yup, i am about 70-80 pounds from my first huge goal (180/190 lbs) and i have a PS consult tomorrow. i actually completely forgot about it with everything going on until they called to confirm.

i have the appointment for arms and LBL. hopefully he will say "i can do the arms now" and give me a goal to hit for a LBL. dont think i will go with this guy though - no insurance whatsoever... how discouraging... i dont even know if my insurance will help me out, but it would be nice to be able to go to someone who accepts insurance.

here we go ..

i have a date...

it is a little later than i'd like, but it will give me lots of time to get in the best shape possible for the surgery.

now all i need is my boss to say OK that i can move my vacation.

oh boy...

Hey LJM! That's my bday. Atleast my scatterbrain will remember to check on you! :confused:

I am sooooooo excited for you!!!! I couldn't be happier!

You so deserve this, you have worked so hard and it is all paying off.

Loads of love to ya!

Congrats!!!!!! so happy you will have this done

the reality is already starting to set in... its frightening almost .. ya know? but soooooo exciting!!

How exciting and yes nerve wracking all at the same time.

Good for you girl.

LjM.. how brave do you think you can be in pic posting? Sorry, it sounds like you are getting "frightened" about surgery, maybe it is just misunderstood excitement. Keep us up o date.

not sure if i am brave enuff for a nekkid pic of my huge tummy/skin ...

maybe after though ... we'll see ...

Which doc, and where will you get this done? or have you made that a for sure thing yet?

Drs Harlan and Todd Pollock in Dallas.

Harlan is going to be the main Sx, but Todd will help with my hernia and maybe my low profile port. not sure if i want the LP port yet. it's almost $600 ... we'll see.

:OFF TOPIC:

OK LJM & Mommy I need your help - Please read and comment on my Rant over on the RNR board about my sis. I'm about to lose it here. Doesn't help I've had 3 hours of sleep.

LJM,

I'm so excited for you!! Yeehaw! Now that I see your pics, I think you're going to do WONDERFULLY with a TT at this stage. It's going to give you so much mobility and it's going to dramatically change your body image. Way to go, girlfriend!

If you can find the $600, really, go on and do the port. I didn't do it with my TT and I totally regret it. It's something I feel certain you'll want at goal -- it sticks out so much otherwise. $600 is a good price too. I'd been quoted $800 at NYU. Not sure what mine cost in AL -- haven't gotten the bill yet.

Thanks for posting pictures. You do have a beautiful smile. I've read the entire thread, but I'm still a little unclear. Are you have a TT or a pannus removal? How did you decide which doc to go with? I finally decided to go ahead with TT and breast lift on March 4th. Going in with DH on January 14th to ask a few more questions and working on the last 20 pounds as well. Does any one out there know about Medifast or liquid diets? Do you think they are a good way to go to get the weight off quickly? Or, maybe not a healthy enough alternative right before major surgery? I would appreciate people's opinions!

Good luck LSM!

thanks for the support, guys.

Julie - i really want the LP port, but i want to talk to the surgeon and make absolute sure he is comfortable placing it. he is a general surgeon as well as plastics, so it should be OK, but im a skeptic i guess...

Karey - i owe you a PM, i know ... :eek:

i am having the full blown TT with muscle repair. IF i can drop these 20 pounds, i will hopefully be within 15-20 pounds of my initial goal weight after the TT.

i went with the Doc who i was most comfortable with ... both the doctor and the office staff.

not sure how im going to drop these 20 pounds (18 now).... i may low carb for awhile, but who knows???

Hey, LJM....I'm SO excited for you!!

I had never considered the possibility of doing a panni-whatever first and a TT later. But I am beginning to have problems....I do every time I lose weight.

But danged if the photos on that site didn't take me back some -- at least I'm not 68!!!

But I'll be watching and praying!! Go YOU!

65 days left and about 16 1/2 pounds to go.

a few people asked me if the surgeon is requesting the 20 pounds, nope - its my own goal... i figure the more i lose now, the less i'll have to lose after and hopefully reduce the need for any tummy revision.

ideally - 20 lbs lost will put me at 245ish.

even if he only (ha, only) gets 25 lbs removed at surgery, i'll be about 40 pounds from my 'goal' weight of 180. not a "healthy" BMI, but not 402.5 lbs either...

i will then probably wait until mid-late 2009 for the rest of my plastics journey (thighs and maybe arms/boobs). mostly because i have the Minnie Marathon in May 08 then the full (or 1/2 ???) Disney Marathon in January 09 then paying off my DDad for this surgery... phew! lots to do!!!

im just really anxious to start the next phase of my journey. i am not looking forward to the pain though. but being able to run without FLAP FLAP FLAPPING and stretching without the need to move the gut out of the way (yeah, real lady-like )