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How do you feel about yourself now that you've had an after weight loss makeover?
I worked so hard to lose the weight, and I'd been heavy for such a long time. Then I saw how much skin I had. I looked like a sharpei dog! The surgery was the final step that I had to take to make my body look like I feel inside.
What did you want to change about yourself that made you consider plastic surgery?
My weight was 327 lbs., before I saw a bariatric doctor. After surgery, I followed the exercise and eating program, and worked with my counselor, for fifteen months. I weighed 168 lbs. and I was so happy.
I had a tummy tuck to remove an apron that was hanging really low and causing some health problems. That was just another step. Because when I looked in the mirror there was excess skin just hanging from me. Arms, back, my thighs... like curtains.
My weight loss counselor had tried to prepare me for what happens after you lose so much weight. She brought up plastic surgery. She told me it's common, because the skin's stretched out for so long. But there was no way to tell what a body would do until the weight was lost.
She talked to me about my health insurance. It covered a tummy tuck, and I was lucky that it did. They referred me to a surgeon who took care of that.
The rest, I needed to do on my own with a plastic surgeon who has had lots of experience with cases like mine.
How did you hear of Galumbeck Plastic Surgery?
I heard about it from a woman in a weight loss surgery support group that I belong to. She recommended Dr. Galumbeck. I'd seen him on TV, but I didn't know he could work with people like me.
How would you describe your lifestyle?
I follow my weight loss and eating program. I work. I have grown children and a husband.
I'm an average person. Only the people who knew me when I was big would think that I'm not. Living as a large person for so long, that's just how I want to be.
What procedures did Dr. Galumbeck suggest to you?
We looked at the different places on my body where I had too much skin and fat that diet and exercise didn't get rid of. My back, my upper arms, and the inside of my thighs were the worst.
He told me what he would do for each. He told me the cost. I had some money tucked away and planned what I wanted done. I had the first two procedures (arm lift with laser liposuction and liposuction of my back) because that way I saved money on anesthesia and only had one recovery. I'll have the rest done next year - a thigh lift and liposuction.
Did you feel that you had options, and a voice in your plastic surgery?
I did. It was important to me to have that respect. I felt he was honest and we were on the same page. I made the choices I wanted to make.
What concerns did you have about your surgery?
After all I'd been through with my weight loss surgery and all, I felt like I was prepared. That my mind and my body were prepared. I was grateful I was in good enough health to have the surgery.
Would you do it again?
If you've never been large, like I was, you couldn't understand how ready I was for the surgery, and how important it was for me, and how much it means to me.
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