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Your best bet is to call the customer service (or member services) number on your insurance card. Ask them what their requirements are for approval for weight loss surgery. Write down the date, the time, the number you called, and the name of the person you spoke to. Write down your questions and their answers. Some of your questions should be: 1. Does my policy cover weight loss surgery of any kind? 2. Are there certain types of weight loss surgery that are covered and if so what are they? 3. Are there any types of WLS that are specifically excluded? 4. Do I need a psych clearance? 5. Do I need a period of time of medically supervised weight loss appointments, and if so, how long? 6. Do I need any other clearances? 7. What are the BMI requirements? 8. Do I need to have any comorbidities for it to be covered? 9. What is my deductible? (amount you pay before insurance pays a cent) 10. What is my copay? 11. What is my maximum out of pocket? (the total amount you will spend in a year on medical care and then insurance will cover ALL of the rest) 12. Is the psych clearance (if you need one) covered by my insurance? 13. Is my surgeon in my network? And if not, what does that mean to me financially? 14. Is my hospital in my network? And if not, what does that mean to me financially? 15. Is my anesthesiology group in my network? And if not, what does that mean to me financially? Good luck.

Not sure how much people normally lose but I was totally pumped about these 10lb! Wondering how the upcoming weeks (prior to stall of course) usually compare to week one. Anyone care to share their experiences prior to the 3 or 4 week stall?

Thanks everyone, It feels surreal still. Yes I have been reading since I started my journey, so hopefully I am ready, I can feel it in my heart that I'm ready. I have to start the clean out and I already started getting the things I need for post op minus the Protein shakes since I have been reading that some peoples tastes change so I will see what happens with me. I do have the unjury starter kit, and the Isopure grape and fruit punch for the Clear Liquids phase. My date has changed since this morning to 10/18, my surgeon only does sleeves at a certain hospital so it had to be changed. Thank you so much everyone for being here, I can't wait to see you on the losers bench.( I couldn't wait to say that!!!) Oh and my doctor doesn't do a pre op diet so I will just watch what I eat and go to the gym to prepare.

I am 4 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I had severe acid reflux [GERD] prior to surgery. That is why I went with gastric bypass vs. sleeve; because the sleeve will only make this condition worse. I have not had a problem with GERD since surgery. I used a PPI [proton-pump inhibitor] called Prilosec [Omeprazole] to periodically treat this condition prior to surgery. I also was prescribed this drug for the first year after surgery, in order to allow my stomach to heal. But after the year was up, I could tell the this condition was in remission. You indicated that ppi medication reducing life expectancy 25 percent. GERD is a dangerous disease. It can lead to Barrets' esophagus, and many other problems. According to the internet: GERD is most often not a life limiting disease. Approximately 23 million Americans have GERD. The chances of Barret's is pretty small and even then less then 10 percent with Barrets will develop esophageal cancer. An estimated 13,000 people in the US are diagnosed with EC each year, so it is pretty rare. Everyone starts off with a normal lower esophageal sphincter and no reflux. The severity of GERD probably correlates best with the degree of damage to the sphincter, but this is not easy to determine in practice. These are the four stages of GERD: Stage 1 – Mild GERD The majority of adults today have minor damage to their LES [lower esophageal sphincter] and experience mild GERD occasionally. In most cases they either tolerate occasional heartburn or use over-the-counter acid suppressive medications with the onset of symptoms. Because their symptoms are controlled quickly, easily, and inexpensively with these drugs, their quality of life is unaffected. Stage 2 –Moderate GERD Stage 2 GERD is more difficult to control with acid suppressive drugs and reflux is more frequently accompanied by higher intensity symptoms. Damage to the LES is more extensive compared to Stage 1. Many symptoms can be satisfactorily managed long-term with acid suppressive medications. Over-the-counter medications often provide inadequate relief, so prescription strength medications are necessary to manage symptoms. Stage 3 – Severe GERD Stage 3 GERD results in a substantially lower quality of life and is considered to be a very serious problem. Prescription level acid suppressive drugs do not control symptoms to the individual’s satisfaction and regurgitation is frequent. It is also likely that one or more of the complications associated with erosive GERD may be present. Stage 4 – Pre-cancerous condition or reflux induced esophageal cancer Stage 4 is the result of many years of severe reflux. 10-15% of long-term sufferers progress to this very advanced condition. Due to long-term reflux, the lining of the esophagus has been damaged, resulting in cellular changes. Interestingly, these changes may occur in some with only minimal symptoms. Stage 4 involves the development of a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus, or a more severe condition called dysplasia. These conditions are not cancers, but raise the risk of developing actual reflux-induced esophageal cancer. At this stage, typical GERD symptoms may also be accompanied by burning in the throat, chronic cough and hoarseness. Strictures, or a narrowing of the esophagus, can also occur which is characterized by the sensation that food is sticking in the esophagus. This same symptom can also be caused by esophageal cancer. So perhaps it is not the use of PPI that causes the lowered life expectancy but the damage from the disease itself. Anyways from my perspective there is treatment for this condition and that is RNY gastric bypass surgery.

