Tummy tuck

How much pain was the surgery and can you give me an Idea of what you felt like right away and how soon does it get better?  how did you sleep?  I want to know everything im so afraid of this surgery Thank you all for the info.  you guys are great. 

I had an extended TT with hernia repair and extended brachioplasty wtih lipo and honestly, the TT was a cake walk.  I had soreness, but almost no pain at all.  I know others are different, but this was my experience.

Wow!  I cant belive how much weight you lost with the lap band.  That is what I have and I have only lost 65 lbs.  What was your secret for being so successful ?  I have been told not to go to mexico and have the surgery too risky, but i have seen quite a few of you on here that had it done and are happy with it.   Was it a big savings in price and was it worth the gamble?  (not having your dr in the same town as you, if anything was to go wrong you dont have any medical boards backing you up etc...)  Thanks for the info. 

I used my Lap Band pretty diligently for the first 100lbs and then I went 14 months without a fill and did the rest on my own with the minimal restriction that I had.  I've been fortunate.  I do believe that I was so obese that my stomach size was so large that an empty band would have given me restriction.  I followed the rules to the tee.  I never drink with my meals and even now 2 years later, I still set my timer to drink 1 hour after.  I also focus on getting my protein in first and I workout daily.
I loved my experience in Mexico.  I didn't go there for the savings.  I went there for the surgeon.  Dr Sauceda has experience with WLS patients and he's a perfectionist - although he tells you upfront you he doesn't promise profection, he promises an improvement.  I'm returning there in the fall for the rest of my procedures after I get to my final goal.  I'm getting my face done completely and breast lift with augmention and arm revision and then everything else in the winter.  I love the work he did for me and he's just a very very nice person.
Before going to Mexico, I had two doctors here in Denver who agreed to follow me post op should I need anything.  In fact, one asked that I come in at 4 weeks post op just for him to see how I was healing and to check for signs of infection.  I can't say enough about my experience or results. 

How much time to do you spend in the gym everyday and how many calories are you eating daily?  do you mind me asking what he charges for a tummy tuck?  And was the dr that followed up a plastic surgeon or regular dr and was there a fee with that? thank you for the info

I ride my recumbent bike at home 30 mins in the am and 30 in the pm at the highest intensity - with interval speeds.
I swim an hour in the evening - laps for an hour.
And 4 times a week I work out with weights and on the stair climber.
I log all of my food, including my calcium chews in www.fitday.com and eat between 1200 and 1500 calories a day.
I have a website that I actually need to update.  It's www.tiedtobefit.com
You can PM me anytime you have questions.
the doctors at home were not plastic surgeons, one was internal med and one was family practice.  They just charged me regular office fees - or just that one visit I was charged a checkup fee.  
Dr. Sauceda charges for combination procedures.  You can see the prices on his website.  If you PM, me I'll give you my price.

WOW you have really lost alotof weight and you look beautiful!  I am with the Wendy on my weight 60 lbs not at goal and having a panni on wed 3/10 in san francisco. I have insurance to pay for it and for me  I will be 100 percent better. I have a mess of tummy w a hernia repair in2008. So Wendy you and I are probably the same level of weight loss it's all good just think without  it  I am so happy w the band . and the discipline and determination really shows  that it does work.
Denise

I just recently had a tummy tuck (and breast lift with implants) on feb 24th. Stayed overnight in the hospital. Went home with OnQPainpump. My worse 2 days was the night in the hospital and then the next day and night at home. But neither was that bad and the pain meds and everything they send you home with, helps greatly. To tell you the truth I am amazed at the amount of pain I have NOT had. This has been nowhere near as bad as I expected. I have hardly had to take any pain meds. And I drove myself to my Dr appt yesterday, approx 75 miles one way, with no problems.In short....I am doing great and no pain now and hardly any in the beginning.