Spydr

I was covered by Medicare. I was approved and my doctor was willing to schedule me within 2 weeks. I choose to wait 30 days for surgery.

I just went through my photo album and found a picture of my band being put in place. It's graphic to some as it is a picture of my insides but I found it pretty interesting. There is a picture os my liver on the top right and you can see the band being placed on my stomach in the other shots. Yes all that yellow stuff is fat. Puts a different spin on junk food for me! Anyway, just wanted to help inform and enlighten. http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/?action=view&current=scan0001.jpg

I did have to request the pictures. I asked if they would record the surgery and was told it was against policy. I can understand that. I mean, if something was to go wrong, they would not proof floating around out there! My doc was super cool and he was more than happy to take and print the pictures. I did ask in advance and reminded them again that morning. It's not the kind of thing you can go back and do again so make sure your staff knows how much it means to get the pictures. I'm sure they will do it!

You know, at first, the pain was less than the band. I have a really good doctor and his office understood I was a wuss and gave me all the meds I could need. The pain is more now that the nevers have begun to heal. They did move the nipple but did not cut them completely so I still have full sensation in both nipples at this point. It may change but the doc seems happy with his work. The sensation is also coming back in my belly and that is where the pain comes in. It felt so good to take my first shower yesterday. I still miss taking a bath and soaking but all things in good time. I just now got to the point where I can sleep on my side. That feels good!

I would encourage you to treat your cold ASAP. Make sure to use whatever has worked in past. You could always call your doc's offer ans ask what they suggest. I always use TheraFlu with great results.

I posted the pictures in a new thread via a link. That way, the pictures on not on this site so those that veiwed them made a choice to do so. I thought that would work. FYI - My pooty was not blurred so be kind!

Here are few links to the tummy tuck itself. These were taken by the nurse during the proceedure. The first of me cut hip to hip and you can see my belly button in the middle. http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Tummy%20Tuck%20Surgery/scan0002.jpg This is the same shot without my belly button: http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Tummy%20Tuck%20Surgery/scan0004.jpg Here is the flap of skin that was removed from my belly. It weighed in at just over 7 lbs: http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t65/spydrmac/Tummy%20Tuck%20Surgery/scan0003.jpg Gross? Maybe but I thought it was way cool! :biggrin1:

Hehehehehehe! I'm sorry I'm laughing but I'm just struck by the phase "burred pooty". I laugh even typing it! My head is not in shots but the tattoos are there. I was not concerned for myslef as I could care less. I just did not want to offend others. I work on the pictures for the plastic surgery ans post them by the weekend. FYI - My doctor said he has left drain tubes in for for as long as 6 weeks so i should stop my bitching1 At that point my drain was already out so we were friends again.

Al my favorite places to eat know I have a lap band because I feasted there prior to surgery. If the server deosn't know me, I ask for a manager. I'm not ashamed of my band and am willing to tell the worls. I have found that people are very interested and often want it for themselves or have a friend who needs help. In the long run, I get the kid's menu and everyone is happy. If you have issue with telling people about your band, the kid's menu may be harder to explain. Some folks suggest ordering a to go box at the same time you place your order so you can box your meal once it arrives so help prevent you from over eating.

My doc took out the drain yesterday and I feel so much better. Was not prepared for the "weeping" from the drain site but that has ended now. Some of the swelling is going dow on the "twins" but they still feel very firm. I'm not ready to shop until I am done with swelling. I wear a sports bra and bind around the belly at all times. The binder has to be tightened through out the day to help reduce swelling. This is important now since the drain is out and I don't have the suction. I am posting a different thread to ask about pictures but will send them to anyone who shows a true interest. They are pretty graphic!

I always try to eat prior to flying as my band tightens when I fly. I sip slowly when in the air and don't partake in the snack pack. Some people stay tight once they land so you may want to take it easy with your dining choices.

I office at home via the phone and internet. It may be hard to believe but I worked on the smae day as my surgery! From what I've seen, if you have your band done as an out patient, most people take a week off. If you have to lift, bend and stretch at your job, you may need longer, perhaps 2 or 3 weeks.

The other thing I had to keep reminding myself is, I didn't gain 300 lbs in a year, I can't expect to lose it in a year. I am not a patient person but seeing the results in others and myself make me know it is worth the wait!