My hubby found this and bought it for me... It was perfect for the warm weather today I've had it since 3:30 and its 10:30 and I still more than half. Good sipping drink still drinking my Water. But I think it's going to popular for me this summer Surgery date 7/25/12

Flew into Puerto Vallarta, beautiful city but didn't see much the 1st day. Was met by Natalia, Dr. Joya's Asst at airport. Taken immediately to the hospital, blood tests done, met Dr., surgeon's assistants and anestesiologist. I was put at ease immediately, all of the doctors were VERY nice and offered to answer any questions I had. Dr. Joya felt my abdomen and said "good, it's very soft, will make surgery very easy". Next, I was Hooked up to IV and started on fluids, this helped with the hunger a tiny bit, was still ravenous though. I had not eaten any food since 12 pm the previous day - that was over 30 hours, NO FOOD, only some sips of water and decaf coffee the next morning before plane took off. Surgery done about 2 hrs later and lasted approximately 45 minutes long. Woke up in recovery room with some mild pain in my abdomen. After recovering there for a while I was wheeled into my room. They told me surgery went well and that my liver was normal size so no complications there. I braced myself for the infamous gas pain that everyone talks about - it never came! The only pain I had was the incision pain. Now, my stomach was VERY bloated from the gas, however, I did not have any gas pain in my shoulder or anywhere. This may have been because I went to the bathroom A LOT before surgery, or, because I did not eat anything for over 24 hours before surgery. The negatives - What I did not like about the care at the hospital was that after I woke up from surgery, I COULD NOT SLEEP. I complained about 5 times to the nurses and they would give me something for pain, but that's not what I needed and that did not help me sleep. They said they would call the Dr. but I don't think they did. They then gave me two pills but the didn't work either. Basically, I was awake from 10 pm and walked the halls until FINALLY I fell asleep for 2 hours at 4 am. This really irritated me because I was sooo tired but could not fall asleep and I really wanted my body to be able to rest after surgery. The night nurses you could tell they were getting irritated as when I rang the buzzer when I tried to go to sleep and couldn't and would ask for something to go to sleep with, they came in looking like they just woke up and would be like "si, si" and then wouldn't come back again until I buzzed them the next hour. I also had a hard time peeing after surgery. That may be perhaps because they put a catheter in after I was asleep?? However, I would just have to sit on the toilet and kind of "push" my pee out. That has lasted through today.... A couple of hours before check out they brought me 2 cups of apple juice and some ice and water. I took slow slips and had no problems keeping anything down. Oh, let me describe the room in the hospital: Beautiful! Had my own private room and bathroom/shower. Hospital bed VERY comfortable. Very cute, stylish and colorful couch and chair in the room. Flat screen tv and remote. Marble floors. The entire hospital was pretty it was called The Cornerstone Hospital in PV. Check out time came and Natalie the Dr's Asst came and gave me all the paperwork, receipts, box for band etc. She drove me to the hotel, speedily checked me in and I was off to my room. (Room was VERY nice) Marble floors, open sliding glass doors and balcony and was right on the beach so I could sit outside and look at the ocean. I included some pictures of the resort and hotel below. View from room: I pretty much slept off and on that day, drank some broth, juice and water, etc. - The next day I woke up and decided to bravely go downtown to buy some souveniers. It was a 10 minute cab ride and yes, I was in a bit of pain when he was bumping over the cobblestoned streets but I made it. I walked around holding my tummy and hobbled along, at one point a stor worker said "Oh, you having a baby?" I just nodded and laughed to myself not bothering to correct him. My stomach was sooo bloated I looked about 5 mo's along and I couldn't blame anyone with the way I was holding my tummy or walking along to think that - too funny, any other time I would have been insulted! Shopped and bought some blankets, windchimes, art, and a good bottle of tequila for my husband. After about an hour I caught a cab and took a nap for 2 hours then woke up and headed for the airport. (I decided to check out a day early because even though the resort was nice, I missed my bed and I missed my AMERICAN TV, lol!). At the airport after getting out of the cab and I asked for a wheelchair as I was wore out and sore and didn't want to drag my luggage around. This turned into be a great idea as I was whisked through customs and immigration and becauase I had a first class ticket back to LAX (TOTALLY WORTH IT ON THE WAY HOME BY THE WAY - IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO UPGRADE TO 1ST CLASS, DO IT, WILL MAKE THE FLIGHT BACK HOME SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE!) All in all, it feels great to have had this done. Have not got on scale yet, will probably wait a few day. At home, feeling sore but good. Body healing, eating jello, broth, juice, popsicles. Oh, I keep getting an uncomfortable painful shooting feeling in my diaphragh area and it lasts for a few seconds every once in a while after I swallow something, then goes away. Hope this helps anyone thinking of going to Mexico, so far, I highly recommend Dr. Joya....

