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you look awesome! I'm heading to LV next month for my bday with my hubby. Can't wait. Have fun!!!

I'm in MA. My TT is costing me $5k. I'm also having a panni at the same time. That would run $6k, but it is being submitted to insurance and I'm in the waiting on approval stage. That $6k includes a night in the hospital. So it's really $11k for the upper and lower abdomen, the skin removal, muscle tightening, and new belly button.

Almost through season one of Longmire. I'm hooked!

@@Daisee68 fingers crossed!! ????

@Daisee68. Thank you !!! I've been dealing with terrible lower calf cramps for the past several months. They are evil. I've tried the typical remedies with no relief. I did find out however, that my thyroid meds we're way off! (One year blood work) I'm in the middle of it being adjusted down. I really hope it helps. It hasn't been quite as bad the last week or two, and I'm 4 weeks in to the adjustment with testing, in to my second dose change yesterday. (150mcg, to 125mcg, and now on 100mcg). I was diagnosed with Graves in 2001 and had radiation. Have been on thyroid med since. Oddly, while losing the weight my dose had to be slightly increased. Now that I'm maintaining, I think all those crazy stores are used up and now they are figuring out my true dose. I didn't know that these awful cramps were a sign. I thought it was all of the exercising. Also Up all night...and I was wondering why my hair had started to fall out again too. Duh!! Light bulb!! ????

Dr. Sonal Pandya

Prior to surgery, I was a broken down Chevette. Now I'm a Ferrari. Took a while - like 10 months.

Grilling was a hobby for the past few years. Seldom do it these days. The gym will be a new hobby very soon. I'm getting back into shooting sports now. Hey a fellow shooter! Anything particular you are in to? I shoot high power rifle, IDPA, and shotgun (trap, 5 stand, s k e e t, sporting clays). I'm also an instructor. Keeps me busy! lol

@@jess9395 that's great to hear !! I'm really looking forward to it. I was a little disappointed that she wouldn't do the implants at the same time as the tummy. But it is what it is. One thing I've learned through all of this is patience. Their time will come.

From your lips...! ???? Now it's the waiting and the nerves !

The one year rule seems to vary by surgeon. I'll be 5 months at the time of my plastics in December. I've lost 110% of my excess weight. My PS said I have no fat (really??). But I think being stable is the key. You don't want to go through all that and mess up the hard work ! For me a lift would not work. No fat, as I was told. I need implants. I'll be sharing the experience when the time comes. Even though it's so sad to see the girls in the state they're in, their time will come. Be patient - don't rush.

You'll get it, the good, the bad, and the ugly! ????

I had my consult and was very impressed and comfortable with the surgeon. We really clicked. She's a perfectionist and relatable. It lasted about two hours. Even though I've been at my ideal weigh for a couple of months she's very ok with moving forward with skin removal. There's no way to know if my insurance will cover it new year which is why I'm looking in to it now. I asked both my WLS surgeon and her if I should gamble on the insurance and wait and they both said no. So I'm having abdomiplasty, panni, and arms done on 12/9. Pics were taken for insurance. That was weird... If the girls just needed a lift, I would have done that instead of the arms. (Really a better option considering the tummy tuck and needing to use your arms to get up afterwards). But since there's really no fat left behind, I'll need implants. She said she would do a lift at the same time, but not implants. So that will be some time next year. My home work between now and then is to collect pics of what I want. Lol. So for those wondering, tummy tuck is $5k (not covered), and arms are $5k. Girls (silicone) are $7k. The panni would be about $7k because it will cover the night in the hospital. I told my husband the prices and he was thrilled. He was expecting 30-40k. I'm like, geez, that was easy!! Lol

I had my first one in 14 years this past Friday. I've committed to myself to have one monthly. WE deserve it. Do it! It's no calories !! :-)

Sure did, thanks!

I just had my 35th high school reunion. Wasn't sure I'd go, but folks I wanted to see after many years were going to travel to attend. It was local for me, so I went. I was dreading it and excited at the same time. What an awesome time it was. What amazed me is that I was the only one who hardly aged ???? But there were a couple of odd things that happened...more than a few people commented that I was slimmer and taller than in high school (slimmer, yes about 25lbs), taller...no. Several were asking about health tips...exercise, etc. (I was the "fat" shy kid you picked on!!!). Many just couldn't believe it was me. (Thanks?) I only had one close friend there who I told about the vsg. She's thinking of wls, so I'm trying to help her with any questions as she starts this process. Everyone else, I didn't say a word. There was that small part of me that was a little satisfied looking half decent at a class reunion. I also know that if this was a year or more ago I wouldn't have been wandering in at 4am afterwards. So much energy now...VSG has given me my life back. Oh, and if here's anyone here from my class...shhhh!???? (I'm on the left...and that's Water....????)

Lol. I know what you mean! :-)

I'm in MA. I also have BCBS-MA. It was super simple, no issues. My first appoint was the end of April. My surgery was mid-August. Where are you going?

When someone pushes, I say "a freaking BUTT-LOAD". That usually gets a laugh, and ends it. But I know what you mean...

I'm only half kidding when I say my days (pre-op) were planned around when I could lay down again. Getting up in the morning was a chore, and after getting home from work, all I wanted to do was grab a nap before dealing with what ever had to be done. Weekends? That meant catching up on sleep. I prayed that what I had read about people getting energy after WLS was true. The first few months, it wasn't my experience. It was tiring. But I know now that I was still healing. At a little over a year out I can tell you that the difference is amazing. Truly. I'm not kidding when I say I feel like I'm 20 (I'm 52). I also am on thyroid med. Keep an eye on your levels, make sure they are routinely tested, you'll need adjustments.

so excited for you!! Look forward to the updates

I question their stance a little bit. It is your time off to do with as you please. Not all medical procedures qualify for FMLA (for example, plastics). As far as I know, there's nothing to require you to file for FMLA protection. If you find yourself running out of time, I'd inform them that you are taking the vacation time that you have earned. You gave them ample notice. Hopefully you are not in a toxic work environment... I'd never treat my employee(s) this way...

I think "sweet" is too subjective to say. Especially since our tastes change so much after surgery. When I think back to when I first tried it...way back in the beginning, I didn't really like it. Maybe because it wasn't sweet to me? (I like my sweets, just not as much now) Not sure. I'd suggest getting a sample to try it.

That's amazing. What a difference in three days. Hope you're healing well!!

I just went in for another fitting at VS this past week. My current bra(s) which I got from a fitting in June were 34 DD (hey, rolling them up takes up space I guess). They were essentially false advertising. I could stuff stocks in the empty gaps. So even though I wasn't thrilled about having to buy new ones, I headed in. I'm now a 34 C. My weight hasn't changed a lot since June (down maybe 10lbs) But what I did lose I guess was from the girls. The girl doing the fitting called me petit. She said "this style will look great on you, you're so petit". Well, I'm sure it was meant as a compliment, but if she saw what my boobs looked like without the bra on, oh boy. Lol. That's right...push'em up and pad'em :-)