New to Iowa Forum

Please don't be nervous about the weight gain.  They are aware it happens and are prepared to help people get back on track.  That's one of the good things about the program--they understand it is more than just the surgery.  It is a whole lifestyle change, and that takes time, techniques, and support.  I have never had a sense of them being judgmental about people regaining.  If anything, they are more frustrated when people don't seek help.

It's too bad you haven't had the medical support from your family doctor--who needs that grief!  I hadn't gone to a doctor for years before the surgery simply because I was tired of their attitudes.  When I had to get one in order to have the surgery, Dr. Rizk suggested someone, so I knew they would not be against it:) 

I didn't have a lot of skin problems with my stomach, but it hung down far enough to be annoying.  I was surprised by how different I felt about myself after the tummy tuck.  It made a big difference in my body image.  I really wasn't expecting that especially after the other surgeries.  I did have to pay for the arms (no medical necessity there) and would love to have the legs done, but again, no insurance for that. 

It is amazing the difference this surgery has made--even though I need to lose about 10-15 lbs. of regain, I know I can do it now versus pre-surgery.  I just feel like now my body works like a "normal" persons, so I can diet/exercise and lose the weight wereas before it just seemed like a lost cause.

Sally

Reading yor reply has made me feel even better about going. I can't wait. I am so happy to read about your success and your new body!! My stomach does hang a little but not bad. That is why I figured I would have to pay for a tummy tuck myself. I am not sure insurance would even consider mine unless it was just a panni and after looking at pictures I am not sure I would want that alone.
I would love to attend the meeting tonight but for now OH message board will have to be my support group.
Jenn

You have gotten some really good advice here and I have learned stuff too,, I had ryn in January and have lost 150#,, and have alot of stuff hanging around,, my family doctor told me that I needed to keep coming to see her so we could document my rashes, etc so insurance would pay for the surgery for removal,, my surgeon, matt glas****  in cedar falls,, said that I should wait a year of maintaining before surgery,,
Keep up walking and exercising,, I try to never eat over 1000 calories a day and have between 85-100 gms protein a day,, I lose between 1-3# a week, but it is a struggle and I eat more than I should too,,good luck,,Bonnie

Thanks for the info. I have been trying to watch calorie intake especially since needing to lose my regained weight. I lost so quickly in the beginning but when you regain it is just like the same battle I fought prior to surgery. So, please do not regain any of your weight!! My desire is to be at 160# again even 165 would be fine. I am now 188.2. I tried the 10 day plateau busting plan and did lose 6.6#. I have thought about the 5 day pouch test but haven't tackled it. I think if I could concentrate on water intake, calories and protein I would be successful.
I want my stomach done more and more since a week or so ago when I began talking of it but if I have to lose the weight then stay there for a year before it can be done I am looking at a two year wait probably :( That seems like forever!
Thanks again and continue with your success.
Jenn

Sally,
I went to Dr Rizk for my results from my Upper GI I had doen last week. He said my pouch is still small and looks good. Did not see any sign of ulcers. He said that the pain may be an internal hernia which I will just have to keep a record of pain and what I have done prior to and how long the pain lasts. I go back March 16th. He talked to me about a tummy tuck again. He said we would talk about it in March and that I could have it and healed by July. WOW! Only thing is that I would need to lose 20 lbs. I have tried and just can't seem to stay on track. You would think wanting the tummy tuck so bad I would be able to get focused and stay focused.  That is not much time to lose the weight. I have such a busy time coming. My son is moving to Iowa and is also getting married in June or July not set date yet due to military schedule which he will have when getting home from drill Sunday. Wow so much has happened lately. He wanted to get married before deploying in August so, I guess we will have a WV wedding soon. I love my soon to be daughter in law. I will be traveling back and forth to WV a lot from now til deployment. The good thing is that I can still work when I do go to WV. I just have to drive 1.5 hrs to the office in VA but can still see my family and help out. My dad was put in the hospital last week with acute heart failure, blood pressure extremely high and today found out has kidney failure and after being admitted lost strength in his left side which he has not gained back yet. He is 100 lbs over weight as well so, I am here worried and  wanting to be there but it is just not that easy to go. So, with all of that as much as I would love to do the weight loss program at Dr Rizk's office I believe at this time it would be too expensive and hard to do being in and out of town. Dr Rizk did suggest that I do the program. Due to weather and being sick I had to cancel my appoinment with Megan the dietician but did leave my number for to call me for appointment.
So, if you do not mind me asking Dr Rizk discussed the tummy tuck showing me what he would do and I had no idea that insurance would pay for it all lower and upper abdomen. He said yes but then mentioned that the belly button is removed and that this doesn't bother people that it is only cosmetic. I am not sure how I feel about not having a belly button but he said for $400 to $500 he could give me one. So, with your tummy tuck did you have your belly button put back or removed? Was it very expensive to haveyour arms done? Thanks for listening!! Jenn

It is good to hear from you; I was wondering how you were doing.  Go**** sounds like you have a lot on your plate.  Stress and busy-ness can either keep me from eating or drive me to eat!  I hope you are able to at least maintain during all this.  I know it is tough to put yourself first when so many needs are more pressing.  A wedding and an illness--what a stressful combination.  I'm sure the wedding will be wonderful and I hope your dad gets better. 

As for the tummy tuck, I don't have a belly button--insurance didn't pay and I wasn't going to pay that for one.  It doesn't bother me at all.  I'm not running around with my midriff showing anyway.  Now, if you want a belly button ring, that's another story.  One of the ladies at support jokes about wanting to go into a tatoo/piercing place and asking for her belly button to be pierced.  Then when she lifts up her shirt, she would exclaim, "Oh no! Where'd it go?"

I had Dr. Meyer do my arms at the same time he did my breast reduction.  (I was still in an I cup after losing the weight.)  That way insurance paid for the hospital room and most of the operating room expenses.  But I did pay for some of that pro-rated out (I think) for the time focused on the arms.  His charge at that time was around $5000 to $7500.  I can't remember exactly.  I had a lot to remove.  In fact, he did a second "touch up" in his office in Sioux Falls without charge. 

I have been very happy with both surgeries and surgeons.  Dr. Rizk does a great job.  The scar line is very "elegant"--smooth, fine, and barely distinguishable.  I don't know if insurance pays for the muscle tightening, but that I would pay for myself.  I think it makes a huge difference.  It also, is the painful part.  But definitely worth it.  I was really surprised by just how much difference it made psychologically.  If I had the money, I'd have my butt and legs done!

I'm glad to hear that everything is okay pouch-wise.  Even though that means the weight loss is now back to being about self-discipline (nasty!).  Are you much of a reader?  Have you ever read "The Beck Diet Solution"?  It is not about any specific diet but more about how to change your thinking to change your behavior.  I find it helpful when I need to get motivated. 

Good luck with everything, and keep in touch.

Sally