jillian

Today I hit Onederland!! Here are some before and after pics After: Before:

I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis...the only thing that changed after my surgery was that my scars had psoriasis on them, but my derm gave me some taclonex, and that cleared it up.

The first pic was taken a few days before surgery, and the second and third were just taken on Thanksgiving...Coming along little by little.

Congrats!!! That is the best feeling ever!! I went through the same thing, I tried on about 10 pairs that i havent been able to get into in the last 2 years, and they fit with room!!..I actually was so excited, cause I went to the gap this weekend to buy a new pair of skinny jeans to go out with, and I tried the 16, which i thought would fit, and wound up fitting into a 14!! All i could do was smile for the rest of the night!!

I have lost 20 lbs since surgery on Aug 28th, and eventho, i've havent really felt that hungry or felt like i needed to eat, my stomach is speaking outloud for me, especially at work!! kinda embarrassing.

I just had my surgery on Aug 28th, and am anxious to get back to swimming. I remember the nurse in the hospital saying to hold off on baths or swimming, but when is it safe to return to it? All my incisions have closed up. Thanks!

Without a doubt, the simplicity of the surgery and low incidence of complications were the main factors of my choice. But also when I went to my seminar, one thing that helped me to choose the band was the look of the different people who have had the rny or lap band. I'm not sure if it was the lighting or what, but all the people from that seminar that had the rny had sunken in faces and dark circles under their eyes and generally looked not well, despite being skinnier. I know this doesn't happen to everyone, but it had to be 3/4 of the people i saw just at that seminar. I think the slower weightloss swayed me, because I think it cuts down on the excess skin after weightloss, which doesn't mean there will be no hanging skin, but my opinion was that it would be a little less.

My doc gave me an anti blockage recipe consisting of : 1/2 tsp adolph's meat tenderizer 1 tsp lemon juice 1/2 cup tap water to mix well and sip over one hour. Has anyone used this? and has it worked? I haven't had a PB yet, but i am curious if it is worth trying? Thanx!!

This is so funny! It reminds me of one of Chris Rock's comedy acts, where he said "Women are the biggest liars! You wear high heels, you aint that tall, you wear make up, your face don't look that good"...and now you wear tummy tuck jeans, you ain't that skinny!!!

I removed the bandages after 1 day, but still have the steristrips on. The doc told me that they will fall off. But, I am going for my post-op appointment tomorrow, so we'll see what happens!

Mine is in the middle, but an inch to the right, about an inch under my rib.

I have psoriatic arthritis, which is similar to RA, and I was taking naproxyn prior to surgery. My surgeon said to continue the naproxyn, but added a soluble prevacid to counteract any problems the NSAID may cause. Hope that may help.

As I anticipate my surgery for this upcoming Monday, I am experimenting with a goal weight. But when speaking with my Doc, he said that most only lose 60% of excess weight, which for me would be about 50 lbs. I am definately aiming higher than that, however I don't want to be completely unrealistic. How did you chose your goal weight, and have you changed it all during your journey with the band?

Hey...glad to see someone else from NY on also, I live in the Bronx right now. I am scheduled to have my surgery on Aug 28th in southern Connecticut, kinda excited, but kinda nervous also. I can't really comment on the tummy tuck question, cause i haven't even had the surgery yet, but i'm 26 also, and praying i won't have to have anymore surgeries following this one, but we'll see what happens. For my post op diet, i have a week of clear liquids, a week of full liquids, then can move on to mushie/pureed food for a week. It sounds strict, but its worth it to heal up well. Jillian:cool:

Hello all... I have been reading these posts for the last few months, and I am so excited to be banded...I think with all of ur help i know what i am getting into, the good and bad.....I will be banded on August 28!!! Thanks for all the info...I definately look forward to contributing in the futere....:huggie:

I have just begun the process for the lap band surgery. However, in the last 4 weeks, I have been having proximal muscle pain, in the shoulders, hips, knees and elbows. I read somewhere that hypothyroidism can manifest as a myopathy or muscle pain that is very similar to my symptoms. Have any of you had this experience? Was the pain severe? I just completed my blood work for the surgery which tested my T3 T4 and TSH, and the nurse at the office said that my bloodwork was normal. I am not sure if I should see a Endocrinologist or Rheumatologist. I was hoping on having the surgery the beginning of august, but now I am worried that it might be some sort of autoimmune connective tissue disease, which I read is a contraindication to the lap band. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!!! Jillian:help: