BeckyinTexas

Thank you Dr. Schulman. As always, you answer my questions. You're certainly one of the good guys!

Hi everyone. I haven't been on the site in a long time but I am here now. I had my panniculectomy back in December and they removed 14 pounds of excess skin from my stomach. I also had 2 hernias repaired at the same time and recovery from that surgery was a little rough. I was out of commission for 2 1/2 months but am doing great now. Just to update on my weight loss, I have lost 323 pounds now. I'm hoping to have my thighs done soon and the doctor has estimated about 8 to 10 pounds from each leg so that will put me below my goal weight. I have no fill in my band and without being able to exercise up until this month, I had gained 5 pounds back but when I weigh next week, I hope that's gone. For anyone that has as long a row to hoe as I have, hang in there cause it can be done! It doesn't happen overnight but it does happen! I'm living, accent on living, proof that it can work!

Dr. Schulman...I haven't been on the site in several months but I'm back now with questions, of course. I had the panniculectomy done December 5, 2008. They found that I had 2 large hernias when they did the procedure so the doctor repaired them. It was not quite the walk in the park I was hoping for. I had to wear drain tubes for 2 1/2 months because of a huge seroma. Finally, the tubes came out and now, it's looking great! Even with all the set-backs with my surgery, I'd do it over again! Basically, it was the hernias that caused the most problems after surgery. Is it my imagination or have my thighs actually gotten larger since the surgery or is it now I don't have the fat apron hanging down covering most of the top part? It's gotten so bad, skin is sagging below my knees now. I've lost 317 pounds so the sagging skin is to be expected and I actually am thrilled that I no longer carry around 469 pounds but the excess skin is horrible and disgusting. Now to my question, just because I had problems after my panniculectomy, would you think that a thigh lift would be as bad? I'm hoping and praying to have an arm and thigh lift done. My insurance finally covered my panniculectomy but it doesn't cover the other surgeries at all even though I get rashes and infections in the folds of skin both on my thighs and arms. I hate sounding like a whinner because I'm so blessed to have lost so much weight and to have had the panniculectomy, but now my thighs look even worse than before. After my surgery, I had to go to a place in Dallas to get fitting for a special binder to wear and the woman that was going to fit me asked what type of disease I had to make my legs look like they did. I tried to laugh it off but it just made me feel worse. I now avoid full lenght mirrors at all costs. For anyone that might need a TT or panniculectomy, go for it because the results from that are fantastic! Someday I hope to be brave enough to post pictures so everyone can see. To sum up this LONG question. Could my skin be sagging more now after the panniculectomy? Also, can an arm lift and thigh lift be done at the same time to save on expenses? My first surgery was done on an out patient basis so I didn't have the expense of a hospital stay but if they could combine the two, would it probably require a stay? Thanks once again, Dr. Schulman, for all your help!

Thank you both for the information! It helps to know what to somewhat expect. It also gives me comfort to know that other people have done this and would do it over again if they had to. Makes me a lot less nervous. Thanks again.

My panniculectomy is scheduled for December 5th. I'm half freaked and the other half so excited I can hardly stand it. I have tons of questions and hope that someone that has already had this done can help me. Most of what keeps going through my mind is....how long is the down time; how bad is the pain; what limitations did you experience; will I be up and at 'em for Christmas; what can I expect afterwards; and last but not least are you satisfied with your surgery?

I've decided to start a thread about my upcoming panniculectomy. I'm nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! It's strange what mixed emotions I'm having. I fought hard to get my insurance to cover this and I'm still amazed that they finally did but on the other hand, the surgery is scary. I sometimes look at myself in the mirror and can't even imagine what I'll look like after the fat apron is removed. My thighs will still be a mess but at least my stomach won't be hanging down nearly to my knees. I can hopefully throw away all my industrial strength girdles! I had hoped to hear from someone that had this procedure done but so far I haven't. I know it's probably trying to tell another woman about childbirth since everyone is different but I'd like to see what someone else went through so I can be better prepared for what to expect. I will post before and after pictures. I have to warn everyone in advance the before are horrible but the after hopefully will be amazing. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas to get here. If anyone can help me out with their experiences with a panniculectomy, please let me know. I'm not having a tummy tuck in combination because my plastic surgeon says I really won't need one. Good genes I'm thinking cause and a heck of a lot of crunches! Say a prayer for me that I won't drive myself and everyone around me nuts waiting for my surgery.

