Hi guys!
I'd like your opinions on something because I have a lot going on in my head and would like to know what other people I trust think. (And yes, I trust and value the opinions on here a LOT more than I do those in "real life"!)
I have mentioned on here before how I lost an extreme amount of weight, 170 pounds to be exact. I lost it over 2 and a half years, through healthy eating habits and exercise. Because I lost so much weight, my skin was very, very stretched and no matter what type of exercises I did, it did not bounce back.
The worst was by far my stomach. After a someone my Mom knew lost weight, she went to a surgeon who gave her a tummy tuck and had it covered by medicare. I was encouraged by my family to try the same thing. It was so discouraging to work so hard and STILL not be able to wear the clothes I wanted. I never wanted to be "perfect", I just wanted to feel "normal".
Dr. O'Brien said he had never seen a case worse than mine in his career and he fought tooth and nail to have the surgery covered for me by Medicare. He was so understanding, and said I had worked too hard to have all this loose skin. I had the tummy tuck almost 3 years ago now. When the stomach skin was cut, there was so much of it, it stretched down past my knees.
I did have to go back for follow up surgery on my stomach, as I had kind of "dog ears" on my side, so Dr. O'Brien removed more skin from the sides. I was COMPLETELY awake for that surgery, frozen but awake! Not enjoyable! He said at the time, 3 years ago, that my file would be open for 5 years, and that if I wanted any additional surgery, he would make sure it would be covered. I felt like I had been through SO much at that time, an emotional rollercoaster, and I didn't want to take advantage.
Well, I heard yesterday from a nurse who works with my Mom who said she was talking to Dr. O'Brien the other day and he was asking about me. He wants me to go back and see him to discuss further surgery as I was his "poster child".
So I don't know what to do guys... I have a lot of loose skin everywhere, but it's REALLY bad with my inner thighs. My under arms are pretty bad, and I still have access skin on my sides a bit. This doctor is willing to help me, Medicare is willing to cover it, so should I take full advantage of it? Is it vain or selfish of me to want it? A part of me feels like I deserve it because I worked SO hard, but another part of me feels like maybe I should just be happy with what I have. I just don't know...
I'd like your opinions on something because I have a lot going on in my head and would like to know what other people I trust think. (And yes, I trust and value the opinions on here a LOT more than I do those in "real life"!)
I have mentioned on here before how I lost an extreme amount of weight, 170 pounds to be exact. I lost it over 2 and a half years, through healthy eating habits and exercise. Because I lost so much weight, my skin was very, very stretched and no matter what type of exercises I did, it did not bounce back.
The worst was by far my stomach. After a someone my Mom knew lost weight, she went to a surgeon who gave her a tummy tuck and had it covered by medicare. I was encouraged by my family to try the same thing. It was so discouraging to work so hard and STILL not be able to wear the clothes I wanted. I never wanted to be "perfect", I just wanted to feel "normal".
Dr. O'Brien said he had never seen a case worse than mine in his career and he fought tooth and nail to have the surgery covered for me by Medicare. He was so understanding, and said I had worked too hard to have all this loose skin. I had the tummy tuck almost 3 years ago now. When the stomach skin was cut, there was so much of it, it stretched down past my knees.
I did have to go back for follow up surgery on my stomach, as I had kind of "dog ears" on my side, so Dr. O'Brien removed more skin from the sides. I was COMPLETELY awake for that surgery, frozen but awake! Not enjoyable! He said at the time, 3 years ago, that my file would be open for 5 years, and that if I wanted any additional surgery, he would make sure it would be covered. I felt like I had been through SO much at that time, an emotional rollercoaster, and I didn't want to take advantage.
Well, I heard yesterday from a nurse who works with my Mom who said she was talking to Dr. O'Brien the other day and he was asking about me. He wants me to go back and see him to discuss further surgery as I was his "poster child".
So I don't know what to do guys... I have a lot of loose skin everywhere, but it's REALLY bad with my inner thighs. My under arms are pretty bad, and I still have access skin on my sides a bit. This doctor is willing to help me, Medicare is willing to cover it, so should I take full advantage of it? Is it vain or selfish of me to want it? A part of me feels like I deserve it because I worked SO hard, but another part of me feels like maybe I should just be happy with what I have. I just don't know...
