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 you are our inspiration! I finally got my band date it's December 17. I never liked running so I have set a different goal than a marathon but maybe just as challenging - My husband wants me to climb half dome in Yosemete with him. If you can lose 200 plus pounds and run marathons I know I can do this! Congratulations!!

Congrats Julie....just spectacular!!!

JULIE - YOU BEAT KATIE HOLMES!! (by an hour!!)

you rock woman!!!!

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

that's amazing! Congrats!

Go Julie GO!

Hey yall! I went from the marathon straight into TRIAL (I'm a lawyer for those who don't know me) and I'm insanely overwhelmed. I leave tomorrow for PS. Anyway, marathon was GREAT and I can't wait to fill you all in. I should have more time tonight -- trial will be over in a few hours and I'm counting the hours to PS! Woohoo!

Thank you all SO MUCH for following my marathon! Your support warms my heart!

Stunning, simply stunning.

Julie, you are amazing and inspirational and good people to boot.

Wow. We will be waiting to hear all about the surgery, the marathon, all of it.

The marathon was AMAZING. I can't even begin to express to you how incredible it was. I ran the first couple of miles with my SIL and my friend Carrie, but we got separated in the crowd and I really just wanted to RUN, so I ran most of the way by myself. Running across the 59th street bridge into Manhattan at mile 16 was so incredible. 2 million people cheering me on at an athletic event was so wild. I still can't believe I was a part of that!

So, mile 19-20 was the hardest part for me. Once I got to 20, I knew 26 really wasn't so far off. There really wasn't a point in the race where I thought I might not finish. I felt strong and fit throughout, and I ran negative splits (meaning, I got faster with each 5K -- usually you get slower because you're more tired, but I was feeling great).

I finished in 4:23, which is exactly a 10:00 minute per mile pace. And I feel like I could have run faster! The worst part was after the finish -- they kind of corralled us off where we couldn't move (I'm a touch claustrophobic) and I couldn't get to where I was supposed to meet my family. It was a big mess, but we finally made it home. My silly brother had the nerve to say to me and to his wife who'd also run about how tired he was from all the walking (having changed our meeting place by about 5 blocks). I was like, you've GOT to be kidding me!

My Dad, who never expresses any emotion, sent me the most lovely email about how it would be one of the things he remembered in his old age -- seeing me running with full strength toward the finish line. It's such a metaphor for me right now -- running toward that finish line.

Anyway, thank you all again for your support. This journey has been amazing. Just when I start to feel badly about the new scars on my body from my brachioplasty. I remember it's just a small mark of this journey and that, as hard as it is, I wouldn't trade it.

Julie - have you already had your surgery? How are you? Thinking about you........hope the pain is not great!!!!

Your run was spectacular! Wow, wow, wow! I along with your family am just blown away - Your Dad sounds like he is just so proud of your accomplishments..............so proud that you have the amazing ability to follow thru on so many levels......the weight loss, the exercise efforts..........you are my hero!

Mend fast!

Julie, you are indeed my AMERICAN IDOL. I really think that show has their criteria for idol all wrong. Look at what you have done with your life!!!!!!Simply Amazing!!!!

May I ask you a question regarding your TT ? Was there ever a time post surgery when you wondered if you had done the right thing, or if you would ever stsand up normally again, and look normal? My husband is telling me how unnaturally high my bely button is, and it really does right now. WIll that all chsange? I am 5 days out and sort of freakin right now. My front hurts nothing like my back does. And rear end hurts from sitting in this chair for 5 days straight. Any words of hope for me???? Thanks, I have followed you r every progress, MIZBOO

How are you Julie? Hope everthing is well.

Mizboo,

Oh YES, there was a time when I was certain I'd done the wrong thing in having the TT. I remember thinking "how could I have been so vain?" For me, it only lasted about 72 hours. Then the results were starting to show and excitement took over. Even with this last PS (thigh lift/arm lift) I had about 36 hours of "what in the hell have I done?" That's passed now. Boredom has officially set in....

Julie you are awesome. I had my surgery 3 months ago and have not had any weightloss yet. 150 in 10 months is super!

Congratulations on all your achievements.

Mizboo,

Oh YES, there was a time when I was certain I'd done the wrong thing in having the TT. I remember thinking "how could I have been so vain?" For me, it only lasted about 72 hours. Then the results were starting to show and excitement took over. Even with this last PS (thigh lift/arm lift) I had about 36 hours of "what in the hell have I done?" That's passed now. Boredom has officially set in....

glad to hear that the worst is (hopefully) behind you! Good luck and a speedy recovery!

Julie: I'm sure that graduating from law school was a great accomplishment, but I'm sure, from the way you express yourself, that you have always been smart, but not atheletic. Way to go on the race! Wow! Great time! Congratulations on your surgery also. I'm thinking of doing the arm left as well. Does it restrict your movements as much as a TT, what is the aftercare like? Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Best wishes on your recovery.