Mommy Makeover: Stories

Hi all. Wow this site is awesome. I have enjoyed reading everyone's stories and have learned a ton! A bit about me, I am 37 with a 17 year old. Have always hated my tummy even before my son and thought about a TT for years but was never in a position to do it until now- financially and got out of a bad relationship over a year ago and finally started doing things for me. I quit smoking 3 years ago after smoking for 14 years, one of my biggest accomplishments ever! Then last year totally got into working out and did 2 triathlons in the summer. Huge accomplishment #2! Thus the reason I am not having this done until August, I had already registered for 2 more triathlons this summer and since that is part of why I feel I've earned this mommy makeover, I am doing them!!

So, I've had my consult, picked my doctor, booked my date with my deposit, now let's get to it LOL. I am having TT, lipo of hips and BL. Everyone in my life that knows- all family and 3 close friends are nothing but supportive and I am super blessed about that! I am also so thankful I don't have small children trying to do this, you ladies are brave!! My biggest source of anxiety is my 3 dogs- how long until I can bend over to feed them myself or walk them. Rough huh. :).

So for now just training for my triathlons this summer, super active in the gym and outside since it is getting nice, eat healthy for the most part, and can not wait to actually look like the athlete I feel like I've become!

Even though it is painful, I need to add my before photos, just can't figure out how! Help :)

Ok, adding pics, figured it out and I can't do it from my Ipad.

So a bit more about me, I have struggled with weight since I was like 6 years old. I was in a size 12 from 6th grade thru graduation, never had a flat tummy but it sure didn't look like it does now!! Now I am in a 14/16 depending on the pants.

I feel like when I tell people I do triathlons they look at me and think "yeah right", probably my insecurities, but it will be nice not to feel that way anymore. My legs and arms are rock solid, just that midsection problem :) oh and the saggy boobs haha.

Happy healing to everyone who has theirs this week, love reading all the stories!!

Hey ladies question for you all. Does anyone have/had a distinct mark from where the apron of skin hangs over? My concern is if the scar happens to be above this will it go away? Hopefully someone knows what I am talking about!!!

Ok what is the deal? I have been nothing but excited for this and I just went and got the mail from yesterday and my big pre op packet was in there, read thru everything and now I'm wondering what in the world I was thinking even wanting to do this!

7 weeks away.....getting closer!! I ordered my memory foam head and knee pillows this morning along with my arnica Montana. Already have everything else bought-lol- yes I am a planner!! Good luck and happy healing to the rest of the June girls!!

Getting closer! Super nervous about my races coming up! Or maybe I just know when they are done it's time to lose the squishy!

Hi all! All you healers look so good! And good luck to those going this week!

I am in awe that this has come so quickly. I booked this surgery in April. So I have my first triathlon this Sunday, wish me luck. Super nervous about everything! I can't believe I can even sleep at this point! I have my pre op next Friday the 27th. Oh and I went in Monday and paid for the whole thing, whew now it's official!

So here I am, up at 3am, ready for my iron girl triathlon! Super nervous, my stomach is doing butterflies. I had the flu earlier in the week but feeling about 90% today, let's do this! My time last year was 2 hours 28 min, my goal today is 2 hours 15 min so I will keep you posted!

Can't help but think about this time next year how I might look, if my fitness will be better not having to drag around the squishy, and most of all will I feel comfortable in a tri suit! A one piece suit that there is NO WAY I would be caught dead in now! Haha maybe that will be my one year update pic!

Happy Sunday ladies!

Hellooooooo my MM/TT ladies! Well my goal was 2:15 and I did it in 2:16! Can you believe that sh!t, 1 minute! But super proud, I beat my time from last year by 12 minutes so that was awesome! Thank you for all the well wishes, put a huge smile on my face! And what am I thinking.....I have another one in 2 weeks!

Hi gals, hope everyone is healing well post or not too anxious pre! I have my pre op tomorrow, looking forward to that. Have been a bit emotional the past few days with some negative thoughts, trying to work thru them. Will post tomorrow how the pre op went!

Hi all. Well pre op went good. 4 rx to fill, took blood, pics, asked my questions. This all seems so unreal. Like "this is not my life" moment only this has been going on for weeks lol.

