At a Loss
Well I hate to be a downer here...but I am so bummed and need a listening ear that has been through what I've been through (hopefully with better results)!
I had gastric bypass surgery in 2004 and lost nearly 200 lbs. Then in 2006 I tried to get approved for p.s. and it didn't happen. I wasn't approved and let it go...for a while because I was so busy with school After graduating college and switching insurance companies I decided to try again because the loose skin made me miserable and humiliated me. I decided to go with a Dr. in the town where my sister goes to college because I could stay with her afterwards and be close in case of complications. I wasn't approved at first, but her office staff was wonderful and fought with my insurance company to get the panni approved at least. I had absoulutely no money for the rest, but I wanted it so bad I decided it was worth it to take a personal loan out (a little over 12K). I had my arms done, a lift/implant, and the panni. My first surgery was Dec. 22nd. It seemed to go pretty well besides being extremely painful and having an allergic reaction to the steri strips and breaking out in a horrible itchy rash from it. As the weeks went by I thought it looked horrible! But they kept telling me it was just the swelling. After 3 months it was obvious it wasn't swelling anymore. My tummy and breasts were lopsided, uneven, and just plain bad! The arms were good though thank God! My Dr. apologized and said she would perform a revision at no cost to me. I had the revision on April 1st: more pain, more missing work (that I could not afford) But the thing is....it's still bad. I'm so devastated. I work two jobs, teacher by day and waitress by night struggling to make the payments on my loan...which I don't think would be as agonizing if I was happy with the results. But I'm NOT! Before my p.s. I felt extremely frumpy and always had to wear a girdle to hold my loose skin. But now I just feel deformed and disfigured. I have one nipple pointing up, and one pointing down. I don't think I had unrealistic expectations. I knew I'd never have a bikini body...but what I have now is so uneven and odd looking! I'm still wearing a girdle and my boobs are noticeably lopsided. As a 26 year old who has never dated because of my body issues...this has been a nightmare for my psyche! I'm such a timid person and I don't want to upset or make my Dr. mad. When I tried to say something before they got pretty defensive and said my skin was so stretched out and damaged that they did the best they could. I am at a loss. I have no money to go elsewhere or get a lawyer or whatever the next step is, and even if she offered to do another revision I'm not sure I trust her, or even want to go through all the pain again. Plus I cannot afford to miss more work! I am so trapped! This has been such an emotional journey. I don't know what to do.....thoughts anyone?
I had gastric bypass surgery in 2004 and lost nearly 200 lbs. Then in 2006 I tried to get approved for p.s. and it didn't happen. I wasn't approved and let it go...for a while because I was so busy with school After graduating college and switching insurance companies I decided to try again because the loose skin made me miserable and humiliated me. I decided to go with a Dr. in the town where my sister goes to college because I could stay with her afterwards and be close in case of complications. I wasn't approved at first, but her office staff was wonderful and fought with my insurance company to get the panni approved at least. I had absoulutely no money for the rest, but I wanted it so bad I decided it was worth it to take a personal loan out (a little over 12K). I had my arms done, a lift/implant, and the panni. My first surgery was Dec. 22nd. It seemed to go pretty well besides being extremely painful and having an allergic reaction to the steri strips and breaking out in a horrible itchy rash from it. As the weeks went by I thought it looked horrible! But they kept telling me it was just the swelling. After 3 months it was obvious it wasn't swelling anymore. My tummy and breasts were lopsided, uneven, and just plain bad! The arms were good though thank God! My Dr. apologized and said she would perform a revision at no cost to me. I had the revision on April 1st: more pain, more missing work (that I could not afford) But the thing is....it's still bad. I'm so devastated. I work two jobs, teacher by day and waitress by night struggling to make the payments on my loan...which I don't think would be as agonizing if I was happy with the results. But I'm NOT! Before my p.s. I felt extremely frumpy and always had to wear a girdle to hold my loose skin. But now I just feel deformed and disfigured. I have one nipple pointing up, and one pointing down. I don't think I had unrealistic expectations. I knew I'd never have a bikini body...but what I have now is so uneven and odd looking! I'm still wearing a girdle and my boobs are noticeably lopsided. As a 26 year old who has never dated because of my body issues...this has been a nightmare for my psyche! I'm such a timid person and I don't want to upset or make my Dr. mad. When I tried to say something before they got pretty defensive and said my skin was so stretched out and damaged that they did the best they could. I am at a loss. I have no money to go elsewhere or get a lawyer or whatever the next step is, and even if she offered to do another revision I'm not sure I trust her, or even want to go through all the pain again. Plus I cannot afford to miss more work! I am so trapped! This has been such an emotional journey. I don't know what to do.....thoughts anyone?
