“Goodbye Baby Belly! - Las Vegas, NV”

Before I start, I have not had my surgery yet but I had to choose a rating and I chose worth it because I know it will be!

My story is pretty much the same as most of the other women here on this website that have gotten, or are thinking about getting a tummy tuck. I was married at 20 and had my daughter when I was 21. I loved being pregnant, but I dreaded the fact that I knew that my body was going to be ruined. It happened to my older sisters so I knew that it would happen to me. My husband and I were both in the Army and I was working out 2-3 times a day, so I was quite fit. I was always at a steady 129lbs. I am 5'2" but according to army standards, I was considered overweight. I have never had a tiny body and I never will, I am not built that way. I was always happy with my body though...until I became a mom.

After I had my daughter, I did lose all the baby weight, but my stomach was dis-gus-ting! I was super embarassed to show my husband when he got back from Iraq. I felt bad that when he deployed I was not even showing and when he came back I had a totally different(disgusting)body. Fortunately, he has never made that an issue and has always reassured me that he loves me no matter what.

Fast forward to my current situation. I had my son last year and I started out my pregnancy pretty high, I believe around 155ish? Big jump from the first time, but what can I say? I am going to be 30 next year and I haven't kept the most active lifestyle. Anyways, my second pregnancy basically just filled up my deflated balloon of a belly again and then added on a few more stretch marks to top it off...whatever, I was excused for being fat at the time so I didn't care, how much worse could it get?...A lot I guess, lol!

My sister and I were 2 months a part in our pregnancies and we had the same body issues before that. So now that we are certain that we are done with having babies, we have decided that it's time to stop living with our miserable bellies. We have been researching plastic surgeons, reading reviews, going on consultations, watching every possible tummy tuck video on youtube, talking, talking, talking....and now...we are finally going through with it!

My reason for doing this is simple. I am truly unhappy in my own body. I am not lazy and trying to find a quick solution of losing weight, I have worked out and dieted before, but I am always going to be left with the disgusting stretched out stomach. After a while, it's like, what's the point when I am still going to hate my body. It's a horrible feeling to not be comfortable in your own skin. Another reason is that I want to be able to wear whatever I want and not have to worry about flab hanging out/over, or rolls showing through, or reaching for something and someone getting a glance of my stretchmarks. If it's hot, I want to go swimming in something other than a total coverup granny style swimsuit...I live in Vegas for gosh sakes! I don't want to be stuck wearing the same 5 outfits that I have been wearing for the past how many years. I want to be able to buy jeans that don't go all the way up to my boobs so they will hold in the belly. Yadda, yadda, yadda, sounds really superficial, but this is something that I have dealt with since I was 21 and it sucks to be an adult that is self-conscious about their body. I thought that was something that only teenagers have to deal with. I am doing this surgery for myself and no one else. There should be no other reason for plastic surgery other than to make you feel better about yourself.

Well, on Monday I am calling the doctor's office and setting a date! I already know that this is going to be an emotional roller coaster for me and I am trying to prepare myself by reading other women's blogs and telling myself that I deserve to get this done and it will be worth it in the end. Wish me luck!

P.S. It kills me to show pictures but the pictures everyone else posts have been so helpful that it only seems right that I do the same. Besides...I'm not going to look like that much longer!!!

Updated on 19 Sep 2011:
OMG! My pre op is on wednesday! Surgery scheduled for Monday the 26th! I'm so excited and anxious at the same time, it's all happening so fast but I am ready. I am glad I don't have a long wait because I will drive myself crazy with my thoughts. Part of me is just expecting something to go wrong or delay my surgery, don't know why, maybe just nerves? Expecting doc to say, "sorry, lab results aren't what we wanted." I don't know, just running through worst-case scenarios. Still talking with sister about the whole sleeping situation, I am open to any suggestions. Recliner, hospital bed, couch, floor? Also gotta figure out what I need at home too.

