Updated Pics TT & More

Hey folks. I seen my TT surgeon today and she removed 1 of the tubes. Was a bit of a sting when it came out but I am glad to get rid of it. I have 1 more to go and I hope it will be gone by next Monday God willing. Here is a link to my photo book you can see the updated pics of the TT on the After TT album the newest ones are near the bottom. You can see how drastic the change is from the first pic. There is still alot of swelling but I am totally happy. There are more pics in the various pic album of me just being me and happy finally. I am trying to keep my log detailed for those getting ready to go thru this. I wish I had something like this to look at so I hope my honesty and openess in this issue guides some other people. Love ya'll NAT http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=natttpics

You're looking fantastic. I know it's hard to disclose pictures like this but trust me I very much appreciate it!!! I was wondering what type of insurance you have and what all measures you had to take to get approved. I'm looking towards the end of summer to get more information on having a TT because the overhang I have is huge...I'd be down another 2 - 3 sizes if it weren't for the excess skin. Thank you for keeping us updated! I'm planning on using your surgeon....so we'll see how my process goes when it's my time!!! Much Dee Dee

Hey DeeDee tell her I sent ya I love her much. She is a great surgeon. I know people have these huge expectations from TV shows but in reality it's not like that. Now I have BCBS of GA and they have been good to me. When I went to see Dr. Wang I had 2 letters. 1 from my pcp 1 from my surgeon of WLS. My surgeon but down that we tried all 3 medication to care for the sores I had and rashed that was topical, powder, and oral. My surgeon put that they did see 1 sore and that I would benifit from the surgery with so much skin I kept getting rashed that would not clear. Then the dictation from Wang I know sealed the deal. She is good at what she does and knows what she is doing. If she can't get you approved no one can. Now I had no pain involved. I mean Wang's pain management was GREAT!!!! I have Wang's site info and other information on my profile near the bottom so check it out. There is a pic of her as well. What a wonderful woman.

okay - now I have bigger concerns...I haven't had any rashes...but I have permanent discoloration from where the skin has over hung for so long....and I have back pain from the sagging skin. I guess I can just wait to see what my insurance says. I talked with a rep from my insurance and they said if the surgery was "reconstructive" then they'd approve it..... I also don't know if my WLS surgeon will write a letter for another PS since he does plastics himself as well....LOL. (That's money out of his pocket.) I haven't seen my PCP since before I had surgery because I've been blessed with not having even had a major cold over the last year (knocking on the biggest piece of wood I can find) I've called her office and am going to set up a visitn probably around the end of August. I've met my deductible for the year so I'm hoping if I can get approved I'll be able to have it this year..... Time will tell. Thanks for the updates....please keep us posted as you keep progressing!

did ya get my email regarding this post and did you call Wang yet. Oh and of course your pcp will give you a referral you are not bound to use them not at all. That has nothing to do with it!!!! NAT

Girlfriend, your tummy is looking fantastic! I can see how the breast lift will bring your side skin up nice, thank God no body lift. You have a wonderful attitude! Thanks so much for being a pioneer here and teaching us about the plastics! Do you have any pre wls pictures? I'd love to see the before and after. And what a nice looking family you have Nat Thanks for sharing. Love, Barb

Hey Barb thanks for the love. Yeah actually the B4 pics are on my www link. The link I posted is different. I have 2 picturetrails actually. So to see my B4 pics go to the WWW at the bottom of this post and click it. The difference is amasing. I can't believe it. NAT

Natalie, Thank you so much for posting your pics, and for your honesty. I didn't think that any plastics were going to be possible for me, but we have made the decision to go ahead with it. Dr. Wang, is who I feel like I am going to see, she seems to be really good from everything that I have heard. You seem pretty pleased as well? I do have a couple of questions if you don't mind....Does she do her work only in the hospital, or does she have a surgical suite? I know that some docs do, and use these for self pay to keep costs down...It seems like you have had your drains in for a while, is this normal? When did you feel like you could ambulate around? I'm not talking about being pain free or anything, but were able to move around and feel somewhat human? I've got two boys, and although my mother is going to come out to help, they really aren't going to understand why Mommy can't do things for them...I know that I will have ALOT more questions, and I just wanted to again say thanks for all that you have done! Cathy Martin

Hey Cathy, Well my personal opinion is that you won't be disappointed with Wang at all. But since I did insurance I dont know if she has a surgical site. Now I know she has an office in alpharetta as well so I dont know anything about that. Cuz I had insurance I had my hospital stay paid for. So this is a great question to ask. Also I have had my drains in over 2 weeks now. She is adimit about only taking them out when your ready. Other wise she has to drain with a siringe and if she doesn't have to she doesn't want to do that. She is very keen on comfort of her patients and pain management. I have to say that is what I love best about her. Now I had 1 drain taken out Monday and that did sting coming out but the sting was over as soon as it was removed. The drainage needs to be under 30 CC=1 oz in a 24 hour period and be a very light pink to a clear cloudy color. Now the 1 drain I had left was light pink but today it's draining really red so I am sure I will have this another week till it's where it needs to be. This is normal. People whom fudge there numbers to get there drains removed will pay in the long run. I did not want to be one of those people. Now I was able to walk around day 1 just fine. But I did rest for 2 days. But walking and showering and all that was never any problem. Wait 2 weeks to drive if you want but she told me once your off the meds for 24 hours you can drive so that is up to you. I drove in a week just fine. Now done pic up your boys Cathy but I was cooking and all that for my 2 kids. They didn't even know mommy was missing in action. Now whenever you can think of more questions just ask. NAT

I read your posts and check out your pictures when you update. I know a ways down the road I will be looking at PS too and it is comforting to have someone who has been there done that before me. Kia 284/209/155 ish