kareyquilts

Cori: Thanks for your opinion. At this point, I welcome all opinions. Frangi: Has your DH seen your new body yet? What does he think?

Frangi: Okay, I know you're not an animal, but this is what my husband (who is a veterinarian) does when an incision de-hisses. I think it's standard procedure. If you sew the incision back up and it's wheeping, than you create the perfect environment for an infection. Does the doc give you any idea how long this process is going to take?

Frangi: Did the fat necrosis affect your butt lift or is that all still intact? I think you deserve some R&R and I hope you can rest up. It sounds like a pain to dress your incision, but I'm sure it will be worth it. These things happen so try not to blame yourself! I am leaning towards going a head with the anchor, but I will be asking a lot more questions at our pre-op, it's a difficult decisions, but I guess now it comes down to looking better in clothing, because with all the other scars the naked thing isn't going to be that great anyway! LOL

BBK: It's definetly worth it. They can see how your band is sitting and how it reacts to a fill, plus they can fill you to a better place because they can see the restriction. I hope it works out for you!

Becky: I hope that your mom will be alright. Frangi: Glad you made it home safely. Don't try to conquer the whole house in too short of a time! I need your vote on the anchor incision.

BBK: Congratulations! I hope that all is well with your band! Are they going to do your fill under floruscope? I had mine filled that way this week and it was great and btw my band is fine, too.

Sue and Becky: Thanks for your responses. After taking a long look at myself and taking the pictures, I was almost too embarassed to post them. When I could grab a handful of skin, I felt sure I knew what your response would be. I guess I still don't have a good idea of my size and shape, because I thought, there is no question really, that I should get this TT revision. Now, I'm not sure. I think I will look better with clothes, but the scar down the middle is kind of a big deal. Well, I'm going to keep thinking about this. Maybe, I'm not as big as I think I am. Even though I'm middle aged (or past), I still what to look as good as I can. I'm going to have so many scars any way, what is one more? Well, I guess it's one more, big one, is what it is! Not sure what I'm going to do...

I think that my lap band doctors didn't think I didn't anymore done and also said that healing is more difficult with a vertical incision. It's not their decision of course, but it seems that everyone wants to give their opinion! Okay, I took some pictures, you can see the flash in them, but it will give everyone an idea. It's helped me to see the pictures, especially the handful of skin that I can grab. Okay, this is humbling, but here they are:

OKay, I don't want to take this thread over, but I need your opinions! I finally went and had the upper GI today and a fill under fluroscopy, both of my surgeons were there to see how my band was sitting. It was doing great and they put in some restriction, which will be nice. While I was there, I told them about my upcoming plastic surgery and they both said, don't let him do an anchor incision on you. Your tummy looks great, etc. They were adamant about it. Now, I know that it's not really any of their business, but it really was kind of upsetting. I told my DH what they said and of course he agreed with them. I know that I need to make this decision and I have to admit that I really don't like the idea of a long scar down my mid section. It kind of shook my confidence. I also don't like the roll of skin on my upper abs when I sit or exercise. Maybe I need to attach some pictures so you can see what I mean? I really don't mind the scar from my tummy tuck at all. I'm going to have scars down my arms and all the way around, so I don't know why this is bothering me so much. In a way, I just feel sad that it's even necessary. I keep dieting and have lost another 6 pounds, so I'm 13 from goal. I don't think that the weight loss is going to make the situation any better. What are your feelings on scars and all this?

Frangi: So glad you're feeling better. I know that back incision can be problematic. You know I still have a few knots that are working to the surface on my front incisions. Wondering how I'll pick at them from the back side. Guess I'm going to have to work on my flexibility! Are you having to put dressings on the back side? Glad you are liking the shape. That's a relief. I'm sure when all the bruises and swelling goes away, you're going to be smokin! How do the legs feel?

Happy 2 year anniversary everyone! It would be great to hear from you all and see the progress that has been made. Even though I've had a slip and been rebanded, I would do it all over again! So happy with my new body and new lifestyle. I've lost 114 pounds. Only 10 more and I'll be at goal! Why not post and tell us your favorite thing about being thinner? My favorite thing is feeling healthy and being comfortable with out my clothes on in front of my husband! Now, that is a very big deal for me! LOL

Mimin: Congratulations on deciding to have a destination wedding. I'm sure it's going to be great! So sorry to hear about your band! I'm glad it didn't slip like mine! It's just another reminder that we need to pay attention when our band is acting up! I still don't have a fill for my new band and I want one, because I'm tired of being hungry, but I am not going to allow myself to be too tight this time! I've lost 6 more pounds. I'm back on the HCG diet. I want to lose 12 more pounds and than I'm going to call it good! Just trying to get ready for my next round of plastic surgery. UGG! Then I'm going to concentrate on more important areas of my life, while trying to maintain my weight. How is everyone else doing?

