TheGh0st

FSC - OK I've gone a bit overboard here. I work for a job that puts me in a problem solving mindset. So when I started getting worried I caved and called your Band doc. Obviously I don't know your full name and I DIDN'T ask them to give out any details. But I did ask if they would forward a message that we were worried for you out here in LapBandLand. I'm hoping that they can figure out who you are and get the message to you. Please accept my apologies if I've overstepped in anyway. We are just worried out here.

Oh, the stomach flu symptoms seem to have gone away. Crossing fingers they don't reappear, but so far all seems a go for Teusday.

Breathe - (Note to self add to list)

I've tackled most of the previous list, some items my DH helped with, some I'm just going to have to leave for him to finish wether he likes it or not.

Now my list is down to:

- Go to bank and deposit paycheck

- Sign B-day cards for Mom, Sis & StepFather

- Wrap presents already purchased for all 3 (DH might be doing this one too.)

- Do nails

- Write Hubby one of these TO DO Lists that he LOVES so much.

- Oh, and finish that blasted bathroom "medicine/makeup" closet that is still strewn across the hallway floor, and is the main reason why I'm up here forestalling the inevitable.

My Extended Tummy Tuck with the Lipo is costing approx 8.5K for the doc, facility & anethesia. It is being done in the KC area.

I was also quoted around 13K for a full lower body lift, 8K for inner thigh lift and 4.5K for an arm lift. but have no idea what a normal tummy tuck or a mons lift would cost.

The only other quote I got was from a doc in Tijajuana for full LBL, inner thighs & arms all done at once, something the local docs strongly reccomend against. for a total of 10.5K plus transportation & accomodations while there. My family vetoed my considering Mexico, and I really couldn't afford to have it all done at once even if it was that much cheaper. I'm just hoping I can live without the arms & thigh lifts.

No Kidding JuJu - I am addicted to this site and it's not helping get the list done any sooner.

Baby Wipes - My friend said her doc didn't want her bathing for several days. She used them in lieu of showers. I think mine is a bit more lax.

Bjean - I just went through the same thing. Finally had that unfill a little over a week ago and wonders immediate relief. Can't say the scale started moving any lower but atleast I could sleep without practically sitting up. And I'm no longer on the prowl for foods that I can keep down.

We are waiting with baited breath.

Don't be nervous - If you can't show us who the *beeb* can you show.

I know it sounds ridiculous trying to get this all done. It's just my cupboards are such a wreck. I probably have canned vegetables in at least 3 different cupboards in 2 different rooms. Would be nice if my mom could find things to cook when she comes to help without having to wake me or buy duplicates of stuff we already have.

Right now my list is down to:

- Finish cleaning bathroom cupboard (already strewn across the bathroom floor - so it's kind of a must)

- Pack clothes for post surgery (Both those going to the hospital and those for at home after the hospital)

- Its either than or re-organize entire clothes closet and this seemed easier.

- Wash Laundry & Put away (Kind of needs to be done in order to do the Pack clothes step)

- Unload and put away DS' Birthday Presents from last week that are still crammed in my car. (so mom can drive me to Dr appts)

- Figure out where I'm going to sleep post surgery without 4yr old Son or Cats climbing on me.

- Track down all the PS literature and meds I have and put them in one spot, so I'm not hunting for them afterwards.

- Find books/mags to read while stuck in bed.

- Go to Borders & buy a book (or 5)

- Clean guest room for mom.

- Sort through bills/papers to make sure everything is paid up. (DH is useless on this one)

- Go to Grocery store one last time. Shopping list includes these post surgery items recommended by a friend how also had a TT:

- Go to Zoo or somewhere else with DH & DS

- Go walking w/Friends one "last" time

- Clean rest of house if time.

- Sort Kitchen Cupboards

:help:

You guys are all right on the target about stress too. Not so much the surgery as getting the house and work ready for the recovery. I've been working full time trying to get work ready for my departure and then staying up til 1 or 2 am trying to get things ready at home.

