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On April 1st, 2009 I underwent three more hours of plastic surgery to revise my arms, put in a belly button, and lipo my arms, tummy, and knees. 

The arm revision went very well.  He was able to take off more flab and the scar is much thinner compared to the first time around.  I still have some feeling of "tightness" in the back of my arms..probably from the lipo.  The revision was WELL worth it!

The belly button looks okay..at least I have one now.

It's the other lipo I'm not thrilled with...I think for all the pain and slow healing, the results were minimal.  The "love handles" on my sides are gone, but it didn't do a lot for the whole belly since I still have some loose skin...even after a LBL AND lipo!!!  And the knees had minimal results and they were the most painful and slow healing of ANYTHING I've had done.

I'm now completed  with plastic surgery...or at least for a long time!  I am very happy with my results and though I'd like my tummy to be tight, it would take drastic measures and long incisions along my sides to do that...and at this point, I don't see it's worth the pain and scarring.

I now need to accept my new body and continue exercising and eating right to preserve it!

I underwent 7 hours of plastic surgery on September 17, 2008 with Dr. Gross.  I had brachioplasty, breast lift, a modified neck lift, and a lower body lift done.  I only paid for a panniculectomy and was stunned to wake up and find out he'd done the whole lower body lift!  What amazing results I've seen from the LBL!!

The pain was manageable for the first 10 days on meds, but then it was a little difficult.  The arms were the worst!   The arms are still uncomfortable and I'm going to physical therapy to help with range of motion and the post-operative lymphedema that has occurred.  The arms are going to need a revision.  They were enormous to begin with and I can now think about a revision without falling apart.  I had only wanted to see the dr's operating room ONCE!

In doing the LBL the dr was not able to save my belly button, so I don't have one!  I didn't have much of one to save any way after my umbilical hernia repair.  The PS insists on making me one.  I don't really care about a belly button, but if he wants to do it with the arm revision, let him!

I have really liked Dr. Gross.  He's optimistic and kind and put up with me being so paranoid about healing.  I had a few spots open under my arms and under one breast and it really freaked me out.  True to what he said, they did heal well. 

I had 12 pounds carved off me and I now weigh 138 pounds!!  I never thought I'd have a body like this!!

Best of luck to all who continue this amazing journey.

Lynda

Wow!!  I can't believe the two year mark is coming up soon!  I have now lost a total of 158 pounds and have been keeping my weight pretty steady..fluctuating within a 3 pound range since Mach.  I continue to exercise about 5-6 days a week and really enjoy trying new classes at the gym.  My biggest downfall is my love for Starbucks coffee!! 

I will be having plastic surgery on September 17th.  I am having brachioplasty, breast lift, modified neck lift, and panniculectomy done.  I'm nervous and a little scared about the pain, but am anxious for the results.  I think it will be a great celebration of this amazing journey I've been on for the last 21 months.  I look forward to getting this loose skin off me and being able to wear clothing that I can't wear now.   The plastic surgery is the icing on the cake and I'm fortunate to be able to have it done.  I just wish I could skip the pain and recovery process!!

My gastric bypass surgery is the BEST thing I've ever done!!  It's constant work and I spend a lot of time at appointments and meetings in order to stay accountable and on track, but it's been so worth it. 

Life is good!

Lynda

Wow!!  I made it to the one year mark!  I am down 149 pounds...didn't make my "goal" but I'm very excited nonetheless.  I have also lost 102 inches.  

This has been the most exciting year of my life.  I have grown to love exercise and it's the routine I'm most faithful about following.  I've gone from only liquids to "normal" healthy meals with choices.  I've gone from a 30/32 pant size to a size 12 and a 4x/5x shirt to a petite large.  I've developed muscle, been able to move through a crowded room, put my driver seat in the car WAY up, wear fitted clothes, fit comfortably in an airline seat, travel, be more active with my kids, and feel NORMAL for the first time in over 20 years.  

