Hi everybody. I wanted to start this thread to document the plastic surgery journey that we are about to start on. Frangipani & I both were banded last August and have each lost over 100 pounds. Since we have been traveling the lapband road together and now are about to have PS at the same time (me on June 12 & Frangi on June 13) we thought it would be appropriate to share a thread.

We have both learned so much from those who have gone before us and our hope is that our stories can be of some value to others.

I am having a lower body lift and medial thigh lift. All of my pre-op testing is done and now I'm just nervously waiting for my big day, which is less than two weeks away! I will post clothed before and after pictures for sure and I'll have to think about more revealing pictures later.

Frangi,

Sounds like you are doing wonderful with losing sizes huh?? I will definitely buy some Stein Mart stock. Whenever you can we would love to see some pics but again it is whenever possible. Glad to hear you are doing so well without that pesky drain!!

Keep us updated on your Miami visit. I wish I could be there too!!:ohmy:

Becky, I am a month ahead of you, and still swelling. When they pulled my drains, I was not getting but a few drops in 24 hours! Nothing to speak of! Then I did the fat necrosis thing....no fun! Then when we thought I had an infection, I actually had an allergy to the triple antibiotic he had me using on it!! Once I left that be, the drainage stopped almost instantly!

When I get up in the morning, I have the flat, curvy belly and body I dreamed of...as the day wears on, I swell, on the left side! By evening as you say, pants are uncomfortable, and I look a bit bizarre. I do however look much better even with the swelling than I did prior to surgery, so I am not complaining!!

My Dr. also said it is not unusual, and it can go on for months.....fun fun fun!!!

Kat

Frangi,

Sounds like you are doing wonderful with losing sizes huh?? I will definitely buy some Stein Mart stock. Whenever you can we would love to see some pics but again it is whenever possible. Glad to hear you are doing so well without that pesky drain!!

Keep us updated on your Miami visit. I wish I could be there too!!:frown:

Jody, I wish you could be there too! My best friend is flying in for the weekend. I haven't seen her since the Holidays and I'm really looking forward to seeing her.

The only thing that makes me a little nervous is that my friend is single and she keeps talking about wanting to go out to a club. Lord! I can't even remember the last time I was at a club shaking my booty. In fact, I'm not even sure I remember how to do it!

I did find a really hot, "clubby" sort of a top yesterday on the island and once I find a suitable bottom, I'll be all set with the outfit. However, I am SO hoping that I won't have to wear it for this purpose. I'll be a good sport if she really wants to do it BUT my plan is to completely wear her out during the day so that she'll be too pooped to party at night.

How much you wanna bet that I can do it too? :crying::smile::eek:

I am so happy not having that drain -- I feel like a new woman!!!

I'll keep you posted. If my Dr. gives me the thumbs up, I plan to get round two scheduled ASAP -- possibly even in August. I feel just fine again now, and I am SO ready to have this all done and over with!

Kat, as pretty as you are, I'm sure you're a knockout now with the new bod!!! This period of swelling will be over before you know it, so hang in there!

Kat: What is the fat necrosis thing? That's a new one on me? Please explain. Thanks.

hey Karey, the way my PS explained it to me is that he cut off the blood supply to residual abdominal fat, so it just dies off, and basically melts. When this happens, it seeps out and looks a bit like chicken fat, I at first thought it was infection, but there is no odor, it is yellowish, but no green tint, and there is no pain or heat involved. If there is no open area for it to seep from, the body simply absorbs it.

One of the girls on my other thread, had this same thing with her port scar!!!

It is basically just dying fat.....sounds yummy huh??? YUCK! It doesn't last long, but scared me when it happen!!!

Kat

I had fat necrosis too. I loved it - DIE FAT, DIE!!!! :eek::tt2:

That may have sounded a little pyscho....

I had fat necrosis too. I loved it - DIE FAT, DIE!!!! :smile::tt2::w00t:

That may have sounded a little pyscho.... :scared2:

LOL -- every time this discussion about fat necrosis comes up I've thought the very same thing :biggrin:!

