RE: Ucoming Plastic Surgery

June 19, 2006

Queen ,

Your story is just what a good friend of mine needs to hear. She had

another type of WLS and has only lost 109 pounds, including the 40 pounds

she had to loose to qualify to have the surgery. It's been a year and she

is very discouraged. If it's OK with you, I'd love to share your story with

her.

Best of luck on your upcoming plastic surgery. I know you will come through

it beautifully, although, I've heard the first few weeks are rough. Please

post and let us know how it goes and any tips you may have for the rest of

us. I know I'll be needing surgery when I stop loosing.

Joyce

Dr Walsh, 5/2/06

High Point NC

From: " Queen " <valmaboyz@...>

Reply-

< >

CC: <MGBHelp-DoTheRightThing >

Subject: Ucoming Plastic Surgery

Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2006 12:54:16 -0400

I am a bit early here, but decided to go ahead an post because this next

week is going to be a crazy one. I am trying to get home and work ready for

me to take it easy for awhile.

On June 26th, I start yet another phase of this wild and wonderful journey.

I am having a lower body lift with Dr. ph Hunstad in Charlotte, NC. (He

has a website if any of you are interested.) My only complain is that the

picture of the lower body lift on his web site is a TINY, and I do mean TINY

woman. I can't understand why she even wanted it, why he agreed to do it, or

frankly the benefit from her pictures. I meant to ask him about it and

forgot. BUT his pictures in his office are simply amazing and he, himself

was simply amazing. He reminds me so much of Dr. Rutledge, confident yet

not afraid of any question. I am well researched, thanks to all of you and a

couple of years on plastic surgery boards. I asked him a million questions.

My consult was an hour and a half long and he schedules that much time or

more for a consult. When I asked a question, he was like " well, I tried

that...it was developed by Dr. So and so, it's supposed to do x,y and z. I

found it takes this much more time...my rate of x,y and z didn't

significantly improve to justify the extra time under sedation...so I don't

use the technique any more... " great answer for me... He was dead on with

everything and most of all just the kind of PERSON I would like to operate

on my.

The cut goes all the way around and the fat tissue on the back side that

would be removed gets moved down to make a new butt...LOL so, I am truly

going to be sore as I don't know what! Instead of staples all the way

around he uses the derma bond. My neighbor works for the company that makes

it and she has been telling me that they are using it in this procedure and

the benefit of it. In addition to reduced scaring, it is a great infection

barrier and some surgeon use it even on top of stitches for the infection

control alone. Considering I am going to have a MILE of incision I am

looking forward to that, and she has promised to help me " reapply " if it

doesn't hold well. It is supposed to last 10 days when applied properly and

is strong as stitches. I am also having a vertical cut because the extra

skin on my sides won't go away without that. I have always said I wanted

contour over scaring and it is a personal decision to go that route. He did

not push it at all, just told me what to expect with and without it. It

should fix my leg issues except for the inner thigh which will require

another surgery. This is phase one. For icing on the cake, I was able to

get insurance to cover it. I have some balance issues which I am convinced

were related to the weight of the pannus and the lose skin. I went for a

Physical Therapist to do an evaluation and she TOTALLY agreed. My core

muscle strength sucks. The wrote a wonderful evaluation supported by all

the tests she did. My dear, dear massage therapist had documented EVERY fall

for the last three years which I am sure helped allot too. You don't go to

the doctor for every fall, but when you get massages it always gets

mentioned because the muscles are pulled etc...that was most helpful. I am

sure they won't cover as much as I think they should, but at least I will

get something and I have enough to appeal which helps too if I am

dissatisfied with the amount they actually pay.

