“3 weeks post op and feeling great- New pic”

I was always a small and thin child. At the age of 9 my parents got divorced and my Dad did the best he could but I turned to food for comfort(no one to blame but me). I have his shape-thin legs but a big tummy. I got up to about 200 lbs in college and decided at 19 it was time to go. I had one every diet in the past but nothing worked. I exercised and ate well and lost 60lbs. Met my hubbie after college and was always uncomfortable about my stomach as I literally had a spare tire that would not go no matter what I did!

2 children later and up and down with the pregnancies has only made my already disfigured stomach worse. I am 39 and it is time for me! I have maintained my weight of 145 for the past 5 years (I am 5 ft 5 inches) but can't wear jeans or have to go up sizes for clothes to not have my stomach show.

I have a loving family and healthy but need to get this fixed. I met with 3 drs and all said a tuck is the only way to go. I am booked for 11/15 and can't wait. Dr said I need an extended TT. My kids will go to my parents for 10 days while my hubbie takes care of me!

Will I be ok in a month for my hubbies' company party?

I am so scared but excited at same time!

Updated on 3 Oct 2011:
I can't wait for 11/15.

Did you all tell friends? I would like to go under the radar for a week or two since my parents will be watching our kids. What do you tell people?

What do u tell a 6 and 9 year old girls??

Updated on 14 Nov 2011:
Ok- tomorrow is the big day. I can't wait. Kids are going to my parents for 10 days so I can recover. I'm scared and excited at same time. Pics of before are here and I'll add some post after as well...

Updated on 16 Nov 2011:
Ok-day 2 and worst part is getting out of bed or chair! Valium and Percocet help and I have ain pump in until tomorrow,!

Updated on 19 Nov 2011:
Day 4 post op And I feel great. I can't believe I am flat it seems so surreal. My hubbie has been great but I have no appetiate and I have yet to take a bm.

Updated on 24 Nov 2011:
I had the surgery and would do it again tomorrow. Still one drain in but basically off all pain Meds except for at night as I hate to sleep on my back! I can't believe my stomach and it is still so swollen. I am thrilled and only regret not doing it a few years earlier!

Updated on 24 Nov 2011:
I was hunched for 5 days or so but feel like I am pretty upright? Is that ok or am I hurting muscle repair?

Updated on 26 Nov 2011:
I can stand up pretty straight and I keep reading most are hunched over. I have one drain in but feel and look so puffy in my tummy! PS said all looks good but I want 2nd drain out and I am wondering if swelling is normal? Should I be drinking water all day long?

Updated on 29 Nov 2011:
I got both drains out and like a person again but this girdle is so tight I can hardly eat so I consider it a weight loss aid! Go back to PS on Mon

Updated on 30 Nov 2011:
As you can see the fat hang is gone but still lots of swelling...

Updated on 7 Dec 2011:
Ok- had 3 week post op appt. and dr. thinks I'm doing great. Have 2 weeks until I need to go back. Started massaging scar with cream to even out the bumps... Still have Garment on for 24/7 for one more week and than only 12 hrs. a day. Can't wait and hope when I go back in 2 weeks I get the go ahead to work out! I miss the gym! Overall feeling good but having trouble sleeping but not taking any meds as I have no pain. I am still super swollen but they say it will continue to go down...I hope so!!!