okayestmom

I went to my Pre-Op appointments yesterday and learned that the VA no longer covers cosmetic plastic surgery. Because I scheduled my surgery previously, I am still in, but they will not do a fat transfer to the breast because it is purely cosmetic. I have loose skin and need muscle repair (the Dr. said my separation isn't that bad) and they justified the thigh liposuction by documenting chaffing. The Dr. was like "your thighs rub together and get irritated right?" On the plus side they are going to liposuction inner and outer thigh, which according to my DEXA scan is where I carry the majority of my fat. My weight has maintained between 140-145. I also learned that I will have 3 surgeons and an attending, I met 2 of them, but the 3rd was with another patient and I had another appointment I had to get to. The whole thing will be same day surgery, I will have drains.
I guess if I end up with a lot of loose skin on my thighs I can always pay to have it removed later if I choose. Or maybe the pendulum will shift and the VA will cover it again. They did not cover my gastric sleeve surgery, but they did cover it for some VA patients. It is a weird system, I am a little disappointed about not getting some fluff in my breast, but I am going to make sure they cut off the teeny tiny skin tag I have growing on my rib cage so I can get my monies worth (haha).
Getting this much done is an unexpected blessing. I still can't believe this opportunity arose because I injured my knee when I was fat. No one wanted to take the cyst out that formed around the bone fragment (orthopedics said I was born with it). When I lost the weight it really stuck out and I kept bumping it on things, my Doctor sent me to dermatology who then sent me to plastic surgery. This is when I learned that because of my weight loss I could get surgery.
I am also thankful for all the input on this site and others who have shared their stories and given some much needed advice. I will post some before and after pics, but I don't own a bathing suit, so I am going to have to think about what to wear...

Just a thought. If you have the Tummy Tuck do you think your breast/body shape would be more hourglass and then not feel the need to have the breast fat transfer? Look online at just tummy tuck pictures without any breast surgery to compare how the overall body shape changes and see if that would be enough for you.

That makes sense Then you can always have the thigh lift later if needed. Good luck. ft

I gained 18 lbs, but I did get back to my original obese number after the two week pre-op diet. I followed it exactly because I didn’t want to die in surgery or have them not do the surgery due to my liver being enlarged. It has been over a year, but I still remember trying to sleep my way through the pre-op diet. It was hell then, but it is funny now. 😂. People on on this app got me through it.

Having done sooo much research looking into my own upcoming plastic surgery, couple of thoughts
Check the surgeons before and after pics. It’s good that a nurse trusts the surgeon, but aesthetics of ps are very subjective. Be sure that you like your surgeons results
Look into fat transfer into the breasts. It has some definite “cons” so make sure you are comfortable with the trade offs.
Belly buttons are generally always created during a Tummy Tuck. You’d have to tell your surgeon if you didn’t want one I would think.
As far as Lipo on your thighs, it can exacerbate any sagging skin you have. In the surgeon I spoke to they would only recommend it in combination with a thigh lift
Hope that helps. Awesome your surgery can be covered by insurance!

I had it all done. Definitely echo check the surgeon. For me fat transfer with breast lift made sense, I did not want the upkeep. Also I had liposuction on inner and outer thighs prior to thigh lift - it left considerable excess skin. I knew at that point I would eventually have it removed and did Would it be at the VA or in the community? Start the process then see where it leads. If VA is funding the PS out of the VA it could limit the PS choices. Finally the VA does gender reassignments and major PS for wounded service members - not exactly the same but fairly extensive. If it were I would definitely follow the trail and see where it leads.

Make sure to check references and reputation of surgeons before engaging in such major surgery I've watched enough BOTCHED to see what can happen....

Took a full year. Staying between 140-145. Currently 142, but getting stronger doing strength training.

Took a full year. Staying between 140-145. Currently 142, but getting stronger doing strength training.

1 year 4 months out 49 years old. The loose skin on my belly did not bounce back. Not super happy with the bags under my eyes, but even though my neck is a bit wrinkly it is not the worst. I never thought plastics was going to be an option due to finances. I was okay with that. Then I found out that it is covered. I just moved out of my resistance classes and into actual strength training, so the important thing is how much better I feel and how much more I can do now. My plastics is scheduled for December 11th, I am kinda worried about the recovery time, but I am hoping that getting stronger each day prior to the surgery will help. Plus I am excited to get the added liposuction on those stubborn fat areas.

