kareyquilts

Nina: I know exactly what you are saying. I think that your doc is right. It does take courage, time and money! I like that. I am very scared about it and I don't know why exactly. I feel very confident of my doc. I'm not that afraid of the pain. I wake up every morning about 4:00 am and I start worrying. I'm going to be exhausted before I get the surgery! I think it's a control issue. I have to give up control of the outcome and it scares the hell out of me. I have worked so hard to be in control of my body, to eat right, to exercise, etc. I guess I feel motivated on many fronts. I have 5 children and I love them dearly, but they grow up and then they are off living their own lives and even though you know that they love you, somehow I've felt a little discarded, tired and used up. I have a 31, 28, 26, 22 and 8 year old. My little daughter of course still needs me and is worried about the surgery. The others are "proud" of me. You know I don't really care what they think about this. I've given them everything and like you, I realize that I need to live more for myself. Maybe if I had, I wouldn't of ended up needed the band and PS in the first place. I don't like getting older and feeling dismissed by people because of my age. Since I have lost weight I look a lot younger, but I think its more than that. I don't assume that people won't like me. I probably am friendlier. I know that I am happier. I think, maybe it's not too late for me and I can still look good for a while anyway. I want to look in the mirror and not just see sagging breasts and sagging stomach. I don't think that's being selfish. I do think it takes courage and determination. It's exciting to think of the possiblities. I don't want to get too carried away, because at some point you have to make peace with who you are and just love yourself, but I think that for now part of loving myself is doing this for me. I hope that makes sense. I'm sorry if I went on for too long, it was a good question.

rharriet: I'm really excited about the upcoming PS too, but also very nervous! When you get closer PM me and I'll give you some suggestions for plastic surgeons. Livingthedream: That's the great thing about the body bugg, we finally are able to get the information that we needed all a long. Now if we can discipline ourselves and use the info to our advantage. That is a whole other subject! I love my BB. I don't like their food reporting side, but I'm trying to use it and be more careful about my measurements. My weight loss has really slowed down and I want to make sure it's not that I'm under reporting calories consumed. I talked with one of the head guys from Apex, he came to my gym and gave a presentation. He told me my body has been through a lot and it may be tired of losing weight (even though officially Apex says there is no such thing as a plateau!). He told me to give myself a month off and then get ready to fight like hell to lose the last 20. That's what I did and I started back 2 weeks ago to measuring, etc. Averaging a 950 calorie defiect daily, I have only lost 1.5 pounds in 2 weeks. According to them, I should have lost 4. GRRR! I guess I'll take what I can get. I'm also building muscle, according to my trainer, which weighs more than fat. All I know is that I'm down 1 pant size and looking better, so upward and onward into battle, I go!

Thanks for the info, I think it's running about 50/50 for being a little unfilled to leaving it alone. I guess I'll be leaving it alone since that's what my band doc wants. If I get the lower profile port, she said she would fill it to the existing level. Very interesting!

Nina: Your doc's pictures look good, especially impressed with the lipo pictures. Do you know what kind of lipo he uses? I don't think the price is that expense given that they care for you for a week in their hospital. My overnight stay will be $1,050. I'm just blown away by how you came to find a surgeon in France!? Did you just surf the internet and then fly over and meet him or what? This is fascinating stuff.

Nina: Is there a way to get the website in English?

Nina: Wow. This will be an interesting journey. I will check out the doc's website. I guess he speaks good English or do you speak French? Are the costs comparable with having it done in the states? Can't wait to hear more! Wish you the best!

I do have another question for you. I went to see my band doctor yesterday about getting a lower profile port at the same time as my TT. At first she said that there wasn't a lower profile port that it was a rumor. Anyway, I got her to call her sales rep and she said that there was one. Big Surprise! I'm not exactly confident of this doc, she is not the doc that did my surgery. He left town. Anyway, she has privileges at the surgery center where I will have my TT, but she said that the surgery center isn't approved for the band?! She will work on it and get back with me in a week. Is this another case of she doesn't know what she is talking about? I know that your dad put in your lower profile port, did he had to get approved by the band company? I'm not sure what to make of this or her. My PS is also a general surgeon, I'm wondering if I should just ask him to do it or what. What do you make of all this? Also, I will start a Pay It Forward thread, but it may be a week or so before I do. I want to think about it a little more. Glad you're doing so well!

