“Nana Can't Wait for Her Surgery--April 5 - TX”

I am 52 with 2 children, 26 & 23. Body didn't go too far downhill until I gained & lost 45 pounds. Lost the weight slowly & kept off for 2+ years. I was originally going to get lipo or Zerona to get rid of what I thought was fat, but my surgeons said it was all skin. I had worked too hard to have a permanent muffin top, so this was my choice.

I grew up in the 70's, so didn't wear bras all the time, so "perky" was never really a good adjective for my breasts. So since I was going in for the TT, the breasts get to be helped out as well. I'm hoping my body "renovation" isn't like a 52 year old house renovation -- you update one room & the rest of the house looks like crap -- so you move on to redoing the next room. Well, I'll cross that bridge when & if it comes.

This website has been a Godsend. Everyone's honesty & willingness to share such personal info has been SO helpful. One thing that I did do, was have my husband read all the great advice given by Kimmers25 & JenBob. That way he may have a little insight into what I might be feeling.

Expecting the worst but really hoping for the best. I'll do my best to keep everyone up to date.

Updated on 3 Apr 2011:
I am 5'2" and weigh 123 pounds. Hoping to get under 120 before the surgery but doesn't look like I will.

Updated on 8 Apr 2011:
Three days after surgery. Doing well. Pain meds every 6-7 hours. Muscle relaxants 2-3 times per day. Pulled out pain pump late afternoon yesterday. Like a lot of others on this site, back pain is worse than the actual TT & BL/BA. I'm still pretty tired & can't rmember what I did an hour ago. Can't remember what day it is. :0) Will post pics in a few days.

Updated on 12 Apr 2011:
Thanks to all who have been commenting on my journey. Prayers out to everyone who is going through the same thing. I finally feel like I'm back to living. I've been mostly sleeping the past week -- Percocet I'm sure. Trying to wean off the narcotics, so we'll see how that goes.

Not too much pain. The area over my sternum & my back have caused me the most pain so far. Showers help a lot. Couldn't take one until the 3rd day as I needed to wait until the pain pump came out.

Follow up yesterday & got the breast drains out; hopefully the 2 hip ones will come out on Friday. I'm posting some more pics today.

Sure glad I read a lot of stories on this site, or my swollen labia would've freaked me out. Not one of my doctors told me about it.

Updated on 13 Apr 2011:
Things are going well. I was actually able to sit up straight in the shower yesterday. The shower chair with a back was a great investment.

One weird thing is that sometimes when I put my arm down, I can hear what sounds like my implant. It makes the sound like when you put your hand under your armpit and flap your arm. That is so weird.

Updated on 16 Apr 2011:
Actually feeling almost normal again. Off pain medication completely. Only taking antibiotics & Arnica. Sleep at night isn't corrected yet -- I think a little withdrawal from the meds.

Got my hips drains out yesterday; the left one caused me more grief than anything (except my back of course). I wasn't quite standing up straight yet so my doc said I need to make a conscious effort to do so. My skin is capable, I just wasn't willing. The binder I got yesterday definitely helps with that. Plus the cough is easier to handle.

I've been taking showers almost daily but I finally was able to shave my legs. YAY!! Of course, it wore me out. I was going to try to go to a movie yesterday but we decided just to go to Mighty Fine Burgers instead. It tasted so good. I was a little miffed though cuz I had to wear a pair of jeans that had been put away since I lost my weight. But comfort won out over vanity, so oh well.

I'm actually starting to see the improvement of my body. My boobs still seem way too big but I know it's going to be another 6 weeks before they get to their appropriate size. Of course my hubby has no complaints. I'll post some more pics in a few days.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Updated on 21 Apr 2011:
Feeling good today. Each day is different. On Monday, I felt like I hadn't even had surgery, so I worked some at my desk. Tuesday a shower was all I could muster. On the couch most of the day. Yesterday was dr. appts. & PF Changs so did pretty good. I feel good today. I'm still sleeping propped up on my back; it just is more comfortable.

Skin on my abdomen is still pretty tight -- especially under the bra line. Of course, it might be really tight near my incision too but that part is numb. Breasts are still really tight & swollen so will be glad for those to settle down a little. Tried on 1 of my regular bras & was happy with the way it fit. I'm hoping after all the settling I'll be able to use all my old bras -- they really are pretty new & I like them.

Looking for a massage therapist that does Lymphatic Drain Massage close by my house. Anyone had this done? My surgeon highly recommends it.

Doc said I can start my light cardio again - treadmill, bike or stairmaster -- just make sure I wear good breast support & my binder for my tummy support. (He told me I can wear the binder when I want at any other time; it wasn't medically necessary any more.) He still wants me in my sports bra for 2 more weeks which is fine cuz they are very comfortable. I'll let ya'll know how my first workout goes.

