Frangipani

Kate, Your Dr.'s work looks amazing. I too, hope my tummy comes out as smooth and fat-free as his!!! I don't understand why you had cancelled your appointment with him in the first place. You kept talking about how a good website was important to you, and he seems to have a fabulous website, with lots and lots of photos -- no? Anyhow, I'm glad you found him again -- he looks like a fantastic surgeon!!! (I also have to love a guy with a good Italian name !)

Those bras sound great ladies! For those of you in the D cup and under sizes here's another suggestion for you, A few months ago I found an amazing shaper/cami/push-up-bra combo. It's by a company called "Cuddl Duds" and the product is called "Hidden Assets Secret Weapon Push-Up." This cami is SO comfortable, and it because it has both a molded push-up and an underwire bra, it gives wonderful cleavage. This is truly the best type of bra or cami that I have ever had, and it smooths everything out just beautifully in the waist and tummy area as well. I got mine at Stein Mart (bought three black, white, beige), for $16.99 each.

Thank you very much for the kind words and the well wishes, Salsa :tongue2:!

Sounds like a good plan BBK, -- good luck at your appointment today! :thumbup:

Hey GG, You crack me up -- have you ever thought about being a talk show host? You are good at starting discussions! Well, hold on to your hat because I am going to check off on your list the things that I was (am) able to do in less than 10 months of being banded. Be able to shop in ANY shop I want and not have to make sure they go to plus sizes. Check, I am a US size 10 (possibly even an 8) now. I was a size US size 24/26 when I started. Eat out at restaurants and not have people give me the look thinking “she doesn’t need any more food to eat” Check, except that I don't really eat out in restaurants that often any more (I used to all the time). Often a small meal like a Protein bar would do it for me -- especially for Breakfast or lunch. Not to have to look out for and make sure the chair I want to sit it doesn’t have arms Check, no problems with chairs, and my derrière does not extend past the seat either. Not need a extension belt on an a plane and to fit comfortably in the seat Check, not only that, I have lots of room left over in the seat! Get into a bikini and not have to settle for a swimming costume to hide my lumps and bumps Uh... I'll let you know about this after my plastic surgery. To be able to cross my legs!!! Check -- no problem. In fact this is old hat at this point. Not be the biggest person when going out with friends or family. Check, with me it was my exercise classes, where I was one of the heavier participants. Now, I am not the thinnest, but I am in the bottom ranks of the weight scale as compared to the other ladies in my classes. Run around after my nephews and not get tired or be in pain after 30 seconds Check, I am starting to run for exercise now. I can also easily do hikes of two to three hours on hilly terrain, with no problems either. Fit into rides at a theme park Haven't tried that, but I'm sure it would be no problem. Go horse riding (and not be told im to heavy for the horse) Again, haven't done that (although I love riding), but I am sure it would be no problem. Lastly stick two fingers up to anyone that doubted me or told me I couldn’t do it! SO not even worth my time or effort, because I never cared about stupid people and their stupid opinions in the first place! (LOL :thumbup:)

Jachut quoted something recently that she had seen in another thread that was Soooo funny and very apt for this thread: "I lost my boobs, but I still have the bags they came in." That is a perfect description of my situation -- but not for much longer :wink2: Buffie, if I were as tall as you, I would SO be going with a D cup or larger. I'm sure it looks just awesome!!!

Hi Brandy, Congratulations on your excellent stroke of luck today ! You sound excited and very optimistic -- good for you :wink2::thumbup:!

Congrats on passing the psych test -- one more step closer -- Woo Hoo!! And don't feel bad, one time I showed up at a very important business meeting with one brown shoe and one navy blue shoe on, but the worst thing was that one was a pump with a 3 inch heel and one was a flat :wink2:!!! How in the hell, I managed to walk out the door and not notice this I will never ever know..............

XX BeGone, I have participated in other exercise threads as well, and one thing that I find really helps me is that I set a goal for myself at the beginning of each month and keep track of it as the month progresses (as you can see in my signature line). This really helps me stay on track, and because of this, I do manage to hit my goal most months. Come hang out with us -- you'll enjoy it! What exercise you do doesn't matter, just pick something you like and check in on a regular basis to let us know how you're doing.

BBK, Glad to hear that the belly button is healing now!!! I understand exactly what you are saying about the fill, I know you don't want to lose any more weight, but I also know that having a decent level of restriction can help you feel more in control. If it were me, I would probably get a very slight fill and give myself a week or so to see how I feel and do with it. You can always have an unfill -- right? Mylapspirit, thank you for the nice comments!

Thank you so much Laura :tt2::smile::smile: We look forward to following your journey too when the time comes! Thank you very much for the well wishes and the reminder about the pics Becky. For sure I will take pics, whether or not I will be brave enough to post them is another story :wink2: .....

Hi Nancy, Looking forward to reading your update! Are you still planning on going to Mexico? I forgot that I had posted in this thread, my game plan changed slightly too, but only with the type of gyn surgery I'm having.......

