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....

Holy sh&t Julie, you must feel fabulous. That is unbelievable, what a great result. And it will feel fantastic when you run, I'll bet!

Julie, you look AWESOME. I can't get over how great your results are. I can't wait to see more pics as you heal.

Julie - all I can say is WOW! I had never seen your before pic. You have accomplished so much that I am just amazed. You look like all those thin people I used to be so jealous of. You are simply beautiful :scared:

Truly I believe you have given so many of us hope that we too can accomplish great things!!

Thank you!

Julie,

Gosh. Your before and after photos are sooo inspirational!!! (as are Chickies and Ghosts). Thanks so much for sharing. Also, I am awed by your marathon time. That is a fabulous acheivement in a very short period of time. I walked the Portland Marathon in 2005 at 265 pounds and it took me 9 hours. Your story makes me dream of doing it again with much better results! Thanks so much.

Beautiful!

OMG you look great! I have one question, do you ever run into people from your past and they dont recoginize you? haha You are such an inspiration!!!

I have one question, do you ever run into people from your past and they dont recoginize you?

All the time. When I moved to NYC 6 years ago, I was about 280. So none of the friends and acquaintances I've made here know me as a thin person. Literally any time I run into someone I haven't seen in a year, I tell them who I am first to avoid the awkwardness.

That part I'm ok with. The weirder part is when someone who has known me thinner doesn't recognize me. I went to my cousin's wedding in July and my uncle, who has known me since I was like 5, didn't recognize me. As in, I was talking to him and 5 minutes into the conversation he figured out who I was (he'd been playing along nicely -- I had no idea he didn't recognize me). That wasn't a good moment for me. I don't like the thought that I'm so different that family doesn't recognize me.

Anyway, it's just part of the process I guess.

Hey, today's the 20th! A month from today is my LAST LAST LAST surgery (inner thighs, mons and boobs)!

Julie you look incredible. I can only imagine what you feel like on the inside (although that beautiful smile may be some indication!).

May I ask about the incision for the outer thigh lift? Does it join the TT line and how far back around does it go?

May I ask about the incision for the outer thigh lift? Does it join the TT line and how far back around does it go?

It's a continuation of the TT scar and goes circumferential around my waist (upper hips really). It's a perfect circle but for in the very back where it dips into a v between my "cheeks." I haven't seen that part myself. Maybe Thurs. when the stitches come out!

Julie: First congrats on making it through the surgery with flying colors... I've been away for a bit, so I'm just now catching up.. YOU LOOK FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there with dear old dad!

Also, I love the new avatar!

Keep healing.....

Wishing you.......

sweet dreams and smaller jeans! :phone:

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Attached is a recent pic -- it occurred to me you all might not know what I look like clothed -- haha!

I just can't believe the difference in your before and after pics. Absolutely amazing! You look so fantastic that I don't think anyone meeting you now would ever believe that you had a weight problem in the past. You're very petite now - just the way I hope to be in another few months. And you have the kind of smile that lights up a room. You are very, very beautiful.

You look soooo amazing! Tiny! Congratulations - that is such an amazing and inspiring result in less than 2 years!

Julie, I can only second what everyone else is saying. I am so happy for you. Your willingness to share the good, the bad, and the ugly with all of us is so amazingly generous. You educate, motivate and inspire us all and we love you for it.

I don't think I ever saw your before.

Julie, you look like a million bucks! You beautiful woman you.

Congratulations, and thank you for being such an inspiration

Hugs

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Julie, you look fabulous. I bet you feel great as well. You are such an inspiration, with the running as well as the plastic surgery. It makes me think that one day it really can and will happen!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and of course, your pictures.

Have a great Holiday.

Cindy