Recent Posts
Topic: RE: Hi Guys!!
Hi Trish!
I haven't been on here in awhile myself. But good to hear that you are doing well. I am excited for you having another baby! I do not know if I could do it. I am sure you are going to do great throughout your pregnancy and after.
Hugs, Robin
Topic: RE: Plastic Surgery Stories
Hi Melissa,
I had a circumferential pannelictomy (modified lower body lift) done in August 07 - covered by Tricare (we are retired military). I went back to work at 3 weeks. Took me almost 2 weeks to get to standing up almost completely straight but by a month I was back to myself. Low energy for a long time but that is also improving. I am thrilled with those results and am looking forward to the revision we will be doing (which I will have to pay for) to complete the lower body lift. The way mine is done was to give me better results through the waist and hips and then after healing we will take care of more of the outer thigh skin (the revision). I am trying to avoid getting a thighplasty done because I do not want that scar down my leg. The LBL revision will keep the incision in the bikini line and is very well hidden.
I had a breast lift with augmentation done on March 21, 08. I was back to work in 10 days and am feeling pretty good. I am anemic but that is because I never quite recovered my blood levels from the LBL surgery and my blood levels have been tough to get back up since. The breasts do not look quite like I had hoped but I am happier with them every day. I just posted a LONG note about that surgery so you can read the details on that. All in all I am so happy I have done plastics. I hope to just do one more with the LBL revision but if after a year I am still not happy with my breasts (and I can pay cash for it) I will pursue a BL revision as well. But for now I am satisified.
I wish you the best in this part of your journey. It is also well worth it!
Hugs, Robin
Topic: RE: Hello All!
Hi Amy!
So great to hear from you. I haven't been on the site in probably 2 or almost 3 months myself. So much has been happening that I just haven't had time to give to the site. For awhile there it was all I could do to keep my head above water. I began supporting another manager in November and then he took on extra duties in January. That meant my workload doubled and it took me a couple of months to get adjusted and get everything "in control". Then home has been crazy too. Art & I had some trying times at the beginning of the year and we are now working some things out. We just celebrated 20 years! Every couple goes through tough times and we had a couple of difficult months. It happens. I turned to food for comfort (and energy from the severe lacking of energy due to my emotions keeping me from getting good rest). So I gained 10lbs. I am working hard to get that off and another 5 at least. For awhile I kept telling myself that I didn't need to lose any more and that I couldn't lose anymore. But now I believe that I can and should lose a little more, esp what I gained. I would love to get into a 10 but to be in a solid 12 (even in jeans/skirts) would be so wonderful. I wear a 12/14 depending on the material/style/make but I would love to give up 14's altogether.
I think you have done wonderful maintaining your weight - and not really exercising too. That is awesome. It shows you really have made lifestyle changes in your eating that will last you a lifetime. I am sure with getting back to exercising you will lose those last lbs you want to lose.
Stay in touch! I'll try to do the same. Sorry your hubby is back in Iraq. We will keep him and your family in our prayers daily!
Hugs, Robin
Topic: Long update - Sorry to be MIA so long!
Hey everyone. I am working on getting an update to my profile - just realized I haven't written an update in almost a year! But I wanted to post here and try to catch y'all up on where I have been and what's been going on lately. I know I have been terrible at posting but I just haven't had time to get on the site and even read posts, let alone post myself. Work has been crazy but I am now getting the hang of it. I added another manager to support who then took on additional duties so his travel increased tremendously, along with his meetings and calls. My workload doubled as a result and it has taken me a few months to get and keep it all together.
Anyway, I am just over 2 years post-rny and doing pretty good. I want to loose another 13-15 lbs and am working towards that goal. That number includes some weight I gained back at the beginning of the year. Stress eating is a huge issue for me. So I was grazing A LOT on carbs (crackers, mini-chocolates, fruit) and so the lbs came back. I also stopped weighing myself everyday and as a result was shocked at the lbs gained when I did finally get on the scale. I have increased my cardio exercise and am working on keeping my calories down so I hope to see that 13 lbs off soon. I hope to feel back in touch with you all soon. I will try to post more oftenand keep in touch with everyone.
I also had my second plastic surgery. I had a breast lift/augmentation on March 21st! My story is below. I post this hoping to help anyone else who may be thinking of plastics. We all have certain expectations for what we want from WLS and our plastics. I believe that sometimes our expectations will not be met with the results we see, as in my experience this time. But that doesn't mean that we can not be happy and even thrilled with the results. I will also be updating my profile with even more detail and will let you know when that is done.
