3 days till plastics tiiiime!

[Elode 8,093]

@@Dub Just give it all little more time. You will get there. It took me 17 months. I'm still not technically done. I have a lot of toning to do yet. I don't know if we're ever really done but you get to a point where it's not an urgency anymore. It's not something that consumes your whole life anymore. You just start to live "normal". Or at least that's how it's been for me. I get countless inboxes and messages asking me how I did it. We all want results like yesterday but it takes time. I especially feel for the ones who are only 6 months out and doubting everything based on my results. I think people forget I'm not so "new" anymore. In November it will be 2 years. This doesn't just happen. There are a lot of ups and downs along the way. You just have to keep pushing, keep the faith and give it the appropriate amount of time. I'm not magic.

[Dub 9,922]

So true.

The changes we are all making are for the rest of our lives. The initial hurdles are the short term stuff....whether it's 2 years or 5 years.....or any amount of time it takes to get the results we seek.

It's just so easy to get blown away with the promising initial successes and want to amp up the timeframe for everything. I caught myself feeling like this all this past week while on vacation. Ready to be "there". Hey, at least I was able to hang out at poolside bars and did so shirtless.....and didn't have a care in the world. 6 months ago, I'd never have been able to allow myself such liberties.

We typically take this week off and get out of town every year. I am very enthused when I consider next year's vacation on this week.

Hope you have a restful day and week ahead and keep on healing. No more stumbles, though. Great idea to have your daughter along for your excursions. She can be your designated driver for a while. lol. It's got to feel good to know you've come through all this will superb results. Maybe it's not magic.....but it sure seems that way sometimes when you see the results that folks have around here in making changes. Good magic.

[PaulaB72 49]

@@BestDayEver I actually did it the worst way possible. I looked up plastic surgeons in my area (there are only about 6) She was one of the only women. I wanted a woman. Who knows more about boobs and what a woman wants than a woman? She has her own practice and has been in practice for 29 years. I researched her more after. I actually only saw 3 pictures of hers. There are hardly any reviews for any of the plastic surgeon that we have. I didn't know anyone who had been to her. Only two friends that had ever had anything done and they weren't thrilled with what they had so that was useless. I got a good feeling from her the first appointment. I ended up having 3 more spur of the moment appointments with her out of fear and questioning everything. She found time to fit me in and even took my random phone calls. I researched exactly what I wanted and I came prepared on surgery day with pictures of the body shape I wanted. It seems to me that if you don't give a clear picture of what you expect and want they will sometimes do whatever they want. I've read too many stories. PS aren't mind readers and there are tons of different body modifications they can do but if they don't have a clear understanding of what you want then you will get what you get. There are limits to what can and cannot be done according to your specific body and they will tell you that. When she did her markings I told her exactly where I wanted my TT scar. I didn't want a high scar. I wanted it as low as humanly possible. I have seen some high scars that I would NOT find acceptable and I showed her pictures of that too. She drew her line and then I took the marker and drew mine. She said she would work hard for mine but if she couldn't we would have to use hers (which was still low) We ended up with mine. Only time I was thankful for stretched out skin! I was very specific. This is the only body I have. I didn't want it screwed up or not the results I wanted do to a misunderstanding. This is an elective procedure, which means I paid a good price for it and I wanted my monies worth. I was not afraid of offending her with my "demands" or expectations. If she couldn't meet them then I would go elsewhere until I found someone who would. IMO you have to be assertive and take control over what you can. I listened to her opinions, some I agreed with and some I refused. We worked until we found a happy medium for both of us. I think in doing that I got some fabulous results that we are BOTH proud of. Do your research! Mine took up the entire month. I wanted a more rounded curvy body. Not a flat body. It's the body type I find beautiful. I made that clear as well. I didn't need ever once of fat removed from my stomach. I wanted the hip curves and contoured stomach. Soft contours. I got that. I didn't have any Lipo. They are all my original curves. My body minus all the loose skin and fat rolls. Now when it came to the breast that was all hers. I let her do what she had to do because I was sick about it and didn't have much of an opinion. She has won awards for her breast construction and TT. I felt good with her.

I'm Canadian and am seriously considering travelling to your dr and self paying when the time comes. I'm just so impressed with the work she's done on you.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Elode 8,093]

She did a wonderful job for sure. @@PaulaB72 I would recommend.

[Elode 8,093]

Day 5. I'm counting surgery day as day 1.

So today I thought for shits n giggles I'd try on this tiny swim suit. Shocking!

Remember I'm still swollen but holy crap! Is that really mine??? It's hard to get it to sink in.

I'm also including some photos of just how loose my skin was. Not flattering but I don't care it's where I started. Before all of this. PS I still have tape on my boobs and that line is my JP drain.

[KristenLe 5,979]

Holy S&%t! You look so damn good! You are an inspiration! And wicked cute bathing suit!

Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

[madeline121 43]

@@Elode you look amazing!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Elode 8,093]

@@KristenLe Thank you so much!!! Waking up everyday to this is crazy!

[Elode 8,093]

@@madeline121 Thank you!

[jane13 2,256]

@@Elode thanks for sharing all of the info and pics. I wouldn't want implants either just a lift.

IMHO I think you will be very happy with the girls you have now. As thin as you are now I don't know if you want them quite as big as you originally wanted. you have had big boobs for a long time, like me, and I think about fitting into clothes. I think a full C even a small D for you would give you the look you want and will be happy with and no implants to deal with!

your results are amazing!

how much skin did they remove, if you don't mind me asking.

[Elode 8,093]

@@jane13 she took off 750 which is @ 1 1/2 lbs off my stomach. May not seem like much my my loose skin was thin skin. Not thick fat. The fat was basically gone which is why I could pick it up like that in the picture. It's also why it could be stretched into such a low position for the scar placement. I do like the boobs now, we will see how everything looks in 6 months. If I feel like I want a bit bigger it won't be massive.

[jane13 2,256]

@@Elode I totally agree with waiting and seeing if you are good with the girls. I have deflated girls and I am wearing a 38G. I have had big books since Jr high. I have GF would had BC and went a bit bigger and now is realizing the struggle to get things that fit her because the rest of her is slender (like you!)

you look great and I appreciate you sharing.

[Elode 8,093]

@@jane13 Thank you. It's a lot to consider. I still have a ways to go. You're welcome for the sharing. Hopefully it will help people.

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

@@Elode, thanks for the update! I am excited for you! You have been wanting this for a long time, and you deserve to get exactly what you want because of your hard work and commitment. Good luck, and I bet the recovery period won’t be as bad as you think.

[2goldengirl 2,076]

Girl, you look fabulous. And I can see a brilliant second career for you, booking folks to come to MO to your surgeon