Now that it's less than a month away, I wanted to start a thread where I post all of my experiences regarding my upcoming plastic surgery. I loved watching Telly and Puddin's journeys and I thought I'd enjoy sharing mine with others as well.

The background is that I'm 5'2, 34 years old, no pregnancies. I've lost 150 lbs in 10 months and would like to lose 40 more. I carried 100 lbs of my excess weight for a long time, given my age -- at least 15 years. The other 100, I gained in the last 6 years upon entering the workforce. I've lost weight successfully twice before being banded -- once on NutriSystem (about 60 lbs) and once on Optifast (about 90 lbs), but was unsuccessful at keeping it off.

Though under ideal circumstances I would wait until I actually hit goal to consider my major plastics, three factors have encouraged me to go ahead with surgery on March 28th. First, I'm changing jobs and have the unique ability to take the month of April off. I won't have this kind of flexibility again for several years and it's a "now or never" kind of thing. Second, both my band doctor and my plastic surgeon are on board and don't think I need to wait. I have substantial excess skin in the stomach and breasts and the whole team thinks the majority of my remaining excess weight is in the lower body (hips & thighs). Finally, my father is my plastic surgeon, so cost issues should I need a revision later for losing additional weight are less of a concern that they would be were I paying surgical fees. Thus, March 28th it is!

I had my "consult" with my dad last week and we decided on what will likely be the procedures (he's still thinking it over before deciding for sure). At Christmas, we had tentatively decided on a breast lift and a mini-abdominoplasty (where just the excess from below the belly button is removed). Now, we've decided on a larger operation because I've managed to lose quite a bit more weight between Christmas and now and he thinks I'm close enough to goal to go for a more aggressive result.

So, I'm having a breast lift for sure. As for the stomach and thighs, he's going to do what he calls an extended tummy tuck. This is a complete tummy tuck (i.e. both above and below the belly button), but the incision will extend around the thighs, akin to a LBL, to take out some skin and fat from the outer thighs. It won't go around 360 degrees like a true LBL because I don't have much excess in the back -- it's a bit of a hybrid. Plus, since I haven't had children and I've been working out consistently for several years, I don't require the muscle repair that often goes along with a tummy tuck -- just the skin and fat ressection. This should make the recovery a bit easier.

As far as preparations go, I've bought my plane ticket (I live in NYC and my parents are down south). I'm staying home for at least 3 weeks before returning to NYC -- longer if necessary. I rented a hospital bed to help with getting up and down and keeping the legs raised. My step-mother is a nurse and she'll be staying with me for about 10 days post-op, and, of course my Dad will be home in the evenings/on the weekends. I have bought all of the seasons of the TV show "24" to keep me company in the early days. I got a wireless card for my laptop so I can use it from any room. I have a shower chair but no raised toilet seat. Dad said without the muscle repair, I'll be moving around fairly well pretty quickly. I'm spending one night in the hospital.

That's it for now. As things develop, I will post again. For those ahead of me in the journey, if I've neglected any preparations, please let me know!

Julie, I am sorry to hear about the break up. I'm sure it will be for the best in the end but may his days be filled with misery until he comes crawling back for forgiveness and you kick his sorry @ss right back to the curb.

Thanks guys. I'm doing better today! Marathon in one week and six days -- WOOHOO! Then surgery practically HOURS after that (96 hours, but still). Things are looking UP in my life, man problems or not.

I do appreciate the support. It came at a great time and I thank you.

Juli: Sorry about the boyfriend. I understand what you're saying about not obsessing about eating. My trainer tells me to stop weighing myself all the time, but it's hard. I'm in such a habit of weighing, recording what I eat, using the BB, etc. And I like doing all these things now. I get nervous when I go shopping because I think I should still be in the plus size department and every time I go into the regular department I wonder if anything will fit. My size 12 pants are starting to get lose. I guess I'm afraid I won't be able to maintain. Anyway, enough about that. I'm excited for you and your new body. I think you have lost the 3 pounds you were waiting for for your surprise from Utah and I better go shopping! Let the count down begin!

Julie: I'm sure you've answered this before, but I just can't remember your answer. I know that you are running marathons and like to exercise. How long after your surgery did you start exercising and what kind of restrictions did you have and will you have with the next surgery. I'm worried that it will be hard to get back into the routine with such a long time off. I love my strength training and daily workouts on the elliptical. Thanks.

How long after your surgery did you start exercising and what kind of restrictions did you have and will you have with the next surgery. I'm worried that it will be hard to get back into the routine with such a long time off. I love my strength training and daily workouts on the elliptical. Thanks.

After the TT, I took 3 weeks completely off -- no exercise at all. Then I did 3 weeks of LIGHT walking. At week 6 I was released to run and strength train again.

I'm very worried about this for the next surgery because I'm likely doing #2 and #3 exactly 6 weeks apart, which likely means 12 weeks of almost no exercise. I signed up for a 1/2 marathon in late April to make sure I get back into it this spring....

Thanks Julie for once again answering my questions. When you started back into your exercise routine, how hard was it? Did you feel you were starting all over again or does it take longer that 6 weeks to get out of shape?

Thanks Julie for once again answering my questions. When you started back into your exercise routine, how hard was it? Did you feel you were starting all over again or does it take longer that 6 weeks to get out of shape?

I was really worried about that pre-TT and it wasn't an issue. I was worried because I'd just started running about 2 months pre-TT and I spent such a long time working up to being able to run 3 miles that I just couldn't fathom having to start from scratch again. I remember getting on the treadmill at week 6 and saying "I'm just going to run 30 seconds" like at the beginning of the training. I ran the 30 seconds, then kept going for about 5 miles. It was awesome! So, no, my cardio definitely stayed with me during the recovery.

My trainer said I lost a little strength, but that it only took about 2 sessions to get me back to my old weights. I couldn't tell a difference, certainly not for long.

In short, my exercise routine was dramatically improved by my PS, not hurt.

Julie, that really makes me feel better. You're so reassuring. Thank you. I'm thinking I'm going to do it sooner-than-later. I just want to keep my strength up and not back slide. Thanks. Can't wait to hear how your thigh lift goes!

In short, my exercise routine was dramatically improved by my PS, not hurt.

that is SO good to hear!

Hi there..

I just got banded 10/19.. not a pain-free day for you either, from what I read here... I read the thread about your surgeries, the running, the weight loss, the triumphs and I wanted to say congrats on it all. Reading this makes me forget that my abdomen is hurting and itching and motivates me to do what I need to lose...

Good luck,

Gail:)

Banded 10/19; 222Lbs.

now 210 Lbs.

Goal: to be gorgeous and run fast.

Julie, I am about to have a TT on Monday, and am kind of concerned about my port and how they go about seperating the skin from around it without pulling the tubing apart or pulling the port lose from the muscle, etc. Did that come into play any with you, and is your port a lot more visible now after the swelling has gone down more. I wish I could ask all this of my surgeon but he is out of town till Sunday and I have just began the real worrying about everything post op. Thanks in advance for your reply. MIZBOO

Julie,

I'm tracking you online and rooting you on while watching the NYC Marathon.

Anyone else who wants to track Julie's progress - her number is 43299 nycmarathon.org.

:clap2::clap2:You are already a winner in my book!:clap2::clap2:

OMG JulieNYC!!! 4:23:09 finish time ... that is stunningly amazingly wonderful!! HUGE ENORMOUS congrats to you!! :clap2: :hail: :clap2::hail:

Congratulations on your marathon time! Wowie! I'm impressed!

Woohoo Julie - are you still alive?