Twas The Night Before Surgery

For those of you who I talk to all the time or are friends with me on Facebook already know the awesome news. For those of you that don't here is what happened. After I went for a consult for my excess skin I thought surgery was out of reach. It was crazy expensive! 12,000 something just for my thighs!

I went back to life thinking, oh man I am going to have to wait on this. I was trying to think of different ways to raise money and get this done. I was told the insurance would most likely not pay for it. The doctor took photos and sent a request for surgery approval to my insurance. What was the worst thing they were going to say "NO!" I was ready to hear no!

My husband and I just got back from an awesome vacation in California. After a long morning of teaching crazy third graders I went to lunch. I saw on on my phone I had a voicemail from the hospital. As I listened it was the plastic surgery office. I thought it was just a call telling me I was denied. It was the total flip side. They were calling because I was approved and they wanted me to schedule my surgery!!!! I was freaken shocked! I spent the rest of the day telling everyone I could at work and on the phone. Crying every time of course!

Since that day I have done a lot scheduled my surgery, ask for time off, found a sub, been excited, and I have been worrying a lot! I have had roadblocks recently. I had laryngitis during my pre-op appointments. They said if I don't get better they won't operate on me. I have gotten much better since then. I am not perfect. I am still hoping they will put me under tomorrow. I also had my Long Term sub cancel on me. I am super happy for her though, because she got a real teaching job. So now I'm about to have surgery and I don't have a sub to cover my time off. I have wanted this so bad since I had my Bypass 5 years ago. I will not let these roadblocks stop me.

Tomorrow morning I will go into The Ohio State University Hospital to have my skin removed. I am crazy excited and crazy nervous. I have the best doctor at the hospital doing my surgery! I really hope I can wear pants after this! This time there are a ton of rules this time. There are even fruits I can't eat! Oh well! Its almost time to get some sleep before surgery. Now off to shower with some Medical Grade Soap! Yay!

Plastic Surgery!!!!!!

Well I know its been a while.......but I have started back to school. There is just one thing that is always on my mind PLASTIC SURGERY, and getting these stupid legs into pants haha.

I went to The Ohio State University Plastic Surgery Center for a consultation. It was awesome to finally have a real discussion about REALLY REALLY fixing my skin. I took this time to talk to my doctor about all parts of my body legs first, arms second, and stomach/chest last. While she looked over my skin it was very interesting to hear what she said. I learned more about how skin works and stretches than I ever did before.

As many of you know I have been working hard this summer to get in better shape and start building muscle sooooooo........
One awesome part of the appointment was when she was looking at my stomach she said "Oh you have some nice abs under there!"
I said "HA I knew they were in there FUCK yea!" She and my husband looked at me like I was nuts! But, hey I was so excited I wanted to cut my stomach skin off right then just so I could see my abs 😁.

She came to the conclusion that my legs will both need two surgeries each. My legs will end up being one surgery on their own. I didn't know this but doctors can only be in surgery for a max of 5 hours. At least in this department. So the legs must be done alone. Here is what will happen I will need a inner thigh lift on both legs. This will result in scars from my knee to my groin and up from there by my underwear line. Next she will do a outer thigh lift with liposuction to my outer hips as well. I will then have scars on both hips right where my underwear line would be.

Next would be the arms. They are more simple she will just cut off the excess skin. The cool part is that she puts the scar on the back of the arm so that its not so visible.

Last would be my stomach and chest. My stomach would need two different types of surgeries. This will result in an anchor shaped scar. One from taking the skin flap off of my lower stomach, and the other from pulling together the upper stomach skin. Lastly would be the chest. This would just be a simple lift and skin removal.
Of course my last question to her was how much will this cost? My insurance will not pay for anything. She told me she would mail me the prices.
Mail me the prices?!? Oh Lord!
This was already a lot to take in and then I got
the letter in the mail.
Legs: 12,194
Arms: 6,565
Stomach/Chest: 9,672
Total: 28,431

Now since clearly I can't have them done at once the cost will be spread out a bit. However, who just has that kind of money sitting around? Not me!!!! It is just hard to fathom handing over 50% of that just to hold the date for the surgeries. Then hand over the other half before its even done. I know its worth it, I know its less than what I and others thought, and I know it will change my life for the better. It is still a daunting
number to have to look at. Hopefully I can have
my legs done by next summer. Everything else
will have to stay on hold.

SUMMER IS OVER? WAIT COME BACK!

Sooooooooo this summer being over thing is crap! I took on this summer with the attitude that I was going to take care of me this summer! I just yesterday went into my classroom for the first time. I locked it up in May and never looked back! That might have been the best thing for me. Part of being a teacher is coming back in August and asking each other what you did this summer. Usually people go on vacation, spend time with their kids, and go to the pool A LOT! When teaching buddies ask me what I did I have been saying "I took this summer to take care of my self!". To answer the question how did you do that? Well here is how it started.

