Would you have plastic surgery? ($ vs. risk)

[PhotoChick]

Though it's not directly a health problem, I would consider having that removed, as it is still a functional thing, not just physical appearance.

Oh I totally agree! I just wish the insurance companies felt the same way and would cover at least part of the cost. But unless I can prove that it's an actual health risk, they won't. *pout*

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[jillybean720]

amen to that, PhotoChick...but I could go on for ages about how much I hate insurance companies

Originally Posted by Me_Amarie

I don't buy into the "plastic surgery = bad" camp. Beauty is beauty, confidence is confidence - however you get there... Its not a decision to be taken lightly, for certain, but its a decision that every responsible person should make for themselves, without feeling guilty if they decide to do it.

I don't think anyone is trying to make anyone else feel guilty nor is anyone making the blanket statement that platic surgery is bad. I'm sorry if anything I said was misinterpreted as such

[yoyonomoreinvegas]

Originally Posted by Meg

Yoyo, I'm sure you're not implying that any of our 3FC members who have chosen reconstructive skin surgery are those who you describe as ones who "jump at the idea of a 'quick fix' and fall into the instant gratification trap". You've been an active member of our commununity for a while, so you're undoubtedly aware that members who have chosen surgery have done so after extensive research, consultations with experts, personal soulsearching and yes, time. So I'm certain that you were saying that you respect their choices, just as yours is respected here.

Oh my goodness no! And my sincerest apologies if it sounded that way ! I was actually thinking of something I saw on TV (about someone who I didn't think looked more than maybe 15 lbs overweight) who "had been trying to diet for a year" with no results so was having lipo along with a tummy tuck and thigh/butt lift - which seemed to me like a huge amount of invasive surgery to be having in one whack - and it just stuck in my mind, and kind of scared me actually, as to whether some cosmetic surgeons truly have the patient's best interest at heart and don't push people (especially women) to move more quickly than they should by promising perfection in appearance practically overnight.

And, I should also explain my definition of "health issue". I certainly consider chronic physical discomfort to be a health issue so I would no more criticize someone's choice of reconstructive surgery to aleviate some of the problems the ladies here have spoken of than I would someone who has a breast reduction to aleviate back pain.

My lesson learned today - I will try very hard to let the threads get a little longer so I have a better idea of other people's perspectives before letting my fingers run wild on the keyboard

Again, my sincerest apology!

[Meg]

Yoyo, no apology needed! I really was absolutely positive that you weren't talking about our members here, but I got a PM from someone who was concerned so I wanted to clarify.

[OnceUponADrive]

Last night I was watching Extreme Makeover and they did a whole show interviewing the surgeons and experts where they told you the real deal on what it's like getting all the different procedures and healing times. It was pretty interesting to watch.

[junebug41]

Originally Posted by yoyodieterinvegas

Oh my goodness no! And my sincerest apologies if it sounded that way ! I was actually thinking of something I saw on TV (about someone who I didn't think looked more than maybe 15 lbs overweight) who "had been trying to diet for a year" with no results so was having lipo along with a tummy tuck and thigh/butt lift - which seemed to me like a huge amount of invasive surgery to be having in one whack - and it just stuck in my mind, and kind of scared me actually, as to whether some cosmetic surgeons truly have the patient's best interest at heart and don't push people (especially women) to move more quickly than they should by promising perfection in appearance practically overnight.

And, I should also explain my definition of "health issue". I certainly consider chronic physical discomfort to be a health issue so I would no more criticize someone's choice of reconstructive surgery to aleviate some of the problems the ladies here have spoken of than I would someone who has a breast reduction to aleviate back pain.

My lesson learned today - I will try very hard to let the threads get a little longer so I have a better idea of other people's perspectives before letting my fingers run wild on the keyboard

Again, my sincerest apology!

Are you talking about that teenager who *couldn't* lose weight so she had a bunch of liposuction? It was very strange and a bit creepy.

As for the topic at hand, my "apron" is very small and no insurance company would cover surgery. It is uncomfortable (but just uncomofrtable- it doesn't get irritated or anything).

I would feel much better in a bikini with a tummy tuck, but that isn't a good enough reason at this time to put money away when I need other things (house, car, etc...)

Perhaps if I were single I would feel differently, but it is what it is.

[snapless]

I personally would not ever do it, but I think it's an individual choice for every person.

I do suggest that a decision like this is not something to be taken lightly. You need to weigh the factors for yourself and decide if it is worth the risk and cost to you.

[sheski]

Here is my odd thought on a subject I think a lot about now that I am thinking of committing to being healthy....warning my mind works a little weirdly, but I am harmless and mean absolutely no disrespect or insult to anyone:

I look at my excess weight as the outward expression of emotional wounds and a conscious insulation against more of those wounds. Therefore if my mind is ready to let go of all the old baggage and be healthy holistically again (inside & out), then having the excess skin removed surgically after I have completed the hard physical work, is only logical. Skin tags, rashes, and pendulous skin interfering with activity and wardrobe are not aspects that I count under the “healthy” column, so doing whatever possible to get rid of those symptoms and their root cause i.e. excess worn out skin, is the healthy thing to do.

