12 WEEKS PO... UPDATED PICS

Mother of two kids ages 3 and 6. For as long as I can remember I have had this bump/protrusion from my belly above my belly button. I have always been self conscious of it. When I was pregnant with both of my kids it was still there. I never had this nice round pregnant belly like most women. After both pregnancy it Left me with an even BIGGER bump and lots of sagging skin. I do weigh 212 lbs although I don't feel like I weigh that. That number still surprises me when I see it. My weight has been steady since my last pregnancy. I do exercise regularly by walking. I have always been self conscious of my body and I have gained confidence over the years and grew so much as a woman that I feel like this is the last step. I am scheduled for a tummy tuck LIpo of my outer thighs on March 9, 2012 and am so excited but VERY nervous about the recovery.

Well delivered the news to my job yesterday that I will need the time off for my surgery. It went pretty well and I feel such a relief knowing that I'm not gonna have to try to rush back to work after surgery. Looking forward to a new exciting chapter oh and a pair of low rise jeans for the first time in ten years. LOL

I keep checking back on here daily just to snoop around and see who looks like me. LOL. I know you all know what I'm talking about. I look at all the before pictures and think well am I gonna look like that "after" picture?? March 9th cannot come soon enough. I am just so excited I can't even stand it. I am coming to grips with the amount of pain I am going to be in. It used to completely scare me but I just know that in the end it will all be worth it. I keep looking at clothes hanging in my closet and thinking well I hope I won't see them in there's this time next year. I am definatly keeping myself in check. I know I am not gonna be a super model and that's ok with me but I do feel like I will be normal at the very least. And that's ok with me. 50 more days. That is 49 more "sleeps"- and then I wake up and it's the big day. The excitement sort of reminds me of being scheduled for my inductions with my pregnancies. It's a bit over whleming but in a good way. Except that day a new me will be born. signing off for now. Off to check up on some other people and also look to see if there are anymore before and after pictures of me on here. LOL

As of next week I can go for my pre-op testing. Can't wait. It's one step closer for me. Ready to do this and get the show on the road!!!!!

It's getting closer!!! I can go the end of this week to do my blood tests that i need to have done before surgery. And next week is my pre-op appt. Any suggestions on things I need to talk to the dr about before my appt?? I am getting sooo excited I can't even stand it!! I had a breast reduction about 11 years ago and the scariest thing for me is remembering when I woke up from the GA after that surgery and the pain was so bad! I am wondering if it was just the way they did things then, was it the surgeon, have things changed since then? That was the worst pain I had been in throughout that entire process, recovery and all. So it's scary for me to think about THAT particular part. All of the other parts I feel I can handle! Guess that can be a question on my list for the dr next week?? Anyhow... checking out for now. Next time you hear from me it will be even closer!

Pre-Op blood work today. Woohoo!!!

So yesterday afternoon I took all of my measurements. This is so hard for me to post because i never disclose my sizes. i wont shop with my husband or friends becuase its embarassing . i have felt like this my whole life. I was never as small as my closest friends but i was never comfortable with myself until the last couple of years. In the end, like I Have said before, I am not looking to be a size 6 just comfortable in my own skin. To have a normal shaped belly and clothes that fit properly. I want to keep tracknof the flucuations throughout the process although i prob wont post everytime the exact inches i will post the grand total. I think it will be nice for people to see that the flucuation is normal. So here goes..

Pants: Size 18, XL/1X depending on the brand

Shirts: XL/1X, hard time fitting the bottom of my shirt around my belly for non stretchy shirts.

Bra:40D (after breast reduction 12 yrs ago)

Both thighs: 28" each

Under Boobs: 39.5"

@ Ribcage: 40"

Waist right at belly button: 42.5"

Hips at thickest part of apron: 52" (I almost cried when I saw that #)

Belly at my "bump": 44.5"

Legs together through thighs: 48.5"

Butt through to around the pubic area: 49.5"

Grand Total: 372.5"

And there you have it America!!! It's out there now. Only because I know this is all about to change!!!!