Oh, and I got to sit in the bathtub last night. I was missing a whirlpool bath so much. It felt so good -- just had to make sure the jets didn't come out too hard on my hip incisions. After my bath, I massaged my scars, tummy & breasts & completely covered myself in lotion. Slept so good.

Updated on 25 Apr 2011:
Posting pics from last Friday which was 17 days post-op.

Had my first Lymphatic Drainage Massage this morning. I think it did some good. Has anyone else followed up with these? So different than a Swedish massage. As soon as I get clearance from my dr., I'm hoping the MT can help to break up the scar tissue under my incisions. I have several pea-plus size bumps on both sides of my scars on my tummy. Only 1 on each of my breasts. Massage only 1/2 hour today but next time will be 60 minutes.

Am feeling pretty good. Went for a 30 min. walk on Saturday & it didn't wear me out. However, grocery shopping Saturday afternoon did. Cleaned off my back patio (& it's pretty big) on Friday & that didn't wear me out too much either. I guess one project a day is a good start. Starting the gym tomorrow. I'll will walk after supper tonight so I'm looking forward to that.

Tummy is still pretty swollen; feels like I have a shelf right above my incision. And it still protrudes so I'm a little bummed about that. I know, I gotta give it time. Tightness on abdomen skin is still annoying but I think the massage helped with that a little. Breasts are feeling better with each day. They still feel really heavy when I go from a horizontal/reclining position to an upright position. I have been taking off my sports bra in the evening when watching TV then putting it back on before bed. Just a nice little break -- gives 'em time to breathe.

Hope everyone out there had a nice Easter.

Updated on 25 Apr 2011:


Updated on 26 Apr 2011:
Just got back from the gym. Oh my gosh -- it felt so good. I only rode the bike for 20 minutes but it sure seemed like a hard workout. :o) I then spent 10 minutes in the wet sauna (not whirlpool) lying down & stretching out my tummy, massaging all my scars, & stretching my arms overhead. Then took a nice long hot shower. My hubby was waiting for me by the time I got done but he was patient & then carried my gym bag out to the car.

Updated on 2 May 2011:
Ok, everyone, got a question for those of you who get bikini or brazilian waxes? How long did you wait until after surgery before getting done? I wanted to get waxed prior to surgery but due to timing (period & my aesthetician's vacation) I didn't.

Updated on 7 Jun 2011:
I can't believe I haven't been on here in such a long time. Been super busy but no excuse. I have been reading all the posts though. Thanks for everyone keeping up with me. I posted a new bikini pic. Will post incision pics later this week. They are doing well. Not too much scar tissue underneath. Still getting Lymphatic Drainage Massage combined with scar tissue break up sessions. Still swell up in the evening but not too bad. The only thing I've had an issue with is being able to swim on my stomach. The breast incision on the left seems to pull so much it's uncomfortable. Not too worried though. My TT scar is still sore on the far outsides of the scar; like where the drains came out of. If I sleep on my side, that side of the scar is sore. I like sleeping on my back better now than pre-surgery. If I decide to sleep on my side though, I have a pillow inbetween my boobs for support for the "top" one. Still wearing a sports bra to bed 95% of the time. I'm back into all of my pre-surgery clothes & some new, cute ones. I still want to lose about 10 more pounds but I can't seem to stop eating crap I shouldn't be eating. Priorities...I just gotta remember.

Well, I'm pretty happy with this 52 year old house now. Resigning myself to my crepey skin on my arms & legs; nothing to do about it. Not giving up on backside & thighs though. Once again, PRIORITIES. Extra chips & salsa or one less sag in my butt?

I will try to post more often. Sorry girls.

Updated on 8 Jun 2011:
My Massage Therapist is moving to the Dallas area at the end of this month. Boo-hoo. I just found her & love her work. She is so knowledgeable.

Updated on 14 Jun 2011:
OK, girls. I have a question. My abdomen seems unusually tight - not the skin, my muscles. From my bra line down to my TT scar, and about 6" across. It's like I can literally hold my muscles in my hands. My skin is taught too, but it seems like my abdominals are what is causing the discomfort. Is anyone else experiencing this? Maybe it's just normal.

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
Ok, here's some new pics. 16 weeks, 2 days post op. The side views are to show what I thought it would like like, and what it actually looks like. Hopefully the lighting shows it. Let me know if y'all can compare -- if not, I'll take a couple more with better lighting.

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
I'm so glad I took the picture of my abdomen with the yellow bra on to be able to compare freckles. I shoud've circled them but if you look closely you can see a big difference. If you look at the red mole on my left side (right side of the screen) it is about 5" above my navel. Just to the left of that one, is another small red mole. On the pics that I posted today you can see the 1st red mole about 1-1/2" from my navel & the other little red mole is directly above my navel. I had to enlarge the picture to even see that one. Ok, even I'm impressed. My BB looks so much better.