PICS~ @ 6 Months =) Honolulu, Hawaii (Its Dr. Peterson....not Robertson, typo)

I am a mother of 4 and my 3rd child was a C-section and my last was natural. My oldest is 19 and my youngest is 15. I have been waiting 15 years to get a tummy tuck. I have been doing research for 15 years. July 17th, the day my oldest was born and the one that I received most of my stretch marks and skin, is the day my waiting and research is over. I am finally able to get my tummy tuck because I have the most awesome husband of 3 years in the world. I would not be doing this without him in all his understanding, love and support. I am not even nervous one bit. I am so excited I changed my original date of July 25th to July 17th because I do not want to wait longer than I have to anymore. First, when I call looking for a doctor I ask the lady that works with me, "why should I pick your doctor? Tell me, as unbiased as you can, why you think I should give my money and trust to this doctor." So many times they will tell me what they think I want to hear. Because he is just really good. We have had so many happy people. Go check out our website and you will see all the testimonies. He has a great smile. He has this much training and schooling. I could go on but I am not as you get the picture. Gen is the coordinator of the doc I picked and I asked her the same question and the only reason I chose this doctor is because of three things she said that noone else said in the last 2 months that I have been looking. "Dr. Robertson is meticulous, he takes his time, and he pays attention to every detail no matter how small or big. Dr P will not finish until he knows the results are going to be amazing."

I have never heard that from anyone and that is exactly what I wanted to hear. I want a doc thats OCD. I want a doc thats anal about his work and takes great pride in his work and art. Thats what I have been waiting to hear. So, I said, "I pick you." From there Gen was amazing in everything. She even took time with me when I called just as they were getting ready to close. She didnt tell me to call the next day. She asked what questions I had and what I needed to know. Obviously if she is this willing to help me and take the time the doc is going to be the same way as their behaviors and habits will be whats required for his staff. If he is anal about his work I am sure he is anal about who takes care of the patients that come and see him. If he OCD about his work then I am pretty sure he is going to expect his office to be run the same way. Either way thats what I was looking for and Gen has been amazing. I also asked her if he is willing to work with me on what I think is the best option for where my cut is made. How much of a voice am I in this procedure. She said that he always takes into consideration what the patient has to say and what results they want personally. I am not trying to be the doc but there are just a few things that I would like to be a part of. Like, I dont want my scar cutting across my belly like so many pics that I have seen. I want the cut low enough. I dont care about my scar. Its my scar and I deserve it! I dont care how far around it goes my body. Again, make it as low as possible and close to following the panty line as possible. She said absolutely. That is how he works anyway. Perfect~! Am I being picky? Absolutely! I am asking someone to cut into my body, take some of that living body off, and then replace it with a new piece of body that is going to have to be "with one" on the rest of my body. I am asking someone to remake my tummy. Yeah, I am going to be very, very, very picky, specific and anal myself. This isnt playing dress-up. This is the real thing...and its going to be awesome the first time.

Oh, and one more thing. I asked her if he made pretty bellybuttons as I want to wear a bling-bling for the first time EVER in my life and she said, "he makes beautiful bellybuttons!!" =) YES!!!! I am now getting set up for my phone interview and consult with his nurse regarding paperwork, what to expect, side effects of anything, drains, dressings, and labs. Once these are done then all I do is wait for the 16th. I will fly over to Oahu, meet with the doc for my personal and final consult, go have a fantastic time in Waikiki and try to sleep for my big day! I wish I could have made the date sooner but I know there is much to do before that day. I have posted before pics. I am 5'4" and I weigh around 135. I am small boned so anything more than that is considered heavy. As you can tell from the pics I have that infamous kangaroo pouch! Will I miss it? NO! It has been the biggest thorn in my life from trying to find clothes that fit, to buying proper swimwear, to figuring out ways of hiding it in clothes and swimwear, to just being uncomfortable in any standing, sitting, kneeling position you can think of. I~AM~DONE! Just as a note: My tummy tuck price includes a military discount. Ladies ask if the doc has this option as its not always freely advertised. It also includes lipo and the tightening and contouring of the abdominal muscles themselves, post and pre-op visits no matter how many it takes, and all fees, labs, garments, dressings, etc. As my visits come and go and whatever questions come up, answers that are given, info that is shared I will do my best to bring it here so you all can add it to your own research. I am so excited~!
Definitely check out Kimmers25 survival guide!!! Its a must and it will make you laugh so hard! And interact with others on here. They are very supportive, full of advice and their own experiences and encouragement!

