Well I wasn't going to post these, but I figured I've been very open and honest about my journey so far and that I should continue to be open even now. I have to admit, posting these is a bit humiliating but I think it's important for people realize this surgery was no walk in the park. It was painful (and still is) and has a long recovery process. Losing over 200 pounds leaves a lot of excess skin.

Last week, May 1st, I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair/skin removal surgery.

The top pictures are the before pics taken the morning of surgery. The after pics are taken today, 8 days later.

You can see on the before pics I had A LOT of extra skin. You can also see the very large hernia sticking out on my upper tummy.

I am still really swelled, have staples from hip to hip, and drains in but I I think my surgeon did an incredible job.

This is VERY inspirational, thank you so much for sharing. I was Banded 17 days ago and I am happy to see what I have to look foward to!

You look great! Thanks for sharing.

The hernia covered the actual "tummy tuck" portion because I'd had reoccurring hernias for a decade and my abdominal wall desperately needed to be strengthened.

The skin removal' date=' or panniculectomy, was covered because I lost more than 100 pounds and the skin hung below my pubic hair line.[/quote']

Thanks - good info !

Lee

wow! once you recover from the surgery I know you will feel sooo much better without all that extra skin. congratulations on your success!

Was it very expensive? I kind of see a TT in my future but I know insurance won't cover it. Your surgeon did a good job.

With BSBS I had mine done and it covered it. You have to have a c section or hystorectomy previously.

You have done such a great job!!! And your hard work is paying off nicely!! Good for you!! Thank you for sharing, you are such an inspiration!!

Surgeon did a great job, now u know all the discomfort was thoroughly worth it, its great feeling getting rid of that extra person hanging round the tummy area, i loved the feeling of freedom it gave me ... keep healing !

Surgeon did a great job, now u know all the discomfort was thoroughly worth it, its great feeling getting rid of that extra person hanging round the tummy area, i loved the feeling of freedom it gave me ... keep healing !

It's funny you say that, it's the last couple days I've gone from "ok this was a huge mistake" to "hmmm, I hope he takes the drains out Monday because I really want to go shopping". LOL!

You nailed it though, it's like losing another fleshy being around my middle. It's crazy but even with the loose skin I still have all over the rest of me my self esteem has gone up so much since having this surgery. I don't even mind that my boyfriend has to see me naked daily to help me get my binder on. Before the surgery? I'd have NEVER in a million years just stood in front of him naked for any reason.

I'm excited for the future

My tummy was worse than yours tho I still cannot show a proper picture of it, shopping will be a dream soon u can buy things that dont have to hide the tummy .. that was so liberating !

Well I wasn't going to post these, but I figured I've been very open and honest about my journey so far and that I should continue to be open even now. I have to admit, posting these is a bit humiliating but I think it's important for people realize this surgery was no walk in the park. It was painful (and still is) and has a long recovery process. Losing over 200 pounds leaves a lot of excess skin.

Last week, May 1st, I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair/skin removal surgery.

The top pictures are the before pics taken the morning of surgery. The after pics are taken today, 8 days later.

You can see on the before pics I had A LOT of extra skin. You can also see the very large hernia sticking out on my upper tummy.

I am still really swelled, have staples from hip to hip, and drains in but I I think my surgeon did an incredible job.

Thanks for posting these...as humiliating as it was for you, it is beneficial for so many other people and I applaud your bravery. Your tummy is already awesome! I hope you post more as you progress. I saw an awesome belly tat I said I'd get if I had to have a tummy tuck, totally covers the scar and is really pretty. I don't have any tatoos now, so for me to even think about it is funny.

With BSBS I had mine done and it covered it. You have to have a c section or hystorectomy previously.

OOOOOOOOO WEEEEEEEE!!!! I was going to ask that!!!! I had a C-section and I have BCBS!!!

Thanks for posting these...as humiliating as it was for you, it is beneficial for so many other people and I applaud your bravery. Your tummy is already awesome! I hope you post more as you progress. I saw an awesome belly tat I said I'd get if I had to have a tummy tuck, totally covers the scar and is really pretty. I don't have any tatoos now, so for me to even think about it is funny.

I'm actually getting a tattoo! Not to cover the scar but I'm getting one where my belly button used to be! lol

Yes, I no longer have a belly button. If you look in the before picture, my belly button was already lost way down and into the left in the mess of skin. I told my doc I didn't care if I didn't have one, it would be fun to tell little kids "look, I have no belly button, I'm an alien!"

I'm actually getting a tattoo! Not to cover the scar but I'm getting one where my belly button used to be! lol

Yes, I no longer have a belly button. If you look in the before picture, my belly button was already lost way down and into the left in the mess of skin. I told my doc I didn't care if I didn't have one, it would be fun to tell little kids "look, I have no belly button, I'm an alien!"

I love your sense of humor Missy and I have learned so much from you since joining this site!

Missy you are great!!! You look amazing! Love reading your posts!

I was banded in August of 2011. I lost 90 pounds, gained back a little when i got complacent and now am losing that back down to where i was again. I really want to get a tummy tuck when I get back down to my goal size again and maintain that for a year. I love reading your posts. You are a true inspiration to us all. Your bravery for posting these pics is to be commended. When i was going through that complacent stage and not using the band as I should i wasnt coming to this site. When I came back to the site, you had begun posting on here and I am certainly glad because you keep me motivated.

Keep up the good work! You look great. Lets see some whole body shots after you go on that shopping trip and get yourself some new clothes. Also how much weight did it drop when they removed all that extra skin and flab and what kind of difference did it make in clothes size?