Now that I have my pre-op pics from the doctor I thought I'd start this thread. I have learned so much watching Julie and Puddin I wanted to follow their example and share my journey as well.

I am posting my surgical pre-op photos below but am leaving my before/current photos of my clothed self off this thread for now. Somehow that makes me feel just a little more exposed on this thread. Silly I know since my photos are already on several other threads.

Good Hubby.

Good Hubby.

Yeah, sometimes he surprises me.

(Nah, he's a good guy most of the time, infuriating all the time but good most of the time.):heh:

Thanks Diane, I'm seriously thinking about what you have said. I guess I'm a little bit of a chicken too, but I am determined to have the TT or LBL. Maybe after Christmas I will get my first consultation. Hope you're feeling better.

Hey there Karey, Don't get me wrong I'm sure you look absolutely fabulous as you are right now. I just know that for me there was a high school reunion this summer just as I was starting the whole PS process and OH WHAT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN to have been done with the PS before the reunion. Its more of a head issue than an actual "clothing" fit issue at least for me. I never thought the clothes fit quite right but everyone else was telling me there was no problems. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I also realized I didn't answer your question about excersize. I'm just as bad about beating myself up over that as anything else weight related. Especially when I see people like JulieNYC out running marathons and such. But I was walking twice a week here with friends, sometimes as little as 1 mile sometimes as many as 3 but just at a fairly casual pace no power walking or god forbid jogging/running in these "F" cups. Maybe after my Breast Reduction next year. One sign of hope for me is the fact my DH bit the bullet last week and joined the gym after 2 years of swearing neither one of us would ever "waste our money" on a gym again. Maybe after the holiday rush I'll convince him to let me join as well. Actually I'll probably join up no matter what he thinks, especially if they have child care available.

I am going in tomorrow to have the last of the stiches out and to most likely get my drains out. They are suppose to give me more detailed instructions on my remaining recovery. But he did say I could start back with some casual/excersize walking at 3 weeks. So the plan is for me to meet up with one or more of my banded friends next Wednesday to walk at the local mall we like to frequent. I'll just sit down and let them "lap" me anytime I feel I need to.

Good for you. I look fine in clothes, but I think I'd be a size smaller without the stomach. It's just a hard decision. I'm also getting in really good shape with the weight lifting and I hate to regress. Glad your getting the stitches out, hope the drains come out too.

Hope you are regaining your energy, how are you feeling today?

How many days has it been since surgery?

How does the incision look?

hugs

Hope you are regaining your energy, how are you feeling today?

How many days has it been since surgery?

How does the incision look?

hugs

Thanks for asking. I'm actually feeling pretty great. My drains came out Wednesday. Boy that hurt. Not a 10 on the pain scale but definitely an 8+. It was pretty quick though and the nurse was great. Shed had a tummy tuck herself 4 years ago so she understands what I'm going through and is able to answer my questions better than someone who has only watched people go through it.

I'd say my energy level has nearly doubled since the drains came out. I'm still not 100% back to my presurgery levels but I'd rate it at 80% or better. I'm also finally out of my pj's and back into my old jeans. A little bummed that they are still a bit tight and not falling off of me yet. But the nurse said it took nearly 3 months before the swelling came down enough for her to need to start buying smaller clothes. Julie, are you out there? How long did it take you? I will say they fit better, they are snug but in an all over way not like before where I could have swore it looked like I was wearing a small fanney pack under my jeans.

I am 17 days out from surgery now. And the incision is doing pretty well. Today is the first day I'm trying to go without any gauze along it. It's fairly well healed with only a couple small scabs, and a few blisters from a reaction to the steri-strips. I'm a little torn as to whether to get my neighbor to take a couple pics now for everyone to see or if I should just wait 2 weeks until my 1-month post op visit at the doc where they will be taking some after pics and the blisters have had time to settle.

pictures

pictures

pictures

we want pictures

pics please

I applaud your bravery putting pics out here for all of us to see! You are an amazing person to share this with all of us - so ... thank you! :car:

I waiver between being too scared to do it and REALLY wanting to get it done. I need a tummy tuck and a breast lift already and I still have 50 pounds to go (YIKES!)

I hope your recovery is going well!

Ghost,

thanks so much for taking the time to do this, I am having a FTT etc done in Feb and wondering about healing times etc,your 'blog' has answered loads of my questions!!

I hope that you are feeling good today, it is a long road back to feeling normal by the sounds of it!

Oh and piccies piccies!!!LOL

Nina x

OK all you Perv's :heh:! I'll do my best to get you some updated pics this week instead of waiting until after Nov. 7th.

And wish me luck all. I've told work I intend on trying to be back to full time starting tomorrow.

Good luck Diane!

Hi Diane. Just checking in on you. Hope your first day back "Full time" is going well. Hang in there. You are doing so great!

Keep us posted.

Cindy

Back to work full time? Back to pain pills full time too?

I am wondering if I remember correctly...was it you Diane, that posted a pic somewhere of your arms? After a massage technique, to reduce excess skin? If it was you, could you please update me on your progress with that ..or did you stop...any more pics of this? The one I saw was very interesting...and I would like to see or hear more.

Thank you for being soooo very inspiring!!!