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I am a 33 year old woman who has lost 160 pounds....
I am a 33 year old woman who has lost 160 pounds. I am 5'10" tall and currently weigh 170 pounds. I have been married a little over a year, and have never and will never have kids.
I have been researching surgeries to correct my loose, saggy skin since my weight loss stabilized in the fall of 2012. I have been seeing Dr. Houle since the spring of 2013. He talked me through my options, explained everything, and has been very understanding and helpful during this time.
I know I'd like not only my breasts and torso dealt with, but my upper arms and inner thighs as well. Money, though, is an issue, and with numerous health problems, Dr. Houle figured that my insurance would cover a panniculectomy and breast reduction, so I decided to try for those first. He was right. Insurance is covering both, but for esthetic reasons, I decided to pay out-of-pocket for the back part of the belt lipectomy, instead of having dog-ears at my sides where the incision for the panniculectomy ends. When bills are paid off, I would still like to do my arms and thighs, but know that insurance will not cover those, so am willing to wait.
Surgery is a little under a month away, and I am filling my time researching what to expect in attempts to prepare myself. Reading the experience of others has been increadibly helpful, so I would like to do my part by sharing my experience as well.
I will add an update with before pictures when I can get to some better lighting.
I have been researching surgeries to correct my loose, saggy skin since my weight loss stabilized in the fall of 2012. I have been seeing Dr. Houle since the spring of 2013. He talked me through my options, explained everything, and has been very understanding and helpful during this time.
I know I'd like not only my breasts and torso dealt with, but my upper arms and inner thighs as well. Money, though, is an issue, and with numerous health problems, Dr. Houle figured that my insurance would cover a panniculectomy and breast reduction, so I decided to try for those first. He was right. Insurance is covering both, but for esthetic reasons, I decided to pay out-of-pocket for the back part of the belt lipectomy, instead of having dog-ears at my sides where the incision for the panniculectomy ends. When bills are paid off, I would still like to do my arms and thighs, but know that insurance will not cover those, so am willing to wait.
Surgery is a little under a month away, and I am filling my time researching what to expect in attempts to prepare myself. Reading the experience of others has been increadibly helpful, so I would like to do my part by sharing my experience as well.
I will add an update with before pictures when I can get to some better lighting.
Before Photos
I haven't asked the doc for the official before photos he took, but I decided to take some of my own, from various angles, with and without clothes.
As a reminder, I'm 33, 5'10" tall and currently weigh 174 lbs. At my biggest, I weighed 329 lbs. I lost the weight over a three year period, and have been at my current weight for about two years. I have not and will never have kids.
As a reminder, I'm 33, 5'10" tall and currently weigh 174 lbs. At my biggest, I weighed 329 lbs. I lost the weight over a three year period, and have been at my current weight for about two years. I have not and will never have kids.
Oops, forgot back view
A Freudian would tell me that I didn't forget, but that I dreaded posting it, and therefore "forgot." A Freudian may be right. Well, to remedy this possible instance of parapraxis, here I am in all my naked, doughy, droopy glory.
BTW, I plan on getting my arms and inner thighs done at a later date.
BTW, I plan on getting my arms and inner thighs done at a later date.
Provider Review
He has been great! Very helpful, frank, and good at explaining things without talking down to you, which I greatly appreciate in a doctor. He gave me honest and realistic expectations in the pre-op stages of my process, and then met and even exceeded those expectations with my results. His work on my body was beautifully done, and I plan on going to him for the remaining two procedures I want to do. His staff is likewise warm and helpful. All of my phone and email inquiries before surgery were answered promptly, and the call team for post-op care is efficient and helpful.