PoppyPoo
Inky Minx
Sorry for the late reply guys. I didn't receive any email updates so didn't realise anyone had posted.
Emma - well done on getting your funding sorted and good luck with your op hun. It's an amazing feeling when they say yes isn't it? If you decide to share pics, feel free to add a link to your album here. It's a very personal choice of course but it helps me to think... 'it's not my fault I have this horrible infliction and it will soon be gone anyway.' I view it like it's not even a part of me. It's like a growth that's going to be removed. I feel so positive and a lot more stable since I got the go ahead from the PCT. I suffer from cyclothymia which is a mild form of bipolar so to have an extra source of major depression hanging over you makes life even more unbearable. It's hard enough managing cyclothymia as it is. I've also had problems with hormonal acne since I gave birth to my daughter 10 years ago and have had my mental and physical health worsened by high-end hormone tablets which I came off a year ago. I'm now on long-term anti-biotics that have finally cleared my skin up so that's another source of depression gone.
FT, yes there is hope for you. I'm so glad my pics have helped you to see that. That's the reason I've posted them along with this thread. To give people hope because I started off with none until I found Minimins. Even then, I only had a tiny bit of hope of getting it sorted when I first visited my GP but I went in thinking I had nothing to lose. My GP even said she's seen worse overhangs than mine but it's about how it affects me personally. I thought it would be a problem that my doctor had no real proof of my weight loss (although I guess they could see how heavy I was in my maternity records from 10 years ago). Also when I had suffered infections I had not been to the GP because I was too embarrassed and so I guess they just had to take my word for it on that one. The main thing I think is having a really supportive GP that knows this is making your life a misery and is willing to support you. You really should go and see your GP about your overhang. You have nothing to lose. If you're embarrassed - just think - doctors see people's embarrassing problems all the time. It's their job. You have a lot of information to go in armed with now (in case they are unfamiliar with procedure). If there's anything else you need to know or want to chat about, PM me and I'll send you my email address.
Sarah - I know exactly what you mean. I have exactly the same problem with my boobs. I went from an F to a C cup with my weight loss but before my prgenancy was a DD for years. I breastfed baby 1 for 2 years and baby 2 for a year which has also had an extremely negative effect. I have even found a measurement guide on the web that tells you how severe your ptosis is and mine is pretty severe. :/
It is a disfigurement and like you say, should definitely not be mistaken for vanity. It's so easy for people to judge and anyone that does judge us should try being us for a week to see how it makes them feel. I can't even make love to my husband without wearing something that supports my breasts and covers my tummy. How can you feel like a normal sexy 30-something when you look down and see the boobs and tummy of a 90-year-old? Friends don't get it because they always see you when your dressed to go out and using clever tools and ploys to hide your worst and enhance your best. Hubby says he'll always fancy you no matter what. But none of that matters.
Yes, every woman has hang-ups about her body. I have them. I always have. Does my bum look big in this? etc. But those hang-ups are nothing. No where near what my boobs and tummy make me feel like. Before I had excess skin I never used to think about self-harming because of gaining half a stone at Christmas and not being able to fit in my size 10s for the next month! The key I guess is having a disfigurement that you know you can do nothing about unless you can get it surgically removed.
Congratulations on your PCT approval hun. Bet you can't wait to see your consultant. I hope you get a quick op date. I read up that my PCT doesn't fund breast lifts. I'm going to ask my GP about it once I've got my TT out of the way and I'm fully recovered. My tummy is just half of my problem. Obviously I'm extremely grateful they're resolving half of the problem for me but I am going to pursue the other half just as soon as I'm back on my feet. By the way - congratulations on your weight loss! You look fantastic!
Hi buffydog, I've added you as a friend so you can see my pics now. x
Thanks for the well wishes everyone! Only 2 weeks to go now. I have my pre-op assessment today actually. Nervous but excited too!
Emma - well done on getting your funding sorted and good luck with your op hun. It's an amazing feeling when they say yes isn't it? If you decide to share pics, feel free to add a link to your album here. It's a very personal choice of course but it helps me to think... 'it's not my fault I have this horrible infliction and it will soon be gone anyway.' I view it like it's not even a part of me. It's like a growth that's going to be removed. I feel so positive and a lot more stable since I got the go ahead from the PCT. I suffer from cyclothymia which is a mild form of bipolar so to have an extra source of major depression hanging over you makes life even more unbearable. It's hard enough managing cyclothymia as it is. I've also had problems with hormonal acne since I gave birth to my daughter 10 years ago and have had my mental and physical health worsened by high-end hormone tablets which I came off a year ago. I'm now on long-term anti-biotics that have finally cleared my skin up so that's another source of depression gone.
FT, yes there is hope for you. I'm so glad my pics have helped you to see that. That's the reason I've posted them along with this thread. To give people hope because I started off with none until I found Minimins. Even then, I only had a tiny bit of hope of getting it sorted when I first visited my GP but I went in thinking I had nothing to lose. My GP even said she's seen worse overhangs than mine but it's about how it affects me personally. I thought it would be a problem that my doctor had no real proof of my weight loss (although I guess they could see how heavy I was in my maternity records from 10 years ago). Also when I had suffered infections I had not been to the GP because I was too embarrassed and so I guess they just had to take my word for it on that one. The main thing I think is having a really supportive GP that knows this is making your life a misery and is willing to support you. You really should go and see your GP about your overhang. You have nothing to lose. If you're embarrassed - just think - doctors see people's embarrassing problems all the time. It's their job. You have a lot of information to go in armed with now (in case they are unfamiliar with procedure). If there's anything else you need to know or want to chat about, PM me and I'll send you my email address.
Sarah - I know exactly what you mean. I have exactly the same problem with my boobs. I went from an F to a C cup with my weight loss but before my prgenancy was a DD for years. I breastfed baby 1 for 2 years and baby 2 for a year which has also had an extremely negative effect. I have even found a measurement guide on the web that tells you how severe your ptosis is and mine is pretty severe. :/
It is a disfigurement and like you say, should definitely not be mistaken for vanity. It's so easy for people to judge and anyone that does judge us should try being us for a week to see how it makes them feel. I can't even make love to my husband without wearing something that supports my breasts and covers my tummy. How can you feel like a normal sexy 30-something when you look down and see the boobs and tummy of a 90-year-old? Friends don't get it because they always see you when your dressed to go out and using clever tools and ploys to hide your worst and enhance your best. Hubby says he'll always fancy you no matter what. But none of that matters.
Yes, every woman has hang-ups about her body. I have them. I always have. Does my bum look big in this? etc. But those hang-ups are nothing. No where near what my boobs and tummy make me feel like. Before I had excess skin I never used to think about self-harming because of gaining half a stone at Christmas and not being able to fit in my size 10s for the next month! The key I guess is having a disfigurement that you know you can do nothing about unless you can get it surgically removed.
Congratulations on your PCT approval hun. Bet you can't wait to see your consultant. I hope you get a quick op date. I read up that my PCT doesn't fund breast lifts. I'm going to ask my GP about it once I've got my TT out of the way and I'm fully recovered. My tummy is just half of my problem. Obviously I'm extremely grateful they're resolving half of the problem for me but I am going to pursue the other half just as soon as I'm back on my feet. By the way - congratulations on your weight loss! You look fantastic!
Hi buffydog, I've added you as a friend so you can see my pics now. x
Thanks for the well wishes everyone! Only 2 weeks to go now. I have my pre-op assessment today actually. Nervous but excited too!
