Tummy Tuck with lipo of Flanks, Hips & Inner Thighs - Destin, FL May 3, 2012

I am a 41yo Military Spouse & mother to 5 wonderful children, ages 7, 12, 15, 21 & 22. I am also a grandmother to 2 fabulous little boys. I have been a yo yo dieter for about 15 years, with pregnancy in-between trying to lose weight. All of my children have been over 9lbs, with my 15 year old being 12lbs 6oz "OUCH" He was totally natural, no c-section here. After that birth, my daughter was a c-section just for fear of her being to large, 10lbs 4oz.... Piece of cake !! haha Between large babies, multiple deployments, worrying about my husbands safety, and moving all over the United States, I have never been able to lose all the weight I wanted too. I am 5'7 180lbs. So, in 2005, after a full year of researching for hours a day, I decided to have a BA, and lipo of my thighs in Tijuana, Mexico. LOVE LOVE LOVE my BA results.... Didn't see any results from the Lipo. Cost for the whole thing $6,000 In 2011, while my husband was deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months, I decided to have lipo of my arms and chin. Cost $2500.00 Everything you read about gaining the fat in other areas of your body after Lipo is TRUE !!! After my 2005 lipo, I slowly started gaining weight in my upper arms, it was so strange how it just picked my arms. They were so ugly and people actually started commenting on how big my arms were. I will post photos of all my before, and afters soon. My Doctor I chose to do my arm and chin lipo was absolutely incredible, I have NEVER met a more caring doctor and staff, I was so disappointed we were moving and couldn't have her do my TT. If anyone is in the Raleigh NC area, please let me know if you would like her name. So, now we are in Florida, and my loving husband told me to start looking for a doctor so I could FINALLY get the TT I've dreamed about for so many years. Oh, and he is actually deployed until June right now, so he won't be here for my surgery. :( My search here in Florida for a PS was super easy. It didn't take long to find a "highly skilled" well known doctor in this area. I'm not scared or nervous at all, I think after years of wanting this, and reading anything and everything about the procedure, I'm mentally and physically ready for this change. My consultation with Dr. Ennis was good. I have to admit I felt a little intimidated by the office and other patients. The staff was of course very friendly and helpful, but sitting in a waiting room with woman the size of toothpicks that looked like [RS bleep] models was a bit uncomfortable. I had to keep telling myself that my money was just as good as theirs. After meeting with Dr. Ennis, I totally felt at ease with everything, (not as great as my PS in Raleigh though) I have already started to stock up on the supplies I will need for recovery, I have a friend lined up to stay with me for 3 days after the surgery, and my vitamin routine recommended my friends that have already had TT has begun. I exercise 6 days a week for at least an hour,and have been concentrating on my abs, to help with recovery. Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment, and May 3rd is the BIG DAY !!! We have a 7 day DISNEY trip planned for June 24th, so this girl has to be ready to play by then... More updates soon.......

Okay, just got back from my pre-op appointment. If I don't write all this down now, I will forget all the stuff I wanted to say !! :)

Obviously they walked me though the procedure, I was first told of all the meds I would be taking and received the prescriptions.
Percocet - for pain
Scopalamine Patch - for nausea. I put this on the night before surgery.
Lovenox - this is 4 injections for blood clots, they give the first after surgery, and I do the other 3 at home.

Surgery will take about 5 hours. I will have drains for 7-10 days. I was offered a pain pump if I wanted, it's an extra $500.00, but I am totally going to get it.

2 Garments, the whole body garment for my Lipo, and the waist binder for my TT.

I asked about the Lipo areas, and what was considered the "hips". I was told, from the bra line down to the thigh is considered the flank/hip area. He is also going to lipo my inner and outer thighs, as well as my pubis if needed. Garments are to be worn for 4 weeks 22/7, then slowly wean off of them.
I was told I have to shower in the Lipo garment and to blow dry it after for the first week. She explained, I would not be able to get it back on if I took it off.

I asked about walking, and she said I could get on the treadmill as soon as I felt up to it, no more than 2.5mph and as far as I wanted to walk. She just said to listen to my body. She also said this was not an excuse to go to bed, she said the move you move around, the faster you will heal and recover. Slow and steady....

I am 100% super excited now !! I was a little worried when she asked if I had help, and I told her only for 4 days. She didn't think that was long enough, but GOD I hope it is.

The best part was when I asked about revisions. I was told, if I was not happy or had a lump or bump somewhere, that they would take care of it at NO CHARGE !!!
If it was something I did to cause the bad area, like if I was a smoker and the wound broke open and caused some ugly scar. Then it would only be the anesthesiologist fee I would have to pay for the revision. Totally impressed... 12 days to go !!!!

8 Days to go..... I have all my supplies purchased, my prescriptions ready and I've started stocking up on groceries. Starting to get a little nervous. I guess it's typical to feel this way and I know it will get better. Hurry up and get here May 3rd.