Queen of Hearts

Hi Melissa! Sounds like you're doing really great! Good job! I was banded 2/8/08 and slowly making my weigh down! Down 52 pounds now and 4 sizes! :wink2: Glad to have you on this forum!! Good luck and keep going the way you are! You're doing fantastic!!

Champion! Oh yes we will!!:wink2:

Hey Babedoe..Dr. Schulman is on the reconstructive site and has his own thread..if you read the whole thing there is LOADS of info he gives and he even has links to look at before and after and gives a description on what is what! He is in New York..and I'll tell you..If I could get to him I would but alas..I'm in the midwest and cannot afford to be up there for the amount of time it would take for all that needs to be done..it's really a good thread! Check it out!

:frown:Tears:frown:Hey Tara..sorry to hear that but sweetie you are looking great!! Hang in there..I have had to have a fill extracted and then put back in cuz I got soooo sick..but am adjusting now! :biggrin::biggrin:

Dr. Schulman! Just listened to your radio interview and THANK YOU!! You hit the nail on the head. There are a lot of us that never realized how much excess skin we would have after we began this journey. I also agree that when we are faced with this excess, we are not necessarily looking at the vanity point of view but the completion of this journey that has brought us into a healthier life for the duration of our years. I also agree with the radio hostess when she was making comment on your compassion for any bariatric patient, you can hear it in your voice the determination you have to help us! Thank you! That is one of the important criteria on my list in the search for any plastic surgeon I plan contacting in the future! Thank you again!

Laughter! Hey RSG~how are you doing since your fill?? :thumbup:

:blush:Sangria!! Ole!!:seeya:

Thank you for clarifying my error and I will check these sites out. I am probably a year away from any surgery and wanted to start research now so that I will be better informed. Again, thank you for your reply!

Dr. Schulman! This is a great thread and I have learned a lot just by reading the questions and answers. The question I have is where to go to find a plastic surgeon that is bariatric certified? I have hit every key word I can think of to find one here in Oklahoma and haven't scored yet. I am sure there are several great PS here but for body conformation I'm really wanting to be sure I have the best for the problems I have. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

:eek: FUN!!!

:wub:Hey Rhapsody:wub:Good to hear from you! I haven't been posting as religiously as I should either and it really is good to hear from you!! Yep, I can do the workout with Mr. Simmons but I dare not chance it in front of ANYONE else..Richard will keep his mouth shut and not laugh at me!!:drool: I checked today and I guess just changing up a little does help..2 pounds off after about almost 2 months of a plateau!!:tt1: I have a doc appt for a fill this week and I fear I won't be down as much as he'd like to see but that's just all part of it I guess! Sounds to me like you really are busy anyway!! Gardening isn't just looking at the flora and fauna, I KNOW!! Before I could hardly bend over to work the garden with all the extra poundage, but it's coming off and I can move so much better now! That helps with the exercise routines too and I also am having a hard time finding a Wii! Don't they know it's not just for kids and they should produce extras for the bandsters that would like to get up and workout?? :biggrin2: I too discussed going to curves with Lil Miss..they have one just down the road from me so that's another idea I am looking into! Doesn't Ezma look GREAT!! A new do and look at her smile!! Such a change in that butterfly huh?? From what I've been able to see on all the other threads the other February Bandsters are some very beautiful women and good looking men!! They inspire me to continue doing what I can!!:tt1: Glad to hear you're doing so well!! We're going to have to get another thread on here for the 6 month pics for the Victorious Valentines!:tt2: Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing once in a while!! Hugs to you!!:party:

Hi MicheleK! I had his partner, Dr. T. Eldridge! I met both of them in a seminar last year and I think they are both great! I was banded in Feb and down 50 pounds! I love having the band!!

