Yes, money CAN buy happiness!
But it was a little more expensive than I was hoping...
I am 2 months post tummy tuck and I wanted to show everyone some pictures. And give a report. It's been a looooong recovery. Not all that "hard", not all that painful, just very, very slowly getting back to feeling like a normal person with energy and stuff. I went jogging today for the first time since before surgery and to my surprise had gone 1.8 miles by the time I finished!
Believe it or not, I am *still* struggling with body image and seeing myself as I really am but now I can certainly say it's all in my head since there's not really anything legitimate on my body to point towards and say "there, that's the problem" now that my tummy is gone. I can't wait to be able to start really working out again.
I may or may not lose more weight. I have realized that even if I get to 170 I will probably still feel the same and want to get to 160, and so on. So I think I want to just concentrate on getting back into good shape like I was before surgery when I went to the gym all the time, did rock climbing, and zumba, etc.
Ultimate journey... from jean size 22/24 and top size 3X to jean size 8/10 and top size M or L. And all this in less than 2 years. Don't let anyone ever tell you it can't be done!
(And Bette, before you even say it, no you cannot have your horse back!)
Before:
Just after Lap Band
Post Band and TT
Post TT, the first time I've had "curves" that were not a euphemism for "fat rolls"
I am 2 months post tummy tuck and I wanted to show everyone some pictures. And give a report. It's been a looooong recovery. Not all that "hard", not all that painful, just very, very slowly getting back to feeling like a normal person with energy and stuff. I went jogging today for the first time since before surgery and to my surprise had gone 1.8 miles by the time I finished!
Believe it or not, I am *still* struggling with body image and seeing myself as I really am but now I can certainly say it's all in my head since there's not really anything legitimate on my body to point towards and say "there, that's the problem" now that my tummy is gone. I can't wait to be able to start really working out again.
I may or may not lose more weight. I have realized that even if I get to 170 I will probably still feel the same and want to get to 160, and so on. So I think I want to just concentrate on getting back into good shape like I was before surgery when I went to the gym all the time, did rock climbing, and zumba, etc.
Ultimate journey... from jean size 22/24 and top size 3X to jean size 8/10 and top size M or L. And all this in less than 2 years. Don't let anyone ever tell you it can't be done!
(And Bette, before you even say it, no you cannot have your horse back!)
Before:
Just after Lap Band
Post Band and TT
Post TT, the first time I've had "curves" that were not a euphemism for "fat rolls"
Highest Wt: 274 / LAP-Band Low: 180 / Sleeved at 233 / Goal: 160!
Kath, I am so happy for you! Please keep us all updated!! I have to say that the first couple of days post TT were actually less uncomfortable for me than my band. They gave me dilauded as a painkiller post band which did nothing but make me dizzy so I stopped taking it and I got Lortab after TT which absolutely made me feel good without knocking me to sleep 100%. The most important advice I can give you is make sure you have a recliner to sleep on for the first 2 weeks. Laying down flat will be off limits. Please post lots of pictures!!
Highest Wt: 274 / LAP-Band Low: 180 / Sleeved at 233 / Goal: 160!
Hey Betsey,
Got the sweater at a place called Maurice's. If they don't have one near you, you can shop online http://www.maurices.com. They even have plus sizes! I found this place in Alabama - they don't have one anywhere near me in MD.
Got the sweater at a place called Maurice's. If they don't have one near you, you can shop online http://www.maurices.com. They even have plus sizes! I found this place in Alabama - they don't have one anywhere near me in MD.
Highest Wt: 274 / LAP-Band Low: 180 / Sleeved at 233 / Goal: 160!
You look amazing!!! I want to get a tt. How much is it? Does insurance cover it? I still have about 25 or 30 lbs to go before I could even think about it. I am tired of this apron of fat! I seems that all of the weight I have lost has just moved down. I am going to do a round of HCG and try to loose at least 10 to 15 lbs and then hit the exercise. If I loose 30 lbs that would put me at 165. That would be amazing!!! I am nearly to a 14. If I got to a size 10 I wouldn't know what to do with myself lol!!!!! Ha Ha. What size were you before the tt. Did you loose alot of inches when they did it. I am so proud of you. Please write me back. Hugs Renea
Hi Renea,
To answer your questions...