Updated on 21 Sep 2011:
Had my pre op today and getting more and more excited about surgery day! I only have a few more days left with this belly and I will NOT be sad to see it go! Took pre op pics...talk about embarassing, sister and I could not stop laughing and my surgical panties. They were folded up and packaged, sitting on my seat and I thought it was a lenscloth. Lol when the nurse said to put them on:) So excited I cant wait!!!!

Updated on 24 Sep 2011:
Got my prescriptions today, only one more day to go!

Updated on 25 Sep 2011:
Surgery is tomorrow morning! I am so excited! Not scared or nervous, just want tomorrow to be here already! I just finished cleaning out my whole garage, don't really have an appetite today either. Gonna go get some last minute stuff (soup, crackers, bottled water, etc.) Feel like I am going on a trip or something. Super hot day today, was thinking of going swimming with my babies for the last time before surgery and before it gets cold. Need to clean house, finish up some laundry, prepare my nest downstairs, blah, blah, blah...I'm excited!

Updated on 25 Sep 2011:
Lol! I just read my last post and I sound like I'm on crack! I guess I am just really excited. While I know there are risks involved, I am not even going to worry about it because at the end of the day, I am still going through with it. I am just thinking of the positive outcome this is going to have. Just did a total scrub down since I wont be able to shower for a while :( Not anxious at all so I don't think I'm gonna take the xanax. Worked hard today so I know I am going to sleep good. My surgery is scheduled for 8:00, hope my ps doesn't party too hard on the weekends, lol! Can't wait to start posting some post-op pictures!!!! Thank you for all the kind words and the support from you ladies, it has been such a big help!

Updated on 26 Sep 2011:
Well, I am alive! I was fine and excited up until the moment I laid down on the operating table, lol. I remember that I didnt think much about it when I got my gallbladder taken out, but that was an emergency and I was pretty drugged up with pain meds so I didn'thave time to notice. I started to think, " Oh my god, what if this is the last thing I see? What if I don't wake up? Is this really worth it? What if I wake up mid surgery?" then the anesthesiologist said that I would feel some burning from an injection and I just remember it burning in my hand so bad that I said, "ouch! My hand is going to pop!" Then, just as they all told me, I was waking up in the recovery room that I had started in. Of course, there was tightness down the middle where the nurse told me there would be. ( she had also done a tummy tuck with my ps) Super nauseated, just like I expected. I hate nausea, more than pain. The pain is tolerable though. I took a flexiril when I got home but I really am trying to avoid anything that will add to the nausea. So far, it just burns where I assume the drains are and the middle is super tight. I would feel more comfortable if I didnt have this stupid binder on. I lift it up occasionally to relieve the pressure and it feels much better. Back is hurting from sitting in this awkward position. Drains are annoying. Wish I could take pain meds but will totally choose pain over nausea. I had to stay days after my gall bladder surgery in the hospital because of all the nausea from all the pain meds they kept feeding me afterwards. Anyways, just munching on some plain crackers now and just happy I'm okay!

Updated on 27 Sep 2011:
I am one day post op and Ihad my appointment to change my dressings. Got to take a peek at my tummy and it is so weird to see it! Definitely flat, almost all my stretchmarks are gone, my belly button seems a bit higher. I think its gonna look great once it heals! As for pain, i made the mistake of taking a motrin, that is a big no no says my ps. Stick with what you are prescribed. I didnt know it was a blood thinner so its a good thing I told him. I can't wait to get these drains out, they are so annoying!

Updated on 29 Sep 2011:
Pain is minimal today, but taking pain pills to help sleep through the night. Actually having more pain in my back from hunching over. Getting sick of laying around but I know I have to. Right now its just a waiting game, glad my hubby will be home with me for the next few days. Still happy that I did this and cant wait to get these drains out! Will try to get a pic on tuesday.