Kat: Thanks for the enlightenment. I never saw my fat die and now I feel very cheated! LOL! I'm with everyone else on this one. Die Fat Die!

I felt a bit like the wicked witch in Wizard of Oz......"I'm melting!!!" I loved it, other than it was a bit icky....oozing all over the place, but there was a definite thrill in knowing it was fat melting out!!! Yep we might all be a bit psycho!!!! But we are in excellent company!!!

Kat

I felt a bit like the wicked witch in Wizard of Oz......"I'm melting!!!" I loved it, other than it was a bit icky....oozing all over the place, but there was a definite thrill in knowing it was fat melting out!!! Yep we might all be a bit psycho!!!! But we are in excellent company!!!

Kat

I want my fat to melt, ooze and die. How do I get them to do that? I need to know quick because I am seeing my PS tomorrow!

Ya'll ARE psycho, but in a very fun, understandable way :thumbup:

Frangi, you are going to have SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!! I've absolutely no doubt you will wear your friend out and that night time activities will be reduced to mojito's on the balcony and sleep.

Hopefully you can find a resale or consignment place to get rid of all your baggy britches. A few gals at work (yes, I work a night shift at a hospital. Prior to this I worked night shift as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for 14 years, so I've been doing the night owl thing for a bit now) have had gastric bypass so I've been passing on my outgrown clothes to them. It feels great to see them get use from them as they continue to shrink. I know I need to pass on my size 14's, but for some reason it feels strange to let go of them. Maybe because I wore a 14 for so many years.

ANyWAy. Kat, glad to hear you're melting and nope, you look nothing like the WWof the W :thumbdown:

Becky,

Is the hurricane going to affect you in any way?

Hi all. Just checking in. I haven't had much to say the past few days but always enjoy everyone's comments. Y'all are just too funny!

I didn't have the fat necrosis either. I feel cheated too!

Cori, give away those 14's and don't look back! I loved being a 14. It was the first time in years that I felt like I was a normal size and could easily find clothes that fit and looked good. Unfortunately, I went a little shopping crazy when I hit size 14. Those clothes didn't fit for very long though, so away they went too and I certainly have no regrets about saying bye bye to them now.

Jody, the hurricane shouldn't have much affect here in North Texas. We hope it might bring some rain. It is very hot and dry, as it always is around here in July and August. That's why I try to take vacation this time of year.

Speaking of vacation, starting tomorrow I'll be away for most of the next 2 1/2 weeks. It will be hard not to get my daily fix from you gals, but I'll check in when I can.

Frangi, have a great time in Miami. I have no doubt that you will be going strong all day every day, but with your energy level, I won't be surprised to hear that you did a little late night partying too. I suggest a little afternoon nap, then go for it girl! It will be fun. Of course, stay out of trouble, but have a blast.

Cori, thanks for checking back in. You are such a dear, sweet lady and I always enjoy hearing from you :thumbup::smile::smile:!

Becky, have a wonderful trip -- we will certainly miss you too girlfriend!!! I wouldn't be surprised if you did have fat necrosis. I'm pretty sure that I did. Because I kept my drain in so long, I saw the output change from a thin, clear fluid to a thick, viscous fluid. I asked my Dr. what that was all about and even though he didn't specifically use the term "fat necrosis," he did tell me that what was coming out of the drain during those last three weeks was mostly fat. I suspect that you would have also seen the same changes had you kept your drain longer.

Karen good luck with your next PS appointment. I'm very excited for you!!! Now that I've been through all of this and have seen what they can do (which was way beyond my expectations), I consider this body contouring to be nothing short of a miracle and I'm looking forward to following your upcoming journey.

Edited July 23, 200818 yr by Frangipani

Frangi,

Have a great time in Miami! I know the feeling with your friend. I have a single friend who I am very close to also. You may enjoy clubbing now!!

Becky,

Have a great vacation. We look forward to hearing from you!!