“Still Not Sure Which Doctor to Pick - Asheville, NC”

Growing up, I was always a large child and I remember asking what those markings were on my thighs in 3rd grade. I found out they were stretch marks and from that day on, I have always been fat. Until I had my second child. At age 21, I weighed 212 pounds and 10 years later I am at 145 pounds. So now I am left with flabby skin and stretch marks. I also have diastasis which is where my abdomen muscles have separated right down the middle from my last pregnancy. There is literally a 2-3 inch gap in between my muscles. I have been eating super healthy for about 5 years and running, kickboxing, and doing spin classes 3 times a week. I just can't seem to lose any more flab on my stomach. I swear if the flabby skin was gone, you would see a six pack underneath! OK maybe a 3 pack. Anyway, so I have decided to get a tummy tuck and maybe a breast lift. My other problem is this doctor I am considering. He seems really great but a little on the old side. I was trying to watch his hands and they seemed a little shaky but couldn't tell. Anyone have this experience? He's been a plastic surgeon since 1979....is this too old? Should I be worried or am I being paranoid?

Updated on 2 Jan 2011:
Ok, I finally pick my doctor. And no, he is not the old doctor, he was just not for me. My date is set for Jan. 25th which is 3 weeks away! I am so excited. Every time I look in the mirror, it doesn't bother me anymore because I know my problem stomach will be gone soon.

Updated on 29 Jan 2011:
Well, I finally did it! I am post TT 4 days now. The pain is very unpredictable. I will be fine feeling like I could run a marathon (ok, I'm exaggerating a little), then 5 minutes later I will have a shooting pain going through my side. I have to say it has been more on the ok side of pain. I would say 90% of the time, my pain is minimal. But I also got the pain pump which I HIGHLY recommend using. It is worth the extra couple hundred bucks. I have been wearing the compression garment and wow does it compress. It is extremely uncomfortable to wear at night. But helps you get around better. I went on my first adventure out of the house today to Goodwill, yeah not very glamorous but I wanted to get some more zip up hoodies. They have become my friends because they are so easy to zip up and down when you are cleaning your drains and belly button. I figured that once this stage is over with, I won't need the hoodies anymore because I will be living in my bikini! So why buy new ones, right? The medication keeps me so drowsy that I have watched a dozen Grey's Anatomy shows on Netflix and only got through the first 5-10 minutes before I pass out. Its kind of annoying and I can guarantee I will not be watching anymore Grey's Anatomy once I'm up and running! I had my first bowel movement this morning and boy did it hurt! It was not a fun experience. Then I had another one in the afternoon. Huge Suggestion here......eat tons of fibrous foods 1-2 days before your surgery and you will feel so much better. Eat oatmeal and split pea soup. I was so constipated that it was hurting worse down there than my tummy muscles. Anyway, off to reheat my heating pad. I will post pics tonight or tomorrow.