karenlynn79

Thanks everyone! I am soo excited! More so than nervous (today at least). Barb I am not having a thigh lift, just lipo. There is a small chance that I might have excess thigh skin I HOPE not so much. Only one surgeon out of 3 said I might have some floppy skin, so fingers crossed! I will check in when I can afterwards.. I took some before pics today. Someday I might post them here if I am brave enough!

Hi all, This Friday is my next (and last) plastic surgery: tummy tuck and inner thigh/knee lipo. I am 15 days out from my breast lift and aug. I got the stitches out on them today and I feel better. I am pretty happy so far but it takes months (they say 6 months) before you know what they'll look like. So now I am on to the tummy/thighs. I am pretty nervous about this one. I was WAYYY more swollen and uncomfy on the breasts than I thought, but not pain really. I have 2 weeks of help with my kiddos and movies and books. The hardest part is not being able to be active! It's awful. I am not a sitting-around kind of person. I also really wanted to get a fill before my TT because I am afraid I'll sit around bored and eat (as I did the first week after my breast stuff). But alas they won't let me just in case I tighten. I will be sure to let you all know how I am this weekend. I am having this round of work done locally in Stockton CA by a very highly recommended surgeon. Karen

Is that for scars? The only scar cream that plastic surgeons recommend is the kind with silicone. I bought a lot of it, it's called Kelo-Cote. It's expensive. I have been using a little bit on an OLD leg scar and I can tell a little bit of difference (and I don't use it daily as I should). Or they have silicone sheets. I have that too but I am waiting til I have my tummy tuck and everything closes up before I try that....

Yeah Quennee why not lipo again?? I am having my tummy tuck and thigh lipo in 2 weeks!!! I am expecting the thigh lipo to be bad.....

Yes have a full blood panel done, maybe you are low in something. It could just be the season too. Or your body is reacting to the weight loss? Don't know. I had my blood/urine checked before I went to Cosmed and I was relieved to see everything was good. Maybe do it now so that if something is amiss you can handle it now?

Good luck!!! Dr Q is really great.

Hey Sabrina, This has happened to me. I was too tight (did not loosen up) and I could get water stuck with too big a gulp. But when I had a good fill, if it was middle of the night and I took more than a tiny sip, it could hurt too. You could either be too tight or maybe taking too big of sips in the night. Also if you lay down right after drinking/eating it can get stuck easier in my experience. I would take it easy on foods today and then start out real slow. Also in the night just make it a habit to take super tiny sips....Hope you feel better soon!!

I THINK that when you chew more, you send signals to your brain that you are eating. So I am thinking that if you just eat easy foods, your brain doesn't think you chewed as much and doesn't signal you that you're full?? Kind of guessing here....

I am doing pretty good. I am way more swollen and tight than I thought I would be! It's not really pain, but it's just discomfort. I think I did use my arms too much the first 2 days. Today I get to take a shower and then I really am going to chill out! I haven't been doing much, but I have been up and around maybe too much. Anyway, I do not have to go back. BUT when I was there they kept saying "at your next appointment". Supposedly Joyce was supposed to tell me it IS best to come back down (which I would have if I'd known). My regular doc here has agreed to remove the stitches after 2 weeks so I don't have to spend a fortune on a plane ticket now. I was a little miffed that I wasn't told that. Dr Q does almost always go under the muscle. I got silicone under, smooth round. I am pretty sure I'll end up with full C's which is what I want. I had a full lift too, so I have an "anchor" incision which is the big one, around nipple, down and then under the breast at the crease. No way to avoid that with a full lift. No I don't have drains. Not sure if they care about price "posting" but I paid 4300$ total. I assume that does include aftercare if needed. Dr Q is great, he called us like 5 times the first 2 days to make sure I was ok. Now for the snag I did have - When I made the arrangements with Joyce in early Feb I clearly asked what were my choices to get home - when could I fly or drive home. I told her I lived in NorCal about 7 hours froms TJ. Anyway she said that I COULD get a ride home that day of surgery or fly home 3 days later. I chose to have my hubby pick me up and take my home that day. As I was talking to Dr Q AFTER surgery that day I said something about driving home 7 hours. He was upset. He said that that pretty much should not happen. Long story short, Joyce literally lied and told Dr Q that she "tried to convince me" that it wasn't ok to drive home! I think she ended up getting in trouble for oking that and tried to cover her ass. I haven't talked to Dr Q today yet but I am very irrirated by that. If it wasn't ok I wouldn't have done it!!! I think Quennee said something like Joyce is too busy to keep everything straight and I would agree with that. But overall I was happy there, as long as you are super clear and keep staying on top of them, I would recommend going there. When the tape comes off next week I hope I'll get a better idea of how they'll look! Karen