STOP READING NOW IF YOU DO NOT CARE FOR ALL THE DETAILS OF THE SURGERY!! Such as incision, appearance, size, etc.
We are retired military and I went through Walter Reed plastic surgery to have my bl/ba done. The same doctor who did my LBL did this surgery. So, on the day of surgery I went to Kimbrough and all went well. Surgery was about 4 hours and we began around 8 or 8:30. Can't remember the time cuz as soon as they gave me the happy juice I was gone! 
I was quite sore afterwards - felt like someone had just beat and battered my chest but it wasn't terrible. (I think my pain tolerance is pretty high so I seem to do well). I asked Dr. Martin if we got my D's and he said yes - depending on the type of bra I wear. I wasn't sure what that meant and of course was too groggy to ask. He told my husband that they will settle down soon so not to worry. The surgery was same day so no overnight stay in the hospital.
Finally on Saturday I took off the halter they had me in to take a look at my new breasts. I am going to be totally honest here and tell you I was quite disappointed. I was expecting my breasts to be really high, like practically sitting under my chin. I also was expecting to have that really close cleavage line. I had absolutely no cleavage and while the breasts were lifted and clearly larger I felt they were more out to the sides than the front. I couldn't see the incisions because of the bandages. Dr. M asked me not to take the bandages off until my follow-up with him on Friday (one week after surgery). I was able to shower since he had good bandaging and the glue stuff as well. So all week I just kept looking at my breasts (still wearing the halter) and thinking "I paid $4800 for this!!!" I mean they look good but if they "settle down" anymore they will be back in my belly. I had lots of questions for Dr. M! However, I had to wait until Monday (3/31) since he was not in the office the Friday before.
I did talk to a friend who had implants done last June. I had some serious concerns and was down right worried about things. She helped me greatly by putting my mind at ease over a couple of things. She explained that she went from an A to a D and had no natural cleavage either. She said her doc said that some women do not have that type of cleavage no matter what you do. She also said her breasts felt more out to the sides than the front in the beginning. She said she still feels that way sometimes but is very happy with her breasts now. She told me to talk to the doctor but to also give it time.
On Monday (3/31) I saw Dr. Martin. He is a wonderful man. He is caring, patient, funny and really wants to do a good job on his patients and give them what they want - if it is possible. He is also very honest. So when he walked in and asked how I was doing I told him I had serious concerns. He said "let's hear them, lay it out there". He did not at all try to make excuses or push aside my concerns as paranoia or unnecessary or unimportant. I truly appreciate that. I told him I was quite disappointed with the fact that while my breasts are lifted they don't seem to be lifted enough. I wonder if in 6 months I will have full saggy boobs again. I also asked about the cleavage and about why my breasts seemed more side full than front full. He explained that the cleavage comes from the muscles located in between the breasts across the sternum. He said that some women are naturally closer or tighter through that area than others and that is where the cleavage comes from. He said given my body type I will not have that close line but should with the right bra's have nice cleavage. He then said that the implant for me is placed under the muscle which allows for less stress on the skin and less chance for sagging later on. If he had placed the implant on top of the muscle (which may have given me a "higher" appearance) that we would be asking a lot of my already stretched out skin. The muscle helps to make sure the implant stays in place and doesn't sag as easily. As for the lift part - he said that if after healing I am not happy with the lift he will go back and lift some more. He also said if the size isn't quite what I want after healing then he can go about 50cc's more on each side but will not go higher because that would be a lot of stress on my skin. He also explained that after the swelling goes down we will have a better idea of the size and placement of the breast and can determine if I am happy then. But he is more than willing to make some adjustments if needed. He recommended I get some really good soft supportive bras. I have chosen to get some good sports bras with cups for now. They have really made a huge difference over the halter that I was wearing.
I still feel they can be lifted another 1/2 to 1 inch but after I am healed I'll decide it if is really worth the money and time to re-tuck things. I think the size will be perfect. I'll have to wear bras that bring them together for a nice cleavage - which is looking pretty good already. I went back to work on the 31st just 10 days after surgery. I started cardio at the gym two weeks after surgery. I am just going to do the bike and/or treadmill to reduce the "bounce" affect for now. But if felt good to workout again. I can not do any upperbody weight lifting or exercises for 4 weeks (one month post-op).
