“FTT/BL/lipo flanks and thighs”

I'm a 37 yr old mama to 5,ages 13,11,9,and twins 5,and a wife to a brilliant man (although after reading a million reviews, he's not gonna make it very long is he!)

For many years...since the twins were born, hubs said once I reached my goal weight we would look into the tummy tuck. Well, after alot of work...I'm still 12 pounds away from my goal. My trainer said it wouldn't matter how much work I put into it, I would always have a pooch. My sister had a BA in June and that was all I needed to give me the final push.

I'm scheduled for Friday....yep THIS Friday, September 9th, which is also hubs birthday. I've been through all the emotions..happy, sad, scared, nervous, selfishness, you name it. I wasn't going to do the BL but hubs said "if you're gonna do it, do it right." So, we're getting it all done, TT/BL/Lipo flanks and inner thighs.

The first meeting with my PS was great! In fact, that's why I choose him over the others. For the second consult (where I pay all the money) Hubs was with me. The PS was a very different person. It was weird and uncomfortable. Does every PS do labs? He did nothing...should I be concerned? He's a board certified PS, top rated by patients last year (won an award), does monthly pieces for our local tv channel. It's all there but as I read everyone's bio I'm worried.

Anyhow, got my raised toliet seat, MOM, palmer's vitamin e, kids carpools taken care of, hubs will be home with me the first 4 days. I will be staying overnight at the surgical center. All my kids are in school from 8:30-3:15 so I'm hoping I will be okay...I think I can I think I can.

My PS doesn't allow showers until the drains come out...DAY 14! or later...seriously!! The assistant said the drains are my best friends and I need to give them TLC and they will be good to me. Sponge bathing it...yuck. I just hope that if I follow all these crazy instructions then I will be fine. He also doesn't believe in homeopathic healing (which I found out at that weird consult) not that I'm Miss Medicine woman but, so many swear by Bromelain and other things to promote healing, why not!

Hubs isn't good when I have a cold and he has to deal with it, so needless to say I'm scared to death to see what happens the first 4 days. But you've all prepared me.

So here we go! ah, I just had to take a deep breath, I can't believe I'm doing this :)

Updated on 8 Sep 2011:
Just got the pre call for tomorrow from my PS office. My heart is beating a mile a minute. The housekeepers are here so I'm feeling a little relieved. They asked if I was going on vacation and I said "well sorta." They kept pursuing it and I just said, "my I'm so far behing I better get the kitchen straightened." Why am I still so embarassed?

Updated on 15 Sep 2011:
I've been so out of it! Saw the ps today for my first post op! He said everything looked great! He removed the bandages but not my drains. I knew up front I would have them for atleast 14 days. I'm ok with it, in not going anywhere. Everyone seemed very please that I'm walking upright for the most part. I told them I felt that crap..and they all said that's exactly how I should feel...go figure. We switched my Pain meds from Percocet to Loratab! Crossing my fingers! HATED the Percocet.

Everyday is a roller coaster. I have really good moments and then an hour later I want someone to knock me out with a shovel. I've been able to get up in the mornings and get my kids off to school. My days are uneventful..I try to get up every 2 hours and walk for atleast 1/2 hr. Nights get a little tricky because everyone needs me. Homework, chores, soccer, dance, pets, etc. I do what I can. I get really swollen by 10 pm and I feel like I wanna pop. Because of the lipo I have compression garment that goes from my chest to my knees. I can only take it off to have a bm. Last night hubs brought in some ice cream and it was heaven. Had a hard time taking my pain meds because I was so out of it! So with the Loratab I'm expecting a huge improvement!

Had to call my mom in today, hubby had to go to work and I'm not even close to being able to help myself. I love my mom! I hate asking for help so it's really hard for me but I oh so needed her. She swooped in and took care of everything. Tons of relief..both physically and mentally today! Wahoo!

Dr. Warned me that I will be swollen and in pain for another week. He was really happy with the contour from the lipo but did tell me that it would definitely be hating the side effects from it, ie, swelling, burning. Just look to the prize!!

Ok, shutin er down for the night. Here's hoping to another good day like today.

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Really good day. Got a long nap in this afternoon. Got to clean my kitchen! The best part of the day was getting to go over to my parents for dinner with all my siblings and their families'
Actually sat at the dining room table! Got to hold my 3 month old nephew and enjoy the evening!

I was a little wiped out and of course started swelling a bit. Can I take ibuprofen at this stage?

My drains have both been below 20 cc for the last 2 days. Hoping my ps will remove both drains on Wednesday...fingers crossed! Only pain is from my thighs..lipo. Ewwww lipo you are not nice to me! My leg hair is growing through my white stockings...my kids think I'm totally gross :)

I keep thinking that day 10 seems to be a positive turn around for most! So, here's to an awesome day 10 tomorrow. I'm still uber purple/yellow from bruising, can't bring myself to take pics!

Updated on 19 Sep 2011:
Super itchy!! Ahhhhhhhhh....

Updated on 21 Sep 2011:
So...made it to the grocery store last with hubby. Still not ready to venture out on my own. An hour of walking was a little rough but good to get out.

Saw ps this morning and he removed my right drain...yeah! Didn't feel a thing! He wants to wait aleast a few days to remove the left. I have a wedding on Friday so I'm hoping to be able to shower...wahoo and have the drain removed.

He also removed all my stiches. Super happy with BL..looking great! Tummy tuck incision looks amazing! My hips look mangled and in really bad shape. Hoping once all the drains are removed it can start to heal. Gonna start with my palmers and get this thing flawless looking!

He recommended a massage to get things moving in my stiff lipo areas. He put me in his magic massage chair got awhile, wanted to bring it home with me!

Came home and took a nap! Gotta get up some energy to clean the kitchen. Feeling about 75% I think the fam is ready to have their mama back, but I'm not there yet.

Updated on 30 Sep 2011:
Just posted some pics from a few days ago. 3 Weeks today!! I'm finally sleeping in my own bed and not that stinkin' recliner. I'm even sleeping on my side :) I'm pretty good to go during the day but by 8 pm I'm worn out. I sit for a couple hours then manage to get my kichen cleaned and ready for bed. Trying to drink lots of water to combat swelling. PS said that and lying down are really the only things that will help me. I don't feel like I have tons of swelling but you know, end of the day swelling for sure. Loving my bb and incision placement. Wearing most of the same clothing I did before but man I look good. I do have several pairs of pants that slide right off...time to go shopping!!

Just found out I get to meet hubs in Italy this coming week. Worried about all the walking, but super excited. I am walking straight but still a little slow getting up and down and in and out of the car. I was also worried that the PS would say "no" but he was just as excited for me and encouraged me to go but be cautious, especially on the plane. Get up every hour and take it easy.

So, I'm hoping I'll be a little bit further along in 4 days...everyday gets better for me at this point.