GREATFUL

From what I understand a "Fleur-de-lis" is also sometimes call an anchor incision. They dont just make the lower incision but also a up-and-down one. The point is to be able to not only pull the skin down, but to also pull it sideways, giving a more contured look. You have an extra scar, but from what I have seen and heard it is worth it when you have a very large amount of extra skin. (sad to say that is me)

Had my second consult with another PS yesterday. His name is Dr. Medling. He is a very young doc. He had a great bedside manner and answered all my questions, but most of all he listended to me and what my wisher are for this procedure. He wants me to loose at least 10 more pounds before we proceed. He did give me a workup on the price (before any insurance). He will file with my insurance to see if they will take care of anything. Another biggie with this Dr. is that he will use the same hospital that my band doc uses, and he talked about having him be present during the portion of the surgery where he is working around the port. He is also thinking that I need to have the "Fleur-de-lis" cut. I made a follow up appointment for April 1 - now to kick of this stubborn last pounds. Laura

OH, I workout at Anytime Fitness and they are doing a 6 week "Biggest Looser" contest. It sounds real good, going to join it and hope that it will help me pull this last 20 lbs off.

Well I had my consult with Dr. Fleming today. It went well, I do like him alot and his staff is very helpful and friendly. It is so strange to be without clothes and haveing another man handle my flab. I hardley let my DH do that. An then taking pictures of it all. He does not think I need a breast lift but a full TT is in order. I still am thinking I want a little fill on the girls. Will just have to wait and see. He is going to write a letter to my insurance and see what they will do about the pannas removal. He said it usually takes about 3 weeks to get back the approval/rejection from the insurance. I have another consult with a diffrent doc tomorrow. We shall see if the verdict is the same. I am hoping to be able to have the work done mid June. Here is hoping.............. Later Laura

Good Luck, not long now..... I hope to be following you to flatland soon myself. I have my consult on the 9th. Will be excited to see how you do and follow your journey to flatland. Take care, Laura

A question for those of you who have already had your surgery..... How many PS surgeons did you consult with befor selecting who you wanted? I have two appointments so far. I have emailed two other ones and have already ruled one of them out. Just wondering.......

Well I did it. After much searching and studing, I took a deep breath and made the call. I have an appointment for a consultation for a tummy tuck on Feb 9th. I am excited and nervous both at the same time. I am working on my insurance to help pay for a portion at least, we shall see. When I spoke with the PS office they infomed me that they deal with weight loss patients alot, and have worked to get insurance to at least pay some of the cost. I have been reading the post on all of you who have been where I am at now. THANKS for the info. I will be counting on your further help and wisdom to get me through this process. Laura

I would like to get in on this action... I want so much to be at goal on my two year ann. So I hope this kicks my fanny in gear. Name...........Start Lbs.........Current..........Goal....To Go Barb12590.....185...................185.............175........10 Bonnielass......168..................168..............159........9 Brandy...........198..................198.............190.........8 crztchr...........250..................249.............240........9 CubsGirl..........150..................150.............140.......10 Imgoingdown...239..................199.............189.......10 janesays.........230..................230.............215......15 karebare714....283..................283..............265......18 kikival315........219..................219..............210.......9 LauraP............170..................170..............155.......15 leslie2lose.......229..................223.5............219......4.5 LilMissDiva.......253..................249.2..........242.2......7 Long2BThin......216..................215.............205.......10 Loveislovely.....223..................220.............208.......12 ltgordon...........264.................264.............250.......14 Mamanmidwife .264.................264..............250.......14 misskitty84......313.................263..............243.......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191.............179........12 Tabithan.........246..................246.............236.......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224.............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207.............193........14 wowox7.........173..................173..............163........9

I will have to check out Oslin and Wendel. Thanks

Hello JWRN; I have not had my PS as of yet, like you I am searching for that perfect Doc. In my search I have found a Doc in Nashville, I am impressed with his staff and I havent even been to see him yet. He is associated with Vanderbilt. I sent him an email with questions about his experience with weightloss patients and he responded personally very quickly. I am going to him for a estimate in the next few weeks. Here is his response from my email: Laura, Thanks for writing. I do have experience with weight loss patients and would be happy to see you at any time. My consultations are free and it wouldn't hurt to see you early. This would give you an understanding of what to expect and get an appreciation for the timing of procedures. Please feel free to contact any one of my nurses (Sally, Nan, Sandra) at your earliest convenience. Our office phone number is 165-327-7407. I hope this was helpful. We are looking forward to seeing you in the office soon. Sincerely Stephen Davis, MD I don't know if this helps...... good luck.......If you find some other great doc in Nashville, I would love to know. Laura

You look FABALOUS!!! Thank you so much for sharing the pics. My tummy looks alot like your (pre TT), I just hope it looks as good as yours when I have it fixed. Again, you look great. Laura

Renewedhope, I am so glad everyting is going well for you. I hope to be following you to flatland very soon. Thanks for sharing your journey thus far. Laura

Thanks for posting Loridee, you look fabalous. I am looking to get the same type of TT, but for now it looks like the breast lift might not be necessay. Like the others, I would love to see more pics furter into your healing process. Laura

Way to go Becky. I am in the process of fighting my insurance also. Glad to hear that it can happen..... Are you going to have a TT along with the panniculectomy? Laura

Shalee, Wishing you good luck and fast healing. Hope all is going well for you. Laura

Thanks Shalee! Had a major Bummer today.... Had to cancel my PS opintment. Have to go out of town with work. Just a minor thing....will have to wait until I return to reschedule. Oh Well....

