NewSho

I finally squeezed into a Bebe [ame=http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000BN9H8M.01-A2FMOXN01TSNYY._SCLZZZZZZZ_SX288_.jpg]outfit[/ame]again which was one of my goals. Yay for me.:clap2: But there are more Bebe and Bebe Sport pieces that I just can't wear yet especially those with those tiny little cropped tops. Now I'd still like to be able to get a pair of overpriced designer "Seven For All Mankind" jeans. They go up to an equivalent of a size 9/10 but are cut very very small. Someday I'm going to get in them, though. Here are some $203 premium jeans, but the basic jeans start at about $140 a pair. I must be insane because I'm chomping at the bit to fit into some. By the time I get down to that size, I'm sure there are going to be other brands that are hipper and trendier - but you know we always long for what we can't have, right?

Well, Bad News First: I just found out that I must have surgery for (benign) uterine fibroids. I'm devastated. The surgery is in a few days. It's called a myomectomy - DON'T look it up online, I promise you the pictures alone will make you faint. :faint:It's scary. First of all, I've never had any gynecological-related issue or procedure. Never an abnormal pap, no symptoms or irregular periods, nothing. When I go to my OB/Gyn, I just pop in for my well-woman exam and annual pap and go about my way. I'm on a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" basis with my uterus - I don't bother it, it doesn't bother me. :phanvan So this is a HUGE deal for me. I've never been pregnant or had any gynecology procedures, so the thought of an OB/Gyn during surgery on me is hellish. The incision alone is horrible to think about - as if I don't have enough scars from my LapBand and surgeries. Most young, childless people don't quite have the incisions and scars that I do. My body is going to be so scarred up. Plus unlike my LapBand surgery or Abdominoplasty, this is the first surgery I will ever have had - where I won't LOOK or FEEL better - after having it done. Second, and more importantly, I'm depressed because for the surgery, they are going to 'open up' the abdominal muscles that I just had repaired during my abdominoplasty. I've only had a (flatter) stomach for a short time (not even 4 months) and now I'm in danger of going back to having a distended, pot belly. Even after surgery I was hardly six-packed but I had no "hang over" which thrilled me. I'm so afraid I'm going back to the bloating, swelling, and flabby look I had after surgery. After finally getting to wear some more contoured fashions this season, this seems REALLY unfair. Now, I'm inconsolable. One of the first questions they ask you before an Abdominoplasty is "are you planning to have kids anytime soon" and I was like "HECK NO!" They ask because pregnancies, C-Sections, etc - can 'undo' the benefits of an abdominoplasty. Now I have to get my newly healed stomach muscles torn again, and I'll be back to not being to move around, drive or lift anything for months again. As a single person, being debilitated seems insurmountable. I was so careful to schedule my abdominoplasty in the winter so I could enjoy my spring and summer. I dreamed of spending this summer in cute little outfits and enjoying travel and fun. Instead I'm facing surgery, slow recovery, and again wearing a freaking 'surgical binder' all summer. All this for a(n) uterus? Pffft. _______________________________ The Good News: My new band doctor says he does NOT think I have to get an unfill before this surgery. After having to start over with a new surgeon, I'm just getting up to what I think is decent restriction (which for me as a 5-yr Bandster is just under 3.0 in my 4 cc band.) So I'm at like 2.7 or 2.8 now, and I've lost abnout 4.5# in the last month which is the first big loss I've had in SOOOO long. So I'm chipping away getting towards my goal weight, though I fear another surgery and recovery (and not being able to get around) will mean I'll gain this small loss back. Will I ever get it off? Thanks for letting me vent. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Ugh, well, tomorrow is the big day. Send lots of good thoughts my way - I'm going to be stuck in the hospital for a few days (I HATE being in the hospital - my sister thinks of it as a spa vacation, I think it's just one step above what jail is like. Hopefully I won't find out if the latter is true, LOL.) Anyway, Wish me luck. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

