“New pics! I am very glad I did this!! - Denver, CO”

I have 3 beautiful children, but they did a number on my tummy. I gained 60 pounds with each of them, and was already overweight when I got pregnant with each. So, I have been up and down the scale about 85 pounds. I am finally at a normal BMI and the only thing to stick around through my weight loss is my ugly, fat tummy. I have been this weight before, but my tummy NEVER looked this bad at this weight. I decided it was time to say goodbye to the tummy and I'm very happy with my decision.

Pre-op apt is scheduled for July 12th. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! However, I know it will be a rough road. I have read many other's stories about their journies through the process and have found them helpful, so here goes the beginning of my journey!

Updated on 10 Jul 2011:
I have my pre op on Tuesday and I'm very excited. All I can think about is that I'm going to have a new tummy very soon. I need to do something to take my mind off this!! but it's very difficult.

Updated on 13 Jul 2011:
pre op was yesterday and it was very informative. They gave me all my meds and a shopping list for things I'll need post op. They also took my before pics...not the most fun I've ever had. I have my packet with me and find myself reading it over and over. The procedure is also paid for and I got approved for 10 days off work. I sometimes can't believe it's actually going to happen! 2 more weeks!!

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
omg, I just bought a bikini to take before and after pics. Also bought some post op necessities and did meal planning...

Updated on 23 Jul 2011:
I got the job offer i wanted and I just gave 2 weeks notice at my job. I start a new one aug 8...new job, new tummy! t minus 4 days...

Updated on 24 Jul 2011:
only 2 full days of an ugly tummy left. I'm pretty nervous.

Updated on 27 Jul 2011:
on my way to the surgery center!! just said goodbye to my kiddos.

Updated on 27 Jul 2011:
at home, drugged up. not too bad unless I move, lol. lipo areas hurt the most so far. I have a pain pump for the tummy.

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
I woke up this morning with a little more pain than yesterday. I may have waited just a smidge too long to take my pain meds. I also think my pain pump is running out of juice. I go in today for my first post op and I'll have them refill it. I have some major swelling and bruising of my labia, particularly the left side that worried me, but between realself and talking to my ps last night I was put at ease. not using my abs is a slight challenge when trying to get out of be. that my also have exacerbated my soreness.

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
Painwise, today is worse. VERY sore and I can feel my incision. will be glad to see the doc today..and see my tummy. I will also have a tummy massage, which kind of worries me. it's hard to imagine someone touching it.

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
Finished with the doc apt. Got to see my belly. it's super swollen but I definately see a big difference, and major curves :). I had a gentle massage to encourage healing and my lymphatic system. it didn't hurt, but made me a bit nauseous. I'm feeling ok now. I'll be back in bEd soon!

Updated on 29 Jul 2011:
Day 2 post op and I really can feel the pain starting to leave. Still sore, but getting better all the time. I took a shower today and it felt great, but putting my binder and cusion thing back on definately required help from my hubby. It was also challenging figuring out how to manage the drains and pain pump. There will be no quick showers until those suckers ar out, lol.

I like how flat my belly is, but the puckering and buldges by my insicion are a little concerning. The nurse yesterday said everything look good so I guess it's normal.

I am so far very happy I did this.

Updated on 30 Jul 2011:
My pain pump ran out of juice, so my hubby and I took it out. it's nice to have one less thing hanging out of me! However, taking on and off a garment really took it out of my. I am pretty sore now. now time for meds and bed! I'll try to post the pic I took today tomorrow. Wish I could do it from my iPhone!

Updated on 30 Jul 2011:
BTW, I'm feeling a lot more in my tummy. it's super tight and a bit uncomfortable. may have something to do also with not having a BM...

Updated on 31 Jul 2011:
I am so swollen and bloated right now I can hardly stand it. I'm having a WTF did I do moment. Everything looks so funky right now. I took a shower and looking at my bloated swollen body was a little depressing. Man, my tummy hurts!

