Charles J. Gaudet, MD, FACS (retired)

I love my new look. Actually I look the same just 10 years younger. I had a mini facelift in the office and it was the best present I could ever ask for. I love the results and feel great about my appearance. Thank you Dr Gaudet for being such a wonderful artist. You went above and beyond what I was looking for in a plastic surgeon. You have excellent skills and a great eye for natural beauty. You also have a wonderful staff. Thank you for making my dreams come true.

Hi all! I had my consult with Dr.Gaudette today. I'm happy I found someone local with experience. All the staff was super helpful. They truly made me feel welcome. I explained I could only do certain dates and they rearranged the schedule for me!! I will need to go for my pre op. Any advice for this upper bleph. I am beyond nervous because all you take is ativan. I'm not sure how I feel about being awake... Updated on 24 Oct 2015: Figured a pic would help. Not terrible but saggy , heavy lid For 36.. Updated on 25 Oct 2015: Really wondering if I jumped the gun. I'm so paranoid to go through thid and charge it... I'm such a picky person that I fear I won't be happy. I'm really worried about a bad visible scar. That was something I hadn't thought of prior.. Updated on 7 Nov 2015: Nerves are setting in. Thinking am I crazy for doing this ? I hope my scars arnt to bad and I regret it. Updated on 24 Nov 2015: It was a breeze. I talked the entire time. Dr gaudette was so Awesome . It didn't hurt. Out to breakfast with yu mom. Updated on 24 Nov 2015: This pocedure was so much easier than I anticipated! I took 2 mg ativan. I normally take 1 every day so 2 was ok. I felt a little pinch when using the needle to numb the eyes. Then nothing else. We chatted the entire time. Talking helped me forget that they were you know cutting my eyes. :) it took like an hour. I felt stinging for a couple hours due to the numbing stuff but now just a tightness. I have no pain. Day one is a breeze. Lets see what tomorrow brings for bruising. :) Updated on 25 Nov 2015: Still no pain. I just feel like lids are tight and like they have sand in them. No bruising under the eye yet, perhaps I Will get lucky. The lids are.more swillen amd red. I iced and applied the cream prescribed. I look like hell bit feel ok. I wish I could clean, my house needs it. Updated on 26 Nov 2015: My lids are soo weird looking. I have started to swell under the eye. My right eye has some weird bubbling ttpe skin in the corner. The sand gritty feeling drives me nuts! I have been using eye drops as well as iced today too. Updated on 27 Nov 2015: Still swollen amd pink. Inner corners feel tight and gritty. Most people foes through healing phases. I seem to be stuck at pink and super swollen lids... mu upper crease looks bad, I have weird skin in my left inner eye. Updated on 27 Nov 2015: Is it me or does this look odd? ? Updated on 28 Nov 2015: Hi ladies. I ventured out with a hat on today :) feeling ok, iced a few times. I just needed some drops, my eyes felt like dry and gritty. One more day until work... thinking Mon I'm not going in . Updated on 29 Nov 2015: Tonight I finally bought arnica cream. Better late than never ? Lol. Thinking about getting a drs note to wear a hat to work. . My stiches except for outer lid are like invincible. Wondering if I got dissolvable ones? I'm calling in am for check up... Updated on 30 Nov 2015: Hi ladies. Today stiches came out. I guess I have 2 internal ones. Doc says I look average. I guess in my head I had unrealistic expectations. Also I was icing, they said I should've been doing warm compresses. Soo lesson learned. I went to ulta and bought some stuff to cover red and some other make up they suggested to hide the red. Lets just pray lids go down eventually. Tomorrow I have to work. I plan to tell my gossiping co workers I had eye trauma. Lol Updated on 1 Dec 2015: Getting better day by day, feeling optimistic. Updated on 1 Dec 2015: Since I got home I have been using warm compresses. It works! Gettung excited for my eyes. :) Updated on 1 Dec 2015: Playing with an app. Updated on 3 Dec 2015: So my right eyebis still way more swollen. The left has a crease still. I was hoping it would be gone and several people said I look chinese. Lets pray after swelling