Posted by Gregg
on February 18, 2008, 3:41 pm, in reply to "Surgery Question"
76.237.9.25
Hi, Jason -- and thanks for the review that the Just Stop! Plan ‘Hasn’t been as horrible as you thought it would be.” LOL! Hey, a sense of humor is a good thing and this can be a tough plan. Especially during the first couple weeks.
I always recommend people envision themselves as horses with blinders on. Just keep moving forward. Soon, your taste buds and hunger patterns will change. The foods will taste better (you will actually crave Just Stop! Meals -- no kidding) and the portion sizes will make you full. Add to that, you will be looking better and feeling better.
One “good thing” about having a lot of weight to lose is that you will find success quicker than those with less to lose. Believe me, Jason, if I could take off over 250 pounds, you can take off the amount of weight you’ve set a goal to take off. Making it through the first week is an amazing achievement and I know your post is inspiring others (as well as inspiring me).
As for your question about having skin removed, take it one step at a time. The good news is that you’re very young and, therefore, your skin is going to be more resilient and might actually shrink more than you expect it to. Or at least shrink as much as it can. I didn’t need any skin-removal surgery around my neck, face, lower arms or lower legs. There’s no way to know during the weight loss process exactly how your skin is going to react (or retract). Try not to get caught up in that detail until later. For now, stay focused on your main and current goal (to get rid of the excess weight).
Once you’re at goal, you’re going to want to stay there for a while so your body (and skin) can adjust. Even after the weight is off, I don’t recommend getting skin reduction surgery right away. As you learn to eat like a “normal person,” there might even be some weight fluctuation. This is normal. And you want your body to settle into its ideal weight before any kind of skin-reduction is considered.
That being said, when the time is right, you can interview different surgeons. There are some wonderful plastic surgeons out there who will work with you and your budget. I found an amazing doctor who worked with me every step of the way and helped me keep the budget as low as possible while still protecting my health. And yes, the reason the surgery was not covered was because it was considered “cosmetic.” (Don’t get me started on insurance agencies and what they will or will not help cover in regard to weight loss -- it's really quite criminal and part of the reason our country is so fat -- there are no prevention measures in place and there need to be).
Back to the topic… ONE STEP AT A TIME!
As for the scars, yes – if you get skin-reduction surgery, there will be scarring. It depends on where the skin needs to be removed and how the doctor stitches you up (literally). And these scars do become less and less noticeable with time. My surgeon was very upfront with me about what the scarring might be like. There’s no way to tell for sure how your body or skin will react. Being young and healthy definitely helps. But every body reacts differently. With time, the scarring lessons. And they are actually scars you should wear with pride.
This is of course all pertinent if you do end up deciding to have the excess skin removed. Even though considered to be “cosmetic surgery,” it’s still quite complicated and comes with medical risks. These are all issues that will need to be discussed not only with a potential plastic surgeon, but also with your own medical doctor.
Remember, as fabulous as I want you to look on the outside, I want you to be just as healthy on the inside. What good is looking great if you’re feeling lousy?
Again, you’ve accomplished something major by making it through the first week. If you want, start a small savings account for a “just in case” surgery. Maybe you’ll decide not to get the surgery and end up using the funds for a whole new wardrobe, or to take some kind of vacation you would have never considered taking before the weight loss. No matter. Keep your options open and stay focused on the current goal.
Thank you again for your post. You are amazing! 
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