These are pictures from the night before my surgery 7/13/2011 and tonight 8/10/2011 (4 weeks) I put the links in case the pictures dont work.

Before Front

Before Side

After Front

After Side

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Awesome!! You did good and it looks great!

Damn that really is a huge difference. Looking at your before pics, My first assumption is that most of it was fat. Now I'm hoping that when it comes down to it, if I'll be able to tell the difference between excess skin and fat on my own stomach.

I am sure it was a lot of fat too, but I was completely relaxed when I took this picture so I could really see the difference. You don't realize how much we hold our guts in. Most people didn't realize that I had so much hanging "flesh". I kept it hidden with long shirts and lose clothes. The good thing about being a band patient is we are a lot "healthier" and do not have all of the absorbtion issues that some of the other bariatric surgery patients have. So the surgeons have a lot more to work with because our skin is healthy. =)

GO HEAD ON GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!

Thank you so much for posting the pics!!! I can't believe you look that good at 4 weeks. I'm excited and nervous, my tt is scheduled for 9/1.

I hope all went well! I had my TT with MR on 9/2. We're practically TT twins! LOL

For it to be medically nescessity for insurance to pay what were the guidlines u had to meet if u don't mind me asking? Did they tighten your muscles cause it looked like it? I am having a full tummy tuck muscle tighten new belly button along with a huge hernia fixed in Dec. I go speek to the ps agian at the end of october he is gonna put me on schedule for 2nd week in Dec. He is going to submit it to my insurance to see if they pay for it. I have contacted them and they don't actually have guidlines to meet they just decided if its medically nesaserry and tell u yes no and tell u why if not. But I am preparied to pay for it. Did u come home with a pain pump? I know some have. any info on how your dr stated it was needed would be great. My skin doesnt hang as long as your because my hernia sticks out so much it kinda holds it up making me look like a basketball.

Your pictures look awsome. U done such a great job on losing the weight.

How did you get your insurance to pay? Was it a long process?

Insurance did pay for the procedure. I know that there was fat, but it didn't seem to be an issue with any of the surgeons I consulted. They removed 7lbs of tissue plus they did lipo too. I had my post-op appt today and he said I should flatten out some more and I go back in 4 months.

Another Birminghamian here and your pictures are amazing. I will be hanging onto that doctor's name if and when my time comes for a tt.

Looks great! Thanks for sharing.

These are pictures from the night before my surgery 7/13/2011 and tonight 8/10/2011 (4 weeks) I put the links in case the pictures dont work.

Before Front

Before Side

After Front

After Side

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You look amazing Congrats..I can't wait until my surgery I'm so looking forward to it and starting my new journey in life. Keep up the good work you look great!

You look great!

That is amazing. I had heard that the TT is one of the most painfull plastic surgery procedures. I have and Aunt that did it and she says it wasn't too bad. Another friend did it and she said it was the worst pain she ever had. Wondering what you think. You really look great.

That is amazing. I had heard that the TT is one of the most painfull plastic surgery procedures. I have and Aunt that did it and she says it wasn't too bad. Another friend did it and she said it was the worst pain she ever had. Wondering what you think. You really look great.

I have had several surgeries, including a rib resection.... They were all a breeze compared to the TT. I have a pretty high tolerence for pain, but I have never had a surgery that actually put me out of commission. I really was totally dependent on others for the first few days. I chose to stay with my grandmother the first few days after surgery, so that my husband would not have to worry about me while he was at work. I suggest to have someone that can assist you for at least 72 hours after you come home. The worst part was coughing. I would start and couldn't stop. It was rough. But the good thing is after the 3rd day the pain starts to decrease by half every day. By week 2, I was pretty much back to normal (with limitations). After that my core would be tired (like I had a really hard ab workout). The drain was more of an annoyance than anything. It was inserted in the back side of my incision and I was always catching it on something.

So I guess to sum everything up - it is kinda like having a baby - you are so happy with the results - that the pain is easy to overlook. =)

For it to be medically nescessity for insurance to pay what were the guidlines u had to meet if u don't mind me asking? Did they tighten your muscles cause it looked like it? I am having a full tummy tuck muscle tighten new belly button along with a huge hernia fixed in Dec. I go speek to the ps agian at the end of october he is gonna put me on schedule for 2nd week in Dec. He is going to submit it to my insurance to see if they pay for it. I have contacted them and they don't actually have guidlines to meet they just decided if its medically nesaserry and tell u yes no and tell u why if not. But I am preparied to pay for it. Did u come home with a pain pump? I know some have. any info on how your dr stated it was needed would be great. My skin doesnt hang as long as your because my hernia sticks out so much it kinda holds it up making me look like a basketball.

Your pictures look awsome. U done such a great job on losing the weight.

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I just saw this...

The guidelines were I had to be stable at my weight for 1 year (it had been 2). I also had to show history of rashes and had to have skin that hung over my pubic area. Now the rash thing is tricky. Luckily I work at the hospital and a block away from the PS, when I got a really bad rash, I called them and ran over and let them get a picture of it. The medically necessary part is really only helpful when it comes to asking for time off from your job. It can still be considered elective and insurance will pay for it.

I did not have a pain pump and was actually going to be sent home same day, but I have a hard time coming out of anesthesia and decided to stay overnight, it is really considered bedded outpatient or 23 hour observation. I just went home with a prescription for some liquid loratab and that was it. But as I have stated earlier the incision never really hurt it was the coughing.

He did tighten muscles and some liposuction and gave me a belly button. That was more of a comp for me since I work here and I threatened to get a big tattoo on my stomach if he didn't! I don't think insurance will cover the relocation of your bellybutton, but a lot of dr.'s will throw it in, because they like to admire their work...LOL.