My panniculectomy is scheduled for a month from tomorrow and I'm half freaked and the other half so excited I can hardly stand it. I have tons of questions and hope that someone that has already had this done can help me. Most of what keeps going through my mind is....how long is the down time; how bad is the pain; what limitations did you experience; will I be up and at 'em for Christmas; what can I expect afterwards; and last but not least are you satisfied with your surgery?

Dr. Schulman...I finally was approved by my insurance for my panniculectomy. It only took 6 months and 3 appeals but I finally won! I'm scheduled for surgery December 5th. I haven't met yet with my plastic surgeon, other than my initial visit with him in April, but I have questions that are making me crazy right now and hopefully you can give me a quick reply. What is the down time usually for this surgery? I've been told by his office that it should be a 2 hour surgery and if all goes well, it will be a day surgery. Are drain tubes always necessary? If so, how long do they stay in? On a scale from 1-10, how bad will the pain be? I'm pretty tough, hopefully. I had bunion surgery 3 years ago and 4 hours later, I walked out of the hospital on my own and even went to get my prescriptions filled. My surgeons nurse said if I could do that, this should be a piece of cake for me. I've read everything I can find on the internet about this surgery but I do have these questions and hopefully you can help me. Thanks again for all your support and encouragement with this. It just shows that fighting for what you want so desperately can pay off...it has for me.

Thank you all so much! Now if I start getting all nervous right before the surgery....someone please just remind me how hard I had to fight to get this done. It's kinda weird, I'm so excited and so nervous all rolled into one. I keep thinking that a month from tomorrow...I can throw away my industrial strength girdles! No more having to make sure all the extra skin was tucked in place. To be able to look down and not see that hanging apron seems like a dream come true for me. I won't be having a tummy tuck in combination with the panni since my surgeon says that I'm lucky that from I have pretty good muscle tone, for my age, and that after I heal, some crunches will work wonders for me. He said I could do crunches every day all day and it wouldn't help get rid of the skin but they would certainly help tone me up. I'm also hoping that he'll do a little lipo on my upper thighs so I won't look so out of balance. But if not, I can sure live with that. I'm just so blessed! Thanks again for all the kinds words and support!

I am so excited to let everyone know that as of yesterday, I've been approved for my panniculectomy! I'm hoping to schedule surgery as soon as possible. I just want to let everyone know that might be fighting with their insurance about covering this procedure....don't give up and take it as far as you can and hopefully it will turn out like mine did. There were so many times I wanted to just give up but I finally made my mind up that I had nothing to lose and continued to appeal. Finally, it worked out for me. I had to meet with our internal insurance review board and present my case. I work for county government and it was our Commissioners Court that was the board. I didn't think I had a chance but it was approved 3 to 2. I am so ready to get this done. I can't even imagine how much better I will feel and hopefully look. Thanks to all of y'all for supporting me with this!

