MADE THE DECISION!!!

Well --- I did it!  I had my first visit with Dr. Broussard yesterday.  It felt like a huge relief to say "ok, I need this.  I can't do this by myself."  Because I am self-pay, he thinks we can have a surgery date by the end of the month.   I am very excited!!

I really appreciate all the advice I have gotten from here.  You all are great!  I have only asked a few questions, but by reading the posts everyday, you learn alot.  I am going to try to get my profile set up this weekend.

A question I did forget to ask --- how big will the scar be and where located?  I am getting the sleeve.

Thanks!!  --- Joanne

congratulations on making the decision. you won't regret it one bit!!

as to the size of your scar.....well you will have five small ones and one that is maybe 2" long. to tell you the truth i am proud of my scars and i show them to anyone that wants to see them!!

By the way, you are looking Hot in your pink tiera!!! LOL!  I think when I reach my goal I am skydiving!!! That is on my bucket list!

WOW SKYDIVING!! THAT IS ADVENTUROUS!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO WHEN I REACH MY GOAL WEIGHT BUT IT WILL BE BIG!!

Hey Sherry -

I was reading thru the post this morning and found that skydiving was a goal of yours.  That's neat because it is one of mine too and has been for a very long time.  I have always wanted to do it - but found they had a weight restriction of a 225lbs.  max. so just figured it would never happen for me.  (Guess above that weight the concern is you would just fall to the ground like a big ole rock.)  LOL

Anyway, I am now well below that max weight limit but still want to lose some more.  I am tentatviely scheduling my jump for next spring.  Seeing as the snows will be coming soon up here in Michigan I figure its better to wait till the ground is a bit less frozen and COLD!  I hope to capture my jump on video but none of my kids want to be there to do it.  They are afraid something will happen.  But, I'll get em to come around.

All the Best.

Pam

If you are able to do it laproscopic, you have five little ones -- like smaller than a half inch.  If they have to do it open, that's something I can't answer.  Believe it or not, mine have faded to a degree you almost can't see them.  They're spread over the belly!

If you are open the incision will be about 10 inches long with maybe a few half inch ones.....no big deal cause after you get to goal a good plastic surgeon will have them disappear

Joanne,
Welcome and Congratulations!!! I pray all goes well and it will! this is the best group of cheerleaders you will ever meet.
I actually don't know how a person could do this surgery without a group like this.
I'm a January surgery, and have more notes on do's and don'ts from experienced people from  here...more than that I have made wonderful supportave friends.
Again, Congratulations and I love the Avitar and the color... Two of my 4 kids were OSU grads so my money was well spent up there. I will always be a Cowboy Mom!!
Sherry

Joanne this is a major decision and I am so glad you are doing this for yourself.  You will not regret it one bit.  You will have some pain after surgery but OOH is it worth it.  I made one of my nurses laugh when i said "No Pain, No Loss".  And hey I love the OSU fan in you.  The more Cowboys fans the better!!!  GO POKES!!!

GO POKES!!! 

I have six scars from my incisions.  4 of them are lined up just above my waist.  Two are about an inch below the band of my bra- one in the center and the other off to the right.  One of the ones above my waist is teeny tiny.  I can't figure out how that one was big enough for any instrument to fit through.  The incision they use to remove the stomach is about an inch and a half to two inches long.  The others are about a 1/2 inch long.  They are all fading away quite nicely.

Denise