Julie: Wish I could see you in person. You look fantastic. Thanks for being such an honest and open person. What a journey of determination and courage you've been on. Words can't express how appreciative I am personally for all you've shared. Thank you!

Alynne: I just wondering if you had any kind of unfill before your surgery? I just saw my band doc yesterday and she said not too, but she doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Diane: My you were up late last night! I love corny movies and I don't think that "Faith proceeds the miracle" is corny. It's true. Belief is the first step in any change. I just went to see my band doc yesterday to try and coordinate getting a lower profile port at the same time as my TT. She didn't even know there was a lower profile port which didn't exactly fill me with confidence, but she did call the company and find out. So, she said that she has hospital privileges at the surgical center that I'm going to, but that the surgery center is not approved for the band. GRRR.:angry She is going to work on that. JulieNYC's father put in her port, so I don't know if she's feeding me a line of bull. This doc is not the doc that did my surgery, he left town and his patients were referred to this doc, whom I've seen only 3 times for fills. Anyway it may work out. I'm digressing, because what I wanted to ask you is about your fill level. My band doc said not to take out any of the fill when I have my TT. If it's good leave it be. I remember that you went back and forth on this subject and I'm wondering if you would take some out again or have left it in? You know at this point, I feel like I could control myself, but time after time, I read on here where people have an unfill and gain weight. I think we underestimate the power of our band. Anyway, I'd appreciate your feedback.

Alynne: That's really neat. I like the lapband forum for that very reason. I feel restless. I think I've concentrated on myself for 1 1/2 years and it's been life transforming, and necessary to get where I am, especially after a life time of serving others in my family of origin, in my family as a mother of 5, as a wife who has worked beside her husband in his business for the last 20 years, as an active Church member and a volunteer in my children's schools, etc. I don't want to give up putting myself right up there in the priorities because I hope I have finally realized how important it is to take care of and nourish yourself. It finally got to the point, that I had nothing to give anyone because I felt so badly about myself. So, with those lessons in mind, I really want to go forth and serve as the new person I've become. It's going to take some thought to decide how, when and how much to take on. I'd like to see this discussion continues....

Diane: Thanks for the links. When are you going to post more pictures. The last ones you still had the drains in. I'm assuming that the swelling has finally gone done?

Julie: I bet you are emotional, I feel for you! I was talking to my trainer today about goal setting. I went to see my band doc about getting a low profile port and she told me that I look good, I'm muscular and should stop worrying about losing any more weight. It floored me. I said, but my BMI is still too high and she said that I have good muscle definition and look thin and with the PS I should be set. It kind of freaks me out. Anyway, back to goal setting... I was talking to my trainer about getting in shape to climb Mt. Kilamonjaro (SP?). I'm going to need some new goals. I bet you are in the same boat. I'm thinking that it might be cool to start a new thread in the AT or Near Goal section on Paying it Forward. After we have met our weight goals, How can we give back? Maybe not just to fellow banders, but even to the world in general? It's something to think about. Let me know your ideas on this subject (and anyone else reading this).

Okay, I'm now going to have to get "Skinny Bitch." I'm a little confused because I though we would report our totals on Sunday. It seems like a lot of work for Stef to have to do it daily?! Yesterday, I only did 30 minutes on the ellipitical. Felt fluish and getting a head cold. I took Zicam, Airborne, Emergen-C, and lots of herbal teas. Felt a little better today. I did the elliptical for 30 minutes and worked with my trainer for 1 hour and 20 minutes. He worked me good and hard. I will probably be sore. Anyone have a good suggestion for sore muscles?

Alynne: Glad your drain removal didn't hurt too bad. Is the drain above your pubic area painful to have in? Are you anxious to get it out?

I'm up a pound! I'm so frustrated. I've upped my exercise and am watching my calories. GRRRR!

