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!

Well, today I'm a little more swollen than I'd like and I'm a bit worried about it. I don't know if it's just normal swelling or -- my big fear -- that I've got a seroma in the works. We'll see, I guess. I'm probably worried about nothing, but Dad'll be home in a few hours and I guess I'll get his opinion then.

Congrats on ... everything! Weight loss, model recovery, exercise, etc. I've enjoyed this thread and can't wait for pictures!

Julie, I hope it is NOT a seroma. But even if it is, you can feel confident that your dad can take care of it.

I ran a little faster on Saturday, knowing how frustrated you are at sitting around. It won't be long and you will be back in your running shoes. Just think how much easier it will be to run with less weight, and a tighter body!!

I found this thread today. Julie you are so inspiring!

I hope you are feeling better.

Well, the stitches come out tomorrow and I'll post some pictures when they do -- AFTER my --- wait for it ---- ahhhhh, SHOWER!! No shower for 2 weeks is NOT fun! Actually, it's not as bad as you'd think. I managed to wash my hair and shave my legs pretty normally, then sponge bathe the rest of me, so it hasn't been TOO TOO bad. That said, I can't wait for tomorrow!

When Dad got home and looked at my stomach swelling he said it was completely normal and expected. He tightened the binder and everything went back to normal in about 6 hours. As I figured, I was worried about nothing. He said it was a little early to be worried about seromas anyway, that it's really between weeks 2-3 that he would worry about them for me. Anyway, so far so good.

I'm feeling really good. I worked about 6 hours today (from home). My head is clear and I don't need to nap so much anymore. If I were in NYC, I could completely be back at the office by this point. I could have done this surgery with 2 weeks off instead of 3, for those of you in the planning stages.

Lastly, today is my bandiversary. I'm going to do a separate post on the main thread, but I'm down 173 lbs in a year. It almost doesn't seem real.

Take care,

It is amazing the amount of weight you have lost in a year. I told the psychologist that my goal for the first year is to loose 72 lbs and he thought it is unrealistic if he hears about you he'll fall flat on his tushie.

How have you lost all that weight in a year?

Julie I am sooo proud of you- I am one week-aversary and hope I have half the success you have experienced and I'll be thrilled!! If I lose 173# before 4-2-08--- I would take out another loan just to come vistit your dad!ha ha ha!

It is amazing the amount of weight you have lost in a year. I told the psychologist that my goal for the first year is to loose 72 lbs and he thought it is unrealistic if he hears about you he'll fall flat on his tushie.

How have you lost all that weight in a year?

I was really ready to lose the weight and wanted to make as much progress as possible, as quickly as possible. Some people prefer to take things more slowly and I totally get and support that. For me, at 5'2 and 358 lbs, neither my body nor my spirit wanted to stay at that weight, so the first 75 lbs came off with almost no effort. The second 75 came off equally quickly due to moderate daily exercise (about 45 min of cardio most days) and tracking calories (not with the goal of staying below X calories, but just for accountability). The last 12 came off with my tummy tuck, then healing took about 10 more off with it!

72 lbs in a year is NOT unrealistic. You can do it.

Julie I am sooo proud of you- I am one week-aversary and hope I have half the success you have experienced and I'll be thrilled!! If I lose 173# before 4-2-08--- I would take out another loan just to come vistit your dad!ha ha ha!

Haha! You're going to do GREAT Maziemommy. I can't wait to watch your success in the coming year! Congratulations again on getting banded. When is your first fill?

YOu sound healthy and well and very happy Julie. I cant wait to see the pics.

I dont think 72lbs in a year is unrealistic either. I've managed that and I had a BMI of 35, I have never counted a gram of fat, Protein or carbs, let alone calories!

At my psych eval when I said that I expected it would probably take a couple of years, maybe even a bit longer, for all my excess weight to come off the psychologist told me that it was entirely possible for me to lose all of my excess weight in just one year and so forth. Well, we'll see. Thursday is my 24th birthday. My goal is to be as healthy as possible on my 25th birthday (or at least working steadily toward better health. I also want to have an organized house). Now if only I could figure out what the secret is to keeping one's figure during a pregnancy (or at least getting it back soon after), because I'll probably one of those cute little money drains (aka children) in a couple of years. I love reading threads like this! They are such an inspiration for me!

I found not gaining weight during the pregnancies the easy bit. It's afterwards when you're sleep deprived and totally enslaved that its difficult!

Julie-

What a thread. Wow. You are amazing! I have my Lap surgery TODAY and this thread has dispelled all fears, thank you.

I'm an NY girl too (lived in Hell's Kitchen for years, now we live on Long Island on the beach) I'll be banded at Syosset Hospital.

I had a breast reducton by the great Dr. Nolan Karp in November 2003. I recovered very quickly and LOVE the results. I know a TT is in my future (especially after a 10 lb. baby). I love idea of not standing upright for fear of stretching my taught belly....awesome. That will be my new fantasy! lol.

Thank you again and congratulations for all your accomplishments. You are an eloquent, beautiful, strong woman. NOW GET UP SOME PICS!

I've been following this thread and Julie is amazing! Wow, 173 pounds in one year!!! I was banded on Feb 9th and I am going for my first fill this Saturday. Right now I don't have any restriction but I hope that all changes this weekend!!!!!

I can't wait to see the pictures also. It sounds like you are in great hands with your Dad watching over you.

Thanks for being such an inspiration!!!:clap2:

OK, I'm not going to win any photographic awards for these, but here goes -- a clothed shot and a more up close shot.

***Here's the further scoop. I'm just not comfortable with nudes of me on the internet. But, I did take them, both before and after. If you're part of the lapband world and you promise to keep them confidential and "for your eyes only," email me through LBT and I'll send them to you directly. Sound fair?

The best part is that top is a size 8 and that's with NO BRA and no lycra -- just a top and sweatpants!

See my port scar BELOW my belly button! Also, the marks above my belly button and below my bra aren't suture lines -- it's where the girdle they had me in was chaffing. It should fade in a few days now that I've moved to a different style garment. It didn't hurt at all -- I just mark easily. Dad says the swelling on my tummy will go down quite a bit more. I'm happy with it as is, but yahoo!