bams659

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been on here for awhile, but was wondering if anyone could tell me what it costs (approx) for a breast augmentation at Cosmed - I am ready for one and can't get pricing from Cosmed until I have a consult and am just curious if it is that much cheaper than having it done here in Iowa. Thanks for any help - Kellie

Hi Kellie,

You can call Joyce at Cosmed for a quote-- send over some pictures and the Dr. can give you a quite right away

Hello,

I just want to thank everyone for all of your help and support – I celebrated my three year Bandiversary today. Took about 15 minutes out of a very busy work day to think about how far I’ve come. It was a bit overwhelming…..

From weighing 275 at my high, 265 at surgery and now 129, I’ve completely changed who I am. I am virtually unrecognizable and my health is amazing. I crossfit, do palates and yoga, along with cardio and weights. I went from a size 22 or 3X (tight) to a size 2 bottom, 4 top. I have muscles in placed I didn’t know existed. I was actually in a palates class and the teacher said, look like we have a professional athlete in our class – I’m going to need to work with them to make sure they get the move right through all of those muscles – I was looking for the person she was talking about and she walked up to me…. I was speechless. I still see myself as the big girl – I think of life as the opposite of Shallow Hall.

My personal life has improved, along with my health and my professional life. I’m a much better person and do things now that I could never have dreamed of doing as a big person.

I could never have made it as far as I did without the support and help of all of you. So a special thank you and shout out to all.

I know many of you have seen it but I did post my three year anniversary picture in the gallery http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?auto...si&img=1025

I just wanted to capture the time. Life is just so dam amazing!

Thank you and my love goes out to all!

Lisa

(if you're thinking about doing this - don't think - just do it!)

Lisa,

What an inspiration-- love that you have found a way to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Inspiring to me and I hope I am as successful--

Thanks so much for your story!!!

Kathy

if you are going to do both tt and augmentation on your bum - yes, you need aftercare and vicky going to the hotel is enough. Trust me - but dont go at it alone doing both. They both hurt like hell. Just wait till you see the results a tt does - holy hell its amazing.

I didnt have a "bad" experience. I did have one of my blood vessels in my stomach open but as soon as they noticed, they took care of it very quickly. After that the nurse called me everyday for about 5 days, then a few days after that againt to see how I was doing.

Thanks for the advice!!

I'll let you know how things go-- out of curiosity - did you keep your bum?? Am wondering if the fat was absorbed over time--

Hi All,

OK- not even 2 weeks post-op and I am already planning to get work done (of course all depends on my progress)

Anyhoos, I was going to do a TT and But augmentation w/Dr. Quiroz-- did some checking and Recovery by the Sea has been closed. Started talking to Vicky and wanted to ask if those of you who had TT or butt aug (or both) used aftercare. I would be going by myself and wonder if having a nurse come to my Hotel is enough- a little ocnfused and worried.

Also, did anyone have a BAD experience with Cosmed?

Please let me know- I am totally confused

Kathy

Hi. I just talked to Dr Martinez and he said that I can have a bath as soon as the glue comes of the sites which is usually 10 days. Can walk now but gymn at 3 weeks.

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Met you in TJ on the day of my surgery-- I was with the group that came in the AM of 9/30--

Glad to see you are well-- I am Day 7 and really struggling-- good to know about the bath and exercises. Cheated once with yogurt and really nervouse--

Keep in Touch!

Kathy

I am so excited! I was banded today!!!!!

Feeling great- up around-- Thought I through up some questions--

Hey There-

Tomorrow is the big day!!!! Will be in OCC tomorrow--

So- I CANNOT possibly read another post-- thought I'd ask a totally random question or answer them if anyone has some--

OK- anyone every had the buttocks augmentation done? I am soo going to get this done!!! Does it last-- were you JLO forever or did you go back to Spongebob Squarepants?

I really need to get my inner thighs taken care of! sooooo much loose skin and hanging down.. just bleh... has anyone had this done or gotten a price quote?

Thanks in advance.

Mindy

Hi Mindy,

I did-- did it b4 lap band and I was at a reasonable size (according to magazines that I no longer prescribe to or pay for!!!)-- ok-- its not painful, but you MUST wear your compression garment-- I didn't and I wish I had-- Your inner thighs won't look as tight and it can look a it lumpy if not

Also, be careful about weight gain (I know- duh) but it really goes out the window quite quickly if you do!!!

Read somehere that the body lift may be better!!! I am going to COSMED for the brazilian lift in Dec (very random I know)--but if you are considering plastic surgery in Mexico

Hi, Bams - my surgery is on the 29th - so I might see you at the OCC when I'm back for my next day check (or you may be getting pre-ops the day I get my band). Best of luck to you!

Great!! best of luck to you-- please stay in touch post ops-- we can support each other through bandster hell!!!

I am scheduled for September 30th, I am staying at the Mariott. Anyone else with this surgery date?

Hi There,

I am staying at the Marirot and am banded on 9/30!!!! I'll see you at the clinic??