1. COLORING - I started coloring the first day I was home! I have colored almost every day of this summer! I have colored so much I had to stop and get a compression glove to help with the pain. Coloring is relaxing, fun, and challenging. I started doing EXTREME color by number pages.  Coring has become a new healthy addiction.

2. STRING ART - I started doing string art all I have to say is well its awesome and I would love to do more!

3. GYM - I went to the gym almost every day! I made it a summer goal to try and go every day! I was annoyed at first that I wasn't loosing weight. I had melt downs and disappointments. I had to go to my doctor to get some extra help and mental support. 

4. BEHAVIOR THERAPY - I started seeing a therapist this summer. She is awesome she has blue hair and isn't treating me like a cookie cutter person. She is helping me with body image issues, depression, weight and eating, and self love. BEST THING EVER! All thanks goes to my Bariatric doctor who said lets get you some help. It was the best thing for me and I sure wasn't reaching out for help. Someone needed to push me. 

5. DOCTORS, DOCTORS, DOCTORS!!!!!! - I saw all of my doctors this summer to make sure I am healthy. It ended up costing me more money and new implant in my mouth! However, going to the doctor is good for everyone. If you don't see a doctor at least once a year you really should!

I ALSO FINALLY SAW A PLASTIC SURGON AND I AM JUST FREAKEN EXCITED TO SHARE THAT WITH ALL OF YOU IN ANOTHER POST. 

6. SUPPORT - Spending quality time with people that make you happy is very important. I spent a ton of time with my husband/best friend. Went shopping with friends. Got coffee a bunch of times with my mom and sherrie! Ate at new places! 

7. REST - YES JUST REST!

SO what did you do this summer? I took care of me and did things that made me happy!!!!!! Here are some of my favorite pictures of summer!

Pants with no tears!

So this weekend I went on a shopping trip. I tried on a few pairs of pants. I tried to remember that the number doesn't matter and just move onto to the next.

This weekend the trying on was great! usually try pants on and get annoyed and just give up. However, this weekend at the GAP I found pants that actually fit. I bought two of them. I couldn't buy the third pair the color was strange it made my butt look like two misshapen grapes.

I actually had an awesome weekend shopping and felt great when I left. I am so glad I have the support of my family and friends through all of this.

Veggie Burger! 😬

Sorry I haven't been writing much. Super busy and just didn't feel inspired to say anything! But, now I do! I have always been told that veggie burgers, black bean burgers, or fake meat of any kind was nasty! I can't tolerate meat much anymore so I thought I would give Boca Spicy Black Bean Burgers a try. I can honestly say they were awesome! No they don't taste like meat! Don't expect them to because it won't. The shape color and texture is about the same as a normal burger. To cook it you put some oil in a skillet and heat it up. Then cook them 4 min per side. Bam lunch! It was very good and super healthy I loved it! I also bought the grill version, I'm excited to try those next! It just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover! So yummy!

Yea the picture is a bit dark. I put it on a thin slice of bread, with French onion spread, and bacon parm Brussel(almost sure that is spelled wrong) sprouts on the side. Just had to share my awesome lunch with everyone!

Workout Buddy!

Lately I have gotten used to working out by my self. I used to think I can't do this without a buddy. I can do it and I have. However, yesterday I went to work out while my friend Jessica was meeting with my brother for a first personal training meeting. After they were done I was able to not only work out with a awesome friend it was nice to have someone there who you can support and who can support you! Will this happen all the time? No because ain't nobody got time for that lol!

Even if it is once in a while working out with someone is fun, helpful, it makes you stronger, and it can make your friendship stronger! I am so thankful for Jessica she has been a friend forever, and our mothers were friends before we were born. We may have lived apart for many years. But, it's awesome to hangout with you again! We will get stronger together! Of course we couldn't do any of this with the support and care from my brother Craig. Craig you inspire everyone to be a better person inside and out!

Uncomfortable bra!

So this post won't be long I just need to vent about bra's. They are so very uncomfortable! Mostly when your weight or size change. For example, I was walking today and I felt like my bra was falling down like sliding down my back. Really I finally found one that fits and is comfortable now it doesn't fit! Can you say annoyed? There are so many kinds of bras so let's just go over some.

Regular wal-mart bra- ummm mostly crap......I found some I like they are getting better as the years go by.

Victoria Secret - yea the real secret is I HAVE NO BOOBS! These can be classy to super sexy. They also cost a million dollars. Semi annual sale will help there. If you have big boobs like I used to forget it Victoria doesn't care!

Sports bra- I am beginning to like them more and more it hold them up and is comfy. Also for some reason I feel like a badass workout chick when I wear one.

Strapless Bra- HA HA yea freaken right. They never stay up if you can get them to stay up well good for you. I either say let them hang free or show straps!

No BRA- By far the best choice! Let's just go with that!

Lastly Lacy Fancy ones- ohhh they are see though, lacy, sexy, and fun? Haha no the idea is good not always comfortable. Sure men like them but,  pft who cares.

Bottom Line-find what works if nothing does well just forget it, and let them just be boobs haha!