Completing My Transformation - Flowood, MS

Since January 2008, I have lost 103 pounds of fat and gained some muscle. The weight has come off slowly since I am a Type 1 Insulin Dependent Diabetic, but that's fine with me. I think it has a better chance of staying off. As the weight came off, my abdomen began to protrude, especially on the left side of my navel. Scar tissue from insulin injections. I also developed the hanging apron.

I would joke that I would need surgery one day to "fix" this, but never really considered it. Now I wear an insulin pump and for the past 7 months, I've been having difficulty wearing infusion sites in my abdomen due to the loose skin and scar tissue. After discussing with my family, my endo MD & NP, and the PS I chose, it seems like this will help me in the long run. I know I won't be able to use my abdomen for awhile, but down the road is better than not at all.

What's funny is I never even realized the "cosmetic" aspect of it until my husband and I were picking up some postop pajamas. He said, just think how many inches you will lose in one day. I had never even thought about it. I wore a one piece swimsuit last year for the first time in 6 years and to think that one day I could actually wear a two piece - wow. It's funny because I went into this just with the idea that I was going to help myself in the future with my diabetes, but I will gain so much more. I'm now saying that my transformation will be complete.

Right now I'm anxious due to anesthesia, the wound itself and possibly complications. I'm worried because I have taken time off work - 3 weeks- and I don't even call in when I don't feel well. But, everyone at work has been very supportive. My husband is awesome. He is off the week of surgery, which is scheduled July 3rd. Also, my mom, who is also a nurse, works weekends, but she has taken the two weekends after surgery off, so she will be moving in for a couple weeks to help .

I'm also very stressed because I won't be able to exercise the way I do now. Which will be good for my body to rest itself, but exercise is what has changed my life - for the better. So, I will be so ready to get back to it once I'm able to. I started in January 2008 weighing 278 lbs with 56% bodyfat and I currently weigh in at 175-178 with 29% bodyfat. My goal weight is 165, so I'm close enough to proceed at this time.

So, here's to using this site as more encouragement and support to get through this. I'm adding my before and my 100 pound off photos and will add the before surgery photos as soon as I can.