I have been blessed to be on this wild and wonderful journey. It began in

May of 2000 with this quirky little skinny doctor that I knew in a heart

beat I could trust my life with. Thank you Dr. R. I will always be

grateful to you. I have seen you in all your many shades, and working under

extreme pressure and scary situations as I have been in the waiting room

with friends who had complications. Anyone can do this surgery when

everything goes great, the reason we come to you is for when something

DOESN'T go great. You are a pro and I have NEVER seen anyone calmer under

pressure. I knew then what I know now, if something went wrong it would be

because something went wrong, not because I didn't have the best surgeon

around. The journey continued in April 2003 when I had a revision for

additional weight loss. For whatever reason, my body just wanted to hold on

to the weight. Yes, I did some things that contributed to my not losing

every pound but no matter what, I needed another surgery to reach my goal.

It was a difficult decision. The first one was a no brainer, I was going to

die if I didn't do something. But after losing 100 pounds, even though I was

still the size most people are when they start this process, I was SO much

healthier and more mobile that I felt like I was tempting fate to try again.

And I knew there were people out there who even with a revision had not lost

more weight. I was one of the lucky ones and while I lost weight slowly, I

did continue to lose. My total weight loss from my all time high (which was

pre-MGB) is 220 pounds. The in between time was hard. Many people

supported me and frankly, I scared the hell out of others. I sometimes felt

abandoned by CLOS, like something to be hidden. The funny thing is even

though I wasn't a " success " story by most people's standards, I was

instrumental in just as many people having this surgery then as now. But,

now that is all ok. It was difficult and hurtful them. That is why I try so

hard to support those of you who don't get the whole enchilada the first

time around. It just sucks, but there isn't anything much you can do about

it and it isn't the doctor's fault...it just is what it is and it just

sucks...period. In the end, it also takes what it takes and I wouldn't

change a thing now. I know how precious this freedom is. Losing weight is

one thing, but the mental release of having weight not be an issue in

EVERYTHING you do, in EVERY relationship with EVERY person you come in

contact is amazing. Sometimes it pisses me off when I realize how EASY my

life is compare to how it was. I had a whole portion of my brain dedicated

to " disarming " others to have them accept me...in the business world and in

my personal life, as well. When strangers find out it is just wild. Our

company hired a new employee who is very large, about 375 or so. He saw me

eating in my office one morning and said, " If you keep doing that you are

going to end up looking like me! " I looked at him said " been there, done

that...got the T shirt! " and proceeded to tell him about my journey. It was

all very cool and he was interested. Personally, I have never felt the need

to be an evangelist about this surgery. I share with anyone who opens the

door but I never assume it is the right decision for anyone. It was the

right decision for me, and all I can share is my experience. I tell people

to research, research, research...and decide for themselves if it is a good

option for them. My friends and family, however, are zealots!

Sorry for such a long post, but please keep me in your prayers for a safe

surgery, a successful one with as minimal pain as possible. I know full well

this is going to make the MGB look like a walk in the park!! But I will

have two of my dear MGB buds with me...Genz is coming from Texas and

B from Ohio to listen to me whine and get my sorry butt (but

beautiful new one) out of bed and make me move. THAT " s what is the best

part about the MGB, you end up with friendships you weren't even looking for

that are so dear and make this journey oh so much sweeter.

V.

..

<http://geo./serv?s=97359714 & grpId=3130236 & grpspId=1600061104 & msgId

=40220 & stime=1150645329>

June 19, 2006

good luck , that was an inspiring story. I just had a hernia surgery

with a abdominoplasty. I didn't have as much excess skin as others, and the

abdom has been the easiest part actually. I think the incision has healed

beautifully, not all the way around but from hip to hip. I was very scared

about it

and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I took 1 week off work and

that was it, stayed pretty out of it for most of that with meds. Then, I got

back to the business of living, drains and all. I made it through and went back

to light exercise today (2 weeks) I got my strength back at about 10 days. My

biggest problem is forcing myself not to do too much. I will be thinking

about you. Barb Dudley, oct 15, 2003, high Point, Dr. Walsh, 242/138ish

June 20, 2006

Joyce you are welcome to share my story with your friend. Not a problem but

I do appreciate your asking.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Joyce NC

Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 12:00 PM

Subject: RE: Ucoming Plastic Surgery