ruthpets

You do understand that this kind of reaction is about them, not you? They see you being brave and decisive, CHANGING your life in one of the most important ways someone can. They know deep inside they do not have the bandwidth for that kind of change. WLS requires courage, honesty, commitment, and a willingness to endure pain/discomfort. At 30, you have a **** ton of life to be embraced!! I am SO happy to see your success - and being from Louisiana, I KNOW how hard it is to not let food be the love of your life. You keep doing you and know that you have this group 100% behind you to celebrate you and your success!

It WAS a great meeting - thanks everyone!! Looking forward to the meeting in August!!!! Thanks for the inspiration & support

Is/are there any rules that you simply cannot follow, no matter what? i.e. some people have found it virtually impossible to not have even a little tiny bit of liquid w/meals, others drink carbonated drinks, etc. Also, how soon after wls did you have your first alcoholic beverage? TIA, everyone!

Hey there! I went to Dr. James Romanelli in Huntington - I am so thrilled with the results, I cannot recommend him highly enough! I went to several PS in the area (I'm actually in Nassau) and really liked his 'portfolio' or whatever you would call it and I also knew of several women who were his patients and were very happy with their results. He is very soft-spoken, reassuring and kind & his office staff is really good too. As for cost, for my breast lift, augmentation and abdominoplasty, it was around $21,000 (which was comparable to the other surgeons I consulted with). I would definitely go for a consultation w/Dr. Romanelli, he was the only I saw who did not charge a consultation fee, fwiw, so you have nothing to lose! Am happy to answe any more questions you may have - best of luck!!!

I had a TT and lift/augmentation 4 weeks ago; I consulted w/several different PS and all of them definitely wanted to do the augmentation with the lift at the same time - I don't think it makes much sense/difference to NOT do these two procedures together...? Can't imagine wanting to open up the breasts at two different times, that seems very odd, unnecessary, but I'm certainly no doctor!!! Unless you meant that some doctors don't want to do TT and breast lift/aug at the same time...? At any rate, I had all of it done in one procedure (no lipo), surgery took 4 1/2 hours, spent one night in the hospital and have had a really great recovery. I went to a very well thought of PS who was recommended to me by several women and was the one I felt most comfortable with. Still have a small amount of swelling in my breasts and a bit in my abs but let me assure you, I am SO HAPPY I did this, it has made a huge difference in my looks and self esteem! Best of luck to you and congratulations on your weight loss and new healthy life!!

I don't want to scare you but yes, I think your band might have slipped, as this was exactly how I was when my band slipped in October. Could hardly even swallow and keep down my saliva...Exact same scenario as you -- felt better when I was throwing up, then I would feel horrible again, try to eat or drink, not be able to keep it down - vicious cycle... I strongly suggest that you call your bariatric surgeon, even though it's a weekend -- leave a message w/answering service and let him call you back (my slippage happened on a weekend as well). You do not want to get to the point where you become dehydrated. I couldn't take it any longer on early Sunday morning and called my surgeon and he met me in the ER. I was put on an IV and he drained my band which gave me immediate relief. Had my lapband revision in early November and all is well (just got a tummy tuck, breast lift in January). Good luck and again, please check in with your doctor !! Don't mess around, it's been three days, you don't want to let this go until Monday!

Many congratulations!!!! I am in almost exactly the same boat as you (45yo) just had a TT and breast lift/aug on 1/10 and have never felt better!!! I am so happy to read about someone else who is as thrilled with their results as I am - good for you! My husband is also *very happy*! Plus, he sees that the weight loss and surgery have boosted my self-esteem and happiness beyond the stratosphere, which I'm sure makes me much easier to live with!! It's also reassuring to hear that you also are experiencing back fatigue (well, it's not 'good' but you know what I mean!!) because I am too and was a bit worried...I have a question for you, how long does your PS think you'll need to wear your compression garment? Also, do you still have some swelling? I have some but PS isn't concerned, and I am also a few weeks behind you - 4 week mark on Monday. I soooooooo get the "seeing the belly-button and mons thing" too - have to lift a chunk of flab was beyond awful... Again, congrats on your surgery, hope your recuperation continues to go well!!

My band slipped a month ago - had to in for a revision surgery. Signs of slippage for me were MAJOR reflux and then and inability to even keep down a sip of Water after a few days of non-stop vomiting. Hate to put it this way, but if it's a slip, you'll kinda *know*... Good luck and hope all is well!!!

