“Excited to Do It, Glad I Found You Ladies!!! - Fort Myers, FL”

Have always had a "torso issue" and now have what they call "hip rolls" too. Yay! Liposuction and tummy tuck on the way... Anyone out there scheduled for June? Maybe we can do this together???

Updated on 29 Mar 2011:
Believe it or not, posting these pics was not as painful as I thought it would be! Maybe it's because it means I'm one step closer to the "after" pics :)

Updated on 18 Apr 2011:
Surgery schedulled for June 22!

Updated on 25 Jun 2011:
Sugery post op day 5, and I'm feeling okay. Some pain in the incision, the MR, and the lipo spots but it is definitely manageable. Was walking upright by day 2 and sleeping in my own bed by day 3. Living off of protein shakes, cantaloupe, and bananas. Tons of water, too. Getting some decent drainage so I hope by next Wednesday they can come out. Not much bruising with lipo, I think the arnica helped out a lot. Totally not ready to get off pain pills yet, just slowing down on them. Haven't had any solid food, really, so I haven't had to worry too much about the stool softener issue. I am VERY swollen, though. I know it will go down eventually but I guess I'll be one of those people who won't see a real change for a while. Thus, no pics yet. Maybe after the drains come out. There has not been a single moment that I have regretted this decision and I would do it over in a second!!!

Updated on 27 Jun 2011:
Adding one week post-op pics today. I really don't see much difference but next to the pre-ops does make me feel better!

Updated on 29 Jun 2011:
Well, it's day 9 and I got my drains out today. Weird experience but certainly not painful or a big deal. My incision looks good so I don't need to cover it anymore, just keep wearing the binder for two more weeks. Bought another binder because I think I might have some swelling issues for a long time coming. Also found out that she excised 10-12 inches of skin from my belly and 600 cc's of fat from hip rolls. That grossed me out a bit. But, whatever, it's gone now!

Thinking about this surgery today and how bad it wasn't. There was/is pain. I stopped pain pills today because I don't think I need them, not because I just should. But the pain is bearable and goes away. It's uncomfortable sleeping, sitting, showering, etc. But again, bearable. My first week really wasn't that bad, ladies. And I seem to be recovering really well.

But, I have a long way to go until I look like many of these women did soon after their surgery. I have to remember, I am over 40, not a little person, and even when my belly wasn't so big I was never an "hour glass person." I had a HUGE belly, just look at my pics. And now I have ALOT of swelling that will take months to subside. But, it's worth it. I won't look like I want to tomorrow, but I will in a few months. I am trying to remember that.

So, if anyone is reading this and feels scared, or nervous about doing this... It's okay to have those feelings but just remember, it is NOT that bad. And it is worth it :)