I attribute much of my success to the amazing network of people I've had in my circle of support and accountability.  I took out in ad in the local paper this weekend to thank them all because I really don't feel I could have done this without them.  I'm also thankful for this board and forum where I could ask questions, meet friends, and gain support.

I would do this surgery over again without a second of hesitation.  It is the best thing I've ever done for myself and I thank God for my success.

I am now going to Weight wAtchers to help get the last pounds off and learn to live a life on maintenance.  I plan to work just as hard to enjoy CONTINUED success!

Thanks for listening to a year's worth of posts!!

Lynda

Wow!  It is amazing to think that this journey has almost come to the much anticipated year celebration mark!  

I am now down 147 pounds.  That means another small loss..just 5 pounds this month.  The weight loss is really slowing down and I feel that unless I really increase my protein and water intake it won't pick up again.  I have not gotten 64 oz. of water in daily at all...I'm only averaging 32 oz. and I know I need to work on this.  For some odd reason it's hard for me to drink water in the cold/dark of fall!!

I feel that I'm making good eating choices and I'm diligent about my exercise.  It's really become a part of my regular routine now and I love that I have incorporated this into my life.

I have even run small distances lately and it feels amazing to be able to do this!  I don't think I've run even 20 steps in over 20 years!!!

I spoke as a "patient testimonial" after Dr. Thoman's seminar this past week and it was very empowering.  It felt so good to be on the "other" side and be able to share with future patients how amazing this journey has been for me.  I hope to do more of this in the future.

I am nervous about whether or not I'll lose the remaining 8 pounds to make it to goal and I am very nervous about facing maintenance.  God has led me down a very successful path throughout this past year and I can only pray that he continues to lead me to further success!

Best of luck to all my bariatric friends!

Lynda

My year anniversary will be here before you know it!!  

I am down a total of 142 pounds.  I didn't lose a lot this last month...about 7 pounds..but I'm on target for making my goal at the end of November.  I would like to lose 13 more pounds to make that goal.  

I continue to exercise and am enjoying my ballet class.  It's a LOT of movement that I NEVER thought I'd be able to do!  I am now doing the elliptical faster than ever (4.5 mph!) and I can now go backwards every few minutes to "mix it up."  

My eating is still on track, but I've been lacking in getting all of my water in.  I need to work on that!  I drink too much coffee.  It's my biggest downfall.  I have been much better at taking my vitamins.  I had bloodwork run on Sept. 25th and I'm hoping my B12 levels are much improved.  

I just returned from a 5 day trip to Chicago with my two oldest kids.  It was a GREAT trip and I could really notice how easily I moved.  The walking and climbing stairs was easy!  I also fit in the airplane seat much better than I did in June!  My brother had not seen me since January and he did not even recognize me!  It was so funny...I had to literally walk right up to him!  

To make my one year goal I plan to count my grams of protein a little more carefully and to increase my water intake and decrease my coffee intake!  Exercise has now become a regular part of my life.  Who would have ever guessed??!

Not a day goes by that I don't feel so incredibly fortunate to have been able to experience success with this journey.  It's truly life altering.

I missed my 8 month after surgery post due to computer problems and being swamped at work!

I'm now down 135 pounds since surgery.  I am finally fully recovered from my hernia repair surgery!!  It took much longer than I had thought it would.

I changed grade levels from teaching kindergarten to teaching 3rd grade and it's been a lot of work, but I really enjoy the change.  I am so busy I don't have time to eat...I never thought I'd say that!  I continue to follow my eating and exercising program and my biggest issue is that I drink too much coffee.  I stay away from sugar and don't drink and eat together.  I also try very hard to get my protein in first.  Quite a change for someone who was a compulsive overeater/binge eater just a year ago.

I love the variety of exercise I can do with the elliptical (I can now go 4.0-4.5 mph on it for 30 minutes!), jazzercise, body sculpting, and water aerobics.  In September I'm adding yoga and adult beginning ballet!!  I never in my life thought I'd be able to take a ballet class.  