Updated on 5 Oct 2011:
Today I am 9 days post op and feeling a lot better. Yesterday I had my appointment to take out one of my drains. I was really hoping that I could get both of them out but I know they serve a purpose so I just have to be patient. If there is one thing that you have to have with this surgery, it is patience. This past week was the longest week of my life! My son has been with his grandma since I had my surgery. I am so grateful that she has been willing to help me with him, there is no way I could have taken care of him properly when I was thinking I could. I wanted to have him back today, but I am still not able to fully keep up with him, so mom wants to keep him for another week. I am looking forward to my 2 week post-op appointment. That is my goal...2 weeks! I am walking straighter, but not totally upright. I can still feel the muscle pulling me down a bit and I don't want to hurt myself so I am just listening to my body and stretching throughout the day. The nurse said that by 2 weeks I should be able to walk straight again. I will also get the belly button stitches out and the other drain out as well. I can't wait to have the drains completely gone, they are the biggest nuisance. The cut does not hurt at all. It is a little itchy from the healing. My tummy is a bit swollen but looks sooooo much better than before and I know it is going to look great when it goes down and heals. The compression garment sucks! I hate the feeling of being squeezed but I feel like it will help me heal faster and drain faster if I am being squeezed. The muscle still hurts if I laugh too hard or if I accidentally gag when I am brushing my teeth. The only thing that really bothers today is the compression garment and the drain. Will try to get a pic next appointment, didn't get a chance to take one at my appointment.

Updated on 11 Oct 2011:
2 week post op today and I am soooooo happy! It feels like it has been much longer though, considering what my body has been through. In the beginning, it seemed like it would take forever for the muscle to recover and the incision to heal and to be able to stand up, but here I am! Drains are gone, stitches out of belly button and all the dressings are off! Only have to wear binder during day if I want. I finally got to take a shower!!!!!!! I was speeding all the way home so I could get in my shower :) It's funny how I couldn't wait to be able to take the compression garment off and now that I can, I feel exposed without it. I need it now because it feels strange without the bandages and stuff. It protects me somehow. I'm hoping the belly button will improve, its just awkward to me because Im used to seeing it deep down in a sea of belly fat and skin I guess. The last time I saw my natural tummy and belly button was like 9 years ago. Doc says it is all going to take time so just be patient. Fine with me, even with this fresh scar and swelling, it looks a million times better than it did before. So happy and can't wait to see how much things improve over time!

Updated on 13 Oct 2011:
My 2 week picture isn't the greatest quality, took it with my phone. I am still not totally comfortable without my garment on so I will try to get a better picture next time it's off. Last night I slept without the garment...not horrible but would have been a little more comfortable with it on. I need the pressure on my tummy for some reason, like when you cut your finger or something and it feels better when you put a bandaid on it. The pressure helps more than I would have thought. I am not comfortable standing straight without the garment, but once it's on, I have no problem. My whole tummy feels like it is bruised but the muscle gets better every day. Wondering when to start scar therapy, any suggestions on what works best would be greatly appreciated. Right now I am just putting paper tape on the scar just because I don't like it to rub against anything. As of today, still not one regret from doing this surgery. Totally happy with the results even with the swelling. Can't wait to see the final results!

Updated on 18 Oct 2011:
3 weeks post-op! Today is another milestone that I have been patiently waiting for. Scar is healing very well. Belly button is still pretty red around the edges but I feel like once the swelling goes down it is going to be pretty much like a normal button. I feel like I am doing great as far as swelling goes (knock on wood). If I am doing waaaaay too much, I will get a little swollen at the end of the day. I am able to fit into my jeans and stuff that I had before, they are actually a bit loose. Today I wore my shorts that actually used to pop open from my belly before and now there is a lot of slack in them! Sister keeps asking me if it feels better to not have it anymore and all I can say is that it's the best! This is truly, like the best thing I could have chosen to do just for myself. Even with the swelling that I do have, I am soooooo much more comfortable with myself. I am so excited for her to get hers done so she can start enjoying what I am feeling. It's pretty amazing that such a silly thing like extra skin can change a person so much...and how dramatic it can be when that skin is finally removed. I mean, my personality has and always will be the same, but I am much more confident in myself now. I can't wait to start working out again and letting the rest of my body catch up to my flat tummy! Still no regrets from having this procedure done and I would encourage anyone else to do the same if they have the same problem.