Fit vs. Fat - The Right to Bare Arms

Welcome to the Good, the Fat and the Hungry. I'm Karla and I have been -- or am -- all those things. Here, I will share with you my lifelong struggle with my weight, and I hope you'll follow along on with my determined attempt to lose nearly 40 pounds. I promise to tell you every win and setback along the way every Tuesday and Friday.

Do you have the right to bare arms if yours are the size OF a bear's? Well, my arms were bear sized but by the time you read this Friday night, they will no longer be. Operation brachioplasty (arm lift) is underway. After losing 200+ pounds, my arms have been a constant source of misery. The excess skin on my arms that hung down several inches has gone bye-bye!

Ever been to New York city in the summertime? Let me tell you that heat in the concrete jungle is HOT. I have suffered through two summers in the heat with long sleeves. The unsightly excess skin on my arms has imposed great limitations. In addition to year-round long sleeves, I've fought with rashes and a host of other skin-related issues. That's not to mention the fabulous clothes I can't wear.

Many folks don't agree and say I should be happy to just have lost the weight. I am. Some think I'm vain. Perhaps. What I think is that I've worked harder to lose weight than anything I have ever done in my life. If I thought I were going to need the skin later on, I'd probably keep it. However, considering that I don't plan to ever refill it with fat, it's pretty much useless. I'm not into useless (if you don't count the men I meet). As I do with anything else that I don't need, I'm throwing it away.

As I did with the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), I plan to share all the details. I am excited going in, and I will be coming out. I know it won't be easy but I'm ready. I am looking forward to being sleeveless. Heck, I may not even wait till summer. I think I'll wear a tube top in the cold just because I can. After all, according to the Constitution, it is my right.