Plastic surgery here I come!!!

Okay, maybe this post doesn't merit the giant smiley face guy because despite being very excited, I am also terrified at the prospect of plastic surgery. It is surreal to think of my weightloss journey coming full circle to this point. I'm so eager to rid myself of the remnants of my obesity. My friend and I talked about the skin being like clothes that are too big. Often as we are losing weight we'll wear clothes that are too large since our wardrobe can't keep up with the weightloss and everyone says, "Wear something that fits you so we can see how much weight you've lost!" or "That outfit makes you look heavier than you are!" Well, this darn skin is like an outfit that is too large. It creates this false sense of largeness that I am sick of contending with emotionally. I think this surgery is going to be a huge help to me psychologically and functionally. How much nicer will a run be without the concussion that 10 pounds of extra flesh brings with every step?

I finally found a surgeon and it looks like I am going to be having a lower body lift and breast lift with implants on October 21st--my birthday! I have to jump through some hoops and see if we can get insurance to cover some of it, but I'm not hopeful about that.

Good news is that I have not only one, but two jobs doing medical transcription from home so that will help offset the cost a bit. I'm thrilled at the prospect of making money again after being a stay-home mom for 10 years! A little bummed that I have to start work just as my 5yo daughter starts full day school, but figure I'd be bored if I didn't have something to do. Being at home will avail me the flexibility to be here for my girls, earn a few pennies, stimulate my mind, and the best part is I can type any time, day or night. I'm told I probably won't have to miss much work given the sedentary nature of the work and the fact that I can do it from my recliner with my laptop!

So cross your fingers for some insurance coverage and more importantly, a safe, effective surgery with no complications!

Looking forward to the next chapter of my story...

Denise

cool! what a big step...plastic surgery. i'm excited for you! i think about it now and then but of course i have to wait until i'm done losing which will be a while yet. plus i'm not sure if i'm up to it...we'll see.
congrats to you !

It's a BIG decision--take your time!

Denise that is wonderful news and beautifully said. Your analogy of too large clothes is perfect and that you say that it creates this false sense of largeness. I get that. I am so excited for you. I am totally mentally preparing myself and "saving" for plastic surgery (if it comes to that) - of course about 24 months out - but I am thinking about it. Thanks for sharing your journey. VERY COOL.

I loved the analogy too--makes so much sense to me. It's hard enough to wrap our heads around our success, but to have this skin confusing the matter it is even worse!

Here's to being ready for plastic surgery, but hoping you don't need it!!! :)

That's great news! I always enjoy reading your posts; you seem like a warm, positive person so I'm glad to hear that you have something exciting and life-affirming to look forward to.

Aw, thanks! I try to be warm and positive, despite whatever may be going on in my silly little world! I figure if I can share a little joy and positivity with others, it takes me out of my own head for a minute and hopefully karma will be kind to me! I must say your face is looking slim in your profile pic--almost pin-up girlish. Very pretty!

Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy your weekend!

Denise

P.S. LOVE your screen name!!! You totally need to do a blog or something with that name!

so Denise

Which surgeon did  you go with. I only seen your report on surgeon 1 and 2 but I think you had 1 more consult



Tamara

Hi Tamara! I actually wound up going to two more consults. Consult 3, with Dr. Michaels in Bethesda, only served to confuse me more. He was very nice and knowledgable, but he is young and had only done "10 or 20" lower body lifts. I was concerned with that answer because 10 is very different than 20 and neither are the 100 Dr. Lickstein has done. Still hadn't gotten two similar answers after meeting Michaels. Consult 4 was with Dr. Lickstein in Towson. I am going with him. He was incredibly patient and answered ALL of my questions. I feel really comfortable with him and his price was in line with the others. He even told me to tell him if $$ is an issue--sounds like they are willing to work with people on their pricing. He came in at 22K for everything I want to have done. Gosh that sounds like a lot of money when I type it and say it! Anyway, my transmission in my car just went out to the tune of almost 3K, so if insurance doesn't help I'm definitely going to see if they'll do it all for 20K. I just know that with economy people aren't chunking out 20K cash left and right. I certainly don't want to offend him and someone suggested that if I asked for a reduction he might cut corners. I really don't believe he would do that. He wants a surgery like this to produce some nice before and after shots and to cause me to sing his praises in a forum like this. Cutting corners would be very, very bad for business.

So that is where I stand right now. Wish me luck!

 Prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!