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!

okay now im starting to worry? anyone hear from her?

....

She may not be feeling up to posting yet....or out of her eliment...or can't get to a computer just yet.....let's think positive.

Thank you so much Julie for your story. I was banded two months ago and have yet to have my first fill. I have been eating more than I should and I have been feeling guilty about it. I have lost 20 pounds and have been at a standstill for a couple of weeks. After reading your post, I realize that my feelings are pretty normal as I am waiting for my first fill. Again, thank you so much for telling your story and inspiring me in my journey to lose 120 pounds.

I am so proud of you and now I am feeling like I can be that success story too.

Thank you:clap2:

Well, I'm back!

The surgery went very smoothly. I lost 12 lbs in 5 hours.

I had to stay in the hospital a little longer than I expected because I had a little post-op fever (around 101). I couldn't be discharged until it was under 100 for 24 hours, so it was Friday afternoon before I left.

By the time I left the hospital, I was quite comfortable without pain meds. I'd had IV pain meds and shots in the hospital, then moved to liquids on Friday morning. They sent me home with liquid narcotics, but I haven't needed them.

The pain hasn't been that bad. I can't speak about the results yet. I haven't wanted to look! I have 4 drains (I had 2 more "pinrose" drains in the breasts, but they came out on the first day post-op). 3 are coming out today. One will stay in for 10-12 days, so they say. It's really not outputting much, so we'll see.

The worst part, by far, has been not being able to do things for myself. I'm not even supposed to walk to the bathroom by myself (they don't want me to fall, even though I'm quite certain I wouldn't). The second worst thing was having the IV in for 2 days. Geeze, those things are painful!

I'll post more when I have more strength and when I have a little more to say about the results.

Thanks for all of your well wishes and good thoughts.

Julie, so glad you got out of the hospital okay and are feeling good. Congrats on your surgery. I'm sure you will love the results.

Glad to know that things went well!

Congrats Miss New Hard Body!

Yeah Julie - get that hard body recovered quick - we need you back in the exercise challenge!

OK, things are going pretty well. I looked in the mirror a little yesterday (with the binder still on) and I really look a lot different -- a lot thinner. I joked with Dad asking if he took out a rib, à la rumor about Cher. Plus, when seated, I have a true lap. That's cool. Still waiting to see the results when the binder comes off for the first time. Not sure when that'll be.

Three drains came out yesterday. Two didn't hurt at all -- I mean, not AT ALL. The third one was a little dried out and did hurt quite a lot (like a 6 out of 10) but it only lasts a second or two, so at least there's that!

Boredom and immobility are my biggest current challenges.

I hope that you enjoy 24. I'm surprised you haven't peeked too much, but I'm not sure I would either. How is your pain doing? Are you feeling very emotional? I hear that is a strong component of the whole thing.

Glad to hear you are doing well, and I'm glad the pain isn't too bad. It's interesting how that varies on different people. If you knit or crochet at all, it can make hours disappear.

I'll be interested in seeing the results when you are up for taking a picture.

Julie, glad to hear you are doing so well. Congrats.

I hope that you enjoy 24. I'm surprised you haven't peeked too much, but I'm not sure I would either. How is your pain doing? Are you feeling very emotional? I hear that is a strong component of the whole thing.

I haven't peekend mostly because I can't. The binder is an impressive thing. I might get the bandages off my breasts tonight and move into a sports bra. If so, I'll get to see the girls in full. I can see the tops of them now and I'm thrilled. We'll see what I think once I can see the whole deal, scars and all.

No pain, per se, at all. I'm sore -- as if I worked out way too much a day or two ago -- you know, how it's hard to get started moving, but once you do, it's ok.

I haven't been emotional about it yet. I'm still at my parents' house for at least another 10 days and my emotional guard will probably be up until I get home and am alone with it, for better or for worse.

Slept in bed last night instead of in the recliner (pillows under my knees to keep the required "crouched" position) and that was glorious.

Now we get to start the count-down till my first post-op shower. 8 days to go!

8 MORE days til' shower? How many days is that total? You'll be lookin' hot and smeeling NOT!! ha ha ha just kiddin'. I bet it was good to sleep in bed! I hope your getting enough rest, and taking good care of yourself, inspite of the boredom. Did you get to get into the sports bra yet? Have you been able to check it out yet? I hope your results just blow you away (in a good way of course). Speedy recovery to you Julie!!!!!!!!