Hi all, My surgery went great. I took a cab from Lucerna to Cosmed (even though it's close!) and it was smooth sailing afterwards. The OCC picked me up and the border was pretty long but not terrible. Then a 7 hour drive home with my husband, which was not too bad either. I was hurting a tiny bit more than I expected but I think I just needed a Vicodin! Can't quite tell how they look til I can take off the gauze stuff but from what I can see they look just like the pic I showed Dr Q. So now the hard part for me: not doing anything at all for a week! I almost did the dishes this morning out of habit... I am not good at relaxing! Karen

Hi all, I am having my breast lift with aug today at Cosmed! I am at the Lucerna as we speak. Last night was crazy trying to get here. First my flight was super delayed, so I hopped on another one thinking that the OCC driver wouldn't know my flight was late. After waiting a while with no driver, I panicked and got a hotel near the SD aiport. I have no cell phone so I was so scared! But Francisco did find me there around 1:30a.m. and brought me to the Lucerna. So... I am off! I live in CA so my hubby is picking me up to drive me home this afternoon. I will let you know how it goes!! Karen

Dana, while I am glad you found a protein powder that you like (I like that one too), are you not eating solids in the day? Are you sure you are not too tight? I know you said you lost a couple lbs on liquids, but really our bands are designed to eat solids. With that said, I personally eat a liquid breakfast (juice and 1 cup of FF milk) because I work out right after waking and I can't workout right after food. But for the rest of the day, snacks and my meals, I eat solids only. I was like you at one point, relying on mostly liquids and I really didn't lose much. But once I started forcing myself to take the time to eat, protein first etc... just like they tell you, I was much more satisfied and lost (and am losing again) steadily. Also 4 protein shakes a day seems like so much to me. Aren't those like 220 calories each? That really will add up for you, calorie-wise. You might be better off trying to eat small meals as we are meant to.... Just adding my thoughts here. I am worried that you are too tight! It's just not worth it.... Karen

Hey Misty, Congrats!! You look so great! Are you having your lift/aug at Cosmed? I am doing the same thing this Monday, and I am starting to get nervous though I am excited too..... Good luck! You have really done well for yourself and you should be so proud! Karen

Wow Amanda great job! Keep it up!!

I completely agree with you Lisa. I know a lot of you are doing this and I didn't say anything before because I don't like to upset people! But honestly I was surprised by it. I have been eating so healthy, organic, vegetarian and I have never felt better. My goal is to put very little into my body that might be harmful. Including stuff like the so-called fat burners and things. I also just want you guys to be careful. I just feel that for me it's not worth risking a potential side effect or even long-term damange by something that is not regulated at all. So please be careful with your health! Karen

Yes I was able to eat like before. But I did feel like I had a little bit of restriction, I didn't eat quite as much as I thought I would at once, or I would be full longer than I thought I would, so that was good! Have fun and good luck! Karen

