“Scheduled for TT 2/18/2011 - Marietta, GA”

I have lost over 50lbs and my tummy is the only place I do not see improvement. I have had an issue with my overlaping stomach since the birth of my first child and it may have gone down, but it also hung lower...

Updated on 1 Feb 2011:
I go in for my pre op appointment of Friday. I am excited and nervous all together. I will be back to update on Friday...

Updated on 4 Feb 2011:
I had my pre-op this morning and went through the run down and asked my almost last set of questions. It appears that today's appointment has diminished some of the nervousness I was having. I can say that I am truly ready and if they would let me go in tomorrow I would be so ready to do that. I will be picking up my meds and other things on the docs list as well as some suggestions from all of you lovely people this weekend. What would I do with out you?

Updated on 12 Feb 2011:
Pre Op pictures posted.

Updated on 16 Feb 2011:
OK ladies, I'm down to my last two days with this unattractive stomach of mine. Friday this time I will be on my way to my new figure one I will be able to enjoy and maintain. The last time I had a flat stomach I can not even remember which must have been my teen years and at that time I'm sure it was not the one of the most important things to me. I promised myself that I will not take any part of this process for granted and will not look back.

Updated on 17 Feb 2011:
OK. Tomorrow is the day!... I will take pics and upload as soon as I can with drains and all.

Updated on 18 Feb 2011:
Ok ladies I'm up and dressed... A tad bit nervous, but ready. I can not tell you guys how many times I prayed between 3am and 7am...

Updated on 18 Feb 2011:
Hello Everyone,

I am home, I've been home since 2pm. The PS and team said they wish all of their patients were like me. I was rocking and rolling along. Not nervous, woke up ready to go. I knew how to get out of the bed and have checked off all supplies required plus some - All thanks to you all that went before me. LOL The first pain I encounters was in my pelvic area and it felt like I was in my last month of pregnancy, you know the aching that has you walking like a penguin. They gave me percocet, muscle relaxer and nausea meds before leaving and look at me relaxing on the recliner not even sleepy. I pray that the Lord continues to see me through as he has always done. I was not able to see my stomach, but it is noticeable already in the binder already. My friend and daughter is like how cool is this. They seem to be more happier than I am. I already have to pee and have downed two bottles of water. I do have a pretty high tolerance for pain so praise the lord for that. Ladies and Gents... How happy am I tight now from a scale of one to ten.... I will rate it a 10 without seeing my results. I I can help it I will abadone the percocet by Monday and use extra strength tylenol with the muscle relaxer if needed. This was my first surgery ever and no problems with the anesthesia what so ever. I promise myself that I will not let myself go again.... I will remember this pain and discomfort and use it as my motivation.

Updated on 18 Feb 2011:
I did not get charged for lipo according to my paperwork, but my PS did lipo a little bit so I guess he does as needed and probably includes that in the addominoplasty price. I also wanted to mention that his office and the group of doctors that work there make it manditory to get Cosmet Insurance, I thought that was awesome - Since I work in the insurance industry I know that is important especially if you are having elective surgery. Who wants to be stuck with more med bills that your primary insurance will not cover if something goes wrong. Another plus is the practive is about 500 feet away from a full function hospital. I took everything into account - the good and the dad.

Updated on 19 Feb 2011:
Posted more pics. Today im feeling drugged up and just dozing on and off so far today. I will take standing pics at shower time.

Updated on 20 Feb 2011:
I finally slept last night and am feeling a little week today,but am pushing through it. The shower was hard as I just couldn't stand that long so I just had to sit. I would recomment a shower seat for this reason. The water felt good and taking the garment off felt great. I've been passing gas so far so good. My tummy muscle burns like hell when I move the wrong way so be cautious. The doc cut me low and it feels like it;s on my pubic bone so I have to be careful the garment is not poking or too tight in that area. I've already switched to extra strength tylenol instead of the percocet because I don't like the way it makes me feel out of control. I've been up and down to the bathroom by myself since I came home. I don't do it everytime but I'm trying to practice as everyone is looking a bit tired now. I just want to be able to stand straight up and give my back mucsle a brake.

Updated on 22 Feb 2011:
OK. Its day four and the only thing I can complain about is not being able to stand up straight enough to give my back a break.. Anyone have any suggestions?

Updated on 25 Feb 2011:
Not much to update on today. I have my first post op appt and I left with my drain still in. The doctor and nurses said I was doing better than they thought I would and I'm healing great. He wants to leave the drain in until it gets under 30cc in a 24hr period for a few days. I will post more pics when the drain is gone. I'm 7 days post op and am at 90% standing straight, no more back pain.

Updated on 8 Mar 2011:
I had my drain removed yesterday day 18 post op. I am back at work today and boy, the swelling at this moment is killing me, I'm barely upright at 2pm. Not having the drain to bug me makes it better. I miss my recliner. I will try to post pics this week.

Updated on 13 Mar 2011:
Uploaded pictures from last week. They were taken at the end of the day so it was very swollen as it was my first week back to work. These are three weeks post op.

Updated on 27 Jul 2011:
I am 5 months out and I still have some swelling off and on, but I can tell when it is swelling and that helps knowing. I am doing all activities better than before surgery. I am currently still losing weight and am loving my new package. Shopping and dressing up is so much fun... This surgery has helped improved my quality of life. Pictures coming soon!