kareyquilts

Becky: Yeah to the size 10's! Glad the ice helped!

Stephanie: I'm even more impressed. You had a lot of surgery, girl! It is really hard to be patient. I know! You will love it. I'm sure!

Frangi: I think you were reallly wise to keep your uterus. Life is much better with it! I had a hysterectomy at 35 with my ovaries removed and it was the worst decision of my life. I got really bad advice. You were wise to fight for that procedure! I didn't know you are a red head?! So am I am! Redheads have to stick together! LOL! Becky: I didn't pay that much for lyphamtic massage. That is a lot! When I had them at the docs office. The first one was $120 and then they were $80. I found some one that my regular massage therapist knew and she charged $65 an hour. I think I had about 6 of them, but my doctor never said that I needed a certain amount. Not sure how to find one, yellow pages, massage school? I don't know that I would wear myself out with a 45 minute drive either. I do think it would help with all the swelling your experiencing, but maybe even call some plastic surgeon offices or medical spas in your area and book something with one of them. Glad to be back from my trip. It was awesome to see our son do his thing in the cirque. He was great and I think he appreciated the attention. Never can tell totally with boys! I'm about to start a big push to get up the last 20 pounds. Am really trying to decide if I should do my back side and thighs. I want to, but my family (older children and DH), had a "come to Jesus" meeting with me and think I look fine and they don't want to see me go through another surgery. Seems my pain was hard on them. Oh brother! I will do what I want about this, since it's my body, but I'm just not sure if the results will be worth the pain. I'm very interested in seeing everyone's before and afters. Was really impressed with your pictures Becky! My saddle bags and thighs look horrible. My butt really isn't that bad. I'm not sure what to do. Anyway, glad we can talk about these things without judgement.

Steph: You're sounding like an old pro! Hope you get your drains out soon. That will make you feel instantly better. The sex thing is funny! Did you have muscle repair on your stomach? I can't imagine how painful to have the thighs and muscle repair at the same time. Glad you're doing well! Every day will get better!

Oh, I would also, still be taken pictures and notes!

BBK: I'm glad you're feeling better about things. When do you see your PS again? If you still want him to do the revision, then I would go in there with a list of questions and perhaps some of your feelings written down, so you won't be intimidated. I would make sure you don't let him leave the office without being satisified with his answers and if he doesn't and tries to brush you off, I would have a response already prepared, ie. I will grab his arm and ask him to look me in the eye and I will tell him that I am frustrated, worried and anxious and that I want to be taken seriously and in order to feel better, that I need him to give me a time line for the repairs, what his contribution will be and what he expects me to pay. These are resoanable requests. If he tries to brush you off, then I would touch his arm again and tell him that your relationship is not working out and who would he like you to see for the revision? This doesn't have to be said angrily, just calmly and matter-of-factly. You're looking great!

Becky: Ice will really help. Lymphatic massage will hep with the swelling, too. Your lymphatic system was disrupted in a major way. It's not like our heart and pumps on its own. The lymphs move with our movement and our dependent on us. I'm sure that the doctors office told you to pump your legs up and down while resting in bed. This helps to stimulate the lymph system. So, long story short. Get a lymphatic massage. I had about 6 or 7 during my recovery. It felt good and it really was helpful. Frangi: What surgery do you want for round 2?

Oh, the pain of self-improvement! Your family will jump on board once you decide that you really want a destination wedding. Just know that some people won't be able to come because of money. If your parents and grandparents can come and close friends and it is a possiblity for them, then go for it. I'm wondering if we want to start a new thread in the close to goals section and maybe get a little more support and a few others to join? I'm very serious about this last push. I'm recovered, have been eating too much and want to get to goal on or near our two year band anniversay! Yup, it's coming up! Ghost glad you decided to join us!

Wow! Love the skin pictures! That's a lot of skin! Can't wait to seethe actual results! Hope your recovery is smooth and you're feeling better soon!

