kareyquilts

Puddin: Wow! I feel like I just heard from a long lost friend. How are you doing? I'm having a full tummy tuck and breast lift in 3 weeks and you were my inspiration. There are a lot of us willing to share on the Feb/March plastics thread. I may start my own thread in a week or so, so check it out. I hope your happy and doing well!

Nana: I'm blissfully ignorant about the compression garment stuff. I guess I'll get fitted next week at my 2 week pre-surgery appointment. Wear did you get the tight fitting panties? Neal and Nina: You have been in my thoughts all day. I know you're going to do awesome. LJM: Breath deeply! Tami: When are you getting the low profile port?

Nana: Well that was fun. Great picture. Thanks for sharing. I'm impressed that you even tried a bike. I'm a big chicken. Looks like some nice bikes, too. Have a great day!

Nana: Are you "Harely" because you ride a harely or because of a grand son? Just curious. My youngest daughter's biological grandmother rides a harley and goes on cross country trips. I think its pretty cool. I think I have decided to get the implants, because I'm so empty on top. I don't just sag, I've lost a lot of volume and it's gotten worse with the last 10 pounds I've lost. I'm not entirely sure. I have a list of questions for my 2 week preop appointment which is coming up in another week. I was told that the lift, which I'm getting is the harder thing to recover from and that the augmentation isn't that big of a deal. I asked my internist about it and he agreed and said I shouldn't be overly concerned about safety. So, short answer, long. Yes, I think I will.

Whoseya: Way to run! What a great NSV! Congratulations!

Drkel: Keep us posted. I think that Tami is getting a low profile port soon. I'm getting one with my TT on March 4. When are you getting your new band and port?

Alynne: Thanks so much for answering my questions. I was afraid that you would say things were a little harder. I guess it's a lot more major surgery than we want to think it is. I'm going to have a hard time being patient, too. The numbness is something that I've been thinking about lately. I'm having a breast lift and augmentation (I think) and today I was thinking that if I lose sensation, I would be extremely sad. Maybe I shouldn't mess with things just because they look bad (at least they still work). But you've experienced numbness, etc and are still thinking about a lift. It's a lot bigger decision than it seems on the surface. I'm glad you would do it again. Size 6 is freakin fantastic. Oh boy, I'll be glad when I can stop worry about all this and just cope!

Alisa: I too had a lot of gym anxiety when I first started, especially because I got a trainer and really didn't like all that attention. That being said, I love it so much now. I get a little irritated if my trainer's attention wanders. I guess I got over my anxiety when I decided that it was about me and not everyone else. I started measuring my progress, if I could go longer or lift heavier weights, etc. I stopped looking around at what everyone else was doing. Now, I can see, that there are lots of people in a lot worse shape than me and lots in better shape. Who cares? What's important is the personal victory. Good luck!

Drkel: Would love to see before and after pictures. Hope you'll stick around and offer advise since you are a veteran at this. Several of our group are having surgeries this week, so it may be quite for a while, but it will pick back up. Read the back pages and get to know us. Eugenia: So glad you found us. Good luck with your surgery this week. If you get nervous before than, post some more and we'll talk it through!

Alynne: I don't you posted on the February exercise thread. How long since your LBL? How did it feel? I notice you said, "ellipitikill" Does that pretty much cover it? How do your stomach muscles feel when you're doing weights? Did you have to go down in weight from what you were previously doing? I know, I'm asking a lot of questions, but I guess that getting back to exercise is one of my biggest concerns. I really don't want to get to go backwards, at least not too much. How are you feeling in general? Any regrets? Are you pleased with the results? I was looking on makemeheal at some of the pictures and some people's stomachs looked bigger after the surgery. I guess from swelling. That got me a little scared. Anyway, glad you're back in the saddle. Give us a post!

Eugenia: Welcome. No one on this thread is having a brachioplasty, yet anyway, so it will be nice to have you to represent the arms! Tell us a little about yourself!

I'm getting the low profile port with my TT on March 4. I'm wondering if I need to request that the port be put under my muscle? My band doc will be coming in and doing the replacement while my PS is working on me. She is difficult to talk to. Not sure how to approach this. Any suggestions?

