PO Day 20; Diva is now on the FLAT SIDE with a TT, MR, Lipo(Flanks)

I have been stalking this site since Oct. 28, 2012 and I have to say that I have viewed and read ALOT of blogs and testimonies and I am excited to share mine.

I am a happily divorced single mother of 3 girls and 1 boy. I have 2 wonderful and handsome grandsons that are my world as well. I have raised my kids by myself and with GOD's help. With GOD's help all things are possible. I was diagnosed in 1992 with Myasthnia Gravis and have had my fair share of struggles with it. It causes muscle weakness so stress and fatigue are my enemies. At first it was hard for me to exercise because I would get hot and tired therefore I became weak to the point of my limbs not being able to be moved. I had my thymus gland removed in 1997 and I now carry around this ugly zipper scar going down my chest. I am in remisssion with it right now and have been for a few years. I am well knowledgeable with my disease therefore I know when to start seeking treament.

I have wanted a tummy tuck since the birth of my last child and she is now 12 years old. I carry this butt belly around and deep down inside, I cry with it but you could never tell from the outside because I am always smiling. I love to smile and make other smile. I met a lady on here (shout out to lady JM) that had her surgery in the same town as I am going to have mine and the only difference is that her doctor is one floor up from mine. We have talked so much that it is like we are really good friends without even meeting. She makes me smile and I know she thinks I am crazy, but all in all she knows I am just a happy go lucky woman.

My family decided to take a family vacation and everyone go to the bahamas for my grandmother's 80th birthday in 2012. So on August 3, 2011 I began my first Zumba class. I fell in love with this form of exercise that I was up to doing it 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. Yes I was sore to the point that it was hurting to move but I made it through it. I lost over 20 pounds with this but found myself still with this butt belly. So after a year of doing this, I decided that I wanted a TT but was too nervous to call a PS to get a consultation, but I forced myself to make the call in October 2011 and the PS that I went to was so loving, kind and his people skills were so warm and inviting. I knew this was the one that I wanted. The office staff was just as pleasant. I expressed my concerns and he made me feel at ease and he let me know that the surgery is not going to make me "perfect" but it would make me feel better and that is what I needed to hear. He told me that the TT would be no problem and that he will do some lipo on my flanks to give me a much better contour shape. So here I am today waiting for my "FLAT" day to come and that is in 18 days now. I am here for any and all opinions that will help me with my journey. I am open minded to anything that anyone has to say. I personally feel that this site has been a lifesaver for me when I first found this site because I was full of alot of questions and concerns. By reading what others were saying, I actually got my answers. I just pray that my recovery goes well as everyone elses and my surgery is a complete success.

I have researched TT procedures, looked at numerous videos on youtube that I dream about it, I talk to everyone about it to the point that I am going to explode by the time the 20th comes around. My kids have been a big help. My mother is supportive of this venture and I know my father that which is in heaven is cheering me on.

My goal in doing this is not for anyone but myself. I want to be healthier and look like it in a 2 piece bathing suit when I go back on my next cruise. This Diva is on her way back.

I am on my countdown and I have 15 days until I am in surgery and getting my body worked on so that I can be on the flat side. I went to zumba last night and while we were dancing around and I was getting my groove on, I was thinking that once I have my TT, I will not be able to do zumba for a long while. I have an obsession with zumba and I am going to be totally lost without it. I will have to entertain myself some other way when I am cleared to resume my exercise.
I forgot to say before that I have to be at the hospital at 6am, which is an hour away from me and my surgery is not until 8am. He estimates it to be 3 hours. I am having a full TT, MR, and lipo. I am having scar revision done on my bra roll area from a previous breast reduction. My insurance is paying for the revision.

Time is flying by real fast and this Sh** is getting real. I think I am starting to get nervous. I am just nervous to see what I will come out looking like. I trust my PS and I know he will do his level best.
I was just telling my youngest daughter last night that after this weekend, I will have only one weekend left to get everything finalized and together so that on the 18th when I go for my pre-op, I will be good to go and just sit and wait for the time to pass. I still have not told anyone at work and I dont really even know how long I will be off of work. I drive a school bus and I am not sure as to how many days I will need to take off.
Does anyone have any advice on supplements or anything to take to lessen the bruising and swelling that ACTUALLY works.