I'm happy. Updated on 5 Dec 2015: Hi ladies! I'm slowly healing. I did some cleaning today, think I over did it. My eyes feel tired and heavy. Well work was Intresting. I wore hoodies for a few days and it worked well to cover my eyes. A few nosy people asked , I said I was cold. That isn't unusual for me. I'm hoping the right eye catches up. I shall wait patiently for healing. :) hope your Saturday is going well. Updated on 6 Dec 2015: I have this weird feelimg in the corner of my right eye. Its hard to describe. Feels more annoying than hurts. Like a bleeding type sensation, something in there. Started last night. I don't see anything and vision is fine. Paranoid. Eyes arn't anything to mess with. I did do a lot cleaning yesterday. Updated on 9 Dec 2015: The swelling has gone done. I like the right eye but very unhappy with the left. I have more skin on the left. I saw a woman at my daycare who works in an eye. Drs office and she saw it too. I was hoping it was swelling the past 2 weeks. I hate the left and want the tiny crease gone to match the right. I can even feel the extra , its bot in my imagination. So I'm highly disappointed. I don't have another vacation nor money that I want to deal with this again. Updated on 9 Dec 2015: Bad lighting. No make up. Updated on 9 Dec 2015: Close up pics Updated on 11 Dec 2015: I'm not great with make up. Oh I also got one syringe juvederm in laugh lines. Waiting for it to settle, I see no diff. I throw my hands up! Still have a heavy crease imo and I look horrible ...really thinking a nose job or chin implant. Thoughts? Updated on 11 Dec 2015: Omg left eye looks worse than before :( Updated on 18 Dec 2015: Little more change. Updated on 4 Jan 2016: Hi all! I hope you had nice holidays. I'm doing ok. Discovered left eye outer crease has like a lump under the skin. Great .it feels good su ze, bigger than a pimple.. lol Updated on 4 Jan 2016: Oops sorry! Forgot a pic. Updated on 4 Jan 2016: A comparison.. Updated on 28 Sep 2016: Hey ladies. It's been almost a year. I can say im glad I did this ..I still wish more skin , especially the left eye didn't sag so much but I don't want a revision. I never even asked for one, I just dealt with it. I think my dr was just I the convertible side and perhaps my left wasn't perfect prior. oh well. So if you're interested debating this surgery , go for it !

My hooded eyelids had been an issue for me for a good 10 years. For the past few years in particular, my right eyelid drooped more than my left, making that eye look quite a bit smaller. I really wanted to have the procedure done before it got to the point that doing so would make a drastic change in my appearance. I still wanted to look like me, just not so tired! In December 2014, I decided to go for it! I did a ton of research, and considered going as far as NYC for the right doctor. Ultimately I decided to go with Dr. Charles Gaudet right here on the NH seacoast. On 3/11/15 I had upper eyelid surgery in Dr. Gsudet's office under local anesthesia. I experienced very little discomfort during the procedure, and everything went smoothly. My recovery was pretty straight forward--little to no pain after the second day. Because of the bruising, I looked a thousand times worse than I felt! Honestly, the hardest part of the recovery process was having to sleep with my head propped up for the first week or two (no recliner). I couldn't be happier with my results! I look like me, just well rested; my eyes almost 100% symmetrical now, and there's no visible scar at all! I'm so happy I did this for me!

I was motivated by the mirror and picture of myself. I was seeing jowels and crepe skin...I know there are options. I started talking with my girlfriends and nurses and kept hearing about Dr Charles Gaudet. I went in for a consultation for a mini facelift in the office and liked everything I heard, he was highly qualified, the before and after photos of his work looked great and the price was right! I wanted facial rejuvenation too!!! It's my turn!!! I did have to wait for a surgery date. He's very popular and I should have gone in sooner but I found the best and I waited. The surgery and the care was excellent and I love my results. I am so happy and I look natural and like me again. I would recommend him to everyone!!!

