I am so excited to finally be posting here! I just got off the phone from scheduling my surgery! I will be having an extended tummy tuck on December 17! I have struggled with this decision..having lots of guilt issues mostly. Spending this kind of money on myself when I have 6 children, it's right before Christmas, etc. But when I look at myself in the mirror I don't feel like a person who has lost 113 pounds because of this big belly still there making me still look like an almost 300 pound person in my head anyway. I've worked so hard and I still have a little more to lose. .hopefully will get very close to goal before my surgery. My bandiversary is a couple weeks away still and I've come so far. I've done a lot of reading here and followed most of your journeys. I so appreciate you sharing your stories and hope mine will be helpful to someone coming along the path behind me. I look forward to everyone's advice and wisdom as my date gets closer!

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Susan: Congratulations! As it closers, I'll be glad to give you pointers. It's a big decision and I don't think you'll ever regret it! YEAH!

First of all congrats on your loss! You are truly an inspiration.

You may not like what I have to share but im passionate and feel I need to give you all the info.

My friend charlotte lost her life after this procedure.

I know it is not what you want to hear and I'm feeling somewhat bad about giving you doubts but if it saves only one life it will be worth it!!!

Charlotte was healthy mom of 2 and had lost 133 pounds with the band. She went for a tummy tuck and was planning a breast lift when she healed.

Totally unexpected her heart stopped in surgery and she never came out of it. Her kids were 6 and 9 at the time. She never had a heart problem in her life even when she weighted near 300 pounds.

Please think about it.

God bless!!!!!!

Susan: Of course it's a serious step to have surgery, but it is extremely rare that some one dies in surgery. I think it's terrible for some one to tell you a true, but none-the-less horror story. I'm about to have another round of plastics myself and I had a friend ask me if I thought I would "make it" this time around! If you've handled anesthesia well before you will probably do well again. I think that some things might be considered an act of God and hopefully our time isn't up! Really if people died often in surgery, it just wouldn't be good for business now would it? Do what you think is right and don't let anyone scare you!

Do what you think is right and don't let anyone scare you!

Well gosh, I appreciate the concern from this person but would ANYONE really go into this without thinking it through first? Of course I have thought it through, have consulted with a surgeon I feel I can trust and have talked it over with my family. I am so sorry to hear about your friend but something else had to have been at work for her to have died so suddenly and whose to say it would not have happened even if she did not have surgery? I've gone through several surgeries in my life time and have never had an adverse reaction. Some of those surgeries were necessary, some were not. All surgery comes with risk..I am nervous but more in anticipation of the recovery period than anything related to the surgery.

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Susan CONGRATS! I just posted my own TT thread! I'm not as far as you but I will know something next Friday........ geesh.. I can't wait!

Well, yesterday was my one year Bandiversary so I thought I'd post my progress pics too Black shirt pics were taken on the morning of 10-5-07 and the pink sweater pics were taken 10-5-08! Down 114 pounds. ..from a size 26/28 to a 10/12!

Congratulations on your amazing weight loss, and upciming PS.

Well folks ...my date is quickly approaching! I go for my pre-op appointment tomorrow! I have been following those of you who recently had your surgeries and I have to say, I am getting very nervous about this. My dr is performing a new procedure where drains are not required and I am PRAYING I qualify for that because drains are one of the things I am most nervous about ..I have 6 kids who don't all understand they can't jump up on Mommy!! I had hoped to drop about 10-15 pounds before surgery but alas I am stuck on another plateu and the weight is not moving. I have vowed to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday leading up to surgery ..I have really let that slack lately and I'm feeling it now when I do workout! I hope this helps move the weight a little in the 2 weeks I have before the big day now.

So ..any words of advice would be greatly appreciated as I gear up for this! Thank you to those of you who have shared your experiences thus far!

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=

You'll do well.

You can't go back and exercise, so don't fret about what could have been. Focus on the now and the future.

Be calm.

Susan: I hope your pre-op goes well. If you don't qualify for the drainless surgery, don't fret. Drains aren't that bad and your kids will feel sorrier for you if they can see a little blood! LOL! It's always nerve wracking to anticipate surgery, so just accept it as part of the process. Your going to love your new body!

My pre-op appointment went well today. Filled out all my paperwork, wrtoe 3 very large checks (oy!), had some lovely before pics taken and then spoke with my surgeon. He thinks I will probably have the drains (yuk!) but is confident I'll do well. I had to take my 3 year old twin boys with me and he gave them a new toy ...breast implants! LOL They had a good time hitting each other with their boobs on the way home! LOL

So....2 weeks from Thursday is my big day! Any words of advice for me in these final couple weeks?

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Okay, the new toys really gave me a good laugh! My only advice is to make sure you have some good help for at least 5 days. I would also have some one watching your active little ones. Eat a lot of protien as it aids in healing. I used arnica and found it really does help with bruising. You can get it at health food stores or online at www.makemeheal.com. Get some good movies and plan on resting a lot! Your doctor sounds great and I bet you'll have a good experience. Keep us informed!

Okay, the new toys really gave me a good laugh! My only advice is to make sure you have some good help for at least 5 days. I would also have some one watching your active little ones. Eat a lot of protien as it aids in healing. I used arnica and found it really does help with bruising. You can get it at health food stores or online at www.makemeheal.com. Get some good movies and plan on resting a lot! Your doctor sounds great and I bet you'll have a good experience. Keep us informed!

Thanks for the advice Karey! My husband is taking a few days off to help and the kids will be out of school for break. I have total faith in my surgeon and am glad to be using him ..he is married to one of the bariatric surgeon's in my dr's practice and bariatric patients are his specialty so I trust he really knows what he is doing. Gearing up to rest alot just a week before Christmas isn't easy but I know I have to do it.

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Susan: Looking forward to sharing in your journey, please pm me if you need anything. A week before Christmas, now that's hard core!

Susan: Looking forward to sharing in your journey, please pm me if you need anything. A week before Christmas, now that's hard core!

Thanks Karey! It's 2 weeks from today now! YIKES! I am exercising like crazy in hopes of dropping a few more pounds before the big day :cursing:

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=