I have lost 10 lbs in seven days. I am so happy. I'm starting a new business to. Mobile airbrush sunless tanning, like Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson and Paris all do. Beginning stages, this looks like fun!

I just wanted to offer some words of encouragement to all of you. I've had my Band since 12 Nov 09. I have lost a total of 54 1/2 lbs including (mandatory diet and Pre-op). I have lost on average about 4-5 lbs a month. So, for the most part, I am textbook with the weight-loss. So, though the loss was not fast, it is still coming off and, I am very encouraged. Well, I took my measurements back on 7 Dec 09. I'd completely forgotten about that. I hadn't really checked since then--other than measuring my waist periodically. Shockingly, this is the results: 7 Dec 09 10 July 10 Bust 7 Dec: 47------------ 10 Jul:39 Waist 7 Dec: 48----------- 10 Jul: 35 Hips 7 Dec: 47------------ 10 Jul: 40 Neck 7 Dec:14 1/2--------- 10 Jul: 12 Thigh 26 22 Arms lost 2 inches I know that this is long. But, hopefully it will motivate and encourage someone. Also, I have started jogging. Which has really helped too. Thanks, Brigette

Friday, June 19, 2009 Sugery's Done, New Life's Begun Surgery went well. The Dr. fixed a hiatal hernia (common with overweight people) which should fix my GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux). That'll be one less pill right there. However, with laparoscopic surgery air gets put into the abdominal cavity. Every time I take a sip of liquid and I swallow some air goes into my stomach which pushes on the air outside the stomach which presses some nerve in the diaphram that sends referred pain to the shoulders. I should absorb that air in a few days. My stomach's a little sore, but so far, there are very few repercussions to me physically. I'm only allowed to drink clear liquids for the first 5-7 days, and believe me, that's all I can handle. I can't garden for a few weeks or take a bath or go swimming. There's a port under the skin that the Dr. will use to adjust my lap band (think inflatable doughnut.) He'll put a needle through that port to blow up the ring as my stomach shrinks and the band loosens. If I have complications, the band can be removed. I am quite mobile, I can walk as much as I want, I just can't do anything strenuous that might move the band out of place. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I was very at peace before the surgery that I was doing the right thing and that God was with me. I'm excited and scared about this new life but I know God is walking with me through it all.

2/20/07 -The surgery and three weeks of liquids are behind me. I'm eating mushies and some soft foods. Lunch today-Turkey left over from my WW turkey dinner last night. About two ozs. and I was full Dinner-WW sweet and sour chicken. I always eat the meat first and then if I'm not stuffed I will eat the veggies. My stomach is doing much better. I'm trying to get the water in, it's harder than I thought. I can only eat about 4 ozs. at a time. I've lost 19 lbs. I'll do my measurements and record them tomorrow.