July 1st sounds great! I'm up for it! Are you painful from the lipo? I'm going to have lipo on my upper abs and thighs. Probably have when I have the back side pulled up, but maybe have it separately. Did you have tumscent lipo? Wedding planning, boy that doesn't sound fun. I don't think you'll make everyone happy. I guess I would decide what you would like to do and how big, how much family or friends you want there. My daughter had her wedding Puerto Vallarta last month and we had 105 come. Probably half of that was the wedding party and friends. Maybe you should like about having it on neutral territory somewhere! LOL! It will be a wonderful occasion no matter what!

Becky: I did have a lot swelling, but I was smaller immediately. I had a tummy tuck (hip to hip), lipo of the hips and flanks and breasts done. I was immediately smaller without the pannus. The swelling seemed to come and go, but was pretty extreme the 2nd and 3rd week. I had to get an unfill and my doctor could hardly find my new lower profile port. When I went back about week 6, she easily found it. Now at 3 months, I can feel the port and it's starting to stick out a little. I'm sure you'll be a lot smaller with time, so don't get freaked out!

Becky: Your legs look wonderful! When I get the back side done the doc said that it will improve my legs immensely, but not so much the front legs. I don't know if he'll do the front at the same time. I would love to have the type of incision that you had and not the long incision. I'm going to lose the last 20 pounds and then will think about that. Seeing your drains reminded me of how much I need a braek from thinking about it, because I'm just not ready to have another surgery yet. I'm enjoying exercising again and feeling better. When I get really serious about it, I hope you won't mind if I pick your brain more closely! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures! Frangi: You're a maniac! It's great that you're doing so well. Glad you liked the DVD idea! Just remember when you get home to act a little like an invalid or you won't get the pampering that you deserve!

Miriam: Tell Jamie Congratulations! Sounds like he's starting off with a bang! So great! Hope your surgery wasn't anything serious. I'm in North Carolina at Myrtle Beach on vacation. Will be back on June 25th. How about we start a challenge on the First of July? Anyone out there what to join? I want to get the last 20-25 pounds off. How about you? I'm thinking about getting my back side and thighs and arms done. Are you still unhappy with the flatness of your bottom? My doctor said he can put fat back into my bottom to give it more roundness. Of course you can sit of lay on it for 2 weeks! I don't think I'll do it, but maybe. How are the wedding plans coming?

I want you both to know that it is totally normal to experience a lot of mood swings right after surgery. There are a lot of hormonal changes that occur with this surgery. Estrogen is stored in our fat cells and with this surgery you have had a lot of fat removed and therefore you have had a major disruption in your hormones. Plus, the anesthia causes alot of side effects, also. I know that I experienced a huge range of emotions. I also had to go off my hormone replacement for the surgery. When I got back on the HRE, I had even more issues for a while. I even had to get progesterin shots for a while. I guess what I'm saying is that anger, euphoria, tearfulness, etc. are all very normal. No one explained this to me until I went to see my OB/GYN so I just wanted you to know. One minute I loved my husband to pieces and the next, I felt he didn't love me enough etc. Really with the lack of sleep and pain, I wouldn't totally trust your emotions for a while. Just notice them, but don't judge them. Be kind to yourselves and don't have much expectations for anything. Enjoy being able to rest and not do anything. Sounds like your both doing awesome. Becky: I am thinking of doing my back side and thighs so I'm listening carefully to what you're experiencing. I can't wait to see pictures. I wish you both the best!

BBK: I don't think that you should have anyone touch you that you no longer like or believe in. I would take a lot of pictures and document your interactions with this doctor. I think that he has some malpractice issues even if he did warn you have some complications. Did he expain that he would be practice new techniques on you? Did you give your permission? I would write him a carefully prepared letter and let him know that you are not going to settle for the level of care that he has provided and then I would try and make his insurance pay for a revision with some one else. I know that it is messy and uncomfortable to be confrontative, but he's not listening to you and you're not going to get his attention any other way! You deserve to have both of your breasts to be close to the same size and to look pleasing. This guy is not listening to you because either he doesn't care of he doesn't want to be reminded that he failed at something. Too bad! I hope you'll keep us posted and I wish you the best! As far as the Make Me Heal thing goes, I guess I wouldn't do it, but that is because most people think that if you have WLS you have taken the easy way out. People don't understand how much work it is. Maybe you can help change this view point, but you'll have very little input into how the finished product will be represented. You're probably more comfortable with all this than I am, so of course, if you're not worried about what strangers think, than I would go for it!

