Mommy Makeover: Stories

I am 41 years old and I'm 5'7" and weigh 150 lbs. I have had stretch marks since I had my daughter. I have hated them for many years. After debating this for a long time I have finally taken the plunge and decided it's time to do something about it. I am a very active person. I play on a co-ed softball team that I love. I love to workout but no matter how much I work out nothing will ever fix my stomach. I am excited and nervous about my surgery. I have read so many stories on this site and I am so thankful that each of you have shared your stories. Please pray for me as I take this step to better my body. I know it will be hard but I am prepared for it thanks to you guys.

Only 2 weeks away! I am so excited about getting my mommy makeover! This site is so encouraging and informative. I feel more prepared thanks to all the stories and photos. I will post my before pictures soon.

I go tomorrow for my PreOp appointment. I am so excited. I made a list of questions that I want to discuss with him. Hard to imagine that in 2 weeks I will be recovering from my surgery. I can't wait! I pray that everybody that had their procedures today are all doing well. Keep us updated. Take care and God bless you all!

Well paid my money today and got my prescriptions ans garments. Starting to really sink in. I wish it was tomorrow.

Well I am one week and one day away from my big day. I am so ready for it to hurry up and get here. I have a lot of last minute things to take care of so that should keep my mind off of things. I am playing in a softball tournament this coming weekend. It will be my last one for a while. I love playing so not being about to play for at least 6 weeks is going to be a bummer. However I think the trade off will be worth it. :)

Well guys it seems that I have caught a virus. Glad it happened this week and not next week! I haven't been this sick in years and hope I never am again! I am exactly 1 week out from my big day. I am so ready to be over on the other side. All I think about is this. I am sure that I am not alone since most of you guys post here everyday.

I had my daughter at 17 and my stomach has been a mess ever since, to be exact 24 years. I feel that by having these procedures it will help boost my confidence! I recently go remarried in June of 2011 to an amazing man. He encourages me in my life and tells me that I am beautiful just the way I am but he will support me if this is what I want to do. He bought me a brand new corvette in February. He knew that was my dream car. I am so spoiled by him. God has blessed me beyond measure. My husband treats me like a princess. He is a good Christian man.

Well girls the countdown has begun.

Well tomorrow is my big day. I am very nervous but ready to be on the other side and on the road to healing. May God bless everybody who is going in tomorrow. May He work through each doctor to bring forth the absolute best outcome. Take care and I will post pics when I can. God bless you all!

Well I made it to the other side. I am doing really well. The worst part is getting up and down. Boy does that hurt. The breat are bothering me more than anything. All I can say is that it was awesome seeing how flat my stomach is.

Day 3 PO - I am sleeping a lot due to the pain meds. Only pain I have is getting up and down to use the restroom. When my hubby gets home we are going to tackle the shower.

My PS sent me flowers yesterday and it really made me smile. Those guys are top notch and I am glad that I chose him. His staff is amazing and so sweet and kind.

I am eating small amounts of food at this point just enough so that I can take my meds. I am drinking more than anything. My plans are to start doing some work from home as soon as I can start decreasing the pain meds. Until then it is just sleep, sleep, sleep for me.

Post Op day 4

Today I started working from home. So far I am ok. I have been up a lot so I am sure I will be swollen more tonight. My stomach is very flat and my breasts seem quite large. PS told me that they would go down some if not I guess I will just get used to having large ones. LOL

Post Op day 5

Well I have been a little down today. I wish I could just fast forward a few weeks. I am tired of hurting and feeling so bad. I took a shower and fixed my hair and put on some makeup. I feel some better after doing that. I am not one to just lay around the house so this is driving me nuts. I am decreasing my pain meds in hopes that I will start to feel more normal. I hate the numb feeling in my stomach and back. It is weird to say the least.

Post OP day 6

Got up and showered on my own again. Feels good getting somewhat back to normal. Went to eat with my hubby at Fatz then we put the top down on the Vette and went for a ride. It was awesome just getting out and letting my hair blow in the wind. Stopped and got a milkshake and came home and watched a movie. Been a great day! My plan is to try and work 1/2 day tomorrow. Hopefully I will feel up to it. Then I will come home and finish the work day here at home. I hope and pray that all my tt buddies are recovering and starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care and God bless you all!

