Katie B.

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I had my second plastic surgery since my weight loss on Feb. 21st.  I had three things done......breast lift, thighplasty, and "complete the cut" around my backside from my tummy tuck.  They removed 4 1/2 pounds from my backside, 1/2 pound from each inner thigh, and one pound from my breasts!  The recovery was horrible, but I am far enough along now to say it was all worth it.  I feel so much better.  I know from my last surgery that it honestly takes about 6 months for your body to unswell and settle, but I look better already and it only can improve with unswelling!  I no longer have my dog ears on my hips from my front side tummy tuck.  My breasts went from DD to a D cup and they are up where they belong!  I love the changes that have been made. 

One thing I did differently to prepare for this surgery is the day before my surgery, I had all of my restriction taken out of my lap band.  I chose to do this after consulting with my doctor because I wanted to make sure I was able to get all of my required medication down after surgery.  I didn't do this for my first plastic surgery, and I remember having a hard time with this.  I am scheduled to get my band refilled next Tuesday. 

It has been interesting to monitor my own behaviors without my restriction in the band.  I have gained 10 pounds, but honestly hard to sort out what is what right after a surgery.  I am enjoying this window of eating freedom, but I have to also admit that I have abused it.  I look forward to getting back on track next week. 

Doing well and loving life! 

I met with my surgeon this morning to consult about possibilities for contouring my body.  I am planning on "completing the cut" from my tummy tuck, having my excess skin from my inner thighs lifted, and my breasts lifted and reduced.  I am hoping to get this scheduled for January.  This will all be self paid.  The ballpark figure I am expecting this to cost me including one night at the hospital is $16,000.  I will need to start saving now to make this happen.  I was so excited to hear my surgeon would be willing and even thought it was safe to do all three procedures in one surgery.  I honestly don't know if I would have them all done if I would have had to have an additional surgery.  I will schedule an updated consult in November then move forward from there.  It sounds like it is going to be painful, but I am familiar with that territory.  I'll keep you posted. 

Post Date: 3/31/11 12:18 pm
Last Edit: 4/1/11 9:33 am
I had a dual brachioplasty done in August of 2010.  I am happy with my results, but would warn one considering this, to make sure that they want to do this.  My process has come with much discomfort, pain, and huge scars.  On my right arm, during the surgery, my surgeon had a hard time getting my skin to reach to close the incision, so he had to do a variation cut.  This is an additional crooked cut more on the back of my arm rather than the inside part.  I am not happy with this, but there were no options...that is what I woke up with.  I have the incisions from about one inch below my elbow all the way up my arm, through my arm pits (not exactly straight here) and about 8 inches down from there under where my bra now sits.  I no longer have any hair follicles under my arms and so as a bonus for all my hell....I don't have to shave under my arms ever again.  My arms were very limited in movement at the start.  I wasn't able to move them around with much function for about a week or so and had to keep them bound tight and raised for as much time as possible, even when sleeping.  In time, and day by day my arms loosened up.  They felt tight when I would extend my arms for a long time.  Almost ten months out, I still have portions of numbness on my arms and my forarms.  I may never get the feeling back in my arms is my understanding.  My doctor said that whatever I have at about one year out is what I can expect to be forever.   The pain still bothers me at times, but I can live with it.  Overall, I am glad I did it because my arms were so nasty to me.  It has come with expense, much pain, and forever side effects.  I am still reluctant to wear short sleeves at times because my scars have not faded much and I have that extra cut from the variation.  I am expecting that to get better.  I love how my arms look in long sleeves.  Good luck with your journey. 

I am at my lifetime goal as of today of 160 pounds!  I have reassessed this goal several times along the journey and this is a liveable weight for me.  I fit into a size 12 and they are big.  I am starting to wear 10s.  I am 5 foot 8 so that is a nice size for me.  This has all fallen into place after my plastic surgery.  8 pounds was removed and now I am where I can be for the rest of my life.  This has been a long and rewarding journey!  I am glad to be here.  

I certainly have had a long journey.  I am 5 days out of surgery.  I had a paniculectomy (I think I posted the wrong term earlier) and dual brachioplasty.  The doctor estimated pre-op that he would be able to remove about 4 pounds of skin and tissue between both arms and my tummy.  He ended up removing one half of a pound from each arm and 7 pounds from my tummy!  He said he couldn't even believe it. 

Do this math though....I arrived at the hospital for surgery and weighed in at 164.  I had 8 pounds surgically removed from me and two days later at home I weigh 169!  I guess the numbers are all a game even in the end.  I have lots of swelling yet to go down and I feel like I have been hit by a truck.  This is a very difficult recovery, but an essential part of my journey for me.  I still have my lovely sagging boobs to deal with, but one surgery at a time.  I will have to think about how important that is in the end.  

I have some of this covered by insurance, but honesty, I was fully prepared to pay for everything because I needed this.  My stomach, although certainly still very swollen, is flat.  I cannot ever remember having a flat stomach.  I will fit clothes correctly now.  My arms are pained a lot.  I have to keep them wrapped from my wrist to my armpits for three weeks.  I am a healthy person overall, so I feel I have done well with the recovery. 

I can't wait for the recovery process to lighten up a bit and go shopping for sleeveless tops and dresses!  I would have never even had thoughts like that, and now I can.  I had regrets at first, wondering what in the hell I did to my body as I lay in the hospital not even able to toilet myself.  I am now starting to see the outcome and it will be worth it! 

Glad I am as far as I am.  