Not too much else to report, have my next triathlon next weekend then that's it, 4 days later surgery :). Looking forward to not working, isn't that crazy, but I haven't had any time off since February. What a great reason to need time off!

The time has seriously flown by. The summer is almost over, I am almost a 4 time triathlete and I am almost skinny! I'm getting so excited and having crazy dreams, but totally normal so I read. Just gotta get thru Sunday and it's all down hill from there! Hope all the aug 1st ladies are doing well on their first day of the flat side!

Hi all. Down to the wire now. When I booked this the tri's seemed a lifetime away and the MM seemed like a dream! Now here I am, drinking my pre-race smoothie and thinking I have 3 full days then it is finally my turn, can't believe it! Thank you thank you thank you for all that have gone before me, I have seriously spent 100 hours on this site reading, laughing, hoping and feeling for other ladies!

Hope the healing ladies are doing well!

Hello ladies! Wow! Thanks for all of the well wishes! I got them after I was done and I was an emotional hot mess anyway so they meant a lot! So had a great day, time was 2 hours 4 minutes- I'll take it! It will be so amazing to post my one year update and see if my times next year improve at all. I have definitely earned this MM as I am now a 4 time triathlete in less then a year. Come a long way from the girl smoking 2 packs of cigarettes eating out 24/7 not even knowing what a gym was 3 short years ago! It's my time and I can't wait!

One more full day, that's it. That's crazy! Went grocery shopping this morning to make sure the folks have food while they are here, and got lots of food bones and treats for the dogs. Did lots of cleaning yesterday, washed all my post surgery clothes, got my meds together and printed out a med schedule for my mom so she can keep track. Cut the dogs nails, took some pre surgery pics in clothes I wouldnt wear now....for comparison, then went with my BFF and ate way too much red lobster! Getting my nails and feet done tomorrow evening and I guess that's it! Typing this I am getting butterflies! Have to be there 730 Thursday morning and they say I should be done about 2. Just please make me beautiful!

Well I had not been nervous at all until I just got up. My stomach is on fire with nerves. Ugh, crazy. Guess it's reality NOW huh! LOL. So I have my bottle of water since I can't have coffee- bleck- I slept pretty good, 5 hours straight was good, considering. So I have to be there at 730 and surgery starts at 9. Hope all the before me ladies are healing nicely and good luck to those coming up!!

Hi gals, just wanted to update real quick that I made it. He took off a slab of squishy 21 inches long. Holy cow! I have Pics but am on my phone so will post later. Was in pain from the muscle repair at first, it's still there but getting better. Getting up to pee and do a lap is NO JOKE! It is super crazy to look down and my belly is gone! Post more later- I pray I can Pay it forward now as sooooo many of you ladies have helped me thru this!

Hi my girls! Sorry it's been a few days, this recovery was not all smooth sailing as others I have read. But that's ok :).

So I woke up in recovery Thursday at about 3 got home and stayed up until 10 at night. Had uneventfull evening. Friday was ok, just eating crackers for my pills. About 7 that night went into a sort of hot flash, sweating , feeling like I wanted to puke. My mom put a cold rag on my head, that helped and make it thru. I had taken a Vicodin at 7. So about 3 in the morning I woke up puking- oh vey, not fun at all! Proceeded to fall in and out and sleep, puking every hour. TMI- it was dark blackish bile I was getting rid of. My mom was so cute exchanging my puke buckets so I wouldnt have to keep looking at it. I had 2 of the big folgers plastic things. So about 7am Saturday she called the dr- mind you by this time I've had zero meds for 12 hours- and doctor said it was combo of pain meds and anesthesia trying to get out. So yesterday just tried to take the food slow, gingerale and crackers.

So here I am Sunday morning feeling much better. Actually feeling like eating some kind of food. Drinking some OJ at the moment. Feel super weak I'm sure from not eating for days. Doing one Tylenol every 4 hours and one Valium every 6, seems to be working. By the the worst pain/soreness really is my hips from my lipo which I know was coming but it definitely tires me out doing my laps. Took off my bra yesterday but not my cg yet so don't know what that is like. Very gassy today so things are starting to move around in there. Besides the puking I would say it is pretty much what I had anticipated, it's not easy but when you make it past the first 4 days then all should be well.

