TT with Lipo on flanks & chest - West Des Moines, IA

I weighed 350 pounds in 2008 when I decided to start my journey. I had watched The Biggest Loser show and for the first season found it entertaining to watch fat people grunt in the gym as I ate a pizza dinner. After a couple seasons of The Biggest Loser I noticed it became less entertaining to watch fat people work out. What I watched for was the moment Jillian would make someone cry and she would ask the question, "Why did you allow yourself to gain all this weight?" I came to ask myself the same questions and realized I was too externally motivated and didn't place enough value on myself internally. I had not external reason to lose weight, I didn't have a bad back, didn't have diabetes, no sore knees, blood pressure normal, cholesterol normal...the outside world didn't tell me it was time to lose weight so I haven't been motivated.

Fast forward, after realizing I needed to value myself more physically I came to lose 125 pounds though eating less and exercising more. Over the course of the last year I have gained about 10 pounds back and maintained from there.

At 235 pounds I was left with lots of stretch marks and lose skin about my abdominal area. I came to the realization that I was going to be permanently scared with loose skin or the incision scar of a tummy tuck. I was tired of having to tuck in my panis in my pants every time I stood up. After extensive online research and visiting four different surgeons I made the decision to get the surgery. I opted to include liposuction of the flanks and chest. Since childhood I have been embarrassed about the size of my chest as it has always been larger than the average male.

Today I am 3 days post operation and very pleased with how things have gone. I know I have a long road ahead of me and hope to have minimal swelling. Since the surgery I have been drinking in excess of 7 liters of water a day. Also I have been using an Airlife inhaling measurement device my Dr. provided me for 10 minutes per session 3-6 sessions a day. My theory is that oxygen and water are going to help me heal quickly.

I consider this to be my last chapter to gaining physical self acceptance. I learned at a young age I was not worthy physically by example of being picked last for every school yard playground sports pick. After losing all my weight all I could see was the loose skin and a fat man, I realize I will never have a perfect body and there will always be something I don't like. Today I am 3 days into recovering with a body which doesn't carry the loose skin and the painful reminder of someone who struggled to love his physical body. All I want is to be able to look good in clothes and I know this surgery will allow me to do that. Today I am beginning to I accept myself as perfect with all my imperfections.