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

That's the main reason i decided to do mine in Chicago (about a two-hour drive for me). He did both my surgeries on a friday and only required me to stay in the area until he could see me on Monday to make sure i was in good enough shape to go home. I drove back down for my follow-up appts So even though he was more expensive than some of the other nationally- known surgeons i was considering, once i factored in the travel costs for my husband and me, plus boarding pets for two weeks, etc., i really wasn't saving much

Just a thought-have you looked into a VBRO rental. It may be less $ and then you can save your points for a vacation.

4 hours ago, sillykitty said:

Going in for my implant fitting this week. I'm experiencing boob greed already. I want to find that perfect balance of big & full, but short of porn star.

soooo exciting!

Wooohooo! It's gettin' real now!! So excited for you!!

On 09/20/2019 at 19:32, sillykitty said:

@FluffyChix

Thanks! Yes, it has flown by for me as well. I can't believe I was originally planning to have this surgery a year ago. I'm glad it didn't happen, I wasn't at a stable weight and the results wouldn't have been as good I don't think. I'm super excited, but anxious about recovery and pain at the same time. I'm not an anxious person, so feeling anxious makes me anxious ?

I'm also grateful my mom is going to be with me. I'm super independent, and hate relying on anyone. But I'm sure I'm going to need to. I'm glad she didn't take no for an answer, and basically told me she is going with me. My bf is also relieved I'm not going to be alone, so this removes some of his worry and stress.

My mom and I are both the get faint at the sight of blood, wounds etc. type. I can actually feel woozy just reading about ps recovery, complication, looking at pics. We are going to be a mess trying to take care of me ?

Thanks for the tip on the lanyards! I'll be at a trade show in a couple of weeks and will grab a few spares. I think they might be too short though. From descriptions I've read online my drains will be in my crotch area. I'm not sure if I will have drains for the breast augmenttion, no lift? One of the tips I read online is tie a robe belts around your neck, like a long necklace, and clip your drains to that. I added safety pins to my preop shopping list!

@Stella S

I'll be in NJ. The good thing is my mom and I will have separate rooms, and our own Fire Sticks, Kindles, iPads etc. Gotta keep from killing each other ? I don't think we will have a car when we are out there. Not only is it ungodly expensive, but my mom who has driven LA freeways nearly everyday for the last 50 years, thinks a turnpike is somehow different and more intimidating ?

Where in NJ will you be? Or who is your surgeon? I am in NJ and I predict I will be looking for plastics in a year or so.

I can’t wait to see your results and read your reports.

On 10/21/2019 at 10:01 AM, 2Bsmaller18 said:

Just a thought-have you looked into a VBRO rental. It may be less $ and then you can save your points for a vacation.

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, I did look at Airbnb. Unfortunately the area where my surgery is at is very suburban and has very little availability. There are a couple of properties that are available. The best option would still cost $3K. So it's still an expensive option.

Also, this is just a me thing. But I stay in hotels, a lot. There is a comfort factor in staying in a chain that I'm very familiar with. I've actually stayed at the hotel I'm staying at multiple times in the past. I've stayed at quite a few AIrbnb's as well, and they are far more of a mixed bag.

Had my fitting last week, and my first in person meeting with my surgeon and his staff.

I'm more excited than a kid going to Disneyland!

I'm even more impressed with my surgeon in person than I was before. He seems very down to earth. Same with his staff. (One surgeon I consulted with, his staff all looked like they were from Real House Wives). They answered all my questions, and went over the surgery and general process in detail. My surgeon says I am pretty much the perfect candidate and expects me to be very pleased with the results. He seemed genuinely excited to do my surgery.

Couple of interesting things came out of the consult.

Contrary to my original plan, he believes very strictly that patients should maintain their post surgery weight long term. So if I weigh 130 surgery day, and he removes 4 lbs of skin, I am supposed to maintain 126 indefinitely. I honestly feel a little too thin at my current weight, so I'm not entirely comfortable with that. I also am going to ask for the 2 lb credit for the implants! ?

He believe I can skip the muscle tightening portion of the tummy tuck. It doesn't appear I have much diastasis recti. (I have never been pregnant) It would save me a significant amount of pain. Approximately 80% of the post surgical pain is from this part of the procedure. I am still going to have it done, cause I figure I might as well maximize the results even if the difference will be subtle.