I have had this happen one time exactly two days ago... I am not sure if it is because I ate one two many bites, I had about 8-10 bites or Im not sure if It was the frozen yogurt ice pop I however had my heart wanting to explode out of my chest I became hot and dizzy worst feeling I have had since pre-op I walked for nearly two hours around my yard until finally it stopped. I do hope it happens to get better for you as I never want it to happen again mannnnnn Sending good vibes your way

2nd. Surgery. Options <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Make This Entry A Draft <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Lock Entry <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Delete Entry <LI style="Z-INDEX: 10000">Edit EntrySend Trackback30 January 2007 Posted by sstasevich Todays date 01/30/07. Just adding some info to my journal. As of today I way 210, so I have lost 146Lbs., so far. Still a long way to go. I would like to see about 135; but if I end up settleing for a little more, I'll take it. But I will still try to go lower. I am also in a size 18, some cloths are 16, but that's rare so ,I'm not counting that, just putting it in the computer. On 02/05/07 I go in the Hospital again. This time for a Total Knee Replacement. This is surgery #2 in a 2 part surgery. First was the Lap Band,and it turned out great. I got more thean I bargained for though. So did Dr. Jeffrey Genaw "Genious at work!" He had me on the table from 11:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., thats a long time. Especially when the band takes about 30 minutes.#1. He froze 1 Lymph Node, pulled it out, Bi-Opseyed it, and it came back normal, "CANCER HE WOULD HAVE CLOSED ME UP" then did the same to the other one, again normal. "Thank God!!!" These were located in the Groin, so you can only imagine the pain. #2. Old Scar Tissue Removal, From Gallbladder, exploratory surgery, and Hernia Repair. #3. Hernia Repair "He dug it out!" "ouch". #4. Last but not least, he put in the Lap Band. "finally"! And I just love it! I've lost 22Lbs since 10/31/06. But I'll take it. I spent the night in the hospital, and went home the next day. I no longer have to take Prevacid, I take Pepcid Complete, and Flintstone Chewables Complete/Choline. So I get my Vitamins, Calcium, and won't have a problem with Acid- Reflex any more. My Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Denniss Kelly told me that unless I lost weight threw surgery, that he would never touch me. To high of a risk, and the knee would never last. That was 10/05. I saw him 11/06 He said "Hy Skinney" I said not yet, but i'm working on it. I asked him about my knee? He said youre gonna get one, youv'e done everything we asked, so lets get some x-rays. He told me the knee was gone, and he doesn't understand how I am even walking? Trust me very carefully! So he said lets pencil in a date. I chose 2 dates, had to see what was gonna be best for the hussband. "time off, etc." I decided on February 5th. 2007. That's 6 day's from today; I'll be glad when it's done. 0 ipb.global.registerReputation( 'rep_post_2957', { app: 'blog', type: 'entry_id', typeid: '2957' }, parseInt('0') ); Share This Entry: ipb.sharelinks.url = "http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/225/entry-2957-2nd-surgery/"; ipb.sharelinks.title = "2nd. Surgery."; ipb.sharelinks.bname = "Lap Band Talk Forums";

Im excited scared nervous anxious giddy and all of the above times 10 tentative date is the 21st but that is not in stone hubby not real thrilled but im thru the roof nice to meet ya all

Thank you everyone...I appreciate your responses. Only 10 days to go!! I am praying constantly and know that God paved the path ahead of me. I love that there are so many people that are in so many different places and we can all come together and share w/each other.... may we all be on the loosers bench <3

I have had LOTS of surgeries myself. Never lost hair, never got cold in the summer afterward. Not after losing a lot of weight.. And I had a 10 inch incision after gall bladder surgery. I thought I said I don't eat simple carbs. My husband does, I DON'T. Other people have complained that food servers comment on the amount of food they eat. I offered what I thought was a humorous solution. Yes, exercise reduces your blood sugar but not to a predictable degree. You have to know what your sugars are going to do before exercising so you don't have to worry about lows and correcting them. But that is what my doctor says, so maybe you know more. Your kind of response is why I rarely post on this board anymore.

