TexasBecky

Hi everybody. I wanted to start this thread to document the plastic surgery journey that we are about to start on. Frangipani & I both were banded last August and have each lost over 100 pounds. Since we have been traveling the lapband road together and now are about to have PS at the same time (me on June 12 & Frangi on June 13) we thought it would be appropriate to share a thread. We have both learned so much from those who have gone before us and our hope is that our stories can be of some value to others. I am having a lower body lift and medial thigh lift. All of my pre-op testing is done and now I'm just nervously waiting for my big day, which is less than two weeks away! I will post clothed before and after pictures for sure and I'll have to think about more revealing pictures later.

Hi everyone. Like luluc said, things are ok in DFW. We have lots of folks here in shelters and lots of high anxiety about loved ones who have been impacted to our south. My son is in college in the Houston area. He is fine, but has no power, so that is a developing story. My mom is very ill again and in the ICU. Lots of stress here. I just spent an hour on the treadmill trying to relieve some of the tension. Better than eating for sure! Frangi, I'm glad you made it back home safely. Keep healing and taking care of yourself. Remember that the exhaustion may hit now that you're home. Listen to your body! Can't wait to see the curvy new you. Hi Jody! Glad you're getting to the gym. Make yourself number one on the list. You deserve it.

Congratulations on setting your date. You are going to be soooooo happy! Keep us posted.

Hi Karey! You did ask for my opinion so I'm going to be totally honest, as promised. I think you look wonderful just the way you are. Seriously, no one would ever know that you were once obese. You look like a woman who has taken good care of herself by eating right and exercising. If I were in your shoes I would not get an anchor incision. Not only because of the scar, but because you already really do look great. I know you say you aren't happy with the excess above your waist, but almost everyone has some of that. It is normal, especially for women our age who have had children. I know others may say "if it makes you feel better about yourself, go for it", and I do agree with that to some extent. I would just caution against getting too hung up on trying to get everything perfect. It is just not possible. Ok, that's my two cents worth. Hugs, Becky

Hi Karey, First let me say that I'm glad your band is looking good and that you were able to get a fill. I hope everything continues to go very well in that area. Now, is the only reason the band docs oppose the anchor incision because of the scar, or do they think it will have a negative affect on your band some how? If it is the scar only then I really don't think it is their business. Perhaps they are just trying to give you a reality check. Maybe you perceive that your stomach looks bad and it really doesn't to anyone but you. Is that possible? For me, the scars are a small price to pay to correct my loose skin issues. My lower body lift scars don't bother me or DH (the only other person who sees them) at all. I will be having the long arm scars too and probably will not wear clothing in public that lets them show. My main concern is the way my clothing looks and fits. If I "needed" (like Salsa) the anchor incision I wouldn't hesitate. However, I do think you have to weigh the results against the scaring. I had the small horizontal thigh incisions even though I could have gotten more "perfect" thighs with the long vertical cut. I just didn't think the results would be that much better to warrant the big scar. Post some pictures and I will give you an honest opinion (for what its worth, LOL) of what I would do if I were in your shoes. I do totaly understand your sadness that all this surgery is even necessary. Regrets don't get us anywhere, but I wish I hadn't wrecked my body in the first place.

So glad to hear that things are going as well as they are. Both drains out...WooHoo!!! I know the area that has opened up is a drag, but just a minor (and common) part of the process. It will be all healed up in no time. Remember, I had the same issue on my left backside. Two different places opened up, but they didn't cause any problem and they look great now. I think it works out perfectly that you are delaying your trip home for a couple of days. The peace of mind that you'll get from one last visit with the doctor before you go is priceless. Are you prepared this time for the messy house that you're sure to find when you arrive home? I'm sure DH will be trying to put things in order on Friday morning, LOL. You know we can't wait to see some pictures, so get hubby to take a few in some of your cute new outfits and get them posted ASAP! I'm glad Ike is going to miss FL, but it sure is looking like Texas will be the target. Let's hope it weakens over the next couple of days. It has been one hell of a hurricane season hasn't it? My heart really goes out to those poor people in Haiti and Cuba. They really need our prayers now.

