loridee11

Hey all, My favorite is Optimum Nutrition 100% whey Protein in vanilla Ice Cream flavor. Info below: Cal 120 Pro 24 G Carbs 3g I mix it with light orange juice which adds an extra 50 calories and it tastes like an Orange Julius. Yummy!!! ~Lori

Hey Sandra, It's been almost 2 years since my lap band surgery. I've lost ove 140 lbs and am only 20 lbs from goal. However, since my last fill I don't get hungry, I get nauseous (sp?). It's so wierd, but I know when it's time to eat because of that. Not sure if that's what you're talking about... ~Lori

Hey Karey, Just checking in to see how you are feeling. I hope everything went well and that you are doing fantastic. I know a couple of people who have had knee surgeries, and all of them felt SOOOO much better afterwards. I'm sure you will too! ~Lori

Hi all, Now that the swelling in my tummy tuck is going down, I'm settling into my new size (which looks like it will be a 12 ). The challenge I'm having is that I need to buy pants in tall or long (I'm 5'11") and I have no idea which stores carry tall pants in normal sizes. I knew how to shop for my bigger body and am struggling a little with the new me. I do know there are several online stores, but sine I don't know how stuff fits in the waist I'd rather try things on before buying. I appreciate any help you can provide! ~Lori

Thanks Karey! My incisions are actually pretty clean. I have excess skin below my breasts and I have excess skin/tissue above my horizontal scar. I think both of those are too large to fix in the office - the breast is about an inch of skin across the bottom of both breasts, and the abdomen is across most of the bottom as well. I do plan on having another surgery next year, and he'll fix those during that time, or at least that's what I'm hoping :thumbup: I do want to clarify, I LOVE my results. When I look at my before and afters there are absolutely no regrets. And, if this is as good as it gets I would still do it a hundred times over. I am not ashamed of my body anymore, and that's the best gift I could have given myself. However, since the option is there to make it better, I'm going to take it. ~Lori

Thanks Karey! I am really happy with my results, especially when I look at my before pics :cursing:. The only area that makes me less than 100% happy is right above my horizontal scar... my tissue sticks out about an inch above the scar (a little pouch). Not sure if it's swelling, fat, or a combination but it kind of bugs me. However, I would still do this again even if there was no opportunity for future improvement. It's made a huge difference in how I look and feel. I do agree with you about how the Dr. could set better post op expectations. I always wonder if Dr.'s have gotten lazy now that most people have internet access or if they've always given this level of detail and people were just lost and confused post surgery before. Either way, I am SO grateful for chat boards like this. ~Lori

Hey Karey! Thanks for the wishes. I had my fill today under floro and everything is sitting just as it should (relief). I am now at 2.8cc's and am hoping it's not too tight (at 2.9 I was coughing at night, although that was 30 lbs ago). As for Dr. Saltz, I do still really like him. I'm not 100% happy with my surgery results, but I do know a large part of that was the amount of skin I needed removed. WHen I met with Dr. Saltz for my six week appointment he agreed that there was additional skin we could take off and would in my next surgery. So, when I do the second half of my lowerbody lift I'll have additional skin taken from my abdomen... hopefully a thigh lift at the same time. What about you? I know you've had some issues this time but are you still liking Dr. Saltz? Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out while you get back on your feet!!! ~Lori

Hey Karey, Happy Thanksgiving! I just caught up on your thread and wanted to with you the best with your band. I go in Monday for my first fill since January (I had a slight unfill in May) and am hoping my band is sitting right. I can eat pretty much anything since surgery so I'm hoping to avoid what you've already been through. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and I'm glad things seem to be going better! ~Lori

Hey all, I thought I'd post a couple before and after pics following my extended tummy tuck (vertical and horizontal incision) and breast lift. The two pictures are the day before surgery and two weeks after. I'm almost three weeks out now and continue to look even better. A little background - I had the lapband surgery in January of 2007 and had lost just over 130 lbs prior to my plastic surgery. The Dr. took 8 lbs of skin from my abdomen, but we didn't do any liposuction. I'm probably going to take these down in a couple of days... Hope these are helpful! ~Lori Plastic Surgery Pictures, Videos, Photos, Pics, Before, After, Cosmetic Surgery

HI all! I've updated my photo's with 3 and 4 week photos. I don't see a ton of difference between week 2 and 4, and I'm still pretty swollen, but I feel MUCH better. I'm at 5 weeks tomorrow and can't wait for 6 weeks when I can stop wearing my binder! ~Lori

Hi all, So, as I have lost weight and am getting closer to goal, I'm trying to understand what a reasonable goal size would be. Would anyone be willing to share their weight at certain sizes? I'm 5'11 and currently weight 202 lbs. I'm in a size 14/16. My goal weight is between 165 and 180, and I'm hoping for a size 10, maybe 12. Is that reasonable? ~Lori

