I was banded in September 2008 and have lost about 240 pounds since then, from 433 to 190. I'm finally serious about getting cosmetic surgery. I met with my plastic surgeon yesterday, and I am scheduled for my first of two surgeries on July 24! I am going to have a tummy tuck with anchor (vertical) incision, breast lift with augmentation, arm lift, and lipo on the thighs. The second surgery (date TBD) will include the backside to make it a full lower body lift and a medial thigh lift. I am so excited! I know it's a lot of surgical procedures all at once, so I'm sure the recovery will be tough. But I want to get this done and out of the way!

To give you an idea of what my surgeon is dealing with, I've attached my "before" picture. That is, before plastic surgery but after 240+ pounds gone.

I will keep you all posted here with progress updates and pictures too. Any pre-surgery advice from those of you who have been down this road before?

Kathy

Kirsten, I also can't wait to see the girls after I get all this work done! I can't remember the last time my boobs didn't point straight down at the ground! I'm prepared to see bruising and swelling. I know it is just temporary and will go down in time. Congrats on your surgery success!

Kathy, It is almost shocking!! I am soo pleased. I am having thighs and tummy tuck BUT I have 15 more pounds to go and I need to replenish the PS funds!! Having both done at the same time was not bad. I had Lipo on my side and a little on my back and that is sore. I can not image having my belly and legs done too! Good luck I can not wait to hear you story!! Good luck!

Tomorrow's the big day! I'm nervous but ready!!!

Thinking of you today!! I hope all goes well. Good Luck!! Post when you can!

It's done! Surgery went well yesterday and I came home yesterday evening. I have four drains in me. I'm sore and uncomfortable but the pain isn't too bad. I am taking Vicodin every four hours.

I haven't got a good look at my new body yet as I am still bandaged up pretty good, but I feel very different underneath the bandages and pajamas. I'll post pictures as soon as I'm able to take some.

So excited for you! Looking forward to the before/after! What an awesome success story you have!

It's done! Surgery went well yesterday and I came home yesterday evening. I have four drains in me. I'm sore and uncomfortable but the pain isn't too bad. I am taking Vicodin every four hours.

I haven't got a good look at my new body yet as I am still bandaged up pretty good, but I feel very different underneath the bandages and pajamas. I'll post pictures as soon as I'm able to take some.

YAY!! So happy for you! I am 1 week out and I feel great. I did not have the TT, I hear that is a bigggie. I had the drains and about 1 hour after they took they out I felt like a wonderful new person! I was shocked the first time I saw my self in the mirror, even felt a little dizzy. I can not wait to see your pictures! The "girls" have been getting better looking every day!!

I just got a good look at my body in the mirror. Even through bandages and pajamas I can hardly believe that is me! I'm surprised at how manageable the pain is, too. Of course I'm taking my pain meds as prescribed but I'm really not feeling too bad or too loopy either. So far so great!

I am so happy for both of you. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am thrilled for both of you. I can only imagine how wonderful it must feel to look at the new "you" in the mirror. You have worked very hard to get to this point.

The best of the best to both of you.

Two nights sleep under my belt and I'm doing fine. Swelling is definitely increased now, I can see it in my hands even. I'm drinking a lot of fluids and staying away from sodium to try to keep it manageable.

Surprisingly enough, I have almost no pain below the waist, even though that's where my yummy tuck and lipo on the thighs was. I heard that lipo can be painful but I feel almost nothing on my thighs, I've even crossed my legs. Most of my discomfort is in my arms and upper chest. Perhaps that's because I keep using my arms, but even when I walk around I very little discomfort in my abdomen and legs.

Not too revealing but this is as much as I've seen myself so far. But my tummy is flat and my boobs are full!

I'm glad you're healing so nicely and you look wonderful!!

Can you imagine how amazing you're going to look once the swelling goes down! WOW!

Yay! You look great! I am still doing great to. Some of my steri strips are coming off. I am spending my first day out today. I still get tired fast but I feel good. Wait till the drains come out you will feel like a new person!

I've been wrapped up with just Ace bandages on my arms, breast, torso, and thighs. I have a corset-like binder on my abdomen. But the Ace bandages were starting to come unraveled, and so I called my doctor's office and they said to rewrap them. As I was doing that, the drain from my left arm fell out. It wasn't producing much Fluid into the drain, now 4 days post-op. It had been leaking small amounts steadily since I came home. Anyway, right now I am waiting to hear back from the doctor's office on what they want me to do. In the meantime, I took a picture of the girls and my waist. I still haven't taken the corset-like binder off, but I folded it down a little bit to get a better look at my middle with the vertical incision.

I'm still waiting for the OK to take a shower. That will be much appreciated when I get the all clear!

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is all I can say. You look quite perky.

I thought you would have been in way more discomfort.

CONRATUULATIONS FOR DOING WHAT WAS GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A continued speedy recovery.

Should we call you Ms. Perky?