“SUPER SWOLLEN... - Virginia Beach, VA”

Well, here is my story in a nutshell...

I am a 25 mother of 3 beautiful children, 5,2, and 4 months. i have always been on the heavier side. When I got active in high school I dropped about 30 pounds, i joined the Navy after graduation and then had my first child in 2006. here it is 5 years later, I had my last child and within these past 4 months, I lost about 40 pounds. i have had this hanging pouch since my first child but I am so over not being able to properly fit clothes, and just looking at it in the mirror. I went for a consultation two weeks ago, thought it over and have decided to go ahead with this. i am scheduled to have my surgery on May 5th. I am so scared even though I have been through 3 c-sections. I just dont want anything to happen to me, or I dont want there to be any complications and I dont know how bad the recovery will be. I know this is the right thing for ME to do for Me, so that is why I will push through all these fears!

***Before photos will be posted soon***


Updated on 6 May 2011:
Ok, well, I had my operation yesterday. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I wasn't even nervous...I just pretended I was havin another c section. When I woke up I was not in much pain either. I went home and got staright in my bed and that's where I have been ever since. I have my post op today in about an hour, I can't wait to see what my belly looks like! Now, when it comes to pain, its not that bad, the morphine helped but made me feel really sick, everytime I got up to use the bathroom I felt as if I were going to throw up. So I just stopped taking it and just took my first dose of vicodone, I hope that works better, I know percocet would help but being that I only have an old perscription for that, I don't want to take it for piss tests at work purposes. Well, untill next time!

Updated on 6 May 2011:
I went to my post op today, they took the dressing off and I must say it feels a whole lot better. I got very lightheaded from the compressor being off to long. But I am very pleased wit the results. I am still a bit swollen so my waist still measures a 31 as it did before but at least I have a flat tummy now....so excited, tights and heels, here I come!

Updated on 8 May 2011:
Its day 4 and I'm down to 1 vicodine every 5 hours. Oh, it really hurts to cough... I was able to get up and cook my own breakfast this morning, my eyes were much bigger than my belly, I didn't even finish half of it. I took more pictures, my only complaint is that I have "dog ears" on my hips, my doc said that if they don't go away with the swelling, he can fix them. Well, that is all for now...

Updated on 10 May 2011:
5 days Post Op...today I feel pretty great! I haven't taken any meds or tylenol since last night and I'm doin alright. There is slight pain on my left side, possibly due to the drain. Tomorrow I see my PS again to remove the stitches and most likely the drain...of course I'm still very swollen and my belly is still hard, but I am still loven the way I look. Hopefully I will be walking upright and able to function in 2 weeks, I will be returning to work, my shop apparently can't function without me...I've been called about 3 times since my surgery. Well, that's all for now

Updated on 11 May 2011:
So, I seen my PS today, got my stitches out but drain is still in till Friday....so disappointed! But, the good thing is I don't have to wear the darn binder anymore if I don't want to so tonight I will not be sleeping wit it on. Oh, my belly is soooo swollen right now, I think I moved to much today. I wish it would just be normal already. Well, until next time!

Updated on 12 May 2011:
Today makes a week!! Woke up feelin great, still a bit swollen but I'll be ok. Been stuck in the house all week, I think imma go take a drive to the nail salon and get pampered a bit....

Updated on 18 May 2011:
13 days post op....I'm feelin pretty much myself again. I still swell just about everyday tho. My scar is healing pretty well too. I decided to get a hair makeover as well to match my new look. I went from really long dark brown hair to shoulder lenght, with highlights. My daughter told me I don't look cute anymore...lol, I think she was just jealouse...haha!

Updated on 24 May 2011:
19 days post op... I am begining to get the blues, I am soooo swollen, more now than ever. I want to think that I may be bloated because I'm on my period now too but I can't even button up my work uniform...the same one I was wearing before the surgery. Will this get better, and when?!?

Updated on 3 Jun 2011:
I'm a month post op so I decided to make an update... I'm feeling great, no real pain, I can still feel it in my abs a bit when I sit up from a laying position. My scar is healing beautifully BUT, I'm still really swollen. Maybe my three kids are preventing me from healing normally. I just want the swollenness to go away...like yesterday. But, everything else is goin great...