plastics before you're at goal

 WOW, your arms look amazing! I'm totally inspired now to get a good weights routine down!

You look FABULOUS!!! I love your arms what weight excercises did you do?

Aloha Amy-
Mahalo for the compliments, and if you go to my blog on my homepage, I have my weight training regimen from start  to about a year out. When I started lifting, I worked  upper body about 3X weekly and lower body 2 X weekly  for about 9 months, then dropped to 2 X weekly for both. Now I do upper 1-2 times a week and lower once a week, just because I incorporate weight training and cardio in the same workout for  economy's sake- lots of boot camp and circuits. It seems very easy to maintain and I still enjoy it so much- I am just so grateful to my surgeon for kickstarting the whole thing, and my personal trainer who taught me free weights. and my iPod shuffle for keeping it fun! The most important thing is- it can be done!
Be well, continued great success! XOXOLori

I had an extended TT and Arm lift when I still had 100lbs to lose.  I knew upfront that I would have to have revisions and the $8K that I paid (cash) to get these procedures done would be paid again later to get revisions.  I had really bad backaches from my Tummy.  I am a nurse who works 12 hour plus - and I was living on Aleve.  I have not taken one Aleve since my TT and am very please.  Mind you, my tummy is now very saggy again because I have lost more weight and I expect it to get much worse before I am able to get my revisions done.  If you have the funds and are able to have revisions - i.e. time off of work and money - and strength to go through with the pain of a second procedure for the same body part - then I'd say go for it.  My doctor did a great job - and it is an improvement!

Please keep in mind that multiple surgeries on the same area increases the chance of the incision turning necrotic because the blood supply to the area has already been compromised by previous surgeries.  My TT incision turned necrotic and it took 6 months of cleaning and packing/re-packing twice a day for the giant crater (you could see my muscle fascia at the deepest spot) to fill back in.  Trust me, you do NOT want to go through that!

Lora

I just had a panniculectomy on June 18th... This was a mid journey surgery. I started out my journey at 500 lbs.. Lost (on my own through food changes) 150 lbs. My weight loss stopped and I couldn't seem to lose anymore and I knew unless I exercised, which I couldn't with my HUGE pannus... I live in WA too. I went through a bunch of plastic surgeons, who were very rude to me because I was still WAY overweight. I knew in my heart that this surgery needed to be done desperately. I know exactly what you are talking about how you feel deformed, and not feeling good about yourself. I was the exact same way. I was so depressed and disgusted with my looks... I have the "batwings" and my thighs are gross too, all from the weight loss.. Anyway, as a last resort I went to Virginia Mason and saw Dr. Keith Paige there. I don't know where in WA you are, but if you're nearby, I strongly suggest you go to him. He (and his whole dept.) was so nice and caring. Made me feel good. He does mid journey panni's. I had 23 lbs of my panni removed!!!!!! That's HUGE. So really think about it.. Now, I don't look perfect, I still have my batwings, thighs, and upper tummy... BUT nothing is as bad as my panni was. I feel GREAT!! I am not very far out and I'm feeling so good about myself. He did a hernia repair and a mons lift as well.. Insurance paid for it all. I don't think they pay for the batwings or anything else, not sure... I don't have a belly button anymore either. I'm fine with that though. I feel free and at least I look "normal".. Good luck to you and if you need any other advice feel free to email me!