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I'm about the head out for my visit with a plastic surgeon to see about getting a pannicolectomy. Hopefully my insurance will cover most of it and I just hope and pray that everything will go well. I can't even imagine how much better I'd feel not to metion looking better. If all goes well and I get to have my surgery, I'll probably asking a million questions of people that have had it done!

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This site has never failed me when I've needed it the most and once again, it came through for me. Thank you for your well wishes! It means so much to know that no matter what, we're here for each other.

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I posted on line yesterday before I left for my doctor's appointment. Now it's just a wait and see game with my insurance company. I wish I had talked with someone about their first trip to see a plastic surgeon so I would have known what would happen when I got there. I was completely shocked when they said I'd have to have some pictures taken. I should have known they would do that but I guess it was just something that I didn't think about. After the initial interview and answering a lot of questions, I was told that as soon as the photo room was available, they'd take me there. That's when the nerves hit! I didn't know what to expect at all. Then the moment of truth came and I was taken to the photo room and told to take all my clothes off and put on a pair of surgery panties. Needless this was nothing more than a small piece of cloth held together with elastic strings. I told the nurse that was helping me that I had always thought my first time to wear a g-string might be under different circumstances. Then the doctor came in and that's when the tears started to flow! He told me this wonderful story about daffodils and what it all meant was to not look back at the past but just look forward to the future. So, there I stood completely naked with tears rolling down my cheeks and have pictures taken. Now those will be sent along with a couple of letters from doctor's stating medical necessity for the surgery to my insurance company. All I could think of was "great, now a bunch more people can look at my horrible body". But if that's what it takes to make part of a dream come true, so be it. I'd be stupid to not know that I couldn't have blown my body up to the size it was and not expect there to be some "party favors" left over. I feel like a balloon that was blown up way too much and then all the air was let out. Not that that isn't a great thing because I feel like a different person, now I just want to be able to look into a full length mirror and not be grossed out by my own reflection. I just wanted to share my first step with anyone that might be taking this journey as well. Like I said, I just wish I had talked with someone so I would have known somewhat to expect. Now I have to just sit and wait to hear from my insurance company and the good Lord willing, I'll be scheduling a pannicolectomy in the near future. Thanks for letting me share all this with y'all cause if there's any one in the whole world that can even somewhat relate to all of this I know it's y'all. As you can see by my novel disguised as a post....I'll keep everyone updated on how this all goes for me.

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I'm really looking forward to the day of surgery when they mark you all up to show where or what they are going to cut off. Thats got to be alot more fun then wearing the g-string!

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I was telling one of my coworkers about my visit and what the doctor told me about my belly button being either shaped different or in a new spot and she said to just tell them to forget the belly button and afterwards I could just a smiley face tattooed where one should have been. Steph...I just noticed you have only 8 pounds to goal....wow that is so great! I don't have a number goal. My goal is to be able to look into a mirror and just think to myself...damn, I look hot for an old broad!

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thanks Becky - truth is thats MY goal - when I started this journey I couldn't imagine getting below 150, so thats what I set it at. But to be in the "normal" bmi range I need to be at 140. I dont' care if I ever get to 140 or not. I'm with you I just want to look in the mirror and say "hey, not bad for a gramma!" :) I'm in a size 10, I hope after my tt I will get into a size 8 - and thats it - if I'm in a size 8 I'd be tickled pink! Well let me rephrase that - if I'm in a size 8 and I have a flat tummy - I'd be tickled pink!

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BECKY!!! OMgoodness! I just notice how much you have lost! 278 pounds is MARVOooooooooLOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously you have to be feeling wonderful!!! I'm so proud of you I could burst! Tell me how much better you feel? Do you have any before pics? Girlfriend, you are my new inspiration! I'm going to pray extra hard for your insurance company to pay for not only the panny but for the tt as well! You know my insurance company is paying for a full tt, so we know it can happen. I've said this before but I'll say it again. I know it was an act of God that I got approved for the full tt - its the power of prayer. God knows you deserve it.

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Steph....if I mean WHEN I get my pannicolectomy, the doctor said it could be 20-25 pounds. Man, that would make me weigh the least I've weighed in over 35 years. From the waist up I can wear a size 12, I just hope that soon from the waist down, I'll be able to wear a 12. I'm so happy for you. Now just prepare yourself for tons of questions from me after your surgery so I'll kinda know what to expect.

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Hey Becky

I agree that you will be getting your panni!

I thought it was horrible as well that the insurance company had to see me naked, but I felt more remorse for them than I do for me! lol...I think it has to be that way for them to know we need it!

I agree with Steph, I can't wait to see all the stuff that will go! AND to see the line where my like new boobies will be, I will freak out! I can not wait!

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It's so great to have all of y'all cheering me and everyone else on! Steph, thanks so much for your prayers. I believe that prayers can make miracles happen and I'm sure hoping for a miracle. I've been following another thread, kinda like an on-going soap opera, where the guy has had a rough experience, supposedly, with his lap band and it's all so negative. It's so nice to be able to switch over to this thread and feel what all of us come to this site for...support and encouragement. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

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