Dear Sue~~~~Best luck on your tt and bl--I will keep you in my prayers. I had an abdominoplasty and herniorraphy on 5/21. Although I am about 60, 70, or 80 pounds from my goal, my pannus was making walking and stairclimbing difficult. The doc removed 23 pounds. I saw the very tops of my thighs for the first time in years in the Recovery Room. Amazingly, the pain level was okay after the first couple of days. The JP drains were a nuisance but a necessity. I hope that you have the same flawless procedure and complete recovery I had; if I can be of any help please email me. Be well, be happy, be blessed.