After debating, do I put a thread on here or not, apparently I’ve decided it’s a good idea, so here it is.

I’m scheduled for my plastic surgery April 6th.

I’m having a lower body lift, a 360 incision and a vertical incision, a mons lift too. I’m having my arms done, and a revision to a breast reduction surgery from years ago. I’m not getting implants.

I’m seeing Dr. Kurtis Martin. His staff has been amazing. He makes me feel very confident in his skills. This will take 7 hours of surgery and I’m maxing out the amount of time he will work on one person. It’s good, because I don’t think I’ll need other surgeries. I was kind of apple shaped and didn’t carry a lot of weight on my legs (relatively speaking) so I’m not having leg work done. However the way he places the incision on/around my hips there will be some improvement with my legs.

I’m guessing there’s 20-25 pounds of skin that’s coming off. I’m basing that on the estimates the two surgeons I saw gave me. One said 15 with a wink, the other said 30. I’m going with Doctor 15. Doctor 30 was super eager to cut me as much as possible and wanted to give me the works. Dr. 15 asked me what I wanted and even made me defend the vertical incision decision.

As much as I’d like to get my neck done, there’s no money for that now. Maybe later if I strike it rich.

I was shooting for dropping more weight before surgery and I hope I still will, by my weight loss has stalled. I exercise regularly and hard, so I know it’s about eating fewer calories. But the good news is I’m pretty buff under the skin! I’ll be able to show off my muscles this summer.

I will have my port revised too, btw. Being unfilled doesn’t sound appealing to me, but I know I’ll work through it.

And I don’t know that I’ll be posting pictures of my half naked body. As grateful as I am to those who have gone before me who have posted their pictures, it’s just not in the cards for me.

Oh, and let me answer this before it gets asked. I do feel like if I waited one more year I’d probably have all my weight off. However, right now I have a job that will pay for the panniculectomy, and generous benefits for time off. A year from now I probably will not be able to take off for 4-6 weeks. I base that on the fact I’m finishing my MBA the end of March and I’m going to be looking for something new this summer/fall.

Surgery now is the best fit for the schedule.

Yeah, you saw right, I’ve been in school since 2005. I got my undergrad then my graduate degree while losing a bunch of weight. It was absolutely deliberate. I'm absolutely that awesome.

Congratulations on your graduation! You're looking hot girly!

Juli, you look great! What a fantastic results for all your hard work!

There was an bunch of skin cutting with my surgery. A TT typically is hip bone to hip bone with maybe a vertical incision.

I had a 360 around me with a vertical incision. Plus my arms plus a revision to my breasts. 8 feet plus in incisions all together.

Ouch, ouch, ouch

Ouch is right with a big O!! I meant did you have a lot of skin cut when you had the breast reduction 7 yrs ago or mostly lipo?? I know you are relieved the worst is behind you and the best is to come!!!!!

Ouch is right with a big O!! I meant did you have a lot of skin cut when you had the breast reduction 7 yrs ago or mostly lipo?? I know you are relieved the worst is behind you and the best is to come!!!!!

There was a good deal of skin cutting with breast reduction. The only lipo I had was on the sides.

My breasts went from a H/I to a D.

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Thanks everyone for your kind words! I'm not brave enough to post half nakkit photos.

Juli, You look gorgeous!!!

Congratulations on your graduation!!!

I would say this has been a great year for you!! Go out and celebrate your achievments!!!!!!

Juli:

You look fantastic! You look very petite! Could you imagine two years ago that someone would say that you look petite? Congratulations on your graduation too. So many accomplishments at the same time - you must be such a fabulous multi-tasker. Now you can relax and reap the benefits of all of your hard work!

Congrats!

Sue

How did your surgery go?? How expensive was it? Congrats on all your accomplishments!!

hi julie,

i have to say you've been a power of example to me since the day i had my lapband done. you continually plodded along in so many areas of your life and achieved great things.

you are also so positive and direct to the point in helping people.....i like that

you look so cute in your graduation photo. you should take another one same as that one and add your bicycle in the photo.

that would be your trifecta (degree, weight loss and cycle achievements)

i must say i've lost my mojo for cycling and want to get that one back....i may have to join you guys on that thread once i get better.

anyway.....thought i'd email to you what i've thought about you and your journey for the past 2 years

josie

Hi Juli- You're looking good. Just checking in to see how you are doing and if your seroma has slowed down any?

Juli you look great. Congrats on all you have done.

Just checking in to see how you are feeling! You look GREAT, and hope you are starting to feel back to normal these days! Take care and keep the updates coming! I love hearing about your amazing journey, girl!

Hi kids.

It was 8 weeks ago that I had surgery and yes I actually feel 100% now.

Yesterday I ran 2 miles and today I completed a full 50 minutes of spin class.

I'm back to tracking my food again. My goal is to keep it around 1200 give or take 100 calories.

The bigger news is that I interviewed for a new position today that uses my exprience with food service and my MBA. I hope they offer me enough money to jump.

I've always got something going on huh?

Bless you all for all your encouragement. I really appreciate it.

XO.

Juli - great to hear you are feeling 100% at 8 weeks -- running and a full spin class -- wow. Good luck on the job opportunity!

That's awesome Juli... go you! Here's hoping the $$ is good and makes the change worthwhile. Congrats on all of your successes... you look fantabulous!

Hey girl! Hope you and your hot new bod are enjoying this summer! Would love to see more pics! It is great motivation!