Obsessing about Plastic Surgery!!

[ChubRub 1,696]

On 5/24/2020 at 12:12 PM, ChubRub said:

I'm still 36lbs away from my goal weight of 130

Just noticed how far I was from goal when I started this thread. Now it's just13 lbs to go!! Woot Woot!!! It's crazy to think about how many times I've dieted in the past with a goal weight in mind, and never, ever, was I able to get this close to it. I was really good at losing 20lbs, then gaining it right back.

Just had to share!! LOL!!!

[Tammie G 4]

I waited 10 years before I decided to have plastic surgery(surgery date January 3, 2005) Because I wanted to learn how to maintain the 4 E’s-Eat, Exercise, Excitement of when I had my weight loss surgery, and Enjoy my progress. I never set a goal weight because this is a journey for the rest of my life. My goal was to be smaller than what I was before my gastric bypass surgery. Goal met. Clothing size at surgery: 24/26 and clothing size today: 4/6. A Good surgeon will only do one procedure at a time because of the time the patient is under anesthesia.
12/7/2015-arm lifts took 4 1/2 hours

2/17/2017-liposuction to knees and calves took 3 1/2 hours

12/10/2019-extended Tummy Tuck with pubic lift (6 pounds of skin removed, all stretched marks gone with removal of skin and 3 of my ports from gastric bypass gone). New belly button Drains for 2 weeks. Scar is like a small straight line beyond the hips. Took 4 1/2 hours

3/13/2020-lipo360 of stomach, flanks, and back (11 pounds of fat removed). I can feel my rib cage. Took 3 1/2 hours.

Planning breast reduction and lift surgery for November-in treatment for varicose veins at this time. Did consultation this past Monday and my surgeon stated the procedure would take about 4 1/2 hours Because of molding the new breast . He is going to liposuction my under arms to remove fat.

[ChubRub 1,696]

@Tammie G Out of all the procedures that you've had done, which one do you think had the most "wow" factor you as far as how you looked before/after surgery? Which was the easiest and hardest recovery?

Thanks so much!

[Darktowerdream 419]

8 hours ago, ChubRub said:

Just noticed how far I was from goal when I started this thread. Now it's just13 lbs to go!! Woot Woot!!! It's crazy to think about how many times I've dieted in the past with a goal weight in mind, and never, ever, was I able to get this close to it. I was really good at losing 20lbs, then gaining it right back.

Just had to share!! LOL!!!

@ChubRub that’s awesome 👏 I never truly had a goal weight in mind, I was too afraid of it. This time you will get there.

It’s a rough bumpy ride but it wasn’t until gastric bypass surgery that I truly had the tool to get here. I fought so hard on my own and even following the rules I fell backwards and hit rock bottom where I’d hoped never to go again (over 200lbs) The lowest I ever got was 124lb and only stayed there weeks and settled at 134lbs ... and then the slow creep my gallbladder started to get bad and I had surgery and crap happened ... I fought back when we started the process of moving. And didn’t get far with it before I got slammed hard and the weight just piled on no matter what I did ...

but somehow i knew gastric bypass surgery was the tool I needed and I’m grateful that it happened. I’m grateful to have had plastics as well. The excess skin was bringing me down. And was more than just cosmetic.

I say this because you will have success and be pleased when you have plastics and feel you have reached a goal you couldn’t before. 💙

[Darktowerdream 419]

10 hours ago, ChubRub said:

Have you made it to the pool yet @Darktowerdream? Glad to hear you continue to heal!!! As for the fatigue, I'm sure you are always dealing with it on some level as a result of your medical issues, but can only imagine that the surgery still has you wiped out! I know the RNY kicked by butt for quite a few months!!!

Hope everything continues to go well for you!!!

@ChubRub

i think I was born tired 🤣 ok not funny I guess ... I’ve dealt with being sick most of my life. The fatigue gets worse over time. Each thing that takes little pieces away I don’t get back. I can’t choose the price I pay. Like, It was either keep gaining weight or fight with all I had left. I also knew having plastics would take its toll ... and it has - the fatigue is a bit hellish but it’s my life as I know it and I have to learn my new normal. Showers are a drain. At some point I need to take over doing laundry again if I can. It’s hard to explain, I can’t go back to normal, just a new version of normal. Things people don’t really think about.

