a couple of thoughts

hey julyers! so, had my one year surgiversary on the 8th. and went in for my 1 year follow up with my surgeon on friday. he is happy about my loss (140 lbs gone!!!) and said that he would like to see me get under 200 (i am currently at 217) and then he would consider me at goal..... he said originally that he would like to see me at about 180-195. now, he says that if i get under 200 and i get my tummy tuck and a little lipo on on my hips/thigh area then i will probably end up at about 185. i thought it was interesting that he doesn't really push a specific weight number on me. are your dr.'s really specific with how much exactly they want you to weigh? he told me originally that my bmi says i should weigh in around 140 but he said that he DOES NOT want me to get that low. i was happy about that because personally, i think that would be too low for me also. anyways, i went for my first consult for plastics yesterday. HOLY COW i need to marry rich or win the lottery or raise my haircut prices by ALOT! i knew i wanted my boobies lifted and stuffed. and i knew i wanted a tummy tuck. but what i didn't know ****il the last 2 months or so) were how much i hated my arms. i talked to him about an arm lift and he also suggested a circumfral (sp??) lower body lift. and after all is said and done my grand total for my surgeries would total almost $30,000!!!! gasp! how depressing. on one hand i am so proud of all that i have accomplished in the last year. and i am very happy. but i really want to "fine tune" my body and make it as perfect as it can get (again, i know i am far from perfect...but i say perfect for ME) but i feel a bit selfish when i think of spending all of that money one something so superficial as plastic surgery. anyone going through the same thoughts?? brandy

Brandy- Congrats on the good visit with the surgeon. Wow-- 140 pounds is amazing. You go girl. I know the plastics story just seems a bit overwhelming price wise. I am on the fence on it. I want to have it done, but it seems crazy-- However, everyone I know who has had plastics has reported they are incredibly glad they did it. I am just going to wait and see how I feel. No rush, right?

hey andrea, you're right no rush....but i am not the best at patience either.

Hi Brandy Congrats on the great one year follow up. It's always nice to get an atta boy from your doctor. And you deserve it! My doctor did not specify a weight for me but he did ask me to pick one. I picked 185 pounds for my goal. I remember being that weight a looooong time ago and it feeling pretty darn good. And I WILL be that weight again. Personally I think the guy who made up those weight charts is goofy in the head. As far as plastics go I guess that I am fortunate to have a hernia and my TT will be covered by insurance. I also need my inner thighs done and maybe some on the sides of my chest area. Those I will probably have to pay for myself but it almost feels like I'm incomplete until I get it done. Money well spent as far as i'm concerned. Take care Tim

imcomplete is a good word. that's how i feel right now. proud of losing 140 lbs...but incomplete. and hmmmm how can i get a hernia?? (joking) brandy

CONGRATS! Good comments from a doctor are always welcome after all we've been through. Holy crap $30k is allot of money but based on everything you mentioned I doubt they would do it all at one time so at least you could spread it out. I know when I had my plastics consult the doctor wouldn't do certain procedures until the previous procedure had healed. Also is there any chance that insurance will pay for part of it? Way to go on your loss at this point!!!!

no, insurance will not cover..unless medically necessary. and yes, i will do it in 2 different surgeries. arms and breasts 13,000 and some change. and tummy and lift $15,000 and some change. on a funny note my neighbor wants to have a block yardsale to raise money for my new boobs. i rolled my eyes at first and laughed...but now i might consider it. lol brandy

Hi Brandy, Yes I agree $30K is a lot of money but how much did you spend on your last vehicle? Probably at least half that and that will last you less than 10 years... at the most.. So i say GO FOR IT because YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN A CAR!!!!... I will definatly have some work done myself but I will wait until after we have babies! Good luck and you look great! Shannan

funny you should say that shannan...i just got a new car this weekend. and it was $24,000. so yes, i am worth more than my car (although i LOVE MY NEW CAR!!!) good thinking. brandy

Congratulations on the weight loss! 140 pounds gone. Great work. Thank you for posting the information on the plastics. I'm thinking I'll get mine done in Mexico or Brazil, it'll be more affordable. Only a breast reduction may be covered by my health plan. -Pam