It sounds like a few people are interested in updates so I will try and give some pre and post-up reports here. Right now DH and I are looking into funding the procedure (we don't have that kind of money laying around). We are hoping to have that figured out today. As soon as I get the green light, I will be calling the doctor's office to schedule the procedure.

I have had 2 previous surgeries: bilateral bunionectomy and a laparatomy (which was supposed to be a full hysterectomy). I don't think either one has hindered my ability to exercise. In case of the bunionectomy--it has allowed me to do much more! I do occasionally feel the screws in my feet--like when the weather is changing.

I am not looking forward to the long, slow, and undoubtedly painful recovery. However, I have done it several times before. I imagine this will be similar to the laparatomy. I have had to 'start over' several times: for both surgeries, two pregnancies, and a broken foot. I am familiar with the drill and am not overly concerned with having to take 8-12 weeks off from exercising.

As I mentioned, I have been struggling with feelings of selfishness regarding having this done and even self-image. I consider myself to be strong and capable. I am not one of those people that stand in front of the mirror picking myself apart. However, I do believe there are a lot of situations where I don't even realize I am compensating/hiding parts of my body. At one point in time I told myself that this extra skin and floppiness is just the consequence I have to live with for the bad decisions I made early on in life. I've carried it with me for over a decade--like baggage. It's been my burden. I am finally at a place where I feel like I don't need to carry that with me anymore. I can let that go. I'm not that person, I haven't been that person since I was 21 years old. It's time for the outside to finally, for the first time in my life, be a reflection of who I am on the inside.

I'll do another update when I get things scheduled . . . .