“Hunchback of Canada!”

I 36 yrs 127lbs and 5'2". First kid at 19 and I gained 75lbs, after that you could imagine my body was never the same. I had 3 other kids and maintained a non preg body weight of approx 125lbs. My tummy remained fairly flat but totally saggy (the dreaded pooch), however it was well camouflaged by 32FF Boobs.

With 32FF boobs and my small frame whenever I dress up I am treated like a porn star. I hate it! Speak to the face not the boobs please! Not to mention the neck and back pain

I always put others first even if it makes unhappy! I think it's a sickness I suffer from but I'm fixing that soon so next year is my year for sure TT and BR, despite the fact that my husband thinks it's unnecessary and that I am being vain. It hurts that I am going through with this without the support and approval of my husband. I feel so guilty at times! But my body image severely affects my self esteem and has been for such a long time (17 yrs). I never wore a bikini! Will post pics tomorrow (kids are up and hovering around)

Updated on 22 Nov 2011:
Just under a week before my consult and my husband is insisting on attending.....noooo! Well it a 3 hour drive away but I`m fine doing it alone. I don`t mind him coming for the ride but not to the consultation. Maybe I can get him one of those Popular Science magazines and have him sit in the waiting room. Have any of you ladies had your spouses attend... I don`t want him to influence the meeting with the doctor.

Updated on 30 Nov 2011:
Had the consult on the 28th and I am very pleased with the doctor. My husband did not believe that I would leave him in the waiting room but I did. The doc is happy with my weight (125LBS) and would do a full TT with muscle repair.As for the breast reduction he could do it but recommended several of his colleagues who could do it through the insurance. My decision is to go ahead with the TT and either search for a doc I am happy with (via insurance) or save up and have him do a reduction and lift. I chose the TT first cause I think if I did the breast first my tummy would look bigger. I rather look like I have bigger breast! The best time for me is when it begins to warm up.That way the kids could walk to school and the 3 hour drive for post op visits would not be too icy.

Updated on 5 Dec 2011:
After making calls to several breast reduction surgeons who work with insurance ( I got recommendations from the PS doing my TT) I came across an office that would accommodate a consult early next year. The girl even said I could look at spring for the surgery (but this would clash with my TT). It is amazing that some of these Doctors have waiting list and times 3 years long. I am hoping to have the BR approx 5 months after the TT. Puts me in Oct 2012. Not bad for getting free and by a highly recommended PS. So I visited my GP today with the PS contact information and my letter would be faxed tomorrow. Next week I will give the PS office a call just to make sure they got it. Yay! another great step....

Updated on 11 Dec 2011:
Got the call I've been waiting for! My doctor's office called to tell me my consult for the BR is on the 8th Feb.

Updated on 30 Mar 2012:
So my TT date is set and I made my down payment! Yay....but I am nervous like hell. My mom is visiting for 3 months to take care of me. The BR will be done sometime this year by another PS. I am hoping for mid August now because my mom will still be here. (at the consult the PS explained he would do the wise incision..anchor style) . I have to go back to him in mid July. I am so thankful to the women on this forum for posting their stories. It's always better to know what to expect than shooting in the dark. For me the count down has begun...This year has many changes ahead.......

Updated on 16 Apr 2012:
So the PS office for the BR called this morning and gave me a date...shortly after the mailman delivered the pre-op instruction letter from the PS doing the TT. I feel overwhelmed! My surgeries are 3 months apart..OMG I can't believe I'm freaking out already. I have to do things that will distract my mind from all of this but nothing seems to be helping.

Updated on 9 May 2012:
Paid in full! Anxious and excited not too nervous. Got my compression garment on Monday (this is one I bought separately-not from the PS). It fits well....no crotch, zippers and hook and eyes at the sides. I have been 123lbs for the past 3 months and would like to stay there until surgery. Working on strength training about 3 to 4 timer per week. Still have to pick up a couple of things...
Gauze
Antibacterial body wash
Wipes
Enema

My husband is now in acceptance mode! His involvement is really just dropping me and picking me up the next day and driving me to post visits. My Mom will pick up the slack for me. I am concerned that she is not a neat freak as I am...but I will just have to deal with that. Seems that everyone is on board now including my kids (they are still fretting about having to walk to school even though the school is 2 blocks away).

I would like to keep it a secret from my husband's family but we'll see. They are coming for vacation in July and August and I'm the host! My husband switched jobs so he has no time off. Not to exciting about that but it takes two hands to clap...he's accommodating my needs and I'm accommodating his.....

Updated on 23 May 2012:
6 more days! I only think about crazy things at night! I am busy during the day but when I settle down at night I can't breathe I get these panic attacks! I have all the things I need. I am visiting the doc tomorrow to go over the procedure and ask the questions I have. I want lipo in the mons pubis area and on the sides (flanks). I am cooking up a storm and freezing. I got a big scare earlier this week: my mom was not sure she was coming because my sis who just had a baby was hospitalized. She will be discharged today (thank GOD). My sis feels ok and would be staying with her MIL. Other than that I am looking forward to a quick recovery! I decided to study during my slow time cause I think it will keep me occupied. I'm usually always up and about and in-charge. I know I will miss that so maybe studying will keep me distracted. Good Luck to all those ladies out there!

Periods came yesterday YAY! No periods for at least 25 days after surgery!

Updated on 27 May 2012:
My mom is here and I'm all set! Glad to have met the Dr on Thursday. He said I am the first person to request a longer scar but I want him to remove some of the lose skin and stretch marks on the sides. Lipo of the flanks and mons. He said I can use Arnica if it makes me happy. It may not make me happy just less bruised! I have to leave home at 4:45 am on Tuesday. Surgery at 9AM could be earlier. At this stage I am more excited than nervous......

Updated on 28 May 2012:
OMG 14 more hrs! I am going to read over my Surgery instruction and then bake bread! Yup I have to distract myself!

Updated on 30 May 2012:
I'm ALIVE! 1 day post-op. Got discharged today. Morphine was my best friend at the hospital. I on Percocet every 4 hours now that I'm home. Will update when I feel better.Have not seen my incision yet. The raised toilet seat is a savior. My first post op visit is on Friday. I will get to see what is under this binder. Pain varies from 2-10 on the pain scale. I had a crying fit this morning....I think it is because I have to depend on ppl to do things for me....Its hard to come to terms with that!

Updated on 31 May 2012:
Skipped a dose of pain meds. Don't even think about doing that. Got up at 4am paralyzed in pain, confused and disoriented, wondering if my decision was the right one. I took 1 percocet and fell asleep half an hour later. I realize that I have to take my pain killers on time. Eating well, drinking lots of water and walking around (bent of course). He pulled me so tight there is no way I'll be straight for a long time.Not complaining about that because I have no vertical scar. Thank God I did not do the breast at the same time. I am at about 3 now in pain level.Going to have breakfast, walk around the house and take a nap.

Updated on 1 Jun 2012:
Saw the PS at 5 yesterday. His nurse took off the dressing and said I look great (i am afraid to look at or touch my tummy). I am very hunched over and it hurts my back a lot. I'm walking around eating and even had a BM with the use of an enema last night. I had a BM naturally this morning so that seems to have gotten back to normal. I am off Percocet and only take Tylenol and even though the pain is about 5 with Tylenol I rather have pain than the constipation from Percocet. I am eating prunes, salad and protein oh and lots of fruits. The most difficult part of this is being hunched over and the tight, numb sensation in my lower abdomen. I have very little bruising and continue to take the arnica montana. Sounds good but I am freaked out by looking at and touching it! OMG will I ever feel normal?