Katt

PS I hated uploading my pics. I never, never, never, never show anyone my tummy...EVER! And here it is for the world to see....after pics coming soon!

So I am having my consult today, my blood work done, paperwork filled out and any questions that I have answered. This is one of the days towards my surgery that is making it seem so real...and thats its still happening. Its not a dream but a dream come true. I have only told a few people because so many will judge as soon as you say, "I am getting a tummy tuck!" The floodgates open so fast with opinions of why I shouldnt be doing this and there are hardly any positives. This is really hard for me because its such an exciting time for me and something that I have looked forward too for 15 years that to have my family or friend or anyone else that happens to overhear shoot it down and make it seem like a bad thing would really [RS bleep] me off. This is what I am dealing with 2 weeks before I have it happen. Its a secret that I dont want to be a secret. I want to plaster it all over facebook, share it with my mom, my sister, and a few friends that I havent told yet and I cannot because of the backlash of events that will take place as soon as I do. The biggest one, "you could have used that money for something else way more important..." WTH is that?
For right now I have the best support in the world with my husband, which is more than enough for me and all that matters, and a few friends that I have chosen to share this with. I am also thrilled of all the people on this website that are encouraging and helpful and awesome and positive! I thank all of you for uplifting each other in the big decision to make our bodies awesome again!
I will update as I go along and if there are any pointers or tips or supplies that I am in need of please share, share, share!!!

Cheers
Katt

I have such a funny story to tell and I have to share it with you all. I had a phone consult with the nurse and when she came to allergies for some dumb reason I told her I had an allergic reaction to latex. Its just one reaction and it wasnt any big deal to me. Well, she tells me that I have to get a Doc note that clears me for surgery because of this reaction. If I dont get this note I cant have the surgery. I have already paid them the balance in FULL! I have my plane tickets, rental car and hotel days already paid for. There is no turning back as far as I am concerned and now this nurse is telling me I might not be able to? Oh hell to the no! I start making phone calls. I dont have a primary doc here and I never thought of getting one. No one will clear me because they dont have a history on me. There isnt a history because it happened once and I never talked to a doc about it in the first place which means its not going to be documented anyway! Lets just say I am close to tears.
So I get on the phone with the nurse again and tell her whats going on. I beg her to please not do this to me and I will sign a waiver if I have to releasing all responsibility from the doc. She says to get a latex glove, put it on, leave it on for 5 minutes, take it off and then send them a picture. No problem! I will do that because I am going to show them I am ok for surgery. I get off the phone, big problem! I don’t have latex gloves. OMG! However, I do have latex condoms…
I get this pkg of latex condoms, set my ipod out, and my phone. I set the clock up on my ipod, take a condom out and put it on my right hand…my husband is tripping out! I have this condom on my right hand, ipod on the counter next to the box that says, “latex condoms” so there is no question, turn on the ipod to show the clock and I snap pictures every minute for 8 minutes…to show that’s how long I had this condom on my hand. After I take the condom off I snap pictures every minute for 5 minutes, then 10 minutes later and finally 15 minutes later to show there was no reaction. I send all these pics to the nurse as proof that everything is ok. She writes me back and thanks me for being “so thorough, the doc has looked at the pics and everything is fine. Surgery can be resumed.”
I don’t think I have ever smiled so big. =)