My doctor is David Liland at Park Cities Plastic Surgery. His website is www.drliland.com. I paid $9500 cash for the skin removal, full tummy tuck and major breast lift. I got a deal since I paid cash upfront and did both procedures at the same time. I plan to back in the fall for my arms and thighs. The staff is great and the doc takes good care of me.

I know a lsy here in Dallas who was part of the FDA trial and she has had her band about 7 years. She is doing great and looks like your average lady. I never would have thought she was once bigger than I was! She has proven to me that the band is a long term solution to my weight issues. I even used her plastic surgeon!

I am 16 months post op and I understand your feeling about being happy for what I've lost but wanting more. I stalled out at about 70 or 80 lbs and stayed on that level for a a couple of months. You just have to hang in there because the scale will move again. It happens sudden and once you get past that 80 lbs down mark, it feels so much better. I have had plastic surgery to remove some of the extra skin from my belly and can't wait to get back to the gym. I can now see where to target my reshaping workouts. I never thought I would be one of those people who misses working out but I do! Life is strange that way.

Since I'm in Texas, there is no such thing as cold weather! Make sure to have tons of strechy pants and tops that will button or zip all the way up front. Lift your arms is not comfortable for most people. I didn't have trouble but I know some people do. The doctor said no jeans for at least 6 weeks so I am now the sweatpant queen. Also, take a pillow with you for the ride home. You want to be as comfortable as possible and you should be waited on hand and foot. Make sure your care giver knows that!

I am back and much "flatter" than before! They cut 7 lbs off my belly and about 3 ounces from each breast. The lift is amazing! It looks and feels like a one of those young girls boobs! Since they had to move the nipples, they look a bit magled right now but I have lost no sensation in them so that's a good thing! The pain is not as bad as I thought but it is not easy. I think the band was easier! I still have my drain tube on day 11 and will until I'm down to 25 ccs output. I think once the tube comes out I will feel much better. I am still sleeping on my back but it's a small price to pay. I had them take a few photos of the surgery itself (I know I'm sick!) and they are wild. I look at them in wonder all the time. My tummy is still numb but the feeling is coming back and it is odd to look down and see all of me. It does make my arms and thighs look worse in my opionon. Right now I'm not looking forward to those repairs but once I heal up, I know it will be on the to do list. It is worth it! I saved from the day I got my band and I consider plastic surgery part of my weight loss journey!

Jack you crack me up! We cut 7 lbs of skin off my belly but it is nothing that anyone would want!

I had my tuck and breast lift 11 days ago. I paid 9500 cash and had both procedures done at once. It was not as bad as I thought it would be but it is no cake walk. I still have my drain tube so sleeping on my back is the only way I sleep. It reminds me of when I was first banded and had to sleep on my back. I am sore but the difference is unreal. They cut a 7 lb piece of skin off my belly and tucked me and cut 3 ounces of skin off each breast and lifted those puppies! It feels as firm as an implant but it is all me! You should see the surgery pictures. They are wild!

Congrats on your new body! I will be having my TT and Lift on Friday morning at 8a. I am concerned about the pain so i am preparing for the worst. If it's not bad, well that's just fine. I am taking a week off work and hope it's enough. PM or email me and let me know any of the really bad stuff incase you don't want to scare people on the board!

I have been so stuck I tried jumping up and down to get the food to move. Worked once so now I try it every time. Thank god it isn't that often because it's becoming harder to explain my hopping in my favorite diner!

My doc told me 2 weeks for a bath/hot tub. Call the doctor's office as they will know what they prefer. Every doc is different.

I always smile when I am able to cross my legs under my desk. When I'm out with friends I often say, "Hey guys, check this out. My legs are crossed!" They get it.

When I was on full liquids, I became a very familar face at smoothie King! If is went through a straw, I drank it. I added Peanut Butter to most of my shakes and it helped fill me up. There are quite a few calories in peanut butter but I felt like I in the healing stage and I would make up for it later. I also bought large jars of tomato basil soup from La Madeline. It is a very dense soup and would fill me up to the brim. It was nice to have something hot instead of the shakes. It felt more like a meal. Hang in there!