Happy mood, wanted to share!

Oh Michelle, I am SO THERE!! I am completely satisfied with my weight loss and everything, I have so much energy and so much self- confidence! My doctor submitted for arms, thighs, breasts, abdominoplasty and belt lipectomy. The difference between the belt and abdomino is the belt goes all the way around and you get a butt lift too. They considered everything but the abdomino cosmetic, although I could have probably appealed the breasts if I wanted to and I might try for them again sometime down the road. Next time I go to the doc's office I will ask for a copy of the letter he sent to the insurance so I can let everyone know what he said- he also submitted a full set of pictures. I think that also helped although it was embarrassing when he took them. He gave me copies of the stomach ones though, and now I can get new ones done so people can see what a difference it is! Dr. Eckhardt took 4 1/4 pounds of skin off my abdomen and sutured the stomach muscle covering back onto the muscles. This gave me my waist back since the muscles were so loose that I had no curve. The incision went around each hip quite a ways and I have bruising down my thighs but it is such a huge difference. I was only in the hospital 23 hours after I got into my room, and I went home with a disposable pain pump and 2 drains. I have to wear a binder for 3 weeks, and even though it is past 3 weeks I am still wearing it, except at night. He sutured me from the inside out and put skin glue over the incision so I had no leaking or bleeding and as the glue comes off there is just a tiny hairline scar there. I am swollen in the front, I look like a skinny girl pregnant! The swelling will totally subside and everything will be "normal" within a few months, he said that he does 6 month pictures because sometimes it takes that long to see all the results. Thanks for the support, Michelle, if you have any other questions, ask away! Julie