Took a full year. Staying between 140-145. Currently 142, but getting stronger doing strength training.

Thanks! The people that post to this app have been inspirational for me. My weight loss was slower than most, but loss is loss (I did have some gain along the way and also had to put a dog down for the first time in my life). My daughters dog, Remi will forever be in my heart. I called her my obesity dog because she really liked going for walks with me. Our vet did everything they could. When I do leave this world I want it to be as peaceful and calm as her passing. Anyhow, I have responded to some questions, but just wanted to say thanks to all that have responded to mine. It really made a difference in my life and health.

I had liver problems most likely from chronic gallbladder issues. Small stones passing through the common duct. They never could find out for sure, but the problem resolved after gallbladder removal and my liver biopsy came back good.

Edit- it took about 3 months for bilirubin and liver enzymes to return to normal.

I gained 18 lbs, but I did get back to my original obese number after the two week pre-op diet. I followed it exactly because I didn’t want to die in surgery or have them not do the surgery due to my liver being enlarged. It has been over a year, but I still remember trying to sleep my way through the pre-op diet. It was hell then, but it is funny now. 😂. People on on this app got me through it.

All of us here are food addicts to some degree or another, or else we wouldn't be here at all. My question to you: Are you willing to take the scary steps to give up your addiction? You WILL lose weight with surgery - no question, and you will be given a grace period of 6-18 months in which to learn new behaviors and new ways to cope with stress and emotions. Are you willing to learn new skills? If so, you will be successful.
The other warning for all of us is the issue of transfer addictions. We MUST learn new coping mechanisms or else risk other addictive behaviors like alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, etc.
There is simply no easy way to overcome obesity and all the related issues without commitment and a willing heart. Counselling is very important for many, as this is uncharted territory for all of us. I can assure you that there are plenty of tools and resources available. The bottom line is whether or not you are willing to make the lifestyle and dietary changes. You cannot possibly figure out all the answers at this point - it is a journey of discovery. But if you are willing, the help is there are you will be successful.

I gained weight after my initial visit to the bariatric surgeon. I wanted to eat everything that I wouldn’t be able to eat after. I didn’t fail, it took me longer than most and I went through some things, but ultimately succeeded and feel better than I have in years. I did have to change everything about the way I was eating. Some people can just eat smaller portions of all the food and lose the weight, but I am not one of those people.

For me, getting the surgery was the help I needed. What if you succeed?

I gained weight after my initial visit to the bariatric surgeon. I wanted to eat everything that I wouldn’t be able to eat after. I didn’t fail, it took me longer than most and I went through some things, but ultimately succeeded and feel better than I have in years. I did have to change everything about the way I was eating. Some people can just eat smaller portions of all the food and lose the weight, but I am not one of those people.

For me, getting the surgery was the help I needed. What if you succeed?

Lose%

What have you tried to address your food addiction? I think it is smart to address your issues before the surgery. As lots of people say, wls is only a tool. If you don’t have your addiction under control it surgery won’t fix it.

I have been struggling with emotional eating and binge eating disorder all my life. I haven’t had a classic binge in about 9 years now. I’ve been good about not eating my emotions for about 5 months. I go to therapy weekly and I used to go to overeaters anonymous. I did a couple programs offered by my health insurance too. It takes a lot of work to keep up.

I’m still struggling with the decision to do wls. I’m doing the pre-requirements now. I have several months to decide. If I don’t think my emotional eating is controlled I’m not going to do the surgery.

I wish you well on your path.

Kathy is Right- COMMITTMENT AND POWER IN YOUR ❤- and SUCCESS WILL BE AHEAD- NOT EASY BUT, OH SO, WORTH IT ALL!

@foodie669
always nice seeing and greeting new peep - welcome-welcome-welcome
ok, enough of the "pleasantries" LOL
i don't yell/trouble being mean!!, (wellll sometimes at DH) LOL, so i will now
give you my short and sweet version of tough love!!😉
EEEEEK, gotta change your negative thoughts!!! As of right now change your attitude- be optimistic/positive that you will be a sucess!! i'm a stranger, and
i know you will do great, i have confidence in you - you should feel the same confidence.
you shouldn't/can't go into the operating room figuring you are going to fail!!
follow all the rules from your NUT, doc - moderations et al - you will do great!
its ok to be scared and doubt yourself a "little" worry some about following all the rules, that might help keep you in tow (msp?)
watching yourself all the way. read more about the surgery. - read the
boards, ask questions - having WLS is a new way of life. You must be diligent with
all the rules, you CAN do this!!
knowledge is power
good luck
kathy