In 4 months I've learned a lot of things. About myself and my body. I'm now down -51.4 lbs, and past my first goal. I've had a lot of things go wrong over the past 4 months, and my sleeve has saved me from my emotional cycles of binge eating. I've worked hard, made mistakes, but I've recovered. I find confidence in places that I didn't even realize I had lost it. I've been cleaning out my closets and along with the large sizes I've also been shedding a lot of emotional baggage. I'm proud of myself. My impulsive, self destructive behavior was the most obvious with food- and since my sleeve I've become calmer, more clear headed, and grounded. I no longer lose control, and it's trickling into other parts of my life. I'm dating again and instead of accepting mediocre offers, I've set high standards, and remembered that I'm a valued person. Mr. Right will come when it's time. On God's time. I went out Friday night with a good friend, and we took pics together for the first time. Full body shots. And I was flipping out about how I looked in them. She was more shocked than I was at my reaction. When we went to our favorite place downtown, we danced and had fun- and I was scanning the room to see if I was the fattest chick in there. More than a couple of guys took notice of me. I wasn't interested in anything more than a good glance. It just felt good to go out, and not feel all I eyes were on me for the wrong reasons. I look back to so many evenings out with friends where I hid, and felt miserable, and disgusting in my clothes. When I first got this surgery, I was almost paniked at the financing-the amount of money I had to pay as a single mother was jaw dropping. I look back, only 4 months later, and ask myself "Why didn't I think I was worth this gift to myself?" I loved myself enough to get this surgery, and I'm truly a better person, mother, and friend for it. My outlook is bright. And I'm so thankful. Attached are two pictures from Friday night with my friends. I'm now a size 8/9, 164 lbs (and I'm the brunette in the pic!). I started at 216 and a size 16. Height: 5'9 Highest (Surgery) Weight: 216 1st Primary Goal Weight: 169 (Achieved 11/27) 2nd Optimal Goal Weight: 145 Sleeve Journey: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 8/17/12- PreOp/Surgery Day w/Pics Posted in Blog Week 1 (8/24): 204.8 (-11.2) Week 2 (8/31): 200.6 (-4.2) Week 3 (9/7): 196.8 (-3.8) Week 4 (9/14): 193.5 (-3.3) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 9/17/12- 1 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-22.5 lbs) Week 5 (9/21): 191.6 (-1.9) Week 6 (9/28): 190.1 (-1.5) Week 7 (10/5): 187.0 (-3.1) Week 8 (10/12): 181.9 (-5.1) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 10/17/12- 2 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-11.6 lbs) Week 9 (10/19): 181.4 (-.5) Week 10 (10/26): 177.9 (-3.5) Week 11 (11/02): 176.8 (-1.1) Week 12 (11/09): 174.7 (-2.1) Week 13 (11/16): 173.3 (-1.4) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 11/17/12- 3 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-8.6 lbs) Week 14 (11/23): 173.1 (-.2) Week 15 (11/30): 167.3 (-5.8) Week 16 (12/7): 168.1 (+.8) Week 17 (12/14): 164.6 (-3.5) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 12/17/12- 4 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-8.7 lbs)

I got a fill 10 days ago after living nearly 3 years with next to nothing in my band because of pregnancy and breastfeeding. This fill is totally kicking my butt! I still cannot eat most food. Liquids are ok, soft foods (think baby food consistency) are <i>sometimes</i> okay. I am headed back to the doc tommorrow to get a little taken out to get me back to the "sweet spot". After being off of the "band" wagon for so long, have I forgotten what a fill feels like? I have the large Inamed band (10 or 11 ccs) and I am at 5 ccs right now which doesn't seem like much in comparison where some others are that have the same band. Regardless, I need to be able to eat solid food! Right?! Feeling very frustrated and slighly sick after eating a mashed up avacado is not where I want my life to be!