I think keeping the challenge in this thread would be good. How should we report our values? Total time spent exercising, daily calorie average? It's a little complicated. Or weight lost for the week?

I'm in for the exercise challenge. I want to try spinning but it does look imtimitading! Today, I did the elliptical for 30 minutes and worked with my trainer for 1 hour. Will try to do the treadmill late this afternoon to keep the ole metabolism ramped out. Go last 20 pounds!

Yea, you're going to be glad to get that fill! I hope you can find a gym that works for you. Sure has made a difference for me. I will be using a pain pump, it's standard procedure for my doc. Boy do I have a lot to do before the surgery. UGH! Oh, and I bet you are retaining some water, so keep flushing and drinking.

Can't wait to see new pictures! Glad you're feeling better. I bet you're going to love your shower. We have a new kid on the block for PS. Check out Nurseangel's thread. She needs encouragement!

Since I've encouraged everyone else to start a thread, I guess I will, but probably not until 1-2 weeks before the surgery date.

Stefanie: I just ordered the casein protien powder. My doctor told me to start taking protien right before bed, that it would help with night hot flashes, which she said I probably low blood sugar. I've been having a lot of insomnia. Hopefully this will work for me too!

Stefanie and fellow exercisers, thank you for letting me join your thread! I think this will help me meet my goal and may be just the push I needed.:help: New Year Resolution: LOSE THE LAST 20 POUNDS! 20 lbs and counting. :car:That will put me at a BMI of 24. Today I exercised on the elliptical for 30 minutes and went snowshoeing for an hour (awesome workout). I am holding my calories at 1250-1300, I will report back. I use the body bugg, so I know exactly how many calories I'm burning. I aim for 2450, with a 1000 calories deficit. I may try for a larger deficit and a higher metabolic rate. If my knee can hold out, I'm really going to push it! How did I choose a plastic surgeon? I made 3 appointments. One was the PS my band doctor recommended, one was the PS my OB/gyn recommended and one was a friend who was thrilled with her results. All three doctors had a little different take on what I needed to do, but 2 of them were very similar. I compared the two who were similar and made my choice. I went with the doc who my ob/gyn recommended. She raved about his work on some of her patients. I liked his pictures, mannerisms (he didn't talk down to me), the time he spent explaining things, the pain control methods, etc. He was about $1,000 more than the other two, but he is also going to do a mons lift and lipo. He also does the surgery at a surgerical center and insisted I stay overnight. The third guy has his own surgery suite (which I know is common) and would pay a nurse to stay overnight with me. I felt uncomfortable with that because his office is far away from the hospital and I like the accountabilty of other doctors and nurses being around at a place like a surgical center. The third doctor said I would be in surgery about 8 hours. That seemed like a long time. He was younger and I wondered if it had enough experience. The doctor I choose said it would be about 5 hours. I felt that he wasn't too old (probably around 50) and had a lot of experience and was probably at the top of his game and not yet getting behind the times. He is also the president of the state association and licensing board. The first doctor would have done my arms at the same time as the TT and Breast lift, which would have been nice. The other 2 doctors said no way would they do the arms at the same time, it would be too much for me. They said, how would you get yourself up? You can't put any weight on your arms and it will hurt to use your stomach muscles. That made me eliminate doctor #1. Well, I probably gave you way too much info, sorry about that. To have the TT, BL and lipo the flanks will be 12,500 (which includes overnight stay, pain pump and compression garment). Good luck to everyone in 2008. May be all reach our goals.:party:

Miriam, moving is good and I bet your dog appreciates it!

Alynne: I hope you get the drain out too. I hear they're very uncomfortable. I think sometimes it's painful to get the drains out and sometimes it's a cinch. I think it depends if there crusty, etc. May the god of cinch be with you! Let me know how it goes. For my outing into the plastic surgery world, I'm getting a tummy tuck, breast lift (the girls are so sad) and some lipo on my flanks. My doctor said it would be about 5-6 hours. About 6 months after that I will probably get my arms and back side done. We'll see how I do with the first set of procedures. I had to prioritize and the pannus has got to go, the breasts are like icing on the cake. Good luck tommorrow!