With only 2 days until my surgery, I'm totally obsessing over it. My enormous breasts have been a huge problem and I've wanted rid of them for a VERY long time. I originally went for a consultation in 2006, but my insurance wouldn't cover the procedure and it was just as well since I went on to have 3 babies who were all breast fed. Now that I'm past my childbearing years, the time is right & with a recent change in insurance providers, the procedure WILL be covered. Yay!! I had my initial appt with my PS in July. He only does 2 BR's per month, so we set the date for Nov 7th as I wanted to have the procedure in 2013 for insurance purposes. I'd already spent my deductible on a repeat mammogram/biopsy - which reminded me that I wanted to get rid of these giant jugs. I think I spent about $1k to find out I had fibrous tissue. Yea. Great. So, I was on the schedule & awaiting approval from my insurance company. I couldn't have been more excited the day that the letter arrived with the approval. I might've jumped for joy if these things weren't weighing me down. Had my pre-op appt last Monday - no issues or concerns. My PS expects to remove about 1.5 lbs from each breast and my post op size will be a C. I am so excited to buy BEAUTIFUL bras off the rack! I have my Rx for pain meds filled & ready to go. Bought pads, neosporin, frozen corn (for icing), and a front closure sports bra. I THINK I am all set & ready for Thursday! My mom will be coming to take care of my 3 lil boys while I recover ... It's going to be tough not being able to pick them up & snuggle them close, so I'm hopeful for a speedy recover while trying to be realistic at the same time. This forum has certainly helped me to set expectations. Might as well add my "before" photo. These girls are so heavy. I just cannot wait to be rid of them once & for all. Updated on 6 Nov 2013: I think I'm all set & ready to go. I've got to be at the hospital in about 11 hours - 6am EST. What an ungodly time, but I'd rather make it as early as possible so that I can get up & get things underway. Took farewell photos of the giant jugs & their horrendous bras. Hard to believe that I'll never wear those again. Honestly, it's all a bit surreal since I've wanted this for so very long. Very excited & anxious for tomorrow :-) Updated on 7 Nov 2013: What an exciting day! Let me tell you all about it. After a fitful night of sleep, I got up at 5:15, hopped in the shower, got dressed (didn't bother with a bra & nasty sweaty boob syndrome was setting in. UGH), and headed to the hospital for a 6am arrival time. Had a great time with the repetitive barrage of questions - registration, prep nurse, anesthesiologist, PS, and surgical nurse. Prep nurse set me up with an IV, lovely leg squeezers, an antibiotic, and this weird heated air puffed sheet. Not sure what that sheet was all about, but I liked it! The PS made his drawings & assured me that we had an excellent team to assist with my procedure. At some point, I was given a sedative as when they wheeled me down the hall, I remember passing the curtained off same day surgery prep areas as the nurse laughed about the "gurney parade" and then I had this very vivid dream about WORK! Trying to resolve some issues with my current project. Weird, since work is rarely on my mind. And then I started to come to and had NO idea where I was... I was lying down, looking around and nothing looked familiar. I couldn't find a clock as I was trying to determine what time it was. But I did see a group of nurses .. Seems it was around 11am. I was in recovery & the giant jugs were GONE! Adios! Thank god. I felt a little sore, but just more confused and it seemed like my speech was a bit slurred, but that went away quickly. Then more good news! I would be moved to the maternity ward for my overnight stay. YES!! I've delivered 3 babies here and the maternity ward at my hospital is AWESOME! I had some ice chips and was set up with the on demand pain pump. When I feel the tiniest twinge, I'm pressing that button to ensure that the pain is minimal. Once all that was set up, I was brought up to the maternity ward where I've been resting comfortably. One thing that I wasn't a fan of was the first (and second) time that u got out of bed to use the bathroom, I did not feel well. Like dizzy & nauseous. So I'm planting myself in bed & taking full advantage of the nurse call button, while also enjoying the solitude (which is awesome when you have 3 small children at home). The room service is great, food's good. Had 2 visitors for a short while one brought gifts (Alex & Ani and chocolate).. Oh and my boobs are very small! Yay yay yay!! They're all bound up and it's so nice to see my feet past them. I've been icing all day. Bandages will come off tomorrow. Random side note.. My friend who visited used to be obsessed/jealous of my boobs until she got implants a few years ago.. Now her D's are going to be bigger than mine! Hahahaha!! The irony! She said that if I had a bag over my head & she had to guess who I was, she'd never know it was me. Major change here. That's it for now.. Now for some tv watching & a nap... This is GREAT! Updated on 8 Nov 2013: Just saw the results for the first time & they're absolutely perfect! I'm a little sore on the sides where the drains were, but other than that, I'm feeling ok. Would like a