It’s funny the things I don’t think about. I casually said To my mom something about it feels like a cat scratching my backside and she says to me that’s the first time I actually said anything about pain since my surgeries ... she thinks I’m brave I don’t think I am ... my skin is so thin and sensitive like an old lady. My backside incision is doing better so I just put a smaller bandage but for some reason the Faja is rubbing me the wrong way in that area ... Pain is such a everyday thing for me that I guess I don’t think about surgery. Although ... coming out of anesthesia from a long surgery is rough with M.E. And getting out of bed takes longer. Most people don’t know what I’m actually dealing with.

My mom asked me why my scars look purple and I’m like I don’t know. I honestly don’t ... could just be me. I don’t remember that with any previous surgeries. I have scars on my calves from tendon surgeries. So scars aren’t a big deal to me. The skin ... now that was bad.

as for the comment above It’s wrong to say “a good surgeon does one surgery at a time” I had a great surgeon. I had three procedures. He took excellent care of me. It helps to have a lower BMI at the time of surgery for less risk, he might not have done the procedures had certain things not been in place. I guess I’m just saying Wether you have some procedures together or separate is an individual thing. Not necessarily how good a surgeon is. My surgery was solely to remove A lot of excess skin and not fat. My risk factors were more based on chronic illness and disability but my surgeon took care of me. Made sure I had an extra day before I got on my feet, kept the iv fluids in extra as well. That’s a good doctor to me. No offense to the OP.

I forgot what I was saying I meant to just simply respond. I’m sorry. I haven’t gotten in the pool yet. It’s humid and hot as hades here. I am waiting for the coccyx incision to close. That and im chicken. I haven’t found a swimsuit yet and haven’t been around humans in a while ... I don’t know if I can do it. Be social. React to the reactions to me in a swimsuit and me not having worn a swimsuit in forever. Or Go swimming. I don’t remember the last time I did. Or how my skin will react to the chlorine.

My only issue right now is a pain above my belly button. Feels like some type of hernia. So tired of chronic gut issues related to my neurological problems. The belt lipectomy/butterfly lift actually helped with things at first but then this hernia thing popped up. But I honestly think it’s related to an old incision ... I need to figure out how to deal with this. After my gastric bypass surgery it revealed a neurological problem that started before the surgery and might not have been diagnosed if I didn’t have it but I never got answer to the cause of it ... (but I’ve already babbled too much)

Edited August 17, 2020 by Darktowerdream

[sarahSingh91 233]

I am also obsessing about plastics. I want those fat cells and extra skin GONE!!! I am 40lbs from goal weight of 160 I am 5’9”. But I may want to drop down to 150? Not sure yet.
But omg I want plastics NOW. The rashes and sweat under skin folds while I work. Is annoying to me.
Also I have a very physical job where sometimes I have to crawl and the skin folds slap together if I care too fast! It’s embarrassing!
Patience is a virtue I don’t have. But I’m working on it slowly slowly

[sarahSingh91 233]

I am also already going to consults

[sarahSingh91 233]

I am going to Mexico to Dr. Pedro Puebla.

[sillykitty 10,705]

14 hours ago, Darktowerdream said:

My mom asked me why my scars look purple and I’m like I don’t know. I honestly don’t ... could just be me. I don’t remember that with any previous surgeries.

My scar progression is red > purple > pink > white line

I'm 8 months post plastics and my scars are in the light purple to pink stage

[sillykitty 10,705]

On 8/16/2020 at 9:19 AM, Tammie G said:

Good surgeon will only do one procedure at a time because of the time the patient is under anesthesia.

12/7/2015-arm lifts took 4 1/2 hours

2/17/2017-liposuction to knees and calves took 3 1/2 hours

12/10/2019-extended Tummy Tuck with pubic lift (6 pounds of skin removed, all stretched marks gone with removal of skin and 3 of my ports from gastric bypass gone). New belly button Drains for 2 weeks. Scar is like a small straight line beyond the hips. Took 4 1/2 hours

3/13/2020-lipo360 of stomach, flanks, and back (11 pounds of fat removed). I can feel my rib cage. Took 3 1/2 hours.

