PoppyPoo
Inky Minx
Dear friends,
Now that my dream of getting a full tummy tuck is finally a reality, I thought I'd start a diary (including photos) as a source of information for others.
Of course, I do realise that all PCTs (NHS Primary Care Trusts who decide if they will fund the op or not) differ from area to area, causing a postcode lottery. However, my experience will hopefully give hope to anyone that has medical grounds to get an NHS tummy tuck but thinks it is not possible or is apprehensive about approaching their GP.
Please Note: NHS tummy tucks can cause controversy. Please be aware that I have medical grounds for this procedure. As a result of suffering from weight-loss-induced excess tummy skin, I have suffered numerous infections around my c-section scar area as well as very severe depression. These infections have caused further permanent damage to the scar. Getting rid of this infliction is not an act of vanity. I am disfigured and the help is available to take it away and make me feel relatively normal again. If someone was born with a deformity nobody would refuse them the right to have this fixed with NHS funding. My excess tummy skin isn't just the natural result of carrying babies. It's the result of a huge weight loss and two major abdominal surgeries (NHS c-sections). I don't mind my stretch marks. I quite like them actually. They're a reminder of what a wonderful thing I've achieved. But the excess skin, the infections, the feeling disfigured, the severe depression, it has made my life unbearable. Please read on as I share my journey in diary form...
MY TUMMY TUCK DIARY
1998: 23 years of age, 5 foot 3 inches tall, and normally 9.5 st in weight, I had my first child (a 9 pounder) by c-section. I gained nearly 6 stone because of a gestational glucose intolerance. Before my pregnancy I was ultra-fit. I even worked part-time giving inductions and at my college gym. I therefore started off with a pretty strong abdominal wall.
2000: I lost all the weight but was left with a horrible overhang of excess skin and weakened abdominal wall.
2003: I had my 2nd child by c-section (another 9 pounder). I gained 3 stone and lost it within half a year. My overhang worsened.
March 2008: One day, at my wit's end, I googled 'NHS tummy tuck' and was directed to Minimins where I found a host of encouraging information.
May 2008: After plucking up the courage to show my mum and a close friend what my tummy looked like underneath my clothes and comparing it to theirs (both middle aged women that have also had big babies but not by c-section) I was convinced it was time to reveal my embarassing problem to my GP.
My GP was very sympathetic and she contacted Addenbrookes Hospital Plastic Surgery Team in Cambridge (the nearest plastic surgery clinic to West Norfolk).
They responded with a questionnaire to see if I met the PCT's criteria.
August 2008: I received an appointment letter for a consultation with a plastic surgeon (meaning the PCT had awarded the funding for the op).
September 2008: I had my consultation. My tummy was examined, weight and height taken, criteria questions asked again, concerns about the op discussed, photos taken, forms signed.
October 2008: I received an appointment letter and arranged a date for my tummy tuck (November 25th 2008)
The process (from the first visit to my GP to the actual op date) took just half a year. I had initially thought that even if I was lucky enough to be awarded the funding to have the op done on the NHS I would have to wait years.
Please see my photo albums for pre-op photos of my tummy and I'll look forward to updating the album after the op... http://www.minimins.com/members/11372-poppypoo-albums.html
Thanks for reading,
Poppy-Poo
x
Now that my dream of getting a full tummy tuck is finally a reality, I thought I'd start a diary (including photos) as a source of information for others.
Of course, I do realise that all PCTs (NHS Primary Care Trusts who decide if they will fund the op or not) differ from area to area, causing a postcode lottery. However, my experience will hopefully give hope to anyone that has medical grounds to get an NHS tummy tuck but thinks it is not possible or is apprehensive about approaching their GP.
Please Note: NHS tummy tucks can cause controversy. Please be aware that I have medical grounds for this procedure. As a result of suffering from weight-loss-induced excess tummy skin, I have suffered numerous infections around my c-section scar area as well as very severe depression. These infections have caused further permanent damage to the scar. Getting rid of this infliction is not an act of vanity. I am disfigured and the help is available to take it away and make me feel relatively normal again. If someone was born with a deformity nobody would refuse them the right to have this fixed with NHS funding. My excess tummy skin isn't just the natural result of carrying babies. It's the result of a huge weight loss and two major abdominal surgeries (NHS c-sections). I don't mind my stretch marks. I quite like them actually. They're a reminder of what a wonderful thing I've achieved. But the excess skin, the infections, the feeling disfigured, the severe depression, it has made my life unbearable. Please read on as I share my journey in diary form...
MY TUMMY TUCK DIARY
1998: 23 years of age, 5 foot 3 inches tall, and normally 9.5 st in weight, I had my first child (a 9 pounder) by c-section. I gained nearly 6 stone because of a gestational glucose intolerance. Before my pregnancy I was ultra-fit. I even worked part-time giving inductions and at my college gym. I therefore started off with a pretty strong abdominal wall.
2000: I lost all the weight but was left with a horrible overhang of excess skin and weakened abdominal wall.
2003: I had my 2nd child by c-section (another 9 pounder). I gained 3 stone and lost it within half a year. My overhang worsened.
March 2008: One day, at my wit's end, I googled 'NHS tummy tuck' and was directed to Minimins where I found a host of encouraging information.
May 2008: After plucking up the courage to show my mum and a close friend what my tummy looked like underneath my clothes and comparing it to theirs (both middle aged women that have also had big babies but not by c-section) I was convinced it was time to reveal my embarassing problem to my GP.
My GP was very sympathetic and she contacted Addenbrookes Hospital Plastic Surgery Team in Cambridge (the nearest plastic surgery clinic to West Norfolk).
They responded with a questionnaire to see if I met the PCT's criteria.
August 2008: I received an appointment letter for a consultation with a plastic surgeon (meaning the PCT had awarded the funding for the op).
September 2008: I had my consultation. My tummy was examined, weight and height taken, criteria questions asked again, concerns about the op discussed, photos taken, forms signed.
October 2008: I received an appointment letter and arranged a date for my tummy tuck (November 25th 2008)
The process (from the first visit to my GP to the actual op date) took just half a year. I had initially thought that even if I was lucky enough to be awarded the funding to have the op done on the NHS I would have to wait years.
Please see my photo albums for pre-op photos of my tummy and I'll look forward to updating the album after the op... http://www.minimins.com/members/11372-poppypoo-albums.html
Thanks for reading,
Poppy-Poo
x
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