Can't believe this day has finally arrived! In less than two weeks, I'm going to have a tummy tuck, breast lift with augmentation and lipo. I think I was 20 shades of red today when I had to get my before pictures. :wub:Then the nurse called to say that my front shot didn't turn out well and to please come back in the next few days and do a retake! :scared2:Oh, bother! I have such mixed feelings. I still expect the PS to call and tell me that maybe I should lose a few more pounds first. I can't believe how much shame I still have in my body. I wonder when you get over this?! I think I had to sign about 30 different places for consent and possible complications. Reading everything that could happen is enough to make you want to run right out of the office!:tongue: I remember that I felt the same way before my lapband surgery, so, I'm hoping that it's just pre-surgery jitters! Trying to picture what I'll look like afterwards is really hard. I keep grabbing my stomach and trying to picture it smooth and lumpless! Okay, that's hard to do! I couldn't decide if I should have the breast augmentation and at first the nurse tried to talk me out of it, saying that I would just be smaller and perky. I was ready to accept her opinion, but then she said, after closer inspection that she thought I should get the augmentation. It's hard to know when you don't get to talk to your surgeon about it. I've seen him twice, but the augmentation is more of a last minute thing. I just hope I made the right decision. It's all very nerve wracking. I'm trying to put a positive spin on all this, because I really have a bad case of the nerves! I want to share my journey with anyone who wants to come along. I will post before shots with my after shots. Love to have you join me on this adventure! Wahoo!:cursing:

well said Ghost

StephC: I'm glad your friend rallied. I haven't heard another word from my friend and don't expect to for a while. The bridal shower is April 12th, so unless she decides to cancel it, I guess we'll have to talk in a while.

Ghost: I love that saying and I'm going to write it in my favorite sayings book right now. I didn't tell very many people about my surgery, but I've been surprised by who has been there for me and who hasn't. Not sure it's totally accurate to judge how good a friend they are by that, because I think that some people react differently to illness, etc, but it has certainly made me think. Also, has made me think about what I will do in the future when someone I care about is ill or has surgery. It's all good. The universe continues to teach and hopefully I learn.

Today I got my last 2 drains out. It feels great. Now I can wear regular clothes without the tubes sticking out and the drains causing bumps. Didn't hurt much either. Went out to lunch today. I think I'm going to survive this after all. LOL! I'm attaching a picture of the skin they took off. I asked my PS to take a picture because I was curious and because I remember when I had to have my uterus removed that I felt a big loss. Now, I can't say I feel sad about losing this skin, at all. But I still wanted to see it. It (the skin) did a lot for me. As in helping me to carrying 4 children. Don't think I'm too weird but here it is!

That is truly amazing. I can't wait to have mine!

What size did you start at and what are you at now?

oh geesh Karey - thats just weird!

LOL just kidding! it is gross tho. I can't wait to have my hunk of chunk cut off!

I was a size 10 before the surgery. The 10's are loose but I haven't been shopping yet. My doc said the the final size can take up to 6 months, but around 3 months the lipo swelling should be all down. Plus I still want to lose another 10 pounds. I'm confident that I'll be at least an 8, but maybe a 6 when it's all said and down. I really am starting to get jazzed about what can be done with plastic surgery. I feel like I have a new lease on life. It's like a miracle. Will try and post some after pictures tomorrow.

Karey, that is wonderful. I started in a size 24 and now I'm a size 16W. My goal was a size 16. I am 10 lbs away from PS. I have no idea what size I will be when my pannus is removed! This is so exciting!

You sound great Karey. You must be feeling better since they removed the tubes.

Karey, how tall are you. You sound about my size. I'm 165 and a 10. I went walking with my neice tonight and I was telling her I'm addicted to those before and after pics of tt's. I keep trying to find the one who is my size and hope my surgery comes out that good.

Karey,

thats so cool! my doc looked at me like i was crazy when i asked him to take pics... lucky you!!

bet it feels so much better to be without those drains!

I was a size 10 before the surgery. The 10's are loose but I haven't been shopping yet. My doc said the the final size can take up to 6 months, but around 3 months the lipo swelling should be all down. Plus I still want to lose another 10 pounds. I'm confident that I'll be at least an 8, but maybe a 6 when it's all said and down. I really am starting to get jazzed about what can be done with plastic surgery. I feel like I have a new lease on life. It's like a miracle. Will try and post some after pictures tomorrow.

Yours and my stats are almost the same. I can't wait to finish my journey of weight loss and hopefully TT and breast lift..

Congratulations!! and I bet you feel 100% better with just the drains out....

Edited March 18, 200818 yr by Shalee04
spelling

StephC: I am 5'6". I weigh 160. I was 164 before PS. I started this journey at 256. Are we similar?

Karey, you are taller then me. I'm only 5'3" and right now I'm 165, so I have more on me then you did when you had your ps. I'm really trying to lose 10 lbs before the surgery, that will put me 10 lbs from the "normal" bmi. I started at 231 and a 40 bmi, and I'm thrilled with my band. I can't wait for the tummy tuck, I'll be thrilled with it too. I go for a fill today so hopefully that'll kick me in the butt and get me started losing again. I just noticed yesterday that it had been 6 months since my last fill, and I've lost 20 lbs. Not a whole lot but enough to make me know that even without trying my band has been doing the work.

Karey,

I don't think you are weird. You are right - that skin served you well for many years. It DID hold your babies and help you get through your life. I am glad that you feel some sense of connection to it.

It's too bad it can't go on to do something for science or someone else, but I guess that's just the way it is. It sure is fascinating to see the network of blood and tissue just underneath the top layer. The human body is a miraculous thing. Glad you are feeling better!