Where does underwear fit in this whole lbl/thigh lift scenario or does it? So you have a garment on and drains. Are you commando? Until when? What about when you no longer have drains but are still in the garment? Do you wear them underneath? Just wondering if I need to bring any with me at the surgery recovery center the first 5 days...

For the best results you should look for plastic surgeons who have experience working with bariatric patients. It may cost more, but if you want the best results you may have to pay more. I wanted to look good (not just better) so I went with one of the best, Dr. LoMonaco.

I used to be 200 pounds heavier and had my lower body lift when I was in my mid-40's (I am 51 now). My stomach looks as good now as it did when I was in my 30's. HERE was an old post of mine showing my results (this was 2 months post-op so I was still swollen here).

Do your research. Best of luck!!

Like Cecily said, do what feels right for you but I'm guessing that at age 64 you will find 130 pretty slim for 5'8" tall. I'm 5'7" and 125-130lbs and I have very low body fat (lower than would be considered healthy for someone older than myself). You can see my ribs in my back and that kind of thing. I'm healthy and I'm not worried about it because at some point I'm guessing I'll have some lax times in my diet and I'll have wiggle room, but I didn't need to lose to this point!

Thank you!! I'm nervous as all get out. This is the first of two surgeries (second in the fall being arms and breasts). Tuesday I'm having a lower body lift, modified medial thigh lift (just the top half, bottom half survived my being fat), lipo of flanks, chin, inner knees, stomach and inner thighs with fat transfer to my rear. I just want to be on the other side of this. My anxiety is way higher than it was for my VSG. I'm anticipating all the pain and discomfort and needing to rely on/bothering others which I despise. Argh.

Janet, you've done so beautifully, and your dedication to and joy in exercise is inspirational.

As far as feeling good in clothing - I do - I feel wonderful, even with 50+ pounds yet to lose, I really feel joyful. Honestly, despite everything, I am getting quite happy with my looks as I emerge from the fat suit I've been wearing for the past 9 years. Basically I really just enjoy being a girl! And I am appreciative of and grateful to my body - it carried babies, is strong and resilient, healthy and reliable, knock wood! And it will be longer and leaner in the future! Nothing I am embarrassed about physically is my poor body's fault. But I screwed up behaviorally, as we all did, and that has left its mark. I am confident in clothes, but not at all confident without them. It's a process, and thank God there are plastics!

Anyway, your advice is very sound. I've been walking and will be watching a black lab next week so that will mean longer beach walks twice a day as opposed to just once. I would like to swim, and there's a water aerobics class close by, but I will have to wait to wear a bathing suit in publi****il my issues with my appearance in it are somewhat resolved. Instead I will intensify my daily walks, and a yoga class is on the horizon. I've just started doing an exercise I've used off and on since the 80s which I have always had really good results from - it targets my obliques, so hopefully a (comparatively) tiny waist is in my future!

I'm going to have more plastics beyond the thighs/LBL, but am not as concerned with those procedures as I am confident a good result can be attained. It's mostly the thighs which people seem to not always get a good result from. So we'll see!