graceann0888

My heaviest weight somewhere around 320-350 lbs, two weeks after bypass and current (18 months post op) I have to admit when I look at these pictures I feel great and know the road has been long. But I still feel frustrated or it's more of a mental struggle because my surgeon originally gave me a goal weight and I'm still 30 lbs from that and I feel stuck. Maybe now that the holidays are over and the temptation less I can get back on track. Lol!

Oh no! I kind of wish I had done the lower body lift so it would have lift my booty and thighs. But I think I will just do it in another procedure which is what he recommended. I had one drain for a week and the second one for 4-5 weeks bc I still had plenty of swelling and putting out more than 30cc a day. Some days are worse than others. The pain went away pretty quickly but it was the soreness,stiffness and swelling that would fluctuate for weeks.

Im glad your doing well! I'm 3 months post fleur de lis abdominoplasty and breast augmentation. It was no joke with the abdominal muscle tightening! I had 9lbs of skin removed. But now I can't even remember the pain and have returned to jogging and working out. I just don't have the belly skin flopping around anymore! Lol. And the scar is looking great but I would take a scar over the weight and skin anyday. Here is a current pic with most swelling gone and healing great!

Having extra seatbelt and being able to cross my legs on a plane!

Omg! I am 30 days post skin surgery and wore a bikini for the first time ever!! It's not perfect but I feel great!

Oh good! I'm sure you will love Dr. Brought! When I met him I knew he was the right surgeon for me! He really cares and is not just in it for the money. He explained all my options really well and didn't try to talk me into anything. He asked what bothered me the most and gave me his opinion about the most realistic outcome. Even when I wanted to do some extra lipo he explained that he thought that would be too much at one time with my other procedures and that the skin removal was going to make such a huge difference already!My mom was a nurse for years and even she was impressed with his bedside manners! Donnika works in the office and she is wonderful, as well as the lady who handles the insurance. I believe her name is Judy. She got my surgery approved when I thought there was no way and I hadn't met all the requirements yet! Your name is Sherri right? I have a follow up appointment Monday to get my last drain out. They will ask you for my name for the referral, it's Grace Leitschuh but they will know who if you just tell them Grace from the hospital. Let me know how everything goes! My cell is 9362320756 of you want to text me!

Country girl, I've tried to text you and messaged you on here, I'm not sure if it went through. My surgeon was DR. Nathan Brought: southern plastic and reconstructive surgical institute in franklin tn. Tell him I referred you! He has been wonderful! I will be going back for my arms and legs later. The pain was pretty bad the first 3 days but after that I only took Tylenol. It was rough but totally worth it. I'm back at work already!

I am 15 months post RNY and I just had a fleur de lis abdominoplasty with panniculectomy and breast implants to take care of all the skin problems!!! I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op!

Sorry I haven't checked back in recently! Everything is going really well and I'm so happy with my results! Of course I will be swollen for months but it still looks good! This is the piece removed and me walking at the beach today.

No I had it here in Nashville with a great plastic and reconstructive surgeon .

I didn't know could rent one? That's cool. I have a couple of those old 40s wing back style which worked great. wow your drains were in a month! Mine was only in 24 hours so I'm a little nervous about these being on for a week. They gave two binder wraps that they put on in surgery bc some skin is super sensitive.

The first night I slept in the bed but it was just too painful to get up so I slept in a recliner last night. I do have to JP drains they are fine and easy to take care of. You have to keep your entire abdomen wrapped in those binders which is uncomfortable but actually helps the pain. Just make sure you take your pain meds like clockwork the first few days. I've been taking mine every 3 and 1/2 to 4 hours or you will regret it. It doesn't hurt to bad to sit down or get up from a sitting position just the laying down will have to wait.

It is painful but it's really just the abs they sewed together that hurt.the skin incision burns or stings bc it's pulled so tight. I took off 3 weeks for recovery but I can take 6 of if I need it.

Ok everyone! I had my fleur de lis abdominoplasty with panniculectomy and breast implants yesterday. I didn't have much pain yesterday due to the fact that he injected numbing medicine directly into my abdomen. Now that it's worn off today has been a little rough but everything looks great so far even swollen.