I could have showered Friday since I had no drains, shaw right!!!! It is upstairs and I'm just not up for it. That's ok, will come in time.

I want to thank all you ladies for the thoughts and prayers! Oh, I am so sick of having to lay in this same position, let alone try to sleep like this. BLECK! I'll survive right. :)

Hello all! How is everyone? I am doing so much better! For those lucky few that have a great first 4 days, I am jealous! For everyone else, seems like the first 4 are ruff so make it thru that and it gets better. No regrets, trust me, just the truth.

So today I actually showered with the help of my BFF, sat on my shower chair and she washed my hair and just let the water run over me. Nice not to have a grease pit for hair anymore lol. I also pooped. Just a little but there is was. So 2 milestones today. Oh, also walked to the mailbox, only to find no mail yet, bummer! Haha!

So I have only taken Tylenol since the puke episode Friday night. I am on 2 tylenols and a Valium every 6 hours. Not bad. Last night I slept 5 hours straight, felt great. I am super sick of having to lay in this position, but it is what it is. I am on my reclining couch with pillows around me, and knee memory foam pillow for my legs plus 2 pillows on top of that to elevate my legs enough.

Two life savers- straws and toilet seat riser! I have the pulling sensation below my sternum where they started the muscle repair, and one spot by my v j j that pulls at times too. Boobs are super itchy today, yay healing! I still have 24/7 help which I am very blessed for! I don't think I could get these pillows back under my legs myself, would hurt to bend like that. Got my cucumber water going down, and I think that's about it. My dogs are not happy they can't crawl on mommy, but my help is doing great walking and feeding them.

Thanks for everyone thinking of me! I keep having to remind myself it's only been 4 days and I had a lot of work done. Thank god for my strong legs and arms!

AND YAY! LONG AWAITED PICS!!

Hi girls, better-ish day for me today. Feel like I can do more for myself which is good because my help for today wasn't there. Lower back and hips still get very tired quickly when I am up. Didn't take anything last night and didn't feel like I slept as well, so maybe tonight a Valium. Can't say I'm in any pain really. Boobs itchy and I get an occasional twinge of pain where I think he went in thru the TT incision to lipo. Just more soreness and tummy tightness.

I have my first post op tomorrow, so I actually have to leave the house haha. Plucked my eyebrows today, holy crap I had enough eyebrow to accommodate all of colorado's women that needed some eyebrows! My legs and pits need desperately shaving, hope mom can help me with that tonight in the shower. Boy we are vain huh!

It is amazing to see the difference between my mom and BFF that have been here and my son. Us mothers just DO, you know, no asking, just do it. My gosh this morning I seriously had to ask my son to walk the dogs and his answer was, oh it didn't get done? I proceeded to look around the house and said, uh by who? Teenagers! He did it with attitude, cleaned the kitchen after he was told to do that, promptly showered and found any reason to leave the house! Thanks kid!

I was able to log into work for a few hours today, I work from home so very lucky there. I am off until the 22nd technically but just went thru some emails and easy stuff. Have a bit of cabin fever but get too sore to go anywhere, I'm not ready anyway so here I am :).

I suppose that is all from here. All in all I think I am doing good for day 6 and I have seriously found out who really cares thru all of this!

Ok just weighed with cg, bra and pajamas on...lost 9 pounds since pre op morning! Heck yeah I'll take it! Made my day!

Hi all, well yesterday was one week since surgery, today one week post op. Had my post op appt yesterday, all is well. The PA said healing nicely, bruising is normal, incision looks great, NO activity for another week (hmmmm hard for me).

I actually am not ready for any kind of hard activity. Today I decided to merge back to my bedroom and out of the livingroom, after 3 trips upstairs with pillows, ipad, computer, blanket....I had to nap for 2 hours! Oh well....I'll get there :) I am just a tad bit bored!

Adding a new pic from 1 week, so happy with my boobs, i think they look great- very happy that my hips are seriously gone and happy with my tummy. The swelling isn't really bothering me, I know it will take time and I am so far LOL been patient!!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Hello my ladies, how is everyone doing? Healing well or patiently waiting I hope! I have definitely learned that the HARDEST part of this surgery is the waiting to have it!! Once it's done the anticipation of everything is gone and you just roll along with whatever each day brings you!

