I'm still here

Oh - and I have another question . . . I wonder how we will know when we aren't 'swelling' anymore ??? I have a friend who had a TT in November and she says she is still swollen . . . I wonder how we'll know when we are 'there' . . . you know, how we are going to look after the surgery? I would like to think my whole body is swollen, but have decided I'm going to need to lose at least 10 more pounds to get to where I want to be. And exercising couldn't hurt - if only I could talk myself into it. I am 5 weeks post-op now and my abdomen still feels like a rubber band that is stretched too tight and is about to pop . . . Does anyone else feel like that? Oh, and . . . my port ??? Well, that little sucker is now poking out prominently for all to see and wonder what the heck it is!

Hi Ice Cream - I have been sleeping on my sides since a few days post-op from my TT. I am a stomach sleeper (or used to be) and like you, sleeping on my back was not really working for me. I haven't had any problems with sleeping on my sides since I started . . . Neil - I hope you see some of your money again, that would be awesome! I have a question - Have any of you had any type of stomach 'bug' since being banded? Last night during the last inning of my son's baseball game I was hit from out of the blue with a horrible feeling of nausea. Luckily, I didn't start throwing up until I got home, but then did several times. I am sure I am fine - I just found 'throwing up' to be really wierd . . . I used to throw up my toenails before I was banded, last night - not the same. I was actually hoping I could puke my head off, hoping that would make the feeling go away . . . Today I feel better - not so nauseaus, but not quite 'right.'

I am falling out of my chair laughing at this one !!!

Hi Karey ~ I am so frustrated, I just typed you a long message and I must've clicked the wrong button because it disappeared. Now I am down to 'should have been in the shower 15 minutes ago,' so this one is going to be short and sweet . . . more later. 1. Do you think the lymphatic massages are helping? I am considering having some but wanted to ask you first what you thought about them. 2. I have been using the silicone strips for a few days now and they are no problem at all; I just wear them under my torture garment all day long. BUT - I do think I may be having a reaction to the 'retention tape' that you have to put on top of the silicone to hold it in place. When I took it off last night it was all itchy and red. My friend who is a nurse (and recommended the silicone sheets) is going to look at it for me this afternoon. Gotta run for now - I hope everyone has a great day!

I hope she comes by and flips her hair one more time to tell us how well she likes the fill needles, after her first fill . . . It is odd to me that she knew so much about all of this before she even had the band - I wonder where she got her information . . . I hope I fart rainbows all day long . . .

I canNOt believe I just sat here and read this whole stupid thread. I am curious how she knows she doesn't mind the fill needles, but she doesn't like IV's - ??? My fills have been a BITCH compared to a little IV in my arm . . . Oh - I hope I didn't upset her . . . Don't worry honey, it's a walk-in-the-park !!! Good luck on your surgery tomorrow . . .

Neal - I too would start with the Anestheologist's office before I contact the insurance company. If you don't get a good explanation from them, then I would consider questioning it with my insurance company. Good luck . . .

Mary - for me, I just wanted the 'roll' gone. I made the decision to do it rather quickly and never looked back. I didn't have much support before the surgery (no one wanted me to do it), but I am so glad that I did it anyway. I think when the swelling goes down, I will be very happy. As far as the lymph system goes, I'm sure there is some disruption with just a TT, but my doctor said that can become a problem when you combine lipo with a TT. He would not do lipo in my abdominal area because he said it would 'disrupt the lymph system too much.' I did have some lipo on my inner thighs at the same time as my TT. Best of luck to you as you begin your research.

I think with the exception of the 'flat' area, my stomach looks fuller than before - ??? Does anyone else have that? I am most hopeful that it is just wierd swelling . . .

Hi Karey ~ I wanted to tell you that I just put a couple of the silicone strips on the outer ends of my incision. I have been putting it off (don't know why) and decided to just go for it already after I got out of the shower. I think I am going to order some gel or cream off of MMH.com for my belly button area, because it is still really red. I am looking at either the Kelo-cote or the Scar-Esthetique . . . Anyone familiar with either of them? I have used Mederma in the past, but don't know that it helped that much. Thanks,

IceCream - I had terrible bruising for at least two weeks around my TT incision and on the inside of and back of my legs from the bottom of my butt to almost my knees from the lipo. I couldn't really see the bruising on my legs from the front and so I couldn't figure out why it hurt so much to sit down, then I turned around and looked in the full-length mirror . . . I almost passed out when I saw my legs and couldn't believe how bruised they were. Luckily, the bruises went away and the soreness from the lipo is getting better everyday. Best of luck to you ~

Hi Angyl - Ohhhh, I am sorry to hear that the test didn't go well, but I have to tell you - GIRL YOU ROCK!!! I can't imagine even TAKING a test a day or two after surgery. Surely your professor will work with you on it . . . Keep us posted. Any weight gain that shows up on the scale at this point is Fluid, so don't let it worry you one bit. I did the same thing after my TT - I guess it is a lifetime of watching the scale that makes us torture ourselves like that, I don't know, but there is NO way you've gained any in the last few days. And about being able to eat 5 Ritz crackers . . . that (in my opinion) is not too much. Now - understand that there was a time I would have rushed like a crazy woman to my band doctor insisting I needed a fill if I'd been able to eat 5 crackers, but after 2 different episodes of being way tooooo tight, I now understand that it really is okay to be ABLE to eat, moderation really is the key and the band (when properly adjusted) will help you with that. I would say that for at least the first year I had the band I had no concept of how much I really should be eating. I thought if I was physically ABLE to eat, then my little silicone buddy must not be tight enough. In my case, nothing was further from the truth . . . So, without trying to sound like your mother :wub: - don't think just because you can eat 5 crackers that you don't have restriction. I would say give it some time because your band may be in a little bit of shock after your surgery. I chose not to get an un-fill before my TT and have had some very tight days since, but in the long-run, I think it is going to be okay. My thought is, as the swelling goes down, hopefully it will return to my pre-TT state, that was PERFECT for the first time in a year. Have a great Sunday - Happy Easter . . .

