“New Tummy....Here I Come! - Winnipeg, MB”

I had my first baby when I was young and since then have had 2 more. I am now 31 and it's time for me to take back my body! I have always been self conscience of the way I look and I have always had big breast as well. I am going in for a tummy tuck as well as a reduction. I am in the process of loosing some more weight and my surgery date is set for May 17th. I am very excited and also very nervous.

From all the reviews I have read on here, it was nice to know I am not alone on this journey. Its hard to tell people that this is what I am doing. They are supportive about the breast reduction but not so much when in comes to a tummy tuck. I guess plastic surgery is still plastic surgery?!! After reading what I have, I know that deep down I am not a vain person for wanting this. So, thanks! I am on the road to feeling good about myself again!

Updated on 29 Apr 2011:
Well, two and a half weeks to go, and then its goodbye belly! I started the countdown at 10 weeks and felt like it would take forever for May to come around and now I’m thinking of all the things I need to get done around the house!! I went and dropped a small fortune on:
- Vitamin C
- Bromelain
- Arnica Tablets
- Zinc
- Chlorella
I am taking these in hopes that I won’t swell or bruise as much and my recovery will be a speedy one.

Updated on 29 Apr 2011:


Updated on 2 May 2011:
Pictures posted as promised! I am 5'7" and 165 lbs. I have 2 weeks left to keep at it! I am currently using a treadclimber (bowflex) and running anywhere from 3 to 5 miles 4 times a week. The scale is not moving but I think I am building muscle? lol

Updated on 10 May 2011:
So, I just hit a road block and I feel like all the hard work leading up to my surgery date might be for nothing. I got a call from my surgeon’s office yesterday after work stating that there is a problem with my blood work. She said my platelet count is low and this could affect clotting. My iron and hemoglobin is fine, but now I am very concerned. She also said it could be a lab error. 1 week away and this is not good news.

Updated on 16 May 2011:
Well, my surgery tomorrow is cancelled. When I went for my CBC (Blood work) my white blood count was 3.7 and it should have been between 4.5 to 11. They said it may have been a lab error or just my body fighting off an infection (Stress?!!) I went back a second time and it was 4.5. I am waiting to hear back from the anesthetist (who is the deciding person) if this is going to be acceptable. I have never had a blood problem and I don’t know why I am now. They might want me to be referred to a hematologist for further work up. Who knows how long that is going to take? If they give the ok, then my next date is May 31st. Only 2 weeks away, but I have lost my drive. I feel like I’m in limbo right now, with surgery and life. I wanted to be going in tomorrow, not waiting around to “see” if I can still do this. Sigh……

Updated on 17 May 2011:
Bumped again. From May 17th (original date) to May 31st, to June 14th. I am so frustrated right now.

Updated on 20 May 2011:
Thank you so much for the upbeat comments; I have officially ended my "pity party for one". You are all right, I just need to keep going and see what happens. I have an appt next week for a live blood analysis. I'm paying out of pocket, but I want to know what my cells are doing. I have a pre-op appointment the following week at the hospital where they will be performing the surgery and I don’t know what to expect. I guess based on that they will determine if I am a good candidate for surgery. So, in the meantime I have to keep eating healthy and hope for the best! I really appreciate the support….thank you :)

Updated on 1 Jun 2011:
So, I went for a “live blood analysis” last week and she said I was generally a boring case, which translates to me being healthy!! YAY!!! My cells are great and the only thing to be watched is my iron as some of the cells were smaller than others. What a cool thing to do to see your body in action! I feel justified in the fact that I am nto eating meat and still maintaining a healthy body.

Yesterday I also went to the Pre operative appointment and met with an anesthetist to discuss any questions that I may have had and the results from my blood work. He didn’t seem overly concerned about it and asked the typical questions. He also asked if I bruised easily and I had to say yes, but also explain that I am a klutz and have walked many times into inanimate objects!!! He said he would consult with a hematologist and if there was no concerns from their end, the surgery would be a go. I have my fingers crossed!!!!

Updated on 7 Jun 2011:
Well, this is it! I just heard back and I have the green light for surgery. In a week I will be saying goodbye to the old tummy! I hope it’s worth it, I’m feeling very apprehensive reading some reviews; might be just nerves. I will post a few more before pictures and will keep everyone updated!

Updated on 13 Jun 2011:
Well, tomorrow is the big day and I can't say I'm not nervous!!! I have cleaned the house top to bottom, laundry is all caught up and I have told my kids that they will have to pull thier own weight around the house. I didn't worry about meals as my husband does a lot of the cooking. We will be moving a TV into the bedroom where I will be camped out! I am so ready for this!!!! Wish me luck!

Updated on 21 Jun 2011:
Its done!!! YAY!!! I cannot believe its been a week. I haven't had a chance to sit down and form a thought in the past week, but now the husband is back to work and kids are in school and the house is quiet! The surgery went well and when I woke up I was feeling no pain! I was given morphine all night (I stayed overnight in the hospital) and they made sure I was very comfortable. Had a cathater in place and that was removed the next day. Didnt bother me, just felt odd. The next day (wednesday) they had me out of bed and shuffeling around. Felt good just to get moving again. Went home Wednesday night and took some percocet for pain. Thursday and Friday I laid in bed except for going to a Dr. appt to get a bra put on. I also had the drains at this point and they would stay in until Monday. Drains for the breasts came out when I went home from the hospital. All and all, it was a good weekend. I didnt do much and that was fine with everyone. The pain was managable and only until Sunday did I realize why the pain was still there. What I thought was percosets was actually Tylenol 3's and vise versa. Walmart had mixed up the lables. I was advised to switch from the percosets to T-3's and when i popped (what I understood to be T-3's) 2 of them they knocked me flat on my butt!!! Needless to say, I am sticking to nothing but T3 and now that is few and far between. I did notice last night that I am swelling like crazy and it hurts. I have had my BM and am taking fiber suppliments too. I think it may have been restraunt food thats making me bloat. Lots of fluids and water today! I will post pictures later today!

Updated on 29 Jun 2011:
Well, today is 2 weeks post op. I am still feeling pretty good, but now am having wierd sensations in my tummy. I am chalking it up to the healing process. In a week I can start to wean myself off the binder and I can ditch the granny bra (as seen in my pictures!)in ten days! All in all, I would have to say having children hurt worse than this did. And I am glad that this has been a good experience. Sorry it took so long to post pictures, I wanted to wait until the stiches came out of the belly button. My husband is now weirded out by it. I can't explain it but I can see why!