“Sexy...what's that?!?! - Wilmington, DE”

Whoa! My surgery is in 4 days and I am freaking out at the moment. I am a married mother of 2 children, my son is 5 and my daughter is 2. My husband is taking off for the first week and then I will be getting help from my Dad and other family members. I have a wonderful support system, so I am hoping to get through this process alright.

I am scheduled Monday July 11th for a Tummy Tuck and Breast Implants (540cc). I am very excited, and very nervous all at the same time. I love my surgeon and I am sure everything will go as planned, he has lots of experience, but it is normal to be nervous right? I have not been able to sleep very well in the past 2 weeks, have been waking up with anxiety and panic attacks....I will be glad to get it over with and begin the road to recovery.

I am posting my before pics and will move to after pics in a few weeks.

Any info on useful items to pack in your hospital bag? Here comes another panic attack....I am such a mess.

Updated on 8 Jul 2011:
7/8/11- Today is seeming to be a better and more productive day. I forgot to add my height and weight to original post. I am 5'8" and 160lbs. I was approx. 135lbs before having children about 6 years ago, so I have gained approx 25 lbs through my pregnancy's. I was very large with both kids, and with my 2nd I had hydramnious (sp?), and the extra amniotic fluid made me stretch even more....all done with the baby making, so now it is time for me to work on getting my pre-pregnancy body back.

Updated on 9 Jul 2011:
7/9/11
Well I guess I only have 2 days left. working on final preperations before the big day. Question-does anyone know what items will be needed for recovery and wound healing? I am making a final trip to grocery store tomorrow and would like to have all the necessary items before hand (that way my hubby will not have to run out). I am getting so nervous about my breast size choice. I am so afraid they are going to be too big! I am not a "small" person, I have a slightly bigger build and am currently a size 10 so I am hoping I have made a good choice with the 540cc. PS wanted me to go up to 600cc but I was too scared, and opted to go slighly smaller. I can not really believe this is happening to be honest, I always said I was going to do it, but I guess I am really following through. Beginning to feel a little guilty and selfish about having the family take sooo much "time off" for me. I have such mixed emotions right now. I feel like I need a anxiety med of some sort. Another thing I am a little nervous about is my father knows I am getting the TT, but NOT the Implants, and I am a little nervous of his reaction, he is a very, very old fashioned, and I really dont think he will approve. I am still very surprised how supportive he is being with me having the TT being as it is plastic surgery. I am a adult (29) but his opinion (and everyone else's for that matter) have always weighed heavy on me....so this should be interesting. I just want to get it over with at this point.

Updated on 11 Jul 2011:
Well ladies here i go. Please say a prayer for me. Whewwwwwe!!!! Thanks! Keep everyone posted hopefully within next few days.

Updated on 11 Jul 2011:
Awww, thank you ladies for all rhe well wishes! O think it is right now shortly after midnifht so i am approx 7 hrs sfter post op. O would be lying if i said i feel great, but i do feel good. O have haf 2 peeks qnd am already excited with the results!

Updated on 13 Jul 2011:
2 days post op. Feeling better tban i thought i would be. I think i pushed myself too hard today though. Have not taken any pain meds today but tylenol. Got my first shower, it has wiped me out for the most part. Took a pic of myself when i got out of the shower. Its pretty blurry but better than nothing i guess for now. Thanks everyone for your well wishes and prayers. They mean so much! Gotta go monday for my 1st post op appt...they are supposed to be taking out sutures (sp?).

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
Its now thursday morn. My surgery was monday afternoon. I am feeling ok, but feel like i really over did it last night. My back hurts. Also, i am onlt 3 days post op and my left drain os almost completely stopped draining. My left implamt has also dropped. All considering i still feel good though. I dont want to discourage anyone from doing this, the results ard worth it, and it was not nearly as bad as i was expecting! My husband and my family have been amazing. My bil actually fell on yet again more bad luck and has been livong with us for the past 6 days and it has really helped with the kids! All for now. I hope everyone is doing well!

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
Here is a few more pics. Honestly dont have the energy rigjt now tp take off garment and bandages and re do them....so here is a few top pics. Please excuse all my mispellings....all post are being made on phone...hope everyone is doing and feeling well.

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
Called PS office and found out it is completely normal to get a lot from one drain and basically none from the other. A big relief. Have my 1st follow up monday @7:30.

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
Morning of day 4 poat op and i honestly feel amazing this morning! I can not believe i feel this good. I was able to sleep on my back almost completely, i wad maybe at a 10 degree abgle, and i did not wake up once throught the night. I will post more pics today of my belly. I am so, so, so happy i decided to do this! Thanks to all the amazing women who postef their stories before me, i dont really know if i would have been able to follow through without knowing what to reay expect....so a huge thank you!!!!

