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....

Oh btw, what kind of boobs are 'we' getting?

Oh btw, what kind of boobs are 'we' getting?

We're getting "gummi" gels, 250 cc's. That's not very big -- I'm only looking to be a small C (I'm down to a small B/big A). Dad (ok, it's weird to say that, but whatever!) really thinks I should go 300 or 325, but I just don't. I want to stay small, just fill them out a little.

We're getting "gummi" gels, 250 cc's. That's not very big -- I'm only looking to be a small C (I'm down to a small B/big A). Dad (ok, it's weird to say that, but whatever!) really thinks I should go 300 or 325, but I just don't. I want to stay small, just fill them out a little.

yeah, i can see how that would be strange saying. :nervous

i just cannot believe how amazing you look, Julie! i've shown your before/after to my DH and he is just astounded as well.

best of luck to you on your blood work tomorrow. if it's a go, when is the Sx?

GO, JULIE!!!

36 is the magic number for blood work!

136 is your magic scale number!!

Goodluck with the bloodwork!!!!

Good luck with the Boobwork too!

I was wondering about the girls and what you were going to do. Like I have any real business wondering about your boobies, but you know, curiosity is what it is.

Thanks for your candor.

We're getting "gummi" gels, 250 cc's. That's not very big -- I'm only looking to be a small C (I'm down to a small B/big A). Dad (ok, it's weird to say that, but whatever!) really thinks I should go 300 or 325, but I just don't. I want to stay small, just fill them out a little.

Sounds appropriate since you are a runner.

I'd like that too, just a bit of a filler up.

Well, for better or for worse, the bloodwork is done. We'll have the results tomorrow. COME ON 36!!

The scale flickered on 139 this morning before settling back into 141.0. Usually when that happens, I drop within a couple of days. Can't explain it -- maybe my scale has premonitions.

Losingjusme, surgery is December 20th, if I get the "go ahead" (knock wood).

Juli, you're welcome to wonder about my boobs any time -- full disclosure on this forum! I'm quite curious too to see how they're going to turn out myself. haha. Hopefully I'll be getting them next week. CAN'T WAIT.

Julie - fingers crossed for better than 36!

Hey, Julie, how are you feeling?

I think you are almost 5 weeks out now?

Have your incisions healed over?

just phoned my local ps for a consult today. I am waiting for a consult date. :giggle:

I'm feeling great, Paulax. Yes, my incisions have been healed over for quite a while, but for one TINY place right in back. It's healed over in that it doesn't bleed, but it's still kind of white and yucky. It's only about the size of a pencil eraser and it doesn't hurt, so it's not a big deal -- I just wish it'd hurry up and scab over. I'll be 5 weeks out on Thurs.

I'm a little more tired than normal, but I actually think that's because I've been low carbing more than because I'm still healing. Might have to quit that. Don't know why I put so much stock in an arbitrary number on the scale. I'm sure I could find a scale somewhere that said I weighed 136!

....I'm a little more tired than normal, but I actually think that's because I've been low carbing more than because I'm still healing. Might have to quit that....

Julie - Make sure you don't over do it. My plastic surgeon specifically told me not to diet for the 6 weeks following my brachioplasty. It's more important that you get the nutrients and fuel that your body needs to repair itself than to get to that arbitrary number on a scale. Take care of yourself.

By the way, you have spectacular muscle definition in your arms and I'm terribly jealous of your collar bone.

Yep -- I'm officially off the low carb. I was feeling like crap and couldn't put my all into my workouts. I know it's a great diet for some, but it's not for me. Back to the balanced diet I go....

Did you get your results, did you get your results? LoL Keeping my fingers crossed for above 36!!

You are absolutely gorgeous.. Wow, wow.....