~K
Open RNY 7-27-04
-180 Lbs.
Open RNY 7-27-04
-180 Lbs.
Wow I am so sorry things have gone downhill for you. The best that I can do for you is to pray that God gives you wisdom about this entire situation and he leads you to those who can help you.
Mama Peaches Diva on a Journey
I am somebody, I have a purpose, and I'm going somewhere
Just prazin the Lord wit my feet!
I am somebody, I have a purpose, and I'm going somewhere
Just prazin the Lord wit my feet!
Amy Farrah Fowler
on 5/30/10 7:18 am
on 5/30/10 7:18 am
I'm so sorry. I hope some wiser peeps will come with some words of wisdom that I don't have, but you DO have much sympathy here.
Many of us who have been obese (and even just women) can be our own worst critics when it comes to our own bodies. We see flaws that no one else would think was a big deal. We look in the mirror and that's all we see, and they magnify. I HOPE for your sake that you have a little of that going on, but I do still understand about not getting what you hoped for, and feeling like your stuck.
I am NOT an authority on these matters, but know that if you talk to a lawyer and they will take your case on a contingency basis, that they only collect fees when they help you win. They will only do this if your case is very good, since they don't get paid unless you win. There is a poster on this board that did just that, and you can read that here. While it is possible to get $$$ as damages (and I hope she does) the main thing is to just have things made as right as possible. The details of her case are different than yours, but you should still read it, as I think you have options.
Many of us who have been obese (and even just women) can be our own worst critics when it comes to our own bodies. We see flaws that no one else would think was a big deal. We look in the mirror and that's all we see, and they magnify. I HOPE for your sake that you have a little of that going on, but I do still understand about not getting what you hoped for, and feeling like your stuck.
I am NOT an authority on these matters, but know that if you talk to a lawyer and they will take your case on a contingency basis, that they only collect fees when they help you win. They will only do this if your case is very good, since they don't get paid unless you win. There is a poster on this board that did just that, and you can read that here. While it is possible to get $$$ as damages (and I hope she does) the main thing is to just have things made as right as possible. The details of her case are different than yours, but you should still read it, as I think you have options.
(deactivated member)
on 5/30/10 7:59 am - Califreakinfornia , CA
on 5/30/10 7:59 am - Califreakinfornia , CA
Did your PS have any experience with WLS patients ? We are an entirely different breed from what I have been researching. All I can suggest is that you go and have some consultations done with an experienced WLS plastic/reconstructive surgeon(s) and see what they would do. Then you need to first concentrate on paying off that loan so you can start saving for future reconstructive surgery.
You are so young and you have plenty of time to save up. Learn to love yourself before you love anyone else.
You are so young and you have plenty of time to save up. Learn to love yourself before you love anyone else.
(deactivated member)
on 5/30/10 11:01 am
on 5/30/10 11:01 am
I'm sorry you are having a bad experience with your reconstructive surgery procedures. When I had my tt and bl/ba I thought my results would be perfect the first time around, but I soon found out with WLS patients it usually take a revision to get the results or close to the results we originally wanted. Maybe your results will improve in the next couple of months. I know my belly and back is constantly changing, one week I look pregnant in the front and the back and the next week I look nice a smooth.
I am praying your results improve, because I am worried about your mental health. Also, if you are unhappy with your surgeon it's okay to say so. If you don't feel comfortable telling the surgeon how you feel face to face then write a letter. Whether you mail it or not is up to you, but I believe it will benefit you mentally to put it on paper.
May God Bless you!
Sherline
I am praying your results improve, because I am worried about your mental health. Also, if you are unhappy with your surgeon it's okay to say so. If you don't feel comfortable telling the surgeon how you feel face to face then write a letter. Whether you mail it or not is up to you, but I believe it will benefit you mentally to put it on paper.
May God Bless you!
Sherline
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