Post OP day 7 - this includes the first day of surgery

Well I went to work for 3 hrs this morning. It was very uncomfortable sitting at my desk. Went home and took a nap then worked from home for a while. All in all not too bad of a day. I am more uncomfortable than anything. My tummy is still numb and so are my nipples. How long does that usually last? Take care and God bless you all!

Since Monday I have been working from home and all I have to say is that I could get used to this. :). My goal is to get back to work full time next week. I think working helps keep my mind off of things. I go to the dr today and I hope and pray that I get these drains out. Today is day 8. I feel pretty good and I think once the drains are out I will start to feel even better. It's hard to imagine what I will look like once I am healed completely. I think I am going to love it but trying not to worry too much until I have at least gotten a few weeks into this journey.

Oh and btw I went to Walmart yesterday and I hid my drains in my thirty one shoulder bag. It hangs in just the right spot. I tucked them in the side pocket and it was as tho they weren't there. Just thought I would throw that out there for all newbies it worked great. Wish I had thought of it sooner.

I can't wait until I can start playing softball again. I will be coaching for the next several weeks. Hopefully at six weeks I can start playing again. My hubby and I enjoying playing coed softball together. We work together as well, he is my best friend. Not sure how I would have done without him there to help encourage me and help me along the way. Thanks to my mom who sat with me when he had to work. She is the best mom in the world. She is a God fearing wonderful person. She is my hero. I love u mom!!

PO day 8 - Well I went to the dr today and I came home with both drains. Kinda bummed but I know he knows what's best for me. I hope to get them out on Monday. He was very pleased with my progress. He says that I am going to love the final result. I can see my belly button now. It is cute. Tomorrow I will try to upload some new pictures. Today I drove myself and got a pedicure. It made me feel pretty good and more normal.

PO day 9 - yesterday I felt like a million bucks and then last night I felt like my cg was trying to eat me alive. I did not sleep well at all. We ate with a friend in Charlotte last night and all the food tasted so salty. I didn't eat all of my meal and boy I sure am glad that I didn't. Take it from me AVOID salty foods. You will pay for it that night trust me. I changed into my binder that I had on when I woke up from surgery for a few hours this morning. I didn't tighten it as much so that I could breathe. Around 11 am I put my other CG back on and now I feel fine in it. That swelling stuff is terrible. I know you eead about it every day on here but until you experience it you just can't imagine how bad it really is. Today is my hubby's birthday, he is 38. I cooked him lunch and he came and ate with me. I think we are going to wait and celebrate it tomorrow evening. After the night I had I don't care if I eat out anytime soon. Well ladies sorry to be so negative today but please don't eat it if it tastes salty, you will regret eating it.... have a nice day and God bless you all with no pain and happy healing.

I added some new pics today. The ones from PO day 8 I had on the surgerical bra on so today I took some pics with one of my VS bras. I think it looks much better. I am still wearing the surgerical bra until my PS gives me the ok to stop. He has done a wonder with my body so I will do what he says when he says. LOL

Well last night was not a good one. I ended up taking two pain pills and finally slept pretty good. The numbness from the lipo is fading therefore I can feel more. I am glad to be getting the feeling back but I don't want to feel pain. Has anybody else had this happen? Don't get me wrong I am not in bad pain just more of an uncomfortable feeling. I think the evening swelling adds to the uncomfortable feelings. Ok enough venting.

I am very happy with my results at this point. I can't wait until summer so I can wear a bathing suit. I plan on working my legs and arms once I am freed to work out again. I love to workout. Being active is something that helps keep me young. Softball is my favorite sport. I enjoy it so much. After playing in an all day tournament your body is worn out but oh the fun that comes from it. I hope to play it until I just can't anymore.

I have a beautiful grandson who is turning 1 in April. My husband and I are flying up to Maryland to visit and attend his first birthday party. He is truly a blessing from God. He has big brown eyes like his mommy and he can just look at me and make me melt. He is going to call me GiGi. He hasn't actually said my name yet but when he does this will be one happy lady.

God has blessed me so much! Just to be able to have this surgery is amazing. I feel so blessed and thank him for all my blessings. Prov. 3:5-6. Read these verses if you can. God is good!

Well ladies I have said enough so now I think I will lay down and take a nap. Happy healing and God bless you all!