Man Dab, that is great news! I was always a bit of an overachiever including GAINING weight and now it's LOSING the weight. In the first 6 months, I lost 100 pounds but I paid the price. I had a seizure and woke up in the hospital. The seizure was brought on by, get this, I was anorexic. Not sure if I spelled that right or not. I told the doctor he had to be nuts but he said that I was litterally starving myself to death and that a seizure was lucky compared to what could have happened. After that I made sure that I ate and drank my protein shakes like I should have all along. After the first year, I had lost 150 pounds. I've been lucky and have never hit a plateau. I'm still losing, slowly, but still losing. Get this.....my doctor actually told me he wanted me to stop losing weight! I made him say it a couple more times because I'd never had a doctor tell me to stop losing weight. I'm hoping for the plastic surgery to get rid of some excess skin and with what they can remove, I'll be below the weight that is recommended for my height. For eveyone that relates and I know you all can, I have clothes in my closet that were a very snug fitting 32. Accent on the word very! I went shopping today and I can wear a size 12 top but still have to get 14 pants because of the fat apron. But what a great feeling to be able to shop anywhere I want to now. I can even wear jeans again and not feel like a sausage stuffed into a casing. It makes me feel so good to have this thread where we can share stories that all of can so understand. Folks, we've all done an awesome job and aren't we lucky to actually be proud to tell people that we've lost 100, 200 and even 300 pounds! You all are so inspiring to me and it just makes this journey so much nicer to have people like everyone on this site cheering us on. Now I think I'll take Dab's advice and go out and party the hell on!

It's official......I have now lost 302 pounds!!!!!!!! I hadn't weighed since last week and today, I had done it! I'm so excited that I can hardly stand myself! I couldn't wait to get back from our health clinic and tell everyone. See, us formed big folks can kick butt and take names when we put our minds to it!

Thanks, Vanman for giving me a male's point of view. It's so easy to get all hung up on body image. Heck, woman don't have the market cornered on that concern I'm thinking. Thanks again.

Dr. Schulman...Just in case you ever forget this, you have and still are making such a positive difference in people's lives. I sincerely thank you for your time and knowledge that you so generously share with us. If it weren't for your suggestion, I wouldn't have my appointment with UT Southwestern Monday. I'm just hoping and praying it will work out as well as I think it will. Thank you again for being what we call here in Texas....just a plain ole good guy!

Cher.....How are plans going for the conference? I'm very excited about it and can hardly wait until October. I would love to volunteer for a makeover. I could use all the help I could get! I received some very exciting news today....I've been choosen to participate in Southwestern Medical Plastic Surgery Residency program. I'm waiting to set up my new patient appointment and see what they can do for me. I'm actually on Cloud 9 about it! I will keep everyone posted on how it goes. Not sure if I'll have any surgery by October but I know now that it's in my future! Another update...another 4 pounds and I'll have lost 300 pounds. I weigh every Tuesday at our health clinic and I'm hoping that this Tuesday you all will hear me whooping it up!

Dr. Schulman.....I just received my letter from Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and I've been choosen to take part in their Resident Cosmetic Surgery program! I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself! Thank you, thank you, thank you for offering me this suggestion! I'm waiting for them to call me this afternoon so I can set up my new patient appointment where they will take photos and discuss when and what surgery I have been selected for. Dr. Schulman, I'm so grateful to you for giving me the idea to apply for this program. I'm honestly so giddy I can hardly contain myself! Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Oh Becky, I would appreciate that so very much! I've been so down about what I'm going through with my insurance company and I'm just hoping and praying that this might be the answer to my prayers. Thank you for the information about Dr. Kuzmak. I just hope he knew how many lives he made better. He literally gave my life back to me. God bless him!

Dr. S....I started a thread and so far, no one knows the answer to my question so I'm asking you. Who invented the lap band? Whoever it is, they are my hero! A woman in one of my support groups said I should let whoever it is know how much weight I've lost and see what the record is. I'm a bit competitive and I would love to be his biggest loser! Just an update on one of your suggestions to me, I'm waiting to hear from the plastic surgery residency program at UT Southwestern in Dallas. I applied and basically I'd be up for whatever they'd want to do. The residents get to pick who they want and I've got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that someone will pick me! Thanks for the suggestion and I'll keep you updated. Thanks again for all your support!

