Kittycat

My surgeon does not recommend alot of ab work because of the port. He says cardio is the best for all around weight loss and toning of all parts of the body.

Hi Lynzz, once you've had the fat removed from your tummy and it's tucked, you would not need a touch up...I would like that it would tighten even more considering weightloss is continuing and of course exercise...LisaL is probably the best person to ask this question to. I have heard alot of tummy tucks being performed before weight loss is complete, so I am hoping the surgeon will do it when I hit 200 lbs. I better get my butt into gear and step it up a notch!! I want to lose another 30-40 lbs by Jan 1/09.

How true are your words. I have been overweight most of my life, since I was 14 years old. I started high school at 150 lbs...soon realized that I was my BFF's chubby friend. Not fun! I went on a crash diet, even fainted at one point to lose 50 lbs. I did it, got down to 100 lbs and was able to wear skinny jeans, a bikini and if I do say so myself, I was hot! My BFF had a boyfriend, his BFF didn't give me a second look while I was chubby, but when I was thin, he couldn't do enough to get me to go out with him. I cornered him one night at a party and told him off. I am the same wonderful person now that I was 50 lbs ago and I wouldn't go out with him, if he was the last assh*le on earth!! I have spent my entire life being told my everyone, including my own Mother that "you have such a pretty face, if only you would lose some weight". I am sure at least 50% of you have heard this same comment as well. I consider myself very attractive, at 285, 250 or 235. I keep myself well, I take care of my looks, I dress nicely. I look good, then and now. My friends loved me then and will love me a year from now when I am 1/2 the person I used to be. If they don't, they're not a friend. I have always loved myself and had great self esteem, which is a real plus now that I am working on getting healthy. Getting thinner is a bonus. I am 45 years old and have been married for 19 years, it's not about vanity, it's about healthy living. Until I get my tummy tuck and have a small, hot butt, then it's about vanity! LOL!! Thanks to everyone for sharing such great words to live by.

Hi Jessica, I talked to LisaL and my boss, both have had tummy tucks. Lisa told me that her tummy tuck removed the fat from her tummy and pulled the skin tight over the stomach muscles and voila, weight loss in the tummy area done! I am may not go for the butt lift, I can work on that on my own for now. Lipo in hips and back would be beneficial though. I will let you know what the surgeon says. Liposuction can be used as a weight loss tool, but I plan to work really hard in the next 3 months to get as much weight off as I can and firm up my legs, butt and arms so that I am ready for this. I expect that when they remove the fat and skin from my tummy, I will be down another 10-20 lbs...they took 5lbs from my breasts during my reduction 4 years ago.

Me too!!I weight about 30 lbs less than my hubby now...mind you, he's 6 ft tall and I'm 5 ft tall. Not that it matters, right!?

Congrats to you both!!! Feel better soon!! Safe trip home!

Best Buy here in Kitchener, got in 22 this morning, I called and they would not put one on hold, due to the demand. I got to the store at 4:45 tonight and there was one left! Mine!!!! I am so excited to get started! Tummy Tuck here I come!!

My clinic here in Canada provided my Optifast shakes...yucky!! You may want to chose another kind. Slimfast is good. Where in Canada are you from? I'm in Kitchener, Ontario. If you are close, I have tons left over, Vanilla and Chocolate....and you can have them!

Welcome!! So happy you made this decision for yourself!! I have already been banded, best decision ever!! Best of luck to you and I know you will find someone here before the end of October who is being banded around the same time too. Take care!

No worries Vix...I will be here for the long haul...I love you guys...it's not just about our struggles and triumphs...you guys are truly the greatest friends I've never met!!! Hope you are doing well Vix!!

Thanks Cara, hope you are doing better today! I have Leg Magic to work legs and butt, not planning that procedure just yet...tummy tuck for sure will be first. Talk to you soon doll!!

Good for you Denise...being proactive is my middle name, I like to have all of my ducks in a row and know when things are happening and the time line to get things done. If I know that I can have the surgery in Jan/Feb, then I will work my fool butt off to get the rest of the weight off. Good Luck!!!

Thanks Ramona! I have lost almost 50 lbs and plan to lose another 30-40 by the end of the year...so by January I am hoping to get some work done to excellerate the process a little. LisaL had great success with getting her tummy tuck and butt lift when she reached 200 lbs...I am hoping that my plastic surgeon will see those benefits too!

Hi Everyone!! I wanted to share my excitement! I have a consult with a plastic surgeon on Tuesday for a tummy tuck and lipo. I still want to lose another 40-50 lbs before I go for the surgery and if I need to go back on shakes and exercise my butt off, I will!! I would love to get it done in January/09 so that I can recover before my trip to the Bahamas in March/09. Wish me luck!!

Good Luck Stormy to you and your hubby, you'll do fine. Relax and take a deep breath, your son is fine. You don't want your blood pressure to rise before surgery due to anxiety. Take care and let us know how everything goes!!!

Hi Cara, You are doing great, wow you went back to work already, brave girl! You will feel better everyday...by day 6 I was back to my old self, I was pooping again, on creamy soups, which was like real food...but my port was tender and my tummy bloated for a couple of weeks, but it's all a distant memory now...I can't believe it was 3 months ago already and "48 lbs" ago!! Feel better my friend! (((Hugs)))

They have that on Facebook...where you can put your face on a stars body, it's really cool!! My face looks best on Shania Twain's body..LOL!!!!

LOL!! LOL!!! I love it!! My butt blows up if I smell food! LOl!!

That's cool...I have dreams like that too...mine is that if you rub your arms or legs or hips that the weight turns to water and melts away! LOL!!

Hi Jessica, I take Centrum Multi-Vitamin Chewables 2 per day, a disolvable B12 strip and 2 Biotin pills (small enough to swallow whole). Don't forget to take them, you don't get enough vitamins from food...and don't want to get sick. Thanks for noticing my weight loss too....it gets easier and having good restriction makes it easy!!

Wow Carrie, I can't say that's happened to me yet. I am glad you found a great fill Dr. and your weight loss is going great!! Good for you! I hope this fill is the one!!

Okay, sit down and take a deep breath. Make a list of what you need to bring for the fews days that you and your hubby are in TJ. Make a list of what your son needs. Make sure you have all of your travel docs. Stay calm, shrty is right, your son will pick up on your anxiety and he'll get upset. Stay calm, consider it a vacation and try to get excited about your new life!! Best of Luck and have a safe trip, be sure to let us know how you both are doing afterwards! Take care!

Wow Misty, you look fantastic!! You have done so well....the goal is right around the corner!!!

Hi Jessica, I am so happy things are going well. I had restriction for about 7 weeks post op, I found out later that my surgeon had put in 3cc in my 9cc band during surgery. Sometimes just the swelling or having the band will provide restriction for awhile. If you have it, bonus!! Make sure you are getting your vitamins and nutrients, I know it's hard on liquids, but you need to keep up your strength. Good Luck Babe!

I think it depends on a few factors...the band size, the size of your stomach and how much fat is between the band and your stomach. I have a 9cc band, my surgeon put in 3cc during surgery and I've had two fills for a total of 5cc in my 9cc band, I have great restriction right now. As my the fat around my stomach goes away and my stomach shrinks, I will probably need more fills to tighten things up. But I don't know that for sure. I was banded in Canada and have the smaller band. The other size my surgeon uses is 12cc. Others can probably provide a bit more info!