:confused:Hi I was banded on June 5th of 08..I am 10 days post op. My incisions have been healing nicely or so I thought. I was sitting here tonight and noticed that some smeared discoloration was above my port incision....I looked at it and as I pressed near the incision to wipe it some clear drainiage came out...so I pressed more until the drainage no longer came out..not hard..just enough to ooze it out...then blood came out after that..but it wasn't bright red blood it was kinda brownish...I mean it was red but a browner tent to it...it is coming out a small pinhole of the incision. You can't even tell where it is coming from unless you see it coming out. It is not red, hot to the touch nor did the drainage smell....could it be infected. What do I do? It wasn't a large amount. Enough that one kleenex was able to do the trick to get it cleaned up.

Hello Everyone, My name is Dominic, I'm 34 yrs old (35 in May). I'm 335.4 lbs (just checked). Just got a call today telling me that I have been approved for my surgery on Mach 21st. Let me tell you alittle about myself. I'm a divorced father of two wonderful kids. My daughter will be 17 in December and my son will be 10 in June. I served in the Army for 13 yrs (1996-2009). And with having this surgery done I will finish my 7 yrs and retire from the Army at 20 yrs. I work full-time as a Nuclear Security Officer. I'm in school working on a degree in Business Management. I'm also an active officer in the American Legion Post 214. Well if you have any question or comments please post them and I'll try to answer them as fast as I can. Hope to hear from you all, Dominic

hey everyone. long time no see. I've been busy with pre-op diets and such....and then surgery on July 2nd....and now post-op diet stuff. it's been 9 days since surgery and i'm feeling ok. been a lot of ups and downs. pre-diet wasnt so bad! Due to diet restrictions I was able to have a tiny bit of real food mixed in with a lot of protein shakes and broth. the two weeks flew by pretty fast and it wasn't until the last few days that I started having the runs. that was embarassing at work.....in my head, no one actually noticed thank god! threw out a few pairs of undies though. surgery day everything went smoothly, took 2.5 hrs actual surgery time. they did repair a hiatal hurnia as well. I basically slept that day/night away and wasn't good for anything until the next day. i'm like that from anesthesia. I was in the hospital for 2 days as my blood showed it was fighting something. they wanted to make sure it wasnt infection. I walked a lot the 2nd day and was able to get liquids down. not as much as they would have liked, but enough. Please make sure your hospital knows who you want in the pre-op room, etc. don't let what happened to me happen to you........ day of my surgery I was in the pre-op room, in a hospital gown in the bed. i was about to talk to my bf about something personal that would get my mind off things. I tend to internalize everything and dwell on things. i was making myself anxious and starting to panic. i'd wanted to talk to him about stuff like dreams of vacations, etc. i open my mouth to ask a question and I hear a voice in the hall. i clamped my mouth shut and in walks a co-worker.....AND HER HUSBAND!!!! first of all i didn't want her there in the room with me. 2nd of all you bring your HUSBAND???? what made her think i wanted him to see me in a hospital gown? they spent the next 10 mins prattling on about their life, etc. probably to try and get my mind off things but it just made it worse. the anesthesia guy comes in and I had to talk about personal med stuff in front of them. they didn't get the hint to leave! then a few minutes later the doc peeks his head in and I turned to them and said, well I gotta kick you out now. yep, i was rude....but they didn't get the hint before! doc asked me who they were and I said a co-worker and her husband and he was appalled that they were there. the staff hadn't even tried to see if I wanted to see them! i made sure he and my bf knew that when the update came afterwards it was NOT to be in front of them. I was in full blown anxiety and panic by the time they wheeled me off to surgery. luckily they didn't notice as it only showed in the way my right leg was moving. I hide it well. if they hadn't sedated me almost the minute i was in the OR i probably would have jumped down and ran. and i also hear that they went up to the room afterward. i slept the full day so I have no clue who was there and who wasn't. Home everyday has gotten better. i was on liquids for a week and by the end was drinking everything i was supposed to with no complications. i'm now on pureed foods. people say that's the worst stage. I won't lie, it's no fun eating mush when my boyfriend is eating chinese and fried chicken, etc. however, with that said i don't feel hungry at all. i eat because im supposed to eat. I have no cravings for food as I thought I would. i see him eat something and think yeah that would taste good. but i'm fine eating what i need to and letting him eat his fav foods. lol i'm still bruised up a lot....especially from all the heprin injections (have to for 2 weeks). I still have quite a bit of pain on my left side and will need to ask the doc about that on Friday. and I wasn't able to go poop (sorry for graphic) since before the surgery. yesterday i was FINALLY able to and feel soooooo much better now. it hurt like HELL though! i've been sleeping on the couch so I can be propped up some. kinda depressing since my bf and I are now sleeping seperately. but I just can't lie flat and get back up in the morning. first thing in the morning my pain is worse. frustrated beyond belief right now. been having a hard time swallowing one of my night meds. it's a capsule so it's not like I can make it smaller. and if i take it out and take it as a powder I wanna puke. so called my psych and he switched it to liquid for me. got a call yesterday from the pharmacy (2 days later!) saying it would be over $100 (per month) with the discount card. discount card? what happened to my insurance? they won't cover it. so now i'm stuck with my capsules and hoping that they won't get stuck on the way down each night. i'm near tears! my stomach pain isn't going away and they gave me a little bit of a hard time calling in more for me on Monday. i feel so bruised up inside, i look like a pin cushion from all the heprin shots and I'm getting frustrated that I can't even do normal everyday activities. i'm eating everything i'm supposed to to the T...no extra stuff. I've only lost 6 lbs. i did lose 3 inches of my belly, so guess that's something. maybe my shakes have too much sugar or something? trying not to give in to the feeling of eating even less just to lose more weight. all in all it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. however it is still a very emotional journey and it's not over yet. i'm lucky to have the most amazing man in my life to help me through this and not let me slide down into my dark depression again. if anyone is reading this and still debating on the surgery please know that even after all i've just said I'd do it again. it really is worth it! one step at a time and i'll eventually get to that healthy life I desire so much