Stephanie: Breathe! It will be alright, I promise! I was so scared too. I was shaking on the way to the hospital and my husband told me that I didn't have to go through with it. When I got there my blood pressure was 150/70 and it's usually about 110/60. It's normal to be scared. If you weren't scared, now that would be abnormal! I'm here to tell you that people wake up from surgery. If they didn't it would not be good for business! LOL! Remember how you felt before getting the lapband? You're going to be so happy that you did this! I'm sure you'll cope with the discomfort. I wish you the best! You're going to love your new body!

Becky: STill on vacation, but was able to get on the internet for a second. I feel for you. The pain starts to take it's toll when it's constant and doesn't really let up. You're going to be able to move a lot easier soon, I promise. By this time next week, some of the pain will be a distant memory. Do you know anyone who does lymphatic massage? I had one about every 3 days for a while and it really helps with the swelling and your sense of well being. I would call around and see if you can find someone who does it. My doctor's office provided this, but lots of massage therapist know this technique. Anyway, life will get back to normal, I promise! Wish you and Frangi the best!

TexasBecky: You are in my prayers today! I know you'll do well! Fran: I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I'm leaving tonight to see my son perform in Cirque du Soliel in Montreal this weekend. Won't be back until the 25th! You'll all will be doing much better by then. I'll try to check my emails and see how you're doing. Welcome to the flatlands!

Steph: Good luck with your pre-op appointment! It does take a while to get use to the new body. It's all good, but it does take an adjustment. I had no problem getting use to the flat stomach, that was exciting and easy. However, the new breasts were more of a challenge. They looked good, they just didn't seem a part of my body. There was a bit of a disconnect. After most of the healing took place and I began the massage techniques that my ps recommended, then they started feeling more like they were a part of me. Now, I love them. I guess I'm trying to say, don't be surprised if you do feel a little different towards your body. There is nothing right or wrong about these feelings. They are what they are. Just notice them and let them be. I'm leaving town tonight and won't be back until the 25th. I'll be thinking of you on the 20th. Good luck, I wish you the best!

BBK: So glad you're going to get a low profile port. I love mine and you will to. It will be worth the inconvience! Sorry about your breasts! If your PS is not going to fix them for free or at his cost, I really think I would go to someone else for the revision. What a pain! Your weight loss is remarkable and I hope you can bask in that glory! Maybe I'll try Shackley to get the last 20 pounds off! Take care!

Momlambert: Sounds like you've had quite the year. I appreciate your positive attitude. I hope you can take some time for yourself in all the business life has thrown at you! Wishing you could get the small fill you need. You deserve it! Anyway, that's how I feel about my band, I'm sure I would have gained weight with out! Stress is what got me to needing the band in the first place! Good luck!

You're both in my prayers!

Cory: Sorry for the difficult time you've had. I've suffered from depression as well and know how difficult it can be. I wish the best. Sixty pounds off is still great. You still have your band and you can still lose weight. That's the great thing about it. Sounds like you need to find a new doctor and get some support. Try and find one with a support group and plan on attending. Get back on lapband talk and find a thread that you like. Losing weight isn't as important as your mental health, but sometimes the two go hand in hand. It might help your depression to feel more in control of some area of your life. When your feeling better you might experiment with another anti-depressant and find one that works better for you. Also, are you exercising? I think that exercise has helped more with depression than anything else I have ever done. It sounds counter intuitive, when you feel like you can hardly move or get out of bed, but if you can find the power deep within yourself to take that first step, I promise it can make a huge difference! Well, I wish you the best. Hope we hear from you again soon!

Just found your thread. You're going to love the flatlands. Looking forward to sharing your journey!

Today I walked 2 miles with a friend and will do pilates. Life is good. Have a great day everyone!