Does anyone else find that they become much tighter during stressful times or is it just me?

Bought a belt for the first time in about 15 years!! Much more confidence, therefore walking with much better posture! Not dreading social occasions b/c of nothing to wear!

Thanks everyone! I probably should have mentioned also that I have only been eating mushies so I haven't actually 'tested' my fill properly...having some chicken tonite so I'll prob. know then. Hoping I'm just jumping the gun abit - again, thanks for your help!

Is it possible that I could have leaked out all my fluid? Wed. I had a fill (4th) and the phys. asst. had to poke me a few times to find the port and now I am not feeling any restriction...Thoughts?

Conservative Botox can be a beautiful thing!! Just had it done today! Have also had Juvederm - again, VERY conservatively - and I have been really happy w/the results. Good luck!

I tried crispy orange beef a month ago and let's just say it sure as hell wasn't crispy and *probably* wasn't beef; it was sooooo nasty, and then we started thinking about what kind of meat it could have been and that just made me lose iton the drive home. Don't know if it was a pb or actual bonafide yakking up. But - NEVER AGAIN !!!!!!!!! ~shudder~

I was banded 8/24/09 - weight loss is slowing down a bit, too, lately (lost 10 pounds during December, tho but am still so very happy I did this. I feel great and have been getting tons of compliments, which motivates me to exercise more, eat wiser!

Just in case you're wondering, Butterfingers and Mounds go down easily, too!! :scared2: And this was after I sweated my butt off at the gym on the treadmill for an HOUR -- aaaahhhhhhh! GL on Thursday!!!!!!

After the fill, Donna told me to eat mushies for the rest of the day and also the whole next day. I did not have to drink right after the fill, I know that other people on this board have to do that, but I just got my adjustment (4ccs) and that was it. I suppose they assume all will be well...? I'm also eating too much - ugh! And w/all the Halloween candy, well it's been a very bad thing!!!

ME!! I agree completely w/you -- very thorough! Love Dr. Holover, too. I go for my second adjustment on Wed! My first was reallyeasy - the phys. asst. (Donna, I think her name is) locates your port and injects the saline. Nothing else to say really, it was very straightforward, I personally only felt a small pinch. SO not a big deal :scared2: She was also really great about answering some questions I had. After, Dr. Holover comes in to talk w/you for a bit, see how it's going, etc. How's it going for you? I am so happy I did this!!

Anyone have single incision laproscopic surgery? Just curious, not that I am worried about having a few extra scars to keep my stretch marks company

Just FYI - at least what my own bariatric team has told me - a loss of 5lbs. per month is OUTSTANDING. I know it sounds low/slow, but truly, this is what is recommended and realistic for those of us w/the band. Slow & steady = sustained, long term, PERMANENTweight loss, less trauma to your body. Good luck to all!!

FWIW, my doctor has told me that it is actually VERY unusual for LB patients to stretch their pouch and that he only sees this with his gastric bypass patients...I would be willing to bet your pouch is fine and that you would have pb-ed if you had overdone it w/portion size.

Must have been the full moon - I got stuck for the first time last evening -- ON CHICKEN!!! What a nasty experience!

Don't know if you're a big fan of yogurt but Fage fat-free yogurt is sooo good; it's creamy & THICK, has120 cals., 20 grams of protein/cup and you can add splenda, vanilla extract or whatever you like to flavor it up.

Going for my first fill today - thank God! Hoping to get some restriction but from what I read here, doesn't seem likely... I have been getting VERY hungry these last weeks but have managed fairly well, ignoring the hunger & not giving into it most of the time. I have adjusted recipes and been eating a lot of greek yogurt, eggs and chicken (my dr. puts us on mushies immediately after surgery, no liquid phase). I am amazed that it has been over a month for me w/no soda and virtually no bad carbs - a miracle, actually!!! I feel great, tho, and am pretty much determined to make this attempt at weight loss a successful one! GL to all my fellow August Bandsters!! (and everyone else, too!!)

I think everyone needs - and deserves - to be treated by a doctor who treats them respectfully and compassionately. You are doing yourself a great favor by switching, imo, and I hope your new dr. comes through for you. If not, keep looking and find someone who is on your team - this guy sounds combative and nasty. (I'm in L.I.), btw, who are you switching to?). Best of luck to you and PLEASE let us know how it goes for you!!