I am so sorry for what you're going through, MelAnne. What you've heard here is absolutely true. I don't think it's bad to attend RnY Bypass support groups but in your case you think the band is failing you - probably because RnY bypass patients lose so much in their first weeks. LapBand patients simply do not lose a lot in the early weeks. Some patients don't lose at all. That isn't going to be your experience even if you do things right. Plus RnY bypass patients tend to be heavier than LapBanders, so they will almost automatically lose faster as they more to lose. And as been pointed out - you are still in the healing phase. Let your body heal, adjust to the shock and move into the next portion of this journey. And that's what it is, a journey. There isn't a fast start or a race. But this really caught my eye: Let me be absolutely blunt. I don't know your start weight or BMI - but if you're trying to lose 60 to75# you're probably somewhat of a lightweight in Weight Loss Surgery terms. No matter what, most LapBanders are NOT, I repeat NOT, going to lose 2# (pounds) a week. Maybe for a while, but not over the long haul. Forget what the brochures say - the average LapBanders does not lose 50-100# in a year - especially if they are 'lighter weight' to begin with. In other words, if you are hoping to lose 60 to 75# with your Band, don't be surprised if you don't lose it in your 30 to 40 weeks (at the 2# a week rate). I know you probably understand this but I know that it's easy to get caught up in numbers, especially if you're around a lot of bypass patients. Just move at your own pace and everything will work itself out. Don't get too discouraged. You've taken a great step to improve your health and looks. Give it time! Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Sweeney is an experienced Bariatric surgeon - his specialty is the RnY bypass. He did an RnY bypass for my pal - she did fine, lost more than 100#. He is the Chief Bariatric Surgeon at St Luke's Hospital (Baylor, of course, is the medical school but St. Luke's is the name of the actual hospital.) I know that St. Luke's Bariatric was planning on starting LapBanding but I honestly don't know a single LapBand patient who has been through the program. As for Unicare - it's a different kind of insurance, so you want to ask his specific office about which policy (some Unicare policies do not pay for bariatric) you have and whether they accept it. Good Luck. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

I'm with Penni. The thing that jumps out at me is your Prednisone prescription. FYI: If you take this (or any other oral cortisteroids like Prednisone) regularly depending on your dosage - be prepared that it could wreck havok with your weight loss attempts, even WITH the LapBand. I won't go into long detail about my experiences here but if I'd never taken Prednisone I'd probably be a size 8 or something by now. Anyway, let us know what diagnosis has you taking the Prednisone. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Alexandra: Congrats on the 2 little ones! Let me clarify: when I say I won't be having kids due to my weight problem, I mean that I would be too terrified to risk any intentional weight gain, including pregnancy. I've fought my weight my whole adulthood (and before that, honestly) and I'm still fighting even though I have a LapBand . If I ever managed to break free of obesity then I promised myself I would never threaten that with a pregnancy. My body does not 'bounce back' from things, and I doubt pregnancy would be any exception. I don't believe I'd ever get the extra weight off. To top it off, I do believe fat genes exist - at least in my family - and I would NEVER, EVER pass mine on to a child. Nothing has been worse than being fat, at least for me. TheBestMe/Kathy: My Alien Growth sounds similar to your sister's situation. I also have to receive a C-section incision. I'm absolutely inconsolable about this newest scar. As if my skin is not scarred up enough? Ack. Remember I'm single, so in my mind I can't imagine how delicate it is to explain a C-section scar when one doesn't have the normal "bundle of joy" that normally comes with it. It seems like that will be unbelievably awkward. And yes they also told me I have to sign a pre-surgical consent to agree to a hysterectomy if the docs get in there and think the uterus can't be saved. I'm not particular attached to my "nether organs" and now especially since I know this specific organ has been housing an Alien. :alien But my hormone levels & cycles have always been normal but all these years I've been frighteningly anemic. The docs have attributed this to my long dieting history, the fact that I don't eat meat, to my reduced diet since LapBanding, etc... when all the time there's been a Freeloader sucking up my red blood cells and all my Iron. It's time this 'squatter' was evicted, or at least pays some rent ! When I think about the procedure, I do sometimes think "Eh, let them just take all the plumbing out" (how unromantic! :rolleyes ) but the harsh reality is that Men can sometimes be unenlightened. And surprisingly, now that I'm a 30-Something-Year-Old, I meet men all the time who ask me about having kids. So even though I don't plan to have any kids (and I do say so) they take that news a lot differently from the way I think they take hearing "I can't have kids." Right now I just don't think I'm up to dealing with those types of issues. Vinesqueen: Nope, it's got to be a lower abdominal incision. They call it a (ha ha) Bikini line cut, but I've yet to meet one solitary woman who felt they could wear a bikini after having one. I'm already having to figure out how to work belly dancing costumes around my LapBand scars and I dang near feel like giving it up. No "I Dream of Jeannie" outfits in my future, unfortunately. Now I'll have a smiley face under my stomach. Great. I doubt any future suitors will be inspired to smile about it, if ever I dare show it. Luckily I don't do tattoos or I'd be tempted to put the phrase "This property is condemned" on my stomach and point an arrow downward for comic effect! :rolleyes HarleyNana: Thank you, Harley. As you can see, I am really fighting to keep it together. I'm very upset. You guys are the best. I've been feeling rather low about this surgery and I know it shows. So I am very appreciate of the support. I will need it to go through this, seriously. ~ Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All... ~