PreOp appt tomorrow with my doc. Can't wait. I have to admit I have a fear and I'm curious to know if anyone else has had the same fear. I am just so worried I am going to come out of this looking no different. I am scared I might come out of this being the same size. I have said it before and I truly mean it I don't need to be a size 2. I would be happy in a 14 or so. I feel like I have had this "bump" for as long as I can remember and I just cannot imagine NOT having it. The last time in my life I remember having a normal flat stomach was prob around the age of 7. That was 22 years ago. It's not cold feet because there is no way I'm backing out. I think the fear that I have comes from working really hard and losing weight but never changing pants sizes due to my stomach. Pants sizes mostly due to that nasty flap/apron and even losing in the middle of my stomach i still have that darn bump in my mid section. Just frustration and nervous that even after I go through all of this..... I have that fear that I am gonna wake up and it still be there. The thought of it being gone literally brings tears to my eyes. I have despised it for so long the excitement of it just being GONE makes me so happy Just curious..... Does anyone else have these fears or is just me?????

Alright ladies. PreOp appt went well. He seemed confident that my results will be good. He said the apron will be completely gone and where my bump is. That skin will be down by my pubic area. That's a far stretch. I hope one day I'll be able to stand up straight. LoL. Have to get my pain pill script filled. He said that thy will give me everything I need as far as binder and any gauze/tape/steri strips etc that I will need. He showed me exactly where he is going to lipo. My sides, above
My butt, outer thighs. Paid in full and ready to get this party started!!!!!!

Just got a call.... they wanna move my surgery!! My heart dropped. I was thinking oh no! How long are they having to move it out?? Good news.... they are moving it from the 9th to the 7th! Something with the dr's schedule. Woke up today thinking one day closer and I'm 3 days closer. WooHoo!!! I had the whole childcare thing figured out and now I have to re-figure, that's ok. I'll take it!!

11 days and it'll be done. Can't wait!!!

One week from now I should be on my way from the hospital. CANNOT WAIT!! I have started my cleaning spree. Moving furniture wiping baseboards, etc. if I have to sit and look at the inside of my house for the next couple of weeks it's gotta be clean. If not I might have a panic attack!!! Getting so excited. Trying to focus on the outcome and not on the slicing and poking and stitching.....

Wednesday is the BIG day. I am getting more nervous. Trusting that in the end it is all going to be worth it. I am beginning to think more about the things I am NOT going to be able to enjoy for a little while. #1: sleeping on my side or my belly. #2: Getting a bath at the end of my day. I enjoy my quiet bath times :-( But.... In the end after all the discomfort I trust it will be a good thing!!!!!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, it's only a day away!!!

Its 7:15am. I am a body if nerves and I'm hungry already. LET'S DO THIS!

So surgery was yesterday. Came out of anesthesia pretty comfortably. Last night was up every two hours. Peeing and walking the halls. Getting in and out of bed is no fun. I have two binders on. One girdle thing down to my knees that goes up to mid stomach/ under my boobs. Then another normal binder on. I have to keep my girdle on til either Friday or Saturday. That means no shower til then. That stinks. I haven't shed any years as of yet so that's a good thing. Pain meds last night through an IV switched to Pecocet this AM. Keeping me comfortable. Walking actually feels good to me once I get moving. Wait to leave now. Scared about the ride home. I can already tell I am swollen just from feeling above my binder Have had no peek at my tummy yet. I guess not til the girdle comes off. Little nervous but looking forward to scoping it out. I am surprised at my outer highs. Not that I can actually see them but lookiwng down at them they look much smaller. And one disappointment I don't have an exact weight on the skin removed. He thought it was about 7lbs. I'll keep u all posted

