so, who's getting/needs PS?

My answer is A.) definately getting surgery, What am I getting done: arms, breast, total body lift, thigh lift and anything else I can afford. When? After completeing my graduate studies next August 2006. So probalby September. I have 47 lbs to my goal and 14 to docs goal. So, this will give me time to get the rest of my weight off and maintain for awhile. I guess I will know my stable weight by then. Mary 415/194/-221

I guess I'm falling into the C) want it, need it category. I believe my insurance will pay - so I will most likely get it done, IF I can prove the medical necessity. So we shall see. If I can't prove the medical necessity, then it will depend on how soon I can save my pennies.

I guess I'm falling into the C) want it, need it category. I believe my insurance will pay - so I will most likely get it done, IF I can prove the medical necessity. So we shall see. If I can't prove the medical necessity, then it will depend on how soon I can save my pennies.

I guess my answer would be C. I want it and need it, but it will never be covered by insurance, and as a single working parent of two teenage boys, there's no way I could afford to pay for it. So, I'll look good with my clothes on, and if the opportunity ever arises for me to be in a situation with someone without my clothes; the lights will be OFF!!! Hugs, Nancy -116

At starting off at almost 400 pounds I will definitely need it!!!!!!! I'm currently going through a divorce and making a major move to California, so who knows when I can get it done. I will get it done eventually, but I'm still not done losing. I can say this though, my arms do not look as bad as they used to. And I have talked to a couple of post op's who are a few years out and say your skin does somewhat catch up a bit. So I definitely think my ps is a couple of years away, but I'd rather have my loose hanging skin than to weigh 400 pounds. I will need arms, tummy, thighs, and boobs for sure! LOL My butt is shaping up pretty good.

Diana- GOT IT !!!! and.... Getting MORE I had brachioplasty on 06/14/05. Surgeon removed 5 lbs. of fat/skin. Next up - August 25th.... Panniculectomy (insurance approved) upgraded to full abdominoplasty (paying extra for this).... AND Breast augmentation with partial mastopexy (self-pay of course)

I will be without a doubt getting brachioplasty (my arms are quite embarrassing to me--even more then my spare tire). How was your recovery? I have a sit down/desk job--how soon can I expect to return to work? How long before I can lift 10 pounds (not needed at work, just curious)? I'm not worried about the scars--I've seen them on other people, and they aren't bad. I'd rather have scars than hanging skin. I mean, right now I have shirts that don't fit solely because of my flappy arms. So, I buy a bigger size, and the shirt is just too baggy everywhere else. Wow!! Five pounds on just your arms!! Did you measure your arms before surgery? How many inches pre and post? I was hoping to have a total of 5 to 8 pounds removed from arms and stomach, but perhaps it will be more (pleeeez be a little more *wink*). I'm hoping to schedule my surgery in October/November, but we'll see. Diana

Diana- My recovery was a little rough. Originally I thought I'd only need 2 weeks off work. Yeah right. My medical leave was extended to 4 weeks which was just about a perfect amount of time. I had a complication very early post-op where the incisions in my armpits popped open. Had to go back into surgeon's office and have them stitched. Wasn't happy about this because originally my surgeon used glue on all the incision (with internal sutures) in order to minimize the scarring. So now the scars in my armpits are a little worse looking due to the stitching. But- after that things got much better. I was not able to do a dang thing for myself for the first few weeks. My Mom had to help me bathe and my husband had to feed me! It was an humbling experience indeed ;p I don't think you'd be able to lift for at least 4 weeks. They really want you to take it super easy because the incisions on the arms already take a lot of pressure and stress on them- doing stuff too soon will increase the stress on them and cause your incisions to not heal as nicely. Pre-op to WLS my arms were 16.75 inches in circumference. Right before the brachioplasty they were 14.5 and right after surgery they were 10.5. They are now closer to 11. They will loosen up & relax some. In fact, mine loosened up a little too much for my liking and I have already spoke to my surgeon about doing a little fixing of a few spots that I'm not happy with. He was very open and willing to work with me. I just have to wait a full 6 months for all swelling to go down and more healing to occur. Overall- I'm ecstatic that I had them done. Even with the scars. The scars are definitely bad- I won't lie to you. But even still- the trade off of not having those huuuuge hanging slabs of meat is worth it. The reason why I had 5 lbs. removed is because my surgeon also did some work down my sides. You know that little blip of flab that often hangs over the sides of the bra? A lot of women have this- even very thin ones. Well he took all that out and tightened my sides down to just a little below the bottom of my bra area. It REALLY made a difference. My sides are very straight and all the flab is gone. Yup- got long scars there too- but this too was worth it. Tight shirts look great without all the rolls under the arms and sides ;) -Angela

I am not sure which I am...how is that for an answer. My mother will pay for a boob job - she all ready told me that...But the thought of all that pain just keeps me from wanting to do it (After throwing up almost every day for a year and having intense pains in my tummy for a while now...not sure if having nice boobs are important anymore.) Same w/ tummy tuck- though Mom won't apy for that - not sure I am up to the pain.... Anne

Well...would like to say B....but afraid people will start throwing darts at me.....LOL I guess I want to have it but probably can get away not having it. I definately will be getting boobs. I had implants before surgery and now my breast tissue is like pancakes and just the implants are keeping things in place. Would like a thigh lift but hopefully after I get my other knee surgery I will start working out more and see if it can tighten up, it's bit like a sharpie dog between the thighs right now But overall may not do anything but implants. Tummy is pretty flat but only loose when I hang upside down and won't be doing too much of that in public ~ Hugs to all.....and know that all this loose skin is well worth it instead of being unhealthy and feeling miserable. Nadine 7/19/04 surgery date 213/203/115 5lbs to goal