“Tummy Tuck in Alabama Nov. 17, 2011”

I am 41 years old and mother of 2 awesome boys, 16 and 9. After the birth of my second child, I was at my heaviest for about 3 years. Over the past several years, I've lost around 70 lbs. Needless to say my belly is gross. I am scheduled for my TT on 11/17/11. Very excited but also very nervous. My pre op appt is 11/10/11. Lots of questions for my PS. This site has been very helpful.

Updated on 4 Nov 2011:
Wondering what is the best compression garment. Any suggestions? Two weeks from yesterday is the big day. All day long I have considered backing out. I guess that's normal.

Updated on 6 Nov 2011:
My birthday is tomorrow! I have a very busy week ahead and the 17th is coming at me fast. I'm still nervous but very thankful for a wonderful supportive husband! I've got so much to do. Still wondering about which compression garment to get. Anyone have a suggestion?

Updated on 9 Nov 2011:
Well, one week til TT. I am freaking out a little. I have so much to do. I cleaned out my closet last night. I really don't know why I feel the need to organize everything. I see my PS tomorrow and then off to the surgery center for lab work. I pray that all goes well. Nerves are getting crazy!

Updated on 9 Nov 2011:
Ok, I've attempted to post before pictures. They are so gross!!!!

Updated on 11 Nov 2011:
Less than a week to go...my husband has a horrible cold so I'm trying to stay as far away from him as possible. My pre-op was good. My PS took before pictures, that was the worst part. So ready for this to be behind me. Not eating much...nerves. Hope all are doing well!

Updated on 14 Nov 2011:
Wow...less than 3 days! Praying all goes well with all of us!!! Trusting God to see me thru!!!

Updated on 15 Nov 2011:
Ok my nerves are going crazy!!! Less than 2 days!!! Ready to see my flat tummy!!! :)

Updated on 15 Nov 2011:
Anyone out there felt like backing out of this at the last minute? Help, why do I feel this way? Why can't I just push thru this and feel good about it? So many negative thoughts today!!!:(

Updated on 16 Nov 2011:
Hello everyone! Tomorrow is the day!!! Excited, but still nervous. My pre-op nurse is a very good friend of mine. She called to check on me last night and made me feel at ease some. I'm at work today and my 16 year old has a basketball game tonight, so I'll be busy. Didn't sleep much last night,my 9 year old has a cold and was up a lot, bless his heart. I'm really tired. Hope I sleep better tonight. I believe in the power of prayer so please say a prayer for me ladies. God is with me I know. My surgery is at 7:00 a.m., I have to be at the surgery center at 5:30. My husband is a police officer and usually doesn't say how he feels (you know tough guy) but yesterday he told me he was nervous too. That didn't help. He's wonderful and I know he will take good care of me. I will post as soon as I can.

Updated on 18 Nov 2011:
Hi everyone....I made it!! Everything was great. My nurse was a great friend of mine and I knew several people who worked there. They all came by to check on me. My anesthesiologist happened to be a young man that I use to baby sit when he was a kid. We were neighbors for years. That was kind of funny. He was great. My pain is bearable, burns bad. And getting up is hard. When I walk I get short of breath. I won't see my ps until Tuesday. Drains are good, not on my nerves yet. Staying on top of my pain meds. My husband is a wonderful nurse. Thanks for all your prayers.

Updated on 18 Nov 2011:
Ok is it normal to be short of breath after your tummy tuck and muscle repair? I'm ok and can breath but can't take really deep breaths. I need some feed back please.

Updated on 19 Nov 2011:
I have felt better today. I've been getting up by myself since about 4:00 a.m. so I get tired easy. Still feel lots of burning but breathing is better. My kids came home tonight so there's never a dull moment, they are helping me a lot. Can't wait to turn the corner. Hope everyone is doing well.