Well today has been a pretty good day. I drove my Vette today with the top down. The sunshine made me feel so good. My husband was shocked when I showed up at the ballfield in the Vette. I told him you know you can't leave me alone...... I am so stubborn and he knows it. I wasn't sure how I would do with the stick shift but it wasn't even an issue. Got home and my stepdaughter and I took a walk around the neighborhood. We had a good time. The warmer weather really cheers me up. I am so ready to start tanning. I look like a ghost right now. Well guys take care and happy healing. God bless and I hope you all attend church tomorrow.

Got one of my drains out. Hope to get the other one out by Friday if the amount will slow down. Happy healing and God bless you all.

Well today is exactly 2 Weeks since my surgery. I am loving my results so far. I am back at work full time, I miss working from home. Lol wish I could do that all the time. Well with that said I forgot to mention that I saw my tt scar and bl scars for the first time yesterday. They look pretty good. I got the strips that my Dr recommended and started using them last night. Hopefully they will help the scars fade faster. I have enjoyed feeling more normal. God bless and happy healing everyone.

Well I don't have too much to say except I will be glad to get off of work today. My tummy is so tight. Does anybody else have this problem? How long does it normally last? I sure hope this stops SOON! Other than being uncomfortable I am actually doing well. I hope to get some rest this weekend. I know my poor body is screaming for it. Well take care and happy healing everybody!

This Tuesday will be 3 weeks since my surgery. I have been doing really well. Only thing is I still have 1 drain. It is still putting out over 30 cc per day. I hope it starts to slow down soon. I am so ready to take a nice warm bath. I hate taking showers all the time.

Yesterday I coached our ladies softball team in an all day tournament. I think 14 hours on a ball field was too much! I was so swollen in my stomach. Worst it has been. I have been on the go all day today as well. I am done! My body is not happy with me at all. My plans for the rest of the day are lying in bed, watching some tv and reading all the real self updates. I think you all get the message. I will be doing NOTHING!!!!

I have some good news. My smallest jeans I had are now loose on me. That makes this girl very happy. I bought myself a new sundress and had to get a small. I love the love handles being gone.

For all you newbies, hang in there it gets better with each day. Take care and God bless you all with happy healing.

Yesterday was my 3 week mark. I feel pretty good except I still have that 1 drain. I go to my ps today so I am so hoping to get it out. My jeans are all big enough to just stuff it down in them but it still makes a bulge in my pants. I will try to post some new pictures today. I feel amazing! Trying on clothes is awesome! I hope to keep my new figure for many years.

Today is my grandson's first birthday! This GiGi is heading to Maryland tomorrow to see my big boy. I may be a GiGi but I am rocking my new body....... LOL I feel and look better than I did in my twenties. I am sure all of you on this site feel the same way. The flat tummy just does wonders for my self esteem. I don't ever remember being this flat. Well take care and God Bless you all. I may or may not be back on here until after Easter. Take care and remember the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus!

Well I came home with my drain! :(. I am so not happy but I wasn't really surprised since it is still putting out too much. Looks like I am flying with a drain......

Well I have some exciting news. My new breast size is a DD. Who would have thought it???? Sure not me. I went to VS looking for wireless bras and they only had two kinds but the largest size they had was a C. I went to Belks and was able to buy 3 bras all which are 36 DD. I really didnt think they were that much larger, boy was I wrong. I can't wait to be able to buy the bras with underwire. Forget having to buy the ones with thick padding now it is all me. Very exciting! I should get this last drain out next week. I am trying to rest more to see if that helps the draining slow down. I have felt good and therefore I just keep pushing myself like nothing has happened. Guess my body knows what's best and I need to listen to it. I will be 4 weeks on Tuesday April 10th. Never dreamed I would have this thing that long. As my PS said on Wednesday better to leave it then have to be drained.

On a happier note, I am loving the time with my grandson. He loves his new John Deere tractor that Gigi and Pops bought him for his birthday. Now that makes me happy to see his big smile. He climbs right up on it like a big boy.

Take care and happy Easter weekend. Jesus is the way the truth and the life.

Tomorrow will be week 4. My PS said he will remove the drain this week due to the fact that after that long you are more prone to infection. I go see him on Wednesday. I want the drain out but I don't want to have any swelling issues. I hope and pray that my drain just starts reducing on its own prior to Wednesday. Other than this drain I am doing great. I plan on taking some scar pics soon and posting them. I have been using the ScarAway strips and they seem to be working pretty good so far. Occasionally I put some neosporin underneath the strips to see if that helps more. Not sure at this point if it makes a difference.

