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Okay where can I start? I am 28 years old, I have...
Okay where can I start? I am 28 years old, I have PCOS. I'm 5'7, 200 lbs. No kids.. I've always been overweight. At the age of 9, I weighed 200 lbs and got up to 300 lbs in college. I've always been an athlete, even in college I competed in the SEC as a thrower (shot put, discus). I exercised 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. To make a long story short, I've always struggled with my weight despite what I did to be healthy.
This is all due to PCOS and insulin resistance. I'm on here as a PCOSer so that anyone else with PCOS can ask questions about my plastic surgery experience. Anyway, in 2008 I had a lap band, and although it was a good experience, it didn't work much for me. I've learned that with PCOS the lap band helped, but the major secret to success is low carb. So with a low carb diet and exercise of 2-3 hours a day, the lowest weight I ever reached in my life was 185 lbs.. Which only lasted about 4 months. Took me a year to lose it and within four weeks I gained 15 lbs and have been steady at 200lbs.
So really the only major thing that bothers me about my body is my stomach and my back. With insulin resistance I tend to gain weight in my mid section from front to back.
I had my one and only consultation with Dr. Peter Aldea in Memphis, TN and booked my surgery for March 21, 2013. Let me say this: the man is thorough. He is very knowledgeable and very precise. Even though he's a surgeon, he is himself and he talked to me like a person, not as a doctor to a patient.
Anyway, he told me hewould do my surgery although he felt that if I lost some weight, I would get a better result. I totally agree with him; however, with PCOS I don't lose weight easily and as a black woman I'm not as concerned about being skinny as I am concerned about having more curves and being more shapely, thus, I will still weigh around 200 lbs when I hahis procedur
I've been cleared by my PCP to have the surgery. I will upload before pics soon.
I wonder how everyone here deals with not telling anyone about their surgery. So far I haven't told many people except my immediate family members but I've been itching to tell my friends. But I've been refraining from telling them anything because I feel like after I have my procedure it wouldn't surprise me if my business gets thrown in the street.
How have other people handled this issue in the past?
This is all due to PCOS and insulin resistance. I'm on here as a PCOSer so that anyone else with PCOS can ask questions about my plastic surgery experience. Anyway, in 2008 I had a lap band, and although it was a good experience, it didn't work much for me. I've learned that with PCOS the lap band helped, but the major secret to success is low carb. So with a low carb diet and exercise of 2-3 hours a day, the lowest weight I ever reached in my life was 185 lbs.. Which only lasted about 4 months. Took me a year to lose it and within four weeks I gained 15 lbs and have been steady at 200lbs.
So really the only major thing that bothers me about my body is my stomach and my back. With insulin resistance I tend to gain weight in my mid section from front to back.
I had my one and only consultation with Dr. Peter Aldea in Memphis, TN and booked my surgery for March 21, 2013. Let me say this: the man is thorough. He is very knowledgeable and very precise. Even though he's a surgeon, he is himself and he talked to me like a person, not as a doctor to a patient.
Anyway, he told me hewould do my surgery although he felt that if I lost some weight, I would get a better result. I totally agree with him; however, with PCOS I don't lose weight easily and as a black woman I'm not as concerned about being skinny as I am concerned about having more curves and being more shapely, thus, I will still weigh around 200 lbs when I hahis procedur
I've been cleared by my PCP to have the surgery. I will upload before pics soon.
I wonder how everyone here deals with not telling anyone about their surgery. So far I haven't told many people except my immediate family members but I've been itching to tell my friends. But I've been refraining from telling them anything because I feel like after I have my procedure it wouldn't surprise me if my business gets thrown in the street.
How have other people handled this issue in the past?
Does anyone struggle with questions on whether or...
Does anyone struggle with questions on whether or not you're making the right decision before having surgery? The self-conscious side of me feels like this procedure is absolutely necessary in order to move on with my life and be the person I want to be. I feel as though this surgery will improve my relationship with my fiance (as I am way too self-conscious about my body around him). The conservative part of me (financially) feels as though this surgery is way too selfish and that I shouldn't spend that amount of money out of vanity. I would just like to know if anyone has ever struggled with those conflicting feelings as well. I guess I feel like I'm just taking a big risk.
Since my surgery is less than two weeks away, I...
Since my surgery is less than two weeks away, I decided to go ahead and get my prescriptions filled. I'm not a "last minute" person, so I wanted to make sure I had everything squared away. At the doctor's office I was told that one of the medications would cost around $700 (blood thinning injection to ensure no blood clots occur during recovery). I had seen where another patient (on realself) who went to the same doctor documented where she paid around $900 total for all her prescribed medication.. So needlessly to say, I was prepared to pay around the same.
So I went to Walgreens. One medication they were out of stock so I have to wait until Monday to get it.. I asked the technician how much in total it would cost me, and she said $28.00... I was shocked! But so happy! My insurance paid the total cost for that $700 medication (which ended up being priced at $550). I'm very thankful. Minus the one medication, I walked out with a huge bag full of medication for $14.65! I'm now ready for my surgery!
I will post pre op pics soon.. I just can't stand to look at my body right now. I'm looking forward to March 21st!
So I went to Walgreens. One medication they were out of stock so I have to wait until Monday to get it.. I asked the technician how much in total it would cost me, and she said $28.00... I was shocked! But so happy! My insurance paid the total cost for that $700 medication (which ended up being priced at $550). I'm very thankful. Minus the one medication, I walked out with a huge bag full of medication for $14.65! I'm now ready for my surgery!
I will post pre op pics soon.. I just can't stand to look at my body right now. I'm looking forward to March 21st!
Provider Review
I found Dr. Aldea on this website. I'm so grateful for realself.com because this site made it so easy to do research on him. He is such an awesome surgeon. He is my real life super hero! He has changed my life in so many ways, I am truly thankful for him. His assistant Lilly is truly heaven-sent. She has always made me feel comfortable from the first day I set foot in his office. It's always difficult to show a stranger your biggest insecurities, but they are both very professional and courteous. I would highly recommend this doctor. He is not only an excellent surgeon, but he is fair with his prices per procedure and very well worth every penny. Life-changing!Updated on 1 Apr 2013:Realself!