Cherishthepast

Hello! I've been offline for awhile and wanted to touch base. Today, I went to a consultation with another Dr., didn't realize it would be such an ordeal to find someone willing to take on a patient that already had a band. I lost faith in my former doc and have have a number issues with my band. I'm scheduled to have it removed August 25, 2017, a little over 8 yrs after having it placed. I've suffered with chronic reflux, heartburn, weight gain (20 lbs) and throat pain for the past 2 years and have finally found someone that will listen. The plan... have the band and scar tissue removed in August, 6 months later go back and have bypass surgery. Yep, I'm scared of the unknown and excited at the same time to be pain free.

I appreciate your responses and will check out Washington Hosp Ctr. Thanks!

Hello! My last few appointments w/my doc have been crazy to say the least, long waits and rushed meetings w/doc. Today, I arrive for a fill ~ my appt was for 7:30a, however, it appears that 10-12 other people had the same appt time and the doc didn't arrive to radiology until 8:30a and started chatting w/a colleague. REALLY!!!! I have a job; I can't sit around for 2-3 hrs waiting for you to get around to me. Unfortunately this isn't the first time this nonsense has happened and yes, I've discussed this w/him and his office staff. I'm starting to feel like the crazy lady... they look at me, make apologies and nothing changes. I'm so DONE!!!! I need your help finding a new doc in my area for maintenance and occasional advice. Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated. I really can't believe that I'm not going to continue this journey with the doc I started out with. I'm so very disappointed. Thanks in advance for your responses.

Hello! Hang in there. Keep a journal of what you're eating ~ you'd be surprised at the cal/carbs you consume unknowingly. Additionally, speak w/your doc and nutritionist. I personally didn't see the true benefits of the band until I reached my sweet spot and that took a number of fills to get there. Often the doc will take a conservative approach and only give you small fills at a time. Remember, this is your body and journey... I had to insist that they give me a larger fill, once this was done I started seeing results. Don't suffer as I know people who get way more fill than they should, you just need to find that happy medium. Wishing you great success.

Good for you. Sounds like you're off to a terrific start. I've had my band since August 2009 and often wonder why I didn't do this sooner. I'll be 52 soon and feel like I'm 29, tons of energy. Pace yourself and don't give your trainer the stink eye when he/she is pushing you. WIshing you much success.

Had my procedure yesterday. I'm a little sore ~ back and sides feel like I've spent 24 hours at the gym going nonstop. I actually see great results already, can only imagine how things will look after the swelling goes down. The Ken doll look is a thing of the past, my mons pubis area has been lipo'd and lifted ~ it looks normal down there My back rolls are all gone. Doc actually did a touch up around stomach area, which I wasn't expecting - he's great and such the perfectionist. I'll take pics once I'm brave enough to struggle with this compression garment again. By the way, it's weird that I don't feel any discomfort along the incision of the mons lift. The back and side area are bruised and really tender from the lipo.

Had my pre-surgery appt today and doc agrees that in addition to the scheduled flank/back lipo I need to address mons area. He's including lipo and lift of the mons area at no additional cost - yippee! I will finally be able to wear fitted dresses and skirts w/o looking as if I'm wearing a jock strap. Not an attractive look on a woman - soon... goodbye Ken Doll look.

Sounds like you're doing ALL the right things. I'd suggest that you increase your calorie intake some as your body will go into starvation mode, as a result, you won't lose any weight. Additionally, I'd strongly suggest that you measure yourself. Often times, you reach a plateau and don't see pounds come off, however, inches are dropping. At one point, I found that I stayed at 170lbs (for over 6 months) and went from a size 12 pant to a size 8 maintaing the same weight. I was losing fat and gaining muscle which I'm told weighs more. Hang in there, sounds like you're definitely on the right track.

