“Finally got my Tummy Tuck! June 1 2011 - Brea, CA”

I'm single mom of 3 boys. I had my first when I was 19. At that time, I was pretty thin. I weighed no more than 98lbs. Well, to make a long story short, I gained over 50lbs with the first kid. With each pregnancy, I would gain more (gestational diabetes). My highest point was 176lb. Throughout the years, I was able to lose some weight. My weight flactuates. I can lose and gain 20lbs off and on.

I'm a pretty small girl (4'11) and small framed. I have tried everything. Personal training, crash diets, Atkins, Phentermine, Zerona, Mesotherapy. I can't seem to get rid of all this skin. I have alot of skin. I have so much skin, I can use it as a fan and just fan the kids with the flab. j

Well, no more Jelly Belly. I'm excited and scared and anxious. I don't even know how I'm going to sleep. I've been on ReaSelf for over 6hrs already. I'm so addicted to this site.

I promise to post updates with pictures after my tummy tuck.

$7000 - Tummy Tuck w/ Lipo of the flanks and lower back.

Updated on 28 May 2011:
I'm so anxious to get this TT done & over with. Time seems to be going by so slow. I find myself on RealSelf or youtube looking up info about TT. I can't even peel myself off my computer. Wednesday June 1, 2011 is my big day. I'm so excited and scared at the same time. I'm worried about the healing process, the pain. Sorry, to rant. I'm just so nervous.

Well, I also wanted to ask a question. My parents live with me and I cannot tell them about my tummy tuck. If they knew about it, my mom will nag my ear off and my dad would probably freak out. So, now I have to think of an excuse to explain why I will be on bed rest. Any ideas??

I'm know I'm a grown women, but my parents treats everyone like a baby. LOl....

Updated on 28 May 2011:
I just wanted to Thank everyone! I love this website! I love reading all your reviews all your pre-op and post op stories.

My BF is gong to take care of me during my post - op. My kids say they will be good and try to clean the house while I'm outta commission (hm...wonder how that will go) I will take some before and after photos and try to post them in a wk or 2.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. =)


Updated on 29 May 2011:
I just posted a pic of my Jelly Belly. I think it looks really bad. I'm 4'11 & any kind of xtra fat or skin looks much worse on a person my size. No matter what I do, I could not get rid of the flab. It's gotten to the point that it is crippling my life. I make it a point to avoid certain people because I know they'll talk about weight. I have certain ppl in my life that feel that it is their duty to tell me when I gain a few pounds. I know they mean well, but sometimes I just don't want to hear it. I buy jeans one or 2 size bigger just because of my jelly Belly. I can't stand the "bulge" or the "muffin top". I even stopped going to my spa because I gained a few pounds and my belly looks larger then ever. Don't want people seeing my like this. I find myself hiding from friends. I can't even look at my self in the mirror.

I realized this is something I have to do or I will end up being a Hermit and hide from everyone. So, this is it. Just a few more days and bye bye Jelly Belly.

Updated on 31 May 2011:
Well, my big day is tomorrow. In less than 24hrs I will no longer have this Jelly Belly. I don't know the exact time of my surgery. They only told me it'll be in the morning and they'll call me the day ahead (which is today) and let me know. Still no call yet. Ahh.... I wish I knew what time I'm going in. I called them (they only provide a 866 number) and the lady said they'll call me in the afternoon to let me know. Hopefully I'll get a call soon.

Updated on 31 May 2011:
So, I got the number to the Brea location (where I got my consultation) and they transfered me to their Upland location (my surgery will be at this location). Well, I was disconnected the first time. Called back again and this time I was on hold for 13mins. So, the lady gets back on the phone and says something about how she thinks my surgery has been cancelled. Uh.. WTF... Why? What is going on. She sounded confused. I told her to double check & she said she will call me back. What is going on?? I just need to know what time I should come in for my surgery. Wow.... so my stress level just went up 10 notches. Ah.... I don't even know what is going on. =(

Updated on 31 May 2011:
So, they finally called me. Ahhh... Bad news. My PS broke his foot and they have to reschedule me OR I can go to their Beverly hills location to one of their other PS - Dr. Abdullah Khalil. I don't know how long it takes to recover from a broken foot. A month maybe. They said they can try to reschedule me for next wk. Even if they did, If my PS (Dr. Smaili) broke his foot, wouldn't be be kinda off balance. I mean will he be able to do my TT to his best ability? I don't know what to do. They're gonna call me in 30 mins to let me know more details. Wow... talk about bad luck.