Day 2 PO. Night went fairly smooth. Up every two hours. Stopped the Percocet at 9 last night and have been sticking with Tylenol. Nausea was terrible. Still have issues with it every now and again. Cannot wait to get a shower tomorrow. Draining quite a bit in one drain and hardly anything in the other. Not a very good appetite at all. Nothin looks good to me. Although I did have a chicken sandwich today with some lettuce and peppers. I ate about 1/3 of it. It stayed down ok. This mornin I was dry heaving like I had to throw up but nothin came up. I have not been drinking nearly enough but I feel he more I drink the more sloshing I have going on in my stomach which makes me feel even sicker. I can tell I am swollen. I'm trying not to let it bother me. My husband has been FANTASTIC

My night went really well. Only taking extra strength Tylenol. Nausea has seemed to subside. Thank goodness. I am up already had slow cereal and drinking some coffee. That always gets things moving. Shower day today. WooHoo. I am moving around more on my onw able to get myself in bed on my own. Still hard to go from laying to up on my own. My back is bothering me more the anything. I am a little nervous to shower. I only know being bound up so tight I'm a little scared to let loose if you know what I mean. Today my biggest concentration is eating and drinking as much water as I can. I haven't been an,e to because I felt like my who.e stomach was liquid and more water just added to the nausea so that's my goal today. To ouch the water and be u
And out of bed more. I have been walking but I mean up and sitting today. Hope everyone is doing well. I will try to get some pics up if I can!!!

Ok so one of my worst nightmares has come true. My #1 Nurse, my husband now has the stomach bug. NOT a good thing. I have summoned him to an upstairs bedroom and told him he can't come near me or the kids until he was better. I HATED doing that but I CANNOT catch it. He has fever and throwing up. Shakes. The whole nine yards. I feel as though I am progressing ok and I just do not want that set back. I am pretty sure he understands. Anyways.... Other then that I am doing pretty good. Sat outside for most of the day yesterday and enjoyed the warmth and sunshine. I was walking great and feeling so good and out of no where it hit me. Poop Pains! I thought I was in the clear. I had a small BM yesterday morning. I was like hmmm, that wasn't so bad. I'm good. WRONG!! Then it let loose and it was loose so I was thankful for that. Then I laid in bed with chills cause I had pains. All I wanted to do was lay on my side curled in a ball and of course I couldn't. But I went again after about an hour and I was good after that.

Now that the TMI section is over with. I do have a question. What is normal drainage? Like how much should I be putting out and at what point is it not much at all? AND a sleeping question? Are you guys laying somewhat flat in bed or are you pretty elevated? I was pretty elevated in the beginning and I was ok but didn't sleep as well and it hurt my back more. I feel as though I am resting better now that I am laying more flat.... But I am not draining as much. I know, lots of questions. Anyways, hope everyone has a good day. I am gonna enjoy the nice weather again today and I am looking forward to my post op tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I can find out some dates as far as drains coming out and this wonderful girdle situation. I think I am looking forward to some spanx!

So this AM I feel a little better. It seems to be a little better each day. Yesterday I got on the scale. I said I wasn't gonna do that but I did. Needless to say I almost hit the floor. I was down 14lbs since the day of surgery. I got off and back on the scale 3 times to check it. Then I moved it to a different part of the floor. Lol. It said the same thing every time. Now I realize that this is not a normal occurrence and haven't read anything like this on here so don't anyone get frustrated. Today is my post op with the dr. My husband STILL has the stomach bug and my mom had to take him to the dr this morning. I am hoping they don't want to admit him.

I did get out of the house yesterday. Put on some normal, stretchy clothes of course, and went to lunch. It was nice to get out of the house and move around a bit. Sat outside with my mom for a few hours enjoying the sunshine. Now today it's dreary and rainy so I guess the hi lite of my day will be my shower and a trip to the dr's.

Shout out to my nurse from last week! Last week she was taking care of me and today she is getting a TT with the same Dr I had. Wishing her well and a quick recovery!!!!