My "to do" list is ridiculous. Everything from having all the laundry washed, to re-organizing the kitchen pantry, and some meals pre-cooked for the DH. I think in need to revise that list a bit. At the same time as trying to fit in one last walk with some local bandmates tonight and a day trip with hubby and son tomorrow to the zoo or somewhere else fun before I'm laid up for who knows how long.

Well, I ran to CVS over lunch and bought a test. It came up negative. YIPPEEE!!! The pharmacist also said that the stomach flu was going around in this area. On the negative side she said it was taking about a week for people to shake and I didn't have my first symptoms until late Tuesday night. So I'm not sure if I should keep mum and hope it passes by my surgery next Tuesday a.m. or if I should call my PS.

I really don't want to postpone as if I do I might have to wait until January before I would have any family available to come help me through the recovery.

I think I'll keep popping the phenegran tabs and wait until Monday a.m. to see how I feel. If I'm still queasy then I'll cave and call him.

OK I'm really starting to panic here. My doc said if I had a fever or runny nose within a week of surgery he wouldn't do it. I'm fine on both those counts but now for the last 3 days I've been very nauseous. The first day I had chills, nausea and felt like I should be having diareaha (though none came out). I actually stayed home from work and didn't get out of bed the entire day. Yesterday I thought I was better, maybe not 100% but a good 90%. Now today, I'm at work but back to feeling like I should be in the toilet, though I'm not sure which end should be up. I even took a phenegran tablet (anti-nasea) last night and this morning and if its helping I'd hate to think how much worse I'd feel without it.

I really don't want to call the doc because I'm afraid he will cancel or postpone the surgery. This is not really an option for me as my stepfather already postponed his knee surgery so my mom could come help me with my recovery before he was laid up with his surgery. But my biggest fear is wether there is even remote chance I'm pregnant. My husband & I use protection but not medications. I'm not late yet and I wasn't really nauseous with my first son but several people have asked if it were possible and now I can't get it out of my head.

It's probably selfish of me. My husband and son would be thrilled for me to be pregnant. but I'm 38 years old and don't want to take on the risks of pregnacy at this age OR have to postpone my PS indefinitely.

Pray for me please. I think I'll run out during lunch and get a test just to ease my mind.

Wasa - OMG! How AWESOME!!! I'm so excited for you reaching your goal on the scale!! Now if you can only figure out for us how to reach it in your head and then share the wisdom we would be most appreciative.

Photos? People have fat photos??? HA! I don't.

I know what you mean - Mine are very far and few between. And many of those that do remain I had actually touched up in photoshop so they aren't really accurate either. Unfortunately (or fortunately, I'm not to sure which) I was pinned down about 6 weeks prior to surgery for a family reunion photo shoot. Everyone was required to wear white T-Shirts and I wasn't allowed to hide behind anyone as I was the shortest person there. :angry

Getting worried here FSC. Please let us know you are OK.

OK this is going to sound truly NUTS but how about throwing a wake for your former self? You could go all out with photos, flowers, eulogies and all.

Someone... not sure if it was this thread or another mentioned the aluminum foil trick.

For those of us that can't see the difference today vs. yesterday... someone wrote about wrapping the newly thin person in aluminum foil, cutting it up the side, the fat/thin person steps aside and then they can see what they look like by seeing the aluminum foil wrapping.

Just wanted to let that person know...

I am having such a horrible time with this issue in my life. Tonight I finally called a banded friend and told her I need this. I need to try this. I can keep going if I can see a difference but I'm getting really frustrated being the only person that can only see a 252# person in the mirror.

We are going to do this in the next few weeks. Please, cross your fingers and wish me luck, this has to work!

Thanks for the person that posted this suggestion!

Wasa - Think it was me. I haven't tried it myself but a friend of mine that was banded 7 years ago helped do it to one of her other friends. She said that girl just sat on the floor and bawled when she saw how small she really was. I'm planning on having a Christmas Band party here in the Kansas City area and will be stockpiling the aluminum foil so anyone who wants to (ME) can also try it.

At my husband's company Christmas get together last year one of his co-workers asked my DH's permission to tell me how "fine" I was looking. It meant even more to me to think he felt he might need permission, like my DH could get jealous or something.

Just wait until this year's Christmas get together after my PS next week!

