The First Look at the New Me....There were tears....

[livvsmum 2,370]

"Happy tears" I should have said in the title......

So I had my sleeve surgery in Sept of 2013 and reached my initial goal pretty quickly, maybe in 10 months. Then I realized that my "dream goal" was within reach. So I pushed a little further and eventually reached my "dream goal" of 125 pounds, which is about 155 pounds lost. It's been a crazy journey and I couldn't have done it without entering therapy with an amazing therapist to deal with my "food issues" which really aren't "food issues" if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I was approved about 6 weeks ago for a abdominoplasty & panniculectomy and a quick week and a half or so later was in surgery. It's been a struggle since then because I don't think I was quite prepared for the difficult recovery. Or maybe I just wanted it so badly I dismissed what I was hearing. Anyway. All is good now.

I had my 1-month post-op check up yesterday and my surgeon cleared me to start running again (YAY...not that I feel that I could yet...but...YAY) and said he was super pleased with how my incision was healing. Up until this point I had dermabond tape over my incision and I had to keep it "dressed" (covered in bandages and taped up) with binder on top. Everytime I showered or changed my dressing I made it a point not to look in the mirror because I kind of wanted a big reveal, you know? So at the appointment he removed everything and said I was good to go. Side note: I will still wear my binder for a bit longer because he had a LOT of ab muscle repair to do and I still feel pretty weak and just weird in there because sometimes I can feel the internal stitches poking a bit according to him, "because I'm so thin"....which is SO strange to hear someone say about me. Weirdest ever.

Anyway....so I rushed home, ran up to my bedroom to the full length mirror, took off my clothes and stood in the mirror crying my eyes out. It's so freaking amazing not to have all of that extra hanging skin there reminding me of who I used to be, and how I used to basically abuse myself with food. I couldn't believe it was me I was looking at. Totally overcome with emotion. I will always have a faint scar, and I'm glad because I never want to completely forget where I was lest I go back, but what a mental change for me to have that "excess baggage" gone. For the first time I "feel" thin.

I'm not brave enough to post before/after pics yet. I want the scar to heal a bit more. The surgeon said he take the 'after" pic at the 3 month appointment, so maybe then I'll post them. But for now..... I'll let you all have a peek at my new little belly button. It used to be a freaking canyon.....seriously..... Just this alone is such a confidence booster and change.

this whole journey has just been freaking amazing and now i need to figure out how just to maintain. No losing, no gaining.....just stay put.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I completely understand how you feel and I am so happy you love your results! I am about 2 pounds bigger than you and people keep telling me I am tiny, or so small, or so skinny....and I look around and I'm like, wait, who me?? I also love the results I had after plastics and the abdominoplasty is still my favorite. It is SO COOL to not have to worry about a belly pooch when I'm wearing a tight dress or tight pants. I also had the posterior part done and it is also cool to not have to worry about having muffin top anywhere.

Enjoy your new figure! You've certainly earned it.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

So happy for you! My plastics were one of the best decisions I ever made. Words cannot describe how in love with them I still am, even almost 4 years later!

[IcanMakeit 1,319]

I'm glad your outcome was so positive, and it's great that you really appreciate what you have accomplished. Brava!

I am looking forward to having abdominoplasty next year. Your post makes me regret even more that I had to put mine off for so long.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Yeah!

[Queen of Crop 1,104]

So so so happy for all of you and to read such a great positive post....I was worried as I was reading it that you were going to cry because it was bad! So I was THRILLED to read they were tears of joy!!!! I actually cancelled my plastics that I was going to have in April because of some posts from people who were having so many problems with it and because the recovery time was so long and I didn't want to waste my spring and summer recovering and wearing a garment for 6 months. My pouch isn't horrible but it's there! I am 61 and wondering how important it is (although my sex life is pretty active so it's not like I'm not ever naked....just trying to decide if I can live with dark candle lit rooms the rest of my life...). Anyway, so happy to hear all these positive posts...maybe I'll reconsider for the winter ( I did have a boob life and cannot imagine my life with my old yucky boobs)....then there are my bat wing arms, sagging butt and upper legs....where will it ever end???? But like all of you, I'm a lot more happy with my body now that I was a few years ago!

[JamieLogical 8,727]

@@Queen of Crop The recovery can be rough for some people. Just like with sleeve, some people have a pretty easy recovery and some people have a tough one. I had a VERY tough recovery after my Tummy Tuck. I had swelling in the soft tissue of my lower back that made it excruciating to sit up in a chair, lie on my back, or stand for any length of time. The only comfortable position for me for MONTHS was lying on my side. I missed about 6 full weeks of work and then had to work half days for a couple months after that. It was probably close to 9 full months before I could exercise regularly again. But, that is all a VERY distant memory now and I am still enjoying the results of my TT every single day. So, I guess what I'm saying is, even if you do have a rough recovery, it will be worth it in the end. And the chances of a rough recovery are pretty low.

Edited June 3, 2015 by JamieLogical

[livvsmum 2,370]

So so so happy for all of you and to read such a great positive post....I was worried as I was reading it that you were going to cry because it was bad! So I was THRILLED to read they were tears of joy!!!! I actually cancelled my plastics that I was going to have in April because of some posts from people who were having so many problems with it and because the recovery time was so long and I didn't want to waste my spring and summer recovering and wearing a garment for 6 months. My pouch isn't horrible but it's there! I am 61 and wondering how important it is (although my sex life is pretty active so it's not like I'm not ever naked....just trying to decide if I can live with dark candle lit rooms the rest of my life...). Anyway, so happy to hear all these positive posts...maybe I'll reconsider for the winter ( I did have a boob life and cannot imagine my life with my old yucky boobs)....then there are my bat wing arms, sagging butt and upper legs....where will it ever end???? But like all of you, I'm a lot more happy with my body now that I was a few years ago!

I definitely wouldn't let the recovery stop you from having the surgery. I heard it was a tough recovery, but didn't listen because I wanted it so very badly. It was tough. The surgery itself is painful. You don't realize how much you use your core until you have this done. The drainage tubes are uncomfortable, there is lots to complain about if I wanted to.

BUT I'm so thrilled with the results and I'm only 4 weeks out. I'm still sore and still wearing an ab binder, though my surgeon said I could move to something like Spanx. I just feel for now like I like that extra support for my abs. BUT with that being said, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. No question about it. I say if you find a surgeon you are comfortable with, GO FOR IT!

I'm waiting now to hear back on an appeal for my brachioplasty on my arms. But that seems like it would be a a walk in the park comparatively.

I also should say that everyone's experience is totally different. You may have it done and be back to normal in 2 weeks, who knows! What I can say, is it was worth it!

[Queen of Crop 1,104]

Many thanks for the overwhelming support to have this done...in any case, if I do, it will be winter so I won't feel I am missing any outdoor fun. I used to remodel and redecorate homes, which as you know is a nightmare when it is happening, but the after is so great...now we are remodeling our bodies and it's the same story!!!