[jtammy]

After mulling this over for the last few months, I finally decided to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to talk about a tummy tuck or (more likely) a lower body lift. I am nervous and excited and I don't know what I will decide as far as surgery but I'm glad to be taking this step.

Meg, you said something several months ago in a post on this sub-forum about excess skin not being our punishment for being fat. That has really stuck with me. In my "puritanical" mind-set, in some ways, I have seen it as such. I've thought about that and decided you were right. I don't HAVE to live with it, I have a choice.

I've got to do a little research before my appointment on October 8th, and make sure I understand what to ask, what to expect, etc. If some of you who have been through this have some suggestions, I would love to hear them.

[Meg]

Tammy, I'm so happy for you! Now you can get your questions answered and if you're like me, you have lots of them.

I think we all beat ourselves up for allowing ourselves to become obese. Like -- what were we thinking? (or not thinking, more likely) How could we have been so irresponsible? And the whole idea of excess skin as punishment plays right into that self-flagellation.

I had to mentally cut off that kind of thinking in order to move forward. What was -- was. I can't go back and change the past. All I have is today, and all my tomorrows. I can choose to live my life today as the best person who I can be. And I can honor my body by taking the best possible care of it, especially with exercise and nutrition.

In order to move on, I had to rethink my relationship with my body. It used to be the enemy, back when I was obese. Kind of separate and distinct from "me"; more like a ball and chain to which I was attached. Losing weight - and especially exercise - forced me to integrate myself back with my body. I had to become aware of it and acknowledge its needs. And meet them in healthful ways. Somewhere in the 122 pounds lost, my body merged back into me and I became whole again. If that makes any sense!

Dealing with the excess skin was part of this process. My body and excess skin aren't the enemy. They are part of me and something to be taken care of and cherished. My skin did the very best that it could to protect me when I was heavy. It had to get bigger to cover all those fat cells that I was pumping up! It did it's job well and it wasn't evil or meant to be a punishment -- it just did what nature designed it to do.

But your excess skin has done it's job for you and it's day is over. Tammy doesn't need all that extra skin now! She's got a smaller body that doesn't have to be covered in yards of skin.

Being obese doesn't mean that we were bad people and deserve to be punished. We may have made some bad choices in the past but look how we've turned our lives around! What you or anyone choose to do about your excess skin is a very personal decision but please know that yes, it is a choice. You are a remarkable woman, Tammy, and deserve the very best for all the rest of your life.

[shrinkingchica]

Tammy, you do deserve so much more than to beat yourself up!! People look to you for inspiration because you are worthy of it, just as you are worthy of doing what you are able to have the body you deserve.

[HandbagAficionado]

Congratulations Tammy! I just went in for a Tummy Tuck consult and ended up thinking about a LBL as well ... so I am new to this myself and have no advice. Just wanted to share in the excitement!

Good luck at your appt!

Kelly

[jtammy]

Thank you ladies - I am truly excited about the possibility.

Meg, I completely get what you are saying when you talk about integrating your mind and your body. Over the last year, I've been doing that as well. You make a great point about our skin doing what it was meant to do. I love not needing that extra skin any more.

Shrinkingchica, Thank you! I appreciate all that you (and everyone else) have shared about your experiences with plastic surgery. It makes it easier and somehow more acceptable for others of us to pursue it.

Handbag, Good for you! How exciting! It feels good to know there are options doesn't it!