Tamjpjb

This was a big one for me. Had to renew my driver's license and they wanted to know if all the information was still correct. My weight is accurate! After nearly 15 years, I finally have gotten down to the correct weight on the license.

Hi wildbutterfly, I can't really help you too much, but before I had my surgery I went to the website healthgrades.com It's a great site where, for a small fee, you can get a "report card" on the doctor you intend to use. It will tell you if they have been sued for malpractice, any issues with their license, etc. I found it really helpful. Used it for my band dr as well as my PS, and was super satisfied with both.

Hi Angelface, I think we talked a bit before in discussing Dr Oliak. I am not a housewife, but I work in OC- Tustin. I'd love to talk to you and discuss any lapband questions that I can answer, based on my experience. I was banded last year by an Oliak colleage- Dr Liu. Good luck on your bandster journey!

Chickie, WOW! You have such a cute shape. Your abs look awesome. Great job!

I wish I would have known or thought about the the mons lift with my TT. Can they lipo that area????

LJM- I just checked out your thread and you look GREAT! I wish I would've thought to track my progress the way you did. I don't have any scar progression pics at all. I've actually been following your progress for quite a while. I'm very impressed. You've come so far and should be so proud of yourself. Look at how your tummy has just disappeared! You look FANTASTIC! By the way, CUTE belly button.

Thank you every one for all of your kind words. You have convinced me that I look OK. Foofy- I really am not sure of the exact difference in inches in my waist before and after. As I mentioned above, I was in a 24 jean and last week just got into a 14! I haven't been in a 14 in about 14 years! LJM- I'm gonna go check out your pics. I love that stuff!

Fran, I had a TT and it took me about 3 months for all the swelling to go down and finally see a difference on the scale. Be patient, it will go down and I'm sure you're gonna LOVE your results!

I'm a "shortgal" too. I am only 5ft tall. You can't tell by the pics, but I have a really big indentattion on the side/back of my thighs. Skin that has "deflated". I really hate it. He said that could be fixed in an outer thigh lift. I want to try to lose another 25 lbs or so before I go back for that, that will also give me time to save up $$. I was swollen for about 3 months or so, then I was down from a size 22 to an 18. Good enough for me! :regular_smile:

He's in Westwood area if you are interested in seeing him. He's been on TV advertisements lately for the "O-band centers". You can look online too. Good luck with your journey.

I really don't know exactly. From what my husband told me, the doctor said that they removed the "maximum amount that they were allowed"- I'm still not sure what that REALLY means. But, that was with the removal of skin and the lipo of the outer thighs too.

Wow, please keep me posted on your progress. Sounds like a nice way to have it done, vs the large scar down the thigh. I'm very interested in your outcome. Good luck and congratulations!

Julie, I notice you are having thigh lift too. What kind? Inner or outer? That's what I want done next. I was originally supposed to have it done with my TT, but they weren't able to do it all at once.

Hi Debbie, My name is Tami. I was banded last year by Dr Carson Liu. I had my surgery in his LA office. My journey has been good and I don't have any complaints towards him as my doctor. I would recommend him highly!

Thanks HarleyNana, I was afraid to post the pics, but now am glad I did. But, I don't want to "take over" this thread. Anyone else brave enough to share???

WestCoastFatGuy & Kellie74, Thank you guys so much! I needed to hear that. Most people don't say a word and in my head that makes me think that there isn't a difference. I'm self-conscious as it is, you all have made me feel 10 times better about myself- Thanks so much! Anyone else have pics to share??? I always love seeing the results of others, too. I've become a plastic surgery TV show addict!

Thanks so much!! I'm in Southern California, my Doctor was Joseph T Cruise in Newport Beach, CA. He is GREAT! I can't praise him enough. I am very happy.

BabyNicole, I had an endoscopy done prior to my surgery as well. I had terrible heartburn and reflux all the time. The endoscopy was a piece of cake.(pardon the pun). I did end up having a hernia on my esophagus. They were able to do a repair while placing my band and my heartburn was gone instantly! That was last may and I have not had one problem since. It's been great!

I don't really have pics of my scars, guess I could take some. But, here are my before and after pics (3 months out). I was very happy with the results and my doctor was excellent. I plan to use him again for a thigh lift once all my weight has been lost. Dr Joseph T. Cruise Newport Beach, CA

Fran, I was told, similar to Kat817, that the fluids would be absrorbed and eventually flushed out. I was also told that the scale would not show signifigant changes for a few weeks out. bacause of all of the swelling. Week by week the scale will move. Don't obsess. Look at the changes in the way your body looks and how your clothes fit. By the time I took my after pic at 3 months out, I looked like a different person! My doctor even posted my pics on his website- that's a little embarassing! :tt1: lol. Take care

I had an NSV- My drivers license is expiring soon and I needed to go take the vision test and take a new pic- anyway.... my weight is finally accurate! After 14 or so years of hopeing nobody questioned it, it finally has the correct weight. Yeeeaaah for me!

Fran, Congratulations! I had mine done a few years ago and I love the results. I had a huge seperation from having my 3 kids and they were able to pull them back and give me a great hourglass shape. I know you will love how you look in about 3 months time (after all the swelling is gone). My recovery was also not so bad. I hated the drains! They were the worst for me too. I had to keep mine in for 3 weeks- it was terrible. I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. If you have any questions for me, I'd be glad to speak with you about my experience with this.

Good luck to all of you waiting to be banded. I know you will be relieved once it's done and I'm sure you will not have any regrets. Just think about how much your life will change over the next year. It's gonna be fantastic and you will be so proud that you chose the band to help you with your weightloss. Take care everyone.

I had tumlescent lipo about 2 years ago. Not exactly sure if it's accurate or not, but I was told the difference is that the tumlescent solution is distributed within the fat and helps to "break it down". This makes it easier to remove and is taken out more evenly than traditional lipo. Traditional lipo sometimes tends to leave dimpling. I know that with mine, they also mixed an anesthetic into the tumlescent fluid to assist with pain and make my recovery easier.

JerseyGirl2u, I went through the same thing. I actually had a date and everything. Went through all the pre-op (including endoscopy) and chickened out 2 days before. I called and cancelled. I just had a weird feeling. About 2 months later I decided that I wasn't going to be able to do it on my own and needed the help of the band. I called my doctor back and they scheduled me within 4 days (guess they wanted to get me before my fear did again). I was banded May of last year and I don't regret a thing.