GREATFUL

Thanks you Sue, will take your advise and have someone line out to take me to the followup visits. I am very blessed to have a very good network of girlfriends, a few who are school teachers and off for the summer. They have all offered to be of help to me in any way I need it. I can't believe it is only 10 day out now. Looking over this thread when I started this process it seemed like forever. Someone told me that it would go fast towards the end will all of the things that need to be done keeping you busy. Well here I am, knee deep in it. One of the biggest thing is I have planted a huge garden this year. My poor DH will be very busy with it for a few weeks. Oh well.....

Thanks Sue and Josie for your kind words. My surgery is a go. I hope I am like you Josie and only need physical help for 3 days. I will have my DH for 4 days. Surgery on Thursday, he is taking off Fri, then the weekend. The only concern I am having now is Monday, that is when the PS wants me to come in to his office for the followup. One of my friends said she could take off a few hours and take me. DH has to be back at work, he has already take a week of with me due to Dad. Sooo, did any of you drive yourself to the post op doc visit? just in case my friend cannot do it. But I do have a few other friends I can call on if need be. I am just so disappointed that my sister cannot be here, I was looking forward to spending time with her, not just needing her help as a nurse or maid. Oh Well. Just a bump in the road to my flat tummy I guess. Thanks again for the sweet words, Laura

Happy 4th to eveyone. It has been a very busy few weeks for me. I had to go back to Texas with my Dad. He passed away on June 25th. It has been a ruff time but working through it. Have wavered on my surgery, have it, don't have it.... had to be off work over a week with my Dad, have the leave already approved for the surgery. Just feeling bad now about taking the time off. And my sister that was going to come be with me during the recovery time is now unable to come due to issues. My DH says not to worry about work, and he will take care of me. He knows how bad I want this surgery and how long I have looked forward to it. I am so lucky to have his support. I have my pre-op appointment on Tuesday (7th) and then the surgery is planned for the next Thursday (16th). I am so ready to shead this skin. Part of me is looking forward to having three weeks off work to just relax and recoop. So here I am 12 days and counting. Laura

Insurance is a funny thing. I looked into my insurance paying for at least the panniculectomy portion of my TT. (Will be getting on July 16th, YEA ME). I had pre approval from my insurance, along with their requirements that it be outpatient and in a hosptial and PS that was in my insurance network. So I visit with a three PS that are network. I select the one I want and we proceed to start the process. He does his work in a surgery center that is in the same building as his office, and just a few blocks from the hospital. In order for my insurance to pay for just the panniculectomy portion of the surgery I would have it done at the hospital. We ran the numbers and it was actualy cheaper for me to NOT use my insurance and just pay him cash. Due to hospital charges for the pre surgery room, surgery room and recovery room. So you never know. Laura

Thanks Sue and Josie!! It has been a stressful week. And my desk is plied high. So I have lots of work to keep me busy. But, it is real hard to stay focused. Sometime all I can think about is the TT. I was the same way when I had the band. Would that make me ADHD?

Congratulations on your TT!!! Wishes go out to you for a speedy recovery and no problems. I am not far behind you. Will be having my TT in 4 weeks, I cannot wait. Keep us posted on how it goes. Laura

It appears that Dad will be okay for now. WHEW . So surgery is on. Four weeks, seems like FOURever. Very excited. Sitting at my desk and thinking how nice it will be to not have to suffer with this nagging itch that I have due to the skin fold. powders help some, but dont last long. Sometime I am sitting in church and have to get up and leave, itiching so bad that I feel like I will loose my mind. Will not miss that at all. Going shopping this weekend for some cute panty and bra sets. Have any of you ever had friends try to talk you out of it? saying "You dont look THAT bad" "Do you realize how bad you will be hurting?". I have told them that they dont see me without my clothes, only after I have put on this Iron clad girdle, and covered up. But lately I just say nothing, I have quit talking about it. Kinda sucks because part of me wants to scream "free at last, thank God I will be free at last". I didnt tell anyone about my band becasue I did not feel I needed to explain it. OH WELL, thank God for this place and you guys. What would we do without being able to vent, share and ask questions here? Thanks everyone!!! Laura

