Let the journey begin. I met with the best Board Certified PS today. I can't believe he came in $4k less for a BA and lift. He also teaches at Stanford. I have some great news about the thigh lift. He said he will not have to cut me from the top of the thigh to my knee. Rather he can cut at the top of the thigh across and lift me that way. I was quite surprised. I hope they turn out okay doing it that way! So here I go for an Extended Tummy Tuck and thigh lift on 4/21. I am taking 2 weeks off of work. Wish me luck.

wow Julie, you are a trooper! how many drains did they put? Whats the name of your plastic surgeon again? How is the pain? Can't wait to see the before and after picture! Get well soon Julie!

I only have 2 drains. At least one is coming out tomorrow. He takes them out when they are under 30ccs of liquid/blood. I am not in any discomfort laying down. The only discomfort I have is trying to sit on the toilet with the thigh lift incisions. My husband has been such a trooper. Today I am going to the bathroom more than yesterday. I figure my body needed the liquids yesterday or something along those lines. My tummy tuck isn't bad at all. I did notice that my belly button is quite high. Not sure exactly why but I trust my doctor did the right thing. He is in San Jose, CA. His name is Howard Sutkins. He is Board certified and teaches at Stanford University. I am thrilled with the thigh lift and the way he was able to pull the skin up without the incision down the thigh to the knee. That is why I went with him. Thank you all for the posts. Not exactly sure when I"ll post pics with the binder still on but hopefully within a week or so. He took 6.2 lbs off of my stomach! That is almost a sack of potatoes! Can't wait to get a fill in the next 10 days or so. I do have more restriction today and less hunger but overall my hunger has been pretty bad since my unfill 2 weeks ago. I gained 9 lb s. I weighed in a 220 at the surgical center yesterday. My goal is 200 so hopefully when the swelling goes down I'll be down to 210-215 or so. That will bring me just a couple months from goal as I typically lose 1 lb a week when I'm filled. Keep posting. I love to chat. JUlie

Julie, will keep your Doctor in mind for my thigh lift when I go back to San Francisco! How much would a thigh lift cost? Keep your spirits up Julie, we are rooting for you... Wine and Tylenol with codeine? hmmm- the world will be spinning for you- woo hoo!!!

Julie: Sounds like you're doing great. I'm going to get my butt and thigh lift in another 6 months or so. I didn't know they could do a small incision like that. Probably not on everyone. Did they do a muscle repair with the TT? That's what hurt on me. I guess it hurts to go the bathroom because you have to squat and that pulls on your incision? Or is there another reason? Can't wait to learn more and see pics. You're in my prayers!

My thigh lift was $8600 roughly. I think if I had gotten super skinny beforhand and had a lot more loose skin he would have done the incision to the knee. I had just enough fat and tissue where he was able to lippo cut and suture. He also slight;y lippoed the outer thigh. I weigh 220 lbs preop so naturally I do have more fat then other do. My goal is 200 thogh. I'm fine in a size 14/16. I never set out to be a 10. Tomorrow is my doctor's appointment. My chin is really bruised. Hurts to get up but I am hanging in there. JUlie

I had one drain taken out today. I can't believe how flat my stomach is! I love my new belly button. He said he used the old one but I didn't realize that until I spoke to him. He did the muscle repair.

I have no double chin at all. He lippo'd it out and I have a face strap that I now have to wear a few weeks at night. Its completely gone. Feeling good today. It did hurt to get the drain out though.

Julie: I think you're doing really well! The chin thing sounds very interesting. I asked about doing something like that and my doc said I would have too much lose skin. I'm excited to see how everything turns out. I hope you're taking your pain meds, I know when I waited too long or got off schedule that I became very whiny. The flat stomach is very cool, huh!?

Hi Karey, thanks for the post. My chin looks awesome. I had a fat pocket under there that he just lippo'd out. It is flat as a pancake now. I just need to wear the chin guard at night for the next 2-3 weeks. Its bruised pretty heavily but worth it. I feel really good today. I did get my period so its kind of interesting trying to figure out how to handle that with the brace and everything. I timed it so I wouldn't have it the day of surgery. My pain tolerance is really good. Much easier to get out of bed now. I am not bleeding very much from the thigh incisions so that is a good thing. I'm on meds every 4-6 hours just in case. I take the tylenol with codeine during the day and the vicodin at night to help me sleep. Tomorrow or Saturday I am going to try and wash my hair in the kitchen sink. I can't shower until the last drain comes out next week. Thanks for the post. Always feels good that people care. Julie

Julie, sounds like your doing great. can't wait to see the results. :-D

Julie: I know that time seems to go a little slower when you're in pain, but before you know it you're going to feel much better. Hang in there!

Hi Ladies, I am doing really well. Finally went to the bathroom today for the first time so my tummy feels better. I am still a little tired. I am really glad I have one more week off of work. My tummy and thighs look really good. When my facial bruising goes away I'll post my before and after pics. Julie

Funny how things like a BM can make us happy! LOL. Sounds like you're doing great.

Julie - How long will you be off work? I have a consultation next month and they told me that I would need 6 weeks off. I was hoping for 4.

Glad to hear you're doing so well. You all are an inspiration to me. I never had 2nd thoughts about the lapband surgery, but this one makes me really nervous. Reading about everyone else's experiences helps out alot.

Nip what kind of surgery? TT? 4 weeks sound like a long time. I'm taking a whole week (actually longer since my surgery is on Thurs. and I'll have all that weekend, the following week and the next weekend to heal up) then I plan on doing half days if needed. I have a desk job so I might just go in and get the worst of it done and then leave. My surgeon said a whole week and then half days is do-able.

StephC - whether its a tt or whatever the ps calls it, I have a fat apron that I need removed and that's what I told the ps office when I called for a consultation. I also asked them a few questions over the phone and that's when they told me that I would need up to 6 weeks off work, they said 4 if it was a desk job. From reading what others have said I was hoping for 2-3 weeks.

I'm trying to get insurance to pay for this, I can't afford it after being self-pay for the band. Anyway, I work for the school system so am hoping to have it done over the summer. If not, it would have to wait until next summer. Wish me luck.