As for me...doing good. Went back to work full time on Monday- haha- I work from home so I am nice and comfy in my bed with my laptop! But nice to be able to go at my own pace and I still take a nap in the afternoon after I log off of work. Still stiff/sore getting up from laying down. I can stand straight up and down, but feel the pulling of the muscle repair below my sternum and my obliques a lot. And whoever says it feels like you did 1000 sit ups, not to me- it feels like someone tied your muscles together and you're trying to stretch them out!

Let's see....down 13 pounds as of yesterday, started driving again on Sunday so 10 days post op. Did a bit too much Tuesday, went to 3 different grocery stores (had help with carrying) and then out to eat and I was pooped out and swollen like a beach ball. Layed around all day yesterday to counteract LOL. Eating really good, a whole lot less then before! The minute I even feel that full feeling I stop....and really I don't ever feel "hungry". Lots of cucumber water! My left breast is super sore for whatever reason. I stopped Tylenol on day 6 I think and haven't taken anything since. I tried some spanx today and oh boy! I lasted about 3 hours and am back in my compression garmet, the spanx are way more tight....going to have to ease into them with more time in them everyday, but I'll get there. Still not walking the dogs, strict orders not too until 3 weeks post op, not vacumming or raking up dog poo or lifting anything heavy, but I think that's about all I am not doing that I did before, except of course the gym or raising my heartrate yet. Walking yes.

All in all doing well, swell I think 24/7 LOL, but doesnt bother me, I can't believe I even look like I do now and know it will only get better! yay!

Hope everyone is well...if you have questions let me know! I think I've had a good recovery so far knock on wood, the worst by far was the puking on night 2.

3 weeks post op- hi all. Well I can definitely say this week has been a heck of a lot better. Probably since Monday, so 18 days post op, everyday this week I can feel marked improvement in the pain and soreness/tightness of the tummy. I walked my dogs for the first time today, slow going and not very far, plan to add a little more everyday. Swell swell swell, thats the word of the week. I can sleep all day and still swell. LOL.

Had a cry spell on day 15, just lonely and bored I think. My son started his senior year so he is never home and I am single so it kind of got to me. I knew I couldn'g work out or anything for a while but ugh, it sucks. I got through it :)

Still sleeping on my back which is a bummer. My breasts hurt too much on my side and it feels so weird to have the tummy pulling to the side instead of up and down. So wedge pillows and back sleep it is.

I don't go back to the doctor until September 13 so I'll be well on the way to healed by then. My tummy incision is about 3/4 with the scabs off and dry as all get out. Lotion for the non scabbed, nothing on the scab part. Left breast still sore and bruised, and my right hip back by my butt from lipo showed up with a bruise again, interesting.

I guess that's about it....new pic doesnt really look any different body wise, but wanted to show the scars since the strips came off. I look back at my first pics and boy were my breasts swollen! They have went down alot, fit into my old bras though but I guess in my mind they are smaller. I just don't want to have "small boobs" haha.

Hope all is well with everyone!

One thing I forgot, ever since I moved to my bed I wake up stretching. At first it was very painful but now that I know what I am doing I go as far as I can then wake up. It is really weird, it happens several times a night like my body knows my abs need stretched out!

4 weeks PO- amazing how fast it goes! Things are going good, almost all the scabs are off the tummy, left breast is doing pretty good, right one has a way to go. The scabbing is much thicker on the right one and where the vertical and horizontal incisions meet it was always white from being damp with sweat. I am a sexy hot mama now with half a maxi pad taped to my boob under my bra to keep it dry! Hey, whatever it takes!

No real pain to speak of, just tight in the belly both muscle and skin feels tight. Still sleeping on my back, that does suck lol. Have been clothes shopping too much already! Several dresses, yoga pants and tight shirts omg my boobs look huge! Haha I'm sure they are fine but with no more tummy that's how they seem to me!

Been walking longer distances with the dogs and evenings, I swell right away but just keep on going. Looking forward to being able to run, weights, swim....all in good time. Need to get healed first.

Staying steady at a loss of 15 pounds, awesome. Eat much smaller meals, lots of fruit veggie and water. I have gotten my sweet tooth back so I got some smart cow ice creams and fiber one brownies!

Have my next appt in a week so hopefully he says all is well and normal!