Post op went well. They removed stitches in my belly button. Doc says everything looks great. He said drains will come out next week. Girdle 2 more weeks and binder 5 more weeks. I can live with all those predictions. Went to lunch with my mom afterwards and took the kids for ice cream. And now I believe I have swelled quite a bit. Can't wait for bed. Don't normally say that. I dread bedtime just because I never know if I'm gonna sleep well or not. But I say when I wake up I'm one mor Esau further out so that's good. Hubby is in the mends. He saw the dr this morning and they have him nausea meds via shot and IV fluids. It was pretty bad but so glad he is soon better. Thank goodness for my mom. She has been a nurse to both of us for the last 2 days and taking care of my ornery 3yo and 6yo. Couldn't have made it they the last two days without her that's for sure. I PROMISE TOMORROW I WILL POST SOME POST OP PICS. I don't Tink I'll get to it tonight but I'll try. Happy healing RS friends

Did too much yesterday. Paying for it today. Swollen and my back is killing me.

7 days post op and I now know what you guys are going through with swelling. Haven't had much swelling but some until yesterday. Today a little better but I def paid for my day out the other day. Yesterday in artless low grade fever and terrible headache today no fever but I feel as though the headache is just starting so not sure what that's all about. Husband is FIANLLY feeling better as of last night. resting again today. Doing a whole lot of nothing and getting up to walk around every hour or so!!

Well today is MY day to feel the blues. Like all of you have had at some
Point. Fever for me off and on this will be day 3. Migraines. Today I got my shower and noticed one of my drains was very red around it and pussy so I called the de and he called in antibiotic. Hopefully that will take any infection away and the fever. Didn't sleep well last night at all. Both of my kids are sick now and my husband is taking them to the dr today. It kills me to feel helpless and not do my motherly duties and take care of my house the way I am used to. Although my mom is on top of t all I feel bad she is spending her day adoring everything I should be doing. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day and we will all be medicated and in the mends.

EMOTIONAL WRECK! There are no other ways to explain myself right now. I'm just a mess. Worried about my drains and what their draining. Scared they won't be coming out on Tuesday. Frustrated with my husbands dr, that's a whole other story. Just feeling terrible emotionally. I don't handle not being in control or self sufficient very well.

Still fighting my fever at random times yesterday went all day without one and it kicked into high gear at supper time yesterday. Lasted all night. Reaching 103. Today got up got my shower normally I am good for a little while today, nope right back to bed. Fever was kicking til about 2 then went down. Who knows what tonight will bring. I will say that when my fever is down I feel pretty good. Swelling is down and I am walking straighter. I think the ticket to reworking your back to go straight is laying flat on your pillow as normal but really elevate your legs. With two or even three pillows depending on their size. That is where I have gotten my back relief. I find if i am sitting it just makes it worse AND I think the laying down has helped my swelling too. PRAYING Tuesday is the daymy drains come out. My drain site that was infected is looking pretty good. One drain puts out just under 25cc and the other under 10cc in a 24 hr period. Keeping up on my antibiotics and tylenolas needed. Occasional Percocet.

Dr first thing in the AM. CANNOT WAIT FOR THAT APPT. I'm hoping it's the last night these drains and I are gonna spend together. the next thing I can't wait to get rid of is this darn girdle. It cuts me in the weirdest places and it's hot. While I'm complaining here's a list of simple things I miss making my bed just right so when I crawl into at night it feels like a piece of heaven. Folding my own laundry. Vacuuming (which I do on a daily basis). Gardening/flower beds. Pushing my kids on the swings. Driving. sleeping in the most weirdest positions that I actually find comfortable. Oh and I can't forget about this set of balls I've had. AKA my drains I feel bad for men that they have those things attached to their body for life.

