I'm starting my plastics journey this week! Creating this thread as a place to gather my thoughts, and gather opinions as well.

My priorities

1&2 - Tummy & Boobs

3 - Thighs

4&5 - Butt & Arms

Specifics for each area

Tummy - low & thin scar, natural looking belly button, and lipo/conturing to narrow my waist as much as possible

Boobs - augmentation & lift, VERY important that my boobs look natural, thinking D cup with tear drop gummy bear implants

Thighs - do not want a full thigh lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift, or as part of a lower body lift

Butt - either a fat transfer (BBL) or buttock lift with a dermal fat flap as part of a lower body lift

Arms - do not want a full arm lift with long scars, so only a crescent lift

I reached out for consultations with 5 surgeons who specialize, or do a fair amount of surgeries on massive weight loss patients. I have #1 & #2 choices, and have consultations scheduled with both on Friday ? Interestingly neither of my top choices charge a consultation fee, but the three others do. I am seriously considering canceling my other consultations to see #1 & 2 first, before I invest up to $750 on consultation fees.

Anyone have opinions if I should just see #1 & #2 first, or is it worth the investment in consultation fees to have more surgeons quotes?

My #1 surgeon does lots of lower body lifts. I hadn't originally considered this because I'd rather not have the circumferential scar. But his results are amazing, and at least in the posted photos the scars are very thin. It may also be the only way I can get most of my wish list accomplished in one surgery. I have seen where he has done a lower body lift & a breast lift & augmentation in one surgery. That would only leave arms to tackle at some point later, if I still wanted them fixed.

Here's an example of the work of my #1 surgeon

Edited August 19, 20197 yr by sillykitty

Yay hooorraaaayyyyyy!!! What a great report and so glad you ditched the 3 drains!!!!! You are healing like a rockstar!!! Are you getting excited to go home? Will Mom come stay with you over Christmas?

I'm actually staying at my mom's over Xmas. We get home late on the 23rd. We're doing some gift wrapping on the 24th, then off to family dinner on the 25th. I figure on the 26th I'll be all healed up enough to drive and head home.

Plastics is a great Christmas gift

Thanks for the update and happy that you are recovering well. I can’t wait to see your results.

Where does Mom live? How long of a drive?

Not far ... 15 miles, but cause it's LA, 45 minutes ?

2 hours ago, sillykitty said:

Back from the surgeon's. Said everything looked great, and healing according to schedule. Removed the 3 middle of my 5 drains. Felt a little weird, but no pain associated with the removal. The last two on my hips will come out Monday, before I fly home. Said not to worry about my breasts, just be patient and not to wear a bra, to encourage them to drop. And I do not have to do the injectable blood thinner after all. Huge relief, I was not looking forward to that!

YAY!

BTW! You look FABULOUS!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Omg!!! I can't wait to see!! Congratulations@Sillykitty! I'm living vicariously through your journey and it feels good!![emoji1][emoji1]

Mind sharing photos with me? I am curious about the legs - having that done next year!

3 hours ago, mousecat88 said:

Mind sharing photos with me? I am curious about the legs - having that done next year!

Done

My thighs were smoothed out w the LBL alone. My surgeon was the only one I saw that could get those results without a thigh lift. I had low expectations that my inner thigh sag would be resolved. But I think it's going to turn out really well. ?

Edited December 19, 20196 yr by sillykitty

I wanna see photos too!

So glad you are feeling a bit brighter now, and you are recovering really well, it is very good to see! Keep on the up and up!!

Me too!! Would love to see pictures! I was trying my darndest not to be too forward but my curiosity is KILLING me!! [emoji176][emoji176]

Third day in a row of feeling really good. Took my longest walk yet, all the way down to the hotel lobby ??. I'm also standing up completely straight now. Definitely still feel odd. From my butt to my rib cage is still mostly numb, and my stomach is still clenched like I should have the world best 6 pk (spoiler, I don't ?)

It's been quite the roller coaster ride. I think I could have avoided some of the blahs, if I had stayed on the pain meds a few days longer. The sharp pains were gone, so I thought I was out of the woods. In hindsight, the achey pains were debilitating in a different way, and I should have respected the more. It would have been better if I had taken the good drugs, and slept off some of that pain.

1 minute ago, sillykitty said:

Third day in a row of feeling really good. Took my longest walk yet, all the way down to the hotel lobby ??. I'm also standing up completely straight now. Definitely still feel odd. From my butt to my rib cage is still mostly numb, and my stomach is still clenched like I should have the world best 6 pk (spoiler, I don't ?)

It's been quite the roller coaster ride. I think I could have avoided some of the blahs, if I had stayed on the pain meds a few days longer. The sharp pains were gone, so I thought I was out of the woods. In hindsight, the achey pains were debilitating in a different way, and I should have respected the more. It would have been better if I had taken the good drugs, and slept off some of that pain.

for me, after that first week, it was really more discomfort than pain. That lasted quite awhile, as I recall. And as I said earlier, some of my sensation finally started coming back - about a year after surgery! So it can take awhile!

SillyKitty, so glad the worst part appears to be passing... No doubt, you are excited to return to warmer and sunnier California soon! This will do volumes to be home for Christmas! Isn't that a song?! Haha. Your surgeon seems excellent and thorough. So glad you received his best care, especially when traveling to him. I wanted to give you my surgeons website. I liked her preview of what a patient can expect thru the process + aftercare that might be helpful? There is mention it can take up to a year to feel like yourself again. She, like most surgeons certainly have their own protocols - like I know she does not use blood thinners because the need for regular blood flow and congealing necessary for skin incision optimum healing. She does use compression garments and drains. I interviewed one that did neither. A lot of contrasts, I found. No catheter (but I might request it) as I am not sure how you go to the bathroom in such a raw state. Ouch. I think I'd prefer to sleep and be drugged out for the week. LOL. They suggest propped up on LR sofa with lots of comfy pillows for rest. Stay hunched over for two weeks with a walker given the Fleur De Lis intersection and tummy tuck. www.drdanamd.com

May I ask, were you able to drink your ample water/liquids? Did you eat much? Saw my sleeve surgeon yesterday and he's given his blessings to proceed with January 21st plastics. Just to be sure to reeve up protein intake for better incision healing process. What proteins are you tolerating?

So excited for you and the results beyond your wildest expectations. Your desire for the 40's pin-up girl persona. So what aircraft will we be seeing your new silhouette upon!? And, hope you can proceed with New Year's Eve dress-up festivities! Now that current condition no longer applies! ;]