It is hard to believe that I am almost a month into this process. I should be released to start doing more exercising soon. I can't wait. OH and by the way, one reason I keep draining is because I keep pushing myself to do more and more each day. My Doc says to take it easy, pretty sure I need to listen to him. What do you guys think????

Good news I got my drain out today. I feel a lot better without that thing always being in the way. The drain site is leaking quite a bit. The first drain closed almost immediately but it wasnt in near as long as the 2nd one. I feel great just knowing that I won't have this bulge under my clothes anymore. Hope all you guys are doing well and healing nicely. Take care and God bless.

I will be 5 weeks PO on Tuesday. I should get released to start playing ball and working out this week if all goes well. I can't wait! I am more swollen since I got my drain removed but hopefully it will start to subside. I am so ready to be normal again.

Well tomorrow I will be 5 weeks. I cleaned my front porch, rocking chairs, rails, ect today. I just couldn't stand the pollen covering it anymore. I didnt hurt but i do feel a little more swelling now. I guess that is going to happen so I will just have to deal with it. I can't believe how fast time has went by. I love the new me.

I posted a few 5 week pics today.

I will be 6 weeks on Tuesday -wow time has flown by. Only thing I hate is this swelling. I so wish it would stop soon. I started back to the gym Friday. I only did the treadmill for my first visit. Monday I plan on doing the bicycle and elliptical. Good luck and God bless all my tummy tuck buddies.

Today I did the ellipitical, bicycle and treadmill. It was good and I got in a pretty good workout. Each day I plan on adding new things as long as I have no pain. Feels good to be back to my normal life for the most part. Take care and happy healing.

I am adding a few before and after pictures today. It really helps on the days when I don't feel like I am making progress to go back and see the picture side by side. Let me know what you guys think. I have been blessed with a smooth recovery and this new body is awesome. God Bless you all!

Oh I forgot to add that I am 6 weeks and 3 days PO. I am back to normal except I haven't played any softball yet. I am going to do some BP today and will see how that goes. If all goes well I may play a few games tomorrow. Say a prayer for me..... Love you all!

Quick update, I did BP and it went great. NO PAIN at all. That was awesome. Take care and happy healing.

I played my first softball tournament since my mommy makeover. I did really well, however I am very sore today. Most of the soreness is in my legs which is the area I am focused on since my surgery. I played a total of six games yesterday and I m happy to say we won the tourney. There is hope and normal things after surgery. Woohoo!!!!!

I have stopped wearing my binder and I am doing well. I tried several spanx type garments but I hate them. They are too tight or rise up my rear. Anybody else feel that way? Since going without a binder I feel better. Any opinions on this topic are much appreciated. Thanks!

Just thought I would say hello to all my real self buddies. Hope you all are healing nicely. I will post some new pics soon. Take care and God bless.

I went to my PS yesterday and he is very pleased with how my MM has progressed. I have a slight dog ear on my left side and he is going to fix it in his office. I opted to wait a few more weeks to allow more swelling to leave. He scheduled me for several lymphatic (spelling) massages. He says that will help break up some of the lumps and swelling in my stomach. I go for my first one on Tuesday. I can't wait. Overall I am very happy with my results. This has been an amazing journey and I have to pinch myself sometimes because it doesn't seem real at times. I love my new boobies and tummy. The hubby and I bought a new hot tub today. It will be delivered tomorrow and I can't wait. I have been wearing a bikini in the pool and I love it, now I get to wear it in the hot tub too......

If you haven't began your journey yet, just hang on and go with the flow. It will all work out. Take care and God Bless you all.

So it's been a while since I posted on here. I go to my ps Wednesday so that he can see if I need a revision on my stomach. My right side has what looks like fat to me. My left side is flatter. Has anybody else experienced this? He is going to fix my dog ears so I have requested him to make sure my stomach is ok before he does that. No need going through 2 procedures if he can do the, at the same time. Other than that all has been well with me. Hope u all are enjoying your new tummies. Keep in touch from time to time.

It's been 14 months. I still have swelling if I am very active but other than that all is great. Let me know what you think.