“Tummy Tuck & Thigh Lipo Scheduled for April 6th - Cherry Hill, NJ”

I always had a "pot belly" as a kid but never really a problem until I had 2 children. I am 5'10" and a size 8 and have always maintained a healthy weight. I have extra skin, stretch marks and fat under my belly button that hangs and leaves a red sore line underneath. Also my ab muscles stick out and no matter what I do...exercise, lose weight....nothing changes. Over the years when I've talked about getting a tummy tuck everyone always say's oh no your fine, that's crazy to spend that kind of money...you don't need one, which is very frustrating because I hide it well and they just don't see it. In the summer I wear tankini bathing suits with little skirts to hide it. I have gotten to the point where I flash my friends because I know I do need one and once they see my stomach they agree. I finally made an appointment and went to a plastic surgeon and his exact words were "finally...someone who actually needs a tummy tuck"..! When I repeat this to friends they find the doctors comment mean but I was just happy to be validated. He said he gets a lot of overweight people who think he can just cut it all off and give them a flat stomach. Apparently I am the perfect canidate....within 10 lbs of ideal body weight, extra skin and fat below the belly button, muscles have seperated and I have enough skin to cut and stitch back together. I then met with 2 additional doctors and made a decision to go with the last doctor I met with who fit me in at 4:45 on a Friday afternoon. He had just come out of surgery and still had a great demeanor and answered all of my questions and walked me through the entire process, I felt very comfortable. His patient liason was so nice as well and replied to my email on a saturday. I read great reviews and he's within 30 minutes of my house. I even decided to add thigh lipo since that area doesn't seem to change as well and it seemed worthwhile with the discount they provide for additional procedures and the 1 year no interest financing.

I'm doing as much research as I can on recovery and what I can do to make it more bearable. I've only talked to one doctor who keeps you in the hospital overnight, this doctor does not, he has an OR in his facility and you go home the same day which makes me a little nervous going home the same day. I've read things about certain foods to eat, lots of vitamin C, lots of water and protein to help repair the muscle. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. I will be sure to post before and after photos once the procedure is complete on April 6th.

Updated on 25 Mar 2011:
Procedure is paid for and now I'm even more nervous. I handle stress very well and am not a drama queen but this is definitely a bit overwhelming. I had 2 easy deliveries and had my gallbladder out but other then that haven't really dealt with any type of surgery. I'm feeling the nesting thing kick in and the need to shop for everything that will make me comfortable and the need to clean...clean...clean! My boyfriend was very supportive of me getting the surgery but is getting tired of me talking about it...even though I don't think it's that often. I think he's nervous too so talking about it just makes it more overwhelming, especially b/c he's not great with the blood and gut's type things:-) I don't have a recliner so it's just me and the sofa or bed with a ton of pillows, I hope that works. I'm getting my thighs lipo'd as well so that will just add to the discomfort but might as well get it done together. My mom still looks at me like I'm crazy to do this but she is more then willing to help in any way that she can. I'm lucky to have the month of April off b/c I start a new job in May so that takes a little bit of the pressure off. I have my kids squared away with relatives for the first 5 days and then we'll see what happens. They are 11 and 5 so they can do most things on their own with supervision and I know they will do whatever they can to help. I told them I was having surgery to fix my stomach but didn't really get into the specifics....what are you supposed to tell them...? My 5 year old son said I could borrow his walkie talkies and call him on it whenever I needed something:-) 12 days to go.

Updated on 28 Mar 2011:
9 days till surgery, the mix of emotions is tough....one minute I'm excited and read all the reviews and see the amazing before and after pictures......and the next I'm scared, thinking about my own mortality and wondering if that small risk is worth it. I'm blessed to have 2 beautiful children...shouldn't that be enough..? I know the risk is no more then getting in my car and driving to work tomorrow but I'm choosing to do this and it's a bit scary. I hope that my post op posts are as good and better then the ones I have been reading:-) I did take photos on my phone but can't upload from it.

Updated on 28 Mar 2011:

 

Updated on 1 Apr 2011:
Just posted before pics....a few days to go and I'll have after pics:-) Are you not allowed to climb stairs afterwards for a certain period of time...?

Updated on 5 Apr 2011:
Tomorrow is the big day! I have to be there at 7am, surgery scheduled from 8am to 11am and then they say approximately 1.5 hrs of recovery and then home. It seems so quick for a full tummy tuck, muscle repair, lipo on flanks and inner thighs. Wow, it creeped up quick. Everything is squared away at home and kids are taken care of till Sunday night. I'm nervous but excited.....wish me luck:-)

Updated on 6 Apr 2011:
Thanks so much for all your thoughts and good wishes. Home and doing good! Surgery was about 2.5 hours and recovery wad good...no nausea which made me very happy. Was home by 1pm. Lots of pressure but bearable, I'm getting around pretty well. I'm laying on my chase lounge on my sofa with lots of pillows and blankets. I had thigh lipo as well and so far it doesnt hurt:-) I made a chart of all the meds and vitamins I'm taking so I can keep on top of everything since there are probably 10 different things I'm taking. My boyfriend is taking great care of me:-) Love the opening in the girly area so you don't have to worry about taking the garmet off. Haven't been able to nap yet so will probably sleep well, also the doc gave me lunesta which should help. I have a pain pump and one drain which is easy to empty. I go back on Friday for follow up. I'm excited:-)

Updated on 7 Apr 2011:
PO day 1 - not much sleep, mainly b/c i literally pee'd every 20 minutes to an hour. I didn't read anything about this...! I would piddle a little each time i went but my bladder was still full so I would stand up, let things settle and sit down again to piddle again....wth! Then i would go back to bed for 20 minutes and have to get back up which is not easy. the pain is a 6 maybe, lots of pressure and very uncomfortable. My boyfriend is taking great care of me even though he's exhausted from helping me get out of bed every 20 minutes to an hour. I have no drainage.....half a bulb full yesterday and that's it. Doc said that's ok....some people drain more then others. I'm hoping today is a little easier but doc said it would probably be the most uncomfortable day. My back really hurts, maybe a heating pad later. Binder is so tight but won't take off till PO appt tomorrow. I can't even imagine what it looks like without it....hopefully great....!!!!!

