“Did it May 16th. Full TT with muscle repair, hernia repair & lipo of flanks, inner thighs”

Gave birth to two children via c-section five years ago and most recently fifteen months ago. I am a very fit and active person yet gained 65lbs during each pregnancy. I had an enormous belly that hung LOW during each pregnancy. Needless to say my stomach is a mess. I have a wildly extended stomach, and skirt of skin over the c-section scar and stretch marks gallore. I have trained my muscles to hold in quite tightly when I am sucking in, but I am EXHAUSTED!

I can't suck in that tight any longer. I have wanted to do this since after my daughter, but it's a good thing I didn't because I decided later to have one more. I have four children, two I raised (and adopted)since babies that came along as a package deal when I started dating my husband ten years ago and two more that are biological.

I work hard to give my family a beautiful life and I think I deserve to do this for myself. I am definitely dealing with guilt on a daily basis and the what if's. That's been very hard on me, but I am trying to block it out and push forward. I will post pictures soon.

Updated on 13 May 2011:
Ok...After today only two days to go until I go in Monday morning. I am getting the tummy tuck and lipo on my flanks/hips and inner thighs. I am getting more excited then nervous now.

Updated on 14 May 2011:
So, it looks like the stomach flu is making it's rounds around this house! One more kid threw up early this morning. I am freaking out that I am going to either get sick before the surgery monday or get sick and need to throw up when I get home post op. DAMN IT!
The kids rarely get sick and they hardly ever get stomach flu. Why now?!
Murphys law right? I guess I will tell the Doctor Monday and ask him to give me a script for something to prevent me from throwing up I guess.


Updated on 14 May 2011:
Ok posted pics. I NEVER expose my flaws like this to many people- it was a little difficult posting these, but it's all good. I got over it.

Updated on 14 May 2011:
What did everyone wear home from surgery?

Updated on 15 May 2011:
Well, tomorrow is the big day! It's been such a crazy weekend of sick kids that I am actually looking forward to this just so i can get a little quiet! ha ha!

Updated on 23 May 2011:
One week post op appointment was today and my drain was removed. I am very swollen but I like the results so far. I will have fluid drained out with a needle next week if needed-and I am thinking it will be needed.
I will take pics tonight of my after.

Updated on 25 May 2011:
Definitely having my up and down days- more up than down but still get emotional. The pain isn't bad at all but it is still there, and the fact that I can't just do what I need to do is wearing at me I think. I am very independent and hate getting help.
Got my drain out Monday and I was so scared but it wasn't bad at all. It was nice to get out ofthe house after a week.
Went to Target yesterday for a short trip. It is painful to walk upright all the way, but no one was the wiser because it just looked like I was leaning over while I pushed my son in a cart.
Started the silicone strips per doctors requests. I could see a difference after twenty hours. I don't feel like my incision is closed enough, there is a little bit of scabbing and discharge like its healing, but he said to do it...?

Updated on 14 Jun 2011:
Yesterday was four weeks post op! feeling pretty good. I have a lot of swelling and pain in the afternoon but over all it's been fine. I have swelling in my upper abdomen more than my lower. I walked on the treadmill and did some eliptical and paid for it in the evening. I get this pretty nasty pain on my right side middle area when I have been on my feet or walked too much.

Updated on 14 Jun 2011:
I just realized I never posted my stats..like my age and weight.
I am 33. 5'4" I weight 163 when I got my surgery and I am at 156 a month later. I'm pretty happy at this weight but definitely won't complain if I lose a little more. I wear a size 8 and that hasn't changed.