I apologize if it's been addressed somewhere else, but I haven't been able to find it. I read this alot... people getting not quite to their goal, and getting their plastic surgery. Now... I had just always thought (waiting a year or so and seeing if things tighten up on their own, aside) that you would want to get even maybe a little less than your goal, get your PS, then once you gained a little back, things would fill in and be nice and tight. I'm sure they're all good once you get all this work done, but wouldn't at least getting to goal, and then getting PS be better? If you get a TT and then lose 10-30 more pounds, wouldn't it just not look as good? or even, say, a boob job/lift/whatever. ? What's the 'standard'? Do most surgeons say "Yeah, go ahead... get it done even if you're not quite done losing!" or is "Wait until you hit your goal wait, and then come see me." more typical? Please enlighten me !! Mandi

My surgeon also does PS, he said wait until I am at goal. Oh well, so much for the short cut. I know what needs to be "tucked" would be about 10 lbs of weight gone.

Hi Parvathi, I had the full abdomnoplasty and also a medial thighplasty 6 weeks ago. I had some delayed healing and I still have an area between my bellybutton and groin that has not completely healed yet. I have to say that I am thrilled with my new flat tummy. Yes, its a huge scar and thats the trade off. I am not sure how I feel about the thighplasty yet. The scars start at about 4 inches above the knee, and do a T around the groin and buttocks. IT was extremely painful and was much worse than the tummy tuck. The drainage tubes at the hips are the worst. I had mine a short time (about 7-9 days). On a scale of 1-10, this combo of surgeries was about a 9. The best way to have these surgeries is to do one thing on the top and one thing on the bottom. I had both on the bottom and it was excruciating. I thought I would never feel better. I feel 100% better. The other night, I went for a walk feeling bubbly and enthusiastic and one mile later, I was struggling to get back to my door. It really takes a lot out of you. Babs in TX 334/189/170 -154

Everyday it gets a little better.. As much as you don't want to do it sometimes walk, walk about 10 to 15 minutes out of every waking hour it really does get that gas moving and out quicker! Discomfort can last about a week make sure your not twisting and bending to much. And it's easier to "roll" when you are getting out of bed. Good luck to you

I am 10 weeks and have salad whenever I want. I do eat Protein first, so don't typically eat "a lot". But I've had no problems with it... or anything really. Well... I think bread is "yucky" feeling. I seem to always feel uncomfortable if I partake in any bread. I guess it's a good thing for the long term. I hope it stays that way!