My LBL surgery is scheduled for Friday, and I am so anxious about it! 6 hours of anesthesia sounds overwhelming and from what I'm reading, it seems the recovery period is really painful, and does a bit of a number on your mind for a bit. Please tell me this is going to be worth it! Thanks!

Congrats! And just a word of caution... I bought clothes too early after surgery and they ultimately ended up being too big. Try to wait 4-mos if you can. Your body will change a lot. As for me, my "celebratory something" were thongs. It was nice to feel sexy for almost the first time ever.

I took your advice and bought myself a lacy black thong today! I have never worn a thong in my life! Even back when I was thin, I still had a little fat pad above my mons, and now even that is gone. I had a 30% off coupon at Kohls, and also bought a simple Vera Wang dress that hugs my middle. For what feels like the first time in my life, my breasts stick out further than my belly - I was so shocked, I just stared at myself in the mirror wearing that dress! My doctor removed my drains yesterday, and one of the sites is still really weepy, so I couldn't keep shopping, which is probably a good thing. But today was definitely a special memory for me!!

Congratulations! So happy your recovery hasn't been too difficult.

I know what mean about being boxy. I was pretty concerned right after surgery. Before, I had a small waist and was pretty flat from the side view, especially above the waist. For the first couple of weeks I was also boxy and looked like a barrel. It's been 5 months now, and that's subsided. I was much better after a month, but the rest of the improvement has been gradual. The skin removal improvement was immediate, but the shape was more gradual. For the most part, I was given my pre-obese shape back. My clothes are looser, but I still haven't bought anything new. I had a second round of plastics December 12, (thigh lift and breast lift/augmentation) and so now all that swelling has returned, so I am waiting for that to subside. I think things continue to shift and improve for up to a couple of years.

Thank you so much for this feedback, I hope my experience will be the same over time as yours was. At the doctor's office yesterday I could see a lumpiness over my stomach from the swelling. At the doctor's suggestion I got a couple of pairs of shape wear that covers me from shorts to the bra line. It's annoying to gently get everything situated over the weepy dressings where the drains were removed every time I have to go to the bathroom, but I guess I will get used to it in time.

@BethinPA@BethinPA@BethinPA

I took your advice and bought myself a lacy black thong today! I have never worn a thong in my life! Even back when I was thin, I still had a little fat pad above my mons, and now even that is gone. I had a 30% off coupon at Kohls, and also bought a simple Vera Wang dress that hugs my middle. For what feels like the first time in my life, my breasts stick out further than my belly - I was so shocked, I just stared at myself in the mirror wearing that dress! My doctor removed my drains yesterday, and one of the sites is still really weepy, so I couldn't keep shopping, which is probably a good thing. But today was definitely a special memory for me!!

I am VERY happy for you. I know thwt magical feeling that you speak of and how wonderful it feels. Be prepared to feel surreal as you get used to your new body. You may catch glimpses of your reflection in a store window and ask "is that thin person me?" Enjoy the ride!!!

A question for those of you who are more experienced …the surgeon removed my 4 drains Monday afternoon and told me I should be able to remove the drain dressings and take a quick shower this evening. But one of the drains is still draining pretty heavily, to the point where I'm not comfortable leaving the house, and I walk around with a cloth held against the hole to catch the drainage as it happens. Has this happened to others?

Yes, I had the same thing happen. Basically your body is still producing liquid and you still have opening for that liquid to escape. It will slow as the openings close and start to heal, maybe a couple of days. I taped gauze over the openings and had to change it frequently. Kind of a pain, but this too shall pass.