Candle, love the new picture. You look beautiful! Thanks for checking in and sharing your success.

It has been almost three months (hard to believe) and I'm still numb. It is getting a little better, but I understand that it takes months. It is very weird because I'll feel itchy, but when I scratch it feels numb so it seems like I never satisfy the itch. Does that make sense to anybody? I also am surprised by the ongoing swelling. I shouldn't be because the doctor told me before surgery and continues to remind me that the swelling can also last for months. Some days are worse than others. I guess it depends on my level of activity and probably my sodium intake. I finally feel trim! Before my surgery, even after having lost 100+ pounds and wearing a size 10, I didn't feel trim because of all the loose skin. I realize now that I would never have felt trim and normal, no matter how much I lost, had I not had the excess skin issue resolved. I am so thankful that I was able to do this for myself. Don't get me wrong, just losing the weight was fantastic and changed my life. I was very, very happy with what the lapband helped me achieve. Having the PS was icing on the cake and it has really made me feel better about myself than I have in decades. Hope everyone has a nice, hurricane free weekend!

Hi Frangi, thanks for the update. You are becoming a pro at dealing with drains and incisions! I'm glad you are coping so well. Those drains and that "leak" are going to help the swelling, so they are a good thing, even if a bit of a hassle. Keep reminding yourself that it is too soon to tell about the actual size of your bum. The swelling is distorting your results right now. As good as your doctor is, I'm sure your results are going to be awesome. I've been watching Ike too. It does look like he could cause a lot of trouble, but I'll send a prayer that he does at least weaken. I hope you get to go home on Wednesday. There's no place like home!

Frangi, good to hear from you and know that you are continuing to do so well. I'm still amazed at how quickly you bounce back from such major surgery! Did your doctor just continue the incisions from the first surgery all the way around to complete the 360 lift? Do you have any thigh incisions? How are your first scars looking? Mine are getting smoother and more flat, but are still pretty red. Karey, I would wait on buying more new clothes. I bet you will go down another size. I was so swollen for the first couple of weeks that my pre surgery 10's did not fit. Within a few weeks I was wearing 8's and that's where I've settled. At almost three months post op I still have swelling, but I doubt that I'll get much smaller.

It was great Jody! I don't get to have them both home at the same time very often anymore so it was just wonderful. They are both really proud of me, mainly because I've become so dedicated to exercise. I showed them my before and after picture and they were shocked. They say that they don't remember me being that large. I guess love is blind. It sure has been quiet on this thread. Frangi, I hope you have been resting, relaxing, and maybe enjoying a few Labor Day Sales! Please check in and let us know how you're doing. How long will you be staying in Miami this time? I hope the next hurricane (Hannah, I think) slides right on by Florida. We expect Gustav to bring a lot of rain our way starting tomorrow. Karey, I bet you had a busy holiday with the family. Are you still beginning to feel better?

Good morning ladies! Frangi, it is so encouraging to hear once again how well you are doing. It gives all of us confidence that we can endure whatever is necessary to complete our personal journey. How are you sleeping? Do you have to lay on your stomach? I think the fact that you have a good appetite is an excellent sign. Your body is burning lots of calories as you heal! I read The Kite Runner this summer and really enjoyed it. No more pleasure reading for me though since school has started back. I'm drowning in education and child development textbooks! Both of my sons are home for the long weekend so I'm very happy and busy this Labor Day holiday. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Yeah Frangi! You sound so good for having just had surgery. I'd never know from your writing that you're on drugs, lol. I hope you had a good, restful night. Can't wait to hear about your doctor's appointment today. Karey, I can't understand anyone being so rude about any kind of upcoming surgery. I know people don't "get" our situation, but they should keep their mouths shut. I won't be telling anyone except those who need to know (the family) and I wouldn't tell them if I didn't have to, LOL.