Allie, You have done a FABALOUS job loosing the weight, and in a year!!! Go YOU!!! I am scheduled to have my TT on July 16. This is a wonderful place for advice and information. Let us know how the appointment goes. GOOD LUCK Laura

A bump in the road, maybe or maybe not. My dad is very sick. He is in ICU and does not look good. SOOOO, we shall see if this thing happens on July 16. (I hope I dont sound selfish or uncareing) It may just have to be put off for a while. I have had to come to Texas, and not sure how long I will be here. Time off work is the real issue. I have already gotten the time off for surgery approved, but concerned that if Dad makes it through this time, and I have the surgery, and then he takes a turn for the worse and I am unable to travel here (I live in Tennessee). SOOOOO in limbo at this time.

Sue, Do I start taking the vit. C now?

One good thing about the 5 week wait is it has made me very focused on my diet and exercise. I want to be as healthy as possible. I hope to be at my goal weight by surgery time. I have already lost 4lbs. I have 8 to go. I should be able to do that in 5 weeks, ya think? Thinking the skin removal was add up close to 5 lbs, so that will just be a bonus...YEEE HAAA

Thanks Sue, I did not know about the Vit C. Thanks for the info. Buy BIG panties.....Can I buy some little panties also, I want little panties. Good point... Granny Panties here we come. I think I have plenty BIG pajama bottoms that I have not thrown out yet and warm ups also. I need some new slippers and flip flops, good reason to buy them. I am only 5'2", so I think I better have it handy just in case. Dont want to dread going to the potty. But heck if I dont use it I can always take it back, right. Thanks for all of your help. Laura

I am looking at my calander, at what seems to be FOREVER, it is 36 days or 5 weeks or 864 hours till I have my tummy tuck. Do I sound excited?.. I can't wait. I am trying to focus on the things I need to get done, things I will not be able to do after surgery. I have a big garden this year. Am a little concerned about all of the work it will need while I am recovering, but my sister (who is coming to stay with me) will take care of, she also loves that kind of thing like I do. Someone is coming to clean my house the day of my surgery. I found a nice gown that buttons up the front. Have a wedge pillow. Need to get a toliet seat thingie, and a chair for the bath. Thinking and making a list groceries. My sister will be here the day before, we are going to go rent a bunch of chick flicks, plus have on demand, and have DVRed alot of thinks I think I will enjoy -(HGTV, Discovery, History and Friends). Oh thinking about picking up some of those blue pads, you know the kind they have on the bed at hospitals, and you can use to potty train your dog. Just in case I have leakage problems. So, all of you who have gone before, what am I missing? Laura

THANKS for thr response and information Dr. Schulman. You know it great to have someone like you to talk too. Thank you! Laura

Question.....I did not think to as my Doc this, but will at next visit, but was thinking maybe you could answer it for me... My Doc said that I would only have internal stitches. So what will be on the out side? I have heard of them using something like superglue, is this true, or do they use some kind of special stich? Sorry, should have told you what type of surgery. I will be having a full TT. Laura

Question.....I did not think to as my Doc this, but will at next visit, but was thinking maybe you could answer it for me... My Doc said that I would only have internal stitches. So what will be on the out side? I have heard of them using something like superglue, is this true, or do they use some kind of special stich? Thanks Laura __________________

Question.....I did not think to as my Doc this, but will at next visit, but was thinking maybe one of you could answer it for me... My Doc said that I would only have internal stitches. So what will be on the out side? I have heard of them using something like superglue. Anyone know? Thanks Laura

Thanks Sue for the heads up on the fatigue. Doc said I could go back to work 2 - 3 weeks after surgery. I took the 3 week option. My sister is coming to stay with me the first week to help (along with my DH). She said she could stay longer if needed. No kids at home and not even any pets, so not much to take care of but myself.

