Tummy Tuck: Stories

I am 31 year old mother of one.. I have finally managed the courage to do this.. I will be having a TT, arm and flank lipo on April 15th.. I am doing this for myself and nobody else.. I hate the way my clothes fit and the way I have to buy for clothes that do not reflect who I am.

I have never been thin, I am 5'5,wt185 and size 14. I have tried for many years to loose wt and the older I get the harder it is.. I was about 150 before had my son, when I delivered I weighed 230 pounds which was pretty devistating.. It was hard to loose the wt, but I did it. I have been at this wt for the past 4-5 years and I cant seem to loose anymore. I do body combat 3 times a week and walk every other day.

I want to feel good in the clothes that I wear, I am not expecting to look like a VS model.I dont feel like the body I see in the mirror is mine. I know I can and will never be a size 5, I am realistic about that fact.I was born big boned and I will always be that way.

I have never had surgery of any kind, no broken bones NOTHING.. Soo, this is super scary for me.. The thought of getting cut open was just not at all what I wanted.. I had gone in for a consult for lipo, but due to my stretch horrible stretch marks and diastasis the PS advised that it wouldnt be practical. He told me that I would not be happy with the results, that I would have sagging skin and would probably be more unhappy with my body afterwards.

When he said TT my heart sunk, I didnt want to get cut or go under general anesthesia. After he explaines the procedure and the recovery I felt more at ease, it took me 4 months to finally decide that I needed to do this.
I know that many people say its the inside that counts, but not if the outside is making me so unhappy.I hate putting so much effort into hiding my body. I feel that this will make me happier with who I am and help me be more confidant in myself and my career.. I want to feel comfortable in my own Body.....

So, offically 10 days till the big day.. So anxious and nervous, but excited all at the same time.. My pre-op is on Friday.

Uhhhh 9 days to go, I feel like the anxiety is getting worse. Have my pre-op Friday. Have gotten some very nice messages from everyone. THANKS GURLZ!!!!Nobody knows I am getting this done except my really good friend who is going to help me out while Im down.. This site is GREAT.....

Ok, well today was my pre op appt with my doc.. I had to change my surgery to Tues the 18th due to my friend not being able to get time off to be with me.. :( A little bummed but its best, I cant do this without her help.. But, other than that everything is great.. Im ready for this and looking forward to the new me....... 10 days to go....

9 days left and I'm getting excited.. I picture myself looking good.. I know it's gonna be tuff at first, but I'm sure it will be worth it. NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!!!

Waiting, I feel like all I can do is think about my surgery.. April 19th will be here sooner than I expected... :/

8 days and counting.... Getting excited, just hope I can handle the pain... Can't wait to meet my new body!!!

7 days to go.... Today I kinda had a mini anxiety attack just thinking about surgery.. I just keep thinking about all the pain and the fact that my body will be cut open and a chunk will just be sliced off.. : / I am having a hard time sleeping and i just keep thinking of everything that could go wrong....

I have decided I will not watch anymore YouTube TT videos.. I think they are contributing to m no sleep and anxiety...
6 days to go.....

4 days to go....... :/

Tomorrow is the big day.. So much to do, so little time.... I just hope that my anxiety doesnt kick in, I have been ok up until now..

Day 3 post op.. The worst thing today is the nausea and the swelling in my feet.. My feet look like water balloons.. They hurt a lot.. Waking helps some.. But otherwise, the back pain from walking hunched over.. No pain in my incision, eventhough this morning when i got out of bed i forgot i couldnt use my abs and i felt a burning sensation.. Its gone away but it was pretty painful.. No BM yet, i havent been able to eat much do to the nausea.. Just taking my antibiotics and pain meds makes me want to vomit.. So, its saltine crackers and juice for now.. I cant wait to get out of the compresion garment, its so uncomfortable and annoying... Cant wait to see my belly.....

post op day 4.. The nausea is pretty bad, I got a hold of my PS and he gave me somtg for nausea. Hope it kicks in fast... I want to eat somtg besides crackers and juice. Doing well otherwise. I WANT THE BINDER OFF, it is driving me insane.. ttL

pos op day 5. I feel fine just tired of wearing the binder. Took it off for a bit today, it wasnt so bad.. I want to walk straight, sleep on my belly and stop the meds. Nausea is a little better today.. Had BM today, it was kinda painful.. :/

Post op day 6. Feel pretty darn good today, I did a load of laundry, pcked up around the house a bit and did fine. Helpd my friend make lunch, felt ok just for some back pain. I have an appt with my PS tomorrow, hope all goes well. I want the drains out... Took a drive to starbucks, finally some fresh air. I sneezed in the car and that was pretty painful, I felt a horrible burning sensation on one side of my incision. Im scared for tomorrow's appt but anxious to see my belly....

Post op day 13.. I am feeling great!!! I have no pain, I can sleep well.. Went back to class today, sitting in lecture for 8 hours wasnt as bad as i thought..I still have swelling and bruising , but so far Im SUPER HAPPY with my results.. I look at my before pics and cant believe how I lived with that ugly belly... SEE YA UGLY BELLY.... I didnt think I would feel this good just two weeks out, its great.. I cant wait till the swelling is completely gone.. I cant wait to go shopping... I cant wait to start exercising...I AM VERY HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYY.... YAY to the new MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE>.......I love my PS... He has been so great, he said I was the best patient he has had..(thats what he probably tells all the girlz) :)
NO REGRETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2WEEEKS!!!!!!! Yay, if you would have asked me two weeks ago I would have never thought i would get thru this... I HAVE.... I feel SOOOOOO GREEAAAATTTT.... I have some swelling and bruising still, but I dont regret this at all.. I am itching like crazy, but I know that is a good sign.. My incision looks really good.. Its completely healed, its not raised or oozig at all.. It looks pretty good.. I am so happy, It will only get better...

15 days post op... Feeling FANTASTIC, just wanted to post a new pic...

3 WEEKS TODAY.... WOW, time has gone by so fast.. I feel FANTASTIC and I am loving my new body.. I still have some swelling, but IM HAPPY.. I started lymphatic drainage massage today and it felt great.. It was so relaxing and it will help with the swelling, I hope.. Drinking lots of WATER, VERY IMPORTANT LADIES.. My incision is completely healed and its very thin. I have been using Vit E on my incision every night... I am forever greatful to my PS for a job well done... I started walking today and it felt great...

OMG!!!! 4 Weeks Today.. Feel Great. Still have some swelling, especialy at the end of the day.. Just wanted to post some pics.. Good Luck to all..

5 weeks.. Yay!!!! NO REGRETS.... LOVE MY NEW BODY......................I dont think I have ever looked in the mirror so much, I just cant believe what I see..

Week 6--- Feel Great!!! Still some swelling but its getting better... NO REGRETS......

Week 7... Feeling great.. No complaints NO REGRETS..............