June 29th / Extended TT -Sacramento, CA
I come from a family of heavy set females and so I...
I come from a family of heavy set females and so I never been small in size. The smallest I have been is a size 10/12 and that was on my wedding day 32 years ago. However; I have always had large breasts but a smaller back and waist until two C-Sections. My children are 33 and 23 and having birthing them my weight settled between 200 to 220. Then something happened and I shot up to 282 and developed a few threatening health issues. I had Gastric by pass in 2002. I lost weight down to 172 lbs. After some steroid treatments for arthritis, i regained my weight back to 205. after 30 years of this I have come to the conclusion that 200 lbs is obviously where my body will remain stable. I am fine with that. So now I will just concentrate on something I can control; my arms. . My legs are very strong and muscular. However; I will need TT and Lipo for my inner thighs and stomach as they have declared war!
I am happy with me but sad that the only way to see my pubic area is to pick up the 10 lbs of apron on my lap.
I sought out a PS about five years ago and can't quite remember what happened. I think he suggested more weight lost and so I considered it a lost cause. I know losing weight would get me a much better result and I would love to but I seem to be stable at where I am.
I read lots of comments on this site and after thinking I had a feel for the cost of the surgery and getting that amount together, I was ready to go back and see a PS. So I had another consult with met with Dr. Yamahata at Sacramento Plastic Surgery Center. I read some great reviews on him and also felt very comfortable with his mannerism. I asked him about my weight and he said since I have no medical issues, I am fine. So he sent me to see the Assistant to schedule surgery.
Well, my balloon was burst! The surgery would cost $5k more than I expected. I am sure because of my size.
I have read other reviews here and there is another woman whose surgery was performed by Dr. Yamahata. She was 184 lbs and her surgery cost $5k less than I am expected to pay. I am gathering it is definitely the weight issue and so have decided to make some drastic changes in the attempt to lose 30 lbs by December. So far I have lost 4 lbs and hope this is a sign of good results to come.
Like others i have heard commented; I go through the guilt of spending this kind of money on me but as I get older and seeing how gravity is taking its course; the guilt is subsiding. I like to hike, go bicycling, trying to ride my new motorcycle and back pack in Europe. Having this apron on me have become a pain in my back, slows me down and does nothing for my appearance.
I am not vain. I just want to feel better.
I will look to this site for encouragement throughout the next few months as I start my journey to the Flat Side.
Thanks for your support!
Black Swan's provider
Replies (9)
I am not quite sure how to describe what is going...
I am using some of my retirement money and saving up the rest of my money to pay cash for my surgery. I had gathered $8K when I went to the PS and I was so prepared for them to say the cost will be $8K and thought I would be having this surgery within the next two months. Now that I am needing an extended tummy tuck and lipo, the cost is $13K. It will take another 8 months to gather another $5K on my budget. I just sold my home on a short sale so getting financed is out of the question even though I just need another $5K. If it wasn't for the pain this weight on my pelvic is causing I would feel like its hopeless.
Anyone know of a PS in the Valley (Near Sacramento/San Francisco Area) that they can recommend that may cost less than this for an extended Tummy Tuck and Lipo?
I am working hard on losing 30 lbs. I will be very comfortable at 175-185 lbs. Once I get rid of this flab I will be able to exercise more freely so I can reach my goal.
Thanks for listening!~
Replies (1)
Hi gang, just updating. I have been doing a lot...
I have been doing a lot of researches. My major concern has been trying to lose weight, at least 30 lbs, because I wanted to. At first I thought it was odd that my PS didn't ask me to lose weight. When I asked him about it, rather I should lose weight first; he just simply said, "You have no health issues so I am fine." So, not use to not being beating up for being who I am.
I took some pics to put on here and I am still in shock that I look so deformed. When did this happened? If it wasn't for the fact that the weight of my stomach is causing pain in my pelvic, I probably would have not stopped and checked myself.
I have been viewing pics of other body images close to mine. I was checking out their results. I know no two bodies will necessarily have the same results but I wanted something to take to my PS so he can tell me if I am being 'realistic' with the outcome I am expecting. So far, I am loving this PS. Always available for questions and returns my phone calls within 24 hours. I asked him one day what he thought about me having my thighs done the same time. He said because my surgery was a 'major' one... (I understood what he meant... that my bmi is high) that we should do the Extended TT first and the thighs latter, giving myself time to heal. Yesterday I called him and told him I wanted to see some pics of women he has done that is within my body mass/BMI. He responded within 24 hrs. He is having me to come down to the office to look at some pics and talk about my expectations. Of course, this is what they should do, right? However; its nice to know he is on top of his game. I told him that I am working on losing weight. I love how this man responded. Knowing that I had Gastric bypass when I was 282+ and that I am over 50, of course, he says at this point in my life there is some things that is hard to correct. I would not be able to rid myself of my apron at this point in my life even if I lose weight. He said, wanting me to consider this, some people lose the weight, have the surgery and then end up putting the weight back on. So, I believe he is saying that knowing that my stable weight is 200-210 and having the surgery makes sense.
I don't think he was discouraging me from losing weight. I am still going to aim for 180 because I know it will make my investment worth it and me feel better. I believe he also meant that in losing weight or making the changes in my diet will have to be changes that are permanent and consistent in order to maintain the weight loss.
I love me and I will love me less with this apron on my tummy and thigh. Can't wait...
I am ready to make my deposit on my journey. I am hoping to get scheduled in December.
Replies (1)
I have my procedure on Monday. Check me out and good luck on your weight loss journey!
Welcome to RealSelf! So glad you joined us and I know you will find the support that you need here.
You just keep focus on the weight loss and being healthy. You will get there and we will all cheer you on through every pound! You can do this and soon you will have your new body.
You deserve it and should do it so stay focused, chin up and keep moving forward. You will soon feel like a new woman and be loving the new tummy.