Updated on 31 May 2011:
More bad news. So this new PS is not American Board Certified. He is American Board Certified. So, what now?? I wanna burst into tears now.

Updated on 31 May 2011:
Oops, I ment he is only American Board Eligible.

Updated on 31 May 2011:
So, they called and confirmed my appointment at 10am tomorrow in Beverly Hills. The nurses told me that this PS (Dr. Abdullah Khalil) is pretty good and alot of the nurses have had their TT from him. Well, wish me luck.

Updated on 2 Jun 2011:
Got my TT Surgey yesterday. As you all know, my original PS. Dr. Smaily broke his foot the day before my surgery. So, I was sent to one of his other doctors. At first, I was a lil. concerned since I knew nothing about this doctor. Well, I lucked out.

Dr. Abdullah Khalil is Wonderful! He was very personable, caring, answered all my questions. He made me feel comfortable.

So, it's been about 35hrs since my TT. I'm pretty sore. Overall, feeling pretty good. I went to see Dr. Abdullah Khalil for my post op check up today. So far so good. I'll see him again on Monday.

I'm pretty weak sauce, so I am in quite a bit of pain. Lil burning sensation where I got lipo. Trying to stay hydrated with Gatorade. Eating very small light meals, but nausea is setting in. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. I'll try to post some pics when I'm feeling a little better.

Updated on 4 Jun 2011:
It's been 3 days since my TT. Still pretty swollen. I added some pics today. I also lipo my arms and you can see how swollen that is. I haven't taken the binder off yet (I don't even know how I look underneath). I'm too scared to do it. I'll probably do it on Tuesday. As of now, I'm pretty tired and still get nauseated off and on. Been staying on bed rest. Well, see how it goes on my post op visit on Tuesday.

4 days post TT surgery. Feel much better today. Trying to ease off the pain killers. Finally had my first BM (sorry to be gross). Lets just say it wasn't fun. LOl.... I think I"m going to take off my binder today and peek at my new tummy. I'm anxious to see what it looks like. I'll post some pics of that later today or tomorrow. For now, I'm going to post up pics of my set up. My boyfriend brought up my Chaise (small one) and lined it up with the sterilized plastic thing, put lots of pillows on it. My bed is too high for me to get up and off of. He also has my Cheetah High heel chair next to it with a tray on top with all my meds, lotions, first aid kit, and whatever I need within reaching distant. On the side of that is a bag of my loose clothing that I need to change into. It just makes it easier for him to know where my clothes are. Having things set up like this makes things so much easier. They say you have to sleep upright and keep your legs elevated for the first 2 wks. Plus, it is impossible for me to get up if I'm laying flat on my back. So, this is the set up I have in my room. So far, so good. Pretty comfy. = )I hope my pictures give you some ideas. Thanks.

Updated on 5 Jun 2011:
Just uploaded some Post Op Pictures.

Updated on 6 Jun 2011:
I feel better each day that passes. The only thing really bothering me is the soreness from bruises of my liposuction sites (Flanks, Lower Back & Arms). Boy, I am all black and blue. well, the bruises are starting to fade a little so I'm kinda yelllowish brown too. My 2nd PO appt is tomorrow. Hopefully, my PS can take out my drains. I'd say that is the main reason why I'm not trying out my clothes. Feels kinda weird with it on. I'm also afraid to knock the drains out. I already bumped them a few times and ... BOY, it hurt!

