SpecialK

Hi Sue. I was just out on a website to also order a compression garment for me as I'm having BR on April 22 and I'm 40" around at the body and am aiming for a large B or small C in the end and I know I'll have some swelling so I'm trying to decide which to order for me because it says a large is 38-40" and XL is 42" and I know I have to wear this garment for awhile and so I don't want to get the XL but I'm concerned about how tight a L is going to be if its for 38-40" -- I guess I'll call the web site customer service too! Thanks for that idea.

Here is the website I was checking out:

http://nouvelleinc.com/

Name -Starting Wt .......Goal/End Wt 2010 .CurrentWeight-

SpecialK.............232.2.........155...................221.7

Scrappy_friend....149...........135...................141

LadyRoz.............220............190...................212

CandyStarr.........312............212...................312

I had a solid drop to hit my -133 lbs mark and then have bounced up and down a bit this week. Going to buckle down and make sure that 221 number sticks and keep going down from there!

Celebrated my 2 year bandiversary this past week.

Niki -- looking fabulous. Now I want a mini-thigh lift after seeing your incisions and how great they look just so soon after your PS. Keep on taking it easy -- even with feeling better don't forget to give your insides plenty of time to heal.

I got all my pre-surgery paperwork for my Breast Reduction surgery on April 22 including got scheduled for my pre-Admission test stuff on April 1. I am on my own countdown and been thinking about the pain of the upper chest area -- you are an inspiration that I will get through just getting the top down because you are doing so well with the whole body overhaul.

Take care!

Hi Mimi-- you are such a trooper. I hope I can do as well. Did you not want your port moved so he could do more aggressive muscle tightening or was it just extra $$$ for more extensive and you felt you'd be fine with just the skin gone.

We welcomed a new lapband friend at our March 13 mall gathering yesterday and she asked some good questions that I thought I would proactively post here as info in case other newbies are considering joining us for support.

1. Who attends - those who are successful or those who have had complications? Both-- most of us have had some experience with needing adjustments in our fill level to handle some acid reflux, some have learned they were "too tight" and couldn't eat a solid lapband friendly meal and were loosened and did fine, others have had a slip and had an unfill which corrected their slip and then started back into a gradual series of fills to get back to the restriction level they needed.

2. Where all did the people who come to these meetings have their surgery? Riverside, OSU, Mt. Carmel, Dr. Curry in Cincinnati, and Barix.

3. What stages are the people who attend at? We have a couple pre-band folks who are scheduled to be banded in April 2010, some who are 1 year out, 2 years out, and starting into year 3 post banding. Some who are 2+ yrs out now, are either into considering plastic surgery or having it now.

4. Is it normal not be able to eat a "regular" diet once you are past surgery lapband - and past the initial 1 months of "mushies" and on now to "full food" diet.

NO-- if you cannot eat solid Proteins and a good mix of vegetables and fruits without vomitting, sliming, or productive burping, PBing, or without pureeing the foods or are existing on mostly Protein shakes and other liquids, we discussed as a consensus this is not the normal mode for us lapband eaters.

Please continue follow ups with your surgeon on what quantity you can eat, what foods, and what your digestive experiences with eating are until you can get to a normal lapband diet.

5. Do support groups help -- Yes, even if you have a supportive spouse or family, coworkers, friends who have not had WLS, it still is different to be able to talk with a person who has walked in your shoes, who can really say, I understand and here is what I think.

6. Why is this support group different than the support group through the hospital's bariatric program? First, its almostly exclusively Lapband only patients - occasionally we have a RNY person come, but the discussions are totally based on our Lapband expeirence and what we think Lapband life should be like.

We also like the ability to compare experiences by different hospital's programs to see what are the same and what are different. Mostly we find our hospital programs are heavily focused on the higher percentage of RNY patients that attend those.

We feel like we can be open about things we may not like about our hospital's bariatric program whereas we probably would not voice these in the hospital's own meetings -- a little peer pressure there being the one dissenting person in a room full of others who are happy?? maybe

7. Support groups that form informally can be for lots of reasons - diet help, body image support, exercise support, or friendship. Some attend the meetings and have become good friends and social friends outside of the monthly meeting.