Oh - the incision! I have nice round (smaller) nipples and a verticle line from the nipple to the bottom of each breast. There is no other incision which is nice. (this is called a lollipop incision.) That way I will have virtually no scar to hide at all. While my breasts aren't perfect - they are much improved. Each day I am happier and happier with them. I have had the stitches removed and feel that things are looking good. The incision looks very good and I believe that in time it will fade very nicely.
I feel it is important to share these experiences with others because I had completely different expectations in my mind. No two of us are alike so we will all have different stories to tell although some parts of our stories will be very similar. The type of implant is silicone gel and can be replaced with one that is contoured a little differently for more frontal fullness but I really do not want to pay for more implants. My silicone's were $1600. Dr. Martin has been wonderful and really wants what is best for me and my body. He is honest in explaining that some things just aren't going to be fixed to perfection. My breasts will not ever look like a 20 year old. But they are 100% better than they were. Dr. M also said that he wants to make sure that my breasts won't slap around when I am running. (His words exactly - which made me laugh.) He wants to make sure that I will be quite happy with the results and will do whatever it takes to get me there. For example, he wants to do a revision of my LBL and remove more skin from my outer thighs since he has taken as much fat out as is safe to do so. Besides the thighplasty (with that terrible scar from the groin to the knee), that is the next best way for my body to be rid of these bulky thighs. They won't ever be slim & firm but I am determined to somehow get a couple more inches off of their size! And Dr. Martin is willing to help me accomplish that goal. Of course this all takes money so no of it will be happening really soon!
I am just over 3 weeks post-op now. I still have some discomfort and an occassional sharp pain but that is all part of the healing process. I believe they look good. (I will not be posting pictures just yet but will let you know if and when I decide to do so.) It is very important to be open and honest with your surgeon (plastics or WLS or otherwise). I feel that knowing what to expect from teh get-go will only help in the long run. Dr. Martin is a terrific doctor but I did not get a complete picture from him of what to expect when I woke up from surgery. I still want my breasts lifted more but will wait at least 6 months and maybe even 12 before deciding if it will be worth the time and $$. Being military I will have to pay for any revision needed so I do not know if it will be worth it for one more inch! I want to concentrate on getting the outer thighs done and then see where I am at that point.
If any of you have any questions please feel free to ask. I have no problem being open with you all because someday you may want plastics and hopefully I can help you along your journey. One last quick note - the cost of the surgery at Kimbrough was $3105 initially. There may be additional fees for which they will bill me but I don't expect to have any more expenses other than the meds I was prescribed. Yes, even though I had them filled at Kimbrough I have to pay for them because this is an elective procedure not covered by TriCare and therefore I pay all expenses. But it's been worth it!! Thanks for sticking in there for those who made it this far.
Have a great day! Robin
I was quite sore afterwards - felt like someone had just beat and battered my chest but it wasn't terrible. (I think my pain tolerance is pretty high so I seem to do well). I asked Dr. Martin if we got my D's and he said yes - depending on the type of bra I wear. I wasn't sure what that meant and of course was too groggy to ask. He told my husband that they will settle down soon so not to worry. The surgery was same day so no overnight stay in the hospital.
Finally on Saturday I took off the halter they had me in to take a look at my new breasts. I am going to be totally honest here and tell you I was quite disappointed. I was expecting my breasts to be really high, like practically sitting under my chin. I also was expecting to have that really close cleavage line. I had absolutely no cleavage and while the breasts were lifted and clearly larger I felt they were more out to the sides than the front. I couldn't see the incisions because of the bandages. Dr. M asked me not to take the bandages off until my follow-up with him on Friday (one week after surgery). I was able to shower since he had good bandaging and the glue stuff as well. So all week I just kept looking at my breasts (still wearing the halter) and thinking "I paid $4800 for this!!!" I mean they look good but if they "settle down" anymore they will be back in my belly. I had lots of questions for Dr. M! However, I had to wait until Monday (3/31) since he was not in the office the Friday before.
I did talk to a friend who had implants done last June. I had some serious concerns and was down right worried about things. She helped me greatly by putting my mind at ease over a couple of things. She explained that she went from an A to a D and had no natural cleavage either. She said her doc said that some women do not have that type of cleavage no matter what you do. She also said her breasts felt more out to the sides than the front in the beginning. She said she still feels that way sometimes but is very happy with her breasts now. She told me to talk to the doctor but to also give it time.
