Mostly Good News

Weight 187.2

I had my one year appointment with Dr. Kaufman yesterday. I weighed in at 188 on their scale (and that includes clothes and coffee).  He and Maria were really happy with my progress.  So far I've lost 74% of my excess weight and am within 20 pounds of his goal weight for me (he set it at between 160 and 170).  My labs continue to be excellent (yay!) and he says he feels good about both my activity level and commitment.  Further, Maria made me feel great by commenting that the skin on my face looks great -- that it's bounced back very nicely on my neck and that I looked like a school girl.  I sure loved that!

When I thanked him (and Maria) for changing my life so much for the better, Dr. Kaufman said that he'd just done the surgery -- that I'd done the work.  I agreed to a point, but reminded them both what they'd said when I was pre-op, that the surgery would take 100 pounds off me, but that the rest was up to me and how willing I was to change the way I lived. 

He then checked my skin and noted the areas (arms, thighs, stomach, breasts) that are showing breakdown.  Finally he had me raise my feet 10 inches and checked for a hernia.  It was then I discovered that Fred has a partner -- a small hernia near the top of my incision line.  I've named her Ethel.  I must have looked very upset at the news because he remarked that he would send me on a consult to a plastic surgeon about my skin and that when the time came for me to have a tummy tuck, if I wanted him to, he'd do my hernia repair at the same time.  I think he's a fantastic surgeon, so I did feel relieved at hearing that he'd be there and could do the hernia at the same time.

I haven't (yet) written much about my skin issues, but they're there.  I mean, someone can't lose in excess of 170 pounds and not have problems with their skin adjusting. I'm no exception. I try not to focus on it because I'm scared at the idea of more surgery.  But on the other hand, I want to give my body the best possible chance to be as normal as can be.   

Where is my excess skin a problem?  My breasts -- they hang quite a bit and are kind of deflated.  I get rashes where the skin is rolled up into my bra -- I've gone from a 54 DD to a 36 D.  I suspect when they're lifted and the excess is removed I'll probably be lucky to make a B cup.  That's okay.  I'm not into the idea of implants for me so I'll go with the smaller size.  My stomach -- I have an apron of skin and tissue that hangs down over my pubic area and is prone to having rashes and such underneath it.  My backside has the same problem where my bottom and thighs meet.  My thighs have a lot of excess skin too that hangs in wrinkles between my legs.  Again, more rashes there.  My arms are bad too.  That problem is mostly cosmetic, but there's enough excess skin that shaving my armpits has become dangerously bloody at times.  And I get rashes there too.

I think having had eczema gives me a higher tolerance for the pain of the skin rashes.  These hurt but are nowhere near as painful or as insanely itchy.  But it is annoying to have my clothes constantly spotted with blood.  I go through a large container of baby powder and baby rash cream every month.  So far, no yeast infections.

So that's the news today.  More on my appointment tomorrow.

Comments

[Bronwen]

That's fantastic progress you've made. My God, I'm impressed beyond measure!

But where are the pictures, Ezpy? I need pictures!

[Alison]

170 pounds in one year is absolutely, freaking amazing! I hear you about the skin issues. I started a little smaller than you, but I'm older than you, too, and so skin issues are already happening for me, even before a massive loss. I'm scared of more surgery, too, but just take one step at a time, know that you're equal to anything that gets tossed at you, and be *very* proud of what you've accomplished so far.

[Claire]

Congratulations! That is great progress! About the rashes and the possibility of PS... take pictures and date them, every single rash. You will need the pictures to get insurance coverage!

Good luck!

Claire

[KT]

I 2nd the need for pictures and dates of all rash sites. 170# -- phenomenal woman!

[hopefulloser]

Ditto! That would be great for insurance to cover it. I'm so glad you wrote about this because not many do. I also have skin issues and I've only lost 50 pounds. A lot has to do with having been pregnant too.

My boobs are like empty tube socks and my belly doesn't hang too low but it looks like i'm a 90 year old. And I'm sure it's all going to get worse for me as i lose 30 more.

It sucks. My husband tells me that no body else had to ever know because you can't see it. I guess he doen't expect me to go swimming ever.

Down the road I'd like to get it fixed but am nervous too.

You've done so awesome you deserve it!

[Sharon]

Ezpy, you are truly an inspiration to me. I hope your insurance is supportive of taking care of your skin. As I look at my shar-pei body, I know plastics aren't far away for me either - but I don't have the rash issues, so I'm guessing insurance is only a pipe dream for me. Lots of luck my friend...and congrats on an amazing journey.

[Shannin]

I was hoping that I wouldn't have skin issues - I don't have rashes (yet) but it sags in places I'd rather it didn't. I'm down 110 pounds with about 60 more to go to reach goal so I know I'll have to face it at some point.

[Judy]

What a great story. I am currently searching for a surgeon who takes medicare and will do a DS. I live in the greater Houston area and the "Big Medicine" doctors live here. They won't do the DS and they, like most of the others like to do the RNY as it's faster and easier. Personally, I think they are more profitable to them. Still, I can and will travel to find the right doctor if I must. Any recommendations are welcome.

It never occurred to me that surgery for the skin issues might be picked up for insurance payment. Did you have skin removal and did insurance cover the surgical costs?