kristieshannon

I’m getting a lift + implants in January. I went from a 42DDD to now barely filling a 36D. My implants will be smallish, just enough to fill back out my cups. I want them perky & full :)

So I’m officially booked for my arm lift, breast lift/augmentation, and extended tummy tuck for January 14. I’m a big planner, so am happy to have a few months to get all my pre-op ducks in a row. Those who have gone down this path before me, what things did you buy (or wish you bought) for your post op period? My surgeon includes a post op bra, faja, and arm compression garment in my package. I assume I’ll want at least one more of each so I can wash one while wearing another. Anything else?

@ms.sss Thanks again! I ordered one of the garments. I’ve been lucky enough with my sleeve that I have no limits to my fluid intake, I get in 100+ ounces every day and will make sure to keep it up through surgery. 13 days???! OMG that sounds miserable! I will definitely bring an Arsenal to prepare for that possibility.

Great ideas! Thank you. Luckily I found an AirBnB that is right around the corner from a drugstore. I’ll buy a shower stool there as well as a toilet riser. I’m sure I can find a cane to borrow! Did you have a favorite arm compression garment?

Surgery twins :)

I’m booked! After what feels like an exhaustive search (I had consults with 4 local doctors here in Seattle and 3 in Florida) I have chosen Dr. Earle in Miami and am booked for an arm lift, breast lift & augmentation and extended tummy tuck on January 14. Now to find a good AirBnB, book my flights, and drop the last 12 pounds to go until goal! I’m so glad that this will my last summer not feeling comfortable in short sleeves :)

Hi Jen-I’m a former night shift nurse, now working days M-Th in a clinic, but occasionally pick up a Saturday night shift back in the ED. I plan my intake over 24 hours, from 0001-2359. I pre log in My Fitness Pal what I’m planning to eat for the day and bring all my food to work with me. When I was working nights my 24 hour period looked something like this: 0100 “lunch”, usually a Healthy Choice frozen meal 0500 “breakfast” Ooikos Triple Zero yogurt 1700 “dinner” Some sort of meat & veggie before heading in to work 2100 snack, usually a serving of nuts or pumpkin seeds and a small piece of fruit. I track Fluid too, but never had any trouble getting in 100+ ounces/day. I still don’t, I definitely have restriction after my sleeve as far as food goes but no problem drinking all I want and need.

I cannot wait until I get my epic bat wings taken care of. They bother me way more than my saggy belly or boobs. I want these GONE and will be happy to have my scars.

Gorgeous ❤️❤️❤️

Ah, ok. I’ll check that out, see if we have one near me. I actually work for a University Medical Center so May have one available somewhere around work.

Sure, Dr. Vinyard in Port St. Lucie.

Thank you, that’s a great idea! I’ll see if my PCP or VSG surgeon will order one.

Today was what I think will be my last consult. Planning to go with the doc in Port St. Lucie. However, today's visit left me quite emotional. The doctor poked, prodded, pinched (gently!) my abdomen, arms, and thighs. He asked "how much more weight do you think you need to lose?" When I told him my bariatric surgeon and I set a goal weight of 160 he said "nope. No more. You're done. All you have left is loose skin, no fat. You'll lose those last 16 during surgery!" I was stunned! He told me to stop restricting intake as of today, and to try to get my protein up from 70-80g/day to 100g/day in prep for surgery. I burst in to tears and felt so silly! This has been such a long journey for me, and although it was on my radar that I'm getting close it was shocking to hear him call "done". I've got my 1 year follow up with my surgeon next month, will be waiting to consult with her and my nutritionist. I feel like I need some time to process this!

Am I the only one who loves purging my closet? I filled 3 large garbage bags today with all my size 14 & 16 pants, all my XL tops and a good portion of my size L tops, several dresses and a bunch of shoes that are now too big. All donated to a women’s shelter. Started a new bag for my 12’s and the rest of my L tops as I move out of those in to 10’s and M’s. Feels so good!

Update: I had a virtual consult today with a Dr. in Port St. Lucie, FL. I found him after doing an extensive search of before/after arm photos on Real Self. His results are amazing! He talked me through why, he uses a very specific technique that seems to give really good results. He seems a bit more conservative than Dr. #1 from my first post. He won't do all 3 procedures at once, reason being he seems to spend a good deal more time on each procedure and won't keep his patients under anesthesia for extended periods of time. I have one more local consult tomorrow, and have requested another virtual consult with another team in Fl. At this point I'm leaning strongly towards Dr. #3 in Fl, as he took so much time with me today, was very very thorough with his explanations and had very impressive reviews and photos on Real Self, his website, and has been mentioned several times in FB groups I'm on. I'm still a bit scared of flying soon after surgery, but I also want to go with someone I'm 100% comfortable with. I shooting for a surgery date right after New Years, so want to get this on the books. Edit to add: If I end up going with Dr. #3 I’ll have my arm lift & extended tummy tuck in January, and wait until a later date for my breast lift (maybe with augmentation). The girls look ok if I’m wearing a good bra, they can wait 😂

I went out a few times early on, and soup was my go-to. You can always claim to have had a late lunch :)

Wow, you look amazing!!!

Man that pic is painful! I can’t wait to feel confident wearing a tank top, or really even short sleeves. It sucks to feel like I have to wear long sleeves all summer. I found a beautiful dress for my daughter’s wedding in September, but wish I could have gone with something sleeveless as temps will likely be in the 70’s.

Oh yes, I’ve spent many hours checking out surgeons, their reviews, and photo galleries! What a great resource.

I agree about that MIKEYY84, the only out of country on my list of “maybes” would be Canada as I’m only a couple hours from Vancouver, BC. However the boarder has been closed since COVID so probably not likely to happen.

Thank you for your input catwoman7! I’ve now requested a virtual consult with a surgeon in Portland, and one with a surgeon in Miami that has been mentioned by a couple members here. Since I have plenty of time prior to when I plan to have surgery, I have the luxury of time to get as many consults that I need to get it right!

I am definitely going to continue on with consult #3! I have also considered going to other cities, as I’ve heard Seattle is on the expensive side but worry about traveling soon after surgery. We also have a home in Oregon, so am considering having a consult there as well.

I agree! I felt good about Doc # 1 until I met Doc #2. I’m sure experience was part of the difference.

I was able to get off my BP med at my one month post op visit, and had a repeat sleep study at about 3 months and no longer need a CPAP.

My daughter is getting married in September. I ordered a couple dresses off of Amazon, and I think this is the one I settled on. I’m so excited to wear a size 12, down from a 24/26!