Vines, at last weigh-in, although my BMI is just JUST under 30 (temporarily) and I'm officially 'not obese' you should know that my Body Fat Percentage is still in the "OBESE" range. This is the lightest I've been in 5 years but unfortunately I'm about to have emergency surgery and be off my feet for weeks. So I'm destined to gain some back. :cry But not only I am overwhelmingly FLUFFY, my body fat percentage is majorly comprised of Sharp Cheddar Cheese! :guess ~ Happy Band and Life Journeys To All ~

There is fluid osmosis even with a non-leaking band. That's why my surgeon stresses that even if you're feeling fine - you should still schedule a fill each year, just to check the level of fluid (just like you would have the fluids checked in a car even if it's running well... ) LapBands are, by nature, somewhat fluid permeable. That's what makes them be filled, unfilled with some ease. So with that in mind, get the levels checked annually. ~ Happy Band and Life Journeys To All ~

Yep, Marimaru's right. Get 'em done together if you can. I think a Lower Profile port is the way to go - I've recommended that those who are considering switching to one, get it done when they have their Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). That way you can get the smaller, lower profile port done simultaneously rather than having separate operations like I did (slaps forehead). Miper: I'm confused. Did you have your TT in November then your LapBand this April 2006? Most surgeons want you to wait until you have the LapBand first before getting cosmetic work. And if you just got your port - how is it 'sticking out'? After less than 20# loss? That's usually a by-product of having lost so much weight that the old flab that covered the port is now lost so the port is more prominent. But if you got banded this year or last, you probably already have a lower profile port, right? It's pretty rare to have a port sticking out a few weeks after surgery - so maybe I'm confused on what you're saying. Either way, even AFTER cosmetic surgery, your port shouldn't be protruding. You don't have to be at goal to get it moved to where it's not sticking out, but I'd probably wait to get closer before I had any more cosmetic work. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Hey Leener, I'm glad you're OK. Something similar happened to me two winters ago. I had a chest twinge that turned painful. It was like a cough that wouldn't clear. So I got X-Rays and apparently some months previous, I coughed enough during a sustained allergy attack to the point that I put a little scar tissue on my lung. That was 2 years ago, but so far (knock wood) it hasn't resurfaced via a cough or pain (although the inflammation spot is probably still lingering somewhere on my lung.) So I hope this passes for you too. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Oh, hiccups are my clue that my meal is drawing to a close. It's sort of like "Check Please!" and it's time to finish up. I think Bandsters get them quite frequently - once I get one or two, I just know my meal is through. Mine are brief, but they get my attention. If I ever have one or two, I find popping a quick Rolaids gets some relief, and they stop. But if they continued a long time, I understand why you'd be worried. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Yep. it's an official Inamed product. I'm surprised your doc didn't realize that. It's been out for a bit of a while, and I was switched to an Inamed Low-Profile Access Port, also. It's flatter and is less likely to become 'prominent' as you lose weight. I was very pleased to get it, since I had the Old-School regular port before. Now if I continue losing, this should just continue to flatten out as I do. It's a lot less noticeable, in my opinion. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

