KirstenHope

I am having a breast lift and arm lift in 20 days! I am so excited. I will post before and after pictures. Any advice on preparing for the surgery? I see my doctor on the 9th for the pre-op appointment.

I have a 14cc band, I received 3.5cc at surgery. 1st fill was 1cc about a month out. I don't remember what the rest have been. My last fill was .05cc and it was just enough to help restrict. But I am at 9cc now and feel great - I am my sweet spot!

I am paying $12,312 for both surgeries done at the same time. My belly is not that bad. My thighs will need to be done but I am not ready for it yet. I am soo excited!! I feel the way I did waiting for the lapband surgery - I feel like time is standing still! I am going to Dr. Scott Rotatori in Winter Park. Close to Orlando. He is about 1 hour from me. I am a little south of Daytona Beach!

Hello - I used East Coast Bariatrics - Dr. Joel Sabastein .He is in Daytona Beach. He and his office have been amazing. I was living far from the office at the time and his office was great about sending me to local doctor for some of the pre=op blood work and test or he scheduled multiply appointment so I was not travelling a lot. Now I live close to his office (which is why I went with him - I knew long term he would be closer to me) I have been VERY happy I was banned in Dec 2010. His office also offers monthly supports groups. Very supportive staff and a few on his team have also had different WLS so they exactly what you are going through. Good Luck!!

I understand your despair. I would think we all have felt it often and sometimes felt like this will never work. What helped me was finally being banded. Feeling so grateful I was not the person still asking questions in the Pre-Op threads (not that any thing is wrong with that!!) Then the thought of feeling great and looking great. I have lost 100 pounds since 2010 AND I have eaten donuts, junk food I even still like my vodka on weekends, I try not to condemn myself and beat myself up. I try to stay focused when I am food shopping and not buy the junk food that will stand in my way of being a thinner me! It is hard and as you are healing but once get fills if will all start feeling different, if you keep your head in a good place it will become easier to make good food choices. And when you do "fall off the wagon" if your head is in a good place it will be easier to say "ok, had my donut, know back to it!!" Hope this helps, congrats on your band. I have named my port Patty the Port. We have a love/hate relationship!!You can do it!!!!

I am only doing boobs and arms but I will let you know!!

Ohh A topic I love!! I have lots. Hard to say in numbers. I have more covered areas. Left fore arm done, I only covered my top left arm because I am having an arm lift - after the lift I will cover the scar on both arms with tats - left arm is lilies and hibiscus. I have my entire right calf covered with a huge weeping willow tree and a pin-up girl looking fairy. I have my neck covered by all different stars. half my back with 2 big fairies (yup got a thing for fairies!) Then I have several smaller ones, thighs, ankle, ring finger. I also have a dragon on my left breast that will soon be distorted because of a breast lift - not really upset about this, I got the tat 20 years ago and would like to have it covered anyway!

I get mine at Walgreen. But I see it at any pharmacy type place. I get little soft capsules but I have no problem taking pills if I am not trying to eat at the same time. I take it with my Ice tea or coffee.

I agree!! I will post pictures!! I will wait till after surgery so I have before and after pictures, I can not image anyone wants to see my saggy parts now!! It helps me to see real people with a voice and not just surgery site pictures!

I had my surgery Dec 2010 - about 2 or so months after surgery my nice (not so thick but enogh) long curly blonde nice truned to fizzy straw. I started on 1000mg of Biotin and it took a littlw while but it did get better. After a good hair cut it was great I also increased to the 5000mg. know since loosing weight I am comfortable with a shorter hair cut an dmy hair had remained healthy. Not sure if it was Biotin or not but I have not stopped taking it!

Hello Dec 2010 Bansters!! Just checking in. I am lurk on this board way more then I post so thank you all for airing your dirty laundry! It helps the Lurkers!! I have hit my first goal weight of 199lbs and now (as of this morning) I am 177lbs - Not far from my goal of 160lbs. When I started this my highest was 280 - I think when I finally made it to the WS Doctor I was 260ish. I am feeling great with the extra weight gone. There has been some struggles over time but over all I am still glad I made this choice. And now I have made another big choice, I am starting to have some extra skin removed. July 26th I go to have my breast lifed and my arms lifted. I am so excited & nervous. Feels like open a new chapter (again) Anyone else from our group having plastic surgery?

Out of pocket. I have BCBS and they covered my WLS but they will not cover skin removal unless there is a issue. My boobs sagging they do not consider an issue I am using Care Credit to help pay for it.

I see this topic has not been posted in for a while but I just joined this group. I live in Edgewater FL. I was banned in Dec 2010 a=I am down about 100 pounds. I am setting up breast and arm lift. for July 26th. Just wanted to say hello!!!

I just just got my 4th fill on Tuesday (last week) and I now have 9cc in my 14cc band. After every fill it takes me 2 weeks to be able to eat more normal. My stomach must be senstive. I am eating some mushies now. Drinking protein. I can not drink real fast but everyday i feel a little better. Ihave alos dropped almost a pound a day. That makes me feel good!

I just had a fill last Tuesday. I was at the point that I could eat anything if I chewed it long enough and I coulld eat as much as I wanted. I gained back about 10 pounds so I went in. I think I have had 4 fills. I have 9cc in a 14cc (I think) band. I am feeling very tight right now but my body seems to take about 2 weeks after a fill to settle down. I am eating mushies and protein shakes, soups and I am down about 6 pounds already. Over all it still has been a great experience. I have not been around much but I am glad the support is here!!

I do love him and his staff! I had the surgery Dec 8th 2010 - I live just a couple of towns over I have a fill appt Monday. I think it is my 4th fill. So glad I found him. Kirsten

I have my surgery date set for December 8th!! I am using Dr. Joel Sebastien. The ladies that work in his office are WONDEFUL. I am out the US right now and flew into Florida just for my initial appointment. I flew in Monday the 18th and flew out the 20th. I was not expecting it but the office staff was able to have ALL my appointments done on the 19th. It was a very long day but I go it all done and was able to get my surgery date. So far I am beyond happy with the Doctor and the office staff. Anybody else use him? Surgery will be in Halifax Medical Center.

I too drink vodke and crystal light. When I drink the weight does not come off. I have no problem with the band but a few drinks and the calories add up fast!

Was banned in Dec 2010. I lived in the Virgin Islands and was banned in Daytona Beach Florida. After I had the surgery I flew up for my first fill. Because of the cost I did not return for 5 months. BUT I was fine I stayed in contact with the office, called if I had an issue. My weight loss was slower because of the lack of fills when I needed them but I still stayed on track. I have moved to Florida now, about 9 months ago. And in the 9 months I have had 2 fills. One in December and one a week ago. I would not be afraid to keep the doctor you have. I am so glad I never changed. Good Luck!!