Hope everyone is doing great!

Hi girls, wow 7 weeks already for me! Time really does fly and after about 4-5 weeks I have just gotten better and better.

Returned to working out this week. I have to say it felt amazing to do something "pre op normal" for me. I can't really explain it except there is so much in your life that is turned around after surgery it felt great to feel like the old me. It is going to take a while to get back to where I was, very muscle sore this week!

I am having a hard time with my right breast vertical incision not wanting to close. PS said it will close on its own, for now though not doing any arm weights to aggravate it. If that's the worst that happens I had a pretty smooth recovery!

Finally able to side sleep about 5 weeks, it's been heaven! Nothing I can think of I can't do like around the house. Now wanting to scrub the tub or kitchen floor is a different story. Lol

Bought great new clothes, I am not used to wearing things that fit, more like things that hide....so that has gotten some getting used to. Standing in the mirror I look good but when I go out and about my mind forgets and I feel still like people are looking at my fat belly. Guess my mind will catch up in time!

Had an amazing dinner last night with two other tummy tuck girls, nice to hear we all go thru the same things!

Hope everyone is healing well or getting excited for their surgeries! It goes so fast and worth every pain and penny!

3 month post op, seriously!! Time flies and life goes on and on.....so- my good news is my right breast finally closed up. I am going back in 6 months to see if I will want a scar revision. He said if he does it then that breast will be higher then the other breast so he would tighten that one up too. Gee, I don't know...another full surgery, I'll have to wait and see how I feel next May about it....The right one is a tiny bit lower but I don't know if it is enough for me to do it again....

Life is great! Lots of shopping...except for my shoes and bras I have gotten rid of everything and had to buy new. I actually love trying things on now instead of knowing my stomach is going to look huge! Now to find a man.....LMAO

Back to the gym full force for about a month now, I haven't swam yet but that is on my agenda for next week.

My tummy is still tight on the inside and I do still swell everyday...some days I wear my spanx, some days I don't and I quit wearing it at night a while ago. The rock hard tingly swell feeling takes some getting used to, happens as soon as I hit the gym, the PS swears it will go away someday LOL. My hips dont feel good when I am running, still bruised from the lipo I'm sure so I go as much as I can then walk for now. Salt still makes me swell.....

Still look pretty much the same naked, I've gotten a little smaller and flatter on the lower belly- I added a before clothed and 2 after pics, wow big difference!! I am 100% happy I did this- worth the recovery (which really wasnt bad) and every penny! I think back to the morning of the surgery I was so terrified I almost didnt go...I just laugh, it wasnt bad at all for those of you who havent gone yet good luck! Make it thru the first 4 days and the rest is gravy (well lumpy gravy)!

Good luck to all and happy healing!

3 month post op, seriously!! Time flies and life goes on and on.....so- my good news is my right breast finally closed up. I am going back in 6 months to see if I will want a scar revision. He said if he does it then that breast will be higher then the other breast so he would tighten that one up too. Gee, I don't know...another full surgery, I'll have to wait and see how I feel next May about it....The right one is a tiny bit lower but I don't know if it is enough for me to do it again....

Life is great! Lots of shopping...except for my shoes and bras I have gotten rid of everything and had to buy new. I actually love trying things on now instead of knowing my stomach is going to look huge! Now to find a man.....LMAO

Back to the gym full force for about a month now, I haven't swam yet but that is on my agenda for next week.

My tummy is still tight on the inside and I do still swell everyday...some days I wear my spanx, some days I don't and I quit wearing it at night a while ago. The rock hard tingly swell feeling takes some getting used to, happens as soon as I hit the gym, the PS swears it will go away someday LOL. My hips dont feel good when I am running, still bruised from the lipo I'm sure so I go as much as I can then walk for now. Salt still makes me swell.....

Still look pretty much the same naked, I've gotten a little smaller and flatter on the lower belly- I added a before clothed and 2 after pics, wow big difference!! I am 100% happy I did this- worth the recovery (which really wasnt bad) and every penny! I think back to the morning of the surgery I was so terrified I almost didnt go...I just laugh, it wasnt bad at all for those of you who havent gone yet good luck! Make it thru the first 4 days and the rest is gravy (well lumpy gravy)!

Good luck to all and happy healing!