When do you see the doc again? Are you glued together this time too with no stitches to remove? What about drains this time? Try to enjoy reading and watching movies as much as you can, but tell us where you go shopping tomorrow, you bad girl. Hugs, Becky

Frangi, I'm thrilled to see that everything went so well once again. You are one tough cookie! Do try to rest and remember to take in as much protein as you can. I'll be checking in as much as possible to see how you're doing. Wishing you another speedy recovery, Becky

Dr. Schulman, Come on down! I vote for a Dallas office.

On another subject; I got a new hair do - less blonde and more bangs. What do you think?

The negative self talk is a killer. We have to make a conscious effort to replace all that negative thinking with positive stuff. I believe that you will lose a lot more weight. You're a banded Crazy Ate for heavens sake! Keep your eyes on goal and that plastic surgery that will make you feel like a new woman. You'll get there! Keep coming here too and talking about it. It really does help to keep your focus. Jody, I know you're going to be at goal in the near future. You have the focus and the right attitude. Keep plugging away girl. And like Jody said, what about the rest of you? Let's hear from some more of the Crazy Ates.

Jody, thanks for the good news. Its always a relief to hear that the surgery is over and that there were no complications. Tell her we are thinking of her constantly and anxious to hear more updates.

Michee, I'm right there with you on this one. I think this next phase is going to take as much focus as the past year has required. I've had lots of experience dieting but not so much with the "how to live as a healthy, fit, thin woman" part. We'll get through this part too!

Jody, You've got a great plan. Joining the gym with a friend is a proven technique for success. Put yourself and your goals at the top and the list. The surprising consequence is that you end up being so much more available and ready to meet other people's needs when you are well cared for. It sounds like consistency is your mantra for year number two.

No matter how much we love our mothers, its hard to look in the mirror and see her looking back. Its concrete evidence that we're aging. Bless your DH for acknowledging your success. Mine has started to stand up and take notice too. Just another little reward along the way.

I love that our Crazy Ates’ anniversaries coincide with the start of a new school year. The start of school always feels like a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and new clothes and shoes! Who doesn’t love that? I’ve read all of your post and am so inspired by everyone’s progress in the past year. There are a lot of great stories here about how we are transforming our lives; things besides losing weight, like changing our thinking. We are doing things we’ve been afraid to do or thought we couldn’t do. It’s amazing stuff. I know that as I enter the second year of this long trip, I’ve got lots of things still to work on. Maybe we could all benefit from committing to keep making progress, whatever the stage we’re in. I’m going to commit to stay focused on eating a healthy, well balanced bandster’s diet. I’m not going for perfection, but I’m going to shoot for eating well 90% of the time. I’m also going to keep exercising, because it makes me feel good about myself. What are you going to do?

I had a LBL in June and I'm very, very happy with the results. It is a big procedure (I had a medial thigh lift at the same time), but so worth it. I'm by no means perfect now, but the improvement is remarkable and I can't even begin to tell you how much better I feel about my body now. The memory of the pain is fading fast and I'd do it again in a heart beat. Best of luck to you Tina.

Frangi, I'm sorry you got off to a bad start this morning. By now I hope you are out taking care of business in Miami. I'm sending positive vibes your way. Check in when you can. Karey, the inside thigh incisions were the source of most of my pain and misery. I really don't have much memory of pain associated with the butt or back of my thighs other than them feeling tight and like I'd done a lot of stair climbing. More soreness than pain. I had no stitches on the outside of my thighs and no lipo to the thighs, so that probably kept my pain down. I think it is just the location of the inner thigh incisions that made my recovery so uncomfortable. Don't worry though, the memory of the pain is fading fast and I feel like the results were so worth the temporary discomfort. Trust your doctor on the amount of surgery he thinks you can tolerate. No point in taking any risks. The inner thighs are a lot to cope with. It is hard to wear any kind of clothing that doesn't make contact with that area. I guess you could wear a skirt with no underwear, LOL. I'm glad to hear your nausea is better today. Maybe it is just a matter of enough time to heal. You've been through it girl.