Hi XXBeGone, Welcome! I too am new to this thread, and I'm sure one of the regulars will be able to explain how things are done in this thread better than I would. However, it's basically a place to check in and report your activity. It is great for accountability as well. The Couch to 5K program is a beginners running program here is the link to the website that explains the program Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan We also have the Couch to 5K thread her on LBT (which you have already seen), and its a place to check in, discuss what you are doing, ask questions, offer and receive encouragement, etc. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. We all started from the very beginning at one time or another, and these exercise challenges are great! :wink2::smile: I did a 30 minute pilates abdominals class and a one hour Yoga class this evening.

Hi Brandy, I totally agree with your decision to push for a fluoro. Please do let us know how it goes and Good luck :thumbup:! Plain, I hear what you're saying, but having fills done under fluoro makes the Band adjustment process that much quicker, easier, and more precise. I have a piece of hardware wrapped around my stomach and I want someone looking at it and seeing exactly what they're doing when they adjust it. I don't want someone doing this blindly -- any more than I would want someone reaching in to repair or adjust my car without seeing what their doing. Furthermore, I want to have the Dr. look at my Band every so often to make sure that there is nothing wrong with it and/or my stomach or pouch. For me, it makes no sense to have my fills done any other way.

OMG, Jachut, your final comment was SO funny LOL :thumbup::thumbup:! But so true. I would guess that most (if not all) patients need at least a little adjustment "down there" during a tummy tuck when the rest of the skin is being pulled so taut, and if a Dr. doesn't do it, then I agree with you -- it is bad surgery.

Brandy, Not to backtrack on this issue, but one thing I should mention is that fluoroscopy is X-ray imaging, so every time you are having the procedure done, you are being exposed to a certain amount radiation, just as you would with any type of X-ray. I'm sure that this is why some Dr.'s might not want to do it every single time or too frequently. I just thought I would mention this. I'm obviously not a Dr. and this is obviously something that should be discussed thoroughly with a trained professional........ Good luck ! Yes, there is always room for improvement with our eating habits, but I would think that after nine months you would lose at least something!

You're welcome Go J ! :smile::smile:

I think that's the problem Brandy with a lot of these docs, they don't have the equipment readily available to them, so they don't do it. If you knew me, you would know that I'm not a "soapbox" type of a person, but I am really on a soapbox about this issue. If these docs are going to do bands, then they should do it right, which means doing a flouro -- if not every single time, then on a very regular basis. If your doc doesn't have the equipment (probably not, as a fluoroscope is not a piece of equipment that is sitting around most doctors offices, plus this is a procedure that a radiologist usually performs), then I would insist that he/she do your next fill at a place where there is one, which would likely be the local hospital or a radiology clinic. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Having proper restriction is absolutely the key to success with the band, and if your doctor can't get you properly adjusted, then you should probably find another dr. who can.

Wasa, Where have I been??? How did I miss that you were having your surgery today? I'm glad to read that you are doing well. Look forward to hearing from you soon! Big hugs to you sweetie :smile::smile:!!!

Benhamgal, that was a hilarious story LOL :tt1:! Sounds like something I would do!!!

Yes, GG, that's right. :smile::smile:

Mango, best of luck to you on Friday. I'm sending quick healing vibes your way!!! You'll do great I'm sure, but please post an update as soon as you are able to! Yeah, I was just kidding about the size. A "full" C is as large as I will go because my basic body frame is fairly small. The only reason I bumped up to a full "C" is because I started thinking about it, and I realized that if I am going to go to the time, trouble and expense of having this done, I want at least a little something showing -- so I thought a full C cup would do the trick. That said, I'm really glad you posted what you did, because it can be easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment, and I will remember your friend when I have my "implant fitting" next Wednesday. Best of luck, and we look forward to hearing that you got through the surgery with flying colors, are feeling fine, and loving your new bustline!!!

Hi Georgia Girl, It is my impression that most (if not all) plastic surgeons will take care of the mons area (if needed) during a tummy tuck as well. I honestly cannot tell whether or not mine needs to be addressed -- it doesn't look like it, but frankly I'm just not going to stand in a mirror and examine things that closely. However, I'm having a tummy tuck (plus a breast lift and implants) late next week and during my last consult, I asked my surgeon if he will be correcting the mons area, if needed, and he said yes. It makes sense to do so, as it seems to me that the area can be easily accessed through the tummy tuck incision.

That's okay Daddy, we understand, I truly doubt I would look good in a wetsuit either. I mean, let's face it, who does? It's not exactly flattering attire under any circumstances....... So tell Musical Momma, that we don't need pics of you in your wetsuit, we just want to see pics of you kicking butt in the race! Stranger way to go!!! You're doing great ! I was planning on repeating week four, but you inspired me to push it into week five. I did session one this evening. LuLu, when I read your post yesterday, guess what happened? Yep, that silly little song got stuck in my head for the rest of the day ......... Greyhounder, congrats on starting the Couch to 5K plan. This is a wonderful plan -- I'm progressing much faster with the running than I ever thought I would. Participating in this thread is helping me a lot too. Keep up the good work :smile:!

Congratulations Ceradad! I saw that you updated your stats in our August bandsters thread too, 121 pounds is amazing!!!! I got another Couch to 5K session in this evening. Tomorrow night is pilates and Yoga -- my last sesssion for several weeks........ Karey, is the glucosamine working for you yet? I have taken that before, and for me it seems to work pretty quickly. Have a great night everyone -- I'm enjoying being a part of your exercise thread, this is a very hardworking, inspiring group :smile::smile:!