A Major [Surgical] Decision

Have you ever found yourself doing something you never thought you would?  There are some things I will never do simply because they go against my beliefs and then there are things I say I would never do because I have no interest in the subject or I don't think I'd ever be able to do "it". 

Weight loss was one of those things I never thought I'd be able to do.  Maintain a large weight loss?  That was only a dream for me for many years.  In fact, it was more of a "I'll-never-be-able-to-do-that" thing.  

Then I did it.  I lost weight and have maintained a significant loss for a little over a year now.  Throughout this past year I've also changed some thoughts on something I never thought I'd do.  I've considered skin removal surgery. 

I've considered it on my abdomen, especially after a consultation with a cosmetologist last September assured me the bulge on my abdomen was mostly loose skin and I was a perfect candidate for an abdominoplasty -- a.k.a. "tummy tuck".  

Me?  Get a tummy tuck?

Yes. 

After much consideration, research and planning over the last six months my husband and I have decided to go ahead with skin removal surgery on my abdomen.  I've known that when I announce this I'm going to be asked why.  I'm a modest woman and have no desire to wear a bikini bathing suit or cropped blouses, so why would it matter to get rid of the excessive skin on my stomach? 

To sum it up I want to get rid of the reminder of who I used to be.  I have an apron of skin that hangs from hip to hip and up and over my belly button.   There are certain styles clothing that will never fit me correctly no matter how much weight I lose and I will always have this bulge around my middle that will not go away without surgery.  It's a vex sometimes.

Yes, the saggy skin on my thighs are also a reminder, as well as the underarm "wings" I've acquired both with age and weight loss.  But they don't prevent me from feeling as good about myself as my stomach does.  

It sounds vain, and I know some will think I'm just that, but I honestly have arrived at a place where I'm not overly concerned with what others think about this decision.  Also, we are in a place financially where skin removal surgery is possible.  

All throughout my weight loss journey I have prayed to stay a humble, modest woman and not allow my new figure to turn me into a "hooch".  I'm also a big component of loving yourself as you are, and I do love myself and am very proud of what I've been able to do,  but the thought of being able to get rid of this one major reminder of the old me is wonderful.

I'm super excited about the prospect of not having an apron of skin hanging from hip to hip, of not having to wear a full body girdle to keep things smooth under my dress clothes and to be able to run and not feel my stomach flap, flapping as I go along.  This surgery is the proverbial "icing on the cake" of my weight loss journey.  It's not necessary, but I'm very glad I can do it.

I'm also getting a bit nervous, because this type of surgery is no joke and mine is less than two weeks away.  

Yes, I go in for my pre-op appointment in a week and surgery is on Monday, January 20th.  I'm guessing will be similar to my c-section as far as the healing goes.  My husband is able to take off work to go with me to all my appointments and to care for me at home,  My teenage kids are aware of what is going on, so they will be able to help out as well. 

Skin removal surgery a huge step for me, and one I never dreamed I'd take in my weight loss journey.  I plan on sharing a lot about it here and look forward to good things.  I will share some sort of before and after photos, but I'm still deciding how much photo proof I want to share on the internet.  

If this is not your type of thing, please just bear with me.  My blog may be focused a little on the surgery for the next few weeks, but things will settle down after a bit and I'll be over it.  

For those that are up to it ... feel free to join me on a new adventurous chapter in my journey.  :)