Merry Christmas to me. I've scheduled the lipo for my flanks and back (1 day shy of 2 yr anniversary of TT wMR), this WILL be my last cosmetic procedure as I plan to leave the girls alone - don't have it in me for breast lift and augmentation. Knowing what has bothered me most since my TT w/MR has been my flanks and back as this area seems disproportionate to my flat front I know that this will be the final step to my journey. As I write this I'm wondering if indeed this will be IT in regards to cosmetic procedures. I know for a fact that I'll never do anything cosmetic above my shoulders and I won't get my arms done - I say this because I scar so badly that it wouldn't be worth the risk. I will take a few before/after pics (6-8 weeks after the lipo), which I'll post to give a frame of reference to anyone considering this procedure. I'll keep you guys updated on how the healing process is going once complete. Wishing you all continued lapband success.

Decision made, I've opted for lipo only. I know exactly what you mean by the muffin top, I can't wear jeans or more importantly bathing suits w/o the back/flank fat oozing. I trust my PS, as he did a wonderful job with my tummy tuck and muscle repair, I'm certain I won't be let down with lipo only. Who knows perhaps any fat gained from this point forward will go to my flat behind, that wouldn't be a bad thing. I plan to post some before and after pics before the lipo, which I've scheduled for Dec. 21 - a gift to myself. I've often thought of getting the girls done, however, hubby doesn't complain (not that he ever does) and I see no reason to address this as VS seems to do a great job making the girls appear perfect - I call it my VS optical illusion...

Hello Ladies! Freespirit63 - No, I haven't made the decision yet. I've given myself until the end of the day to commit one way or another. I appreciate your response and also think that I'd love the results if I follow through. Was the recovery easier than w/the TT? I'll post later once the decision is final. Floridays - Good for you. Take the plunge, it feels so good to have the skin removed and actually see what the real you looks like after so much hard work. Congratulations!!! Also, keep us posted.

In a few weeks it will be 2 years since TT w/muscle repair - I LOVE THE RESULTS. However, I went to see my PS last week to discuss flanks and upper back - seems no matter how much I workout I can't get rid of the fat along my flanks and upper back. He agreed that this would be tough to remedy with excercise (especially at my age - a young 51) and suggested lipo and removing the loose skin. Not sure that I'm up for stitches again and am thinking of taking a more conservative approach with lipo only. He has agreed to significantly reduce the cost of his fee - I Love this man. Now, I find myself rethinking this and wondering if I should get both lipo and the loose skin removed? He showed me that basically my TT scar (which is half covered with a lovely floral tattoo) would continue along my back and ultimately give me a butt lift in the process. What should a girl do? I'm off work from 12/21-1/4, which would be the perfect time to have this done and not burn leave in the process. Has anyone gone back after a TT to have the flanks or back addressed?

Ladies, I can't begin to express the relief I felt. JOY!!!! that this nightmare has come to an end. I finally, called my PS after over a year (as I felt shamed...) to have him take a look at his work, it looks GREAT, however, I still have a dog ear that he was working on that hasn't gone away. Yes, I'm sure the insurance was waiting for me to give up or have the 2 yr mark hit and tell me it's too late. Now, I can focus on losing these last blasted 10lbs.

After close to 23 months, payment is being made for my tummy tuck. Insurance gave pre-approval for abdominoplasty and panniculectomy in December 2010. After the procedure and hospital and surgeon submitted claims, the insurance denied them after giving pre-approval - CRAZY!. I have been battling this for over a year and finally today I received a letter from the insurance (case specialist) that they are making it a priority to have this resolved and payment sent out immediately. I'm relieved to say the least, as I don't have over $12,000 lying around that I could pay for this myself and can't afford to take a hit re: credit w/having them submit this to some debt collector. I am so very happy that stayed in constant contact with the hosptial finance representative (who kept this from going into collections) and the fact that I didn't give in and crawl in a hole re: insurance. My last letter with all supporting documents was to the Department of Insurance, their office contacted me w/n days to inform me that they received my letter and had started the investigation. Mind you, I had written letters to the insurance repeatedly (all went unanswered) until my last letter (directed to the dept of insurance and cc'd to BCBS, BBB and the finance office of the hospital that the surgery took place) I previously received no replies. Finally, I can place this madness behind me. I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place, as I was unable to get fill under flora (sp?) because of this lingering balance with the hospital. I'm so very excited. If anyone has had this experience, don't cave... reach out to officials who monitor these businesses. I'm finally, on the road to enjoying the new me.