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!!!!!!!!!!!! Words can not even begin to describe the inspiration your posts and pics yeild.... thank you, and look at that ab definition ALREADY!

Julie WOW you look really great and you are brave!!!more pics please:-)

You're right!! It's not unrealistic at all.I feel it's all in the determination and desire to get to where you want.I was so tired of being morbidly obese.I was determined to make this band work for me.I lost 115 in 7 months.After my lower body lift I've lost 20 more lbs.A friend of mine lost 130 lbs in 6 months.It's all about changing your habits 200%.Majorly changing your diet,even though it's physically still possible to eat alot of things,we shouldn't ,IF WE WANT TO SUCCEED and we need to exercise daily no matter what.I walked 2 miles every evening,while my family ate Dinner.

I don't think 72 lbs is unrealistic either. I am 8.5 months post op and I have lost almost 92 lbs.

Julie i really haven't had the chance to post but you look amazing, I am hoping for a tummy tuck and possible breast life at the end of the year. Thanks

Belive me--- all of Julies pics--- are amazing!! Bravo Julie and Bravo "DAD"!!!

There is some serious work out under that surgery!!!!!!

There are no words that can express how inspired I am.

JULIE YOU ARE AMAZING!

Thank you for posting your story! It gives those of us who are supersized hope to some day live in a "normal" body.

Julie, as so many others have said, you are truly an inspiration to me. I will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery. Keep us posted!

Wow! I am so excited you! You look great, I cant imagine that you still have some swelling..... you will have to update the pics in another week or so if there is any difference! I cant imagine it looking any better...your results are going to be phenomenal!!!!

Hey, Julie,

How have you been doing? Are you back at work yet? I think we're all anxious to see more photos now that you are further along in the healing process. You just look so great!

Are you happy with how the scars are healing? That's probably my biggest fear with plastic surgery. The scar from my lap-band is still red and slightly raised and I hate looking at it every day. Of course, it's better than looking at all the fat that I used to have. I guess every thing is a trade-off.

Give us an update when you can. Thanks.

I had a date Sunday night and got reasonably dressed for it, so I'll post a pic of that outfit when I get home (I'd taken it so a girlfriend could help me decide what to wear!).

The scars on my breasts are darn-near invisible at this point (and I'm a poor scarer). The TT scars are very red and raised -- to be expected. Dad said we won't really assess them until the 3 month mark. He thinks my scars will be bad and, if so, may do some salicilic (sp?) acid treatments on them during the healing process. We'll see. I'd like them to be nice, but honestly, it's not that big of a deal to me.

What IS a big deal is how much I want my thighs and arms done now that I see how big of a change PS really makes! If I can lose 30 more lbs, I can have the thighs done over Christmas. The arms only require a week off work, so I'm less concerned with when I'll get them in.

OK, I was happier than I looked in these pics -- I was just snapping quick shots on the cellphone to send to a friend to help decide what to wear! I went with the pink.

PS: The date didn't go so well -- you'd think new boobs would at least get me from the peck on the cheek to a peck on the lips! Wink.

This is a guy I've known for 6 years. It's probably all too new for him, I guess. Anyway, I'm trying to get out more....

WoW! Amazing! You're beautiful!

Did your Dad build you a new belly button, or is that the origional?

You look amazing!

Dumb boy, not giving you kisses.