This is such a tough topic for me to discuss. I want to spread the “love thyself” message. I want to be a women who looks in a mirror, flaws and all, and says “I love you, just the way you are”. I’ve always wanted to be that person but truthfully, I’m not and never was. I envy people who have that quality at any size, they are a truly inspirations.
It wasn’t until I accepted myself that weight loss was possible. When I accepted my flaws, faced my emotions and believed in ME, I was able to really step up to the challenge and long term commitment that weight loss took.
Once I reached my goal, I faced the new challenge so many people who lose weight do. I had/have access skin and body issues that I would not have if I never carried the extra 70lbs. Excess weigh puts stress on our bodies in more ways then one and (especially as we age) it doesn’t just snap back to pre-weight shape. I think most of us know this.
So once I reached my goal weight I decided to have a Tummy Tuck. It was actually an easy decision for me. I’ve always had an issue with my midsection and the amount of skin that was left was excessive. There was nothing I could do to minimize it on my own and I looked at the procedure as the last stop on transforming into the new me. It was a way to say goodbye to the chubby girl inside and welcome the confident slim women I always knew I could be.
It worked, it really did. I do not regret for one single minute that I made that decision. Even with the pain, long recovery time and year of payments it was worth it.
Would I be miserable with out it? Probably not. I’d probably wear baggier clothes and baby dolls tops a bit more and be a little less confident but I would have survived. I’m sure of that, but I had the means, and the guts, so I did it.
Now I’m making another decision. This decision took me almost a year to make and it has me reconsidering my self-love and self-acceptance. In that year I’ve accomplished more physically then I ever considered possible. I’m a weight training fanatic now and I have less then 12 hours until my first ever 5K. My body is in better shape then I could have ever imagined.
At my last post-op appointment for the tummy tuck I mentioned a few areas to the doctor that still bothered me. A little extra skin here a little stubborn fat there. He recommended a procedure and I’ve pondered it since last August.
On one side, I have the confident, “your just fine the way you are” girl saying, “it’s not worth it”. You’ve come so far and you look great. Be happy with who you are and just keep doing what your doing. You are fabulous!
On the other side, I have the confident (yes both these women are confident), “you’ve come so far but you could look better” girl saying, “why not, you deserve this”. You really have come so far, and you do look great but there are some things out of your control and if you have the means to fix them then why not. You only live once after all!
My decision is one that not all will agree with but in the end it’s mine to make. I’ve decided to proceed with the surgery and I will be getting extra skin and fat removed from my sides and thighs in a few weeks.
The funny thing, I feel better getting all that off my chest! It really was a hard decision for me and I didn’t let too many people in before making it. Surgery is scheduled for June 17 and in a weird way I’m looking forward to it. As with everything, it’s another stage on my journey and one I will learn and grow from.
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If I was a good blogger this idea would have been published BEFORE the Super Bowl not during it. I made these today to have a little fun. Surprisingly, The Husband liked them even though he didn't eat more than one. Why? Because he's strange like [...] -
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I've had this idea for a quick creamy chicken dish for a few days now. It was time to give it a shot. The whole family LOVED it. I'm not joking. The only complaint came from Little Guy who declared his hate of mushrooms yet again BUT he ate everything around them. Fine [...] -
I made this on a total whim yesterday as I had leftover avocado after feeding the baby and leftover Spaghetti squash cooked from the weekend. I roasted the squash to serve with my Chicken tips instead of potatoes and it was AMAZING! Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. So I'm sitting there staring [...] -
It's post holiday season. You know what that means? Leftover Crescent rolls to experiment with! Every year for Thanksgiving I buy a few canisters. It's the only time I do as I can't be trusted around them. Let's just say I'd beat you in the How-Many-Crescent-Rolls-Can-You-Eat-In-One-Sitting game and leave [...] -
Last week the kids and I tried parsnips for the first time and I've made them 3 times since. I wanted to figure out the best way to roast them. Yeah, that's it, the best way to roast them. You'll buy that right? Right? The truth is, I'm obsessed. I found myself [...] -
Yesterday just felt like a good day to stuff an acorn squash. I had one sitting on my counter for quite some time and it was just begging to be cooked. Since both husband and child don't like it I made a solo meal just for me and, well, it was DELICIOUS! [...] -
I bought a fennel bulb on a whim for the holidays not knowing quite what I would do with it. Of course I forgot about until yesterday when I was rummaging through the fridge trying to figure out what I wanted to make for breakfast. I pulled it out and stared [...] -
I probably should have warned you I was taking a holiday hiatus. I've been soaking up every moment of family time imaginable these last few days, leaving no time for anything else. Not even blogging! Shocking I know. ;) So I return not with a new recipe, per se, but to [...] -
Here's a quick idea for when you find yourself with a spaghetti squash but don't quite know what to do with it. Come on. Admit it. That's happened to you too. It's sure happened to me! I roasted this squash on Sunday... [...] -
I'm not sure if this will be a crowd pleaser, but I liked it and thought I'd share in hopes it inspires you to have some fun with kale. I loved the combination of sweet pear, earthy kale, salty bacon bits and creamy hummus. The only issue with the wrap was [...] -
I'm going on day 2 of counting Weight Watcher Points and I'm already inspired to come up with light, healthy meals for myself. It's like I needed the constraint of points to motivate me. Isn't that weird? Anyway, all morning I was brainstorming what to make for lunch. I wanted something flavorful [...] -
I have a friend who patiently cleaned, peeled and cubed a fresh pumpkin and then selflessly gave me some. Scratch that, a TON! I would have never even thought of doing something like that! But now that I have it in my fridge the ideas are flowing. First, I roasted some [...] -