nap as I didn't sleep well the past two nights... But I'm still at the hospital & will prob wait until I'm home for a nap. So thankful for the overnight stay to have the help & IV meds to control the pain. Hopeful for an easy recovery. Updated on 9 Nov 2013: Just tried to take a shower as per my doctors orders & it didn't go well at all. Felt very naseaus. But I managed to take an after photo. Updated on 12 Nov 2013: First outing today... Very exciting trip to Walmart & the bank. Good to get some fresh air, but it sure is cold out there! The girls are healing nicely. I'm still icing frequently, but cutting way back on the pain meds. I NEED to drive, so trying to make the switch to Aleve. Showering is getting easier everyday. Follow up with PS tomorrow. Getting anxious to get past the "no lifting" restrictions - with 3 lil guys & having to have help with their care is not my favorite situation by far... So hoping for a speedy recovery here. Updated on 14 Nov 2013: Had my post op yesterday and the healing is going very well! I was cleared to drive. Thank god! I also attended a luncheon for work, so that was a big reveal for me.. Everyone clams up about the BR topic, so I finally had to ask, "so, do I look different?!" Hahaha! Um yea!! Everyone admitted to trying not to look, but seems the change is pretty dramatic. The best comment, "wow, you look different! Have you had your teeth whitened?" LMBO. Yea, that's it! They were totally kidding. No, it's just the 4.5 lbs of unneeded flesh that I lopped off of the front of body! Best medical decision ever!! Updated on 18 Nov 2013: The worst problem that I'm having is soreness under my arms - near my armpits. Not sure if it's where the drains were or lymph nodes. This is annoying, but nowhere near as annoying as the giant boobs were. AND I'm very surprised at my lack of stamina here... I get tired so quickly and it annoys me, because it's hard not to get everything done that needs doing. My mom was here to help until two days ago and now I'm pretty much on my own. With 3 little guys ages 5 and under, there is plenty that needs doing. I am just lucky that they are good little boys and help out as much as they can despite being so little. I think I was a bit lazy with the ice today and was hit with some zingers. No fun. I've been using Aleve in the daytime and one Vicodin at night to sleep more comfortably. Apparently, that's not very effective since it's almost 1am and I'm still awake. I think I should try Advil or Tylenol as the Aleve doesn't seem to be all that effective for this situation. This is the first night that I'm attempting to sleep in my bed as I've been sleeping in the recliner since I came home from the hospital. I'm not so sure about this. Looking forward to New Years as I expect that I should be pretty well healed by then and maybe even wearing pretty bras!! Yay! Updated on 21 Nov 2013: I had my stitches around my nipples removed yesterday and that was not a big deal at all. They've been replaced with steri-strips that should fall off by the weekend. I went back to work, but I'm still feeling a bit tired from the recovery. I'm sleeping (or trying) to sleep in my bed now instead of the recliner, but I do think the recliner is more comfortable as I prefer to sleep on my side and it's just not comfortable yet as I have some soreness under my arms which is aggravated when I try and lay on my side. Maybe the lack of good sleep is the problem causing the tiredness and I'm also coming down with a cold that I'm trying to fight off. Not good. Just taking things a day at a time here and looking forward to the new year as I expect to be fully healed for 2014, which is going to be my best year ever! Yes!! Updated on 2 Dec 2013: And I have the start of an infection. Ugh. Had some minor yellow discharge and the right half of my left breast is a bit red. Fingers crossed that I can conquer this infection quickly. Both breasts are a bit sore. Side sleeping happens, but it's NOT very comfortable. One day this will all be a distant memory and I'm looking forward to when I'm completely healed wearing beautiful, SMALL bras... Updated on 4 Dec 2013: Getting ready for bed last night and surprise, my white bra was partially RED! And I had a surgical pad stuffed in there just in case there was more yellow discharge. That bloody bra was shocking to say the least. Called my PS and he wasn't too concerned about the bleeding; just keeping a close eye on things. Seemed to be related to the infection. Minor set back in the healing process, but still getting there. Along with the healing, infection, and bleeding, I've acquired a fantastic cold sore on my lip due to the weakened immune system. Ugh. Thankful for good drugs to make this go away quickly! Hoping to be on the mend here pretty quick! Updated on 7 Jan 2014: I could not be happier with my new boobs! I had my last check in with the surgeon yesterday and I'm all healed up, just a matter of time for the scars to lighten up. Tried on a regular underwire bra and it fit perfectly! Size 38C. This is awesome! I wore it to work and was a little uncomfortable, so I'll stick with my genie bra for awhile longer. I don't mind it. I am just so thrilled with my new shape & size. Joined weight watchers today to slim down the belly and I think I'll be looking really good by summer. YAY for small boobies!

