2 Weeks Till the Big Day! - Mexicali, Mexico

One last thing I forgot to mention to all you Realself readers is that is extremely vital to have a support system in place prior to the surgery. I have found great comfort in knowing that a certain group of great gals have my back in endeavor. These ladies are on speed dial for support of all kinds and I must say they are as important to the process as the surgeon himself. Without them I would not dare do this. I draw strength and encouragement from these woman in that each and everyone of them is extremely determined and stronger than I will ever be. So to my pioneer, big girl pants, lil sista, bff and lil csi, thank you for being there for me.

Hello again everyone. So tomorrow is my big day with Dr. Victor Ramirez and needless to say I am going through a roller coaster of emotions at this point. I started to write yesterday and somehow could not finish the post so I left it for today. Last night was a long sleepless night as I kept waking up and second guessing my decision to get this mommy makeover. Since I couldn't sleep I opted to just get up early and get my day going already.

As soon as I got on the Realself site today, the first thing I searched was "last minute doubts" in the hope I would find support from others who have been here and done it. And then I remembered that at times such as these, I have found great comfort in helping others so here I am. I hope that someone out there will benefit from me sharing my feeling here right now as the clock ticks away toward my mommy makeover.

So a little more about me before I began sharing my emotions. I am a mommy of 3 almost grown GREAT kids and I am married my WONDERFUL husband of almost 20 years. I am about to turn 40 years young in October and my plan is to reveal the new me in Las Vegas where I will be celebrating the big 40. I figure that gives me 3 months healing time. Ok so my reasons for doing this surgery are for myself and my husband. For me because I long to feel great about my body again. I feel beautiful and trust me I lack no self confidence but I yearn to feel great about my body. For my husband because I want so badly to give him some sexy me. I have spent so much time hiding my stomach from him and I am tired of that!!!

Ok so on to my emotions, today I am feeling:
*Scared- scared of dying from the surgery or recovery :(
*Fear-fear of waking up during the surgery and feeling everything :0
*Doubt- doubting my decision to spend so much money on myself :?
*Anxiety-anxiety about the pain and scars :/
*Excited-SUPER excited about the possibilities and outcomes :)
*Positive (at times)-trying to hold on to being positive :)
*Anxious-anxious to get the surgery done and get to recovery :)
*Thankful- thankful that this surgery is optional :)
*Blessed- blessed to have a husband, family and friend that are so supportive :)
*Faith-faith in my dear Lord God who will bring me through this safely :)

Although I am experiencing ups and down I am sure that I will be fine because I have made a conscious decision today to do the following:
* Remain positive through this entire process
* Trust in God for healing and recovery
* Have faith in Dr. Ramirez and all those who will care for me
* Be patient in the process and allow my body to heal on its own time
* Allow time to heal all wounds both physical and emotional

As I venture into that operating room I will take with me a sense of peace and positive energy that I hope will guide Dr. Ramirez's hands to work his magic!!!!!

Pray for me and I will see you on the other side Realself!!!!!

PS I did take plenty of before pics which I will post after surgery.

Ok so now I am about a week and a day till my scheduled surgery with Dr. Ramirez and although I am getting nervous and anxious, I did have the change to witness some of what I will be going through. My second friend who I will refer to as the 2nd pioneer underwent her breast enlargement with Dr. Ramirez on Friday morning. It went very well and I am extremely glad I went with her. Not only did I want to be there for her but it offered me the opportunity to witness firsthand some of what I would be going through on my big day.
We arrived at the hospital at about 7am and my friend completed registration and then was escorted to a private hospital suite where she was instructed to remove her clothing and put on hospital gown. She was also given a pill that was told would relax her a bit. After a few minutes she was given an I.V. About 30 minutes later the anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself and asked questions and addressed our questions. His demeanor was friendly and he seemed very professional. After assessing my friend he made a medical decision to have her be put under general anesthesia rather than local due to a metal plate in her back. We then got a visit from Dr. Ramirez who also addressed any concerns and questions. After about 20 minutes my friend taken away in a wheel chair.

About 3 hours later my friend was wheeled back into her room on a gurney and she appeared to be a little out of it but ok. The rest of the day was spent with her lying in the hospital bed and being given pain medications via her I.V. on a regular scheduled basis. She also was asked to eat two meals throughout the day and eventually try and get up and use the bathroom. Both meals were of a liquid diet type and appeared to be home cooked. They smelled amazing!! The hospital staff seemed very attentive and professional. My friend seemed very comfortable and happy throughout the stay.

Later that evening we got a visit from both the anesthesiologist and Dr. Ramirez and then my friend got her discharge paperwork and prescriptions and a medical lane pass to avoid the long border lines. The trip home went well as she seemed happy and comfortable. To date she has not complained of any unbearable pain or other complication. With my surgery date so close, I found extreme comfort in knowing that all those that attending my friend during the surgery seemed to know exactly what do to in the process.