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
after having my 2 babies i wanted my pre-preg body back. I feel like i have achieved that only better (minus a few stretch marks).

Updated on 16 Jul 2011:
Recovery is easier and easier every day. This is going to sound nuts but my butt is smaller...lol. i thought so the other day but didnt say anytging cause i thought i was nuts....turns out hubby said so too.....here is the kicker, i didnt get lipo? So i do not have any idea how thats possible? Very strange! My poor hubby had to take my little man to the ER, he has possibly broken his arm. :'( (having my son st the hosp. Without me was a first and very difficult). Orth dr nxt week....when it rains it pours i guess, just feel bad hubby is in overload, but my son znd i are now hanging together. Hope everyone is feeling and doing well!!

Updated on 17 Jul 2011:
Yesterday i went for a car ride for about 2 hours. It was so wonderful to get out of this house for a little while. Hubby goes back to work tomorrow and i am sad...wish he could stay with us a little while longer. Other than getting around and being tired i feel awesome! I will be excited to see if i get my drains out tomorrow, i am also getting my sutures out from around my belly button. My left breast is beginning to drop but the right one is still sitting higher slightly. Intrested to see what Dr says. All for now.

Updated on 19 Jul 2011:
Went for follow up with ps last night. Drain will come out next monday, kinda bummed but i totally understand Dr reasoning. Just very tired of having them. Everything is doing great! He removed sutures from under breast and belly button. Now i am really starting to get anxious to hurry this whole recovery process along, i tend to be a very impatient person. Orth Dr. With son today to see if his growth plates in arm were broken when he fell. He will either get his soft cast removed or have anothet one on and set. I sure hope they r not broken for his sake, he starts kindegarten in a month, i would hate to see him go in in a cast. Happy healing ladies!
:)

Updated on 20 Jul 2011:
Today i woke up swolen and uncomfortable. I feel like i have taken a stwp backwards. My insision is burning slightly and wondering if this is normal with the healing process. I also feel lile i should b able to b up and moving fot more than 10 min. At a time without having to sit because of the lower back pain. I am happy with the results and i am just trying to continue to think about the light at the end of the tunnel. does anyone have any suggestions to get me up and moving more? Hope everyone is doing and feeling well!!!

Updated on 23 Jul 2011:
I am now 11 days post op....thank heavens for the past two days being yet another turn for the right direction!!! I went to the HAIR SALON yesterday for a color and cut, my stylest was very disappointed in my inch of regrowth...lol...but i saw absolutely no need to pretty myself up for about 2 weeks of down time, so i opted for a appt later. I look pretty again, and better than ever. My slouching and hunch back is getting better, and so is the back pain. Thanks mom-me for the advice on drinking lots and not pushing myself, i feel glorious now and have u to thank!!! I am able to stand and even able to do light house hold chores, nothing elaborate yet...but i feel i am on my way. My girls have shrunk....a little sad, i was loving thwm super large and in charge, but they are still nice. I will post new pic of them. I think i maybe should have went with dr rec of 600cc insteaf of 540cc, but its all good, i still love them. It gets better girls, hang in there, and you will be so happy you did it...i am!!!

Updated on 2 Aug 2011:
Hi ladied!!!! I have not updated in about a week, so I made a point to get on this morning. I am now 3 weeks post op, and it really does get easier every day. This morning was the first morning i gave both of my kids a tubby, my sons cast made it even more difficult, but i did it. Back killef me afterwards, i must say. Its so easy to misjudge what u r capable of when you are feeling well, and how easy it is to overdue it. I got a awesome stage 2 garment from makemeheal.com yesterday, boy oh boy is it tight.....but i know it needs to be to help with dwelling and circulation, so i am dealing with it, u get used to the feeling. I will post a pic incase anyone is looking for a good stage 2 garment (kinda expensive-$106, but is working well). I hope everyone is healing well....oh i almost forgot to share my excitement for tube removal---wooHoo, that was a glorious day...but man it felt weird/grosd for the removal!!!

Updated on 4 Aug 2011:
Day24-
Hello friends! How is everyone doing? I hope everyone is healing well. The past few days have been glorious! I am begining day by day to feel like my old self. Energy level increasing daily...woo-hoo. One thing i keep waiting for is to walk normal again....all in due time i know, but sooner rather than later would b perfect. Have i mentioned how impatient i am? Lol. Posting new pics of scar, its heaking beautifully and i am so grateful. The back pain is my biggest issue right now. Went to my team meeting last night, it was great to get back together with such a amazing group of women. Happy healing!

