Hi June Bugs

No one seems to post here anymore. Guess we're all out living our lives as the skinny people we've become since June of '04. I know from our group here that now that we've all lost the weight together many of us are going to the next phase of the journey.....plastic surgery for skin removal. So let's see who's gone that route yet? I'm about 2 1/2 weeks out from abdominoplasty with a belt lipectomy plus an inner medial thigh lift. It was all much rougher than I expected. But so far, even with the swelling, discoloration and scars what a difference it's made. Last night when my husband helped me out of my straight jacket (compression garment) and I got to take a shower I had him take pics. Then I pulled out a pair of bikini panties and tried them on for the overall look. Wow! What a difference. I can't wait until the swelling goes down so I can see the "real new me." Like many people I went into this worrying that I'd put on weight since I've had to stop working out for a month while recovering. My surgeon told me in about a month I could start walking again and after 8 weeks I can start weight lifting again. I'm happy to report that I have NOT put on any weight. I went into this weighing about 125 and seem to be staying between 124-125 fully clothed including the compression garment and lots of swelling. My surgeon says he removed close to 5 pounds of skin. He says although it looked like lots of skin, because I'm so lean there was no fat attached to it, just skin. He did not do any liposuction either since he says I didn't need it. So when all the swelling goes down I guess I probably weigh around 120 pounds which will be a total weight loss of 156 pounds since June 14th, 2004. I plan to wait 6 months or longer before going in to have my arms and breasts done. I will have my husband post pics one of these days on my profile. Hope you're all doing ok. Life is good here. I still pretty much eat the same as when I was losing. Sometimes I splurge and eat too much, or bad stuff. Exercise has been my saving grace for times that I eat too much. I can't wait to get back to working out and living normal again. Can't wait to try on clothes and see how different things fit on my new tight stomach, butt and thighs. Take Care, Terry Coles 276/120

Terry, I am glad to see your post. I have not gone to the PS yet....why with a 210 lb loss wouldn't I...because I have 65 more pounds I would like off first. I don't think I will make that goal so maybe I will have to revise it.....I feel I need to give it at least another six months to see what I can get off. I am so happy for you! I figured when I do decide to get it done I am doing the legs first. I think they are the worst! Then the arms.....Breast and tummy....Yes I think three phases would be doable. I hear about the pain with this surgery and think can I make it three times? Lets see if I can make goal first. Debbie

I just did my TT two weeks ago. I took my drain out tonight in fact. That was a relief. Glad yer doing well. I am too - down 184 lbs and full of **** and vinigar. kp @ goal

I don't post often as of late, but I do check this board every day to catch up on everyone's progress! I am stalling between 157-163 for the past three weeks (hate looking at the scale on the 160+ days, something about seeing a one and a five in the number thrills me LOL). I'm two weeks away from hernia repair and tummy tuck, covered by UHC insurance. I need a LOT more work done, however. I am going to start saving money for breast lift/augmentation and hopefully next summer I can get that done. My thighs look HORRIBLE too but I don't know if I hate them enough to pay out of pocket to have them fixed. Right now I'm panicking about the upcoming TT, trying to get the house clean, childcare arrangements solidified, etc. I am nervous as all get-out. -BJ 300/157/150???

Hi Terry. I too had my T.T. on Sept 7th. believe it or not I am still a tad swollen.. and still numb right around the middle. BUT!! wow what a difference. I can't believe the change. I lost about 9-10 lbs since the T.T. I weighted in at time of T.T. at 154 now I'm at 145... and you know what I LOVE.,LOVE, LOVE the most?? is that my shirts fit sooooooo much nicer when you don't have all those rolls!!! and that big old lump of fat around my pants.. I now feel that I have lost weight. before I know people told me.. oh how skinny I was.. but, with all that flab hanging in down there I felt really fat still. now I look at myself and wonder who's body is this?? It's really mine??? whoa!!! Take care of yourself and keep us all posted Mary.