I got an odd question?

[glo]

As you guys know I have lost most of the weight I wanted to and am now within 15 pounds of my goal weight. In total when I am done I will have lost just over 85 pounds.

Here is my dilema, and I do not know if I should just go to my Dr. and ask him but I figured you guys will maybe have some ideas. My stomach is the place on my boddy that got abused the most. First from all the weight being right around my middle, and second from two pregnancies one of which was with my twins. I was HUGE!!!!

The results is I have this rather large pouch. I have been doing tons of abs exercises, and I have lost a couple of inches, but I think that is the muscle building underneath. I guess what I want to know is how do I find out if what I have left is still fat, or is it excess skin. I have the worse case of stretch marks ever seen, which do not bother me, but the pouch does. I really think the pouch puts a few inches on my waist..

Anyone have any ideas? I'd love a tummy tuck, but A) I hate surgeries B) they are way expensive....

 

[TigH]

Glo, I was wondering before if surgery was an option for you. 15 pounds is going to make a big difference in how your body looks, but there is probably excess skin in your tummy area. I don't think it would hurt to consult your Dr. in the near future for advice.

There is a show on The Learning Channel called "A Personal Story". It's a 30 minute documentary about different people who have cosmetic surgery. The shows feature everything from breast enlargements, breast reductions, rhinoplasty, cosmetic dental surgery, babies with cleft lips, tummy tucks, liposuction, etc.

One of the episodes featured a woman who had lost a bunch of weight through healthy eating and exercise. She was really buff everywhere, but had an excess of skin on her stomach. Although she did loads of crunches, her tummy was just very stretched out from childbirth and the extra weight she had carried for a long time. She got the tummy tuck and felt so much better about herself. She was VERY healthy and in great shape, but the extra skin did force her to wear pants and clothes that accomodated the larger area. She was so happy with the results after her surgery.

I don't know how much that procedure costs, but I am behind you 100% if you decide it's something you want to do. Just keep working out and following your plan. See a Dr. to find out just how much you can expect your stomach to shrink over these next 15 pounds and find out how much it will cost. Even if you have to save for several years to do it, it will be WORTH IT!!! I hope it doesn't come down to surgery, especially since you hate surgery, but you have come so far in this journey. I'd be really sad for you if you reached your goal and still didn't feel great about how you look.

Love and hugs, xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

 

[Jiminy102]

It never hurts to check with your doctor!! You never know what he will say. At least then you will know if it is something that is for you or not. ANd then you will not wonder what if I had asked??

I would at least check into it.

 

[dizneegirl]

If you have someone you can ask, do it.

I've read that it can take 7 years for your skin to "rebound" after losing a large amount of weight. Of course, that elasticity decreases as you age, as well... but often, just being patient will do most of it.

 

[glo]

I guess that is food for thought but 7 years from now, I doubt I will care if I look good in abathing suit as much as now. I guess it makes sense I didn't stretch out the skin overnight, so it can't go back that way, but I just feel that What is around my midsection just hangs there, and without it, I could be upto two sizes smaller...

 

[disneychrista]

Unfortunetly you can not spot reduce. Meaning you can not target your tummy for weight loss. No matter how much ab work you do, you can only build the muscle there not lose the fat from that area. The only way to lose it, do what you are doing, you will lose wieght and evententually any excess fat in your tummy will be lost.

Unfortunetly, a tummy tuck may be the only way to get rid of the excess skin and "flab" that is there.

I too have a big pouch, along with enough stretch marks to but any road map to shame, from having two 'large' babies, on 8.675 and one 9.4. If money was no object, I would consider a tummy tuck (of course after I lost the 100 pounds I have to lose) and a breast reduction (DDD/F cup is a bit too much IMO). But I guess I say that because I could never afford it.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Well, my last child weighed 1 oz less than my brother's twin DDs did together, so can I say I'm in the same boat?

If you ever do decide to go the surgery route, I can recommend a great Dr in RI. I haven't had her do any surgery on me (I did go for a consultation years ago, and was happy with what she said, altho it ju$t wa$n't right for me at the moment...it's on my very long "if I win the lottery" list), but a friend of mine did, and was thrilled with the results. She (the surgeon) is rated one of the top plastic surgeons in RI.

Meanwhile, if you find a non-surgical cure for "the pouch", please pass it on. And if I win that huge lottery of my dreams, you're welcome to join me for a tummy tuck party.

 

[glo]

MaryAnn I will take you up on it. Maybe we should both start saving. I do not think I would want to wait 5 more years for my skin to shrink What is her name? If I win the lottery you can come join me too

 

[rbuzzotta]

Glo, I say to consult your doctor. The woman who had the sextuplets had to have surgery after she lost the weight due to the fact that her skin/stomach was sooooooo stretched out. It was the only way to lose it.

You have been remarkable in losing all that you have. You have had the willpower to continue and now maybe it is totally out of your control and you may need some help. I wish you the best!!

