How I am feeling so far.
I wanted to share my experience so far with you all. Please bare with me if its scattered.
August 2010 I had VSG. Prior to surgery I had gotten up to over 370 at some point but by the day of surgery I was in the 330's.
On June 6 2012, I went into plastic/reconstructive surgery at 200lbs. The lowest I got down to was 197. I had a very large pannus ( 13.5lbs removed) I always carried most of my weight in my stomach and I had one large pannus and then a large roll on top of it. Today I am 186 and 4 weeks out. ( I have lost half of myself!!!) I am Still very swollen but feeling better. My belly button is taking a long time to heal but it was expected. I had a very large BB stalk and a hernia. Anyway no infection just a slow healing BB the area that was a wet wound is shrinking up and I think I will have a cute BB!
I had some tough choices to make going into this surgery. However one thing all doctors agreed on. I didn't need a LBL. My Rear was pretty good and my outer legs are great. I have fat rolls on the sides and back but they would not have been removed with the LBL just smoothed out some. The next choice was to decide if I wanted to do an anchor cut TT or just Beyond Hip to HIP. After speaking to many doctors and finally deciding on mine. We felt it was best ( and so did most of the other docs) not to do the Anchor TT. Even though I have side/back rolls the anchor was not going to remove all the rolls and what that meant was another surgery anyways.
So, all that being said so far I am very happy with the results. My TT scar is super low. My mons looks great. He did a very good job. It is very odd to me at this point to look down and be able to see that area and the top of my thighs lol.
Do I have a flat stomach? No, I still have a belly. I know I am swollen still but I also know it won't be flat. I had so much mass on my abdomen that I knew going in I would not be flat. I am very ok with this. One side roll on each side was pulled way down and you can see that area closer to my TT line. Its still swollen but most likely I will have a small revision to pull those out later down the road. However when I have the upper body lift they may pull up, lol. Right now still swollen I can wear 14 and 16 size jeans ( don't actually wear jeans yet but had to try them on, lol) and thats from a 20/22/24 before surgery. This is a huge improvement. I can wear size large shirts and sun dresses. Size 7 undies! I also had my rear plumped up and I love the curves it has given me.
I find it hard to come to terms with this being my body. I stare at the mirror and I can't believe it. I have been big my whole life. Since 1st grade. I had no idea what my body shape was/is. Every day gets better and I am loving the results that I see. To me having the skin removed is a symbol of freedom. I no longer have the literal and physical weight holding me down. This journey of losing weight, becoming healthy and taking control of my body has been a long one but I would not change a thing!
I have more surgies ahead. I had my arms done this time around but not extended because the side breast rolls may be used as part of my breast surgery. I need to have my thighs done. I have several inches of skin there. I will need some sort of upper body lift. We have not decided yet how to approach it. I have rolls on the side that go into my back.
If you got this far, thanks for reading. I do plan to share images I just have to work up the nerve lol.
August 2010 I had VSG. Prior to surgery I had gotten up to over 370 at some point but by the day of surgery I was in the 330's.
On June 6 2012, I went into plastic/reconstructive surgery at 200lbs. The lowest I got down to was 197. I had a very large pannus ( 13.5lbs removed) I always carried most of my weight in my stomach and I had one large pannus and then a large roll on top of it. Today I am 186 and 4 weeks out. ( I have lost half of myself!!!) I am Still very swollen but feeling better. My belly button is taking a long time to heal but it was expected. I had a very large BB stalk and a hernia. Anyway no infection just a slow healing BB the area that was a wet wound is shrinking up and I think I will have a cute BB!
I had some tough choices to make going into this surgery. However one thing all doctors agreed on. I didn't need a LBL. My Rear was pretty good and my outer legs are great. I have fat rolls on the sides and back but they would not have been removed with the LBL just smoothed out some. The next choice was to decide if I wanted to do an anchor cut TT or just Beyond Hip to HIP. After speaking to many doctors and finally deciding on mine. We felt it was best ( and so did most of the other docs) not to do the Anchor TT. Even though I have side/back rolls the anchor was not going to remove all the rolls and what that meant was another surgery anyways.
So, all that being said so far I am very happy with the results. My TT scar is super low. My mons looks great. He did a very good job. It is very odd to me at this point to look down and be able to see that area and the top of my thighs lol.