Frangi: I'm so glad you checked in. I wish you could see into the future and know that your bottom is going to be just the right size. I would be nervous too (and probably will be when it's my turn). What does your doc say? Have you expressed your concerns to him? I've been thinking about how to take care of the backside incisions. I still have a little suture reaction on the front that I pick at (must have been a knot there). I've been wondering how I'll take care of those on the back side. I guess I'll have to enlist my DH. How exciting for him! LOL! I bet your anxious to go home, I hope you'll be able too. Take care!

Thanks for the replies. I think I will hold off of buying more clothes. I'll get out my jogging outfits in case the swelling is bad and be prepared for anything. I'm getting really jazzed that it's all going to look great, so much better than right now. Everytime I weight lift, my trainer makes me look in the mirror to check my form and I see my arms flapping in the breeze, I can't wait for that to be gone. Now scars are a total subject in and of themselves. I guess I will adjust to the scars, but the ones on the arms do concern me and the anchor incision, and the 360 degree thing! Luckily my DH loves me! One thing that bothers me, is that any doc I see from now on, will know my sordid affair with plastic surgery! Oh well, I guess it will keep me humble!

Frangi: Glad you had a good weekend. Did you hit the sale at Stein Mart? I wanted to, but we went up to our cabin. I'm wondering how much I should buy at this time. Becky, I know you said it took awhile for you to fit into a smaller size or that you even went up for a while? Frangi, do you think you're going to be a smaller size or just shaped better? My thighs fill out my size 8 pants, so hopefully that will be improved. Also, with the anchor incision I'm getting on my tummy, I'm not sure if I'll be smaller or just lose the upper ab pouch. HMM! I guess time will tell. Just wish I wasn't so nervous, but that is getting a little better. Keep healing.

Thanks for the tip on the audio books! I will check it out. Also, going to file away, walking as an important healing tip. Sounds like your doing great. Are you eating out while walking around the mall area or do you not have an appetite?

BBK: Good for you! You can do it! It does suck to not have our friend working for us. I miss being restricted too. Kinda reminds you why you got the band in the first place. I also have had a lot of anxiety about regaining weight. But look at you, you're doing it! You can make it through the next weeks!

Yup, I totally agree! I've thought about it and I think that my friend was projecting her own fears about surgery onto me, along with some judgementalness of course!

Frangi: So glad to hear the voice of reason here! You're right that was a tactless thing to say. I'm not telling anyone that I don't need to from now on. It's difficult for people who haven't walked in our shoes to understand and I'm tired of trying to explain it! Do you have a good website for downloading audiobooks? I'm so happy for you and hope you're happy with the unveiling tomorrow. I admire your independence and vision. Does the nurse come to help you or are you able to do everything for yourself?

Kelly: How are you feeling about the work you got done? Are you glad you did it? Did you doc approve you to go back to work so soon?

Frangi: Do you know how much the skin weighed that they took off you?

Frangi: Are you there alone? Was your DH able to come for any or part? Remember about swelling and don't panic about your butt yet! Can you tell if it's higher? Do you have a wedge pillow or how are you reclining? And last but not least, how do you read on drugs? I simply fall to sleep. You know I've decided not to tell anyone else about my upcoming surgery, because everyone tries to talk me out of it. Comments like you look fine, you look good, you might not live through this one (that's a real positive one!), etc. begin to make me second guess myself and worry. I've only told key people that I work with and of course family members (can't do anything about their response). Glad you're happy with your results Frangi. Happy resting!

Salsa and Kat: Thanks for your replies. I feel a little more reassured. I'm getting the pre-surgery jitters! All my work is going to be skin, but a lot of it. I know I'll cope, but it's just nerves and you all know about that! I think Frangi is pretty tough, so when she says its rougher, I get worried! Frangi: Hope your feeling better today! Sending you lots of healing vibes and a prayer!

Diane: I know exactly how you feel. I think that my band had problems for so long that I had accomadated my diet to it and was choosing softer foods also. I think that finding the balance is crucial. You would think that old pros like us should have it down, but it really is a process and luckily we're smart and we can keep learning! Right?!

Dr. Schulman: Just wondering if you received my pm? The computer was acting funny, so I was not sure if it went through.