Updated on 2 Aug 2011:
day 6 po and I feel like I've turned a corner. I can stand up much straighter and the pain has decreased immensely. My only concerns are that one of my drains put out a large amount of fluid overnight and the consistency was really thick, almost mucusy. Also, there is a crease right in the center if my belly at my belly button, vertical a little above and a little below. I'm assuming that is because of swelling. Overall, I feel way better today than I have since surgery day. Hoping the day stays on this positive note!

Updated on 2 Aug 2011:
so I was having a pretty decent day, until my 3 year old decided it was meltdown time right after my husband left to take my son to football. It felt like all the good that had been done was undone. My grandma is here to suposedly help, but she wasn't a help at all at that point. I guess I expected too much from both of them. For future reference, don't expect to be able to handle an unreasonable 3 year old on your own this early in the game. I am SPENT.

Updated on 3 Aug 2011:
One week post op...I walked a couple blocks to pick up my daughter from her first day of kindergarten and it almost killEd me. Most pain I've had so far. won't be doing that for a little while longer.

Updated on 4 Aug 2011:
Went to the ps today. had bb stitches and one drain removed. If my output on the last one remains low my hubby can take it out for me. As long as it's out my Monday, I'll be happy. Brand new job Monday!! I can't believe it. I need to remember to take it slow and easy. I got a refil of pain meds I can take after work if I need it. I'm still swollen, but I can wear a nice tight shirt and show off my new figure. Guess I need to go buy some new shirts! I drove today and was out an about and think I was just this side of a little too much. But each day is definately better.

Updated on 5 Aug 2011:
woo hoo!! I'm drain free. can't believe the relief I feel! Now I feel the real healing can begin! If I wasn't sore, I'd do a little dance

Updated on 6 Aug 2011:
I had such a rough night last night. Kept having coughing fits. I never knew how painful coughing could be. I also think my husband is tired of me being incapacitated to a degree. He's having so much attitude now about needing to pick up my slack. like he's trying to make me feel bad. I start a new job Monday and need to take it extra easy and it's going to be a he'll weekend if my husbands attitude doesn't change.

Updated on 6 Aug 2011:
why can't I get rid of this GAS! I've taken gas x a few times and it's NOT helping. Makes for a little extra discomfort. On a positive note, I LOVE that I can wear tighter clothing! can't wait to show off the new bod

Updated on 12 Aug 2011:
I'm 2 weeks and 2 days po and I'm sure I would be feeling much better had I not a)started work too soon and b)gotten a cold with a cough. Coughing is so painful! I'm spending the weekend doing nothing and hopefully will be a new woman by Monday.

Additionally, I may have an infection in the mons area. It became very swollen and red as I went back to work. PS prescribed me new anti biotics and said to keep an eye on it. said it should resolve over the weekend and if it doesn't, they may need to reopen me and drain the area. I'm hoping it was not an infection and will resolve!! I think it already looks a bit better.

My belly button is tiny, my scar is puckered, I swell like crazy and I have unevenness on both hips. I knew this stuff would happen, but looking at myself sometimes make me "WTF". I know I need to focus on healing, and keep my "eye on the prize" but today has been a little rough. I look forward to the day when I can definitively say I am happy I did this.

Updated on 20 Aug 2011:
I tried on some new clothes today and realized how VERY happy I am I did this for myself. Everything looked good on me. I love my new body and can't wait for everything to settle into its final shape. Doc said I didn't need to wear my garment also and it feels so liberating, and a bit scary. I may use spanx if i start to get uncomfortable

Updated on 21 Sep 2011:
I'm 8 weeks post op now and though I'm mostly happy, I hate that I still have uneven lumps and bump around my scar an mons area. Doc said it should still even out over time, but for some reason I'm not as certain he is right. I guess if it's still an issue at the 6 month mark, we'll talk revisions. I'll take some pics later tonight and post them. I like my flat tummy and how I look in clothes! I just need to focus on weight management and not focus on the stupid lumpiness.