Frangipani

Hi Renewed! Good luck on Friday! Just think, by the weekend you and Shalee are going to have Smokin' Hot new bods -- Woo Hoo!!! Sending big hugs and quick healing vibes your way! :smile::thumbup:

Hi Ladies, Sorry I've been offline for about a week now. In addition to dealing with this wound, I've been very obsessed with the election and all the crazy things going on with the economy. WOW!!! It's been a very crazy few weeks -- huh????? I must say that it's been very interesting being in one of the big battleground states during this time. It seems like just about every day at least someone is campaigning here. Yesterday we had Obama in Miami and Hillary in Fort Lauderdale Anyhow, getting caught up on my postings.............. Shalee, than you so much for the birthday wishes!!!! Things are going well. The wound is improving, but not completely healed yet. However, I have definitely turned the corner with all of this and my energy is back 100% -- which is a great relief. Thanks Karen :thumbup::smile: Hi Jacquie, Thanks for the nice message! My energy is back 100% now -- thank goodness. That was the worst part of this whole thing really. I do still have drainage, but it is much improved over what it was a few weeks ago. My Wound Vac will come off tomorrow. The wound is not completely healed yet, but it's time for me to go home. Tomorrow will be four weeks in Miami and I can't stay here forever after all! Did you keep your Wound Vac on until your wound was healed -- or did you have it removed beforehand? I am so glad you posted -- it's really helpful for me to have someone to compare notes with. Thank you so much for that! Shalee thank you for that lovely message. You really made my whole week with that one :cool2::smile::tt2:! Trust me, you'll do wonderfully. I'll be back online regularly now and will be following your progress closely! Once again -- sending good luck and big, healing hugs your way!

Hi Karey, Glad to hear the surgery went well and that you're resting and healing! Best of luck in getting rid of the drains and foam-- and congratulations on the hot new bod!!!! :smile::thumbup:

Hi Shalee, I haven't been online for about a week now, but I've been thinking about you. I wish you the very best of luck tomorrow and can't wait to hear that you sailed through your surgery and are enjoying your Smokin' Hot new bod! Sending great big hugs and quick healing vibes your way sweet lady!!! :smile::thumbup:

Hi Renewed, You are getting close!!!! I am 4 months post-op now with my TT and love it more with each passing day -- THE BEST money I've ever spent. You're going to love it!!!! Talk soon :smile2::smile::laugh:!

Hi Ladies, Still in Miami, but things are improving. I'm amazed at the Wound Vac. It is a hassle, but very effective. That said, wound healing is still a very sloooooow process and requires a lot of patience -- something I don't have.............. Hi Karey, Thanks! :smile::smile::smile: As I told you in your thread, I'm very happy with my results and I'm sure you will be too!!!! Go for it girl!!!! Hey Jody, Based on the date of this post, you had a big party on my birthday! I'm glad someone was partying on my birthday because I sure wasn't!!! My birthday consisted of having a needle the size of an oil-drill bit inserted in my backside to drain Fluid -- fun, fun, fun!!!! Good news is that the fluid is all gone now and I don't need to have that done any more!!!! Hi Cori :smile::smile::smile:! Thanks for the well wishes -- and I enjoy your rambles! I'm sure you look smokin' hot at size 12. I was very happy with size 12 and am pretty sure that had I stayed there, I would have been perfectly satisfied with that, even at my petite 5'4". Size 12 is a great for someone tall like you. Thanks LuLu!!!! I can't wait to get back to the exercise board to join you guys!!!! How is everything with you? Thanks Jody!!!!! I'm still in Miami and don't have a firm date to return home yet -- probably in the next week or so. Hi Renewed -- thanks!!! How is everything with you?

Hi Patricia, I know that several on this board have had a positive experience with PS in MX, but I wanted to say that I think you've made the right decision to have your surgery done locally. I had my Lap Band done in MX and wouldn't hesitate to recommend doing that to anyone, but Lap Band surgery is a much different thing than plastic surgery. A tummy tuck or LBL is much more involved. The wound is huge and as such, there is a much higher risk for post-op complications. Most of these complications will be minor and very easily treatable, but the fact remains that your chances of needing follow-up care is pretty high and it's just better to have your PS done as close to home as possible. Having had post-op complications, I am very glad that I decided to have my surgery done in the States. It just made things so much easier to deal with............ Dr. Schulman also made some very excellent points. I came through my PS with flying colors and did not develop my wound problem until two weeks post-op.

