*KelseyLeigh*

Who was your surgeon in st. louis? were they helpful with insurance coverage?

I just had a full, extended Tummy Tuck on 9/2/11, so I'm 2 weeks out and would definitely do it again. The only problem I had was a severe allergic reaction to a surgical adhesive they use to hold the tape down (over the incision). It's called Mastisol. I recommend that you find out if your surgeon will be using it. If so, see if he'll help you find out if you're allergic to it by doing a "test" on part of your body prior to surgery. I'm healing very nicely and the incision is healing so nicely that it looks like a little scratch around most of my body. I'm very pleased with the results and am down 2 sizes. I'm "somewhere in my 40s" and thought I was being selfish too, but now that I have the results and a FLAT TUMMY for the first time in my life, I know I did the right thing.

I hope you're comfortable with your surgeon. Mine was/is excellent and even called me from an airport while on vacation to talk to me about the allergic reaction and to reassure me that I'd be fine. I was very impressed. Most doctors just have their assistants call patients back. He's the greatest and I'd recommend him to anyone. He's creating a niche for himself in the St. Louis area as being "the guy" for body lifts, so if you're around here, I would recommend you talk to him!

Best of luck in your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted!

Be well.

wow thank you so much for that!

glad to see that you are happy

I think I can actually address your situation from my own personal experience. A little background...I was banded November 10, 2010 at 307 lbs. (I'm 6'1") I have had over a dozen surgeries in the last few years, including two knee replacements and had gained over 70 lbs during that time.

Flashback to 1985...I weighed 340 lbs at 26 and hadn't been in a serious relationship in forever. I had a date with a girl I had a crush on and we had a great time. I got mad at myself and determined to lose weight so that I could be "normal". I joined Weight Watchers and lost 140 lbs in 6 months. I too had extra skin. It will return to normal eventually, but in the meantime, you need to live your life. You are who you are and if this new person in your life is a "keeper", they will accept you - extra skin and all. They should be proud of you having lost all this weight and not get hung-up on a temporary issue.

By the way, after six months, I had another date with the same girl. We have now been married 25 years and have two kids. Extra skin? Wear it like a badge of honor! (Not to flaunt it, but don't let it dictate your life choices.)

ok so i normally dont post much just read others responses but i am going through something that i dont think that my un banded friends can understand... a little background first, i was banded may of 2010 at the weight of 325 in january i was down to 225 and had to get an unfill because of sudden tightening, i have now been very slowly re filled and have maintained until now.

back to the point, i have extra skin on my stomach and basically all over my body, im only 20 years old and sometimes it is hard explaining that i am insecure about my extra skin. i have started talking to this new guy who im interested in and we have gone on a couple dates, i just am nervous about what he will think when he sees my body. I also havent told him about the surgery yet. All of my friends know and i kept them totally in the loop when i got it, now that i am meeting new people i find it akward to bring up in conversation.

any help would be awesome!!! thanks in advance for the support!!

yay so many people on may 19th!! i am on may 19th too

hello all!!

I went through all the ups and downs of insurance coverage and decided self pay would be the way to go for me.

I go on april 14th to have a full day long pre op seminar and that will be the day i set my surgery date. hopefully the middle of may will work out perfectly

I will keep you all posted! and we should create a group for everyone in may... if there is one i cant find it:thumbup: