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.

Yup, I totally agree! I've thought about it and I think that my friend was projecting her own fears about surgery onto me, along with some judgementalness of course!

Frangi -

I am so glad everything is going so well! What books are you listening to?

Hi Jody,

Right now I'm listening to "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini -- which is excellent!!!! I also have "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by the same author downloaded, which I will probably listen to next.

Frangi: So glad to hear the voice of reason here! You're right that was a tactless thing to say. I'm not telling anyone that I don't need to from now on. It's difficult for people who haven't walked in our shoes to understand and I'm tired of trying to explain it! Do you have a good website for downloading audiobooks? I'm so happy for you and hope you're happy with the unveiling tomorrow. I admire your independence and vision. Does the nurse come to help you or are you able to do everything for yourself?

Hi Karey,

I only hired the nurse to pick me up from the hospital on that first day. I had it set up to where, I could have a nurse come in for as many days/hours as I needed, but I found that I really didn't need any additional help.

The website that I currently use to purchase my audio books is Audible.com

I like the selection and their user-friendly website. You can also simply purchase books on CD and download them directly to your iPod (and can probably do the same with any audio books you borrow from the library as well)

If you use Audible and see yourself purchasing several books, their pre-paid plans are the best deal. I have the Platinum plan, which works out to something like $7.50 per title.

Yeah Frangi! You sound so good for having just had surgery. I hope you had a good, restful night. Can't wait to hear about your doctor's appointment today.

Thanks Becky! I feel just fine and today the pain and soreness really isn't very bad at all, but I have been doing a lot of walking.

In fact I was feeling antsy again last night so I went up to the lovely, open-air, mall near my hotel and walked around (Love that place -- it's brand new, nicely laid out and has some great stores!!!). It's very soothing on my legs to be walking. It seems like what's causing most of the pain is the lipo, but when I'm up and walking I hardly feel any soreness at all. In turn, I think all of this movement is speeding up the healing process.

Congratulations Superwoman!!!

I only hope I am half as brave as you are when I get some plastics done.

Thanks for the tip on the audio books! I will check it out. Also, going to file away, walking as an important healing tip. Sounds like your doing great. Are you eating out while walking around the mall area or do you not have an appetite?

Hi Frangi -

Thanks for the info on the books. I will definitely check them out. Sounds like a great stress reliever at work also. You are truly a Superwoman when it comes to these surgeries!!

Glad you are doing so well. Did you find anyone for a fill yet?

Hi Everyone!

Well, I had my first post-op appointment and it went great!!!! The derrière is very swollen and looks HUGE to me, but the shape is fabulous (even if I do say so myself ).

That said, I do need the swelling to go down to be truly happy with it. As much as I admire the very lovely and stylish JLo, I have never envied her backside the way the rest of the world seems to. I guess fighting a long and hard battle with my weight has given me a strong aversion to big booties that will probably never leave me.......

So, I can't say I'm happy just yet -- however, the shape is way beyond what I ever could have imagined. It is just perfect! My Dr. is a true master!!!!

How he managed to do such a wonderful job I do not know, because he told me that he ended up having a bit of hard time with my backside. He couldn't take the flaps from the usual place because there wasn't enough fat and skin there, so he had to come up with a "Plan B" and take the flaps from along the sides, which apparently is not ideal.

Shalee thanks for the lovely compliment!!!! :biggrin::thumbup::tt2:

Karey, I have a microwave and a refrigerator here at my hotel so I stocked up on groceries before surgery and I'm able to fix myself some meals.

I must say that this time around, I am ravenously hungry. I'm allowing myself to eat more, because I figure this is my body's way of telling me what it needs to heal -- and I'm not too concerned about gaining weight because I'm still eating pretty healthy foods. Yesterday, I proably took in about 1500 - 2000 calories. Today the hunger has leveled off a bit so I'm probably at around 1000 so far and will probably be at 1300 - 1500 by the time I have dinner (which I plan to do very soon here).

Well, the Dr. stressed again today about sitting directly on the behind, so I'm kneeling on the floor as I type this and it's getting a bit uncomfortable now.

I will check back in later or in the morning!

Have a great night everyone!!!! :mad::smile::tt1:

Hi Frangi -

Thanks for the info on the books. I will definitely check them out. Sounds like a great stress reliever at work also. You are truly a Superwoman when it comes to these surgeries!!

Glad you are doing so well. Did you find anyone for a fill yet?

Hi Jody,

We must have been posting at the same time. Thanks!!!

I have not found a fill Dr. yet. I forgot to ask my PS about this today. I want to find someone because I would like to have a small fill for the road......

:biggrin::smile::tt2:

Frangi my dear, you are a ROCK STAR!!!!!! How you do it is just beyond me.... but I am happy to hear that you are doing so incredibly well! (OK, I can't actually believe I'm saying this....) I can't wait to see your new butt! Even through the swelling I bet it looks fantastic. You chose very wisely in doctor selection and it sounds like it has completely paid off!

Next time you consider books I HIGHLY recommend the Women's Murder Mystery series by James Patterson.... love those!! They are so good and popular I would imagine they come on tape.

Happy shopping and walking and prayers that you continue to heal so miraculously well :biggrin:

Good morning ladies!

Frangi, it is so encouraging to hear once again how well you are doing. It gives all of us confidence that we can endure whatever is necessary to complete our personal journey.

How are you sleeping? Do you have to lay on your stomach?

I think the fact that you have a good appetite is an excellent sign. Your body is burning lots of calories as you heal!

I read The Kite Runner this summer and really enjoyed it. No more pleasure reading for me though since school has started back. I'm drowning in education and child development textbooks!

Both of my sons are home for the long weekend so I'm very happy and busy this Labor Day holiday. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Hi Everyone!

Well, I had my first post-op appointment and it went great!!!! The derrière is very swollen and looks HUGE to me, but the shape is fabulous (even if I do say so myself :smile:).

That said, I do need the swelling to go down to be truly happy with it. As much as I admire the very lovely and stylish JLo, I have never envied her backside the way the rest of the world seems to. I guess fighting a long and hard battle with my weight has given me a strong aversion to big booties that will probably never leave me.......

So, I can't say I'm happy just yet -- however, the shape is way beyond what I ever could have imagined. It is just perfect! My Dr. is a true master!!!!

How he managed to do such a wonderful job I do not know, because he told me that he ended up having a bit of hard time with my backside. He couldn't take the flaps from the usual place because there wasn't enough fat and skin there, so he had to come up with a "Plan B" and take the flaps from along the sides, which apparently is not ideal.

Shalee thanks for the lovely compliment!!!! :tt1::thumbup:

Karey, I have a microwave and a refrigerator here at my hotel so I stocked up on groceries before surgery and I'm able to fix myself some meals.

I must say that this time around, I am ravenously hungry. I'm allowing myself to eat more, because I figure this is my body's way of telling me what it needs to heal -- and I'm not too concerned about gaining weight because I'm still eating pretty healthy foods. Yesterday, I proably took in about 1500 - 2000 calories. Today the hunger has leveled off a bit so I'm probably at around 1000 so far and will probably be at 1300 - 1500 by the time I have dinner (which I plan to do very soon here).

Well, the Dr. stressed again today about sitting directly on the behind, so I'm kneeling on the floor as I type this and it's getting a bit uncomfortable now.

I will check back in later or in the morning!

Have a great night everyone!!!! :smile::smile::smile:

Sounds like we should all put your doctor's number in our little black book. I know I have!!:wink2::biggrin: With all the successful results you have had so far I am sure this will be a success as well!!

Becky -

Sounds like you have a wonderful holiday ahead of you with both of your sons home. What do they think of the new Mom?

Hi Jody,

Right now I'm listening to "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini -- which is excellent!!!! I also have "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by the same author downloaded, which I will probably listen to next.

Those are both excellent books. I listened to a thousand splendid suns on vacation a few years ago. Let me know what you think!

Glad you are surviving. 2 weeks to go for me!

Becky -

Sounds like you have a wonderful holiday ahead of you with both of your sons home. What do they think of the new Mom?

It was great Jody! I don't get to have them both home at the same time very often anymore so it was just wonderful. They are both really proud of me, mainly because I've become so dedicated to exercise. I showed them my before and after picture and they were shocked. They say that they don't remember me being that large. I guess love is blind.

It sure has been quiet on this thread. Frangi, I hope you have been resting, relaxing, and maybe enjoying a few Labor Day Sales! Please check in and let us know how you're doing. How long will you be staying in Miami this time? I hope the next hurricane (Hannah, I think) slides right on by Florida. We expect Gustav to bring a lot of rain our way starting tomorrow.

Karey, I bet you had a busy holiday with the family. Are you still beginning to feel better?

Frangi,

Just wondering how your are doing. I feel you're pain (hope your not having any!) How do you keep from sitting on your backside? I've found the pain does change to a strange feeling of sitting on something that isn't there. It's an odd feeling. How about you?

Hi Ladies!

How was everyone's long weekend? Wonderful I hope!

I was busy, busy, busy all weekend, but I also did pace myself and got some quality rest as well.

Frangi my dear, you are a ROCK STAR!!!!!! How you do it is just beyond me.... but I am happy to hear that you are doing so incredibly well! (OK, I can't actually believe I'm saying this....) I can't wait to see your new butt! Even through the swelling I bet it looks fantastic. You chose very wisely in doctor selection and it sounds like it has completely paid off!

Next time you consider books I HIGHLY recommend the Women's Murder Mystery series by James Patterson.... love those!! They are so good and popular I would imagine they come on tape.

Happy shopping and walking and prayers that you continue to heal so miraculously well

Hi Cori,

Thanks for the lovely compliments and the book recommendations. I will definitely check them out :w00t:!

Good morning ladies!

Frangi, it is so encouraging to hear once again how well you are doing. It gives all of us confidence that we can endure whatever is necessary to complete our personal journey.

How are you sleeping? Do you have to lay on your stomach?

I think the fact that you have a good appetite is an excellent sign. Your body is burning lots of calories as you heal!

Hi Becky!

Thanks!!! :tt2::smile::smile:

Sleeping is tricky. I cannot lie on my side comfortably because I have drains coming out of each hip. For whatever reason, lying on my stomach is not very comfortable and I wake up feeling very stiff and sore -- so I lie on my back with a pillow underneath my backside to take some of the pressure off. I also have my wedge pillow from the last surgery, which has really a Godsend (thank you Miss Karey for that wonderful suggestion!!!).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, plastic surgery like the kind we've had, is not for sissies, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, because the results are SO worth it.

Sounds like we should all put your doctor's number in our little black book. I know I have!!:tt2::biggrin: With all the successful results you have had so far I am sure this will be a success as well!!

Thank you so much Jody! :smile::smile::smile:

How was your weekend?

Glad you are surviving. 2 weeks to go for me!

Hi Karen,

Wow! You're date is coming up quick!!! I'm so excited for you and will be eagerly watching your progress. Are you getting all stocked up on your post-op supplies?

It sure has been quiet on this thread. Frangi, I hope you have been resting, relaxing, and maybe enjoying a few Labor Day Sales! Please check in and let us know how you're doing. How long will you be staying in Miami this time? I hope the next hurricane (Hannah, I think) slides right on by Florida. We expect Gustav to bring a lot of rain our way starting tomorrow.

LOL ! I didn't realize how quiet I've been the past few days. That has got to be a first for me!!!

Well, as I said before, I've been busy! As the late Ann Arbor legend, Shakey Jake used to say -- I'm on the move baby, on the move!!! :thumbup::tongue:

Yes, I'm definitely keeping an eye on Hannah, but because I live in "hurricane alley," watching storms is just a regular part of my summer life. August and September of course, are usually the most watchful months, but I tend not to get worked up about things until I know for sure that something is headed directly toward me. That said, lets keep our fingers crossed that Hannah dies down and/or misses everyone she hasn't hit yet. I hope you're not getting hit too badly with the rains from Gustav.

Frangi,

Just wondering how your are doing. I feel you're pain (hope your not having any!) How do you keep from sitting on your backside? I've found the pain does change to a strange feeling of sitting on something that isn't there. It's an odd feeling. How about you?

Hi KD,

Thank you so much for checking in on me! :smile::smile::smile:

OMG!!!! My butt feels SO weird!!!! You describe it perfectly!!! My Dr. warned me about this in advance. It feels like someone stuffed a pillow into my backside. What a strange sensation!!!

I'm doing great, how are YOU doing? The pain is not bad really. At this point I would describe it as more of a stiffness or a discomfort. How about you?