35 Year Old, Lost 200 Pounds - Made it to the flat side on 12/11! - Seattle, WA

Hi everyone. I'm a 35 year old who currently has surgery scheduled for December 11th. Reading everyone's stories and all the forums and FAQ on this site has helped a lot, but I think it has also kind of freaked me out in the process. Although at least now I'm informed so some of the stuff I wasn't aware of won't be a surprise.

A little background on me.. I've been overweight pretty much from the time I hit puberty to my 30s. I finally found a medically managed, non surgical program that worked for me and since May 2012 I have lost 200 pounds. Okay technically it's like 198 but I feel like I've earned the right to round up! :)

I feel like this is the first time in my life that I've found something that not only works but that I can continue forever and not go back to the yo-yo of gaining and losing. That is why I feel like I'm ready to move forward with surgery. I don't have kids and I don't know if I will ever have any (need to find myself a man first!) but I'm doing this anyways for myself and for my own self confidence. I find myself always covering up my stomach with my arm or a coat or something and I'm tired of that, especially when now I can buy cute clothes!

I will get some pics up soon but I had one question. Has anyone reading this had open gallbladder surgery? The thing I've been freaking out most from reading reviews is that having the big scar (which I have) from an open gallbladder removal can possibly hinder healing. I met with my surgeon and he saw the scar, talked to me about it and my prior surgery, and he didn't seem to think it was a problem so maybe I'm worrying for nothing. His only comment to me was that he wanted me to know surgery wouldn't make it go away but probably move it..which I don't care about.

Also, I'm curious if the tummy tuck recovery will be similar to my gallbladder recovery. I did ask the doctor that and he said maybe a little similar but not really. But I still would like to hear thoughts on this from people who have been through both, but I haven't found anyone yet.

My surgery is still a couple months away but no time like the present to take some before pics. Here's a front, side, and bending over. Can't wait to be rid of the wrinkley lopsidedness!!

Been making a list of things I'm going to need post surgery, figure I might as well start buying stuff now to space out my expenses. Well that and I'm somewhat OCD when it comes to planning things. The 10% off my entire purchase at Target coupon I had that expires in a couple days helped my decision to shop. Not that I need an excuse to shop :D

I don't have the official list from my PS yet but I got some of the basics I've learned on here like.. Tylenol (I always take Advil, not a fan of acetaminophen at all), stool softener, Gas-X, flushable body wipes, cheap undies that I can toss after the fact, gauze pads, etc. It's a start!