Ok my background--I had my first child when I was 17 so as a lot of mom's here said "I never had that sexy young body" That child is now almost 21 yrs old, I am almost 39 and I have had 4 other children since his birth. I have had the typical weight struggles that most American's have so I am only mentioning it for comradeship since it is pretty obvious from my body that something has happened to it! :D I want o feel like the sexy Mama I am inside. I am sick of adjusting my nipples so they face the same way--untucking them from my pants when I have no bra on, trying not to lay on my breasts when on my side--you know the story. My oldest child is paying for the procedure because I am/was such a fantastic Mama :D! Ok so we are all women here and think the same way--if this was YOUR body what would you do? Oh my consult for one surgeon is Sept 8th and I am trying to get more appointments in early September after my youngest ones go to school. My surgery will be in early October so I can be BANGIN BABY by the hubby's work Xmas party. I am very physically active and fit and have a lot more muscle than most women do. I am 5'9 and in these pictures I was 185--i am now 178 and want to be as lean as possible by October so they are removing the most stubborn areas from me. (from my body that is, all other stubborn areas like kids and hubby get to stay) Here are my list of wants for my mommy makeover-- BA TT Lipo flanks and back to shape the booooooty and some facial rejuv so people think I look like angels kissed my cheeks while I recover from surgery. Maybe if I can afford it, that chicken neck fat can go too! So--thoughts? I want to do a nice full spilling over D cup.Updated on 15 Aug 2011:Ok so I have a consult on Wednesday--anything specific you think I should ask aside from the usual WAVE A WAND AND REPAIR ME!!Updated on 17 Aug 2011:Consult today--i am nervous. I am not going to get my breasts done unless there is no T scar, inverted T scar etc. I personally am not doing the breasts to look better in clothing, that is what bras and cotton padding and ace bandages and gorilla tape are for. i want to look good naked, and a scar is the same as what nature really has done to them anyway. So, if the doctors cannot do a lift with the girls remaining "new scar" free then I will have more time/money to lipo sculpture my BEHIND! I wanted a bazillion butt augmentation--being a Jew I want a more "ethnic" butt than what I have. However, no one around here does that. See--nervous--ramble ramble.Updated on 18 Aug 2011:Ok so I need to upload all new pictures because after meeting with the PS we have a new method of attack. It is funny picturing your own body completed when talking to the doctor. I have had this body of mine for as long as I can remember--I met my stretch marks during puberty. We go way back. Speaking of back--I think I will be the only Mama here having MOST of her changes done to her back. :D He will be doing lipo on all the fat you see in my black and white picture. He is going to shape my hips to actually match my back and butt. He will be lipoing some fat you cannot see because my arms are up. I have a lot of loose skin on my back even--wth!? I loved Wendy's burgers and this is the reward I shall now reap! He is looking at performing a high definition type of tummy tuck because he said I have GREAT abs, solid, no separation at all---just skin! I will have a 6 pack to show he said---hello! Even if I only end up with a 4 pack, that still makes me look cool when I get to the party! he is also going to suck a tad bit from my upper thigh to make my butt more of a bubble--yeah baby! I am a Jew who will finally have an ethnic booty! (finally??) I also have breast tissue in my arm pit. (see I need to do more pictures!) So--I edited the pics to show where they will cut and what they will remove--the arrows indicate lipo--I am sorry they look like sperm--well a little sorry and a little amused, honestly. Oh and as for breasts--I am not getting them done--at all. (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS) I have my own reasons of course, and would hate to offend ANYONE so I won't step on a soap box and go on and on about the T incision. However, I am not getting them. I am bummed a little but that does NOT over shadow a new backside! oh and HELLO how fast will surgery and recovery be!?! Suck some fat, snip some skin slap my new firm toosh and send me on my way! Oh and it will not be till November which gives me more time to work on my Calypso dance moves!! Any questions? I wrote this with only 3 sips of coffee in me but with the excitement of being photographed in the nude from the day before still fueling me on!Updated on 18 Aug 2011:http://www.realself.com/photo/295523?offset=33&tags=3417-3365-2364&topic_id=276 I am emailing this picture to the PS! This is the most fun "shopping" online that I have ever had! :D!!Updated