Thanks for the savings account idea, maybe I will start a savings account on the same day I make the new lifestyle commitment, so in a couple years when the fat is gone, I can afford to have at least the worst of the hangy stuff removed.

As for the health concerns and wanting to be around and healthy for your children, I see your dilemma and do not envy your having to make that decision. Do all the research and then listen to your heart. Good luck and best wishes to everyone who continues to do things for there own comfort and well being even after the big job is done.

[yoyonomoreinvegas]

Originally Posted by junebug41

Are you talking about that teenager who *couldn't* lose weight so she had a bunch of liposuction? It was very strange and a bit creepy.

Sounds like it might have been the same - I didn't watch the whole thing - changed the channel as soon as I realized it wasn't some satire (and picked my jaw up off the floor). I just remember the doctor pinching this little inch of skin - looked to me like he was having to pull awfully hard to get even that much - and saying how he was going to "get rid of ALL THIS" and she was going to be "so hot". There was no mention of body image counseling - or any kind of counseling at all for that matter including after care - as I said, I didn't watch the whole thing so there might have been some of that later in the program but, for the part I did see, I think creepy describes it pretty well, with maybe a little nauseating thrown in.

[shrinkingchica]

I have had plastic surgery to fix a bunch of places "up." However, I am single and do not have any children. Also, I am young and do not smoke or have any other health complications to consider, so it was an easier choice for me. Additionally, I really had put on the weight in the first place because of severe depression/anxiety issues and now that I have been able to get that mostly under control I wouldn't want to be reminded everyday of that painful struggle. In any event, I have the scars to remind me, as well as the stretch marks. It was also a self-confidence thing. I had always felt so low about myself and my body and I definitely feel better having had surgery. If I didn't have the surgeries I would be nowhere near feeling as good as I do about myself and my body (don't get me wrong, I have my bad days as we all do but it is a much better situation nowadays).

[lifechange]

This is one of those things that is a personal decision and everyone's experiences are different. I can completely relate to your concern re your children. I was very sure that i would have plastic surgery after I lost my weight and as each day goes by i am less sure. There is no way to make that decision until you see what you are left with and how it impacts your daily life.
I did have plastic surgery many years ago, when I was at a normal weight and before my children. I had a breast reduction because of back pain, athletics etc. I absolutely don't regret it, but there are always some complications. There is a much higher risk for infections in hospitals now- MRSA, VRE -that worries me. I think one of the things that started making me wondering if I should do it is reading some of the posts here about people who have experienced severe medical setbacks (not from plastic surgery) and it has made me wonder about going and looking for trouble. My life is actually quite good, my kids need me....... That being said for me I will see where things stand in the end. I can relate to the other posts where people have their own personal reasons for knowing this is the best decision for themselves.

[SS Mama]

You know, after having had two unwanted surgeries (cesareans) I would have to say it would be a cold day in **** before I had an elective one. Surgery is dangerous and recovery sucks.

Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to have a nice belly again - LOVE it, but I'd rather be alive, and surgery just has too many risks.

[luckymommy]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. I appreciate all of them and they have really made me think about all of this. At this point, I'm not inclined to do it...simply because of the risk. Even though I'm in good health, I have a history of chronic daily migraines and I had them for more than six months! I would hate to stir up trouble in my body and to create any kind of stress that would cause them to return on such a regular basis. That said, I can't say I'll never ever do it....I'm just not ready to do it now. Also, I'm hoping that once I lose more weight, I'll feel better about myself and not feel the need to go to that length to feel more confident. Luckily, I have a great hubby who loves me no matter what and is completely against me undergoing surgery. Again, thanks all of you for helping me out!

[PhotoChick]

after having had two unwanted surgeries (cesareans)

Well I do have to say that the two surgeries would be hard to compare. I mean a c-sec, you're cutting all the way through the muscle layers and into the abdominal cavity - and into the uterus. A tummy tuck involves skin. There's no penetration of the abdominal cavity and no involvement of any internal organs. It's kinda like comparing a filling to a root canal.

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[kaplods]

Body image can be a very difficult thing. Even a relatively fit person who looks "fine" to most of us, may have body image issues that make it very painful for them to deal with what they perceive as a severe quality of life issue. I'm not going to judge even that.

For myself, the issue would have to be pretty severe, but in my case it very well could be. Losing slowly may help, but if my skin doesn't shrink with me significantly, when I reach goal, I could find myself living in a large skin suit. Aside from the aesthetic discomfort, skin rub and skin infections can make such a condition painful, not just unsightly.

I recently watched a documentary (it might have been Big Medicine) that showed a woman whose weight loss left her obviously in a large "skin suit." Skin that had been her inner thigh, now reached her knees. Skin that had been her upper arm, now hung like a bag at her elbow (her "turkey wing" underarm skin hanging down eight inches or more). Sixty pounds of skin was removed, just to give her a reasonably normal appearance in clothes (it apparently will take several more surgeries for her to appear relatively normal nude).

I don't consider the surgery cosmetic at that point, but medical. Twenty pounds of extra skin between your legs, I would think would make even walking uncomfortable.

So, I definitely would consider plastic surgery if there were medical as well as cosmetic concerns. If my body ends up odd looking, but not causing physical discomfort, I probably wouldn't, but that's just me (and my husband). We appreciate "odd."