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.

Great seeing you check in here Juli. Hang in there.

Glad to hear you are doing well!!! So are the arms really that bad??? I go in for my arms and legs in june

glad you're on the mend. it was nice to see you post.

Juli,

Glad all is going good. one day all the pain will be just a distant memory and you will LOVE the new Tiny you!!!

Good to hear from you Juli. Get lots of rest. I hope you are feeling better. Post the details of the surgery when you are feeling up to it. I'm curious!!!

Okay,

Let's talk details the best I can.

He cut off 18 pounds of skin. 15 from my belly. The rest was from my arms and side boobies. He mentioned to my SO that my abs were muscular. Go me! Workout girl that I am.

I wonder if I'll get a 6 pack? That's a super goal!

I was wearing a 38D bra and know they are so much smaller now but I don't know what size they are going to be. The girls are looking perky though! :thumbdown:

My booty is tiny, my hips are narrow. And my arms are going to look uber buff when the bruising and stiches heal. Again, because I'm a gym rat and my muscles are tight; I'm so pleased.

Which brings me back to the whole thing about working out. It's been my saving grace this entire weightloss process. The relationships I've developed with gym people are amazing, the comfort I get from sweating, the ability to eat chocolate and not gain weight, seeing my body do things it's never done before, and NOW having surgery and being better able to move around I'm so glad.

Oh and I had my first poop today. So it's all good.

I see my surgeon on Tuesday and hopefully the drains will come out. :blushing:

Thank you for your informative post and encouragement to exercise. Can't wait for pictures!!! I am glad you are doing well!!!!

Mimi

Juli: I, too, remember how happy I was that I had done so many squats. It really helps to get up and down when you can use your quads and gluts. I bet the arms feel a lot better nw, don't they?!

hi juli,

glad you are doing well.

you and lellow are really helping to allay my fears about my upcoming surgery.

i am also making a point to beef up my gym routine based on your advice.

i've been on a roll eating too much junk and need to stop that now. i dont know wha'ts going on.....

anyway keep us posted.....

thanks

joanne

Hey Juli,

It sounds like you are doing really well. Reading your post made me so glad that I spend the HOURS I do at the gym. Hopefully, when my surgery is done I too will be tiny. Can't wait until you are able to post your pics, you are really an inspiration, just wanted you to know that.

T

hi juli,

glad you are doing well.

you and lellow are really helping to allay my fears about my upcoming surgery.

i am also making a point to beef up my gym routine based on your advice.

i've been on a roll eating too much junk and need to stop that now. i dont know wha'ts going on.....

anyway keep us posted.....

thanks

joanne

trust me its the nerves making you eat..

but you will be okay.. i had a belt lipectomy march 15th and im fine... and am beyond thrilled with the results..

Okay, so I just got off the phone with my PS's office, and they have moved my date UP. I will be having my "work" done May 7th now instead of the 22nd. OMG, I am so nervous and excited all at the same time. Wonder what I will look like when this is all over, will I (please, please) be tiny? God, I hope so.

T

Tracysmom: Congratulations, very exciting news! You're going to love it!

I got my drains out today which if you ask me is a bit premature. But my surgeon said I'd feel better and he'd just drain me in a week anyway, so might as well...

Aside from that all my sutures are looking good. They are just pulling apart a bit in my left underarm, again he wasn't surprised and says its common.

I saw 163 on the scale today or 162. I'm not minus 18 from the surgery day so I know much of this is Water retention and swelling from surgery.

I'm continually surprised to look down and not see my belly...it's something else.

Tracymom that's great news!!!

Wonderful news Juli. I can't imagine 18 pounds of skin. Once your swelling goes down, I'll bet you will be at or close to your goal weight. Congratulations. You have worked so hard for this!!

Cathy