on 28 Aug 2011:ok I have lost more weight so I think I am saving some moola on the hip sucking--word!! It is amazing how much 4lbs can look on the body--on or off! So--I decided I do want to consider new tatas--i just can't get over the idea of thinking I can live with the small scar and I think I will want them later---I cannot wander into my 40's with firm breast envy--it is not good for the whole morale of the family to have me stare longing at breast implanted women--my husband gets the complete wrong idea ;-)Updated on 11 Sep 2011:Dear MJ385 of the future--it is I (me?) MJ385 of your past. I am writing to you to remind you of the "Why did I do this!?!" part of the recovery process. Before I get into the details I just want to say High-five for not dying during surgery!! Just today while in the shower when I was shaving my legs and trimming the naughty bits I pulled my skin tight on my lower belly--to try and simulate what I would look like after it was all said and done. Wow-I just cannot wait!! I can't. I have imagined even cutting off this part of my belly myself. Not literally of course--or else I would have done it by now :D. I hate this FUPA thing that the doctors call my "skin apron". Ok--a skin apron? What the hell is that? The only person I would think that would be ok with having their body have it's very own apron made of skin would be perhaps, Buffalo Bill. I am not a warped serial killer--I do not want an apron made of skin. What I want is to not have to make sure that my shirt covers that weird roll on my otherwise flat stomach. I see that roll when I look down and I know it represents this puddle of congealed fat and skin and stretch marks-- that is all. It does not represent motherhood to me--my husband tells me it does. Uh--no, Cowboy, it does not. I cannot wait to wear something that shows a shape that I work so hard for in the gym and in my diet. I work hard to look good. I skip the desserts, I count the calories--nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels is the mantra. I know some disagree and that is there path and this is my path. I look so forward to all this work being shown when they cut off the skin and remove the fat that I am sick of trying to starve the hell off my hips! This is why you did this MJ385 of the future. To finally be done with the baby making body of my past. I am taking a turn for myself now and it is SO OK MAMA! Who cares if you can't do your own laundry for a few weeks! You'll be able to bend down without trying to cower in a shadow and cover the puddles of skin that ripple and hang off me now like the skin hangs off my bulldogs face! Heh,bulldog belly--it's a disease of motherhood! :-) Would you or would you not do ANYTHING to have that flat tummy--shallow? No--it is my body and my want. You just have to endure the dust, perhaps even dog hair on the floor. I am still not sure how I can go a week not polishing my new wood floors but I know I have to DEAL! Because, OMG, the dress Imma wear at the company Xmas party this year!! I will wear a pair of Iron Fist pumps and a slinky fun and fitting dress--hell yeah I will! I did this because it needed to be done and the small amount of downtime is nothing compared to the dysfunctional 20 yr relationship I have had with that b*tch the "Skin Apron". I did this because it was OK to do for myself. I am grateful to my son for the amazing gift and I will remain grateful each moment of recovery...right?!? It is difficult to feel sorry for yourself when you are just so very grateful to be there--healing from a tummy tuck!! HUH!! Never would I have imagined--I finally get to just be done!! So suck it up cry baby--you are grateful!! Love MeUpdated on 20 Sep 2011:OK so I am going in October to see another PS for a consult. He does not have a hospital stay program but he has more to offer I think in way of price for surgery--dunno--just guessing--ok hoping? I am so excited--I got a bra on clearance at target--it is in the pictures of the bread dough belly I added today. The leaner I get the looser the skin gets so the less I will have after my metamorphism into MILF status--anywhooooo the bra adds 2 cup sizes--ok people stare at me when I wear it so perhaps a bit smaller or a new career consideration knowwhatimasayinhere?? So I am adding the loose skin pics so I can look back on those pictures fondly. (cough gag) Oh my now 18 yr old, he asked if they could save the belly for him--when he was a little boy he would rub my tummy and tell me how much he "loves your squishy tummy Mommy" so --I may look into making him a pillow with it--KIDDING!!! Did you believe me? Gross. :DUpdated on 27 Sep 2011:oh...my...gaaaaawd!! I am booked--i am in--i am going into the cocoon November 10th and emerging November 11th as a butterfly! SHUT UP!