juliegeraci

It took me forever to get to my sweet spot. I had over 10 fills in 18 months. I finally hit my sweet spot 2 months ago but had to have a slight unfill for plastic surgery on Monday. I have since gained back 5-7 lbs which took me 2 months to lose. Go figure!

Thanks Fran. 6 more days! I had to buy Spanx today to wear over my thighs. I guess I need to have my thighs in something like a girdle or bycicle shorts for a few weeks. He wraps them when I have my surgery. I go back 2 days later to have the wrap removed then onto the girdle. I am concerned that I will not be able to get the girdle over my stomach though since I'll have a stomach girdle on too. Oh joy!

This is elective surgery so yes, there are insurance companies that will not cover it. If you really want the surgery you will make it happen. Mexico is an option. Wish I had more sympathy but this is coming from a person who spend almost $4k out of pocket my first 18 months on fills. If you want it bad enough you will make it happen. Good luck.

They totally did the right thing. Any type of abuse should be upheld in the court of law, not church.

Becky, good luck today. Keep us posted.

Thanks Mommi. I'm a little bit down today due to the fact I opted to have my unfill 10 days early. I have gained 5-7 lbs back. Funny how it takes me 8 weeks to lose 8lbs and only 10 days to gain it back! I do have stomach fat on my upper abdomen so I really hope they can get it all with the surgery. Did you have much of that? Where are your before and after photos? Julie

Hi Shelly, where do you live? Dr. Robert McKeen in San Jose at Southbay Bariatrics will take you. He is $200 a fill. Hope this helps. He is wonderful and does Mexican bandsters.

I was only a C cup and unfortunately I am now in a B and getting smaller on my left side. The padded bras are now caving in a bit. I am saving to have breast augmentation but it will take a little time to save the $10k they want. Good luck.

I had a massage the other day with out a problem at all. Sorry this happened to you. Julie

Hi Becky, there was a couple reasons why I went with the doctor I chose. First he was about $3k less than my other doctor. Second, he was Board Certified and teaches at Stanford. Third, when it comes to the thigh lift they typically cut down the entire thigh to your knee. He is using another method by just cutting at the top of my thigh and suturing up. I am so glad I will not have that scar that goes down the entire leg. It was quite expensive though. My TT is $11,500 and my thigh lift if $8600. So it is costing me a little over $20k for everything. I am currently in a tight 16. My goal is a 14/16 so this should put me there. My surgeon said that I have been a success at 75% weight loss. With 60% being the norm he is very happy with my progress. My goal weight now is 200. I am about 16-20 lbs from that now. My PS said that if I chose to lose another 25 lbs my stomach will be fine. He said he pulls it really tight, ouch!

Hi Becky, I had my PS unfill last week and have gained about 5-7 lbs unfortunately. That still puts me 35 lbs from goal though so I should be okay. I am starting to get nervous. Wish I didn't gain anything though. I was doing so well and lost another 8 lbs since my last fill 8 weeks ago. So 3.2 is where I need to be. I'm at 2.7 right now and can eat normal portions. From what I hear 5 lbs is about the norm. Julie

Andrea, unfortunately sometimes we need to be our best advocate. I would push the envelope with her. If this fill isn't enough in the next week I would call and get in asap. It is you who has to push your doctor. 1.5 is not a lot in 4cc band. I would think over 2 might be better. I take 3.2 in my 4cc band and lose 1 lb a week. Right now I am at 2.7 and have gained 5 lbs in a week. I needed my unfill for plastic surgery. So you see, at the wrong restriction level you will gain. Good luck. Julie

I don't exercise regularly and have still lost 75% of my weight. About 5 months ago I did have a personal trainer for about 12 weeks and did lose more weight. I am totally fine with just losing slowly given the fact that I don't exercise.

Thank you for the post. He has definitely gotten the message and is more motivated right now. I hope he finds something soon. Life is good. Julie

Thanks for the tip. I think Pleasanton is a little bit too far. We live down in Gilroy. As it stands right now, Mountain View is 60 miles from us. Not sure how far Pleasanton is, probably about the same. I am a bit worried about the hours he has to keep but we will have to work through it. We have 2 kids so this should be interesting. Thanks for the tip though. Julie

Hi Sweety, yes 6 days away tomorrow. I have gained about 7 lbs with my unfill, yikes. I can't wait to get my restriction back! I am getting really excited though.

mommi, I have gained 7 lbs since my unfill last week. I am hoping to maintain until Monday when my plastic surgery is. Good luck.

He should know more within the next 2 weeks. They do have 2 shifts that work. One starts at 6:30 and the other starts at 3pm. Hopefully he'll get hired and be able to work days. Julie

Hi Southern Missy, My husband went to a dealership 60 miles away. It was BMW.

Shannon, I am about 30 lbs from goal and having my TT next Monday. Good luck.

I am getting excited now! My surgery is 1 week from today!

Paul is really helpful around the house. He typically does the laundry, lawn and various chores. I actually took laundry away from him last week so it wouldn't be his excuse not to look. He is talking to more people every day and hopefully with that networking it will help. On another note Kat. I had my PS unfill and I'm doing terrible. I have probably gained 5 lbs in a week. Make sure you get yours really close to surgery. I had min 2 weeks before and that was a mistake.

The BMW dealerships are doing really well out here. He got a lead not too far from the house on Friday. He is going there on Monday to apply. They are Union as he is and they also have a bonus program. I really hope they hire him.

Restriction and hunger are completely different. For me restriction is the sense of fullnes. Hunger is just something that happens when you have good restriction. If that makes sense.

How is your restriction? How often are you hungry? Eating enough protein?