PB, Remove your band port? Oh my gosh, not for reconstructive surgery! Let us hope you keep your band and your health - I hope I can keep mine as long as I need help with weight control (unless I get an RnY bypass, that will probably be forever.) To be honest, that surgeon doesn't sound as if he knows a lot about the LapBand. I don't know anyone who had their band port completely removed for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery - it might get moved down with a Tummy Tuck, but that's it. If you can, try to consult with a Cosmetic Surgeon who has experience with LapBanded patients. (Ask your LapBand surgeon if he/she is local who they recommend - some bariatric surgeons have a colleague whose handled more of their patients and that's a powerful referral.) I did consults with 4 Cosmetic Surgeons but finally I picked the one who had done more LapBand patients and who worked closely with my Band doctor. He had done Lipo on plenty of Band patients (never poked a port yet) and also many Tummy Tucks/Abdominoplasties on Banded folks. He wasn't fazed at all. I saw his work on other band patients and I was very comfortable. My LapBand and I survived the Abdominoplasty and thanks to him, I didn't even need an unfill before my procedure. It's exciting to hear how your consults are going. You're already shapely contoured and symmetrical - if you do decide to have cosmetic work, you're gonna have a dynamite shape. Hopefully once I put these surgeries behind me, I can restart my belly dancing classes again, and one day maybe I'll have some belly-baring pics to add like yours! Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Hey, Marcy. I do sometimes wish I could claim to be Rachael in terms of her weight loss success - but she's actually a Banded pal of mine who's lost over 150# with her LapBand. So I quote her to end each post on a band-positive note. I definitely don't ever want kids due to my lifelong weight problem - pregnancy just shouldn't even be an option. As for postponing, I thought about putting if off since I was asymptomatic (except for the abdominal mini-bulge) but from all indications, the sucker will only get bigger over time. I was over here half-starving myself to lose weight and all the time I was feeding This Thing! So it will keep growing otherwise. I did consults to see about Laser Treatments or Non-Surgical fibroid procedures but once the doctors see the Ultrasound tests - they think it's too big for anything but surgery. The only good news is that my cosmetic surgeon is going to pop in during the procedure. He'll scrub in so he can watch out for my newly repaired abdominal muscles. I'd like him to 'open & close' me up also: his incisions are much, much tinier and thinner than any OB/Gyn's scars that I've seen. Hey, maybe he can tighten me up a bit while I'm there? :nervous Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