I'm having a TT soon and my band doc said to keep the same fill level. I know many who have had a slight unfill or a total unfill and those like Nana who haven't had any. I think they worry about swelling and the band having pressure on it. Eugenia, why don't you join the Feb/March plastic surgery thread and keep us posted on your surgery. It's a great group of people and you'll feel lots of support.

Boy, am I slow about finding the new thread! It's hard to keep up with you guys! Stef: I couldn't bring up the excel spread sheet. It took me to a google site that wanted a password. Did I do something wrong? Anyway, I've been keeping up with my weight training, elliptical and pilates. Seems lilke my weight loss has slowed down once again and it's clear that I won't make my goal by my plastic surgery. I'm losing inches though so, I guess I just keep plugging along! SIGH! Will report in on Monday. Is that still right?

LJM: I wondered what your PS would say about your breast problem. You know I think, as long as its safe, its probably a good idea to wait, because you are going to lose even more weight and you'll probably want a little adjustment on the tummy when you get to goal. I'm envious that you are getting your back done. That's fantastic! I think I have decided to go for the breast augmentation along with my lift. I've talked to my internist about it and he alleviated a lot of my concerns and told me I'd do fine with all the surgery, which was a relief for me because I thought he might say lose the last 20 first or with your heart problems I don't think its a good idea. Instead, he said, I was doing fantastic. Now coming from this doc, that was a real NSV! I am having the pain pump and I hope it's worth the $350. Ghost sure said it was on her thread. I've heard this from others as well. I, too, am dreading the pain. Sorry I won't be going before you, so I could tell you my opinion from experience. Hopefully, Neal and Nina get back on here quickly!

She Smiles: Go see some plastic surgeons and get their advice. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Neal: I will be thinking of you at Noon on the 11th. My prayers go with you. You'll do fantastic! Nina: Speedy recover and safe journey! LJM: Do like me and take a sleeping pill! It's going to be alright!

Tami: My best friend almost stopped being my friend because of my weight loss. The night before my LB surgery, her and her husband came over and tried to talk me out of it. She said you are beautiful the way you are, just except yourself. (Like she has accepted herself). Then when I started to lose weight, she went on a diet and lost about 40 pounds. I was happy for her, unfortunately she has gained it all back plus some and for a while she would hardly talk to me. We have been best friends for 24 years. We use to go out with her and her husband nearly every weekend. Now my friend is finally forgiving me for losing weight and we go out as a couple about once a month. She doesn't call me all the time like she use to, but I finally concluded that she has to fight her own demons. I couldn't and wouldn't change back for her. I have not told her about my plastic surgery. I feel awful in a way, because she knows so many of my secrets (we were friends), but I don't want to upset the delicate balance that we have going right now. I know she won't approve. It's not like me to not tell her, but I just think it's better. Now, Tami, I know when you read this that you will feel a little indignant for me and that my girl is how, I'm feeling for you right now. Unless your friend has walked in your shoes and your body, she doesn't truly know how you feel! Your friends don't have to have the loose skin and they are not the ones who will have to feel the pain of having it removed. I know it's scary to stop exercising for a while and that is one of my concerns, but you seem like a determined person. I am. JulieNYC said it does set your strength back a little, but she ran a marathon 3 months after her surgery. Our bodies our amazing things and they will heal and we can get back to our exercise. The question is really how much can they do for you and is it enough? Will you be happy with the results. Now, that is the big IF for me also. I'm going to share what my OB doc told me. She is the one who encouraged me to get the TT. She said that having the fat removed and the excess skin from my stomach will fundamentally change my body chemistry. I will not be at as a high risk for type 2 diabetes or heart disease, which stomach fat is an indicator of. Having the fat removed from the stomach and your thighs means that that fat is gone, it will not come back to those areas. Now, if you gain weight again, your other fat cells in our parts of your body could get larger and you might find yourself with a different looking fat body, but if you keep your weight down, you'll never have fat issues on those parts of your body again! I think that is amazing. My doc also told me that it will help my metabolism. My body spends a lot of energy trying to take take of that part of my body. In short, the tummy tuck is not just for looks, but even if it was, there is nothing wrong with getting rid of that skin and trying to look better. We feel so vulnerable when it comes to comments about our bodies. We are so use to feeling negative about them and getting negative remarks from others. Today, I had an appointment with my internist. He wanted to see me and check my thyroid before my PS. I was so nervous to see him, I thought he might tell me to lose more weight first or that I shouldn't do it for health reasons, etc. I was floored when he was totally supportive, very complimentary and said that if it was him, he would get the implants. Can you imagine? For years, even six months ago, he was telling me to try a little hard, get a trainer, etc. I'm so conditioned to this that it never occured to me that he would be suportive. I know that I have really rambled, but really Tami, the question should and can only be. What do you want to do? Keep us posted. We'l love you even if you don't do the PS. Let us know how the port change goes.

