Elode

@@Spiceyfrog You want it tight. The first one I ordered was a medium because people wrote in the reviews that they are really small. I got it, tried it on and it fit tight but just kinda tight. That was over all my fat still so I was afraid it wasn't going to be tight enough once the skin was removed so I returned it for a small, which is the smallest size they have. It's small no doubt but it's made of a stretchy material so it stretches somewhat. It's perfect for me. I can still breathe and sit without any issues. It has a open crotch so you don't have to take it off every time you need to use the bathroom (huge perk). I plan on wearing it under my scrubs once I return to work for support.

I called my surgeon today to see if she would agree to let me take my drain out since I wasn't getting but 10cc out in a 24 hour period and she agreed!!! I pulled that thing so fast!!! Thank you Jesus! That's my last tie down besides all my tape strips they will be removing at my Thursday appointment. My belly picture today. Still SWOLLEN! I think I'm just going to stop saying that because it's a given. I'm going to be swollen for a long time. It comes with the territory and I already knew this. So, the best items I've used the most are 1st two days a peri-bottle. I bought a hair bottle thingy at Sally's and snipped the end off, it's to rinse off with warm Water after you pee. It just helps you feel cleaner! 2) My prop, well that would be number 1 really. I don't know how I would have survived without it. Seriously if you have the 40 bucks BUY IT!! 3) My memory foam seat cushion. You will have a sore butt from sitting in the "beach position" after some time. I had very limited butt pain or back pain and I'm sure that's why. 4) My back massager. Your back will hurt after being hunched over! This thing digs deep into the muscles and is absolutely amazing! The best massager I have ever used and it heats! 5) Now that my drain is out my Fajate compression garment. Yes it's a bit pricy but 100% better than the annoying belly binder they give you that undoubtably rolls up and down all the time and digs into you sides and stomach. This outfit is tight and holds everything in tightly. I can sleep in my own bed and roll from side to side with this on. It supports everywhere! So there's my main list. I bought a few things I didn't use like the walker ect... But overall through research I had everything I needed. No extra trips out ect...I'm including my purchases of the items listed above if anyone is interested. All from Amazon minus my homemade peri-bottle. Oh and those spiders (belly button stitches) come out Thursday too!!

@@Romi Springfield Missouri

@@jane13 she took off 750 which is @ 1 1/2 lbs off my stomach. May not seem like much my my loose skin was thin skin. Not thick fat. The fat was basically gone which is why I could pick it up like that in the picture. It's also why it could be stretched into such a low position for the scar placement. I do like the boobs now, we will see how everything looks in 6 months. If I feel like I want a bit bigger it won't be massive.

Just as reference these were 3 of the examples of what I DID NOT want. Mine is top left. Top right : The scar line in my opinion was too high. The belly button is not natural looking. A dead giveaway. Having darker belly button skin used in that big of a circle was a NO NO! Bottom left: Same thing only worse! I would have been livid had I woke up to a scar like that. I wanted a nice space between my scar and belly button so to be able to hide it in most clothes. If I decide some day I want to wear a shorter cropped shirt there is no way to do that with that scar unless you wear high waisted pants. No thanks. It looks weird to me. Bottom right: I did NOT want a straight across scar. I wanted it curved. Again to be able to hide in smaller clothes. Top left: Mine! Low curved scar with a natural looking belly button higher away from the scar line. Of course mine was only a day old there so I have a lot of healing to do but it should only get better. No dark belly button cut and skin. I would not have approved of any of those belly buttons. You wouldn't think that was important until you start researching and see what a difference the belly button can make. She does do some of the best belly buttons in our town, so I found out. The most natural looking. Mine still has stitches that will be removed next week. So see I was very meticulous and it was all my preference. Others may see these and think they are great. The people who own them hopefully love them but they weren't for me. Once I get my tape off I will show you guys the actual scar. Also my belly is swollen more on one side than the other so it almost looks like my belly button is off centered. I can assure you it's not. The swelling is pushing it to one side a bit more. Point being don't be afraid to take as many photos as you wish as references to what you want. The more the better IMO.