Just checkin' on you Amy - are you feeling better? Other that the unbelievable 'tightness' across my stomach I almost think I'm back to normal. I know my husband keeps thinking - 'I thought that is what you ASKED for' . . . but he won't dare say it . . . smart man, he is. :wub: I am wondering if it is going to feel like this forever or if the feeling will 'loosen up' a bit as time goes on - anyone know ???

What a doll bandpal is . . . I love the song and think the nurses at MDA will love it too when you hang it on your wall there. It is going to put a smile on the face of all who come into your room. That is awesome bandpal! :wub: I am thinking of you today Kendra and hope you are feeling well and that your spirits are high. Love, Lynn

Hi HarleyNana ~ Ha . . . I don't have a waist anymore either. I wonder if that is just swelling in that area or if I'm gonna be straight as a board from now on - ??? I don't want to even think about more surgery at this point - the lipo on my thighs was painful enough to make me think I don't want to do that anywhere else, anytime soon. I am interested in the bleaching cream - please let us know what you find out about that. I am planning to start using the silicone sheets tomorrow, but would love to hear what my other options are too; especially around my belly button where I don't think the sheets will work. Happy Easter everyone ~

Hi Baby ~ I wanted to ask you if after your TT you used anything special to help with the scarring? I ordered some silicone sheets (off of Make Me Heal.com) that my PS recommended, but haven't started using them yet because I still have a few stitches that are working their way out and he said all of the stitches and scabs need to be gone before I start with the sheets. I am curious about the redness around my belly-button . . . Do you (or does anyone else) know of something that will help that fade? I know you mentioned massaging the incision Baby - if you wouldn't mind, would you be more specific as to exactly what you did and for how long and how your results were? I am 4 weeks post-op from my TT now and am really anxious to get on with the 'healing' of this incision - it is not pretty. Oh, and - I still haven't taken any pictures, sorry . . . Thanks in advance,

Good to hear from you Angyl - Bless your heart! How in the world can you focus on a mid-term while you are in pain ??? I hope you feel much better very soon and that you kick some serious butt on that test! :cheers2:

Harley - I was thinking about you this morning and wondering where you were . . . Good to hear from you. I too am swollen in my upper abdomen area, but my PS is thrilled with the results. I also have (what I hope is just swelling) in the area below, (like my private area) my incision. It looks a little 'fuller' than it was before and I am not liking it. And I have a goofy question - Am I the only one who thinks I might swell MORE when I wear the compression / torture garment from hell?

Do you mean you are using Vaseline instead of say - Vitamin E Oil, Mederma, Cocoa Butter, or did I misunderstand ????? I am just curious. I have been putting a little Vitamin E Oil on my belly button and of course can't tell a bit of difference yet, it is just too soon - silly me . . . My doctor mentioned the sheets and told me he would like for me to use them, but then didn't get me any, so I took the initiative and ordered them myself off of MMH after my Nurse friend confirmed how well she has seen them work . . . So, we'll see I guess . . . I too love everyones pictures and feel like such a loser since I don't have any. Maybe I'll get the nerve to have a friend take some of me next week and I'll try to post them. The bad thing is - I don't have ANY. I didn't take any before the band and I didn't take any before the TT - so really, there is nothing to compare me to at this point. It makes me sad and mad at myself now that I didn't realize how nice it would be to have those pics. Grrrrrrrrrr . . . . .

I remember the first day well at MDA with my sister. We spent the entire day trying not to be late for her next appt. They cover alot of ground in a short period of time that you are there, and that is good - it allows you to 'get on with it' , whatever 'it' ends up being. Please remember the offers you have had for help - don't try to do this alone.

Hi Kendra, I just found your thread and read it from beginning to end . . . I wanted to let you know that I too will be thinking of you and praying for a complete healing. I am a lifelong Texan, so I have some boots honey! My sister was treated at MDA for breast cancer and after the initial circus, it did all go alot smoother, and I'm sure it will for you too. MDA is HUGE - but you will be given a patient ID # and then there won't be anymore insanity when trying to schedule appts and tests. They will ask for that # and then whoever you are talking to on the phone will be able to access your information and connect you to the person who can help you. I am also in the Houston area and would like to offer my help in any way possible. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help you. In the meantime, I'll be sending up my prayers.

I haven't been able to get on here all day - what was going on? I didn't realize how much time I must spend looking at this site until today when I couldn't get on . . .

Chickie - your transformation is amazing!!!

It is very normal to feel nervous, but the band is an awesome tool to help us in our battle with food! As long as my band isn't too tight - I am the happiest girl on the block! Best of luck to you . . .

Just checking in to say 'hi' - I may not post everyday, but do come to check in and see how everyone is doing. Where are Neal and Nina? When they don't post for a day or two it makes me worry about them . . . Karey - I posted on your thread and am wondering if you have started using the silicone sheets yet? I ordered some off of MMH too and plan to start using them on Monday. It feels like all I have done is EAT since I had my TT and I am so lucky I haven't had a big gain . . . If I had gotten an un-fill before my surgery, there is no telling how much weight I would have gained. I hope everyone has a great weekend . . . Happy Easter.