My tummy tuck is happening, too.

I got a call from my insurance company case manager this week, and my abdominoplasty has been approved. It was almost comical, she said when she saw the pictures of my huge hanging panni, the approval was immediate. I thought to myself, d**n, I knew I looked bad, but I must look impressively bad. My insurance company has been very good to work with, I know I have been fortunate. I could have the surgery at any time, but am planning on having it in late September. I will be getting the youngest ready to leave for college this summer, and I don't want to be recuperating when the big move is happening. I had hoped the insurance would cover the immense batwing arms, but knew there was no hope of that, no medical justification. They definitely get in the way when I exercise, and finding clothing to cover them isn't easy, but medical necessity, no. I am heading off on vacation this weekend, and it is strange to think how it is different food-wise. Vacation used to mean an excuse (not like I ever really needed one) to eat whatever and how much of it I wanted. I don't feel that way at all anymore. I had resigned myself to probably not losing any more weight, and then this week, the scale dropped again for the first time in over a month. I am worried about coming back from vacation to find I have gained weight, but that may be just old fears sneaking back up on me. One final note, after my daughter's graduation open house, when everyone had gone, and the stress was over, I ate a decent size piece of cake. I'll confess, I adore sheet cake, and I wanted this piece so badly. Yeah, I dumped. Sugar bad. This was the first deliberate, I know I am eating too much sugar, dumping experience since surgery. Maybe it takes a reminder every now and then. Debra M. 351/181/150 -170

YEAH DEBRA!!! Aren't you excited? I'm almost more excited about my TT than I was about the bypass! I was terrified of the bypass but I'm just excited and can't wait to have the tummy done. The person who schedules surgeries is gone until Monday so I'll have to wait until then to find out when I can have it done, but I'm hoping late July or early August. Michelle

Good Morning Michelle, I just read your post and wondered if you were able to get approval through Tricare for your TT? I was able to get approval for the reduction but the dr didnt even try for the TT. Wow you pics are looking great! Hard to believe that a year ago things were so different for all of us.. If you have any advice on getting approval for the PS please pass them on Thanks Jody

So happy for your wonderful news! Off with those PANNI'S ! Mary

Thanks Mary and Michelle, Yes, I am very excited about the TT, but I am probably more scared of the recovery than I was for the gastric bypass. I've read so many horror stories about the pain, swelling, and trouble with drains. I'm quite willing to take pain meds as needed, but I am concerned. I've spent a good bit of time reading on the plastic surgery forum, and the Michigan forum ps stories. The ones that scare me talk about the long term pain/sensitivity around their scars. I want this panni gone, but worry I'm trading long term problems, one for another. I am still going to go through this, but with trepidation. There are many posts I've read where people say they aren't sure they would have done their TT if they had know what the recovery was going to be like. They usually change their minds after a few months, when they are finally recovered, and these are the same people who didn't feel that way about their gastric bypass. I'm glad I'll have a couple of months to get mentally prepared for it, just like the gb. Off to sunny Canada, Debra M.