June 3 and Each Day is Better - Newport Beach, CA

I'm taking my new tummy for a spin on Waikiki for the next week! Aloha!

Several gals have asked me about my doc, so I wanted to say a bit about her. Dr. Semira Bayati is here in Newport Beach and she has a great, down to earth bedside manner. Along with this, she is decisive and confident. She has been in practice long enough to be experienced, but not so "old" that she's not on the cutting edge (no pun int!). I originally went to see her about my sagging breasts and she talked me out of doing that because I would have to end up with enormous boobs (which are totally no longer in style) or a bad "anchor" scar. She suggested the tummy tuck and I am so glad I did this procedure instead of a reduction/implants. I am actually very happy with my boobs now! I appreciated her honesty, as some docs will try to talk you into multiple procedures. I wanted to have a female surgeon because I felt like a woman would have a better understanding about the problem I was having and how to fix it. And finally, my husband is also a PS, has operated with her and has seen first hand what a fine surgeon she is. She has an excellent reputation in the medical community, which is important. She's easy to find on the internet if anyone is interested.

6 weeks post op: The swelling keeps getting better bit by little bit. I have little "dog ears" on each side of my hips that I think will need to be revised. They look like nipples! Ewww! Since they stick up above my bikini I'm going to keep them covered with some kind of tape for the summer. My energy levels are back to normal. I'm still tender and numb in areas, but knowing this is normal makes me not worried. I definately don't feel like eating as much as I did before, mainly because it makes my belly feel too tight. I'm down 10 pounds from my pre-surgery weight, which is good. Hopefully I can take off another 5 and that's it for weight loss. I'm not trying too hard -- it seems to just be disappearing on its own. I'm back to my walking and hula hooping, but keeping the hoop off my belly and working mainly the arms.

I am so glad I did this surgery. It has been a hard recovery and I still don't have the final result, but am better than where I was when I had that flop of skin on my tummy. I am not in smaller clothes, but the clothes I do have finally fit properly. It really is a wonderful feeling to tuck a shirt and sit down without a big blob squishing over the top of my jeans/pants!

I am trying to say goodbye to my compression garment (aka Iron Maiden Boa Constrictor). Last night I tried to sleep without it, but laying on my side was uncomfortable so I think I will need to continue to sleep in it for awile. Oh I do hate that thing!

I would like to say again how reading everyone else's blogs has really helped me through this strange and wonderful journey. Your laughter, tears and candid words have been uplifting in so many ways.