Nana: I was just wondering, did you get muscle repair along with your TT? You just seemed to have bounced back so well.

Nina: Hugs and best wishes! I'm so excited for you! It's going to be hard to be patient and wait to here from you. Can't wait to hear how it all goes. Please don't forget to have your husband drop us a line so we everything turned out well. Sending positive energy your way!

Tami: You have a lot of decisions to make and I sympathize with you. I've been quesitoning myself along the same vein. Is it just vanity and at what cost to myself in pain, time and money? Not to mention the potential danger involved. Luckily my DH, who by the way, hates to spend money, has encouraged me to do it, not because he wants my body any better, but because he understands how hard I have worked and how in a fundamental way this will change my body and my self image. You have worked and been very focused to get where you are. And why won't you keep the weight off? Yes, you've gained weight back in the past, but, just like a reformed alcoholic, these slips are part of the process. You have changed. You exercise now and you have the lapband to back you up. Unless you become clinically depressed, I think you have a good chance of keeping it off and stastics for the band back this up. You've just been through an exhausting mental and emotional roller coaster ride this past week. It will be alright. Also, looking at your photos, I would say, at least in clothes, that your upper body looks pretty damn good. I definetly think from your before and after pictures that the lower body lift would make the most difference in your body and would change your fat distribution and metabolism the most. Pretty boobies are great, but for a fundamental difference in your body, I would go for the lower body stuff. It's just my opinion, of course. I'm still trying to decide on augmentation. I'm also looking at 2 procedures because they can't get it all done in one. I'm really not sure if I'll have 2, so I've had to prioritize. There does come a point where we have to accept our bodies and we definetly have to learn to love ourselves regardless of our little flaws, but just maybe part of loving ourselves is taking care of some of the things that we can improve. You've done most of the work already through diet and exercise, now it's just a matter of choice. You're a great gal, I wish you the very best!

Lynn: I totally understand about getting the pain over with all at once! I don't think the drains are any big deal. It's like anything else, when you have to you cope! Now, remember how you could only eat liquids for weeks at a time, and what a scary experience getting the lapband was? You did it and you can do this (if you want too)!

Lynn: You work fast, can't believe you already have a surgery date! Congratulations! It is nerve racking to anticipate the pain and the results. Also, very exciting. I'm sure the results will be great. Will it cost a lot more to do the lipo later if you decide to?

Okay September Bandsters, I thought we were going to start posting again! MimIn: How is the exercise going? I have a question for you. I'm still trying to decide if I want a little breast augmentation with my lift. Did you notice the extra weight in your breasts? Was it uncomfortable (after healing)? Does it cause back aches etc? I'm alittle concerned that the extra weight from the implants might bother me. How hard is it to get use to? Oh, by the way, I lost another pound last week. Slow but sure, I guess.

Laurend: I would go and get some consults. You can't make a decision without more information. The PS will tell you have more weight loss, costs, recuperation, etc. Good luck!

Amy and Icecream: You need to join the Feb/March Plastic surgery forum. We need you. I'm having my TT and BL right between you both. My the nerves get bad, don't they!?