Dab....I have so much excess skin and I'm having a really hard time dealing with that issue. I'm in the process of appealing my insurance company's decision not to cover a pannicolectomy, basically the fat apron removal. I visited with a plastic surgeon about 3 months ago and he said I had certianly lost enough to consider surgery. I'm only 5'2" and my legs are so darn short so I have a major amount of excess skin on my thighs. My arms have so much skin I could probably flap it and fly! If I could have the pannicolectomy, the thigh lift and the upper arms done, I'd feel like a million dollars. Well, I already do feel that way with my clothes on, at least. I try and focus on the amount of weight I've lost and not dwell on the "party favors" that being so overweight has given me. I'm going to fight my insurance company's decision because mine is certianly not cosmetic, it's medical. The excess skin from my stomach is causing me some major problems so hopefully they'll reverse the decision. You are a tall drink of water for sure. At your height, you could easily carry 275-280 pounds. I'm seeing a guy that's 6'9" and he weighs about 300 and he looks pretty darn good. The excess skin is a problem and I'm having a hard time dealing with it, but all in all, it's so worth it. What a problem to have, huh? It's darn sure better than walking around weighing 469 pounds like I did. My plastic surgeon said that if I could have the 3 surgeries that I need, it would amount to about 35 pounds of excess skin they could remove. That would put me only about 10 pounds from the perfect weight for my height. I'm just hoping that some way or another, I can get the surgery done. If not, I'm just going to be thankful that I've done as well as I have! Good luck, Dab!

Does anyone know who came up with the idea of the lap band? I want to find a way to contact them and tell them how grateful I am to them! If you have any idea, please let me know.

Reading all of your wonderful posts has me sitting here at my desk with big ole tears rolling down my face! Thank you all so much. As for any words of advice...don't for one second think it can't be done because no matter what you need to lose, it can be done! I say my band was kissed by an angel before it was put in me because I've had hardly any problems. The changes in my life are unbelievable! At 469 pounds, I had given up on life completely. Now I have a life and man, what a wonderful feeling! I have 2 little granddaughters, 4 and 2, and the joy of being able to actually sit on the floor and play with them is priceless. Before, I couldn't have gotten down on the floor much less get up. It's some of the most simple things in life that I'm amazed that the weight loss has changed. I'm having a huge issue with the large amount of excess skin, but I just keep telling myself to just concentrate on my accomplishments and not the negative part. I run into people that I haven't seen since my surgery and they don't recognize me. I've gone from crossing my fingers and hoping a size 32 would fit (most times it didn't) to wearing a size 12 or 14. I can walk a country mile now compared to walking 10 feet before and then pretending to have something in my shoe so I could stop and catch my breath and hope people bought the excuse. I think one of the major secrets to my success with my lap band is sure determination and being a lot bullheaded! So many people said I couldn't do it...well, I dang sure am! I told my surgeon on the first visit, I was going to be his biggest loser and I am. I'm speaking at a convention in Dallas in October and I can't wait to share my story. I want people to know that if someone that had let themself get to 469 pounds can do it...they can too! Thanks again for all the kind words. This site has been my savior so many times. It would be hard to find people anywhere that are as supportive and kind as the folks on here! It might sound silly but I can't wait for those 4 pounds so I can do something that I never even thought possible...lose 300 pounds! I just got chills typing that. I have to admit, I'm very proud of myself and God bless whoever invented the lap band!!!!!!

I just got back from our health clinic and they weighed me and I'm only 4 pounds away from losing 300 pounds!!!!! I just want to warn everyone...when I lost those 4 pounds, plug your ears cause you'll probably hear me screaming! Man, I so love my lap band!

An update....I have 4 more pounds to go to have lost 300 pounds! I can't wait to do that and then lose about 40 more pounds.

I was banded April 29, 2005 and have no problems at all. I've lost a lot of weight with only 4 fills. I say my band must have been kissed by the angels before it was put in because it's been like a miracle to me! Good luck with everything. Insurance companies can be a pain but it'll all be so worth it!