Oh wow! You are soo tiny! I do ahe a lot of draping skin and my surgeon decided this was the best option for me. He says I'm actually quite petite under all this skin so I'm hoping to be about a 6 when this is done. I usually wear a 10 bc I'm uncomfortable with so much skin hanging, My weight has always been carried in my belly for the most part. But anything will be an improvement of I don't have to tuck it in! I will post some pictures and let you know how it's going next week!

I'm Grace, I'm originally from Texas but have lived in the Nashville area almost 2 years now. Today is my 26th birthday and it has been the best yet! I am 14 months post RNY, highest weight 350 current weight 173. I am scheduled for my fleur de lis abdominoplasty and panniculectomy with breast implants on Wednesday! Happy birthday to me! I'm starting to get really nervous and now emotional as this has been such an incredible journey. I can't believe it's finally here! So prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.

Has anyone had a fleur de lis abdominoplasty? I'm scheduled for mine in about 3 weeks along with breast implants. I'm really excited just wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom or advice? I am 14 months post RNY with a total loss of 155lbs. I'm still about 175lbs but the plastic surgeon says I'm ready now and am actually quite small under all this skin! Who knew?! Lol

My insurance is covering my skin removal and it wasn't hard at all. Just ask what there requirements are and work with a plastic surgeon or your doctor to work in getting it covered. Mine required 3 things: medical treatment like bacteria or fungus cream/powder for rash/chaffing/infections for 3 months or more, the skin has to hang onto the pubis and pictures to prove it. They are strict about what they will cover, which is only skin removal from the pubic line to the belly button, nothing above or on the back side and no muscle tightening. Good luck!

Thanks! I will do that. I go for my pre op on Tuesday and I'm excited . Starting to get a little nervous. How was your pain afterwords and what did they give you for it? Was yours outpatient? Do you have a before picture? You look fantastic!

Just the panniculectomy but hey thats something right? I will come up with the difference for fleur de lis abdominoplasty. I have Aetna ad well !

Okay everyone! Guess what?!? Insurance approved my panniculectomy surgery today!!! Whoohoo! It didn't even take a week! I'm so thrilled and shocked because I have heard how hard it is to get it covered. So August 27th is the big day! I will be having the panniculectomy with fleur de lis abdominoplasty and breast implants done all together! I'm so excited! It's going to be the best birthday present ever! I will be 26 on the 23rd of August.

Hey junies! I'm so excited to see everyone's success over the last year! I got brave and wore a swimsuit on my vacation, which also happened to be my 1 year post op visit. I also had a plastics consult this week. I cried when I left the office because I was so happy. It feels great to finally be at this point and have accomplished so much! We are aiming to do my surgery in November or December and are currently working on insurance approval. Cross your fingers! Here is my swimsuit pic! I even posted it on Facebook from vacation!

I am about to be one year out!I know this has been the most life changing year and experience for me. I have grown as a person and for the first time in my life I feel HAPPY and have a great self image. That's not to say I never struggle! I have lost 80 lbs since June 19 last year and 150lbs total!! I was obsessing and stressing because I wanted to be at 150 but I feel great and I know I can get there in the next 6 months. My doctor is also working on helping me get insurance approval for the apronectomy/abdominoplasty in the future. For a female with a quite petite frame at 5"3 330lbs did a number on my poor skin! So I look forward to the plastics but for now I am embracing the journey God has blessed me with so far.

I'm so excited and blown away that it has been a year for our group! Yay!!! I know this has been the most life changing year and experience for me. I have grown as a person and for the first time in my life I feel HAPPY and have a great self image. That's not to say I never struggle! I have lost 80 lbs since June 19 last year and 150lbs total!! I was obsessing and stressing because I wanted to be at 150 but I feel great and I know I can get there in the next 6 months. My doctor is also working on helping me get insurance approval for the apronectomy/abdominoplasty in the future. For a female with a quite petite frame at 5"3 330lbs did a number on my poor skin! So I look forward to the plastics but for now I am embracing the journey God has blessed me with so far.

I was able to shop at the Loft for the first time in my life! Progress!