not an uplifting post but...

I am new here, my name is Charlotte or Char, I am 54, I started out at 240, my highest weight, 234.8 was my surgery weight, I am a little over a year out and down to 125.8, at 5'3" I am having plastic surgery in april, and I just feel a little unsure of myself right now, I am being told by roomie, boyfriend, who is more of a room mate then a boyfriend, we sleep in separate rooms, aren't intimate, for years, hence the roomie term, anyway, I am being told to stop this "health" stuff, that I am carrying it too far, that I am too thin, I am not...no way...I take a size 4-6 but I have lots of hanging skin, loose flabby skin...and can't stand it anymore...my primary care physican is not supporting my going to mexico to have surgery but no plastic surgeon in the state of maryland says that my insurance will cover what I need to have done, I think my weight loss surgeon will help me with my preop tests, but at 54, am I being vain for wanting this, I know it's more then being vain, this hanging skin is causing rashs, and rubbing, etc...but everyone who sees me with clothes on, says, you don't need plastic surgery, you just want it...it is really becoming annoying that people seem to feel they know what is best for me...sorry, just have to get this out..

Hi Char, Go ahead and vent, that is part of the reason that this group exists.  Do what you need to do for your own mental health.  If plastics will help you feel good about the improvements you have made, go for it.  You have done an amazing loss, I look to follow in your foot steps on the losing dept.  Still have a long ways to go myself.  We will get through this with each other's support.  Hang in there Char.  Hugs

thanks kathy! You have done an amazing job losing over a hundred pounds already! that is fantastic! hugs!

char, i know how the rashes go. i documented my rashes under my stomach. took pictures, had my primary write an account of my rashes and medicare paid for  my tummy tuck.  it was really more than just a tummy tuck because i had an anchor cut up to under my breast down to my pubic area and around to the back.  got rid of skin and a pulled my muscles tighter up my stomach.  you do what you need to do for your health, physical and emotional. rashes are not good for you. i would double check on the doc from mexico though and be very careful.  one lady here went to a very good doctor in mexico. hope she will let you know the name of her doc.  i would see if your insurance will pay if you have documented. good luck to you. vick

all the plastic surgeons I saw here in maryland said, they may, may pay for a tummy tuck but they said I did not have enough hanging skin-WHAT??  so they doubted it and would not even try...I am going to the same doctor in mexico that Patrece and many others on OH have gone to...

thats the doctor i was talking about.  if i ever go to mexico, he is the doc i will use. vick

Hi Char. I think both the WLS and any PS we decide to do is something (for some the only thing ever) we do for ourselves and ourselves alone. You don't need anyone's consent or approval to do this if you want it. Personally, I doubt that I'll ever have the funds for PS and don't have Mexico handy, but I totally understand you wanting to complete the job you began. Your age is not relevant and unless there are medical issues, shame on those doctors who try to make it relevant. Everyone has the right to try to make their life better, regardless of age, color, creed, etc., etc., etc!

Char... I just have to say this: This is a very personal decision, and not one that you should allow anyone to make for you. NO one but you. You know what you want, and probably need. You must live this one short and precious life for you sometimes and forget what others "think" they know. They are not the ones living in your skin, or your body. Yes, I had PS ... part of it may have been for feeling better about myself, but our emotional and mental health is a BIG part of our overall health. If we do not feel good emotionally, we don't feel good in any other way either. Follow your heart, and tell the naysayers when you are ready to be done discussing it and defending your decision. You don't have to answer to them..just yourself.