I've been researching and gathering info recently in making my decision. I do have personal friends and family members who have had various forms of surgery with great success. Also many others who would jump at the chance. But I must admit that I am extremely nervous.

I always value the care and honesty of my friends here and would love to have your input. I must admit that I so truly appreciate the support and positive responses I read on the daily today. Thank you.

I'm curious of the if's, and's or but's of these questions. Did you, would you, and why?

Thanks so much for sharing your experience or opinions!

Janice - Consultation date - 10/9/02

Janice, first of all, I think it's really important that if a person has any of these procedures done, she does it for herself alone....not to please somebody else (as in significant other who thinks she'd look better with a few nips, tucks, augmentations, etc).
Second, I think it's vital that she go into it with her eyes wide open and with realistic expectations. A 40 or 50 year old woman is never going to look 25 again, no matter how much surgery she has done.
Third, be aware that there will be pain and bruising and there's always the possibility of complications.
Having said all that, yes I have considered liposuction and, as long as I don't have to watch as they stick vacuum hoses into my belly and treat me like a piece of meat, I would probably go for it. I've already told you in today's thread that I hope to have a tummy tuck when (not if) I achieve my weight goal. It just makes sense.

I would do it if i could afford it. and that goes for both!! but for now i still struggle and flap!!

J not only have I concidered lipo and a tummy tuck but I promissed myself I would do it. just saving money to do it. I also have to wait for the kids to be a little older so they can do a little more for themselves for a few days. I have had plastic surgery before. ia skin condition and had really the equivelent of a thight tuck llast october.
IMy last surgery was covered by insurance. i paid $10 for the whole thing. Not bad huh?

Although mine was medical, I feel a million times better and would di it again in a heartbeat. Self confidance is a wonderful thing.
-L

I definitly consider a gut tuck, thats the worst part of my body and I can never seem to get rid of it, along with all that lose skin. YES !!!!!!!!!

If I had the dingle berries I would get an entire body lift, dye my hair and I might even wear red lipstick ...... but I'm a big chicken.....

Leenie

I already said this in the daily thread, but will say it again for anybody considering it! I had a tummy tuck while I had a hysterectomy. Not really the way to go because I had hundreds of stitches and recovery was on the painful side, but I am so glad I did it and would do it again tomorrow if it would even make half the difference as the TT did. My self confidence improved so much.
Before surgery, I could see my apron through my pants if they were snug, and it hurt as bad as it looked sometimes. I had major issues with myself and my body image, so while I was already in surgery I did it. I cannot tell you what it felt like to see ALL of my stomach after surgery. It had been so many years! It was the best time and money so far that I have spent on diet and weight loss!

However, be warned, if you still have weight in the upper stomach, it doesn't go anywhere! It is still there, but your apron is gone, so you get the kewpie doll effect!
http://www.the-forum.com/toys/kewpie2.htm

hey. the surgeon is ALREADY talking about my tummy tuck, and it's at least a year away!!! i have slightly less than 100 pounds to go, and then my weight has to be stable for 6 months or so before the plastic surgeon will see me.

i've known a couple of women who view cosmetic surgery as a self-improvement program. i don't pretend to understand it, but i can certainly respect it. it's hard to live a happy life if you're feeling awful about yourself, and people's needs are different.

but, by the time i'm done, i will have lost more than 300 pounds. and there's NO WAY i'm living with that damn apron!!! not after all that hard work!!!!

and whatever else i need as well... even the boob lift...

I want to have my chin done. Even when I weighed 103, I had a double chin in pictures. I'd also have a TT or lipo, but I wouldn't get implants. (Of course I also don't need them, so if I was smaller maybe I would?) I watched a show once where this guy had calf implants. I really don't think I'd do that. It's a shame we can't just replace the fat with muscles, I'd be first in line. LOL

Oh, it's already planned for here. I'm having breast reduction done when I'm done having my kids. My whole family of women have big whoppers and my mom had reduction done when she was my age. Best damn thing she could have done for herself and it was covered by insurance because she had tremedous back and shoulder pain, as do I. I personally can't wait to be finished birthing babies and have these knockers gone--then I might be able to see my stomach! Tummy tuck--would have to be next on the agenda for the same reasons as some people said--stretched skin from babies and to get rid of a paunch I've always had, even when I was super slim.

If you can afford it then I say go for it!!
I think I may have to have a tummy tuck once I get to my goal weight. I carry most of my weight in the upper body (belly) area. Once I get to goal I bet I will have all this flabby skin. If I do, I will get the surgery for sure. Why not look your best after working so hard to lose the weight?? I bet a lot of people do lipo at the same time of their tummy tuck since they will have to put under anyway.

good luck!!
laura

I'm going to let Alvin be my guinea pig. I know he will have to have cosmetic surgery when he looses all his weight, so I'm going to see what it's like for him, then maybe I'll do it.

HE HE HE Good thnking barb!!!

Definately talking with everyone here as well as asking different and more in depth questions to the many I know who've had different procedures done has helped me.

As many of you know I met with the surgeon today. I am soooo glad that I did not let me SIL talk me into going to a less expensive (and not as well recognized) surgeon. My nervousness completely disappeared. Well, except for having to ""bare my bare body to him" !!

I first met with a patient consultant. Very sweet, informative and patient with my ramblings and nervousness.

The doctor soon came in and things were discussed, not only from a physical improvement level, but emotional. A very soft spoken, gentle man. (And a cutie to boot! )

This may sound a bit corny, but he honestly made me feel as though he was looking at me (or should I say-potential me) through the eyes of an artist! What I was beneath all of "this". And though the obvious physical aspects of the surgery were discussed, he spoke of the psychological affects and benefits. It isn't just about the body type of talk. Very interesting and a bit unexpected. He even informed me that some of the procedures I was inquiring about he felt were unnecessary for my body.

Yes, it is a bit pricey. But after the consulation, shdh and I stepped outside and discussed it to make our final decision.

So, this is what I am scheduled to have done on Tuesday, October 22 nd.
Full tummy tuck - upper/lower abdominal
Breast reduction
Breast lift
Lipo - lateral breast area, "baby bags", inner thighs

I want you all to know that in some ways this is still embarrassing for me to admit. There's that little guilt part of me that says..."you should've gone to the gym more"....."you should've tried harder", etc.. But I am going to deal with that inner voice for alot of personal reasons.

If any of you may be interested in checking out my surgeon, his name is Dr. R. Scott Yarish. He was featured on either the August or September 2002 cover of Nu Image magazine.

Let's see if I can get this link to work ~
www.yarishmd.com

Wish me luck ya'll and I'll keep you posted.

J

PS~ Hey Barb ~ Maybe I'll be your and Alvins guiney pig!

Wow, how exciting!
I'm glad you're going to a good surgeon. This isn't something to take chances with, after all it's not auto repair it's your body.