Now that I have listed all of the things I miss that have made me somewhat cranky the last two weeks here's the positives. I love my new belly. I can't wait to shop for...
Underwear
Bathing suits
Shirts
Shorts
Skirts
Dresses
Jeans
Capris
And some fun bedroom attire

I can't wait to sleep naked in bed on a hot summer night and feel good in my skin. I can't wait for my husbands arms to wrap around me and not feel lumpy and frumpy. I can't wait to dress up for the 4 weddings we have coming up this year. I can't wait to play whiffle ball with friends this summer and not feeling like I have stuff bouncin everywhere when I run the bases. Last but not least I can't wait to SKINNY DIP INSTEAD OF CHUNKY DUNK!!!!

WhootWhoot

Well short dr appt today. Had to see Dr S associate. She took out 1 of my drains. Of course I was hopin for both. She said the drainage is not as clear as she would like to see and bein as though I did have an infection she thought it would be best to leave it in a few more days. Well the dr schedule didn't allow an appt in "a few more days" so next Monday it is :( I was ok with a few days but another week?! Needless to say I shed a few tears of sadness and frustration.

The best way to describe the drain coming out was yes it felt like a big ball of tubing unraveling and being pulled out. It was uncomfortable but quick. Didn't cry it was more like WHOA!! I didn't realize that a big section of the end of the drain is this wide flexible plastic thing. Probably best i didn't know. It kind of freaks me out.

After my appt and my frustration I had to stop at Macy's to pick up a bridal shower gift for Sunday. I saw lots of fun clothes I actually am looking forward to going back and doing some shopping in the next couple of months. That little trip made me feel a little better about this drain being in for another week!!!

That's it for today folks!

Well was feeling like today was a pretty good day. Feeling better and progressing nicely. Decided I would take another shower this evening which I have been showering once a day and it's been in the mornings. I took my girdle off and my drain site hurt immediately. I looked down and blood was running down my leg and here the drain site opened up and the stitch holdin my drain in place was hanging on by a thread. Now this is the same drain site that I believe had an infection. WONDERFUL!! (can you hear the sarcasm in my voice?) So upsetting. I called the dr and she alled me back (Dr S is out of town) and she didnt seem to think it was a big deal. Wait to see Dr S on Monday. That is 5 days away. I just can't see how this thing being open and a drain still being in there is not opening up opportunity for infection yet again. I asked her is there anything I should really be concerned with any precautions I should take? Anything I should look out for or be concerned with? And there was silence. Like what she said? I dunno. You tell me that's what I'm asking. No not really. That's all I got. She said some drains fall out some don't but since she didn't so the surgery she doesnt know if my drains are the type that could fall our or not.


Just frustrated about the whole thing.
And I have a question.... In my drainage ball I am getting a lot of chunks. Lots of long stringy chunks. Does anyone know what that stuff is and how muh is normal?

Feeling on this morning. Thank you ladies for all the concerns. I have not taken my Girdle off to look at my drain site yet today. I'm scared to do so. If I'm feeling ok the last thing I wanna do is sneak a peek. I know at some point I will have to do it tho.

Drain hole looks about the same. Still waiting for Monday

Worked last night for a few hours. We have a family business. Ice cream and Italian ices shop. I did ok. I could tell i was swollen for sure when I came home. Went to bed not feeling too bad other then the swelling. Slept pretty good. Could actually turn on my side a little. Boy does that feel different. Not as much cushion. Anyway this morning when I woke up I felt like my face and chest were sunburnt. I sit up in bed and look at my legs and my knees had a rash. Upon further inspection..... I have a rash from head to toe. With the exception of my belly. My face is on fire. My chest is on fire. I am getting the chills. Itching like crazy. Long story short. I think we have narrowed it down to me being allergic to the Bactrim/antibiotic I was on. Looked it up online and symptoms people listed were this.... Headaches, which I have been complaining about for the last almost 2 weeks. Increased fever, which after starting the mess my fever went from 99 to 103+. And betweens days 8 and 10 people break out in untolerale rashes that itch and make you feel as though you have sunburn by your skin feels as though it's on fire. HELLLLLOOOOOO? All of these symptoms are what I've had. Other symptoms were nausea, lack of appetite, didn't have those problems, thanks goodness. So in guess I found out that I am allergic to Sulfa Drugs. So today I was supposed to go to a bridal shower. Very disappointed I couldn't go. Instead I am home drugged up on Benadryl and shivering under the covers :( on the up side...... Dr appt tomorrow. Woohoo drains coming out!!!!! It better be anyway. I am going on day 19 tomorrow!!! I'm ready to put on a pair of clothes and it not look like I have a ball sack tucked in my pants. LOL