I'm living a Domino Effect too. I had an Abdominoplasty just a few months back, and now I am having more surgery. My Cosmetic Surgeon works closely with a LapBand surgeon, and has worked on a lot of LapBand patients - that was a big comfort point to me. However he was absolutely firm on not having me 'unfill' because he's seen enough LapBand patients tighten up and then 'sweat off' a bit of fill after surgery. Plus even though he barely nudges the band during the surgery, he says most patients fill a bit of tightened restriction after a Tuck. I did fill VERY restricted after surgery, and afterwards I got a the 'sweat off' as I went from over 2.8 fill to a measly 1.7 or so within 6 wks of my abdominoplasty. Go figure! Glad I didn't unfill though because after the tightening eased up, I found myself feeling barely any restriction. I could really eat! I'm just getting back to my pre-op fill level, thankfully. As for the dual procedures, I also planned on having a Mastoplexy ("Boob Lift") at the same time, but my doc felt that it was a lot to put the body through. He said I could just get the Lift later, since I also planned on some getting some Lipo later on, too. He thinks Boob Lifts and Lipo pair better surgically than Boob Lifts with Tummy Tucks do - of course this is just one surgeon's take on it. I feel like I'll discourage others from Cosmetic Surgery. We should not shrink from it. After losing significant weight, there is some sagging that no amount of dieting and exercise will correct. I needed an Abdominoplasty to get rid of the excess skin around my middle, and it was going away in the gym. My recovery from the Abdominoplasty went decently enough (although I was a swelling/bloating machine, and my Professionally-Fat body went into overdrive to replace those missing fat & abdominal cells within days after surgery) but my plastic surgeon discovered an enlarged uterus which it turns out was housing a big hidden fibroid. So now I'm going in for a fibroid-removal surgery in a few days - meaning that the money and leave time that I'd earmarked for my Boob Lift & Lipo now goes to an unpleasant gynecological procedure. I don't regret my Abdominoplasty for one minute but then I sometimes tell myself that if I hadn't had the Tummy Tuck, they would have never found the Fibroid. Isn't that crazy? But it's absolutely how I feel. So in my case, one procedure led to another - but it was not due to ANY type of plastic surgery complication. I'm crossing my fingers for a successful fibroid surgery. Best of Luck and continued success on your recovery, Julie. And Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Thank you, Jamie. I'm going to try to keep my spirits up. Yoda: Uterine Ablation works for some cases for endemetriosis (which I haven't been diagnosed with) and sometimes also for fibroids, if the fibroids are external and relatively small. Mine is either one biggie that has been nestled deep inside or a 'brick' of little ones. See they were previously were under nearly 60# of abdominal flab, which helped kept them hidden) which is why they went undetected for so long. Due to the size, it/they have to be removed surgically, unfortunately. My plastic surgeon found mine after he couldn't flatten my lower abdomen out as much as he wanted during my abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). I am (slowly) losing weight but my abdomen wasn't getting smaller. My surgeon felt my uterus was enlarged, so I went and got some diagnostic tests from my OB/Gyn. Turns out, the fibroid is quite sizeable. Apparently being obese can make for well-nourished fibroids - they live well and thrive silently especially in larger women. What a wake-up call this is. I was dieting, exercising and all this time, it wasn't *just* a pot belly - I'm housing a big fibroid. Well, I tolerate no free-loaders however so it's got to go! :rolleyes But I really need encouragement, as I've never had second thoughts before any surgery. Yet this procedure is apparently quite unpleasant. It's going to be hard to get myself ready to walk into that hospital in 5 days. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

BIG CONGRATULATIONS!:clap2: Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Oh, Leener: Do I ever sympathise with you! I just found out that I must have surgery for benign fibroids. I'm devastated. :faint: First of all, I've never had any gynecological-related issue. Never an abnormal pap, no symptoms, nothing. I just pop in for my well-woman exam and annual pap and go about my way. I'm on a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" basis with my uterus - I don't bother it, it doesn't bother me. :phanvan Meanwhile the whole time it's growing a fibroid? So this is a HUGE deal for me. I've never had kids or any gynecology procedures, so the thought of an OB/Gyn during surgery on me is hellish. The incision alone is horrible to think about - as if I don't have enough scars from my LapBand and surgeries. Most young, childless people don't quite have the incisions and scars that I do. This is the first surgery I will ever have had - where I won't LOOK or FEEL better after having it done. This seems like a totally bad deal. Second, and more importantly, I'm depressed because for the gyno surgery, they are going to 'open up' the abdominal muscles that I just had repaired during my abdominoplasty. I've only had a (flatter) stomach for a short time (not even 4 months and now I'm in danger of going back to having a distended, pot belly. Even after surgery I was hardly six-packed but I had no "hang over" which thrilled me. Now, I'm inconsolable. One of the first questions they ask you before an Abdominoplasty is "are you planning to have kids anytime soon" and I was like "HECK NO!" They ask because pregnancies, C-Sections, etc - can 'undo' the benefits of an abdominoplasty. Now I have to get my newly healed stomach muscles torn again, and I'll be back to not being to move around, drive or lift anything for months again. Sorry for lumping on your thread, Leener, but just know you aren't the only one. I'm going in to surgery right away, however, in less than a week. I don't do well with things hanging over my head - so I asked the doc to schedule it as soon as she could. The longer I have to think about it, the more upset I seem to make myself. After having my abdominoplasty, I dreamed of spending this summer in cute little outfits and enjoying travel and fun. Instead I'm facing surgery, slow recovery, and again wearing a freaking binder all summer. It's unfair. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

