Well, its time to start this new aspect to my WLS journey. I had Lap-Band in May 2006. I lost approx 150 pounds in 9 1/2 months and have been maintaining my weight since February of this year. Its been a good ride so for. I thought when I began this WLS journey, that I wouldn't want PS. My goal was to be healthy and not care what I looked like. I have a good life, a supportive wife and family and wanted to loose the weight to spend more time with them. Well here I am a year and a half later and just got put on the books for abdominaplasty on February 11th 2008. It seems so far away, but my job and my wife's job keeps us busy during the end of the year and as a corporate accountant, my wife is busy finishing up the books in January. She wants to take a week off when I have the surgery to help me out, so I don't mind waiting for that. This will probably be the only thing I have worked on. My arms are fine and no real man boobs to speak of. My thighs are bad, but don't effect the way my clothes fit. But, the stomach has to go. Clothes don't look good even when they fit and I am tired of lifting my flap to wash under it. Sounds gross, but I am sure many of you can relate I am nervous and excited at the same time.

I have been to 2 consults and have decided on a Dr. She is very good and comes recommended by my Band Dr. That gives me comfort since he was great and I value his opinion. I have financing lined up but am still hopefull that insurance will help out. The first Dr I went to said it would be a waste of time to submit to insurance because I don't get rashes or anything. But the Dr I am going to use said there was significant separation between the stomach muscle ( It hink she said 5 cm, she put 3 fingers between the two muscles). Significant enough that insurance might pay. Not holding my breath, but like the fact that she will try to fight to get insurance on board. And with financing secured, if insurance denies, it won't be a big blow for me.

I don't post here as often as I used to when I first started out, but wanted to update those who remember me

a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!!!

WOW, Neal........you look awesome! WTG!

WOW Neal!!!! You are another insperation here on the threads!!!

I can't wait till I don't have a flap.....

WTG, Neal!!!!

You look WONDERFUL!!!

(and what a nice belly button!)

Oh Neal I am just SO jealous right now. You must be wanting to just stand in front of the mirror looking at your FLAT tummy all day!

You look AMAZING!!!!

About the over/under the flap thing - haha. I still reach to wash under mine every time I'm in the shower. I wonder when that'll stop!

Good job Neal. You've done wonderfully.

Neil: You've got some impressive bruises going there! Let's compare bruises in a few weeks, k? How's your blood pressure and energy levels? Is your cold still causing you a lot of grief? When do you have to go back to work? Speak to us man!

You look AMAZING!!!!

About the over/under the flap thing - haha. I still reach to wash under mine every time I'm in the shower. I wonder when that'll stop!

Good job Neal. You've done wonderfully.

i CANNOT wait til i dont have to do that!!!

Congrats Neal! You look incredible. I'll be your wife is so happy with her new and improved hunk a love. I can't even fathem having a flat stomach with nothing overlapping. Just can't even begin to think it's possible for me, although I still dream of the day!

Neal

YOU LOOK GREAT!! I am so glad to see you are not hunched over in pain! :biggrin: You look fantastic. Congrats!!

Neal

YOU LOOK GREAT!! I am so glad to see you are not hunched over in pain! :thumbup: You look fantastic. Congrats!!

Thanks for the encouragement

I just got back from my 2nd post op appointment and got my drains out. What a relief. It didn't hurt at all, but felt very strange. I got a little twinge up near my ribs. Its hard to believe the tubes went from my thighs up to near my ribs. The Dr said one more week in the binder. Normally she wants 3 weeks, which would be Monday, but she wants me to wear it one week post drains to makes sure everything comes together and no pockets form to collect Fluid. I can handle one more week

Neal,

so glad you got your drains out... i cant even imagine them!!

when did you get the pain pump out?

I took the pain pump out about 6 or 7 days post op. My Dr said i could do it. The tubes are very thin and not stitched in, just taped on.

Ok, some updated pics:

Here is an old pic that I found a week post op from my lapband surgery. I took it for the scar thread on LBT. Notice how my belly hangs over the sink and where my scars are compared to where they are now.

Neal - you have had amazing results!! You look fantastic!! :eek:

wombat