I didn't have a reduction but I had a lift 4 weeks ago which took me from a DDD/E to a D. I actually have WAY more sensation before. I'm really hoping that some of the sensation goes away because I'm too tender, especially now that it's getting cold out. ~Lori

Hey Shalee, Congratulations on your surgery and I hope you're feeling better! You and I are pretty similar in that I had a extended tummy tuck with both vertical and horizontal incision on Oct. 14th (so 1 1/2 weeks ahead of you). I didn't have a breast augmentation, but I did have a lift. I am SO happy with my results - even through the swelling - and I'm sure you will be too. If it helps, this week has made a huge difference in my energy levels, etc... Anyway, congrats again and let me know if you need anything ~Lori

Hey Sula, I had a lot of loose skin that was filling out my bra, and that's what made me so large. If you primarily have breast tissue you'd need a reduction, but if there is a lot of loose skin a lift may work for you. Just an update, I went bra shopping and I did end up a D rather than a C. Oh, congrats on your weight loss and being close to your goal!!! ~Lori

Hey, I have both a horizontal and vertical incision because of how much tissue I needed removed. The Dr. could have done just a horizontal incision, but he felt it would leave me boxy, I wouldn't have any curves. The vertical incision allowed him to remove tissue from the middle of my body and let me keep some curves. Also, I posted a week three photo. It's a little dark, but overall my shape is the same (still VERY swollen) but my scar is looking better and better. ~Lori

Hey :biggrin: Thank you for the feedback. I had a lift only. I was in a DDD before surgery and it looks like I'll be a C now, which is perfect. I can't wait to go buy a pretty bra --- and everything else in the store :cool2: Just have to wait for the swelling to mostly subside. I keep hearing 6 weeks <sigh> ... Must be patient... ~Lori

Hey all, I just posted a before and after pic in a separate thread if anyone is interested. I'm pretty happy with the results especially seeing the two pics side by side. I can't wait to see how I look when the swelling goes down. 100% worth it!!! ~Lori

4 weeks from today I go in for my extended tummy tuck (both vertical and horizontal incision) and a breast lift. And this morning, for the first time in my adult life, I hit the 100's (okay 198.5, but still, there's a one in front of it :thumbup:). I am so excited because I feel like the last year and a half of hard work is really paying off. Having said that, for those of you that have been there, what are the must have recovery aides I should be buying. I've heard wedge pillow and toilet seat riser. ANything else? Also, if any of you have done the research, is makemeheal really the cheapest place to get these. I am so excited to be joining all of you in this next stage of weight loss, and after surgery I will share both before and after pics. I look forward to any recommendations you may have! ~Lori

Hi all, Thanks for the well wishes - I'm doing much better today and am trying to switch from the real pain meds to Tylenol. So far so good :smile: As for happiness, I think I'm going to be happy. I'm having a hard time tryng to see through the swelling to see what my actual body will look like. We didn't do any liposuction and my belly is pretty round still (the rolls are gone though). I'm not sure how much of the roundness is swelling and how much is still me. Plus, I'm still not fitting into pre-op clothes that actually fit (I had two pairs of pants). Having said that, THE ROLLS ARE GONE, and my nipples point out rather than down, so those are great things!!! Any thoughts from those that have been here on how long before I should by new clothes? Most of my pre-op clothes were too big and I imagine if anything this will make them bigger... ~Lori

Wow Karey! I'm so impressed with how well you sound like you are doing - and already off the pain meds... I'm just starting to get there and I don't think my procedure was quite as bad as yours. Anyway, glad to hear your doing better! ~Loridee11

Hi all!!! We'll, it's been just over 5 days since my surgery and I'm feeling almost human :biggrin: I'm still sore and I can't stand up straight but I get my pain pump and my breast drains removed today. Also, I'm getting another binder so I can wash this one. Thanks for the well wishes. ~Lori

Congratulations Karey! I'm sorry you haven't been feeling great, but I'm impressed you've been well enough to be online. Today is the first day I've made it online. Good luck!!!

Thanks Karey! Tara actually told me 6;30 to be kicked out, so maybe we'll run into each other :thumbup: Good luck to you as well!!!! ~Lori

Thanks Karey! I am staying overnight, and I have a long comfortable nightgown that zips up and slippers. I will remember a pillow and the food for an upset stomach. how are you doing? Are you excited about your upcoming surgery?

Less than 48 hours and I will be in the flatlands. ACCKKKKK I am so excited! I'm getting ready to pack as I need to work tomorrow, so any thoughts on what I want to take not just to the surgery center, but to my parents where I will be staying for a couple of days? Also, good wishes are always appreciated! ~Lori