“Nervous About Tummy Tuck - Las Vegas, NV”

I have been debating on a tummy tuck since 2009. At one point I was so ready and the Friday before the surgery I called the Surgeon's office and canceled. Luckily he refunded all the money but $500 for blood tests. Now two years later I am ready to do it. I went from 115 to 222 pounds after I had my second child. They are now 8. I had them 10 months apart. After that I had 3 miscarriages. I finally learned I would not be able to have more children. I am now at a steady 145 pounds and 5ft-2in short. I had a personal trainer tell me he didnt want to take my money because no matter how hard I tried, that excess skin will always be there.

I have such great fear of being put under anesthesia. Death always comes to my mind. I think of my 2 girls and how they would suffer without me. But I am at the point where I also get frustrated when it comes time for a special event. I hate how my clothes fit me or actually the clothes I want to wear don't fit me. Even my girls tell me I could wear a bathing suit only if I fix my stomach. One even said my belly reminds her of a peanut. Both the shape and texture from all the stretch marks.

I am scheduled to have the surgery done September 12. I met with 6 doctors. I have read many of the stories here in order to give me motivation but something in the back of my head still tells me not to. I want to do it for myself. My husband and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary next year and are going on a cruise. There is no way I can wear a swimsuit looking like this. I have posted some pictures so I can get some feedback. Also, I noticed all surgeons advised me to get lipo on my flanks. Is that really necessary? Does it make a big difference? Has anyone declined lipo and was unhappy with the results? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Updated on 24 Aug 2011:
19 more days until surgery date. I am getting really anxious and want to just get it over with. I want to see how I will look after the surgery. Monday is my pre op.

Updated on 5 Sep 2011:
Less than a week for the big day. I am more nervous as the days go by. But I think about how good I will (hopefully) look and feel better.

Updated on 7 Sep 2011:
I picked up my meds yesterday. Luckily the pharmacist that was so negative wasn't there yesterday. The date is getting near.

Updated on 8 Sep 2011:
Well it is now 3 more days until the big day. Today doesn't count any more :). I have lost a lot of sleep over the past two nights. I have been waking up every hour. I try to be positive but the waiting is horrible. Hope to catch some sleep tonight.

Updated on 10 Sep 2011:
The weekend is here. Monday is just around the corner. Surprisingly I don't feel too nervous but I have not been able to sleep for about 3 nights now. My daughter said I have under my eyes. Not what I want to hear right now. This weekend will be very busy. I home school my 2 3rd graders so I have to prepare all their work so they will be able to work on their own for a couple of days. I have to do lots of laundry. As if it wasnt any worse, my parents are out of town and I have been the supplemental babysitter for my brother's two step kids for the last two weeks. A 1 and a 4 year old. I have fallen so behind on my house work. I think I am freaking out. Hopefully today I can actually sleep knowing I don't have to get up extra early tomorrow to babysit them. Today is the last day, and hopefully I get all my housework done between today and tomorrow.

Updated on 13 Sep 2011:
Day one post op. I wanted to see if I could make it without pain killers but a few hours ago I gave in. The doctor told me I had to take them because he wanted me walking around. What a difference they make. I had an appointment today to change my dressings. My incision is very low and so far it looks good. I am so excited and cant wait to see myself in a week.

Updated on 17 Sep 2011:
Hi everyone. I am 6 days post op. I have mixed feelings about the whole surgery. I know it is normal to be emotional. I hadnt gone online because I see others at 5 days post op and they have a flat tummy already. I am so swollen I regret doing this. I am afraid I will stay this way. Yesterday I got a big scare. I woke up to a pain and a tingling on my leg. I looked it up and the first thing I saw was DVT. Clotting. So I decided to call my doctors office. Right away they sent me for an ultrasound of my legs and everything came back fine. Thank God. I only took pain meds Tues-Thursday. I felt so constipated I stopped. But the pain is not too bad. Actually being swollen bothers me more than the pain. I havent been able to see my belly button because I have dressings on my whole tummy. When I went for a dressing change I couldn't see. Actually, I was afraid to see but now I regret it. I am doing very good with the drains. Today the whole day I have only had about 10cc on each side and it is almost clear.
Tuesday is my follow up to hopefully remove a drain. I am hoping they remove both. Will keep everyone updated.

Updated on 22 Sep 2011:
I have posted my one week follow up. I still cannot believe it is me. my swelling has been going down since then and the scare is healing. Even at this point I look way better than before. I cannot wait to start the gym and wear a cute workout outfit. No more oversize tshirts and having to hold in my stomach so it wont bounce around.