She leaned over and asked me..."Laura did you get the lab-band" I could not lie. Then she started laughing, she told me that one of our other friends (who thinks she know it all) told her that I had Hemorrhoid surgery. LOL She then started asking me all kinds of questions and told me that she was looing into it for herself. I asked her not to tell anyone, and so far she has not as far as I know. Take care all, Laura

Hey Metalband, Hey I had an awaking about a month ago. I was where you are. My 2 year ann of having the band was approaching and I still had a ways to go. I had not only not lost any weight in the past year but I had put on an additional 5 pounds. Heck, I was so mad at myself. Like you I had read the post about people who had done this and like you I said "Never ME". SOOOO, I started by getting a fill, had not had one in over 9 months. I am going to support meetings again. And have recommitted to completing this, with the knowledge that there is not end to this, it is for the rest of my life. Like all of the other diets I have been on in the past I was great for a time and some weight came off, and then I would get tired, tired of eating right, tired of exercising, tired of doing without. So I has been one month, I have lost 12 lbs and I am excited again. But I have to give the credit to a good friend of mine who just got the band in March. She asked me for advice, used the same doctor I used and asked me to go to support meetings with her. And she told everyone that I was her biggest support and encouragement. SO, now I have to live up to it. That helped me get recommitted. Sometimes when we are tired and feel like we are alone in this fight. That is when it is time to reach out. Remember how helpful it was to check in here each day and talk to everyone. I know I needed it, and still do. Good Luck Laura

Hey all, Have not checked in for a few day. We went camping last week and had a blast, did okay on the food. I am scheduled for a fill on the 4th and looking forward to it. I am struggling with hunger in the afternoon and evening. So hope the fill helps. I so want year 3 to be the best year yet. Laura

Hey Tami - So you have the dreaded 20th reunion coming up in July. Now that should help you get focused. You can do it. My motivation at this time is very selfish... I want a tummy tuck. I have told myself I could not get one unless I reach my goal weight. (My bell looks like a very fat child pouting, with there bottom lip sticking out, not pretty). I have went to a plastic surgon and has my first consultation. I am working on saving the money and loosing these last 18 pounds. My target is to have it late July or early Aug. So one day at a time. My biggest problem is my addiction to ice cream. I just cannot have it in the house. I tell myself "I'm just gonna have a small scoop". And I do, but I go back 10 time for just one more small scoop. Before I know it I have eaten the whole half gallon. I am an emotional/stress eater, and it is the one thing I can eat alot of, and I just love it. So I am on the ice cream wagon. It is like crack cocane to me..... Later, Laura

Hey All... It is so good to see each of you checking in and sharing your trial, successes and issues. I have missed everyone, but like alot of you I have been busy and, well just became set in my ways. I have not lost very much this past year. I blame it on, first of all ME, second of all ME, and then I place a small amount of blame on having to get a sligh un fill due to some acid reflux issues. I just became distracted by everything and lost focus. I receive complements and in a size 8 pants. I feel real good about myself. Until I realize that I am sill overweight and I did not get this band to stay overweight. Do any of you find you are just tired of always having to worry about losing weight and watching what you eat all the time? I wish I did not have to, boo hoo, it is just not fare. OK, now that I have my pity party out of my system........ I have been try to get refocused. I am going to to check in here once a day, like I used too, and get the rest of this weight off. I will be here for you all and I sure need you guys. Laura

Hey Guy, It seems that alot of us are facing the same issues. This is so hard at times. I was steady on my weight loss, not big numbers but steady. Then, I quit smoking in August... Yea for me ...but that started a nightly love affair with ice cream to replace my habit. I have a very good friend who wanted to get the band. She talked to me about in and then she started the process, fighting the insurance company, all of the test, 6 month diet etc. It did something for me, it reminded me just how bad I wanted this band. So I started going to support meetings with her. I met others who were going thru the same issues. I went on the liquid pre-diet with her when she had her surgery I was at the hospital with her. I have re-commited to my band. It took her getting it to help me. I have also joined a "Biggest Looser" contest at my guy. I need the accountability. I will take this one day at a time. It sucks somethime when I think that this is a lifetime problem I will have to deal with. But I have to face facts...it is. What I suggest, and it has helped me "Ditch the scales". Focus on eating right for breakfast, then focus on lunch and then dinner. One meal at a time. Go for a walk, breath, take a long bubble bath. Hug your kids, laugh, and realise that this is our life, the only one we have. Dont stress about the ever looming "20" lbs that we all seem to need to loose. I remember my doctor telling me that this was the "Crock Pot" not the "Microwave Oven" method of loosing weight. He told me that it could take 3 years to reach your goal. But, if I kept trying it would happen. Sorry to go on and on...... I just hope that I have reached the other side of one of the challenges that this journey has in store for me. So, here I go with a new one...... Take care all, Laure

