2 year anniversary today

Hi everyone, First of all...Happy Anniversary to everyone this month! Today is my 2 year anniversary, I almost forgot about it until someone from Obesity Help sent me a note. I am extremely proud of the fact that 2 years later I am down 100 lbs (or maybe a little more, but haven't weighed myself today). I still get compliments on how skinny I am. I feel pretty good all in all. I wish I could be better with my eating habits, ie..no more snacking!! I wish I could get better about exercising, too. If I stayed this weight forever, I would be happy. It would be nice to lose about another 10-15 pounds but if I don't that is ok. I have had a tummy tuck and breast lift and those procedures have gone a long way to make me feel better about myself. I have such a flat belly, it's wonderful. I actually bought a tankini....and I think I look pretty good in it. I would have never entertained that thought 2 years ago. I have just gotten approval for my thighs to be done, my insurance is amazing and I thank god that I am that fortunate to have such cooperative insurance. I thank god that I made the choice to do the by-pass instead of the band because I truly don't think I would have been happy with the band. I don't want to be a non-success story, so I will make the coming years goal to at least stay the same weight or lower, if possible. I hope everyone here is successful this year in all they attempt. We have come such a long way to let things go now. Good luck. Amy

Hi Amy congratulations ~ you've done a great job over the past 2 years. Wish I had your insurance though for the plastic surgery. Looks like I've got to get used to this skin I'm in as surgery has been denied Oh well, small price to pay for losing 100 pounds. You look great in your pics by the way

Thank you, I wish that your insurance will change their minds. I think that if they are going to grant permission for the wls in the first place, they should be obligated to address the skin issue. There are some people for whom it is definately necessary to remove that skin. I truly feel for everyone who can't get insurance approval, the excess skin tends to make you feel as though you are still heavy, at least that is how I felt. Amy

That's exactly how I feel. I carry all my weight on my belly so when I look down the perspective is exactly the same as before I lost all this weight. It makes me feel like I am the same size as before, even though I am much smaller. It also must weight a lot as it weighs me down - I get back pain from it, but my doctor said that is irrelevant Maybe after I've finished paying off the loan I got to pay for my wls, I'll get another loan to pay for a lower body lift and breast lift. I don't want to live my whole life in debt though. Or I move to America and get good insurance to pay for it all! What insurance doyou have Amy?

I have St. Barnabas System Health Plan, I work for a hospital and that is who provides the insurance. Not all insurance companies pay for both the wls or plastics, I am very fortunate in that they do. I had very little trouble getting approved for anything, so I am lucky. Although I had been considering this surgery for over 2 years before I even scheduled it (the wls). So maybe they knew I wasn't just jumping into it blindly. I was told that when they went to get approval for my thighs that they didn't want to approve it, but eventually the did. So I think that I am running out of approvals for plastics, which is totally cool with me, I am grateful for what they have allowed so far. Amy

Happy Anniversary Amy!!!! It is my anniversary as well today! I forgot about it too until I got the e-mail! I want to lose 30 more pounds before I have my surgery! Hopefully by October! COngrats!!!!

Mazel Tov Amy those are such wonderful things....can you tell me what insurance you have? I can maybe get a tummy tuck out of mine but nothing else. ANDI

Thank you so much. I have St. Barnabas System Health Plan. It has been more than generous with its approvals, I am truly grateful. If you have nothing else done, do the tummy tuck, it has shown me the best results. I am still amazed at how flat my tummy is. Good luck, it is worth it. Amy

Did you ever think of getting a lower body lift? How did you decide on a tummy tuck and other surgeries that you've had over other surgeries? I never used to worry about my arms, but the more I am exercising and getting more muscle the lower the flap is going!! I'm going to be taking off soon at this rate I would have loved to have a lower body lift - maybe if I win the lottery....

Yes, but they approved the tummy tuck and I really didn't want to push my luck and ask for more. Besides my plastic surgeon didn't want to do all that at one shot. He didn't even want to do the BL and TT together, too much pulling on the skin. As it turns out I think he was right, I had some healing issues with the BL and it took a very long time to heal, and left a "not so nice" scar. He can revise it and maybe i'll have him do that, but I am not ready to make that decision yet. I hear you about the arms, mine aren't too bad so I thought I would try to lift weights first, I really don't think I have enough loose skin to qualify for approval, so I would be paying out of pocket for that. I am not a big sleeveless shirt person, so I think what I wear hides the arms pretty well. I hope you win the lottery someday, you deserve it.