I have some before pics that I took before the breast reduction that include my belly, but I'll take more of the belly. Then the after ones at stages of healing. He told me something interesting. Keep in mind this man specializes in weight loss revisions, but before that he specialized in helping serious burn victims. Anyway, he tells me the reason they don't concern themselves with whether or not a person has lost ALL the weight has to do with the way capillaries and such are damaged by the obesity in the first place and as the average person loses 100 pounds it seems that the ability of those vessels to both deliver nutrients to the skin and underlying tissue, and to carry away toxins (including fatty tissue biproducts) is greatly compromised. He said it actually gets harder and harder to lose remaining adipose tissue if it gets really concentrated in one area like it is in my belly. That's why I'm so stuck at this weight I guess. Because its all more or less concentrated in one spot. When I had my breast reduction, they were nearly down to my navel, but you could literally role them up. There was virtually no breast tissue or fat. Just skin.

I thought this was very interesting.

I talked to two my sons today and told them I'm going ahead. They are scared as can be of course. DH is kind of in this state of petrification too. But I've told them all that I have no intention of becoming this doctor's first mortality.

I'm just feeling so, so ready. The knot I felt in my stomach with both other doctors is NOT there with this one.

Congratulations!! I know this is a huge step towards what you want for yourself. Please do keep us updated. I know I'm not the only one who views you as an inspiration!

Great News Hubs !!! I'm so glad for you. 75 lbs !!!! WOW... you're right... there won't be anything left of you LOL

pssst. hubs. if my plastic surgeon for some reason can't do mine [and he also trained as a burn surgeon!] can i borrow yours? he sounds like he's just exactly what you need - smart, well informed, capable, confident.

of course everyone's nervous about this - but with his track record, and the fact that he knows everything about what you've been through and is well prepared to deal with it [rather than being scared off!], you're in good hands here.

This is simply amazing. Prayer works! I'm so happy for you. You really deserve all the happiness you can stand! Congrats and keep us posted!

Wow, that's great hubs! So soon! I pray that everything goes well for you.

Well. I have a date. July 17 which is really, really good for me. Optimal in fact.

I do have to pay the difference between what my home province insurance will cover and what the cost is, about $4000 but I'm ok with that. Difference between a full beltline abdominoplasty that actually starts around my back and comes all around, lipo along hips and thighs and some on the stomach as well. An optimal procedure and since I only intend to get cut once, it needs to be done RIGHT!

The head of the medical approval committee called me personally this morning with the decision about payment and was very apologetic over the fact that he couldn't get full coverage. But... he said to me 'you know, I speak to doctors literally all over the world, every day. I just want you to know I've NEVER encountered a Dr. more confidence inspiring, more willing to advocate for their patient, so prompt in responding or so willing to be accomodating then this Dr. and his staff. I feel you are in VERY good hands and wish you the best.' Now that felt good I tell you!

I also woke up the other morning from a lucid (half in this world half out kind of texture if you kwim) dream. In the dream, all of those people involved in my care through this procedure were standing in a circle and one nurse was holding a very luminescent stone. The stone reflected my 'life energy'. Each person had focused intensely on my prognosis for surviving this surgery (since it IS elective) and had agreed I would survive the surgery and they were all focused on caring for my 'life'. Wow.

Then I met a client of mine, a retail client and when I looked at her face I knew in a moment she had that stone. I didn't speak to her about it. But I not only knew she had it, I knew exactly where it was in her store. I could actually 'see' it.

So yesterday, when I told DH that he agreed we should go to her store right away (she is about 2 1/2 hours out of town btw) and the moment I walked into the store the stone was right where I 'saw' it. I picked it up and it was like it was totally in line with me. I know this sounds strange to some. DH thinks he's officially with a nut who talks to stones lol. But so does the woman who owns the store! Anyway, I held the stone for about 5 minutes and then, still without saying anything to her about why I wanted it, I put it in her hands. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head!

As I was leaving the store (she actually gave me the stone as a gift) she said 'you're going to be fine with your surgery. The stone told me.'

So. I'm feeling so, so good about this. I feel I'm about to be set free I tell you.

Still struggling with the part of me that is freaking out over my eating as much as I am. I've gained back about 4 pounds this past month so I'm wanting to be careful. But I also know I have to be well nourished. So I'm telling the voices to be very quiet for now.

Wow huh?!?!?!

oh hugs. oh hugs. stop making me cry!!!! there IS a lot of positive energy in this world. and you're tapping into it. may i suggest trying QiGong? it's a centering exercise/meditation. brings the energy into your core, helps you breathe and relax. let me know if you want more info.

it's been a POWERFUL help to me over the past few months, as i struggle with the alzheimer's mom and not gaining weight and other assorted stress and image problems.

Hubs....that is beautiful and amazing. Thanks for sharing it. My mentor for over 25 years taught me to always pay attention to my dreams. I'm so happy for you. When you told us what the first doctor said I just couldn't believe it was the last word for you. There had to be something else. You just keep eating to be healthy. You're going to be so beautiful when this is all over!!!

Thank you for sharing this Hubs... amazing!