I may need to have the proceedure done and was wondering if anyone would share their experiences in term of surgery, recovery, and cost. Thanks :)
218188
I work for a dentist and my dad has had it done and it is very painful and I would only do it as a last resort. Very costly. Took my dad a month. Could not eat very very bad pain.
310230
Talk to the surgeon who is going to do your surgery. Some of them will finance if your insurance won't pay.
315219
ask about surhery. i have a similar problem and im getting surgery to fix it tommorow so i think you could consider that option
293390
not sure but a friend of mine had it done two years ago in Louisville.\n\nShe lost a lot of weight but now she has sagging skin which is really gross and many medical problems. If you do have the surgery make sure you know all the risks involved before you change your life forever
483430
First I want to say sorry I know what its like fighting with the insurance companies, Its heart breaking and stupid they would rather watch you die than see you well and happy I have done so much research on the lap band and know its the right thing, and your not having your guts torn apart like that other surgery. I am going to have the surgery on the 8th of Dec. Now you might call me crazy but as I said I have done my research but im going to Mexico to have it done its $8,000.00 and that includes everything hotel fills for the rest of your life but not the air fair (thank god I live in Arizona I can drive) It is safe!!! most people that come back to the US only have a few things to say!! It was great!! and Shame on the US hospitals and the insurance companies they were treated better there than any US hospital and they never added anymore to the cost for anything. If you would like to know more I would be glad to share or help point you in some of the research I have done. Just don't let this frustrate you into not going for the goals you  have...Good luck  Wantabe goingtabe bandster  bgaroo@yahoo.com
266674
Sounds great. However, I know a friend of mine eventually had surgery for breast reductuion (shame), because it was troubling her. I think she had back aches, but I am not sure - also don't really know what size she was.
403919
Yea, mine ruptured 7 weeks prior to surgery. I almost died from the infection. If they need removed, gett'em out.
383527
I have not had it done, but have 2 women friends that have. Both had extreme "flab" in their belly...one from being overweight and the other from carrying a very large baby.\n\nBoth women were VERY glad they had the procedure done, although do listen to your doctor and do what s/he says regarding aftercare. It takes a while to get back on  your feet and walking upright again...\n\n...but for those with more belly skin than can be tightened up with traditional exercises, a tuck is the way to go.\n\nGood luck and I hope the results are what you are seeking!
615744
Been there, had it. You do have to wear a support for a few days and ice the area to reduce swelling. That said, overall it's not bad. Right after the surgery I wasn't in the best of shape, but by the next morning I was walking around no problem, and within a few days I was pretty much back to my routine. Very low risk of infection as it's done on an out-patient basis. \n\nSounds like your doc is being cautious, which is not a bad thing. But I had a pretty positive experience overall, and the 'benefits' (no worries) are well worth it!
658352
My Wife had it done after the birth of our son. He took after me and was broad shouldered, weighed nearly 10 lbs. She tore. She had the procedure done more as self esteem thing.  She was worried our sex life wouldn't be as good or that she was to big now etc.... It did make a difference. I was satisfied before, even better now.  She was sore for a month or more after the surgery though. No nookie for like 6-8 weeks afterwards either.-rob
264505
hi. i was discharged yesterday after having surgery for my sciliosis. the surgeons put two metal rods on either side of my spine to keep my spine straight. after that i ahd to have two more unexpected operations which resulted me in staying in hospital for two weeks. i know what it feels like. if you want to just talk about it don't hesitate to e-mail me.
605189
Your surgeon should have gone over how you eat before the surgery. If he didn't, call his office and get that information immediately. You never should have consented to the surgery without full understanding of what life afterward would entail.\nMy friend had it and she said she would do it again; she lost over 100 lbs.
43871
I also had the surgery about 6 years ago now, so I imagine that technology has greatly improved since then. I really didn't experience any pain with the procedure, but it was a little weird. It worked great and is still working. Usually they tell you you can't do certain things for like a month afterwards while your eye heals up completely, but I suppose it depends on what type of surgery you are getting (they have different kinds now.) I'd say go for it. It's great not to have to wear glasses or contacts.
189110
I have been through the whole process. It is a very difficult and lenghthy wait. We had it completed in about 1 year. I am from the USA and it really isn't as bad as people said it would. I thought the worst and not even close to it. I wish you luck!!
616467
Yes it is painful. My boyfriend had to have it for the same reason earlier this year and he was in pain for a week but he only had 7 days off work though. There will be a bit of seepage and the stitches take their time coming out but its ok after 1 or 2 baths per day. Sex is definitely better because it doesnt hurt him anymore and there was no smell either before the op nor after. Recovery period will be 2 weeks tops and you can have sex 4-6 weeks after the op. Hope this helps but have it done you wont regret it. Any further queries just email me. Thanks
622943
First I would ask for an echocardiogram with & without saline (water bubbles); this will show any & hopefully all holes in your heart. I had it done & they found I was missing a chamber and had holes on the opposite side of my heart which required them to "cath" my heart. They make a small slice in the groin area & go through a main artery in your leg up to your heart. I'm only 5' & 100 lbs & they couldn't knock me out with morphine (I watched the entire procedure & ticked off my cardiologist -lol). My personal opinion would be 1. ask questions, make a list if you have to, 2. check out the surgeons & their history, & 3. if they are as good as they check out to be the procedure will be a cakewalk for you. I was 38 when they found all of this & now I'm 43 and alive to see my baby (23) get married this coming August to a wonderful young lady. My Dad had 2 triple arterial bypasses & he lost a leg in Korea and God bless him, he'll be 79 this July. Yes, I had a good role model but it is normal to get upset when a Dr mentions a prob w/the heart & that you have to face surgery. I now know how a lobster feels having its chest cracked but thorasic & cardiac surgery is so advanced that I can promise you that you'll be fine. Try to keep a positive attitude and have faith; they told me after 3 days that if I could walk up & down a flight of stairs 4 times, I could go home..........I bolted & got my boney butt outta that hospital & back into my own home in no time. My thoughts & prayers are with you (Navy brat here) but above all : keep the faith.\nBeth
438826
I haven't personally had it done but I have been immediately involved with about 10 people who have.   The pain involved after wards is really related to the pain threshold of the patient and the skill of the Plastic Surgeon.   I witnessed one person who, literally, was back at work <24 hours after surgery and she had no complaints of pain.   I have also witnessed a person who was in very bad pain for ~7 days and then had fairly substantial discomfort for another 7 days.   The best situations is to find a qualified Plastic Surgeon and ask to speak with a couple of their patients.