It is up to you to make the support group what you need it to be. Remember, paying forward, to help others get through what you have been through, is a really positive thing even if its done in small ways.

Hope this helps for those who wonder if attending might be helpful.

The invitation is open to all! Whether you are pre-band, newly banded or an old band pro. Friends and family members are also welcome to join us for these meetings. The more the merrier!

Everyone is welcome!

Where: Polaris Mall food Court

When: Saturday April 10, 2010

Time: 2 p.m.

Look for us near the entrance to the Great Indoors store in the back corner seating area next to Chik-Fil-A. If we're not there look for a large group of folks sitting at several tables pushed together in the areas on either side of the Great Indoors... that's usually us :-)

Hope to see you there!

Happy Bandiversary to all the Shrinking Shamrocks out there! I'll hit my 2 years on St. Patty's Day and I would do the last 2 years all over again in a wink!

Our March '08 bandster NurseNiki had her plastic surgery yesterday - check out the Plastic and Cosmetic thread - and she is doing really really well. I am so looking forward to my turn at the PS table maybe a year from now when I have the rest of my tummy and butt weight off.

Happy Bandiversary Niki! I hope to see you May 1 when Mt. Carmel does the Annual Bariatric Fashion Show. Cindy B. is going to be representing us lapbanders. Are you going to be in the show? I bet you'd look great in a slinky little black dress and some red high heels!! Ooo La La!!! Enjoy that great body, you've worked hard for it.

Niki - you sound so much like the great nurse you are in real life -- "pain is 2 out of 10" -- come on... you are tough if you had all that done and only have a 2!

It is amazing to me that you get to come home same day with such extensive surgery.

Crossed the -130 lbs lost milestone this week! Yea

Name -Starting Wt .......Goal/End Wt 2010 .CurrentWeight-

SpecialK.............232.2.........155...................224.6

Scrappy_friend....149...........135...................141

LadyRoz.............220............190...................212

CandyStarr.........312............212...................312

Yes, I said I was having pain in my neck, shoulders and back that I felt was related to the excess weight in my chest and I had breast rash pictures to back up my complaints of the rubbing problems. I got my Primary Care Dr. to also support the surgery with her recommendation. They take photos to submit to insurance and I guess with medical history, photos and size of breasts in the pictures, Aetna decided to just okay it without fighting. I was prepared to have to appeal if needed.

Glad I didn't have to.

I know this is sorta off topic,,, but how did you get AETNA to approve this procedure. Have you been having back pain, or shouder pain? Thanks so much for the info.

Niki-- So happy for you. I will say a prayer for quick healing!

Kathy

How is everyone out there in Columbus? I recently had a coworker ask me about lapband and she is very interested. She sounds like she is ready to make a decision. She checked out Barix and RNY a few years back but decided that didn't feel right for her.

Hope you are all having a great 2010.

P.S. Passed my 130 lb lost milestone this week. Also approved for a breast reduction surgery on April 22 so maybe I'll be at -140 before I know it too!

Congrats Goodtimes! I hope to be where you are now a year from now but at least April 22 I get to have my breast reduction surgery and lift and that should help me alot with increasing my exercise level, e.g. jogging even, to get a better calorie burn going to finish losing the abdominal area fat I still have. I will definitely need Tummy Tuck.< /p>

Hi LAP-BAND® friends. I am happy to report that I got approved by my Aetna

insurance for my breast reductionn and lift surgery and it will be on April 22.

Apologize in advance for a VERY Long post here but doing this so those who consider Plastic Surgery post WLS will learn from my experience.

Sorry to say I had a totally different experience with my 2nd opinion surgery consult I went to who is the primary plastic surgeon the hospital where I had my bariatric surgery.

It was a very easy decision to choose Dr #1 for me and I felt the relationship and comfort I had in who my plastic surgeon is was critical as well as their skill.

Surgeon #1 experience:

Scheduled me for an appointment quickly after I contacted the office.