I ended up choosing much larger implants than either my surgeon or his staff expected. I'm going with 450 cc high profile silicone. I heard the nurse and my surgeon talking after the fitting that they were surprised at how good the 450's looked ?

Here is with and without the sizers in.

This is droopier than final results should be, I couldn't pull up on my bra while taking a pic at the same time. ?

I'm 6 weeks out! I cannot wait!!

Edited October 27, 20196 yr by sillykitty

2 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I'm more excited than a kid going to Disneyland!

2 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I ended up choosing much larger implants than either my surgeon or his staff expected. I'm going with 450 cc high profile silicone. I heard the nurse and my surgeon talking after the fitting that they were surprised at how good the 450's looked ?

it has to be exciting to know that you will be rewarded for all your work losing weight. Remember when you go bra shopping afterward fit the band size first since that’s where almost all the bra support comes from so take under bust measurements with a measuring tape pulled very snug. I am bony around that area so measure 28” and that is my exact band size, though I’m lucky if I find a 30 band size bra. The cup size is second. Whatever the difference between your bust measurement and band size is the cup size 1” = 1 cup size, (but can vary based on bra style and shape) check out Linda’s online bra calculator.

I highly recommend getting some front close comfort bras for post op. And have front close shirts.

congrats on your first appointment going so well.

11 hours ago, Darktowerdream said:

it has to be exciting to know that you will be rewarded for all your work losing weight. Remember when you go bra shopping afterward fit the band size first since that’s where almost all the bra support comes from so take under bust measurements with a measuring tape pulled very snug. I am bony around that area so measure 28” and that is my exact band size, though I’m lucky if I find a 30 band size bra. The cup size is second. Whatever the difference between your bust measurement and band size is the cup size 1” = 1 cup size, (but can vary based on bra style and shape) check out Linda’s online bra calculator.

I highly recommend getting some front close comfort bras for post op. And have front close shirts.

congrats on your first appointment going so well.

Interesting ... I just measured my rib cage underneath my breasts, and it is 30". I am currently wearing a 36-38" band. I'm really surprised because sports bras tend to be tight on me, and I still have to wear a large, despite having almost no actual breasts.

Question on the front close bra.

Does it have to be the specific post op kind, like this? https://smile.amazon.com/Marena-Recovery-Classic-Wire-Free-Bra-Medium-Beige/dp/B078SZZ56Z/ref=sr_1_13?crid=29OEXQVK38GOA&dchild=1&keywords=post+op+bra+after+breast+augmentation&psc=1&qid=1572190971&sprefix=post+op+br%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-13

Or can it be the cheaper ones like this? https://smile.amazon.com/Fruit-Loom-Womens-Builtup-Heather/dp/B00H9MWZ32/ref=sr_1_7?crid=29OEXQVK38GOA&dchild=1&keywords=post+op+bra+after+breast+augmentation&psc=1&qid=1572191038&sprefix=post+op+br%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-7

I'll be interested in what my post op bra size will be. I did the online calculator with the stuffed 38B bra I've been wearing. It says I should be a 32G! WTF! I swear I don't look that busty in my stuffed bra!

13 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

Interesting ... I just measured my rib cage underneath my breasts, and it is 30". I am currently wearing a 36-38" band. I'm really surprised because sports bras tend to be tight on me, and I still have to wear a large, despite having almost no actual breasts.

13 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

I'll be interested in what my post op bra size will be. I did the online calculator with the stuffed 38B bra I've been wearing. It says I should be a 32G! WTF! I swear I don't look that busty in my stuffed bra!

so many women wear too large a band size and too small a cup size since we are so accustomed to the standard sizes being 34-36B.

My underbust measures 28 So Depending on the bra I might wear 28G US 28F UK, or 30F US 30E UK. Sports bras naturally run very small depending on the brand so usually you go up a band size in sports bras ie. Target champion c9 runs small. Freya that is a up brand makes good bras, I like the Freya deco bras. I’ll probably need new ones soon I’m wearing my old 30F UK, it’s big on the band and a little big on the cup. I don’t look big chested at all but it is my accurate size. I have a lot of chronic pain yet I find when my bra fits best it’s actually more comfortable than a bra that is too loose.