On Monday (3/31) I saw Dr. Martin. He is a wonderful man. He is caring, patient, funny and really wants to do a good job on his patients and give them what they want - if it is possible. He is also very honest. So when he walked in and asked how I was doing I told him I had serious concerns. He said "let's hear them, lay it out there". He did not at all try to make excuses or push aside my concerns as paranoia or unnecessary or unimportant. I truly appreciate that. I told him I was quite disappointed with the fact that while my breasts are lifted they don't seem to be lifted enough. I wonder if in 6 months I will have full saggy boobs again. I also asked about the cleavage and about why my breasts seemed more side full than front full. He explained that the cleavage comes from the muscles located in between the breasts across the sternum. He said that some women are naturally closer or tighter through that area than others and that is where the cleavage comes from. He said given my body type I will not have that close line but should with the right bra's have nice cleavage. He then said that the implant for me is placed under the muscle which allows for less stress on the skin and less chance for sagging later on. If he had placed the implant on top of the muscle (which may have given me a "higher" appearance) that we would be asking a lot of my already stretched out skin. The muscle helps to make sure the implant stays in place and doesn't sag as easily. As for the lift part - he said that if after healing I am not happy with the lift he will go back and lift some more. He also said if the size isn't quite what I want after healing then he can go about 50cc's more on each side but will not go higher because that would be a lot of stress on my skin. He also explained that after the swelling goes down we will have a better idea of the size and placement of the breast and can determine if I am happy then. But he is more than willing to make some adjustments if needed. He recommended I get some really good soft supportive bras. I have chosen to get some good sports bras with cups for now. They have really made a huge difference over the halter that I was wearing.
I still feel they can be lifted another 1/2 to 1 inch but after I am healed I'll decide it if is really worth the money and time to re-tuck things. I think the size will be perfect. I'll have to wear bras that bring them together for a nice cleavage - which is looking pretty good already. I went back to work on the 31st just 10 days after surgery. I started cardio at the gym two weeks after surgery. I am just going to do the bike and/or treadmill to reduce the "bounce" affect for now. But if felt good to workout again. I can not do any upperbody weight lifting or exercises for 4 weeks (one month post-op).
Oh - the incision! I have nice round (smaller) nipples and a verticle line from the nipple to the bottom of each breast. There is no other incision which is nice. (this is called a lollipop incision.) That way I will have virtually no scar to hide at all. While my breasts aren't perfect - they are much improved. Each day I am happier and happier with them. I have had the stitches removed and feel that things are looking good. The incision looks very good and I believe that in time it will fade very nicely.
I feel it is important to share these experiences with others because I had completely different expectations in my mind. No two of us are alike so we will all have different stories to tell although some parts of our stories will be very similar. The type of implant is silicone gel and can be replaced with one that is contoured a little differently for more frontal fullness but I really do not want to pay for more implants. My silicone's were $1600. Dr. Martin has been wonderful and really wants what is best for me and my body. He is honest in explaining that some things just aren't going to be fixed to perfection. My breasts will not ever look like a 20 year old. But they are 100% better than they were. Dr. M also said that he wants to make sure that my breasts won't slap around when I am running. (His words exactly - which made me laugh.) He wants to make sure that I will be quite happy with the results and will do whatever it takes to get me there. For example, he wants to do a revision of my LBL and remove more skin from my outer thighs since he has taken as much fat out as is safe to do so. Besides the thighplasty (with that terrible scar from the groin to the knee), that is the next best way for my body to be rid of these bulky thighs. They won't ever be slim & firm but I am determined to somehow get a couple more inches off of their size! And Dr. Martin is willing to help me accomplish that goal. Of course this all takes money so no of it will be happening really soon!
I am just over 3 weeks post-op now. I still have some discomfort and an occassional sharp pain but that is all part of the healing process. I believe they look good. (I will not be posting pictures just yet but will let you know if and when I decide to do so.) It is very important to be open and honest with your surgeon (plastics or WLS or otherwise). I feel that knowing what to expect from teh get-go will only help in the long run. Dr. Martin is a terrific doctor but I did not get a complete picture from him of what to expect when I woke up from surgery. I still want my breasts lifted more but will wait at least 6 months and maybe even 12 before deciding if it will be worth the time and $$. Being military I will have to pay for any revision needed so I do not know if it will be worth it for one more inch! I want to concentrate on getting the outer thighs done and then see where I am at that point.