 

[tiggerlover]

Glo, I would definitely check with your doctor to see what he or she has to say. Perhaps the doc can give you some advice or suggestions.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Hey thanks, I'm always up for a party!

Dr. Lori Polacek:
http://www.rimonthly.com/guide_to/top_docs/page4.html
Go down to Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery .

 

[nativetxn]

Glo, check with your doctor. If your "bulge" as you call it is actually an abdominal apron, you will require surgery to remove it.

A couple of thoughts for you. If this abdominal apron puts any stress on your back, causing pain, making it difficult to exercise and stay healthy, interferes with your daily activity at all, be sure and tell the doctor. Especially if it causes you discomfort when you walk. An abdominal apron can throw your center of gravity off and cause lower back pain. Be sure and mention this, if you experience it, to your physician.

Abdominoplasty is usually considered to be cosmetic surgery, but if it is done because you have back pain, or difficulty doing daily activities then it is not considered cosmetic. Do you understand what I"m telling you?

You can get referrals from your primary care physician to a plastic surgeon and have a consultation. If you need the surgery for <i>medical</i> reasons you can apply for special permission for the surgery from your insurance company. If you get this permission, the insurance company will cover this procedure, or a majority of the costs, anyway.

I used to manage the office and billings for a plastic surgeon. This was done all the time. Many times an insurance company automatically denies this surgery. Don't let it deter you, appeal if it happens. Seriously, what do you have to lose? If this abdominal apron is interfering with your good health you should do something about it.

 

[TigH]

So, Kath....if I went to my physician and explained how my center of balance is off because of my itty bitty chest...

 

[nativetxn]

Probably not, Tig. But when I went to the doctor and explained about my <i>humongous</i> chest, the insurance paid for my reduction surgery. It was the best thing I ever did for myself.

 

[Hannosmom]

85 POUNDS!!!!! OMG, that is so wonderful, Glo!!

I would give your tummy time to "get with the program". It might just need a few more months to get into shape.

I knew of a woman who lost over 300 lbs, and her tummy tuck was covered as "rehabilitative surgery". They covered the surgery for her arms, also.

I am so in awe of your accomplishment!

Linda

 

[glo]

It has taken me two years with two six month hiatuses to get here. When I was pregnant with my twins I weighed close to 235 pounds...after them I made it back to around the 200 mard give or take 5 pounds. In the Summer of 2001 I decided with some good advise and encouragement to start loosing and making a change. Only about 15 pounds more to go, but I would be happy just to say I was in the 120's and that is only 6 pounds away

I really want to get rid of this thing....makes me feel fat, and I hate how I look. Kath I will bring it up to my doctor when I see him Can't hurt

 

[TinkerPixie]

Glo,

I have the same situation, and My doctor says if I am able to lose the whole amount, I will qualify for a tummy tuck.

I have a horizontal hysterectomy scar under my tummy, and I suffer from very severe heat rashes and yeast infections in that area. I have to document every time I see the doctor, because those will be the medical reason for the tuck. Insurance will cover it at that point, since I will be able to show a history of problems.

Check with your doctor for sure, you may be able to get that tuck!!!!

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Originally posted by nativetxn
Glo, check with your doctor. If your "bulge" as you call it is actually an abdominal apron, you will require surgery to remove it.

A couple of thoughts for you. If this abdominal apron puts any stress on your back, causing pain, making it difficult to exercise and stay healthy, interferes with your daily activity at all, be sure and tell the doctor. Especially if it causes you discomfort when you walk. An abdominal apron can throw your center of gravity off and cause lower back pain. Be sure and mention this, if you experience it, to your physician.

Abdominoplasty is usually considered to be cosmetic surgery, but if it is done because you have back pain, or difficulty doing daily activities then it is not considered cosmetic. Do you understand what I"m telling you?

You can get referrals from your primary care physician to a plastic surgeon and have a consultation. If you need the surgery for <i>medical</i> reasons you can apply for special permission for the surgery from your insurance company. If you get this permission, the insurance company will cover this procedure, or a majority of the costs, anyway.

I used to manage the office and billings for a plastic surgeon. This was done all the time. Many times an insurance company automatically denies this surgery. Don't let it deter you, appeal if it happens. Seriously, what do you have to lose? If this abdominal apron is interfering with your good health you should do something about it.

I go to the church where the Gosselin sextuplets were born (Monday, May 10, 2004). Kate (Katie) is a skiny thing and was 4-1/2 feet around at her abdomen when she gave birth. See pics at www.sixgosselins.com A fellow church member told me that she will probably have to have surgery, because let's face it, our skin is flexible, but it's no rubberband!! LOL

 

[luv2nascar]

I don't think there is any way to get rid of the pouch without surgery
so don't think that's what you wanted to hear
It is also my biggest fear???
If I lose alot of weight same as you will I have hanging skin ??
stomach and inner thigh areas concern me and the under portion of my arms
oh well I'll deal with that once the weight is off