Well, was supposed to start the "Biggest Loser" thing at the gym today, but have to go out of town on business. I call the guy, I can start it on Thursday. I am gald for that. I am so hoping that this helps me kick of these last few pounds. I received the quote from Dr. Fleming and it is a little higher that Dr. Medling. And Dr. Fleming is not in my insurance network, so the pann. would only be covered at 60%. So.... it is looking more and more like it will be Dr. Medling. Pluc, Dr. Medling did the reconstruction on a very good friend of mine who had a double mastectomy. She just loves him and things he is the best. He is very patient and does very good work. We shall see. Laura

nip50 - the price that Dr. Medling quoted me was without insurance: Surgeon's Fee $3,500 - Anesthesiology $1,250 - OR Fee $1,425 - TOTAL $6,175 - this is for abdominoplosty only Hope this helps. The other PS that I went to would not give me a quoute until he found out what insurance would cover. Dr. Medling told me that he would just deduct off what insurances pays. I like that approach, seem more honest. (I think I am going with him - 90% sure)

mrgrta - Good luck with your surgery on April 30th. Doc says I do not need the 360 degree cut. I am thankful for that. I will be interested to know how you do with the fleur-de-lis. Hope you can share your experience....what to know just what I am getting into as much as possible. (as if anyone could be 100% prepared for this procedure) I am just in the hurry up and wait phase of this process. I am putting all of my focus on eating right and exercising, my goal is to be in the best possible shape before having my surgery. I am looking to have it done the second week of June, that gives me 16 weeks. Seems like forever when I look at it that way. But I need this time to focus on geeting of this last 20 lbs. Heck if I just loose 1 lb per week I will just about have it done. As I said earlier, my workout place is doing a program, something like the "biggest looser". I have joined it and very excited, hope this will be the shot in the arm that I need. We meet every Tues and Thurs as a group, weight in and work out with 2 trainers. I need the accountabality and support of a group. We shall see..... Starts next tuesday. Laura

From what I understand a "Fleur-de-lis" is also sometimes call an anchor incision. They dont just make the lower incision but also a up-and-down one. The point is to be able to not only pull the skin down, but to also pull it sideways, giving a more contured look. You have an extra scar, but from what I have seen and heard it is worth it when you have a very large amount of extra skin. (sad to say that is me)

Had my second consult with another PS yesterday. His name is Dr. Medling. He is a very young doc. He had a great bedside manner and answered all my questions, but most of all he listended to me and what my wisher are for this procedure. He wants me to loose at least 10 more pounds before we proceed. He did give me a workup on the price (before any insurance). He will file with my insurance to see if they will take care of anything. Another biggie with this Dr. is that he will use the same hospital that my band doc uses, and he talked about having him be present during the portion of the surgery where he is working around the port. He is also thinking that I need to have the "Fleur-de-lis" cut. I made a follow up appointment for April 1 - now to kick of this stubborn last pounds. Laura

OH, I workout at Anytime Fitness and they are doing a 6 week "Biggest Looser" contest. It sounds real good, going to join it and hope that it will help me pull this last 20 lbs off.

Well I had my consult with Dr. Fleming today. It went well, I do like him alot and his staff is very helpful and friendly. It is so strange to be without clothes and haveing another man handle my flab. I hardley let my DH do that. An then taking pictures of it all. He does not think I need a breast lift but a full TT is in order. I still am thinking I want a little fill on the girls. Will just have to wait and see. He is going to write a letter to my insurance and see what they will do about the pannas removal. He said it usually takes about 3 weeks to get back the approval/rejection from the insurance. I have another consult with a diffrent doc tomorrow. We shall see if the verdict is the same. I am hoping to be able to have the work done mid June. Here is hoping.............. Later Laura

Good Luck, not long now..... I hope to be following you to flatland soon myself. I have my consult on the 9th. Will be excited to see how you do and follow your journey to flatland. Take care, Laura

A question for those of you who have already had your surgery..... How many PS surgeons did you consult with befor selecting who you wanted? I have two appointments so far. I have emailed two other ones and have already ruled one of them out. Just wondering.......

I would like to get in on this action... I want so much to be at goal on my two year ann. So I hope this kicks my fanny in gear. Name...........Start Lbs.........Current..........Goal....To Go Barb12590.....185...................185.............175........10 Bonnielass......168..................168..............159........9 Brandy...........198..................198.............190.........8 crztchr...........250..................249.............240........9 CubsGirl..........150..................150.............140.......10 Imgoingdown...239..................199.............189.......10 janesays.........230..................230.............215......15 karebare714....283..................283..............265......18 kikival315........219..................219..............210.......9 LauraP............170..................170..............155.......15 leslie2lose.......229..................223.5............219......4.5 LilMissDiva.......253..................249.2..........242.2......7 Long2BThin......216..................215.............205.......10 Loveislovely.....223..................220.............208.......12 ltgordon...........264.................264.............250.......14 Mamanmidwife .264.................264..............250.......14 misskitty84......313.................263..............243.......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191.............179........12 Tabithan.........246..................246.............236.......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224.............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207.............193........14 wowox7.........173..................173..............163........9

I will have to check out Oslin and Wendel. Thanks