Sent me a very nice packet of info in advance to my home to review.

Requested my mammograms and a PCP or other supporting doctor letter for recommendations of past breast history. Dr. had reviewed info in advance and gave the mammogram films back and said she appreciated me getting them in

advance.

Appointment was on a very snowy day when offices were closing but they didn't cancel.

Office is set off two roads that are in a very safe area.

Office staff greeted me and were very friendly and welcoming, nice surroundings for the office.

Dr. #1 invited me back to her office to talk with me before I was taken to an exam room to disrobe. She had reviewed all the materials she had received in advance and gave me a positive view that she felt I was a good candidate.

Pictures:She had an assistant come in to take the naked pictures. It went fast and was not as embarrassing as I worried it might be.

Exam -- she did a breast exam plus examined for symmetry, asked me what size, etc. talked about what the possible complications could be, explained, etc.

After exam - invited me back to her office to finish discussing moving ahead and then escorted me back to the Financial person to give me the info about payment, estimates on costs, etc.

Financial person was profession and helpful. It is uncomfortable to be told you have to pre-pay upfront 2 weeks for any uncovered surgery costs.

Insurance Submission: Office staff submitted for insurance approval to Aetna - got approved in 2-3 weeks.

Surgery schedule date offered on March 4th for April 6 (1 month out) but I can't do that date due to work deadline so I chose April 22.

Okay, Dr. #2 experience:

Office is located off a major road in a place hard to pull into, has locked doors for security to get in due to where it is located. I had a hard time getting out of the parking lot due to heavy traffic.

The lobby had Hard Rock music blaring making it hard to concentrate while I filled out the forms. Obviously the young staff in the office picks the music based on their taste without thinking what patients might like.

Receptionists gave me a set of paperwork to complete -not sent to me in advance- the forms were Xeroxed crooked on cheap paper and were basic and did not ask for near the medical history and things that Dr. #1 paperwork packet did.

Visit - Provocatively dressed receptionist takes me back to disrobe immediately without meeting the surgeon first. Got put for at least 15-20 min to sit there in room with my gown on and I could hear the doctor and staff talking outside

the door about other patients and the walls of the exam rooms were obviously paper thin walls. Seriously thinking of walking out because of that.

Dr - Very professional and very skilled. - He saw I had breast rash pictures, and mammogram films in the chair, did not look at them, did not ask to see the mammogram films, did not do a breast exam, but did a minimal exam (2 min.)of my breasts. Tried to talk me out of proceeding for any breast surgery at least for several more months if I am going to lose any more weight this year. He didn't even ask why I would want to proceed now versus wait.

He then talked to his office person outside the door and told her what financial quotes she should give me - I could hear every word he said outside with the door closed. She comes in and takes pictures --picture this--she was in a tight black mini-dress, up to her butt, fortunately had white knit tights on to cover her butt and legs but then was wearing 5" high spike heels. Clearly he hires young, beautiful women for his office and they all have had big boob jobs. It is

intimidating to have to have naked pictures taken under this situation. She starts saying she needs a face picture first so that she won't get breast pictures on the same camera confused with someone else's pictures. Are you kidding me telling me you could make that kind of mistake?

She left, said get dressed - we'll send the financial lady in.

Financial lady Sarah comes in - she is another young lady with big boobs too, doesn't have the $ info I need, comes back twice, hands me paperwork and just leaves me to figure it out myself. Says she will start submitting for Pre-D and it could take a month before I'd know, I should contact my own insurance company in 3 weeks to try to encourage them to act faster.

Okay, I call Dr. #2 next day - definitely know I don't like them and don't want to proceed. I get same receptionist answers, and ask for Sarah to tell her not to proceed with any insurance approval work - it would be a waste of their time.

Receptionist says Sarah is out today can I take a message. I ask if I can leave a voicemail for Sarah. Nope, no voicemail, receiptionist says I'll write her a note and give it to her...not sure Sarah will get the note.