That's ok..I only got a white box with a red X in it so I didn't see anything! Just my luck!! LOL

Hey everyone!!:wub:Good to see ALMOST everyone seems to be ok!!?? My 4 month was a loss of 42 pounds..2 fills with a total of 5.6 cc in a AP 12 band. Went in for another fill, doc put in 1cc and I couldn't eat, drink, sleep and was miserable so the following week he took 1/2 cc out and I go back in next week to try the 1/2 cc back in..I am at a humongous plateau right now and am ready for something to give:blush:! Nice to see you all posting! Great idea Gibson!! Sorry your doc is a jerk though!! You ought to charge him for the times he doesn't fill you!

Hey Ezma! Girl you are looking great!! Haven't been on in a while and noticed the title of this..well you're not alone. I just finished commiserating with Lil Miss about our weight GAIN and loss and plateaus!!:cursing:I walk every day but now it's time to start with something a little more aggressive! I like the Wii idea..I've heard it's lots of fun from other folks here..but I have the old Richard Simmons tapes..dancin to the oldies! Believe it or not they are fun! :wink2: But I don't even do this in front of my DH! Don't think I will until I have more weight loss because I can see myself in the reflection and just have to laugh at how corny I am compared to the other guys and gals on the video!!:tt2:

Can't see this??

Carbohydrates!! AWWWKKK!!

Hi headin_to_mxico! :biggrin2: I have the new Allergan AP band and it is a 12. This band is new and as a matter of fact I am one of 500 people nationwide in a research study program for this band. My band was put on in Feb of this year and so far I can tell you that I have had no problems with it. My biggest problem I have is my inability to remember to chew chew chew!!:wink: I too went through a lot of research and from what I have read about this new band it should prove to be very USER friendly. From what I understand and I'm not a specialist, but the band is made a bit wider to help prevent erosion and slippage which seem to be some of the most frequent problems that occur with a band. I get checked every month and have not had any problems so far. :wink2: I definitely would recommend a band but I have no idea how the sleeve works or what is involved in having the sleeve put on. I can tell you that my digestive disease doctor told me under no circumstances would he approve the gastric by pass so we chose the lapband! Good luck on your research and your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted on your progress!

Hey Babedoe4~I am not even half way to my goal but I have already started checking into plastic surgery. The doctor that has taken the time to respond to my email has worked on gastric bypass patients but didn't tell me if he has worked on lapband patients. He suggested that I wait for a consultation until I have met my goal and have maintained my goal weight for at least 3 months. I was doing pretty good but this last episode with my band (taking 1/2cc out) has not helped my weight loss but I go in next week to try another little bit more. If you go to the reconstructive surgery threads you will get a whole lot of info just reading what some of the folks have already gone through! It's amazing how great some look and others that didn't quite fair out as they expected. I knew before I had my band placed that I would need surgery. My skin is not as elastic as it was when I was younger and the rapid speed at which the weight comes off leaves everyone with a little sag here and there:sad:. If there is anything I can help you with just let me know! :wink2:

Hey JenniPenni!:wink2: Yes, yes, yes!! I had that very same problem. I couldn't eat, drink or sleep. My back pained me when I did try to eat and at night my food that wouldn't go through the band was coming back up..so I too had 1/2 cc removed. Lost 6 pounds in 6 days when I had the 1 cc in and gained weight back but not too much..at least I can drink now!! Next week I go back in and see if I can hold either the 1/2 cc or 1/4 cc. Whew that was tough!! Are you doing better now??:wink:

:wub:Life:wub:

Hi Julie..thanks for getting back with me so soon! So what they did was kinda like pull your skin up by cutting around the bottom of your bottom and life the excess?? Well my bottom is definitely going to have to be adjusted and maybe they can kill 2 birds with one stone. :biggrin: I'll have to ask a PSurgeon and see! Thanks so much for the info!! I have heard about the up and down cuts and I don't think that would be a very pleasant site..yours sounds better but I'm really saddened to hear you aren't happy with it. Does he have a money back guarantee?? :frown: Just kidding..but I know that some Psurgeons have an insurance policy you can purchase for that very reason. Thanks again!!