I got my TT after I had maintained my weight at 180 for a year. Even though I'd like to be "normal" at 155, it's probably never going to happen. Since my belly was the area that made me feel the fattest, I just went for getting it removed. If I had just done the TT it was supposed to have cost around 6500 all inclusive. I opted to add skin excision from both sides of my chest which added several more hours under the knife and a good deal more money. Still, the results are amazing and I wouldn't change what I did. Oh, and no, insurance won't pay for this unless you have a really severe case with mobility issues and skin infections. And even then they'll pay for the skin removal but not the rest of what makes up a TT, though you can normally add that in on your own and just pay the difference.
I was a size 10/12 before surgery and 2 months later I am 8/10. They removed 6lbs of skin and fat total (though oddly enough I am not seeing that on the scale yet, probably due to swelling.) The most significant difference is just my overall shape.
One thing I would caution you about is to make sure you are maintaining your weight easily before you go for plastics. If you lose 15 lbs quickly on HCG or anything like that and then jump into plastics, you could easily gain the weight back and mess up the results. I made sure I had maintained for a year before I got the TT (and more importantly, that I was maintaining without hours and hours of exercise each day because you won't be able to do that for a good while after the surgery.)
Hope this has helped!
To answer your questions...
I got my TT after I had maintained my weight at 180 for a year. Even though I'd like to be "normal" at 155, it's probably never going to happen. Since my belly was the area that made me feel the fattest, I just went for getting it removed. If I had just done the TT it was supposed to have cost around 6500 all inclusive. I opted to add skin excision from both sides of my chest which added several more hours under the knife and a good deal more money. Still, the results are amazing and I wouldn't change what I did. Oh, and no, insurance won't pay for this unless you have a really severe case with mobility issues and skin infections. And even then they'll pay for the skin removal but not the rest of what makes up a TT, though you can normally add that in on your own and just pay the difference.
I was a size 10/12 before surgery and 2 months later I am 8/10. They removed 6lbs of skin and fat total (though oddly enough I am not seeing that on the scale yet, probably due to swelling.) The most significant difference is just my overall shape.
One thing I would caution you about is to make sure you are maintaining your weight easily before you go for plastics. If you lose 15 lbs quickly on HCG or anything like that and then jump into plastics, you could easily gain the weight back and mess up the results. I made sure I had maintained for a year before I got the TT (and more importantly, that I was maintaining without hours and hours of exercise each day because you won't be able to do that for a good while after the surgery.)
Hope this has helped!
Highest Wt: 274 / LAP-Band Low: 180 / Sleeved at 233 / Goal: 160!
Yes that answered some questions. Thank You I won't be jumping in to get it done. I want to try to loose more weight before I have it done and stablize. I have had this lapband for 3 1/2 years. I have been a slow loser. I am trying new things and I am losing. I am doing protein shakes twice a day with greek yogurt and stawberries added to it. Then eating a healthy choice and healthy snacks. Trying to keep my blood sugar level. I have lost 12 lbs in about 2 months and that is going through both holidays whoo hoo! I have lost 78 lbs. I want that 100 lbs gone!!!! I was just thinking about the surgery and then I read your post. You look marvalous!!!! Keep it up! Thanks Renea
Renea,
I am having my tt in March.
It is going to be 6,500.00 which covers the outpatient procedure, full anesthesia, a pain pump and compression garment.
I am renting a remote controlled recliner for a month for an additional 150.00. (hope I won't needit for a whole month).
I will have been at my goal weight for 15 months when I have the surgery.
I had brachioplasty and a breast lift when I was about 10 pounds above my goal weight .... And had good results, but with the abdomen, I wanted to be at goal for several months first.
I was not going to lose any more from my chest and arms .. But I have lost and tightened up my abs a bit in the last year.
I am having my tt in March.
It is going to be 6,500.00 which covers the outpatient procedure, full anesthesia, a pain pump and compression garment.
I am renting a remote controlled recliner for a month for an additional 150.00. (hope I won't needit for a whole month).
I will have been at my goal weight for 15 months when I have the surgery.
I had brachioplasty and a breast lift when I was about 10 pounds above my goal weight .... And had good results, but with the abdomen, I wanted to be at goal for several months first.
I was not going to lose any more from my chest and arms .. But I have lost and tightened up my abs a bit in the last year.
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