Planning breast reduction and lift surgery for November-in treatment for varicose veins at this time. Did consultation this past Monday and my surgeon stated the procedure would take about 4 1/2 hours Because of molding the new breast . He is going to liposuction my under arms to remove fat.

Got to disagree with the statement that good surgeons only do one procedure at a time. Most surgeons do multiple procedures at one time, including very reputable ones.

All surgeons have maximum surgical time limits. In the US it is generally 6-8 hours. I suspect that is why your surgeon does one surgery at a time, his surgical times are abnormally lengthy. For instance I had a lower body lift and breast augmentation in the same amount of time you had knee and calf Lipo.

[Darktowerdream 419]

6 hours ago, sillykitty said:

Got to disagree with the statement that good surgeons only do one procedure at a time. Most surgeons do multiple procedures at one time, including very reputable ones.

All surgeons have maximum surgical time limits. In the US it is generally 6-8 hours. I suspect that is why your surgeon does one surgery at a time, his surgical times are abnormally lengthy. For instance I had a lower body lift and breast augmentation in the same amount of time you had knee and calf Lipo.

I think I said as much in my response but I agree. Most good surgeons do multiple surgeries. I had three, yes it was long and reached maximum time, I don’t remember how long. Over eight hours. But I don’t know how long I was in the recovery area. I had belt lipectomy with butterfly lift, thigh lift and breast augmentation. To me a good surgeon knows his procedures and can do them well in a timely manner. My surgeon was a perfectionist. I think he did excellent considering the number of procedures.

6 hours ago, sillykitty said:

My scar progression is red > purple > pink > white line

I'm 8 months post plastics and my scars are in the light purple to pink stage

Thanks @sillykitty mine are a dark purple especially after I shower. Mostly the belt lipectomy incision. But some areas are already smoothing out. I don’t do much for scar care I don’t get a lot of sun exposure lately ... and I use Tamanu oil. I kept the incisions clean and used a ointment with bee propolis, silver and tea tree oil. I also did a post shower incision cleanse of the incisions before rinsing. I haven’t used any special scar oils. I did get a box of silicone sheets on sale I’m using it on the T incisions on my thigh area. Just to try them. But I doubt I’d buy another box. They just happened to be cheap with a coupon at bed bath and beyond.

I bought smaller size Marena Faja from a seller on eBay, size 2XS not new but I can’t afford new. I got three two of the style I have and one step two. They are perfect condition though. I got the three for $80. If anyone needs XS and doesn’t mind used I will have two of them. I just need to find the right size bra. If anyone needs 32C post surgery bras Marena I have two. The original flexfit bras.

https://marena.com/collections/womens-post-surgical-girdles/products/sfbhs-compression-girdle

Edited August 17, 2020 by Darktowerdream

[Darktowerdream 419]

I hate it but this is the only picture I have before my gastric bypass surgery. It was my birthday at the zoo before surgery. The stupid zoo snapped this horrid picture without me knowing. I wish I’d been able to enjoy the day more than I did. I treated my mom and her friends to a free day at the zoo and a close encounter with flamingos that I’d won. (Yeah It was supposed to be my birthday) that was April 2019. I tried to hide behind my camera. I didn’t know if the surgery was even going to happen but it did get approved the end of April one week before surgery. That happened April 29th. I despise pictures of myself and am not good at taking them. I tried to take a after picture. With and without the Faja. Trying clothes I never thought I’d wear. Not sure anyone wants to see. I dislike my arms and hands and my knees are weird ... and I don’t like my ugly mug 🤣 sorry they are terrible pictures but I never thought I’d be this weight or size ... or that I’d have an actual waist.