If you can fit two fingers in between your back band and your back and or doesn’t sit straight across it’s too big. I know some American brand bras run a little small on the band so some brands you might work with 32 band but it should run snug on the loosest hook to leave room for tightening as the bra stretches.

also the style of bra you will need will be different after surgery and you adjust the cup size based on style. I usually need a Demi cup since I have a long torso but full cups are too tall and I don’t have anything to fill the top part. The Freya deco are a plunge bra and are a molded cup. You might find after surgery that you only need lightly lined bras.

i check amazon or www.brastop.com and sometimes Nordstrom rack but I haven’t looked lately.

i don’t even remember when anymore but let’s say over 20 years ago I had breast reduction surgery. I had very solid, dense heavy breasts that were sagging to my belly. You might get a surgical bra post op from the doctor but for extras (for washing) you don’t need to buy the expensive surgical bras the fruit of the loom will work just fine.

I wasn’t supposed to lift my arms too much after surgery but at the time I had a loft bed ...

I don’t know what types of surgeries you might have had in the past but a tummy tuck will be similar to a hysterectomy. Have a small pillow to hold against your stomach, especially if you need to do anything like cough, sneeze or even laugh. Ouch. i had to have surgery recently and have stitches where you don’t want stitches. I think I lost track of how many over the years. But I would do it again if I can for the extra saggy wrinkly skin especially my thighs. My stomach is still abnormally large compared to my other measurements

you will be so happy with the results of your procedures once you get past the initial recovery and get into the healing phase. Just watch for any signs of infection. After my reduction I had an infection in the incision, I cleaned the area out ointment and bandaged it the doctor said I did the right thing and was given antibiotics. Other than that it wasn’t too bad.

you can buy scar creams and special silicone (I think?) sheets that you put on scars overnight if you want to reduce the appearance. Might be called mederma.

it will be interesting to figure your bra size afterwards, you might be 32H or even 30I post surgery. Which would be 32FF or 30G in UK bras. I tend to like UK bra fit though I wish I could just buy bras in target. Sometimes if lucky you might find in Marshall’s or tjmaxx.

i had a bit of an obsession phase learning about true bra sizes and styles and all that.

enjoy the process, you’ve come a long way

3 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I am currently wearing a 36-38" band

Hmmm I can wear a 34-36 band , 38 is running big

You are definitely wearing too big a band size

So exciting!! I wore medium to low support sport bra with front zip for a long time. Cheap - like TJ Max or target. It has been three years since my breast lift and I wear a 28 or 30 F in UK sizing. The 28 band it’s super difficult to find around here so a 30 is close!! I still do not understand bra sizing. ☹️

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I'm super curious as to what my final bra size will be. My bf will be secretly so happy if his gf has G cups! ? ?

For those Breast Aug vets (or reductions, or lifts), how long until I can wear a real bra? I have a super duper big important meeting 6 weeks post op. I'm imaging it hard to wear a professional dress that wouldn't show a sports bra ....

15 hours ago, sillykitty said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I'm super curious as to what my final bra size will be. My bf will be secretly so happy if his gf has G cups! ? ?

For those Breast Aug vets (or reductions, or lifts), how long until I can wear a real bra? I have a super duper big important meeting 6 weeks post op. I'm imaging it hard to wear a professional dress that wouldn't show a sports bra ....

I can’t remember all the details of my surgery so long ago, but you should be ok to wear a regular bra by 4-6 weeks, although you will have some swelling for a few months after Before you know your true size. So measure to fit a bra with the understanding you will remeasure a few months later. You can also use scar gels and patches by then or earlier even. And will definitely be able wear a nice bra to go with a professional dress.

You can always put something over any scar like a silicone patch (for comfort) something like mederma once the incisions are helped helps. I didn’t have anything like that back then.

whatever you measure underbust (and measure very tight) is your actual bra band size. You can go up a size for comfort as long as it fits snug on the loosest hook. But for short term if need be you can find one and wear it on the tightest hook. When you go up a band size you go down a cup size. What they call sister sizes. Some brands do run smaller than others so I check reviews to see if people comment to that.

This is a good source for bras

https://us.brastop.com/freya-soiree-lace-padded-plunge-bra-coral

mederma

https://www.mederma.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2oW1os3B5QIVS9yGCh3D8gOoEAAYASAAEgLv7_D_BwE

@sillykitty

here are some front zip post surgical bras, you can get 3 for as little as $20.99

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078HMKSHV?ref=em_1p_2_ti&ref_=pe_3811160_448494540&th=1&psc=1