@@BestDayEver I actually did it the worst way possible. I looked up plastic surgeons in my area (there are only about 6) She was one of the only women. I wanted a woman. Who knows more about boobs and what a woman wants than a woman? She has her own practice and has been in practice for 29 years. I researched her more after. I actually only saw 3 pictures of hers. There are hardly any reviews for any of the plastic surgeon that we have. I didn't know anyone who had been to her. Only two friends that had ever had anything done and they weren't thrilled with what they had so that was useless. I got a good feeling from her the first appointment. I ended up having 3 more spur of the moment appointments with her out of fear and questioning everything. She found time to fit me in and even took my random phone calls. I researched exactly what I wanted and I came prepared on surgery day with pictures of the body shape I wanted. It seems to me that if you don't give a clear picture of what you expect and want they will sometimes do whatever they want. I've read too many stories. PS aren't mind readers and there are tons of different body modifications they can do but if they don't have a clear understanding of what you want then you will get what you get. There are limits to what can and cannot be done according to your specific body and they will tell you that. When she did her markings I told her exactly where I wanted my TT scar. I didn't want a high scar. I wanted it as low as humanly possible. I have seen some high scars that I would NOT find acceptable and I showed her pictures of that too. She drew her line and then I took the marker and drew mine. She said she would work hard for mine but if she couldn't we would have to use hers (which was still low) We ended up with mine. Only time I was thankful for stretched out skin! I was very specific. This is the only body I have. I didn't want it screwed up or not the results I wanted do to a misunderstanding. This is an elective procedure, which means I paid a good price for it and I wanted my monies worth. I was not afraid of offending her with my "demands" or expectations. If she couldn't meet them then I would go elsewhere until I found someone who would. IMO you have to be assertive and take control over what you can. I listened to her opinions, some I agreed with and some I refused. We worked until we found a happy medium for both of us. I think in doing that I got some fabulous results that we are BOTH proud of. Do your research! Mine took up the entire month. I wanted a more rounded curvy body. Not a flat body. It's the body type I find beautiful. I made that clear as well. I didn't need ever once of fat removed from my stomach. I wanted the hip curves and contoured stomach. Soft contours. I got that. I didn't have any Lipo. They are all my original curves. My body minus all the loose skin and fat rolls. Now when it came to the breast that was all hers. I let her do what she had to do because I was sick about it and didn't have much of an opinion. She has won awards for her breast construction and TT. I felt good with her.

@@KristenVSG2014 I LOVE my new breast! I love my stomach....heck I just love it all! I hope when the time comes you find the perfect surgeon that will give you the results you dream of!

Ok half of that post is missing......all I was saying was doing my breast was the hardest decision I had to make, I've always had large breasts but after losing all the weight my 40 DDD turned into saggy c-ish things. My skin was too thin to do a lift and implants. I had originally flat out refused a lift and was going to try to fill the skin in with a massive implant. The only thing that would have done was gave me massive saggy boobs. I finally agreed with a heavy heart to let her do a lift and come back in 6 months for the implants. That was the only way to get a good result. I dreaded every moment of it. I felt like my breast were going to be completely cut off and I would look like a boy. This whole part was cut off my original post above. I don't know how that happened so now you have to read it backwards. Geez!

(Continuation from the post below ).....I figured once all the skin was removed I wouldn't have hardly anything left. So I agreed to do the staged procedure. Now fast forward to today. It took me the longest time to take my compression bra off and look at them. I was too scared. I had envisioned seeing nothing but some nipples. I was completely shocked at what I saw. Not only do I have boobs, they are soooooo cute and perky! They are just perfect! It blows my mind. I am really debating on not getting the implants. I don't think I want them anymore. I don't have to wear a support bra now, I can wear cute little tops, in don't have to pick them up out of my armpit when I'm laying down. No more tucking them into a bra and having a saggy mess looking back at me! I feel like I'm 14 all over lol!! I never in my life thought I would ever be content with a lift but my PS is truly magical! I just look at them and they are so happy looking lol!! I had to find a way to show her work without being too graphic so I did the best I could. I'm only doing this because I know there are a lot of you struggling with this same body issue. I want you to see that you are not alone! Everyone remarked about how I don't look like I had any loose skin, ect... I was good at hiding it in clothes. I don't have to do that anymore. I feel freed.

Day 4: I slept in the bed all night. Didn't wake up at all but was hurting a bit when I did wake up this morning. Mainly my head! I've had headaches since yesterday. I think it may be from having my legs propped up so much. The blood is pulling in my brain! I took the prop out and was able to sleep on my side comfortably. I feel great now. I don't need assistance with anything anymore unless I use the prop, I need someone to adjust it for me. I recommend if you do have a TT to purchase this prop. It has been a lifesaver. I got it on Amazon for 40 bucks with shipping. It's memory foam and quite big. I don't know what I would have done without it?

I've decided once I'm healed I'm going to hit the workouts and give Kim K a run for her money!!! Lol!