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!! For those at home keeping count--that is just 44 days from today. Well, technically, just 43.5 days from now. I will be set free from the skin suit which is TOO BIG for me. I am a much smaller woman under this skin--WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! So, I am also getting some Radiesse for the face--smile and under the eye bags--i am coming out of there at 29 or I am not leaving! Oh and for those following the saga of the tatas--they want $10k for the breasts--so I am going to pass on that. I can get those amazing cup enhancing bras like the one I got at Targette (heh, heh) for $3--when i wear that sexy thang--wow--i feel like a Hollywood stripper (it is a good feeling to me in case that analogy was lost on you) My whole family was here this weekend--I kept pulling on my skin and showing my oldest son and his wife how much skin they are removing from me. It was nice to hear them all say it is just skin and no fat. YEAH BABY!! Anyway, my son said he is doing the surgery for me because I earned it--he said you earned it by: "Mom can I have a drink pleeeeeease??" "Mom!! HELP!!" "I hate this food! Why don't you make food I like!?!?" He went on and of course I was all farklempt--he is so sweet!! Oh--I have of course been researching and obsessing and wanted to know if anyone heard anything about "releasing the crease" when doing liposuction on the back fat? (I HATE BACK FAT!! I AM NOT A SLAB OF BACON!) 44 days------tick tock tick tockUpdated on 2 Oct 2011:my pre op appointment is LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY NOW!!!!!! Ok did anyone lose weight before the surgery? I saw some cross fitters on here--I am doing I.F. but right now want to switch to maintenance so I have enough nutrients plus I need to leave fat for the man to sick out! Tho-they will be doing lipo even if i want in there skin and bones--suck out the empty fat cells please..I never want them again! OMG ONE MONTH!!! I have exactly 39 days left.....Updated on 25 Oct 2011:it is in less than 16 days from today--I cannot post in here because I am so excited that I want to punch people in the face and throw up. (I have anxiety issues I think) so, my fears right now are it won't look any different than it does right now. WTH? I am taking 4G vitamin C, 10,000 IUI D, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, I stopped smoking the crack pipe as well as Aleve. There was a bunch more stuff I wanted to add but I seem to have forgotten it now. Oh, I did buy antibacterial soap for dry sensitive skin (red head).....hhmm, plastic bed sheet thing to protect that memory foam from the lipo seepage--that is not the memory it needs to keep~ EEEEPPPP!!!!! IT IS IN LESS THAN 16 DAYS AWAY!!!!Updated on 9 Nov 2011:tomorrow!!!!Updated on 9 Nov 2011:ok so some final thoughts. It is exactly 12 hours now till my surgery begins. I am going in at 8:30 to be scribbled on, weighed and drugged. I was in the bathroom tonight looking at my belly--at the large thick stretch marks on the lower part of my abdomen. I was looking at how they stretch out wide--over an inch wide in some places even. Then they finger out and up and thin out. I have had many bruises on them in the past couple of decades. Carrying kids on hips, pushing furniture, throwing Atlas stones and flipping giant tires. My stretch marks go up past my belly button quite a way--stopping at my sternum really. Stopping there because that was where the baby grew--each one of them. All 5 of them. My first born is paying for this surgery--his stretch marks are the ones all below the belly button. His brother was the one who stretched and extended them past the belly button. it is funny because I remember thinking during my first pregnancy that I came away unscathed with the stretch marks till my sweet sweet baby was born and I saw "what lies below". i didn't care--I was 17 and had the most amazing gift for them. I felt the same when the stretch marks began to web across my abdomen and hips when I carried my second son. My third son--this was his only home. He passed away when he was 4 days over due--tucked behind the webbed wall of my tummy. My 4th pregnancy was my miracle little girl, who was 3 weeks early and 23" tall and a beautiful 9lbs 8ounces. She was the one who thickened and widened the stretch marks--making sure she had enough room to grow her beautiful strong legs! My 5th child and my last is my sweet baby girl--who will be 8 soon! She came so quickly after her sister that she needed nothing to be stretched--the siblings before her made sure she had plenty of room. Tonight when I was looking at those markings they tell me my own story. They are the map I followed getting out of my terrible past and into my beautiful life now. *sigh* This is the end to all of the "schtuff" and I am ready. I am ready.Updated on 11 Nov 2011:Home now. 3lbs of skin and 2 lbs fat. He did have to tighten the facia about one inch. I'm so swollen