Hey Jessica, I had my daughter (1 year ago almost) after my band. After being banded I decided to try to get pregnant, it didn't happen, gave up, then tried again about 9 months after banding and got pregnant immediately. I had a medium fill at the time and my doc wanted me to gain the regular 30 pounds, even though I weighed 215 when I got pregnant. So I got a complete unfill I think around 2.5 months preg. I was glad I did, because as she grew I did get a little tighter. I never had any issues whatsoever though, with eating or PBing or anything. And I did gain like 33 lbs I think. So when I had her I was at 248. And yes I am at 158 now and super close to goal! I personally wanted to have 1 last baby before I lost all my weight. I was afraid that if I got to goal, then got pregnant and went crazy with food, I wouldn't get re-filled afterwards and return to my old habits. At times I felt mad that I basically started over. But, I did get a super sweet girl out of it! And it's been less than a year and I feel so great. Try not to view it as starting over. It's just a bump in the weight loss road. I have heard that someone's doctor told her to only gain like 5 or 10lbs during pregnancy, but that seems kind of nuts to me. Babies plus placenta and extra blood weight that much at least. So just realize that you HAVE to gain, for the baby. I seriously had fun eating. It sounds crazy but I knew 100% that after she was born I was DONE being huge. So I ate all the stuff I wanted and said goodbye to my old fave chinese food. And then 4 weeks after I had her I got a fill and then really went for it. I know that lots of women have had babies with the band. I had fairly bad morning sickness and puked a lot, no band issues. Had a cesarean and lots of ultrasounds, no band issues. So don't worry! Just make sure your OBGYN knows what the band is. And take care of yourself!! Karen Feel free to ask me any other questions!

Hey Bellgirl, My routine is this: I have been doing 2 types of exercises daily. I choose from: 20 min (6 miles) on the stationary bike; 20 min or 25 min (1.5-2 miles) on the treadmill, I vary running fast with walking fast, incline etc. Or I might do my 25 minute Step video and then a 20 min Pilates routine I have on DVD. I have all this stuff at home so it's easy for me to do. I keep my calories around 1200-1300 (back when I had major restriction it was closer to 1000 with less exercise). Just make sure you are getting enough protein, water and fiber! Those have always been the things I have made sure to do. Like around 50-60 g protein, fiber I think maybe around 30g and then I drink SO much water I pee all day! Hang in there. Change up what you are doing a few days a week. I use Ispoure Alpine Punch protein powder, 3/4 of a scoop with water in the afternoon for about 15g of protein. Otherwise I don't get enough and I like the flavor. I have also been eating a lot of organic stuff, fresh veggies and fruits and whole grains. Good luck! You may need a fill too if you've only had one. Karen

Christy, I have had both happen, being extra tight and then the next month being able to eat everything. It really just depends, it changes, you just never know what will happen with it during your period.........

Thanks everyone. I have been SOO happy today and have been trying so damn hard! It's nice when it finally pays off, even a little....

After months of nothing I have finally broken my plauteau. I added in more cardio and have just received a BodyBugg. I have actually been pretending this past week that I had it on to motivate me! Anyway I am 3 weeks away from new boobs and 6 weeks away from a tummy tuck and some lipo and I am SOO happy. I don't have great restriction now but I am determined to learn how to have just a little restriction and not go crazy. For those of you struggling, I have been there many times. With hard work and working with the band, you will succeed!! Karen Me today- 158 Me in June, not sure maybe around 189 ish Highest weight not pregnant, 235

Hey Carrie, sounds like you hit a plauteau. Totally normal. I literally today for the first time since BEFORE Christmas am finally down a couple pounds. Your body will always hit a plateau and it stinks. I would suggest upping your exercise or changing your physical routine, add in more weights or something. That seemed to help me. What about fiber? I get a lot of fiber, that makes a difference too. Hang in there, eventually you will get back to losing. And also, I believe they say that a 1-3 lb per week weight loss is "normal". Karen

Hey Cindy, This is totally normal. You have not stretched your pouch. Over the past 2.5 years I have had this happen many many times, I have overeaten like you can't believe one night, then to have regular good restriction again the next day, etc... and I have never stretched or damaged my pouch. This is just one of those things with the band, once in a while that happens. And I know what you mean about it being nice! I wouldn't worry about it. Just don't count on it being loose again, you'll set yourself up to try to eat more and then bam! you are stuck or something......... Karen

Yes Barb you are right in getting an unfill. I was too tight for a month and yes I lost weight the first week and then nothing. Also had no energy. I am surprised they gave you that much of a fill actually. I guess every fill person is different. Good luck, hope you feel better today! Karen

I would do it over again no hesitation. It's been 2.5 years for me, long journey, baby, and now since having Evee 11 months ago 88 lbs down. I have been too tight, too loose, mad and angry at the band, but I LOVE it. I would NEVER EVER been able to get this far without it, and I know for my whole life I will have this tool to keep me where I want to be............