Updated on 4 Aug 2011:
Laying in bed right now letting my depression i have fought off for so long get the better if me. My confidence in myself has always been low, and i feel like i look to my husband of 8 years (highschool sweetheart) to make me feel better about myself. After doing all thid not only for myself but to hopefully apeaf sexier to him i get a less than desireable response when i asked him how hd feels i look now. Im sorry realself friends but i honestly just want to breakdown right now and cry myself to sleep....ughhhh, all for now, just had to blow off a bit of frusteration before i lost it. Sorry for the vent. Going to bed now....night all you realself friends.

Updated on 6 Aug 2011:
Feeling much better now! Hugs to u all!

Updated on 8 Aug 2011:
Went in today for my month post op app. It was great, everything looks wonderful! I got the clearance for sex, just in case anyone wanted to know, lol. I had a spot i wanted him to check out because it was bleeding, and looked like a drain spot but was not. He said i had a hair in it most likely from showering...he had to stick those pointy tweezers inside it, ouch...but possibly prevented a infection of some sort, so i am glad it was detected. He took off the remainder of the dressings! He also told me that i do not have to wear my garment 24/7, but majority of the time. So hubby and i went out for a bit, no garment and i was able to wear heels for the first time since surg (4 inches to b exact ;) i felt like a woman again, and it was a great feeling. Hubby complimented me on how great i look, so it has been a glorious day! Ladies it gets better, the first few days are terrible, but after that daily it does get better, and it is soooo worth it! There is a BRIGHT light at the end of the tunnel. I hope all my realself friends are healing and feeling great! Much love to all you ladies who have posted pics and stories before me, for it is because of you wonderful ladies i actually went for it,and i am SO thankful i did!!! Posting new pics for my 28 day post op. Some swelling as it is the end of the night, but still better than what i started with!!!

Updated on 8 Sep 2011:
Hello ladies and friends of realself. It has been soooo long since i have been on, so i wanted to add a update. I am feeling amazing, i am now 8 weeks po and could not be happier with my decision to do this! 8 wks oics posted and updated as well. I have regained my self confidence i lost so long ago, and the whole experience from start to finish was not nearly as bad as i had expected. Funny story....about 3 weeks ago ( i cant believe i am even posting this, oh well!) I was freaking out because i felt something hard on my side...called ps office and thry wanted to see me right away, came in for the visit only to find out what i was feeling was my hip bone! Been so long since i was able to physically feel it i did not recognize it as being a bone...lol...talk about embarrassing!!! All for now! I hope all you gals are doing fantastic AND having a smooth recovery!

Updated on 8 Sep 2011:
Hello ladies and friends of realself. It has been soooo long since i have been on, so i wanted to add a update. I am feeling amazing, i am now 8 weeks po and could not be happier with my decision to do this! 8 wks oics posted and updated as well. I have regained my self confidence i lost so long ago, and the whole experience from start to finish was not nearly as bad as i had expected. Funny story....about 3 weeks ago ( i cant believe i am even posting this, oh well!) I was freaking out because i felt something hard on my side...called ps office and thry wanted to see me right away, came in for the visit only to find out what i was feeling was my hip bone! Been so long since i was able to physically feel it i did not recognize it as being a bone...lol...talk about embarrassing!!! All for now! I hope all you gals are doing fantastic AND having a smooth recovery!

Updated on 8 Sep 2011:
Hello ladies and friends of realself. It has been soooo long since i have been on, so i wanted to add a update. I am feeling amazing, i am now 8 weeks po and could not be happier with my decision to do this! 8 wks oics posted and updated as well. I have regained my self confidence i lost so long ago, and the whole experience from start to finish was not nearly as bad as i had expected. Funny story....about 3 weeks ago ( i cant believe i am even posting this, oh well!) I was freaking out because i felt something hard on my side...called ps office and thry wanted to see me right away, came in for the visit only to find out what i was feeling was my hip bone! Been so long since i was able to physically feel it i did not recognize it as being a bone...lol...talk about embarrassing!!! All for now! I hope all you gals are doing fantastic AND having a smooth recovery!

Updated on 4 Nov 2011:
I have been feeling great. No real problems. I havd had a few stitches poke out of my skin making it uncomfortable moving sometimes when I move around. Other than that everythings great!!! Recovery has been so much easier than I initially anticipated. I love my results, and my Dr. for regaining my self cinfidence again. Wore a swimsuit (1 pc bc i still have the stretchmarks) but i felt amazing! Happy healing everyone. Any questions just send me a message.