I'm not as Flat as I want to be. In fact, I look kinda pudgy - like a Oompa Loompa. My boyfriend says I'm really swollen. Well, hopefully the swelling goes down so I can put some reg. clothes on. Summer is around the corner and these sweats & binder is not helping. I'm ready to throw on a cute romper or something! Well, I'm feeling pretty good. My back gets sore if I stand hunched over too longer. For me, that's only 5 mins. I'm super weak sauce. LOL.... Now, it's just the time it takes for everything to heal. So, far I can't believe I went through all this for to get rid of my Jelly Belly. I'm not where I want to be yet. I have faith in my PS that he did a good job and hopefully it'll show that this was all worth it in the next few months. Staying positive and hoping for the best possible results. =)

Updated on 6 Jun 2011:
Finally went downstairs! Getting down the stairs wasn't too bad. Just had to go down really slow. So, far my recovery has been pretty good. Feeling better each day!

Updated on 7 Jun 2011:
Only 6 days post op. Back from my 2nd Pos Op check up. He took off the tape off my incision today. Looks real nice! I can tell it's gonna heal real pretty! Dr. Khalil wanted me to wait one more day to take my drains out just to be on the safe side. So, I'll be back in his office tomorrow. My arms and tummy is still really swollen. Can't wait to see what it'll look like when the selling goes down. Oh, he took the tape off my belly button today. Looks pretty cute! Loving how things are coming along. I'm still in a lil pain, but I do have a low threshold for pain. Some BM issues. Hopefully laxatives will help. That's another story. Anyhow, beside a few minor issues - I'm a happy camper.

So, far everything has been going really smoothly. I'm healing nicely without complications. I have a Bomb Ass PS! I'm very grateful to have such a supportive family (except my dad - he doesn't know - LOL) my boyfriend & a few close friends and of course all the support from the RealSelf peeps. Thank you for all your encouragement!

Updated on 9 Jun 2011:
8 days post op - I went to the PS yesterday to get my drains removed. Well, guess I'm still leaking too much fluid so I have to leave them in. Guess, I am moving around too much. Anyhow, I rather leave them in for a few more days than take them out now and end up getting a seroma. So, I'll call them on Monday morning and hopefully I'll be able to go in and get the drains taken out. They nurse told me I'm still very swollen. So, I still can't really tell how I look. Guess, I have to wait and see.

So, I tried to go on 1 whole night without my pain meds. That was a bad idea. I woke up the next morning in major pain. Everything was hurting so bad. So, back to my pain meds again.

I'm feeling better. I'm not walkign as hunched back. Still can't stand longer than 5 mins. Anything longer than that kills my back. I still feel sore from my lipo site, especially my arms & lower back. I don't mind all this discomfort or pain as long as it pays off and I look good. Lol.... Aahh.... hopefully the swelling goes down and I can have an idea of what my body will look like.

Updated on 12 Jun 2011:
Been in pain for the past two days. My drains are still in, and I'm leaking between 20-25 mL per day. I hope I'll leak less so I can get my drains out on Monday. My left and right side love handles (liposuction area) have been very painful. Looking at it, it's lumpy kind of like cellulite and it's bruised. Inside, it feels like it's raw meat and burning. I feel like it's being torched. I looked it up online and it sounds like fat necrosis. I'm praying that it's not, but it is extremely lumpy and hard to the touch. Hopefully, I'll see my PS on Monday, and he can help me figure out what's going on with this and we can fix it.

Updated on 13 Jun 2011:
Woot Woot... Got my drains out today! I thought it would hurt alot, but it wasn't too bad. It was just a little pressure & a quick pinch and that was it. So, my PS said the hard lump should go away in a few months. In the mean time, I just need to massage it & make sure my binder doesn't have wrinkles. Apparently, my lumps are from the binder I was wearing. It had conformed to the shape of the binder. Well my swelling went down a little but I'm still swollen. Gonna see my PS in a wk. I'm so glad that my PS is so wonderful! He really takes good care of me and is top notch especially with the post op care!

Updated on 20 Jun 2011:
19 days post op. Had a pretty good day! Went in for my check up today. Everything looks good except for some swelling. I went online to look up scar treatments and I decided to buy Scarprin. It is 100% Silicone and the reviews I read were pretty good. They are $49.99 per bottle. Buy 2 get 1 free. Each bottle is 30ml. Bout, $105 for 3 bottles with shipping & handling. I also got my Compression Garment today. Yay!! I got the Annette garment. Feels so much better than wearing a binder. I posted some pics up. Hopefully, they will help with my swelling and smooth out my lumps. I'll keep you guys updated.