As a former WW'er, I know that WW can work (although I think it's better for losing 15-20# before a class reunion rather than a major 100# long term weight loss solution for obesity.) But I differ from most people in that one of the reasons I got the LapBand was freedom from programs like WW - I realize I have to modify my food intake for the rest of my life, but I was personally TIRED of being on specific programs, meetings with weigh-in's etc. I do attend LapBand support groups but I don't miss WW for now. They've gotten plenty of my time & money throughout my lifetime (I first attended WW in my pre-teen years) but guess what - after years of it, I was still fat. I lost 30# here and there, but rarely got a breakthrough as I've begun to have with the Band. But for many folks, it's a great option to learn nutritional information and get support. Happy Band Journeys To All...

In all my years of banding (just over 5 years) I've never seen this blanket recommendation to not consume alcohol. Empty calories? YES. But forbidden? NO. After 4 weeks or so, few Bandsters have absolute 'forbidden' items - including an occasional drink. Most long term and successful Bandsters I know can have a glass of wine or two with dinner (depending on your own individual tolerance and habits) with no problem. Do remember that with the band encouraging less food intake - this can mean that a smaller amount of alcohol can affect you faster, so I think with all things moderation is key. My friends who have lost 60-168# with the Band do drink now and again - and I know I clearly told my surgeon at my initial consults that I like a glass of wine (and an occasional and rare margarita) and he thought it was acceptable and might make the band a better choice than the RnY bypass (although my close friends with RnY can drink in moderation, too.) If I know I'm going to have a glass of wine once in a while, I cut my carbs elsewhere. It works for me. So it's all about what works for you. Happy Band Journeys To All...

I thought I'd seen or experienced every kind of discrimination there is. But nothing has PROFOUNDLY affected my life than being overweight as a child and obese as an adult. Without a doubt it affected every single aspect of my adulthood from professional (The 'lighter' I am, the more I've earned - since college graduation this has been true) to social to romantic. Discrimination based on weight is real, and it's profound. It is overwhelmingly the most obvious, direct, and acceptable form of discrimination allowed in our society today. I can't even number the episodes, quantify the amount or even document some of the most aggregious examples of discrimination I've suffered. It's too numerous, but the effects have been etched on me and my psyche. And that's true. Someday I'd love to have real advocacy for people who are 'of size' or 'obese' or whatever we prefer to be called. I think there is a silent (majority?) who deserve to have its voice heard, and to band together to prevent further infection of weight discrimination. Happy Band Journeys To All...

Thankfully, I'm just getting back to an approx 2.75 or 2.8 fill in my 4cc band. (This took finding a new fill doc, but I'm glad to limp back to some real restriction!) I feel a HUGE difference in how much I eat (or don't eat, rather) and it's easier to control carbs at this restriction. I lose weight best at the over 2.5 range, so for the 6 months that I've been under that fill amount, I barely lost a few pounds total and have stayed in the same range of 3 pounds up/down. HOW IRRITATING! I do keep a higher amount of fill partly because I've been banded so long (5 yrs) and also because often as you get to a lower weight and BMI, it sometimes takes a bit more fill to jump start things. My surgeon agrees that some of his higher weight/higher BMI patients can keep less fill, but as they get lower in weight they require a bit more. Go figure! Now hopefully, I can finally get to work on getting my BMI under 30 for once. Wish me luck. Happy Band Journeys To All...

Of COURSE we can see a difference, especially in your face. Your trunk, midsection and thighs seem smaller. If every 10 lbs makes a big difference in how our clothes fit (for tinier people, 5 lbs makes a difference) then no wonder your pre-op clothes don't fit. HECK, you lost half a Hilton Sister! :clap2: Happy Band Journeys To All...

Wow, I was not ready for a 2.7 fill just 2+ months after being banded. Heck your body is still adjusting to having this 'thing' around its' stomach so your doctor's approach seems a bit different. That's more than aggressive even by my (apparently) aggressive standards. I still think an 'de-fill' to a lower level would be best. Just 2-3 months after banding even a 2.0 fill would be great to help you get back on the road to good banding. Good Luck & keep us posted. Happy Band Journeys To All...