[anniedebbie 24]

I hate it but this is the only picture I have before my gastric bypass surgery. It was my birthday at the zoo before surgery. The stupid zoo snapped this horrid picture without me knowing. I wish I’d been able to enjoy the day more than I did. I treated my mom and her friends to a free day at the zoo and a close encounter with flamingos that I’d won. (Yeah It was supposed to be my birthday) that was April 2019. I tried to hide behind my camera. I didn’t know if the surgery was even going to happen but it did get approved the end of April one week before surgery. That happened April 29th. I despise pictures of myself and am not good at taking them. I tried to take a after picture. With and without the Faja. Trying clothes I never thought I’d wear. Not sure anyone wants to see. I dislike my arms and hands and my knees are weird ... and I don’t like my ugly mug [emoji1787] sorry they are terrible pictures but I never thought I’d be this weight or size ... or that I’d have an actual waist.

U look phenomenal

Sent from my SM-N970U using BariatricPal mobile app

[ChubRub 1,696]

On 8/17/2020 at 8:30 PM, Darktowerdream said:

I hate it but this is the only picture I have before my gastric bypass surgery. It was my birthday at the zoo before surgery. The stupid zoo snapped this horrid picture without me knowing. I wish I’d been able to enjoy the day more than I did. I treated my mom and her friends to a free day at the zoo and a close encounter with flamingos that I’d won. (Yeah It was supposed to be my birthday) that was April 2019. I tried to hide behind my camera. I didn’t know if the surgery was even going to happen but it did get approved the end of April one week before surgery. That happened April 29th. I despise pictures of myself and am not good at taking them. I tried to take a after picture. With and without the Faja. Trying clothes I never thought I’d wear. Not sure anyone wants to see. I dislike my arms and hands and my knees are weird ... and I don’t like my ugly mug 🤣 sorry they are terrible pictures but I never thought I’d be this weight or size ... or that I’d have an actual waist.

OMG!!!! What a transformation!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing these photos with us!!! Makes me even more excited about weight loss and PS!!!

[Darktowerdream 419]

11 hours ago, ChubRub said:

OMG!!!! What a transformation!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing these photos with us!!! Makes me even more excited about weight loss and PS!!!

@ChubRub I had mixed feelings about sharing. I think back to losing weight before and how it didn’t stick and hope this is it, you know? I’m not good with words or maybe not with how I feel. Things have been tough to say the least and this was one thing I could fight for. Even though I wasn’t sure even this could happen. I still feel like the fat girl.

I also think about someone I trusted, who was a friend I called her my sister, treated her like family ... I won’t get into details but traveled long distance to spend holiday with her and her SO to be supportive. I was struggling with my weight after I’d just had a hysterectomy. The first thing she said to me wasn’t how are you. I don’t remember exactly What she said she barely looked at me. All I remember is her saying “I’m going to fatten you up ...” I don’t know why she said it. But that trip turned bad. And what I thought was a friendship ended. Badly. I struggled with what I ate while I stayed with her. And got accused of not eating for attention. I didn’t want to stress out her SO, he was a good person so I ate whatever meals he prepared. Never mind that I was getting massive rashes on my abdomen and was sick but didn’t tell them that. (Later I found it was a combination of food allergy and my gallbladder, and it was high altitude as well so my breathing was difficult because I was also on a beta blocker for orthostatic intolerance)

even When I got home. Everything was just a mess and so was I. Nothing was the same. And over a short time the few people in my life just cut out. Including my actual sister. And another close friend who called herself sister to me ... I didn’t have support beyond my mom through my weight loss surgery and she helped me fight for it.

well in my rambling I just wanted to say it was hard to share these pictures because I never have pictures of myself literally never. I’m glad if it helps to see that the weight loss journey is worth it, as is plastics. It helps the steps to feeling complete. To feeling you’ve reached a goal you couldn’t get to before.

I still struggle with body dysmorphia. With my self image. I find it almost funny that people don’t comment when you are overweight. My doctor when I sought ought help when I needed it, when I fought my weight and was desperate for help she said oh your weight is fine. Oh no it wasn’t. But now people don’t hesitate to make snide remarks like watch out you lose anymore you’ll disappear. I’m sure they think it’s a compliment too. Not realizing they are saying t to someone who has been invisible all their life.