This has not been a fun process, but after gathering up additional information and armed with two letters of support from my nurse and plastic surgeon, my insurance has approved me for my tummy tuck!  I have met for a second consult with the plastic surgeon and am scheduled for August 4th.  I have a final pre-op appointment with him on July 23 to finalize the surgical plan.  I am able to get two things done (expenses covered by insurance for one, and self pay for the other).  I certainly want my stomach done, and I am considering my arms as well.  They are so bad I don't even want to wear a short sleeve shirt.  I am honestly struggling with the scars that I will be left with, but as of now, I don't show my arms anyways.  At least they will be smaller.  If this surgery goes well and my body heals without infection, I will plan for a second surgery to have my inner thighs receive a medial lift and a breast lift and removal of extra skin.  I am so nervous and so excited at the same time.  I think I will actually fit into a pair of pants how a woman is supposed to after my surgery.  I am currently wearing a size 14 pants and they usually are a little big on me.  I am also wearing some size 12s.  I have planned to take up to 4 weeks off, but will play it by ear.  I work two jobs so I don't want to push things quicker than what they should be.  I will take before and after pics to post on here of my surgery experience. 

I received my letter of denial from Blue Cross Blue Shield for plastic reconstructive surgery.  I will begin the appeal process.  This sounds so tiring. I don't mind paying for the cosmetic portions of any surgery I request, but seriously now people, I can't even wear my clothes correctly at this point because I have to tuck in so much loose unneeded skin it is ridiculous.  My extra skin also billows over the top of my waistline like a god damn muffin!  I can't wear the shirts I want to.  I am hoping to have this all resolved and looking at August for my surgery date.  I get tired of fighting! 

It has been three years ago this past weekend.  What a life long change the band has brought to me!  I eat so much healthier than I used to and I am able to be active and not tire as easy.  I have lost a total of 132 pounds.  I am planning on a surgery to remove extra skin from my tummy and inner thighs in August.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to take control of my weight.  I am near the normal range on the BMI chart.  I am thinking after surgery, I'll be there for sure. 

Much to my surprise, I am still losing weight...very slowly, but still losing.  I am losing about 2 pounds per month.  I have not had an adjustment on my band for about a year and a half.  I actually feel attractive for the first time in my life.  People have even called me skinny!  I am not skinny by any means, but if you knew me before, I do look thin in comparison.  Some people have a hard time recognizing me. 

I comfortably wear a size 14 pants. Sometimes they even feel too big and I usually wear a belt.  I am 5'8".  I don't even always need to buy the size XL anymore.  When I went to buy a t-shirt a month or so ago....the lady said...I have one left, and it's just your size.  I assumed it was an XL, but it was only a L.  I was afraid it was going to be too small.  Not at all.  It fit!  I need to get my mind caught up to where my body is.  I can't wait for the plastics I am planning.  It will allow my clothes to fit much better.  I will probably end up in a size 12 or maybe a 10. 

At the start of this journey, I never thought any of this was possible.  I now weigh 172 pounds.  I was originally thrilled at the idea that I might weigh as little as 225.  I have far surpassed all of my goals.  My life is so much more improved. 

I LOVE MY BAND!  NO REGRETS!   

I had a consult with a plastic surgeon to discuss my extra skin today.  He took formal pictures of me and discussed options, risks, and benefits.  In the end, I decided that the best decision is for me to wait for one more year and continue to think about my options.   I work in an enviornment that has much second hand smoke.  I am exposed to this for at least 30 hours per week.  Even though I no longer smoke, the risks are the same.  He would not be able to do the best procedure available for fear of blood circulation problems and I would have a much higher risk of infection and troubles healing.  The smoking ban goes into effect in July 2010 and will rid me of the second hand smoke issue.   

In addition, I am still losing weight.  I am only losing 2 to 3 pounds per month, but overall, I don't want to have this done if I will continue to lose.  I believe I will continue to lose through the next year because I really don't eat that much.  When I have stabilized for 4 to 6 months, I will seriously revisit the surgery schedule.  

I am looking at the anchor cut tummy tuck, which he said could likely be covered by insurance in my case.  He described me as having extra skin in both directions and thought this would be the most effective, but would leave a long scar down the front of my belly.  The scar isn't really a concern for me, as I don't have plans for bikinis or anything, but just would like my clothes to fit me better. 

I would likely have to pay for any additional procedures and could do one more thing during the tummy tuck surgery.  I would like to have my arms done at the same time.  I would then plan on a seperate procedure to have my breasts lifted.  He showed me and explained to me how a breast lift would affect me.  I loved it!  I hate pulling on my bra straps all day long and repositioning things.  I will in the end be looking at two different surgeries. 

I really don't like the idea of having all of this extra hanging skin around for the next year but I know I am making the healthiest and best decision for me.  This will also give me a chance to financially prepare for the expenses and the time off of work.  I am glad I am getting near.  I will only want to lose another 20 pounds maximum.  I am so close I can taste it!  I love my band.  I am not looking forward to the pain and time off of work next year. 

Those are my initial thoughts...I'm sure as I process more and read through some of the material he gave me, I'll have more thoughts.  Thanks for listening! 

I just hit my original goal weight of 186 pounds.  I wanted this weight attained because I can qualify for another reduction in my life insurance rates.  Now that I am at this weight, and looking forward to the removal of my extra skin...I set my final goal weight for life at 160.  Looking back from where I came from, I know I can make that!  A weight of 160 would place me within the healthy BMI range on the chart, so that is my final goal!  This is absolutely attainable!  I love my band!