OH Juli

About drains, after a the first few days, you'll be emptying them yourself. It's no as gross as you might imagine it to be.

Niki and Cori Hi, and thanks so much for the encouraging words and sweet thoughts. I am really feeling like myself more and more daily. It's so good not to feel so addled-brained. Also, I think my waist has reappeared, which makes a girl happy. The seroma is still huge and being drained twice a week. He mentioned wanting to reinsert a drain today. I was really not too happy with the thought yesterday. I'm back to exercising and want to enjoy moving around. Having a drain stuck in me just seems like a backward step. However, in the middle of the night last night a piece of my incision opened and I drained in the bed. I woke up to the same sensation as when my daughter crawled in bed with me then wet the bed. Cold and wet and scared to death I peed myself. (!) Apparently I'll share anything here. So maybe I do need the drain. I don't want it...I see my surgeon in a few hours and we'll talk it out...and I will do what he recommends, but boo hoo.:thumbdown: So there you go a little bi-polar post for you all. Seems about right as far as this surgery goes. I love and hate it at the same time.

Hi Kathy, I love my surgeon in Cincinnati. It's him and one woman in particular on his staff who reassure me every time I drive down there that it was the best decision ever. My scars already look amazing, he knows what he is doing. He's kind of funny and maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but we banter and he's compassionate and logical and will answer all and any questions. There were NO cost savings. Actually I've probably paid $3000 more to use him than if I had stayed in Columbus and went with, Dr. Howmuchmayicutyou. (The one who spoke at the support group.) Also his office staff while local didn't do a thing for me. No regrets with the choice of surgeon at all. Thanks for asking.

I tried to have my 7 year old take my picture yesterday. She wasn't too interested and I looked super angry in the pictures because, well, I was. She was fooling around and all I wanted was a picture of me I could share. Alas, next weekend when I graduate I'll pull the camera out again and see about getting a few photos before I put on the cap and gown.

No, it's been a full 4 weeks since I had surgery. And I'm not ready to say I'm even close to 100%. I just love spinning and my thinking is the sooner I get back to the gym and "regular" the better.

I did find some cutie pants, light tan, kahki (how do you spell that word?) which is a first in a long long time. I never wore light colored bottoms because I didn't want a shadow on the underside of my belly. Well since there is no under side anymore, just my crotch (!), they looked cute as could be. They are still a bit uncomfortable on my belly because of the incisions. And about the crotch, I'm not used to my clothes actually fitting my rise, which I guess is the appropriate word for that area. That's going to take some getting used to. So today's update is that I did as I was told by my surgeon which was srcub off the glue on my scabs. I think I took more than I should because I had a raw exposed little piece of me that stings when I turn this way or that, when I bent to polish my toes. Yikes. There's always something new happening with this recovery. I did however go to spin class today. I didn't make it the full 45 minutes, but I did go for a solid 30. I feel pretty proud.

You look amazing! Thanks for sharing your pics.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f90/may-marchies-may-93290/#post1214041 Here's the May thread for us Marchies. Hope to see you there!

So I went and got drained again today. The surgeon wants to put a drain in again. I don't want one. I'm graduating a week from Sunday and don't want to commence with a drain sticking out of me. I need to really talk to him about it. Ick. However, I have to say I'm feeling good having been drained and he told me I'm allowed to take a bath! That will be so nice. I love soaking. So kids, I have to buy a pair of short/capris to wear to an outside party tomorrow. A dress is too dressy and my workout pants are too casual. I'm not looking forward to it but psyching myself up for a bit of shopping and buying only a size 12. I know I'll be in a 10 eventually, but I can't force the issue. Rambling here......

canasta- The cost really depends on what you are going to have done and if your insurance covers any of it. Typically if you have a big pannus they will cover that, but anything more is going to be out of your pocket. And a pannuculectomy with out a tummy tuck won't give you the results you probably want. I don't know that it would be worth the pain either. My advice, call a few plastic surgeons and get consultations. They are free.

Josie, Take the damn photos. I took my befores hold a tape measurer around my belly and my arm with a focus on the number. It was cool to see I lost 2 inches on my arms immediately. I've yet to take my afters. I wish I had bought a bathing suit because I was wearing unmatching bra and panties, which while I do that regularly, I don't really want the world to know.

I'm glad you got a recliner. I love mine (borrowed from a friend) and will be sad to part with it when I must because it is so comfortable. Also, I highly recommend a wedge pillow. I still use mine and I'm four weeks out. I sleep with so many pillows now it's not funny. Three on the wedge, one under my knees and two little ones under each elbow. But our surgeries are not identical, I'm sure you'll create something that works for you. Also, make sure you eat with your medication. It's easy because we are banded to forget to eat, but you will become sick, like puking and that hurts sick, if you don't. And it's real vomiting, not a PB. Stock up on saltines and canned Soup if that's something you don't normally keep oh hand but can tolerate. And you probably won't need a toilet raiser if you've been doing your squats. You're legs will be plenty strong to move you about. Hope that helps.

