Well, I thought it was time to leave the old TT thread and start a separate one for my lateral thigh lift and brachioplasty that are coming up on November 8th. I figured months and years down the road, it'll be easier for someone considering the different procedures to find info if the threads are appropriately titled, so I'll have a thread for this surgery, and then probably another for the medial thighs and mons lift that I have planned for December 20th (assuming all goes well with the recovery from the November 8th surgeries).

As backgound for anyone who hasn't followed my first round of PS, I had an extended TT and breast lift on March 28, 2007, approximately 11 months after my band was placed. I am 5'2 (when I stand very very tall!) and I started at 358 lbs. I was at 199 when I had the first PS, which was somewhat controversial because obviously 199 isn't goal for someone who is 5'2. I went ahead with it because my pannus was so large and completely in my way in terms of exercise and the timing coincided with a job change, which gave me the time off I needed. Plus, I'm in the fortunate position of having a father who is a plastic surgeon, so cost wasn't too much of a concern (it's not free, but it's close) if and when I needed a revision (which, BTW, I do need).

Lateral Thighs

OK, so November 8th. The lateral thigh lift is the last MAJOR surgery I'll likely have from my morbid obesity. It's a very big surgery, particularly for me because I have an extreme amount of excess skin on my legs and bottom. Basically, they will re-open my TT scar on the sides and continue it around until it nearly makes a circle, as if I was wearing a belt. Then they pull up the outer thigh and butt. I'm expected to lose about 5-7 lbs in skin. It's not expected that I'll need any lipo in conjunction because I'm supposedly quite thin, but for the skin (or so they tell me). Supposedly there will be some improvement to the inner (medial) thighs as well, but they do think it's a near certainty that I'll want a separate operation for that, even though the scar is bad and many people would rather live with the excess skin. Mine is extreme enough that they think the scar will be outweighed by the improvement. Medials will likely be December 20th, along with a mons lift.

Brachioplasty (arm lift)

As for the brachioplasty (arm lift), I've been working out my arms for 2 years with a trainer my muscles are really great (if I say so myself!). I toyed with not having the arms done. Like the medial thighs, the scar is really bad if you're not a candidate for having them done through the arm pit (my hang is all the way to the elbow, so I'm not a candidate). Once again, my Dad said that the scar is bad, but that my extra skin is bad enough to justify it. If my Dad weren't the PS, I don't know if I would be having the arms done. I trust him completely when he says it will be worth it. I guess it's that I know the extra skin is bad, it's just that the legs are SO SO bad that I don't question them for a moment. the arms, well, I usually wear sleeves and they just don't bother me as much. Anyway, I'm doing it. As it can be done in conjunction with the lateral thighs, there's not much more surgical risk, so that's the plan.

I will post pictures along the journey, including before shots. 16 days in counting. I expect this will take me from being a size 6P to a size 2P (on bottom) -- something I truly can't fathom as I still see a heavy girl when I look in the mirror. I don't know if my top (4P) will change a size or not. Probably not. My rib cage is large for my frame and I don't find myself not buying things because they're too small in the arms -- they're more likely to not zip up the side, etc.

So there we have it. This forum was such a major source of support during my first round of PS. I look forward to sharing this journey with you as well.

To be continued....

Julie,

you look absolutely stunning!

C

No, I live in Miami Beach, but I spend a lot of time in NYC and am thinking about moving there soon. I haven't been up in a few months, but I can't wait to hit all the shops on my next trip. We have Loehman's here and I practically live there (especially now that I'm starting to fit into 14's!!).

I will definitely join you on the Barney's trip when I'm at goal weight.

Lucy who is your doctor in Miami? I was banded with Dr Fielding at NYU but I'm a snowbird living in Boynton Beach half a year. I could use a doctor when I'm in Florida.

thanks

Spunky

Dr. Eddie Gomez at Mercy Hospital in Coconut Grove. He's great.

Dear Julie;

You are such a generous person to let us all in on your PS journey.

The pictures are worth a 1000 words... so I won't trouble you with mine.

Congrats and best of luck with the Breast surg.

Honestly, Karey, I love the arms more than anything. I really thought the scar would bother me and I almost didn't have it done -- my Dad really talked me into it. I felt my arms weren't THAT bad, all things considered. And, bad as they were, I could have lived with them the way they were. I wasn't that self conscious before. Well, at least I wasn't until I got my marathon photos back where I was sleeveless and running and my arms literally had WAVES of skin on them, in motion. That freaked me out a bit.

Anyway, I'm so glad I had them done. The scar is kind of cool, almost, and where it's placed I almost never see it. You really have to try to angle your arm just right -- it kind of falls in a shadow. I would wear a sleeveless dress with no hesitation. I'd have to hold my arm in an awkward position for anyone to really see it, and even if they did, it's not so bad. I can tell (knock on wood) that when it flattens out in a few months, it's going to be no big deal at all. I guess I'm warming up to scars in general, which is good since I'm going to have so many of them!

Well, I think I'm going to LOW CARB for a week (or until my surgery on the 20th) and see if I can get to "goal" -- goal being the "normal" BMI of 136 that the charts say. It's almost become a game for me. I'm bouncing between 142.8 and 143.2. I've never low carbed before, but I don't care if it's water weight or real weight -- I just want to see the numbers go down 6 lbs. I can't believe I'm SIX POUNDS from goal!

Julie: Thanks for the input on the scar thing. I think I might proceed with it too. I think it really helps to change up your diet. It makes your body wake up. I think are bodies adjust when we do the same things, even if there good or lo-cal things. I bet you'll make you're goal! Good luck!

Julie,

Wow, simply, wow!

Thanks again for sharing your journey.

Went out tonight.

Never thought I'd have thighs that could pull off this style dress....

Dad said the magic number is 36 -- whatever the blood test is, we want the result to be 36 or above to be able to go forward with the surgery a week from Thurs. Come on, 36!

Wow Julie you look great! I cant wait to take that kind of picture! haha

OMG Julie you look dangerous <wink> Our new hottie...Praying for 36......

spunky

Julie: What a good looking woman in that hot dress! I guess the scars on your arms really must not be a bother. You look great!

36 = hematocrit

good luck!

Went out tonight.

Never thought I'd have thighs that could pull off this style dress....

Dad said the magic number is 36 -- whatever the blood test is, we want the result to be 36 or above to be able to go forward with the surgery a week from Thurs. Come on, 36!

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, JULIE!! :clap2::faint: you look fabulous.

come on 36!!

I'll take a billion scars for that body. You go, Julie!

I don't even know what to say.

You must be so stinking, fricken excited at the new you.

I just kissed you on the screen....lololol!

You gorgeous thing you......