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I definitely remember that feeling. The only time I've EVER regretted surgery was in the first week or 2. It's a major physical AND emotional change. I promise it gets better. Browse through my blog.....you'll see.... It's worth every ounce of work, sacrifice, tears, sweat, and change. Good luck to you on your journey!!

I had a TT & panni 8 weeks ago. It was extremely painful, BUT with that being said I absolutely would do it all over again. I had an excessive amount of muscle repair to be done. The surgery is major & ended up taking 7 hours & 3 nights in the hospital. The drainage tubes suck, and my abs will likely hurt for a good 6 months. BUT. The results are freaking phenomenal & the worst of it is all a memory now. I'd do it all over in a heartbeat! I'll put my before/after pics here. If you want more details there is some info from my experience in my blog (linked in signature).

Not me. Too much sugar for me. I keep my drinks sugar & calorie free.

I've not had anything carbonated (flat or not) in the 22 months since surgery.

Wow really?!?! That makes me sad. I am three weeks out tomorrow (did my first marathon two weeks before surgery) and am missing it so much! Was hoping I could try at four weeks (paperwork says I can "ease back in to exercise plan" then) but when I asked at my appointment last week if I could try gentle/restorative yoga the nurse laughed at me and said NO. I was hoping to be back for a half marathon in October. Maybe not ???? Everyone is different. I had a significant amount of ab muscle repair done after 4 9+ pound babies & 150 excess pounds. It probably depends on the extent of work you have done & probably your pain tolerance too. I technically was released for exercise at my one month check up, but I was barely standing straight at that point. Running seemed impossible. I probably could've started last week, but decided to give it one more week hoping that the extra week off would help speed up the healing. I am registered for a 1/2 marathon the 3rd weekend in October. My official training plan starts July 27, so I am just trying to ease myself back up to 3 miles (where the plan starts from) by then. You may have a completely different experience. I hope so!! Lol. Still would do it all over again....totally worth it.

Yes. I'm only 8 weeks out and I went for my first "run" yesterday. I am still WAY hurting, and I was an avid runner, training for a marathon at the time of surgery. I think I'll be doing a lot of run/walking intervals until I'm completely healed. It was more painful than I thought it would be. But my surgeon said it is ok, that I'm not going to "hurt" anything in there, but just to listen to my body and not push it for the first at least 6 months.

"I'm hungry and grumpy as hell, but your words are filling me up". That literally made me tear up. This is the sweetest post ever, Thank you SO much. There are days I struggle and it's posts like this and messages like this that i receive that keep me going on the straight and narrow. Hang in there. You are definitely in the hardest part. In a good month or so you are going to be on the other side of it, feeling good, and dropping the weight like you wouldn't believe. Just stick to the plan and do the hard emotional work that a lot of people don't want to acknowledge.

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I just called the insurance company because they told me they would have a decision on my arm skin-removal appeal by today. She said it was denied, but couldn't load the letter that was mailed out so she couldn't see any details other than that it was deemed cosmetic. I sent in an 80 page appeal full of medical records, letters from my pcp and surgeon, and a letter from me. I guess there's nothing else I can do. I will wait and see if the letter gives an option for a third-level appeal, because I will keep going. Kenny says he doesn't think I need it, but it really bothers me. Immmmma go cry now. For reals.

Wow! Thank you so much for reading! I always think it's so cool when I'm able to encourage or inspire someone with my journey. That is neat that we have so many similarities. And awesome that you have insurance that will approve your surgery. Good luck on your journey!

who was your surgeon if you dont mind me asking? they did an amazing job you look fantastic! He really did an amazing job and I'm SO hoping my brachioplasty appeal is approved so I can get him to do that to too. I think picking a surgeon was one of the hardest parts. You don't want to end up on an episode of "Botched" lol. It was Dr. Scot McKenna in Scranton, PA

Thank you! I appreciate it. And yes, this time I really tried and listened to my body. I took off extra time from work because I just didn't feel ready, and I STILL am wearing my abdominal binder most days, and compression garments all days to keep the swelling and Fluid build up down.

Lol that's actually really funny bc if you see my post just above, I'm waiting on approval for a brachioplasty or arm lift. They are the last part of me with excess skin. You just learn what angles to stand at to hide the wings. Here's a more realistic look at them lol. Thank you though!

Good luck on the insurance. Waiting is the hardest part!!! I'm waiting on approval for my brachioplasty & they said I would hear no later than 30 days. Tomorrow will be 30 days. They are really pushing it! Lol

Thank you! I feel like a new person having all of that off of me!

I had recurring infections and skin breakdown on my stomach. I documented it WELL with my PCP for 4 months before even sending it to insurance. We sent it with a history of medications tried and failed, etc. and photos from the surgeon. It was approved in a matter of days and my surgery was maybe 1.5 weeks later. Quick and easy approval just like my sleeve surgery. They did deny the brachioplasty, but what I've come to learn is that they didn't include any of the medical records when they sent it in for whatever reason. I am an avid runner and I am getting a lot of infections and skin breakdown from the excess arm skin. I have several months of PCP documentation , prescriptions tried and failed, etc, pictures, plus a very compelling letter from my PCP and a personal letter from me. That's why all of that combined ended up being 80 pages for them to review. That's why I say if they deny it again, I just don't know what else there is for me to say to base it on, you know? I've thrown in the who shebang this time.......

I know what you mean though. I've lost 155 pounds and still feel ike I look like crap in a pair of shorts because of what I see as "saggy" inner thigh skin. It's frustrating when you lose weight and still don't feel comfortable in things you thought you would.

I'm sorry to hear that you have gained your weight back. That has definitely got to be a really discouraging feeling. I didn't read through all the posts, but have you worked at all with a therapist to get to the bottom of the "food issues" that most of the time aren't reallly "food issues"? Around 8 months post op the "honeymoon" was over for me, and I know for a fact that I would have gained weight back instead of going on to reach my goal weight without the help of my therapist. I still go weekly. I highly recommend it. Or at the very least I recommend the books "When Food is Love" and "Women, Food, and Love"........

Thank you! I feel awesome, which is even better! :-)

The way that I went about it was I contacted my insurance company to find out exactly what requirements I needed, I worked with my PCP to meet all of the requirements, all the while researching what surgeon I wanted to do the procedure. Then when I met the requirements and was eligible I met with the surgeon and we submitted to insurance. I got the approval within a couple days and surgery was scheduled about a week and a half later. In my mind, there was really no point in meeting with a surgeon until I knew I had all the requirements met and was good to go.

This is me about 4 weeks post op from my TT and panniculectomy. I still have the scar sheets on my scar, but it's healing quite nicely. I could not be more pleased with the results.

I was approved for both the tummy tuck and panniculectomy. Honestly I don't know that I would have considered one without the other. I could NOT be more pleased with the results. I'm about 8 weeks out and still quite sore in my core from the abdominoplasty, but I had a lot of muscle repair that was done. I personally wouldn't consider one without the other. I'll attach my before after pics so far. The scar is covered with scar sheets still, but it is healing up very nicely.

Thanks!

Good luck to you on starting your journey. You and I had similar starting points. I am 5'7" as well and my starting BMI was 43.6. Now it is 19.6. It is such an amazing experience. WElcome and good luck!

Congrats on taking the first step to the new you and your journey! It's such an amaznig life-changing experience if you utilize the surgery to its full potential. Welcome and good luck!