I was encouraged by Kareyquilts to start this thread. I had my LBL on 12/20/07 in Post Falls, Idaho by Dr. Mark Owsley.

One other person in my weekly support group had this same surgery in April this year. I asked her a few questions and of course asked the Surgeon but nothing totally prepares you for this surgery. My Surgeon compared my lapband surgery as a "mosquito bite" and the LBL as a "alligator bite", I told him after the surgery that he should of said "shark bite".

The surgery took about 5 hours. My Surgeon doesn't weigh what he takes off, he says that it's a matter or body sculpting and uses his eyes and hands to get the best results. He did tell me that he took off over a foot on my abdomen and that he was very pleased with the results.

The evening after my surgery it was time for me to get up for the first time. I can tell you it wasn't fun. I almost passed out from the pain and only took 4 steps. It was at this point that I thought to myself "what had I done?" Thankfully the second time I got out of bed was much easier and less painful, I actually made to the room door. Each time it got easier.

The next hurdle to overcome would be peeing after the catheter was removed. No problem with this thank goodness.

I was discharged the next afternoon. A good friend of mine, who is also a Nurse, was staying with me for 4 or 5 days and nights. She was an Angel. Took care of my boys and did everything for me.

Well, this is enough of a post for now, don't want anyone falling asleep from boredom. I don't know if I'm brave enough to post pictures yet, but....

I go back to the Surgeon's on Jan. 2nd to get my 2 drains removed, so I'll have more to post after that visit. Thanks for letting me ramble on.

JulieNYC, the Ghost and enterprise you have been an inspiration to me and I've followed your stories and look forward to hearing from others who are going down the PS Road.

Angelnurse you are looking mighty fine. You must feel fantastic. You'll only get better in time. Your incision is healing beautifully. Compliments to your surgeon. Thanks for the courage to post the pics. Please know they are really appreciated.

Angelnurse,

congrats! the difference is astonishing! please take care of yourself and rest as much as possible.

Angelnurse you are looking mighty fine. You must feel fantastic. You'll only get better in time. Your incision is healing beautifully. Compliments to your surgeon. Thanks for the courage to post the pics. Please know they are really appreciated.

Thanks Donna, I wasn't sure at first that I would post naked pics but then I figured what the heck! So many other people had done it before me and it has helped so many, so...I'm looking forward to the final results.

Angelnurse,

congrats! the difference is astonishing! please take care of yourself and rest as much as possible.

Thanks LJM-I'll be waiting to see your pics and to hear about your PS journey too!

Thank you for sharing. I know I will be walking down the path and needing a Lower Body Lift myself. I think the more people share the more educated we are. I myself feel more comfortable if I have had time to prepare myself mentally for what It will really be like.

So Thanks....

Christie

Thank you for sharing. I know I will be walking down the path and needing a Lower Body Lift myself. I think the more people share the more educated we are. I myself feel more comfortable if I have had time to prepare myself mentally for what It will really be like.

So Thanks....

Christie

Christie-You are so welcome! I wasn't sure if I would post pics so soon, but decided it'll only get better and it's more realistic to see all the swelling. It'll prepare those that want to get this done and let them know that it's "a work in progress". Good Luck to you on your journey!

Alynne, I just want to say that I'm soo excited that you've decided to share your pictures with us. You are looking unbelievable so far! Looks like everything is healing nicely. I know that all of this work with totally be worth it in the end. I'm sooo happy for you!

Alynne, I just want to say that I'm soo excited that you've decided to share your pictures with us. You are looking unbelievable so far! Looks like everything is healing nicely. I know that all of this work with totally be worth it in the end. I'm sooo happy for you!

JM-Thanks! I'm thrilled with the results so far, I can't imagine how great the final results will be. I'm already down to a size 8 jeans with all the swelling and I started in a size 28-30 jeans. I never imagined that I'd get this small, I was shooting for a 12 or 14. I love my band and my plastic surgeon!

JM-Thanks! I'm thrilled with the results so far, I can't imagine how great the final results will be. I'm already down to a size 8 jeans with all the swelling and I started in a size 28-30 jeans. I never imagined that I'd get this small, I was shooting for a 12 or 14. I love my band and my plastic surgeon!

O...M...G!! size 8??:pray2: that is just amazing!

Congratulations!

O...M...G!! size 8??:tt1: that is just amazing!

Congratulations!

LJM-I know, whodda thunk!

I'm starting at a size 10 and I will be thrilled to get to an 8! Congratulations.

I'm starting at a size 10 and I will be thrilled to get to an 8! Congratulations.

Thanks Karey, you will probably lose at least 2 sizes, so think at least size 6. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your plastic surgery journey.

Alynne: I don't you posted on the February exercise thread. How long since your LBL? How did it feel? I notice you said, "ellipitikill" Does that pretty much cover it? How do your stomach muscles feel when you're doing weights? Did you have to go down in weight from what you were previously doing? I know, I'm asking a lot of questions, but I guess that getting back to exercise is one of my biggest concerns. I really don't want to get to go backwards, at least not too much. How are you feeling in general? Any regrets? Are you pleased with the results? I was looking on makemeheal at some of the pictures and some people's stomachs looked bigger after the surgery. I guess from swelling. That got me a little scared. Anyway, glad you're back in the saddle. Give us a post!

Karey-Thanks for asking how I'm doing. Got cleared to start back at the gym on the first, so went back this last week. It's been 7 weeks now since my LBL and I'm doing pretty good. If I do too much, on my feet too long or overdo it, I swell and have a little discomfort. I'm looking forward to the day that all the swelling is gone, but I know it'll be awhile. I still have a large area w/o a lot of sensation but some may come back and the doc hopes enough comes back for safety issues, like if I lean up against something hot, that I'll feel it and move before I get burned. Very happy with the results and even with the swelling got into a size 6 jeans a couple weeks ago. No regrets about the surgery just hope I can save enough to get the girls lifted later this year or next. As for the gym, I'm only going 3 days a week for the first couple of weeks, I don't want to overdo it. I've had to cut back on the weights by about 10 -15 pounds and only 30 min. on the elliptiKILL instead of 90 min. I did 200 crunches on Friday and really felt some pulling on the abdominal muscles, so I need to slow down and not try to do it all. That is the hardest thing, not be able to do all that I could before the surgery. I'm not very patient and want to be were I was before. Good luck on your upcoming PS and try to be patient with getting back to normal. Take care and God bless!

Alynne: Thanks so much for answering my questions. I was afraid that you would say things were a little harder. I guess it's a lot more major surgery than we want to think it is. I'm going to have a hard time being patient, too. The numbness is something that I've been thinking about lately. I'm having a breast lift and augmentation (I think) and today I was thinking that if I lose sensation, I would be extremely sad. Maybe I shouldn't mess with things just because they look bad (at least they still work). But you've experienced numbness, etc and are still thinking about a lift. It's a lot bigger decision than it seems on the surface. I'm glad you would do it again. Size 6 is freakin fantastic. Oh boy, I'll be glad when I can stop worry about all this and just cope!