Hi Kelly, Just checking in. You're getting so close! Woo Hoo!!!! Goodness, you have everything organized down to the last detail don't you?!!!! I'm in awe and jealous :seeya:! I'm still in Miami and am afraid to even imagine what my house looks like about now :tongue:!

Hi Karey, I'm still in Miami dealing with my wound issues (improving BTW albeit very sloooowly). I haven't been on LBT in several days, but I just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm thinking about you and wishing you the very best this week. I know everything will turn out great for you. The swelling on my backside has gone down quite a bit in the past week, I am loving my results and am very glad that I did this -- I know that you will feel the same about your results as well! Big hugs and quick healing vibes to you sweetie!!!! :smile:

Oh Becky, I've been having Internet problems here at the hotel and have been offline for the past few days. I am so sorry to hear about your Mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Big hugs to you...........

Hi Ladies! I'm here, but I am not my usual energetic self and haven't been spending much time online. Between the wound and the Wound Vac, I have definitely met my match. I've been spending lots of time resting, sleeping and staying off this wound as much as possible. I have also been fatigued, and have have some fluid issues on one side of my butt. As a result the Dr. has had to go in with a huge needle and drain fluid (not fun). So between that and the numerous dressing changes for the Wound Vac, my life has pretty much been about Dr. appointments and frequent naps. The good news is that the Vac seems to be working remarkably well and quickly, and the Dr. is very pleased with the progress. He also told me that he doesn't think my post-op activity had anything to do with this wound falling apart. He's pretty sure that my wound problem is mostly the result of my body rejecting the sutures. I did have wound problems when I had my TT, but it was such that the Dr. was able to go back in and stitch it up. He told me that the problem is more severe this time because far many more sutures are used for the backside and thighs -- and hence there's a whole lot more for my body not to like. :cool2: Hi Kelly! Thanks for checking on me!!! Your date is coming up quick -- I'm excited for you!!! Hi Karey! Are you feeling better now? I use Zicam and it usually works very well for me. Thanks for the DVD recommendation, I plan on checking this out in the next few days. I like the shape of my bottom quite a bit, but because of this wound problem my metabolism has kicked into high gear and I've lost more weight. As a result I feel like I'm losing some ground with the buttocks augmentation. I'm down to a size 4 and really would like to remain a size 6. That said, I still struggle with the concept of putting on any pounds that I've lost. What a bizarre problem to have -- I've never worried about being too thin!!! However, I plan to sort this all out once I move past this wound problem. For right now, I'm just focusing on eating healthy and well and am not going to get too caught up with the scale. So long story short -- I love the shape, but hope to put a few more pounds back on to retain the curvaceous look I was enjoying for a time. Hi Jody! Yes, all is well! :thumbup::laugh: How are you doing?

Hi Kelly!!! I'm so glad you started a thread!. Three weeks from today -- Wow -- it's coming up quickly! I'm SO excited for you :cool2::smile:! I've ordered two different types of compression garments for my surgeries and both times I used a company called Nouvelle. Here's the link to their website Compression Wear & Bodyshaping Clothing. Ask for Dawn. I've been really pleased with the prices (which seem more reasonable than most) and their truly excellent service. They will help you with sizing and will even custom size a garment for you (at no extra charge I believe). They also ship lightening fast and have an excellent return policy. I wasn't sure what size I needed before Round 1 either and Dawn shipped me my garment in two different sizes and allowed me to return the unused one for a full refund a few week after my surgery. Hope this helps and I'll be looking forward to following your journey! Talk to you soon!

Hi Cori, Thank you so much for your kindness -- you are a sweetheart!!! Everything is absolutely fine now. The trip to Miami on Thursday night was easy and the flight actually got in about 20 minutes early. I got lots of help with my luggage and the nice man at the car rental even gave me a free upgrade! My wonderful Dr. thought of everything and had it all set up in advance. When I went to the office yesterday I was hooked up to a Wound Vac (thanks again for mentioning this JWRN -- it was great to know a little something about this in advance). It's an interesting device and I am optimistic that it will work well for me. The only downside is that you are hooked up to some portable machinery 24/7 -- which does present a bit of a "fashion challenge." That said, I love a challenge and I will figure out a way to camouflage this thing and integrate it into my wardrobe (LOL :bolt:). The other good news is that the Dr. told me that the wound looks really good and really healthy (which I thought too, but couldn't be certain). I knew that there was lots of new tissue growth, and I figured the reddish/pink color was a very good sign, but it was good to have confirmation from the Dr that all seems to be well. Nutritionally I have been doing absolutely everything possible that I can think of. I have been eating like crazy (2000 calories a day at least and probably even more some days), and taking lots of vitamins. I definitely do have fatigue, but I plan to get lots of R & R on this trip. Last night I stayed in my room and watched movies and was fast asleep by 10:00 PM. BTW -- I received a fresh batch of Netflix before I left town and brought them all with me BUT I think I'll be going through my movie inventory pretty quickly here. So if you have any recommendations for movies ladies, let me know as I also have a membership at the Blockbuster near my hotel. Hi Jody, Thanks!!! Glad to hear you had such a great time in Vegas!!!! Tell me more! What did you do? Did you catch any shows? Did you win any money? :thumbup::thumbup::tongue: Thanks Karey! I read you message the other day and it lifted my spirits. Thanks for that. I am already feeling so much better having had this checked out by the Dr. in person. Thanks Karen! And you are so right about the stress factor -- it's totally gone now that I am back in Miami and just a few miles away from proper medical attention. How are you doing? Well, my machine is bleeping at me, so I have to figure out what it wants. I'll check back in later -- and please do give me some movie suggestions! I like everything -- dramas, comedies, documentaries, interesting TV series, whatever......... Thanks ladies!!!! Have a great Saturday! :tt2::smile::smile:

Hi Ladies, Wow! Thanks for the incredibly nice and supportive messages!!! I will respond to them individually within the next few days, but I need to keep this very short for now. For whatever reason, this wound problem has really sapped my energy and I have had to carefully pace myself as I get everything ready to leave town, so it's been slow going. Will update tomorrow or Saturday when I settle in. This trip, I plan to stay off this incision as much as possible and get some serious R&R..........

Hi Karen, I am SO glad to see how well you are doing. See! I told you :smile::smile::wink_smile:!!! It's not that bad really is it? Take it from me though, lay low and get lots of rest. Don't be too active. I am having wound problems right now and I'm convinced it's because I thought I was superwoman and was WAY to active after this last surgery. Miralax is the best laxative, and don't worry it will work even though it might take a little while. I had a terrible problem after this last surgery and the stool softeners were not effective. However, my problem was solved with the Miralax. Well, I need to keep this short because I'm getting myself ready to return to the States to deal with my wound problem. Talk to you soon, welcome to the flatlands, and congratulations on a wonderfully successful surgery!!!!! :confused::smile:

Hi Renewed Hope, Sorry it took me so long to respond, I've been having some post-operative complications and haven't been spending much time online. However, I am SO happy for you!!!!! What an incredible feeling and accomplishment!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! This is definitely a dancing banana event!!!!! Congratulations girl!!!!! :smile::wink_smile::confused::wink2::huh2::tt2::bananapowerslide::bananapowerslide::bananapowerslide::bananapowerslide:

Hi All, I haven't been on LBT for the past several days and it's great to see how wonderfully everyone is doing! Karen G, I am SO happy to hear how well you are doing!!!! See, I told you!!!! I'm still having problems with my wound that dehisced (i.e., fell apart in one spot). And yes, not knowing anything about this until I learned it from you Karey, and Cori, I have now given myself a crash course on wound dehiscence. However, I need to stop because all I am doing is driving myself crazy as well as scaring myself reading about all the worst case scenarios. The area has actually grown a little larger since I've returned home, which is a very frustrating thing for me. I can see that there is lots of new tissue growth on the inside (and my Dr. has confirmed this from the photos I've sent). And I still can't shake the feeling that I brought this whole thing on myself by stupidly being WAY too active after surgery. Dumb, dumb, dumb.......... Anyhow, after several conversations and emails back and forth with my Dr. (who has been simply amazing in his follow up) we have decided that the best thing to do is for me to go back to Miami. He's reasonably confident that everything is okay, but being the very thorough person that he is, he told me that he would really like to look at the wound again in person just to be absolutely certain. Of course it's a real hassle for me to pack up and leave town when I barely got home, but it is what it is.......

Hi Renewed Hope, You're very welcome! You will lose weight from the surgeries. I lost 18 pounds from Round 1 and have lost another 3 since Round 2. That said, your head is totally in the right place and I can tell that you have a really great, "can do" attitude, which is the thing that will get you to goal. Good luck with all of this. I am so jealous to read about your workouts -- especially the Couch to 5K, which I was also doing and really enjoying before my surgeries. I miss my workouts so much right now, but because of my wound problems, I need to continue to lay low here for a while more, so for now I will just enjoy living vicariously through you :thumbup::smile::thumbdown:

Hi Renewed Hope, I plateaued before my first surgery too -- I think that just happens when we get close to goal. That said, my advice would be to mix up your exercise routine a bit. If you like running, maybe you can have some days where you do some anaerobic activity, like sprinting. Also you might want to do some "long cardio" on certain days. When I'm in my regular exercise routine, I try to have one or two (ideally two, time permitting) days where I go out and take long (2-3 hour) hilly hikes. Weight lifting is another thing that works really well for me, although I haven't done it since early June because of my surgeries. I find that keeping my body guessing about what I might put it through next really seems to help keep up a fairly steady weight loss. Hope this helps, and looking forward to hearing more about your upcoming PS journey! :biggrin::smile::thumbup:

Hi Karen, Thinking of you today. I hope by now, you are in recovery and doing well. Big healing hugs to you! :crying::smile::wink2:

Hi Salsa! Glad to hear all is well with you and thanks for checking in! Yes, I have heard and read about honey and wound healing. Seems like a really wild, counterintuitive thing to do, doesn't it? But I know that a number of people swear by it and I'm so glad to hear that it worked so well for your Mom. If push comes to shove and I don't see any progress with the wound healing, I might investigate this one a bit more. Thank you very much for the suggestion. Hi Kelly -- great to hear from you!!! Thank you so much!!!! I can't wait for you to have your surgery done -- you are going to LOVE your results. I am blown away by what a good plastic surgeon can do with the body -- it's truly beyond anything I could have imagined. I know that you also have an awesome Dr. -- so get ready to start loving your new body!!!! Becky, it's been a few days since we've heard anything from you. I'm getting worried. I hope everything is okay with your Mom -- please update us when you can. Thanks again ladies for all the nice comments, they really help during this little bit of a downer I'm going through with these incision problems. Waiting for a wound to heal is like waiting for (and watching) paint dry, but worse because it takes SO MUCH longer.........

Hi Renewed Hope, Good luck with your surgery and looking forward to following your progress. I also had GYN surgery when I had my TT and BL with implants. It's a great idea to combine surgeries this way. I'm laughing at your comment about not being able to imagine having a flat stomach because I felt exactly the same way. In fact, I did not believe it until I saw it!!!! Before surgery I'm sure I drove my poor Dr. crazy asking him over and over if he could really make my tummy flat. Finally he said to me (in a somewhat exasperated tone) "Yes! It will be flat, that's what you're paying me for, isn't it?" -- which in turn made me LOL Anyhow, good luck and trust me, you will be in the flatlands with the rest of us and loving it!!!

Hi Karen, Good luck tomorrow!!! I had my TOM during both of my surgeries. The first time was really bad because my (five) fibroid tumors (which were also removed during Round 1) caused heavy, heavy bleeding. Having my TOM really didn't seem to cause any major problems -- it was just one more (very minor) thing I dealt with during the recovery process. Hope this helps!!! Can't wait to hear back that you rocked your surgery and are on the road to recovery!!!! Sending quick healing vibes your way!!!!

Hi Ladies, How wonderful it was to sign on this morning and see all your lovely comments!!!! You really brightened my day!!! Cori, It's so nice to hear from you!!!! :smile::smile::smile: How have you been? You made me LOL so hard with your QVC comment!!!! Thanks for that :lol: Hi Sue! Thank you so much!!! I love SNL and I know that character you are talking about!!! I believe it was Billy Crystal doing the actor Fernando Lamas. How's the Trikking going? Your weight loss is amazing! Congratulations!!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Karen, thank you so much! It will be worth it, trust me!!! Tomorrow is the big day, I will be thinking of you and wishing you the very, very best!!!! Hi Jody, Thank you sweetie!!! I meant to comment on this earlier but forgot (remnants of drugs in the past few weeks, my memory seems wiped out -- truly). Congrats on all your progress with the exercise! You're doing a fabulous job with all of this and I can't wait to be back on the exercise threads with you :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:! Hi JWRN, Thanks for the terrific suggestions regarding wound care. No, I have never even heard of a wound vac and it sounds like a great device. Unfortunately (well, fortunately sometimes), I live in the Caribbean (St. Thomas, USVI) and the health care situation here doesn't even come close to what you might find in the states. That said, Dr. Masri has been absolutely wonderful in his follow-up. He is always very accessible and keeps close tabs on my progress, and I plan to discuss some of your ideas with him and see what he thinks. It might be an option for me to return to Miami to access some of these additional healing tools, if need be. Thanks LuLu!!! How's everything going with you girl? Hi Karey, Thanks! It's also great to hear that things will continue to improve. Thanks again ladies, for the reminder that there are positives to focus on at this point and that this will all be worth it in the end! Big hugs to all of you -- you are an awesome group of women!!!! :smile::smile::smile: