Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can. - Unknown

Really cool. Posted by shirley on 9/24/2009, 5:08 pm Went to my doctor today and when I went last time I had lost 10 pounds and now I've lost almost 50... so she walked in and had not even opened my chart and said "Hey girlfriend!" (yep, she's a cool doctor) and then did a double-take and said "WOW LOOK AT YOU!!!" That did my little heart so much good. I feel like I've lost it so slowly that I really can't SEE a lot of difference. But she was floored, having not seen me for the last 40 pounds. So that made my day. And she said also that my back problems are from my big ole GIRLS. She called them breasts but I call them my girls.. She's cool, but not THAT cool. She has to be a little bit dignified... Anyway, she does NOT want me to wait long before having it done because she is afraid I will do disc damage they are so heavy. SO... it looks like my girls will be a big ole makeover and become little girls soon. I am thrilled. I wanted to be smaller when I got it done, but the idea and thought of no heavy hanging breasts is just an answer to prayer for me. She said my lungs look like someone who has smoked 30 years and I've never smoked... Well, 2 puffs off Debbie Holt's cigarette in the 7th grade, behind the house that one time... but I don't think that did it. She said the weight of my breasts have done it. So there ya go. And because one breast has lost faster and I am "whomper sided" as my mom called it, it is considered a deformity and my insurance WILL cover it. Then the other thing she said was I absolutely had to have an abdominoplasty when I get closer to my goal because it is causing me to have numbness in my leg from cutting off my circulation. She said that when you've been almost 400 for quite a few years and have a hanging stomach, and even if it is just skin after you lose weight, your heart works DOUBLE time to pump blood to all that skin. Plus with diabetes, it can cause all kinds of serious skin issues, especially as I get older. Well my insurance will NOT cover that one. And after she talked to me about it, I wanted to have it so much, and really always have. However, I have been afraid of the pain associated with this surgery. And the cost is unbelievable. Or so I thought... And today a GOOD friend of mine called and she had had it done yesterday and she sounded SO great. She said she was in NO pain and was walking all over the hospital and was SO grateful to have it gone, that she would do it again in a second. She said it felt like total freedom and like she felt when she would be in the water... weightless. I just cried on the phone with her, because my stomach when I don't have it in a power girdle... hangs to mid-thigh and is very heavy and affects so much of my life, and really affects what I am able to wear. My friend said today that she lost 37 pounds when she had it removed. WOW!! Nice weekly weigh in for her this week, huh? And also she said the total cost would be about $4800. THAT is so doable for me. I can save it even with just working part time. I have $1000 saved already... so while I am LOSING, I will be saving for this much needed answer to prayer surgery. After talking to her today, I felt a kind of encouraged about my future that I have never felt before. I knew I could lose my weight, but my skin has never gone back, anywhere on my body. It long since lost any elasticity. And with my arthritis, I cannot do a lot of muscle building exercises, so I just thought I would probably end up realtively healthier in the end, but looking sort of like a freak. My arms look the worst, but I don't even care about that. None of this has to do with a cosmetic change, because no one will ever see the results but me. I don't plan to ever remarry. But I do want some relief from the pain and the complications of living with aftermath of being so morbidly obese for so many years. It could change the whole quality of my health and make me able to do some things that I can't even think about doing right now. Can you tell I am excited? Geez, I am typing 120 wpm I am so psyched. Anyway, this may have been much more information than you wanted, but I see a BIG BIG light at the end of my tunnel that I only hoped and dreamed would be there someday... and I am really motivated big time now to keep doing what I need to do to make this dream come true. And it will be tomorrow before my doctor gets the results of my xrays about my back. But it is a tiny bit better this afternoon. If you are a person who prays, pray that it is not a disc and needs surgery. Pray that it is just inflammed and that this breast reduction will help tremendously. Is this long enough????? LOL Thanks for reading this far. shirley  Reply

That really is good news.. Posted by Tammy on 9/25/2009, 10:50 am, in reply to "Really cool." FANTASTIC that the Insurance will cover the breast reduction. That won't take away from saving for the skin removal. WOW large breasts can damage your lungs and make it look like a smoker? I don't quite understand that. I can understand maybe a "bruise" look but a damaged smoker look. I learned alot today by reading your post. I'm so happy you can save for the skin removal. This opened my eyes that maybe my MIL leg problems could be this. She has had blocked arteries and had surgery on both legs. I'm not sure what they did from her groin to her knees because she never asks questions and I don't know if my SIL asked any. Not sure if they made fake arteries or blew them out or what they did. Anyway..........she said her legs are still numb. Her weight has always been in her stomach and when she lost 100 pounds it just hung. Maybe the numbness isn't from the blocked arteries now but from the skin!!! WOW and her Dr. didn't catch this but yours did!! I will pass this on to her. I doubt she'd do anything about it but I'm still going to pass it on. I am so happy for you my dear friend. I hear the excitement in your voice. Your quality of life will expand and just think what you'll be able to do. Do you need to do anything to prepare for either of these surgeries? Take Care, Tammy  Reply

This sounds so, so good. Posted by Beverly on 9/25/2009, 8:23 am, in reply to "Really cool." I am thrilled at all the possibilities here. I am so glad your doctor discussed all this. I am happy she noticed your wl. Things are wonderful. Yes, I do pray and will pray for you friend.  Reply

Awesome news! Posted by Krista on 9/25/2009, 6:13 am, in reply to "Really cool." I'd be excited too. Can't wait to hear about the results and the upcoming surgeries. I'm happy for you!  Reply

Yahoo!!! That is all great news!!!! Posted by Gina on 9/25/2009, 12:52 am, in reply to "Really cool." Just think of those perky little 'girls' you're gonna have!!! I would think breathing will be so much easier! I am considering a reduction in the next year as well. I am pretty confident my doctor will be able to get insurance to cover it also. My hubby isn't so sure about it though! lol! And your stomach surgery! Wow! That would be so awesome for you!! I will be praying for you!!  Reply

wow shirley. sounds like you have a great doctor....... Posted by Amy on 9/25/2009, 12:18 am, in reply to "Really cool." and glad that you are going to be able to get the stuff done that you need done to live your life to the fullest. I just love your posts you always sound so upbeat with a great personality. I will say a prayer for you. love, amy  Reply

Shirley that is really cool.... Posted by Cindy on 9/24/2009, 7:00 pm, in reply to "Really cool." what a great doctor you have! Glad your insurance will pay to have the ''girls'' altered! And I am glad the other surgery won't cost as much as you thought it would. I have heard that if you document your problems with your stomach through your doctor that insurance will pay for part of it. But if not, $4800 doesn't sound bad! I think I will have to have something done at some point too! I am so happy for you!! (((((HUGS)))))  Reply

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