Aussie Girls Quest for a Flat Tummy! - Sydney, AU

After being over weight my whole life at the age of 21 I decided to get gastric banding and stop myself from a life of regrets and health problems. I am now 24 and have lost over over 30kg (66+ lbs) and I am now about 77kg (170 lbs) have had a lot of problems with my band and it has not really been in operation for the past year or so (I have had the liquid taken out of it so it's no restricted and have not managed to put on weight so I'm happy with that)

I have always carried most of my weight around my tummy... I have had a few friends who weighed in at 100-110kgs like me and have lost around the same amount of weight but have great bodies now - it's been really upsetting that I still have this bulge around my stomach although I'm close to my goal weight. I have found my tummy really demotivating and I'm hoping getting rid of it will encourage me to reach my fitness goals and get to my ultimate goal of 68kilos.

I'm relatively happy with my body now apart from my tummy. I'm happy to wear singlets, shorts (when I'm being good at the gym and keeping my thighs looking good) I have a thin somewhat pretty face, but there is still this misconception that I am fat or unfit and that is because of this gut!

I am booked in for November 18th at westmead private hospital in Sydney Australia. My doctor is dr peter hayward who seems great, is very experienced, and has even worked on a high profile case in Australia. A little girl named Sophie delizio was hit by a car (twice, once in a freak accident and again after leaving hospital so unlucky) and needed extensive reconstructive surgery on her face and my doctor did it! My mum has also been to him to remove some sun cancers on her face and there is no mark! He's also hilarious and makes me feel very comfortable so I'm happy with my choice!

I've been met with some resistance from family members, friends (especially those who have lost weigh and don't have loose skin) and coworkers who say I am "taking the easy way out" or "I could do it through exercise" and they don't seem to understand that it's not that easy. I saw many doctors before making my decision and they have all said I'm a perfect candidate. Anyway, all I need to do it flop my tummy out and as soon as my friends see how low it hangs (can't remember the last time I saw my vagina) they agree I probably do need it! I won't be getting much muscle work done as I haven't had a child so that should aid in the recovery.

I have taken three weeks off work but understand recovery will be tough and long but I'm looking forward to the future. Although I have lost all that weight I still feel I am withdrawing from from going out with friends and resisting the attention of boys because I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. I don't expect a perfect body, I don't even expect I will ever wear a bikini (and I never have as I have been overweight since the age of 3) I just want to be considered normal, and to be able t same size shirt and pants (not an Australian size 10-12 on top and an 18 on the bottom to try fit my tummy in)

Ill post up pics soon! Thanks for reading!

Faintofheart

Today's the day! Just about to leave for the hospital. Here are some before shots! I am thinner on my right side so hopefully the lipo will even it out. So happy my Body will never look like this again!