@@Babbs I went in for a full Tummy Tuck but once she got under the skin she realized I didn't need the MR part so she didn't do that part of the procedure. It's rare that that happens. I guess I'm considered "lucky" because it made the process far less painful and my recovery is practically over as far as any pain. I will show you my boobs! Inbox!

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch This particular drain is placed between the layer of skin and stomach muscles they dissected to catch and Fluid that could accurate between the layers.

Day 3 before and after! I'm completely off the pain pills and in my own bed!! I'm extremely swollen all the way down my legs but the results are absolutely amazing to me! I still can't believe it. I have curves and definition already even with all the swelling. I wanted curvy! I took her a picture and told her I wanted curves not just flat. She did exactly what I asked for and made my curves!! Think belly dancer. I'm going to be working on those legs once I'm healed!

I would also like to point out yet again that I didn't have to have muscle repair so my recovery is much faster and less painful because of that. If you have to have muscle repair its going to more than likely hurt a lot more. Just remember that!

@@Babbs I think whatever you decide just know it's a life changer! Almost like the sleeve but immediate results which is still hard to wrap my head around. I have a flat stomach! I have never had a flat stomach! Granted I'm more swollen today but still AND my precious little belly button! It just makes me smile when I look at it. It's so flipping cute!

@@Daisee68 I hope so! She says she wants to be a anesthesiologist. Even better lol!!

@@Babbs Well since she didn't have to do muscle repair after all that's what I have. Plus my lift. I had to do mine separate to have the best results. Trying to do them together with my thin sagging skin could be disastrous. I kinda like my new lifted ones. I'm surprised they turned out so well I didn't think I would have anything but I look like I have little implants in there. Everything is lifted and in the perfect areas. It's like I have teenager boobs again lol! I will wait for everything to heal before I decide for positive on what I'm going to do. The breast took her the longest time. 2 1/2 hours for my breast and 1 1/2 hours for my tummy.

@@Daisee68 Yay congratulations! I'm 17 months post op but have been at a steady weight for months. I couldn't wait any longer either. I'm sure you will have wonderful results! Just find a good reputable surgeon. Do all your research. I just got done with my shower. I took my time this time and didn't run all over. My daughter was with me the whole time she's 15. I sat with the binder off for awhile before I got on my shower chair and my daughter practically sat at the back of the shower with me. She refused to leave me in there alone. She's been such a blessing and taking excellent care of me. She makes sure I have my meds, food, rubs oil on my belly and cleans my belly button for me. She even drains my JP drain and writes it down. My husband is great too but she's just better at this. I can't wait to see how your appointment goes!

@@Daisee68 yeah, that was a tad traumatizing for all parties involved. He got me back to my chair and got me settled back in. I took a pain pill and went to sleep. Next time I'm taking my daughter with me.

I am thrilled. I did have a episode earlier though. I decided I wanted to have a shower so I took my binder off and was heading to the shower. I stared getting light headed so I yelled for my husband and the next thing I knew I fainted and was laying on the floor. Naked. Scared my husband to death. I won't be taking a shower today. That kinda hurt but I'm more worried about being naked on the dirty floor. Now I really want to sanitize myself but I'll just wait it out and sponge off.

And as promised here is a before and after. One day difference. It's amazing!!! I can't wait for my 6 months when all the swelling is gone and I'm healed.

!!!! WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE!!!!
Now that I have that out of the way, I went to my surgeons today and we took the bandages off. Here's my very first glimpse of my new belly! Amazingly enough she didn't have to repair my muscles, she said they were shocked that they were fine. That's why my pain hasn't been so bad!

@@bayougirlmrsc Girl that's because every waking moment I wasn't at work or sleeping I was researching everything I could. Good for somethings but bad for stress. 98% of what I read was how horrible and painful it was. How they would "rather have died" than be In that much pain ect.... So I as freaking out. I had to pay in advance thank god because if not I'm pretty sure I would have backed out. They made it sound like it was the worst pain imaginable. One lady write worse than child birth ect.. It may have been really bad for them but I'm flying right through it as of now. It's crazy how each persons experience can be so different to that extreme. I really think it's this dilaudid though. It's a very strong narcotic. I feel normal on it. I still function just fine but with no pain. I would be afraid to go without it but after tomorrow I'm going to try to switch to over the counter pain relief

I'm taking the Arnica Montana dissolvable tablets for bruising and swelling. I can't tell if the are working or not at this point since I'm all bandaged up.