Tonight made it all worth it. Drain free! I can finally look in the mirror and totally see my results. No more girdle. He said to wear my binder or something like it. I found a great replacement in the intimate
Section which is more comfortable and effective. He said I look fantastic. My swelling is not too bad. It's just as he would expect and my results are fantastic. So excited at this moment. Rash and all :)

Well.... Doing ok. I am springing leaks in my incision. My one drain hole from the latest drain pulled 8 days ago does not seem to be healing very fast. That is also the one that was infected. So I am leaking fluid from that hole. Then i started leaking from a new tiny opeing in front of that i started leaking fluid from my other drain hole which looked pretty good. It's not too bad looking now but I think this leaking is causing it to heal a lot slower. Then last night I found a pinhole where I was leaking. And today I found another pinhole where I am leaking fluid. It's so frustrating. Like ok I know I'm swollen but really is it necessary to start leaking. I feel like it is going to delay my healing. Actually I know it's delaying my healing. The dr said its normal, without seeing me, but it's not something I see a lot of people on here are experiencing. I don't know if I'm doing too much too soon or what. And the top part of my pubic area just under the incision feels funny. Like its sore to touch. I don't know. Just frustrated. AGAIN. I'm over it already!

Week 5 is approaching as of Wednesday. I am feeling better. I have six, YES, six small openings in my incision. It's depressing but they are looking much better. I think the leaking has helped some with my swelling although if I go without my binder for more then two hours i'm swelled up. And at the end of the day of course binder/no binder in swelled. But in the morning it looks good. I am STILL in my pre-op clothing. I was hoping to go down a size but I dunno. Is anyone else having this problem. Either way I can't complain because I look completely different in the clothes I am wearing.

I feel like I can't really enjoy the new me yet until these holes close up. I'm leaking and so I'm back in my granny panties not those pretty cute
little ones I got the day my drains came out :( I want to start exercising and get these arms and legs in shape and start toning my belly but until the holes close up I'm scared it will rip them open more. I see the dr on Wednesday and I'm hoping to get the clearance to start walking Atleast. Anyways.... Take care ladies. Hope you all have a good week.

Alright so I have been wanting to do my measurements but haven't thought to do them in the morning. I was up extra early this morning much to my dismay and decided to take them. Although I am ecstatic with the difference I know I am still swollen. And I feel more swollen this morning then I have other mornings. So here it is...

Left Thigh: 27.5"

Right Thigh: 27"

Under Boobs: 38"

Rib cage: 37.5"

Waist right @ belly button: 41"

Belly @ where bump used to be approx 1.5" above belly button: 39.5"

Legs/thighs together at thickest part: 45.5"

Butt around to pubic area: 46.5"

Hips where apron was: 46.5"

Grand Total: 337.5 "

Difference of 35 inches!!!!

I'll take it..... For now ;-)

I'll get some pdated pics soon!!

Turned the corner I feel. Finally on the road to recovery. Holes are all closing up and drainage is close to nothing from only one hole. So as soon as they are all healed up I think the fun will begin. IE shopping and sexy undies. Woot woot.

12 weeks out. Feeling awesome!! Swelling is up and down depending on the days activities. So glad I did it. I am not a size 2 and actually haven't moved in size but things fit me completely differently!!! 20lbs down since day of surgery!! STILL worth it!!! Now I wanna get moving to improve myself even more!!