If this Dr. #2 ever calls and asks why I didn't come back, it will be easy to remember why I didn't go back even for Tummy Tuck after this experience.

I will give another friend who is very happy with her tummy tuck and arm lift a chance on my 2nd consult for tummy tuck and my arms maybe a year from now if I don't think I want Dr. #1 for that also.

So, go with what your gut tells you on who you want as a plastic surgeon. OHJuli had told me that and now I totally understand why she drove 2 hours to another town to find the plastic surgeon she could really trust.

Here is my contribution. This website has some great bras for those of us going for breast surgery. I plan to get 2 so I can wash one while wearing one. Just can't figure out what size I will need yet.

Network Solutions E-Commerce Web Site - BRAS

I occasionally post over here on the 200 lbs to lose thread because I have a lot longer journey than some of my original Shamrock friends. Consider that one.

200 Lbs+ - LAP-BAND

Yes, I'm in the gang trying to lose almost 200 total lbs and it felt so wonderful when I crossed from 300s into 200s. Now I can't wait to cross from the 200s into the 100s but that could take most of the next 6 months for me. Just need to keep trying each day.

Accept my mistakes and forgive myself and get on with it the next day.

Fenton - welcome back to the fold. We've all had ups and downs in the 2 years but the best of all is to just get back up and dust yourself off.

Hearing that a relationship can get us eating again is part of my past. I'd lose 100 lbs to be pretty or thinner for a guy I liked and then I'd find out that wasn't the right thing and I'd eat my way back up again. Hope I never do it again.

I'm losing slowly now but going in the right direction. I am trying to get to my -130 lb milestone this week and maybe -135 by my 2 year bandiversary on St. Patrick's Day.

Yea Harley! Welcome to the Century Club!

Chugging along like a little turtle but going in the right direction!

Name -Starting Wt .......Goal/End Wt 2010 .CurrentWeight-

SpecialK.............232.2.........155...................226.7

Scrappy_friend....149...........135...................141

LadyRoz.............220............190...................212

CandyStarr.........312............212...................312

Hi candy. Sure come on in and join our weight accountability thread. When did you have surgery? I have found staying in touch with the March 2008 bandsters a real help to me. Also there is a +100 lbs to lose thread where all those folks understand what it is like to have to lose more than 100 lbs and even more than 200 lbs -- I have a total of 200 I am trying to lose.

Stay in touch and you'll get there a day at a time.

My best advice is use www.mydailyplate.com and start writing down for the next 2 weeks everything you eat. Hold yourself accountable. Don't show it to anyone else. Remember that you have to burn more calories than what you eat. If you eat 2000 calories you need to burn 3000 calories and I can tell you I find it hard to burn 2700 calories in a day now that I weigh less.

Get exercise every day. Some kind - walking, free weights, or whatever you can fit in. If you have a gym and can commit to 30-45 min of Cardio at least 4-5 times a week that should help alot.

Friday Weigh in Day:

Name -Starting Wt .......Goal/End Wt 2010 .CurrentWeight-

SpecialK.............232.2.........155...................227.3

Scrappy_friend....149............135...................145

LadyRoz.............220............190...................212

Good morning Shamrocks. It has been a little quiet on here lately. Is everyone doing okay? I had a maintain this week but I know what my pluses and minuses were this week so I'm okay with that. Keep on keeping on!

Way to go Scrappy on your 27 years of marriage!

I had my first PS consult today for Breast Reduction and Brachioplasty. She has my PCP and my WLS surgeon's recommendations, had the Mammograms already to review and said she can take the breast rash pictures I just took over the winter and submit those too. She said it can take up to a month for an insurance approval. Wish me luck.

I am still going to go to the 2nd PS consult just to be able to compare and have a 2nd opinion but I liked her pretty well. If after talking to the 2nd one I like the first one best, we'll just let her slog on through the insurance stuff.

It was a little shocking seeing what the arms may cost to get done even if its combined with the BR. There is still an incremental hospital fee, incremental anesthesia fee, plus her surgeon's fee and that is about $5K so I'll have to give it some thought on whether I want to finance any of that.