Skin ... ugh!!!

Ethel! How nice to see you posting!  How have you been?

Yes, I have also been eyeing this crepe paper I have draped all over me.  I look like an autumn leaf and want to coat myself in lotion or some kind of moisturizer that will bring all this dead skin back to life!  I am only about half-way to goal and am wondering how I am going to stand myself when I get to goal???  Oh well, one step at a time!

Barb- Yet another great and thought provoking post. I am now within 15 lbs of my goal and MUCH MORE aware of all the unattractive loose skin. 2 weeks ago, I pulled the trigger and had a consult with a local plastic surgeon to inquire about the cost and timing of a TT. I loved the surgeon! Very straight forward, optimistic and knowlegable. He said WLS pts are the optimal pt for TT because their wt loss stands much better odds of being permanant! He took one look at my belly and said it was ideal for a classic TT with no need for lipo....He will not schedule TT until 3-6 months after you have reached goal and his rates from start to finish were $8600. I was quite surprised- I was expecting in the $12,000 to $14,000 range. Post op- out of work for 2 weeks, 2 surgical drains for 7-10 days and no lifting for 6 weeks. I am actually scheduled for surgery Thur 3/6/08.....got to plan ahead and do immediately after Valentine's and before Easte rand Mother's Day. I hope this info helps. I went into my consult  just to learn about cost and timing and left with the surgery scheduled. I look like a have a butt on the front of my belly and NO BUTT on the back side.....I just want a lil more proportion and to look good in a bathing suit. I think we all feel the same as the belly flattens yet wrinkles and sags..... Love ya, happy weekend! Sheila

Sheila -

Thanks for the post. I appreciate your insight and information. Of course, I'm a long ways from considering surgery and we aren't even talking $$$. That's another issue all together and unless I come into an unknown inheritance or a winning lottery ticket, it's probably not in my future. I'm sure that the information you provided will really be a help to some ... I look forward to seeing your smooth, flat tummy next spring!

Love ya too!

Barb

The hair comes back. It really really does. I promise. At 20 months out my hair is back to normal. The hair has regrown and the body and life has come back to it. I think it started coming back at about 9 months post op. I had a huge pannus and felt like a skinny person with a big ole budda belly. Very difficult to find clothes to fit my belly and my skinny legs. I underwent anchor cut TT by a great PS in Raleigh on 9/27. He cut 11.5 pounds off my upper and lower abdomin. My insurance did not cover it, but I decided I was worth it. There are companies out there that offer low interest finacing for plastic surgery. I opted to go the home equity line route. At 5 weeks out I'm thrilled to pieces and feel normal for the first time in 20 years. Plastic surgery is not for everyone, but I'm glad I took t the plunge. Belinda

Belinda -

Thanks for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it. I really don't know that it's something that I'll ever be able to do, but I'm glad to hear that it has been so successful for you.

Congratulations!

Barb