Do I have a flat stomach? No, I still have a belly. I know I am swollen still but I also know it won't be flat. I had so much mass on my abdomen that I knew going in I would not be flat. I am very ok with this. One side roll on each side was pulled way down and you can see that area closer to my TT line. Its still swollen but most likely I will have a small revision to pull those out later down the road. However when I have the upper body lift they may pull up, lol. Right now still swollen I can wear 14 and 16 size jeans ( don't actually wear jeans yet but had to try them on, lol) and thats from a 20/22/24 before surgery. This is a huge improvement. I can wear size large shirts and sun dresses. Size 7 undies! I also had my rear plumped up and I love the curves it has given me.
I find it hard to come to terms with this being my body. I stare at the mirror and I can't believe it. I have been big my whole life. Since 1st grade. I had no idea what my body shape was/is. Every day gets better and I am loving the results that I see. To me having the skin removed is a symbol of freedom. I no longer have the literal and physical weight holding me down. This journey of losing weight, becoming healthy and taking control of my body has been a long one but I would not change a thing!
I have more surgies ahead. I had my arms done this time around but not extended because the side breast rolls may be used as part of my breast surgery. I need to have my thighs done. I have several inches of skin there. I will need some sort of upper body lift. We have not decided yet how to approach it. I have rolls on the side that go into my back.
If you got this far, thanks for reading. I do plan to share images I just have to work up the nerve lol.
VSG Aug 9, 2010 with Dr. Shieh in Fort Myers, FL 
HW 366 Day of Surgery 334
PS: Extended TT, Arm Lift, Fat Transfer to the rear 6/6/2012.
HW 366 Day of Surgery 334
PS: Extended TT, Arm Lift, Fat Transfer to the rear 6/6/2012.
bamabelle16
on 7/4/12 1:40 am
on 7/4/12 1:40 am
Congratulations! You certainly have come a long way! You sound as if you have conquered both physical and mental challenges and are in a great place! You must be so proud of your successes! Thank you for sharing! It is helping me prepare mentally for my upcoming plastic surgeries so that hopefully I too will have realistic outcomes.
Highest Weight: 265 lbs Pre-Op Weight: 249 lbs Surgery Weight: 238 lbs Current Weight: 124 lbs
when you are ready to share pics I would love to see them.. I know I will have skin to remove after and I love seeing the plastics ... especially if its not "barbie perfect"... gives realistic expectations... 
Thank you so much! I tell you, this forum has been a huge place of support for me. I hope my story can help others. I do think its important to have realistic expectations. Some of us may come out more barbie perfect than others. What I this is also important is your doctor. He/she must give you the real possibilites of what your outcome may be. I think many people are unhappy because things were not explained properly. Also right after surgery and those following weeks I think we do see the great outcome but the imperfections seem to stick out more to me. I have/am working hard on positive self talk.
I never really had the desire to be super thin. I like "thick" lol. My goal was to be 180lbs as long as that 180 was healthy for me. I am 6 pounds away from that! No medications other than for my anxiety/depression disorder. Prior to weight loss I was on meds to prevent Type 2 diabties and high blood pressue, acid reflux meds.
I never really had the desire to be super thin. I like "thick" lol. My goal was to be 180lbs as long as that 180 was healthy for me. I am 6 pounds away from that! No medications other than for my anxiety/depression disorder. Prior to weight loss I was on meds to prevent Type 2 diabties and high blood pressue, acid reflux meds.
VSG Aug 9, 2010 with Dr. Shieh in Fort Myers, FL
HW 366 Day of Surgery 334
PS: Extended TT, Arm Lift, Fat Transfer to the rear 6/6/2012.
HW 366 Day of Surgery 334
PS: Extended TT, Arm Lift, Fat Transfer to the rear 6/6/2012.
Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing. I love to read in depth versions. They are so helpful.
Take good care of yourself and best wishes on your recovery and upcoming surgeries....please keep us posted and would love to see pics! Don't be nervous, of all places- you are safe here...we have all felt that way and been there. :)
Take good care of yourself and best wishes on your recovery and upcoming surgeries....please keep us posted and would love to see pics! Don't be nervous, of all places- you are safe here...we have all felt that way and been there. :)
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