If any of you have any questions please feel free to ask. I have no problem being open with you all because someday you may want plastics and hopefully I can help you along your journey. One last quick note - the cost of the surgery at Kimbrough was $3105 initially. There may be additional fees for which they will bill me but I don't expect to have any more expenses other than the meds I was prescribed. Yes, even though I had them filled at Kimbrough I have to pay for them because this is an elective procedure not covered by TriCare and therefore I pay all expenses. But it's been worth it!! Thanks for sticking in there for those who made it this far.
Have a great day! Robin 
Topic: RE: Hello All!
Amy, big hugs to you!
You're doing very well to maintain. Great job! I'm still very far from goal, but hanging in there. Thanks for checking in. It's great to hear from you.
Hugs, Stephanie 
Topic: RE: Hello All!
OMG girl! i don't know how you military wives do it! you poor thing!
nice to see you back on the board though! Sorry to hear about your hernia! I've had some back problems to deal with too that have forced me to pull back from my workout routine 
But IMHO, you really don't need to lose another pound, you look great!
nice to hear from you!
R
But IMHO, you really don't need to lose another pound, you look great!
nice to hear from you!
R 
Topic: Hello All!
I am so sorry that I haven't kept in touch. My life has been crazy!
My husband came home from Iraq in Sept. and I spent every moment with him. I just sent him back 3 weeks ago for another year! I now have the lonelies. Like I said crazy!
I think that I now need to get back into the swing of things. I took 6 months off from running and the gym due to another hernia surgery. ( I don't want another one, mine get so large that they are the size of a small gratefruit.)
I haven't gained, but I haven't lost anything either. I hover around 142, and am a size 4-6. ( depending on the designer) I am not at goal yet and was hopping to get there before my 2yr. But it just didn't happen.
So tell me how is everyone else doing? I have missed everything!
Amy I
Topic: RE: WDYET*****Monday*****
ok I'm back with you! hopefully posting will get me motivated to eat right again. I'm having issues with grazing! It hasn't impacted weight gain but thats probably because when I see the scale go up I do the 9 day fat smash detox and it comes down again. I don't want to use that as a yo-yo diet so I need to focus and eat right!!
I had a bad day yesterday (Monday), mom's bday, we went to foxwoods and I ate WAY too many simple carbs.
breakfast - 1/2 dunkins bagel with light veggie cream cheese (gave me a plain bagel instead of multigrain which caused a crash)
medium coconut coffee xmilk 2 splenda
to fix the crash - medium banana and ounce of nuts
lunch - 1/3 chicken con broccoli at olive garden with bowl of pasta fagioli (ate beans, skipped the pasta in soup)
got home, had an atkins coconut bar
went to nashua to pick some things up - had a couple fried popcorn shrimp from moms plate
dinner - had another 1/3 of the chicken con broccoli
couple handfuls of cashews
I need to stop grazing!!!
exercise - just walking around the casino, which we all lost terribly in!
water - not enough maybe 40oz
vitamins - all in
exercise - just walking around the casino, which we all lost terribly in!
water - not enough maybe 40oz
vitamins - all in 
Topic: WDYET*****Monday*****
Hey there folks...ok this is the menu for today....
pre breakfast 7am....23 oz of Crystal light and protein bar
breakfast 1030am: 2 eggs over medium, 3 slices bacon and english muffin, cup of tea
snack: lg iced coffee and protein bar....
supper: pot roast, potatoes, greenbeans, carrots, and brown onion gravy...
desert with movie...fruit bowl with yogurt...
hope everyone has a wonderful night...
Jannine
Topic: RE: Any help for the prodigal daughter/sister out there?
Tamara....you are definately not alone...I have found chocolate as well....and my house seems to breed the stuff...lol....I know what yo mean about confort eating...too....I have found myself making those bad choices as well...I had to give myself a kick in the pants and get it together ( not saying that is what you need...just want you to know you are not alone...) I have been fighting with the same 10 lbs for the past 6 months...and have been getting very frustrated....but I have to remember that I am in control not the food...I hope things get better for you.....I am trying to do the WDYET post...maybe that will help I know if I am posting it there I do stick to it pretty well..good luck...
Jannine
357/162/157/TT
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