I come from Bermuda to have my fills with Fill Centers USA/Dr Lee in Mt Laurel, NJ. He's great and I would highly recommend going to him. if you request Flouro, he will meet you at a Radiology center for your fill. I had both my fills done with flouro and I'm happy with the results (surgery w Dr Ortiz March 2008, 1st fill September 2008, 2nd fill November 2008). Happy to report that I have lost 63lbs since the first fill!

Hi,

I plan on using Dr. Lee-- can I ask what type of band you have and why you waited so long for your first fill?

had my 3rd fill yesterday .2 I have a totally of 2.2 and gained half a pound , lost only 3 pounds last month but gained it all back plus half a pound cause my fill was good for about 8 days and Now this fill feels like nothing once again, I'm starting to get mad

Hi there,

Have you lost anymore since your first fill?

Agreed don't let it get to you! It took me several fills to get any restriction. My first two fills it was 24 hours of mushies then on to softer foods, then after that it was just take it easy softer foods for the rest of the day and then I could eat whatever.

Use this time to start practicing "the rules". As I said in another thread this is the time to do it b/c once you have restriction there is no time to practice and it's PB city!

Stick with it - your restriction will come I promise!

Hi There,

What are the "rules" and what is PB'ing?

I'll be totally honest with you...I had horrible eating habits when I got the band. After the band I tried really, really hard to follow doctors orders and failed miserably. The 21 day liquid diet lasted 2 days for me. I did everything possible to sabotage myself. I read books (Dr. Ortiz' book is great), prayed, cried, etc. I really thought that I wasted my money and failed again at losing weight. What I didn't realize was that the band will not have any affect until it is filled. The first fill comes around the 6 week mark. I asked for an aggressive fill and got 3.5cc. That fill did nothing for me. I really questioned myself at that point. I actually thought that I would be one of the failures with the band. I immediately made another appointment for a fill. 3 weeks later I got another 3.5cc's for a total of 7cc's. That was the magic number for me. Now I see what the fuss is all about. I have restriction and am finally losing weight. I just needed a fill and a kick in the pants. The kick comes from the restriction. If you over-eat, you'll pay and then you'll learn how to eat right. I'm on track now, but it was not instantaneous and not immediate.

To sum it up...you'll have to be proactive and aggressive on your fills because the band alone will not help you. Drinking your calories will definitely screw up your efforts to lose the weight. Eating ice-cream and other junk foods will also inhibit your weight loss. Stay away from those things and eat only solid foods. With a good fill the solids will be enough to satiate you.

Good luck

Hi CatiE,

Did you go back to OCC for your fill or did you use a local Dr. ? What type of band do you have?

Anna,

I really look forward to reading your blog as your journey on. I am scheduled at the OCC on 9/25/09.

Maggie

Hi Maggis,

Please stay in touch. You are just 4 days early than me and it would be great to know how you are doing. Hope your surgery went well--

Kathy

Hi All,

You can reach her at:

http://www.potomacphysicians.com/provider_...g_frederick.htm

Is she very good? My patient coordinator said she would be good since I am in Maryland-- does she use xray?

Haha! No more "fun" stuff for me! I have had my share of plastic surgery already (got a tummy tuck, lipo and fat booty injections) a couple years ago) so I'm done for now! I want to get a boob lift after I have reached my goal but I'm focusing on trying to buy a house right now! We shall see .

I have lost 2 pounds since my fill but that's because I am working super duper hard on watching what I eat!

Hi Lea,

Any updates on weight loss? My procedure is 9/30 and you and I have the same weight-- I am a lttle nervous as I am really hoping that there is a lot of loss--I think low BMIers are slower--

Also, DYING to know about your fatty booty injections (aka Brazilian butt lift)! Thinking about doing it soon at Cosmed--if I lose the weight-- did it last?

Hi ,

My surgey is scheduled for 9/30 and I am so excited. Seems like the closer I get the more stories I come across of the band NOT working. Hope that all goes well and we are ALL successful!!!!!!

Good luck to all my Septemeber banders and lets keep in touch--

I was banded on July 21. I got really hungry too, but the creamy soups really helped. The Campbell's creamy tomato and parmesan (it is the kind you just pop in the microwave and sip from the can).

I have to be honest. I haven't gotten my first fill yet (am going to get it tomorrow at OCC) and I don't feel any different than before I was banded. Once I went to solids, I could eat anything. It all goes down same as before and I have put a few pounds back on that I had lost during the liquid phase. But I'm assured by others on this forum that this will change after a couple of fills. So hang in there!

Red

Hi Red,

Did your first fill go well? How has the weight loss gone?

Have you thought about adding some protein powder to your drinks, or buy some drinks with protien in them already. For myself when I drink a special K with protein drink I don't feel as hungry. It would still be clear so you wouldn't be messing up on your post-op.

I bought some protein powder, unflavored. My intention was to add it to drinks. I don't really care for it in that fashion though. I can smell it and it doesn't smell good. I do add it to foods though which is nice to have when what your eating doesn't have enough protein in it.

Just a thought!~

Hi Angie B,

I am going to be banded on 9/30 with Dr. Ortiz. Really interested to know why your weight has not dropped more? Are you a slow loser or did you go unfilled for some time-- not sure how I will know when to get the fill and if that makes a difference with the weight--

Getting kind of nervous!!