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.

Thanks so much. I felt like a train wreck for about 10 days. I'm back to work today and feeling good. Can't wait to get the final drain out!

Julie- how are the thighs doing? are the bruising gone? I can't wait to see the pictures!!! Hows your bellybutton? That is one of my biggest concern when I get my tummy tuck- I am going to ask my Doctor to show me the after pictures of his patients- just to check out their belly buttons! LOL. I am so glad that you are up and about.

Hi Laniayala, I am doing really well. Still a little bit tired. The last drain is a pain the rear. Hope to get it out this week. The bruising is going down slowly but surely. I love my new belly button. It looked a lot higher but that was because he cut off all the fat. He actually positioned it to where it use to be so he really didn't need to redue it. I am going to get my belly button pierced in June. I can't wait!

Julie: Glad you're feeling better, hope you can still take it easy, since you started back to work. You'll have to post a pic of your bellly button piercing!

Hi Everyone. Monday will be 3 weeks. I still have one drain in but will be getting it out on Monday. I shower now a lot with my bathing suit top on with the drain attached to it. I am very happy with the surgeon. I do still have a little belly fat but for the most part my stomach is flat. The thigh lift was good. I still have some loose skin but not too bad. I am now at goal. I go in next week for a slight fill so I will not be as hungry. I want to lose 10 more lbs.

Julie are you still wearing the binder? Its such a pain yet I feel like I'm going to fall out without it on. Its the strangest feeling, kinda like I'm sucking my tummy in and if I breath too hard it will all poof out. You really had the drain a long time! Were you still draining alot? I go in tomorrow to get my belly button stitches out. That should be interesting. I wonder if he'll take some of the others out too. How are you sleeping? I slept pretty good last night but will be happy to be able to sleep on my side again.

HI Steph, yes I am still wearing the binder. I plan on wearing it until I go to Hawaii on 6/16. That will give me almost 2 months in it. The drain is a pain in the butt. I am still bleeding out 50-75 ccs every 24 hours. He is taking it out on Monday.

Well my drain fell out on its own. The stiching came lose and it started to fall out so I took it out. It left about 1/4" hole but it will heal. I go see the doctor tomorrow to take my other stiches out where the other drain was and the stich on my chin where he did the lippo. I love my tummy tuck!

Julie - thanks for sharing your journey with the plastic surgery. I haven't had it done but considering it when I reach goal so its nice to see and hear all that can be involved - the good, bad and ugly of it. That way there is no surprises. So it is great when people share their stories. Good luck and I can't wait to see pics. You had such a positive attitude thru it all. Take care and enjoy Hawaii

Thanks, its now 6 weeks since surgery. Overall I am pleased however I still have some upper abdomenal fat that is driving me crazy. I am thinking about a tummy tuck revision in 6 months already. No pics yet.

Julie: I just saw my PS yesterday for my 3 month check up. It goes fast, doesn't it?! He is going to do a little lipo on my upper tummy when I get my back side done. Of course, I would like to lose 20 more pounds, so I may not need the lipo when I go to get the back side done. It's really a process and it takes a lot more out of you than you think, doesn't it? I just finished a Pilates class and I really suck. I think I'm worse than when I first started pilates. The stomach muscles are so weak, but my instructor says that all of this is normal and I'll build back up soon. UGH! Anyway, glad you're doing better!

Karey, thanks for the post. I have been a little upset about my abdomenal fat. I can pinch an inch on my upper stomach. He is going to charge me $3k to repair. But then it makes me think "where will the extra skin go". I hope the lippo works. I have to wait until October. Wish me luck.

Julie: I'm wondering if you would be a candiate for the Smart lipo? They use a laser and it's suppose to also tighten the skin. You might want to google it. My PS doesn't like it, but that doesn't mean it's not good!

Hi Karey, I'll have to research it. Sounds like it is far less invasive.

Julie, I am having the thigh lift with the incision like you had. Now that some time has passed are you happy with the results? It sounds like the incisions were a real pain, but how are they now? Do you still think the thighs were the most painful? How long before you were comfortable wearing pants? My surgery is just 9 days away now.