Shalee - WOW 2 weeks is no time at all. I am so excited for you. I would love to have a belly button. Like you, mine has been in hiding for a very long time. Good luck, here is wish time to fly for you!!!!! Laura

Well.... I have made some progress on my journey. As I told you before I went to my Dermatologist, she confirmed the rash gave me a prescription for cream and powder. She said that she would recommend that I have a panniculectomy. She is going to fax the precertification to my insurance. Well, I received a letter from my insurance saying: Panniculectomy is considered medically necessary for the individual who meets the following criteria: The panniculus hangs below the level of the pubis (which has to be documented in photographs) AND the individal has achieved significant weight loss and reached a boy mass index oa 30, as well as having matained a stable weight for at least six months AND if the individual has had bariatric surgery, be at least 18 months post operative AND have recurrent or chronic rashes, infections that do not respond to conventional treatment for a period of 3 months. So..... I have made an appointment with the PS for next Wednesday, he will take pictures and forward to my insurance, my pannis hang way below the pubis. check of one thing. BMI is 29, (and falling), the stable weight I am working on. November will be 18 months since my surgery My Dermatologist has already documented the rashes, and have been treated for over 3 months. Soo.... We shall see how it goes next week...Wish me luck Laura

Karey, I am so excited for you. I have been keeping up with your journey, all I can say is " You Rock". I know you have had your up's and down's, but I know in the end you will be happy with the out come. Wishing you all of the luck in the world. Hope to be joining you in "Flatland" some time soon. Take care, Laura

Shalee I am so excited for you. I hope to be in your shoes soon. I have alot in common with you - 2 c-cections and a hysterectomy, all 3 were bikini cuts. I will be going to see the PS in a few weeks. I will be watching your progress and look forward to your post. Good luck with everything. Oh - pictures, we would love pictures!!! Laura

Hey Guys, I quit smoking 3 weeks and 4 days ago. I miss it so much. My doctor did not require me to quit in order to have the band. But my mom died of lung cancer almost 2 year ago. So I know how bad it is and what it can do to your health. I think about it everyday, but each day it does get less and less. My Doc. prescribed me Welbrution, it seems to have helped. When I tried to quit before it seemed I would get anxious and nervous almost highstrung. Smoking is very calming for me. I smoked when I was stressed, upset, worried etc. What has helped me is my sister and I quit together. We called each other through out the day and sent text messages - SSF? (still smoke free?) It helped to have her and I sure did not want to be the one who had to say NO I am not SSF. I never really thought I could ever quit. But, I am almost a month out and I think now I will make it. Also what helped me was to not look at not smoking for the rest of my life.... it was like giving up my best friend. I just took it one day at at time. I told myself "I am only NOT going to smoke today!" If I want one I can have it tomorrow. Somehow that worked for me. Good luck, it is hard, but you will be proud of yoursefl when you make it........

Babs - How exciting. I am kinda in the same spot as you. I will be excited to know how your insurance kicks in. I have visited with mine and working with them to cover the panni removal. How did you get them to consider the breast reduction? Keep us posted on your journey. Laura

Angelica - I am in the same place you are at. I am fighting my insurance. They say they will pay (80%) with pre-cretification. That is the same thing they told me when I started the process for the band. Then when I started the process they wanted alot of stuff to determine if I was eligible. I did win in the end. So I guess with my history with them I am gearing up for another fight. I have went to my doctor and she documented my rash and prescribed me medication. She has faxed a precertification to my insurance recommending that I have a Abdominoplasty/Panniculectomy. I have also went to my chiropractor and had them document my lower back problems and how it effects my movement. I am waiting to hear before I make an appointment with the PS. Like you I am just starting. GOOD LUCK Laura

Juliegeraci - WOW 6.5 lbs, that is awsome. Did your insurance help any at all with the cost of removing the pannus? I see you also had a thigh lift, I hear that is very painful. You look wonderful. Laura

Michee - Wow August 20th, that is not that far off. You may not have much advice to give not, but you will have tons after the 20th. So you will have to share what you go throught with the rest of us preparing for the day when we will get our TT. Good luck, it must be so exciting. I don't know about piercing my belly button, I think I will be just glad to have a flat tummy. I just know it will be wonderful to get rid of all of this extra skin, it makes me feel so ugly. Good luck with your soon to be flat tummy. Laura