CHRISTMAS COOKIES! YAY! Sorry. I'm so excited! Little Guy and I had tons of fun making and decorating cookies today. It may just be my favorite part of the holiday season. I loved it when I was a kid and now I get to do it with my own kids. [...] -
This may be my simplest idea yet, but it was so tasty and satisfying I had to share. Plus you guys know I'm a Laughing Cow Community Leader so I'm all about sharing fun ways to use their products. You guys may also know how I feel about pausing and making [...] -
I made this on Thursday. THURSDAY! I hate when I can't post something I've eaten within 24 hours. It just bugs me. Not sure why, it really doesn't matter when I post it, does it? Anyway, I did whip this up to cure a pizza craving and I couldn't be happier. [...] -
It's been awhile since I jazzed up a tilapia fillet. I've breaded them before, coated them in oats, flavored them like one of my favorite drinks and topped them with a fun salsa. It was time to bring nuts into the party. You are going to think I'm crazy but I've [...] -
Fun leftover turkey idea #2! Click here for leftover turkey idea #1. I had a little Gouda leftover from this years Harvest Salad and decided to put all the same flavors from the salad into a quesadilla. I just can't get enough of the smokey gouda/sweet craisin combo. It goes [...] -
It's the day after Thanksgiving and my refrigerator ROCKS! I have leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted Brussels Sprouts, a bunch of veggies and tons of miscellaneous fun stuff. I've already made stock from the bones (like this) and my first batch of soup, Classic Turkey Noodle. I hope to share [...] -
I'm so sorry I've been slacking in the Thanksgiving recipe department. I feel like a bad food blogger. Everyone else is posting festive ideas and here I've gone missing for a few days. Maybe it's because I'm not doing anything special for Turkey day. I finally got my holiday cooking [...] -
I just made a quick, tasty one pot meal the whole family ate without complaint! And when I say "whole" I mean WHOLE! The Baby, The Little Guy, AND The Picky Eater Husband! Here's the story…I was in NO mood to spend a lot of time on dinner. The thought [...]
About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
Tummy tuck comparison. Interestingly, I just saw an episode of “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ a TLC show that is about a family with 8 children (6 of them sextuplets). They were showing an older episode, where the mother, Kate (who is a young woman but whose belly stretched out because of her massive tummy gain due to the 6 babies), had the same procedure you had Roni–where she had a tummy tuck, since reading your blog I thought it was very intersting to see her surgery and progress documented which was similar to yours.
Also interestingly they did a follow up episode talking about it where they revealed that Kate had also had the side liposuction done at the time of the surgery to prevent the little pooches that you are having removed. They showed what her tummy looks like one year later and the results of having both procedures. Don’t know if you caught it but I thought hearing about your own experiences and seeing this woman’s actually on screen was a good litmus test/comparison of what a difference it can make.
[...] weeks question comes from my recent post, The Choice for Plastic Surgery after Weight Loss. In the article I gave my reason for choosing to have plastic surgery after weight loss and I [...]
Congrats. You look awesome! I just had a tummy tuck too and have been reading many of these types of personal stories. I have one bit of unsolicited advice for all if I may. Partly speaking to myself of course, too.
There are two sides to PS. Yes, the devil and angel. I’ve decided that I will listen to both (foolish not to), make my decision (as I did) then… get on w/life.
For me (may not be for others), what that means is to put a limit on obsessing over results, comparisons and ongoing quests for perfection. That limit is as different for each of us as we are from each other. Only we can access our own. As they say, everything in moderation. Perfection is a foolish quest.
We all want to be happy, comfortable and confident. However, there are much greater things to serve than ourselves. I find that pursuing those make me as happy if not more happy than focusing on me. It just takes a little more effort to turn away from my own issues. Like a camera refocusing as you site various targets.
I think of some great people I know, love and admire. They are not perfect, just human. Many could stand major PS. But, their personalities have transcended their physical flaws. And, their imperfections make them who they are.
Bottom line, self-focus in moderation is the key, I believe, to our searching.
God bless all here.
This is SO late a response… :)
I recently lost 80 pounds and MAINTAINED it.
I got a breast lift and augmentation. I wanted just a lift, but my breasts were so sagged and empty they were like floppy flat bags of skin… I would have had no definition at all… which led me to add conservatively-sized implants to the procedure.
It took my years to decide, and more years than that to save the money. I am 2 weeks post-op and for the first time in my whole adult life, I have a woman’s chest. It was a huge decision for me. I spent many nights crying over the thought of having breast implants and being “one of those women”. After researching the procedure and speaking with the surgeon, my view on the process and having implants has taken a whole new light.
For me, it is not about showing them off or being perfect – it was about being normal. For the first time!
I am so proud of myself for overcoming my fears and reservations, and implant-prejudices, to obtain a new outlook on life and invest in myself. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to living with no breast discomfort. I am proud of you for taking your life and comfort into your own hands as well. Hurrah!
I’m coming in late to this discussion. I’ve been a person who felt like “Never, not me, no way…” but there’s a 50 lb diff between my highest and lowest weight and I have to say, my tummy looks exactly like her pre-op pics. It’s like looking in a mirror. And – sigh… I know I can’t really do anything about it.
Roni’s a 30something. I’m a 50plus. Does that mean anything? Does it mean nothing? I feel like if I were in my 30s I’d be more likely to do it because I’d have more years as a cute young person, and now, well, it’s all downhill isn’t it? LOL. But still.. I look at those afters and I think… hm…..
I have huge fibroids and there is a chance I will have to have a hysterectomy. I think if that occurs I will investigate the option of getting a two-fer. Anyway, I’m thinking. THINKING.