Without knowing your starting weight/height its a bit hard to say. But 20 pounds by New Year should be a safe estimate (based on your 100 pound ticker) It could be more or depending on what restriction your band (without a fill gives) less.

Tami - Don't you dare let your doc talk to mine. I really need to get back to work after 2 weeks if at all possible (even if only part time) if I'm going to get the Credit Card debt this is creating paid off.

Love that image Wheets!

(Remember the pics you posted of your knees? :pound:)

I think I like yours better than the one I've been using for some of my non-banded friends too squimish to look at the live shots.

BTW - Why is it the band docs seem to place most port scars right in the one patch of stretch free skin? Couldn't he have moved it a few inches lower so that it my PS could have placed my new belly button over it?

TracyinKS - I know what you mean about the "dent" I've got it too. Almost wonder if it is from years of lifting my stomach there while in the john. Or more possibly from the tissue being disturbed during my C-Section 4 years ago.

single line drawing.bmp

Thought I'd also post a follow up on my pre-surgery meeting with the doctor. First I met with the nurse who went over the pre & post operative instructions and answered as many questions of mine as she could. Then I met with the doc who went over a few more of my questions and confirmed we were on the same page as far as my expectations of the surgery.

Some of the pre-op requests were to quit taking any Vitamin E or Omega 3 supplements and to only use Tylenol (not Advil) for any pain meds I might need pre-surgery. I was given prescriptions for Percocet (Pain), Keflex (antibiotic), & Phenergan (nasea) to fill now for use after the surgery.

I am suppose to be at the hospital at 5:45am though the surgery won't be until around 8am. It is suppose to last approx. 4 hours and I should be sent home by 3-4pm. They also said they would not perform the surgery if I was congested or had a fever over 101 within a week of the surgery. (Please pray for me not to get sick now.)

I did cave and ask how much weight he thought I would lose (after all the swelling subsides several months down the road) He thought it would be between 15-20 (20!) pounds!:biggrin1: I can't express how it would feel to lose that much. If I could skip from the 160's straight to the 140's? OMG! I'd be doing backflips stiches and all! The 20 pounds comes from around 10-15 pounds he thought would be cut away in skin and another 5-10 pounds in Lipo to my upper abdomen, flanks, and a little in my inner thighs he promised he'd add on to the surgery. Can you believe he actually described me as fine boned? I've always thought of myself as being somewhat big boned. Maybe that's just the line I've always heard growing up. "Your not fat, you're just big-boned"

I'd be glad to post a more complete synopsis of the pre and post printed instructions they gave me if anyone wants. This post was just getting too long.

Sorry- I kinda just FOUND this thread- so you are going to have a TT? Where in KC and how much $$. I really want one but no DR here-Joplin, MO even know about the band so I'm LOOKING. I really don't have the $$ sittin around to do it- but want to really bad- Feb 08 if I do have it. Tell me more, if you don't mind.

Where - Overland Park Regional

When - 10-9-07

Who - Dr Dillow with Monarch PS - claims he has done hundreds of TT's and many if not most have been on banded patients. He was the Doc my original band doc referred me to.

How Much - 8.5K +or- a bit, But I'm putting it on a rewards credit card which will give me something back. Then transferring it to a new cards' introductory low rate and going to work my tail off to pay most if not all of it off before I have to roll it to another card when the rate runs out. I should also qualify for a refund on my taxes for all the medical expenses.

OK I finally CAVED and had an unfill. Used my upcoming PS next week as the excuse. It worked WONDERS!!!! I found out I had 12.2cc in my 10cc band (I'd never asked before-hadn't wanted to know). They took out 2.5 cc's, a little more than may have been necessary but was worried about the swelling from surgery making it tight again. It has been absolutely WONDERFULL!!! I've not had one case of heartburn, gerd or reflux since the unfill last week. Now as long as I don't gain any weight I'll be even happier.

Stella - Happy Birthday! Today is my Birthday as well. I can't wait until my ticker shows I'm at or below my goal like yours. Congratulations!

Lisa - Welcome to the site. Glad you found us too and Happy Birthday, mine is today as well.