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,

i completely see where you are coming from .. if i wasnt a complete chicken $#!t, i'd do a total BL instead of arms then LBL for a total of 2 ops ...

i am sure it will work out, you have come SO far...

I know what you mean about the clothes. I hate the idea that I'm looking at buying a whole new wardrobe just to have it replaced again after my Breast Reduction next year.

I'm sure you can get him to come round in time for the surgery. I don't know what your clothing budget is like but you could alway argue that is an added cost he hasn't considered.

Good Luck

That's a tough one Julie. I totally hear you, but then I have to think that your dad does this for a living, and also would have to have YOUR best interest at heart. Hmmm. Let us know what happens.

Cindy

Julie -- There's one other thing to consider. Sometimes when you surgically remove fat from one area, it comes back in another. I had liposuction on my thighs when I was 21. At that time, I was a D cup. Three years later, I was a DDD cup and had not put on any significant weight (maybe 1-2 pounds, which is what I lost from the lipo). I hit puberty at age 9 and had been a D cup since I was 12 years old. I certainly didn't expect them grow anymore -- I'm sure it was from the lipo. The body has a way of compensating.

Of course, the choice is yours, but if there's a chance your body will redistribute the weight, you might want to consider waiting a little while before doing the breast augmentation. I plan to do my breast lift (and possible reduction) only after I've done the arms, thighs, and tummy.

Julie, What would your Dad's position be in the same scenario with a patient who was not also his daughter?

Julie -- There's one other thing to consider. Sometimes when you surgically remove fat from one area, it comes back in another. I had liposuction on my thighs when I was 21. At that time, I was a D cup. Three years later, I was a DDD cup and had not put on any significant weight (maybe 1-2 pounds, which is what I lost from the lipo).

THIS would be a valid, clinical reason, if it were the one my Dad were offering. It would be a reason I would take seriously. We've discussed this and he doesn't think it's going to have an impact on me because we're not doing lipo -- only skin removal, and because I've already had a breast lift, so there's no pure fat in my breasts -- only breast tissue, meaning my breasts are kind of like an area that has been lipoed.

That said, I'm starting to come around to the idea of waiting. I was really just mad at the control issue -- the fact that he was controlling me without listening to me (or I felt that way). I'm trying to take a step back. Irrespective, I'm going forward on Nov. 8th with the thighs and arms. I can revisit the breasts before the Dec. 20th surgery if I want to.

Julie, What would your Dad's position be in the same scenario with a patient who was not also his daughter?

Excellent question. I get nowhere with him on questions like that. The man is a top notch surgeon and a good father. I guess there are just minuses to mixing the two. (Of course there are plusses too -- $$$)

Anyway, I'm putting it on the back burner for now and getting through my marathon on Sunday. YEA!

Julie, Good luck on Sunday. I've just recently started the couch to 5k (on week 2), and I love it. I can't wait to hear how you do! PS, I've been reading about the Body Bugg and I REALLY want one. I'm going to wait a bit and see if I still feel this way in a couple of weeks. (I'm usually quite an impulse buyer). I have been reading the exercise thread about it, and you have one. Do you still love it. Is it really worth it do you think? My birthday is Sunday and I've left a few notes around the house for my husband with hints that I'd really like an IPOD, so I can download the couch to 5k thing. Usually when asked, I say not to get me anything, but this year is different. Thinking about now asking for the body bugg for Christmas, if I can wait that long.

Cindy

Julie what ever happens... I'll be here reading about it!

I'm so excited about updates in this thread. Yay for you and yay for us since you share your experiences with us!

(I guess it's bad that I hate you because your dad is a plastic surgeon? My dad is a mortician so I shudder to think what I might get a discount on some day!) =)

Julie - How did you do in the marathon?

OOoooo, I know she ran the maration, just not sure when the surgery was, or perhaps it is over now?

Hope all is well JulieNYC!

Hugs!

Surgery is later this week.

How was the Marathon, Julie?

I'm wishing you well for the surgery, only a few days now... WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f12/julienycs-extended-tummy-tuck-breast-lift-30557/index6.html#post614196

results .. dunno if she will be posting. she did amazing!!

GO-Julie-GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julie hope the marathon went well for you. Good luck on your surgery. Please let us know how you're doing.

Cindy