Updated on 21 Nov 2011:
My tt was last Thursday and I'm making it. Yesterday and this morning were rough. My back hurts most of all from walkin bent over. I'll be glad when I can stand straight. This afternoon my sweet husband washed my hair in the sink and gave me a sponge bath. That felt wonderful. He attempted to style my hair but cops don't make good hair stylist. I sat in a chair and dried my hair myself. Needless to say it's not a great hair day but it's clean so I'm happy. Tomorrow is my first post op appointment. I hope to get these drains removed. I can't wait to sleep on my side. I have lost of burning from my drain site but I've been off my pain meds since Saturday night. I haven't seen my tummy yet, I have a huge bandage around my middle. I get my compression garment at post of visit. Thanks giving is this week so I must tell you what I'm thankful for. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with a supportive family. That He has taken care of me through this whole adventure. He's been faithful to my all of my life and I serve him. I can't live a day without my savior. He's brought me through a lot of difficulties in my life. We are so blessed and I just had to say so.
I hope everyone in recovery are doing well and those facing surgery do well. I will be praying for you.

Updated on 24 Nov 2011:
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I have so many things to be thankful for. Too many to list so I'll just say I'm blessed. Well I'm 1 week post op and I got out of the house for the fist time today. We usually get together with my husbands family but because I'm not 100% we all decided to get together at a later date. We did go see my brother and his family...they live very close by. It was wonderful. I walked alot outside and it felt so good to be in the sunshine. I do have post op pics but they are on my husband iphone and he's at work so I'll post them later. I am very swollen from moving around. My tummy is soooo tight. I'm standing up taller but not all the way straight. Burning sensation is decreasing so I guess I can't complain too much. My plan was to return to work Monday. I have a desk job but I'm not sure. I may have to use more vacation time but it'll be ok. I'm so tired of sitting around. I want to put my Christmas tree up tomorrow but that's impossible. My kids said they would do it so that should be interesting. I'll observe. I hope everyone is doing well and are blessed tonight. I'm looking forward for better days. Oh yeah, I wasn't getting enough protein and felt so tired so I increased that and feel much better. My PS didn't really give me info on what to eat afterwards but reading everyone's posts has helped me. Good night everyone, God Bless!!!!!

Updated on 29 Nov 2011:
I went back to work today. Didn't last all day though. I left at 2:00 because I was so swollen. Very uncomfortable. I'm 12 days post op so I may have rushed things. I'm gonna try to go again tomorrow but take it really easy. My pre op clothes feel tight...ugh. Please someone tell me that I will go down atleast one size. I'm wearing yoga pants from now on. I don't want to go shopping until this swelling is over. I hope everyone is healing well!

Updated on 4 Dec 2011:
It's day 17 post op and not much change. Still swelling by the end of the day. I go to my PS tomorrow to get the stitches removed from my belly button. I think everything is healing well. Not as itchy anymore and it getting really dry. I just don't see a flat tummy that I thought I would see. Disappointed and hoping that it will look better with time. I see others and they look so flat. I know everyone is different. Don't get me wrong...I'm glad the flap is gone but just thought I would be flatter. On a good note....I'm sleeping in my bed on my side now, not through the night but a lot more sleep than before. Hope everyone is healing well.

Updated on 5 Dec 2011:
Has anybody had trouble with their belly button? I got my stitches out today and it looks really bad. It looks like it's not closed and looks infected. I'm worried. I'm calling my PS in the morning about it. I hope it's ok.

Updated on 6 Dec 2011:
I went my PS today and my belly button is infected. Keeping antibacterial ointment on it and covered. He said after it heals I should have a nice "inny". 3 weeks this Thursday and feeling stronger.

Updated on 13 Dec 2011:
Ok, I will be 4 weeks post op on Thursday and I'm still trying to get this belly button to heal. I'm really tired of it looking gross. It has improved but it's taking a really long time. On top of that, I have one spot on my incision that is really red and looks to be open a tiny bit. I have been putting neosporin on it and keeping it covered. The swelling is still a huge issue. On a good note I am sleeping so good on my side. I work everyday, all day. I've got to go Christmas shopping. I haven't bought one gift yet. I hope I'm up to waling the mall this week!!!! I know I need to download my post op pictures, I'll try tonight.

Updated on 14 Dec 2011:
I'm posting 4 week post op pics. Still not thrilled but hoping I'll look back a few months from now and there will be a huge improvement.