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 just read your post and can't believe it's just over 2 weeks away! You've done so well and have been my inspiration throughout the process... I have no doubt that those last 10 pounds will be gone *poof*

Keep us posted

Go Julie! Good luck on your run today. And I see "Onederland" just around the corner!

Hi Julie~

I am Julie also.

Congrats to you!!!

I had a breast reduction about 17 yrs ago. Then 3 years ago I had a TT and a breast lift. Although, I was still overweight it has been one of the best things I have ever done for myself....(LBS will be the all time best thing.)

When I had my breast reduction I was a 48HH. They took 4 1/2 cups of tissue off the right side and 5 1/2 cups off the left, I lost 14 lbs.

Then when I had my lift I was back up to a 42DD. I am currently about a 40 D or DD. They removed 10 inches of tissue from my tummy and took 8 lbs with lypo.

I never lost any weight prior to having it done. But, I think after the weight loss from LBS I will be ok except for upper arms and thighs.

I am very excited for you!!!

CJ,

Would you mind sharing with me how your recovery was? Is there anything I'm not thinking about that would really help me along?

Your lapband surgery is going to be a breeze! For me, post-op day 3 was the hardest. Not so much pain (worst in the left shoulder) but just fatigue. It was a pretty easy recovery for me. I'm so excited for you!

Boo, Thanks for your well wishes! My race went phenomenally well. I'm deciding whether I want to do the 5 miler next weekend, or whether that's just too much for now. We'll see, once I see how I've recovered from this one, tomorrow or Tuesday.

COME ON ONEDERLAND....

Julie~

When I had my breast reduction I did real well...except that the nipple tissue died and I had to have it removed. If it had not been for that I would have only taken pain med for about a week.

When I had the TT done I had a lift chair like you said that you got. I could not get in and out of a bed or on and off of a couch. I had a lot taken off and I was miserable. I spent 3 weeks bent over. I took the entire 6 weeks if not a little more to recoup.

I did get an infection in the TT incision that took a bit longer to heal. But I tend to get infections easily. I know a bunch of people who have had it done and had no problems at all.

Good luck to you!!!

Julz

Hi Julie, congrats on your success so far. I can't wait to see the updates.

Woooooooooooooohoooooooooooo!

I'll be watching.. can't wait!

Well, the update for today is I got the recliner chair rented (actually my step-mother did -- thank you Step-mom!) It's the kind with the controller that lifts you up to get out of it more easily. She had a TT and used something similar, so I'm excited about it. I think it'll be the right thing.

Also, the hospital admissions called to verify my info, so this is starting to feel real. Last night I had a crazy dream that I came out of sugery, recovered for a few days, then took the bandages off (imagine a soap opera type reveal) and they'd not removed my apron -- they'd just stapled it to my thighs! Crazy dreams.

AHHHH! I'm SOOO excited for you JulieNYC! Wow. You are so close to being able to see your feet, top and toes and even your knees! WOO HOO. Keep these wonderful posts. They are such a joy to read!

We will all be watching....and waiting! I hope you will have the courage that spydr had...and show us all kinds of pics......please please PLEASE!!!! I know it is a very personal thing and very difficult for some to share! I am 350# plus and 34 (almost 35) years old. I hope to be a BIG loser in a year. I don't have any help with expenses for PS (or lap-band), so I need to be very informed to make a good choice. I don't know how old you are ....but a picture is worth 1,000 words or more. I think we would all love to your experience, and journey with you. If you are unable to "show" us your experience, I do understand. I will be rootin' for you all the way!!! Wishing you a safe, sucessful, surgery and recovery....you have done wonderful so far......congratulations!!!!

Maziemommy, I'm 34 -- just like you, and formerly 350+, just like you! I'm certain you'll be a BIG loser in a year. Woohoo!

Yes, I'll certainly share some "honest" pics of the recovery when the time comes. I can't believe I begin the journey a week from today. CRAZY.

CRAZY is that how it feels?

I,m so proud of your accomplishment so far.

I think it would be a great comparison because of our similar stats.

I hear people say ....at your age, sagging skin etc... won't be a problem.

I think since you seem very similar in age and weight, (and having surgery) maybe that's not true.

Do you think if you waited another year you skin would shape to your body?

PERHAPS people are just trying to find something positive to say.

Maybe your Dad knows more about what can happen at our age than the average person....what does he say?

You are so brave and lucky to have Dad there to help!

Julie your weight loss success is phenomenal!! I can't wait to see how your PS goes. You are going to look awesome!

wow, I am really impressed with how you've done. I think you're someone I'm going to follow as an inspiration.

this may be weird for me to ask, but is it weird for you to be operated on by your dad? or weird for him? for some reason I didn't think docs would operate on close family members.

BUT, like someone else said, I'm jealous - free PS, yipee!

best of luck, I can't wait to follow your progress!

Karen

Karen, I've been operated on by my brother. I felt completely safe in his hands. He felt very pleased to be able to do that for his family!

Julie--My thoughts are with you as the date grows near. I am sure you know you are in good hands. I am wishing you the greatest success and recovery from PS. I am amazed and inspired by your weightloss so far, and PS may help you look and feel like your true self--right? Keep on coming back to us with updates, as we are hanging...on...a...thread............no pun intended!

One quick personal question...are you willing to post pre-PS pics? I would be interested in seeing what life could offer, with your kind of weight loss success for me, if I'm unable to have PS. It may be a good comparison since our stats are similar. YOU ARE INSPIRING!!!