JUNE 4th TT AND READY TO GO : ) - Massachusetts, MA

I am 57 and have lost almost 25 pounds since last August. I am 5 6 and hover at 160 and wish i weighed 150. I work out or exercise 4-5 days a week. The more I lose the more pronounced my tummy pouch is. I have 4 sons the last 2 being twins who turn 21 next week : ). I decided in March to see a favorite doctor I work with at my hospital and after a consult I booked my date because he was so reassuring and positive. I am an RN and take care of his patients post op and his work is meticulous so that made my decision easier. I am not too nervous and really look forward to my surgery in 2 days. I say I have a high tolerance to pain and hope at 57 to fly through surgery. Positive attitude is half the battle. Good luck to anyone thinking of having any cosmetic surgery or who has recently had it done!!!!!

I was more apprehensive of anesthesia and no issues there. So funny, they give you a bit of medicine and bingo, you wake up in recovery with a new tummy. Last night in the hospital was tough because every time I got to sleep, my very nice roommate would wake me up. Worst is not being able to move much and having to stay on your back. Trouble getting out of bed for the first time, but it gets easier every time. No incisional pain, my doc used Exparel which is a long acting novacaine. Worst discomfort is burning pain in rib area. Lost 3.5 pounds of flabby skin and 2 liters of fat! Looking forward to a goodnites sleep tonight. Thanks to all for their encouragement and prayers !!!!

More pic up soon.

Doing well. Lost about 3-4 inches on my waist already . The skin will all settle down when the stitches dissolve on the inside .

Woke up feeling rather miserable. I feel like a tire tube . Percocet works well though and comfy now watching a movie and enjoying a cup of coffee : )

One of my drains leaks quite a bit at the site so today I changed the dressing. Pleased with the result but know I have to be patient Measured my waist and went from 37 to 32! Now that is a good day at the gym: ). Have a real tight feeling around my midsection. Still walking like an old laDy. Getting very bored with the tv but not enough energy to do much else. Good luck all!

Highlight of the day wast first post op visit with drain removal. :). Was draining 40 cc over last 24 hours each side. Not a big deal. No pain when he pulled them. All is going well. Only needing ibuprofen for discomfort. Getting up easier by myself and not walking so bent over. Hoping to be able to accomplish at least a little paperwork soon. Still very tired !

What a difference a few days makes!!!! Thrilled with my results so far. I know the area above my belly button will settle down once sutures dissolve:). Day of surgery weight 159.6. Today 153.6!!!

Yes it was worth it!

Evening of post op day eight and I think this miserable cold is on its way out. Sneezing hurts and if I didn't have the cold I'd be great :) Still very tired but determined to start to get through some of the mounds of paperwork I have around here! Good luck all. Day one is a distant memory!

Oh my, I am getting cabin fever. I don't feel quite up to driving. Actually in the shower this am I got quite dizzy and ended that quick. Had not eaten anything and it was 10am. Stupid me. Went for a joy ride out to a deli for lunch. Pooped and came home and took a lovely 2 hour nap on a rainy day. High hope for getting something accomplished tomorrow! Hope all is well girls. Don't have second thoughts, this is a great surgery to have.

Well today I felt REALLY good! Visited my ps and all was well. So I decided in the afternoon to go shopping for bathing suits. Now At 57, I have not worn a bikini for about 25 years. With the encouragement of my sweet daughter in law we had a fabulous time andI bought 2! Still don't know if I will wear either one or both and I can return if I want or maybe I will just book some exotic vacation! August is my 30th anniversary :) I so encourage cosmetic surgery and specifically tt! It is such a boost to our overall self confidence and happiness ! I recommend this surgery 100% but urge anyone to really research your ps! I knew I had a fabulous one but do your homework. Make sure he does a good number of tt per month. Good luck to all of you!

Now using micro pore tape on incision per ps. Also FYI , never used compression garment. I researched this a bit because it seems most have it. I guess there are no studies to say if it definitely helps or not, so I'm good.

Believe you doctor's and don't do too much. I feel like I have a pulled muscle and am going to really relax this weekend.

Post op day 18. Yesterday I was exhausted but this morning I felt great so I drove myself 1 3/4 hours to Maine. Family had all left me to fend for myself at my own private Friday pity party and that was fine with me. Drive was uneventful and everything is better in Maine :). Have a great weekend girls !!!!

Well girls, today is 6 weeks following surgery and time for an update. I saw my wonderful ps Dr. Hall yesterday and all is well. He says I am doing better than the average tt. Maybe he says that to everyone. Being a nurse, if things can go wrong, it seems they usually do to the medical person, so I am so thankful that all has gone according to plan. My friend in the recovery room who took care of me told me I kept telling her "I'm alive!" post op. I had never had general anesthesia. I was nervous of not waking up. Absolutely NO nausea, vomiting or any problems. Things are going great. Looking forward to the gym which I now have the okay to do except for heavy duty "core" exercises. I feel like my legs have lost muscle tone and are getting flabby along with my arms. My gym stuff is in the car today. I figure I will try a mile on the treadmill and a few machines and see how I feel. My ps was a bit surprised I was in a size less (size 10 fits nicely) as he says most are just fitting in the usual size because of the swelling. He did a lot of lipo plus some no cost "extra" because he knew me on my flanks :) He predicts within 6 months I will be another size down. Size 8 from size 14 last August before 25 pound weight loss?? Are you KIDDING me??? August of 2012 I was 183, today 153. Goal is 145. I am 5 feet 6. I can't imagine size 8 will happen, but right now just the thought of it is inspiring me to go to the gym big time and get back on track! My ps did NOT have me in any type of compression. He said yesterday he did not because he did so much lipo etc and he did not want to restrict the blood flow. But he said to NOW wear any type of compression 24/7 so I had a great tummy tucker one that he says will make the swelling decrease faster. It actually feels nice :) I have micro pore tape on now. Incision looks great but am ordering a scar treatment bandage and will start when I get it. One of my only complaints is that my stomach muscles will "cramp up" like contractions and I am looking forward to this going away. Ps says to massage the area and that will help. I slouch a little when this happens and he assures me I can force myself to stand up straight which I will now try to do. To any tummy tuck sister reading this who is newly post op or thinking of having the surgery, it is so worth it. It is a HUGE boost to your self confidence. At 57 I do not feel I look my age and am so happy with how I look now. Blessings and good wishes to all !!! I will post some new photos soon, although I think I look about the same from my last pictures.

Well, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. I had no problems at all. Biggest issue was getting out of the habit of exercising as I had no core cardio for 6 months. I have gained 8 pounds, but still have a wonderful flat tummy. Anyone contemplating surgery-JUST DO IT!!!! Get yourself in the best physical shape you can and to your goal weight if possible. And then, enjoy life :)

A little bit out of order as I was searching for some pictures and can't find much. You'd think I'd love showing off. In October, 2014, a bit more than 4 months post op, a group of friends went to Utah to Bryce and Zion National Parks. It was an extremely active vacation, with lots of hiking, zip-lining and eating :) I had no problems at all.