Jeni, I think the biggest issues with the arms is raising your hands above your head. I'm finally able to do that better. Being 5'2'' and apparently having every item I purchase at the grocery store on the top shelf was a chore. I was asking people to get me things down left and right. Also my reach is still a bit limited, going through the drive through or the ATM is a little bit of a challenge. All doable though. I find it interesting that you are doing your arms and legs at the same time. Do you worry that you'll not be able to use one or the other to get from a seated position or out of bed? (I don't mean to scare you...just curious.) And lastly I've just a little seperation in my underarms. Less than half an inch on one side and about an inch on the other. I was told that's really common. I just dress them with bandages and go about my day. I'll be reading your every word, as usual.

Awe shucks, me being the all American Girl? That sounds nice. I'd just like to fast forward a few more weeks so I can be better healed and in less pain. Alas, I'm a plastic surgery whimp. I suppose I can answer all the people who ask if I'm going to become a PS addict with a truthful and resounding 'NO'.

BG, Alison is going to be doing that ride on Sunday. 65 miles, I think. Look for her if you do it.

Keeping a food journal will give you some insights you can work with and adjust. Sorry to hear your family is struggling. (Good to hear about the grand daughter). You'll get it together. Good luck.

Until you're gay you really don't know what is a choice and what was predetermined. My programing, down my DNA says I like women. But whatever, I hope you don't have gay children because they will probably kill themselves. The rate of suicide for the gay children born to your type of christian is amazingly high. Good luck with your life. I'll be enjoying mine.

I'm a reality baser too. This idea that I'd be able to get tons of stuff done is silly. But actually, I am able to do things like a load of laundry, cook dinner, do the dishes...I'm able to go all day without pain medication, but I do take it at night. Apparently my seromas are becoming legendary. Today they took off 28 ounces again. That's a boat load. The surgeon is talking about maybe putting a drain back in, but apparently I'm healing and I have two pockets collecting Fluid, so I'd still have to get drained on the smaller one. Alas, I'm just planning on twice weekly visits to the doctor. He's funny and I love the office people, the hour and half drive is bit much but nontheless, I'm driving it. Okay, so I'm sitting at a size 12 right now. I think I'm going to land at a 10. For whatever reason I think that's big, but it's not. It's who I am. Sigh.

Are you talking about me again? Not the stupid part but the lesbian part raising a kid. Yeah. Last I checked I'm a lesbian and I infact have a child. It is possible. As for marriage being a creation of God, it's a creation of man. I think people were procreating long before the laws of humanity took hold. As for gay people being part of the natural order of things, you'd imagine natural selection would have irradicated us many generations ago. But no, we are here and a creation of God for a reason. I'm pretty sure it's not to disturb heterosexuals on a personal level. I think it's probably part of a bigger design though. And for real, I'm just a regular fat woman much like everyone else here. I raise my kid to moral and just, I don't kick my dog and I pay my taxes. I just happen to think other women like me (read gay) are attractive and they float my boat. I don't want take anything away from anyone else. I don't want to sleep with you or your husband or your younger sister, unless of course she's gay and single.

I don't know the laws in your state. However it is unethical. And your wife may want to approach them with the answer that the date was set by her medical professional and is in the best interest of her health which trumps anyone's payroll timeline. If she were so inclined she could give them the hypothetical situation that should something happen during the postponed time, like an effect from a co-morbidity getting worse-blood pressure rising and causing a stroke for example, she would have reasonable grounds to sue her company. Or she could just not budge and tell them to ask her lawyer to change her surgery date. They'll back off. I'm sorry she's struggling with them.

Chillax there girlie. Sometimes fills can take a few days to take affect. And see how it feels in the morning. Mornings are always tighter for most people. You have plenty of time to lose weight. You'll find your sweetspot. Don't give up hope. Though I do understand your disappointment. Expecting something you didn't get is always frustrating. Hang in there.

Yeah, Sue put it pretty well. Pannis just remove the skin. Tummy Tucks repair the muscle by lacing it together. As for the belly button, my doctor cuts around the orginal button and carefully measures the newly pulled skin, cuts a hole and attaches it to the area. There's got to be a better way to detail that... But my belly button is where God put it. The skin it's poking through however was put there by Dr. Martin. :thumbup:

Hi M, Here are the regular first questions: When was your last fill? How often and what do you eat? How is your blood work? Do you exercise? What's going on in your life that is keeping you from focusing on your wellness? Is there a foreseeable change or will you need to actively need to change some things around to refocus on yourself? Please answer and let's see if we can help you sort your problems. We are here for support. Juli

Tummy Tuck is more painful by far. They go in and repair the muscle as oneflew said. With a breast reduction they are staying out of the body and just (I laugh at the "just" because it's extensive) are on the outside of body and only cutting tissue. However, you can manage a tummy tuck, I'm sure. BTW, on the scale of ease of recovery for me. My breast reduction was easier to deal with than my banding procedure. My recent lower body lift, (2.5 weeks ago) braciaplasty, breast revision, is a harder recovery just due to the extent of all the incisions than either banding or the reduction. The tummy hurts a lot. Getting out of bed-standing up, the drains, etc. are something different to contend with. HTH

Thanks. Yeah, I'm still building up Fluid. It will be okay. I am up and about. I can't imagine be confined to bed rest. Karey, you're a trooper. I have to say I'll be happy when I'm 100%. My results will be worth it. However, I just wanted to put it out there this is literally a pain of a surgery. Like Karey said, it's not for sissy. :rolleyes2: LOL.