Updated on 8 Apr 2011:
Post op day 2 - last night was tough...severe bloating and cramping from being constipated made the binder so tight and sore.....it was the worst to date. That also made me more hunched over and my back is killing me. I've been taking MOM and colace and the doc gave me something else today that will hopefully help clear it all out. I've been eating soup and had a sandwich for lunch, not very hungry. Drinking lots and trying to keep up with all the meds and vitamins. It was really helpful to make a chart for the meds so i can keep up with them. The binder came off at the doctors office and i was surprised at the choppiness of the incision. I haven't really seen others so I'm sure its fine...it is only 2 days post op. it felt really weird and i had a hard time taking a deep breath and talking while i was laying there. Here's to hoping the constipation gets resolved and my back stops hurting and then maybe ill be able to stand up straight.

Updated on 8 Apr 2011:
Forgot to mention that the doc sent me 6 large chocolate covered strawberries from California that came so nicely packed in dry ice. It was a nice surprise:-)

Updated on 11 Apr 2011:
Post op day 5 - doing well, had an appt today and didn't get the drain out...maybe Wednesday. Everything looks good and I could start to see the shape, I definitely have a waist and a flat stomach but tough to imagine what it will look like after the scar has time to heal. I am standing almost fully upright and can get up and lay down by myself. The binder is a pain but other then that I'm happy with everything. Had lots of company over the weekend...which is why I didn't post. I took a few photos but my bandage is on the scar so you can't really see....I will post them soon.

Updated on 14 Apr 2011:
Post op day 8...wow how time flies. I am feeling really well and getting around great. I do feel like I'm doing a bit to much so today I will relax:-) I had my drain out yesterday and get to take a shower today. They gave me 2 more binders since I have to wear them for another month. The new binders don't have the zipper on the sides so hopefully it wont dig in like the one I'm currently wearing, you'll see in the photos the bruising. I will take new photos today after my shower so you can see the results.....I'm eager to see them as well. I haven't taken the binder off except for at the doctors office (that nifty opening down below is great) so I'll be inspecting everything:-)

Updated on 14 Apr 2011:


Updated on 15 Apr 2011:
Finally took a shower yesterday...woot woot! I could feel the swelling around my stitch area build as I was on my feet which was weird but once I laid down it was better...and easier to breathe. The doc gave me 2 new binders which THANKFULLY have the cut outs down below because I needed help getting into it and I bet to get out of it so I wear underwear over the binder.....it's so pretty...LOL! New photos from after my shower just posted.

Updated on 19 Apr 2011:
Post op day 13 - I had a check up yesterday and everything looks good but I have extra swelling in my pubic area The doc said to walk a bit but not to get my heart rate up to help the fluid absorb. He's not worried but if it doesn't go down then he will have to drain it this coming Monday. He said everything looks great and next week they will leave the tape off of the incision and start discussing scar massage. I really have a nice shape now except for the swelling and I put on my old jeans which were tight before surgery and now are a little loose (even with the binder on). Before surgery I was 157...this morning I was 148.5. I definiteIy haven't been eating like normal and have lost weight overall....everyone says my face is thinner....I hope it stays that way once everything is back to normal but the gym is definitely in my future. I feel pretty good and looking forward to a few weeks from now when the swelling is gone and I can see the final results. The binder is supposed to stay on for 3 - 4 more weeks and then ween myself off and wear a few hours a day. So glad I did it and tomorrow is 2 weeks!

Updated on 27 Apr 2011:
3 weeks post op! Everything is going well. At my 3 weeks appt the doc removed a little bit of fluid from my pubic are.....that seems to be the only area that swells the most. He said there really isn't much fluid, it's just swelling. I go back in 2 weeks at which point they will have start taking the binder off for half the day. I see on a lot of these posts that women aren't wearing the binders that long. I've had it on full time since day 1.....and for the next 2 weeks which is a total of 5 weeks before it goes to half days. Is that the norm...? Hopefully the swelling will go away soon and I can enjoy the full results:-). Other then that...everything is great!

Updated on 9 May 2011:
Had my 5 week post op appointment today. Doc says everything looks great. I'm still wearing the binder but as of today he said I can wear it 12 hours a day for the next week till I get used to not wearing it. He said leaving it off at night might be best so I can get used to it because I'm not moving around and swelling. My swelling is very uneven and all by my pubic area, he said that is normal. I hope so because it looks funny. The scar is looking better. The doc said to start massaging my ab area every day for 5 minutes or so to help with the fluid and swelling. I can't wait till it all goes down and looks flat. I go back in one month.....3 days before I am taking a trip...on the back of my boyfriends motorcycle to North Carolina.....about a 6 hour trip.....here's to hoping the swelling is gone and the ride is comfortable. I feel pretty good but when I do to much I am really sore at the end of the day...including my back. I just started a new job....really it was what I went to college for but ended up doing something else for 14 years and now I am following my dream and just started working with a Commercial Photographer to do sales and studio management as well as assisting him.....I'm really psyched and hope that this new journey and my new tummy are what I hope them to be:-) Thanks for reading...I'll update when anything changes.