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.

5/6 jeans :omg: ......... you are now one of "those", :eyebrows: cute/sexxxxy,:Banane20: tiny girls I hate :waytogo: ...and that is, with out even knowing them. I know "they" could be someone wonderful :love: ...but my own issues with weight, cause me to just "hate" them! :puke: Now you are them!!

:nervous :pray: ANY CHANCE NEXT YEAR, I CAN BE THEM TOO???? :biggrin1: :Banane20: lol

Disclaimer:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

:peace:Peace- just in case, I don't really hate anyone.

5/6 jeans :omg: ......... you are now one of "those", :eyebrows: cute/sexxxxy,:Banane20: tiny girls I hate :waytogo: ...and that is, with out even knowing them. I know "they" could be someone wonderful :love: ...but my own issues with weight, cause me to just "hate" them! :puke: Now you are them!!

:nervous :pray: ANY CHANCE NEXT YEAR, I CAN BE THEM TOO???? :biggrin1: :Banane20: lol

Disclaimer:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

:peace:Peace- just in case, I don't really hate anyone.

No worries! I know just what you mean. I keep wondering feeling like I need to pinch myself. Wondering if this is all just a dream or if it possible I've turned into one of those people I always loved to "hate". I still have trouble not seeing the same larger girl in the mirror but each day it is slowly sinking in that others are seeing something different. It's been both amazing and scary at the same time.

I actually went into an Ann Taylor shop yesterday and asked the clerks who greeted me at the door if they could help me find a couple new outfits to wear. When I told them I had no idea how to dress they looked at me like I was crazy. But it is so hard trying to relearn (heck learn) how to do something as supposedly simple as buying clothes. The last time I was in an Ann Taylor shop the clerks didn't even say hi to me. I wasn't deemed worthy then, this time they had over 20 things pulled out for me to try on within minutes and were trying to bring me more when I insisted I really needed to wrap things up and get going. I managed to find 3 new tops but no pants yet. I really should get at least one or two size 8 slacks to wear soon or at least a belt for the 10's I'm wearing. I say they aren't loose but with the slippery spanx I'm wearing per the doc post PS they are tending to slide down a bit when I walk and I'm ever finding I need to pull them back up.

Maybe when I post the next "after" shots of the scarring I'll post some with my clothes on as well. :Banane20:

A 5/6!!!! WOW!! How amazing is this band and the second chances we get?! Congrats!!!! :confused:

:whoo:I got my updated "After" Pics from the PS yesterday. Sorry I didn't get them online yet, but we had to pick up a relative at the airport last night. She was tired from the long flight and went straight to bed, unfortunately, our computer is in the guest room. I'll make sure to get them posted tonight for everyone though.

Diane: I just caught up on this thread.............. WOOOOOOOOT! WOOOOOOOOOT! on the jeans NSV!

I'll be waiting to see the pics!

Julie had posted a innocent comment early on that she thought it was possible I could get down to a size 6 (actually I think she said 4 but anyways)

Yep. I'm sticking to my prediction of a FOUR not a six.

Wink.

No worries! I know just what you mean. I keep wondering feeling like I need to pinch myself. Wondering if this is all just a dream or if it possible I've turned into one of those people I always loved to "hate". I still have trouble not seeing the same larger girl in the mirror but each day it is slowly sinking in that others are seeing something different. It's been both amazing and scary at the same time.

I actually went into an Ann Taylor shop yesterday and asked the clerks who greeted me at the door if they could help me find a couple new outfits to wear. When I told them I had no idea how to dress they looked at me like I was crazy. But it is so hard trying to relearn (heck learn) how to do something as supposedly simple as buying clothes. The last time I was in an Ann Taylor shop the clerks didn't even say hi to me. I wasn't deemed worthy then, this time they had over 20 things pulled out for me to try on within minutes and were trying to bring me more when I insisted I really needed to wrap things up and get going. I managed to find 3 new tops but no pants yet. I really should get at least one or two size 8 slacks to wear soon or at least a belt for the 10's I'm wearing. I say they aren't loose but with the slippery spanx I'm wearing per the doc post PS they are tending to slide down a bit when I walk and I'm ever finding I need to pull them back up.

Maybe when I post the next "after" shots of the scarring I'll post some with my clothes on as well.

Oh, wow! I'm definitely rooting for you! It sounds like you've come so far.

Diane: Congratulaitions! Can't wait to see the pics. Sounds like your feeling good. Is work and energy levels going well now? I'm thinking about interviewing some plastic surgeons in December. Just not quite sure about the when yet. Watching you and Julie and trying to learn what I can.

Finally. Here are the new pics. Sorry the most recent ones are a bit grainy, but the best I could get from the doc. I look quite a bit more puffy now than I did one day post op. He says I'm at my peak swelling and probably have around 4" in swelling around my waist. I do have a couple of seroma's (pockets of fluid under the skin). When you tap them the skin ripples like you tapped a water bed. He tried to drain them but said the fluid seemed to be "honeycombed" in the tissue and couldn't get any out. He will be watching to see if it doesn't get any worse, but says my body should re-absorb them on its own.

Wooo hoo Diane! Look at you girl! You look awsome!

Your bellybutton looks so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You look great! Thanks for sharing the pics! You've got to feel so much better not hauling the belly around.

Ghost, is there any chance you have a picture of your surgical markings?

I just love where your incision is located, low, and want to know if you have a pic of the surgeons markings before the procedure.

Thanks for sharing all your pictures.

THANKS Juli! I kept thinking my belly button was too low. Guess after so many years of all that extra skin hanging below it my perception was a bit distorted. But my new belly button is starting to grow on me now.

Paulax - I meant to take a camera that morning but forgot. So I don't have any pics of the surgical markings or the excess skin. I did ask the doc at my follow up and he says they don't take pics (at least not on non-insurance patients) unless the patient specifically requests it and provides a camera.

The scar line is slowly starting to distort a bit. Not sure if it matters to me it is still so low there is no risk of it showing above my underwear. But 24 hours out it was much straighter across. I think it has slowly pulled up some of the skin from my upper thighs which I suppose isn't the worst thing that could have happened.

I'm also having a problem this last couple days with increased swelling. With that relative coming into town last week I think I pushed it to much. The doc had cleared me for walking but I'm not sure he meant for me to be on the go the entire day and night with only 4-6hours sleep per night and no real down time just lying down with my feet up reading or watching TV. I can tell that the Seroma in my stomach has really increased since I saw them last week and my legs are having pitting edema nearly as bad as when I had pre-eclampsia during my pregnancy 4 years ago. I took a lasiks pill they gave me a couple weeks ago when my legs started swelling before but it hasn't seemed to work this time. Think I'm going to have to cave and give them a call. I REALLY REALLY REALLY Don't want them to put drains back in me OR try to pull the fluids out with a needle again like the did last Wednesday. At least not without pain meds this time. Hopefully they can give me another dose of Lasiks and it works this time.

In the mean time I know I know quit pushing myself. Honestly I did try. I didn't lift anything over 5 pounds (Well maybe only once or twice) but I was on my feet way too much. Things should be calmer this week.

And I meant to say, WOWEE, since the swelling went down, you look super ultra awesome.

That's it. I want a TT, spring or summer.

Sorry about the recent swelling Ghost, take it easy. hugs

Awesome results!!!! I swear that I'm looking at myself (on the befores) when I look at your pics!!

I already have a twin or I'd say you were my long lost twin :eek:

I hope the swelling goes down soon! Thanks SO much for sharing your journey!