Let me tell you a tale. lol.
9/21/19 - I wake up and immediately experience sharp, stabbing pain in my abdomen. It extends from my stomach down in a straight line. Soon after, I develop severe muscle soreness in my back. The pain is superficial; clearly muscular. It is tender to the touch. I decide MAYBE it is related to the gastric so I spend a few hours trying to go about my day. By 3PM I decide I need to go to the ER.
I go to the closest ER to where I am. After 5 hours, they tell me they can't treat me because I complained of abdominal pain and they "don't treat bariatric patients". They have me transferred to the hospital that did my gastric bypass. - Cue $150 copay for no reason.
9/21/19 - Different ER. I get several doses of Dilaudid, to no effect. They do a CT scan and see my pouch and organs all look fine. Again, I express I have severe BACK pain and superficial abdominal pain. They call the bariatric surgeon on-call (not my surgeon) who says it's an ulcer. They do no diagnostics to confirm it's an ulcer. They discharge me with $100 in ulcer medicine and "a shot of Dilaudid to get me to my bed, at least". Cue 100$ in meds and $150 copay.
9/23/19 - I call my bariatric office and they fit me in as an emergency visit. The NP says it's definitely not an ulcer. DUH. He orders a back xray and abdominal xray. He prescribes me prescription NSAIDs and says to keep taking the ulcer medicine "anyways". Cue $50 copay.
9/24/19 - The bariatric office says no one is around to read my xrays. I have to sick my mother on them. LOL. They call me back immediately and say "they don't know what's wrong" and I could schedule an endoscopy to rule out bariatric issues. I tell them that is idiotic because I already have all the ulcer medicine. They agree.
9/25/19 - I attempt to go to work. I end up bursting into tears from the back pain. My PCP fits me in in the afternoon. She looks at my xrays and says I have degenerative disc disease from osteoarthritis and a thoracic hairline fracture, which may be more noticeable in an xray performed a week out from the injury. I do not need ulcer medicine. She sends me for a back brace, prescribes a strong muscle relaxer, and prednisone.
9/27/19 - I am back at work with no abdominal pain, but still excruciating back pain. I notice I have a gigantic red bruise straight down my spine and numerous purple bruises. No one has even looked at my back until I did this morning, so no doctor has even seen this. I call my PCP just to give her a status update. She is, of course, out of the office today. I continue to be in pain. BACK. PAIN.
It is concluded that I likely injured myself with weight lifting at the gym on the 20th. None of this is bariatric-related, and I was pigeon-holed into a diagnosis without ANY diagnostics being completed because I happened to mention associated abdominal pain which was MUSCULAR but since I said "abdomen" no one wanted to touch me with a 10 foot pole because I am a bypass patient.
I spent $500 for literally no reason, and had multiple hospitals and practitioners insist this was somehow bariatric related despite nothing lining up with any bariatric issue. Completely absurd. I should have insisted other diagnostics but I was in SO much pain for this past week, I wasn't even in the mindframe to argue. At first I thought MAYBE this was some freak ulcer thing, despite having ulcers before and knowing this ain't it.
Anyways, I guess this is something to look out for in the future - that any remote mention of abdominal pain will trigger a complete shutdown of all common sense from medical providers that, hey, this isn't necessarily because this patient had gastric bypass and COULD be a f**king SPINAL FRACTURE.

Go for it! If I had my druthers, I'd have both of my pathetic looking, tiny, shriveled, waist hanging boobs lopped off and get some nice youthful implants!

So exciting! And to have it paid for by insurance?! Wow, go for it! I'm meeting with a PS tomorrow to talk about what I should have done and to get a cost estimate.

Start with home items, a 48 oz can of Tomato juice in each hand, make these your first weights walk, walk, walk- cheap yet effective, summon up your courage, visit your local of nearby gym, like Church, you won't find just Saints there, still plenty of sinners looking a Better Way and a Life Change and I know they won't laugh at you. Mine didn't, I showed up in bike shorts, a tee shirt that said "DONT LAUGH- I Am Trying", a pair of lavender and grey cross-trainers on my feet, there were people who stopped and helped me learn the equipment and I was treated much better than any Family Reunion,i have been to recently. Give it a Try, nothing lost for the Effort, and YOU. just make new friends there, I know I did! 😛🚩😛