First I will say that I'm trying to keep my eyes on the prize here, so no regrets so far! But this recovery is hell!! I had a tummy tuck, breast lift w/silicone implant, and mini-arm lift. Surgery went well, the dr said he removed 7 lbs of skin & fat w/ lipo, yay! However, the first couple days I was unable to keep down any of my meds?! I'm guessing just sensitivity from the anesthesia in addition to not eating a whole lot. But now that I can keep pain meds down, things are a bit more manageable... And thank God for my wonderful husband! I need help getting in and out of bed, he had to remove my catheter, he empties my jP drain /records it, makes sure I'm taking my meds & that I'm doing the breathing exercises (with the incentive spirometer), and is taking care of our two toddler by himself! All the while he didn't even want me to have this surgery because he said I was fine the way I was (but that's a different topic, for a different day). I cherish him! Whatever you do, don't go into this alone! There is just no way you can do it alone! I will post pics once I'm healed up some, I have to keep this tight binder on for right now.

Did he remove the Fluid to help flatten out your tummy? I feel like mine needs that too. I am still swollen but thought it would be flatter by now.

He had to remove fluid because it was just retaining with no where to go. When they separate muscle walls/tissue and what not things don't always drain properly (think lymphatic system). It did take the swelling down and give some relief, but I believe he will be doing it again on weds :-/ it can take a while for connections to be remade again and things drain properly on their own.

My doctor said that he didn't think my arms needed the full arm lift, and that he really likes to avoid doing those because the scars they leave are very bad. So he did a mini arm lift (a cut up in the armpit) which will pull things a bit tighter and my scars will be hidden

That is awesome. You look great so far, and it really means a lot to all of us that will want plastics that you are sharing so much. My arms are bad but wouldn't consider the big scars. Love the arm pit ideal. What a great hubby you have, and he will reap some good rewards in the end.

Well here is one shot of the mini brachioplasty..... I know I'm crazy, but I was already asking my doc what we can do about my legs :-/

So inspirational. Thank you for posting these. You look stunning! I think you're going to really have fun this summer!

Wow! Everyone looks great & I can't wait until I can have mine done. Question, do I have to wait a year after I've hit goal to start the process of plastics? Even though my tommy would definitely need it, my arms are what's really bothering me. I also wouldn't mind the boobs lifted. Mr dr said that the surgeon he deals with ( I live in NYC) works the wording out in such a way that the insurance should cover. I would find it very difficult to self pay. Good luck to all. Looking great!!!!

Wow! Everyone looks great & I can't wait until I can have mine done. Question' date=' do I have to wait a year after I've hit goal to start the process of plastics? Even though my tommy would definitely need it, my arms are what's really bothering me. I also wouldn't mind the boobs lifted. Mr dr said that the surgeon he deals with ( I live in NYC) works the wording out in such a way that the insurance should cover. I would find it very difficult to self pay. Good luck to all. Looking great!!!![/quote']

Thank you! Feeling better & better each day! My dr did not say anything about waiting any length of time after goal weight. I think the most important factor is that you have lost majority of the weight (goal weight) and are sort of leveled out. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your "healing" photos - that was a dose of reality for me! I guess I didn't realize it would be that... well you know.

Anyway, I am just now at goal and the first consult i went to he told me there is no reason to wait. I have a couple more consults scheduled so we'll see what they have to say.

Wow... great post, and thank you for posting the pictures.

I am now 2 1/2 yrs post op and I think my body is happy at this weight (even though my mind isn't - not at goal and I have been at this weight for 18mths now) so I decided it was time to 'finish the job' and sort out my middle area!

I have a consultation beg of next month and a provisional date for around the 22nd March for a TT and possible uplift.

How is the pain now... the only thing I am worried about is going back to work, I teach comprehensive - high school)... do you think I'll be good to go int he classroom after 4 weeks?

Any insight would be gratefully received.

Thanks for the replies! I will be going back to work march 4th. I'm still the sorest first thing in the AM and my arm, pec, and ab muscles feel pretty "stiff" if that makes sense. It is difficult for me to open jars and such, and i cant just jump upright and go the quickest!The only reason I have had to take this much time off is because of the type of work I do, I'm not sure what comprehensive high school means exactly, but I would say if it involves wrangling/wrestling the size of an almost adult-size child, you might need a couple more weeks. I would say for an average type of job, like a desk-job, I could've gone back to work at 3-4 weeks. I can pick up both of my children (not at the same time!), but if I over do it, I get pretty sore! And to give you an idea my youngest weighs 23 lbs, and my oldest 35 lbs. I think for others they feel better more quickly, but with all I had done at once, it's put me through the ringer! I will try to give more update pics too!! And good for you all for going to more than one consultation!!!! I can't tell you how happy I am that I chose my second doctor! As each doctor will have a different opinion as to what and how they would do each procedure. As my first consult doctor said he would've done the flour-de-Lise (not sure on the spelling there! Lol), but had I went with him I would've had even more scarring and a harder-to-heal incision!

This is actually several weeks old, I will take a new one tonight! My body keeps changing and the swelling is going down . Now that the swelling has gone down some I can see a little bit of "dog-ears" at the back-side of my hips, but my doctor said he can do lipo & remove the little bit of extra skin at an in-office procedure, for free!!

I thought this one was kinda funny lol! This is when I got home the day of surgery, my mom took for fond memories and before I consider more surgery. All you can really see is the folley catheter and my drain tube, but I was OUT!!

Wow, again thank you so much for sharing these. You look amazing! It's making me more and more excited about my upcoming procedures Hope you're recovering well!

Wow, you look great. Post pics once you are healed.

I'm a long way from plastics, as I have a road to travel before I reach goal, but I will follow your recovery. You are an inspiration.

Best wishes

Thanks for being brave enough to share the pics from your surgery and recovery. They have been a big help in knowing what to expect if i do have plastic surgery. I'm only 2 months out from my sleeve and no where near goal but i already feel that my arms will be a big problem area, so I will probably have to do the big incision.

Ok here are my latest pics! I just took them! These are roughly six weeks out