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!

I hope you got my package! Good luck with your PS!

Julie, I hate to be a pest, but I feel you are the most forthcoming person about this subject by far, what with all the notes, pictures, etc, so here is another question. It has been 6 weeks for me now since the tt, but I still get so tired, and by the end of the day my tummy is bloated, and my upper back aches. How long before you felt like you could go full throttle again? I really need to get back to the gym, but am just not 100% yet. Any advice...... MIZBOO

Mizboo,

I have to say, I felt full throttle right at 6 weeks with the TT. I remember it quite clearly. Even in week 5, I remember thinking how tired I still was, even though I was feeling better during the day and wasn't in any pain, the fatigue was there. Then sometime in weeks 6-7, I really started feeling 100%.

With the thigh surgery, it was much quicker. I feel 100% now and have for at least 2 weeks. I don't necessarily think it was an easier surgery -- more that I was in better shape going into it, plus knowing what I was getting into. I hope you feel 100% soon!

Karey,

I haven't gotten your package -- I haven't been to work this week though and I think that's the address I gave you. I'm in the office tomorrow, so I'll let you know. Thanks for sending it!

Julie,

I've followed your entries for a while now and first I want to tell you congratulation for all your success. I was banded in February 07 and have lost 65 pounds so far. I feel good about it but need to loose 50 more pounds. I am increasing my exercise program but wanted to know what a typical daily diet for you consist of. I sometimes find it hard to eat the healthier foods so I wanted to know which foods you have had success with. You are an inspiration to us all so please provide us with some daily diet tips.

I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thank you.

A typical daily diet for me when I was in th weight loss phase was about 900-1000 calories with about 45-50 grams of protein. I usually ate 2 meals and 2 snacks. I might have some cottage cheese with cereal and raspberries for breakfast. Then some frozen yogurt for a snack. Then a "Healthy Choice" fish and veggie entre for lunch. Then maybe some tomato soup or lentil soup and veggie stir fry for dinner, sometimes with tofu, sometimes not. Sometimes I'd eat a pack of candy. I considered that a failure, but it really wasn't I guess. It just meant it would be a 1100 cal day instead of a 900 cal day.

I really credit my exercise routine with why I'm at goal. Even if I mess up the food from time to time, running 35 miles a week cuts you a lot of slack....I don't think everyone's exercise routine has to be that severe, but I do think it's part of the lifestyle change and that you simply have to make the time to move nearly every day.

Best of luck to you!