Thanks Josie, 1. I have a wedge pillow for my bed and we have a reclyner, so I am good to go there 2. toilet riser, I am only 5"2', but think I will get one just in case (better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it) 3. button front clothing for the beginning. - have some, but will get some more cumfy stuff 4. i am still using knit bottoms. ie. shorts, pants and skirts. - yes more shopping....!!! 5. saltines, ginger ale, sprite for when i was nauseous - have this stuff and my doc is going to send me home with the patch behind my ear. I bet having someone comment on your flat tummy was wonderful. I cannot wait.... Laura

Well talked to the boss man at work. Asked for 3 weeks off for surgery. Just told him I had to have surgery, no details. He acted like he was embarrassed, he just assumed it was "female surgery". I didnt tell him any diffrent. Heck I am female and I am having surgery. So that is one more thing taken care of...... Can any of you think of anything that you wish you had taken care of before surgery that you did not? Any help is appreciated! Laura

Just got back from the docs. My surgery is scheduled for July 16th. I am so excited, wish it could be sooner, but heck I will take it. Right now it seems like forever. But when I think about all of the things I need to get done before hand , it seems overwhelming. Oh, the doc said he did not think I need the fleur-de-lis cut after all. He thinks the last 10 lbs I lost has done the trick. So just one incesion. And I will have a pain pump to go home with. """"Do the happy dance""" Laura

I am ready to go..... I have my follow-up appointment today at 2:30 with Dr. Medling. We will be scheduling my surgery, I am hoping for eary to mid-July. Busy here at work and have a few things I need to wrap up before taking a few weeks off. I am so excited, nervous and everything all balled up into one. I could not even sleep last night and that was only the day before my appointment. No telling how it will be the day before surgery. Thanks everyone who has posted their journey here, it has helped me so very much. Hope I can help someone as much. Laura

Well, was supposed to start the "Biggest Loser" thing at the gym today, but have to go out of town on business. I call the guy, I can start it on Thursday. I am gald for that. I am so hoping that this helps me kick of these last few pounds. I received the quote from Dr. Fleming and it is a little higher that Dr. Medling. And Dr. Fleming is not in my insurance network, so the pann. would only be covered at 60%. So.... it is looking more and more like it will be Dr. Medling. Pluc, Dr. Medling did the reconstruction on a very good friend of mine who had a double mastectomy. She just loves him and things he is the best. He is very patient and does very good work. We shall see. Laura

nip50 - the price that Dr. Medling quoted me was without insurance: Surgeon's Fee $3,500 - Anesthesiology $1,250 - OR Fee $1,425 - TOTAL $6,175 - this is for abdominoplosty only Hope this helps. The other PS that I went to would not give me a quoute until he found out what insurance would cover. Dr. Medling told me that he would just deduct off what insurances pays. I like that approach, seem more honest. (I think I am going with him - 90% sure)

mrgrta - Good luck with your surgery on April 30th. Doc says I do not need the 360 degree cut. I am thankful for that. I will be interested to know how you do with the fleur-de-lis. Hope you can share your experience....what to know just what I am getting into as much as possible. (as if anyone could be 100% prepared for this procedure) I am just in the hurry up and wait phase of this process. I am putting all of my focus on eating right and exercising, my goal is to be in the best possible shape before having my surgery. I am looking to have it done the second week of June, that gives me 16 weeks. Seems like forever when I look at it that way. But I need this time to focus on geeting of this last 20 lbs. Heck if I just loose 1 lb per week I will just about have it done. As I said earlier, my workout place is doing a program, something like the "biggest looser". I have joined it and very excited, hope this will be the shot in the arm that I need. We meet every Tues and Thurs as a group, weight in and work out with 2 trainers. I need the accountabality and support of a group. We shall see..... Starts next tuesday. Laura