I have lost over 75 inches and wear a regular XL shirt and am just fitting into my size 12 pants.  It's amazing to no longer have to shop in the plus size departments.  I have 20 more pounds to lose to reach my original goal I set before surgery.

This has been a truly amazing journey and I'm so very blessed to have been able to have such success!

I am down 117 pounds.  My weight loss was small this month.  I think being on vacation with my husband in Denver and family at the beach was part of it and my hernia repair surgery on June 25th was part of it.  

The hernia repair surgery was done open style...I tried very hard to get it done lap., but the doctor refused.  THe surgery recovery has been very painful.  I am miserable not being able to exercise and it's hurt my weight loss progress.  I gained three pounds after surgery and lost it, but n othing more at this point.  I'm returning to the treadmill tomorrow, but I can't get back to my regular exercise for another week or 10 days.  It's frustrating, but at least the surgery is done.  The incision is very ugly and my belly button looks totally deformed.  I see the doctor tomorrow to have the staples removed.  I'm curious to see what he says about it.

Despite the hernia surgery setback, I had some great moments in June.  I fit into an airline seat for the first time in 8 years!! I was able to walk all over Denver without getting winded, I exercised in the "mile high city"without any problems, I fit into an XL t-shirt, and I was able to fit into my wedding dress for the first time since my wedding 17 years ago!!  These were great victories to celebrate!

Not much has changed with my eating habits or water.  I do notice it's a little harder to be on a regular schedule while being on vacation!  School starts again in a few weeks and I'm almost ready to be back at work and on a regular routine!

I look forward to fully recovering from the hernia surgery and getting back into the groove again.  Hope to have more weight off at my 8 month after surgery date!

I am down 107.4 pounds and hit two very important goals this month!  On 


May 11th I hit my long awaited goal of losing 100 pounds!  On May 28th I finally made it to ONEderland!  I haven't weighed less than 200 pounds in 18 years!!  I am still exercising a lot and have now added jazzercise classes at the gym to my list of exercise classes!  I can really feel a difference when I'm moving in jazzercise class.  I never could have tried such a class 6 months ago!  I work out 6 or 7 days a week.  I'm trying really hard to keep my protein intake at 80+ grams a day and it makes a difference in my weight loss.  I'm drinking my water and following the eating guide with protein first.

The only downfall has been my umbilical hernia which has gotten worse and worse.  I am now pushing it back in almost every other day!  I meet with a surgeon on June 7th and hope to have surgery done at the end of June.  I am ready to get it fixed and move on.  It's the only thing that keeps me from feeling great all the time.  

I see my doctor on June 13th for my 6 month check up.  My husband and I are going on a 3 day trip to Denver, CO on June 14th.  It will be the first time I've flown in almost 9years.  I haven't flown because I was afraid I couldn't fit in an airline seat!  I'm so excited to not have to worry about that now.

 

I am down 96.5 pounds and SO anxious to hit the 100 pounds lost goal!  I didn't lose as much this month and I think the rapid weight loss phase is over.  It's kind of sad, but I know I'm on target with my eating and exercise, so it's just part of the journey.  I continue to exercise daily and have added a body sculpting class once a week.  I never thought I'd be able to try a class like that!  I've had some really sore muscles after doing the class!  I exercise between 45 minutes and 1 hour a day.  I finally mastered the protein shake (stirring in the protein powder after blending the other ingredients was the key!) and have one every morning.  I am still drinking my water and limiting carbs. Though I didn't lose a lot of weight this past month, I think I lost a lot of inches because my clothes are fitting differently.  I am wearing 2x shirts and some 1x and pants are mainly 18w.  I had to take my wedding ring and anniversary ring in to be sized they had gotten so big!  They were each taken down a full ring size!  The results of this surgery are absolutely amazing.  I can't wait to see what the coming months bring!