I swish lol. High as a kite. Here are a couple pictures.Updated on 12 Nov 2011:I look amazing. Not sure how to do pictures on my phone. Pain is tolerable unless I move in such a way that it makes me tense my ab muscles. Omg gas though! Ouch!Updated on 13 Nov 2011:ok day 3 po. Last night was really hard for an hour or two. I wanted to let go of the pain meds but I was not ready to do that...clearly. So, I got a little behind the pain--level 7 to an 8 till the percs took over. OOPS. Today I feel great. I have been taking magnesium since 12 hours post op..it worked beautifully because going poop was a non-issue---take magnesium! I can sit up and stand up today...I feel so good this morning that I need to remind myself to calm the hell down. I am walking all fast down the hall while singing loudly "Everyday I'm shuffling". I took one pain pill this morning and will take only one more in 6-8 hours. Dang there was more advice....what was it. OH warm water bottle--NOT heating pad--warm water bottle and circular (clock wise) gentle massage on the tummy helps those drains fill up. I have been taking Opti-Recovery which is an herbal formula for healing. I have had Reiki done a few times as well. All in all feel great at 3 days post-op. Here is my 3 day belly.Updated on 13 Nov 2011:more pictures because it is the main reason I surfed this site anyway--no perv more like window shopping :D So, I feel great today STILL. Anyone else do the massages on the tummy to help the lymph fluids etc? I keep doing it when I am swollen and it is great---very soothing too. So, we took off the binder a second time today and I got to stand when we did it. OMG!!! WOW! I am SO SEXY but incredibly bruised. So--yanno--if you are into that--look no further LOL I love that I get to keep my stretch marks (some of them anyway) and I love how the scar will even look! My people keep forcing the pain meds on me--I am just thinking I am an annoying person to be around or something. I HATE opiate based meds tho--honestly, how do people live addicted to this feeling? It makes me feel like my skin wants to be flayed off to get rid of the itching. I am too scared to shower. I tried to take a shower in the hospital and they had left me alone to do it. So, when I had taken off the binder and tried to sit I almost collapsed--I peed on the pile of towels they gave me and everything. It was so awful--I was sweating, trying to breathe, terrified I would throw up etc. My nurse did not know the aide left me alone--she was displeased. I had to even be wheeled back to my room because I was so sore and worn out from the 2 minutes alone like that. I may try to shower tomorrow...... maybe. I can't smell that bad laying around all day can I? My cat does that and she smells like a wood pile. :D Ok so the latest picture is of my thighs, the back side just below my newly shaped badonkadonk. Ladies if you have not had lipo yet, I want to admit right here, for me, it hurts as much as it looks like it does. It is far worse than the bruises the private school rod gave me even! All so worth it in the end....get it? GET IT?? ahh the puns just can't stop--well maybe when they stop forcing pills on me they will stop LOLUpdated on 14 Nov 2011:Dear Diary: Day 4 in captivity. I stopped swallowing the narcotics they keep bringing to me. I will stock pile them to use for currency to get out of here. (kidding THAT IS ILLEGAL!) Swelling is down to almost nil in my tummy--I think-if it got any smaller I would become a poster child for hungry white people. I am working on making sure I eat. Had some of our fresh eggs scrambled this morning. Fresh organic eggs from the backyard tastes so great! (ok from our chickens in the back yard--I should be more clear) Drains are still doin' what they do. I am still doing the tummy massage and of course bed rest. bed rest bed rest bed rest. The lipo bruising SWEET MARY OUCH! Coughing OUCH. Laughing OUCH. How good I look OUCHIE WOWA! :D My butt looks HUGE--love it. I will be the new Kardashian! Oh I went into surgery at 172--the removal of my apron was 5lbs total...not sure what he sucked out with lipo. I weighed 172 this morning. OK--RIDICULOUS! If I go below 165 I will need to add some more muscle to compensate..I am not a little girl and do not want to be one :D I will add pics of today after the shower later.Updated on 14 Nov 2011:Ok End of day 4--big excitement today was the damn coughing. I knew I should not have tried the cigar but it is just so hard to resist. Alright, no cigar-I guess it is residual phlegm from the throat tube thingy. (I took pain meds a little while ago--sorry)So--anyway--the cough. Pain scale 1-10..it was an 11. My son says there can't be an 11 and frankly I agree. I wanted to cry like a small child and wait for someone to pick me up. It was agony. I HATED IT--so back on the pain pills because it hurt me all day after. I added a day 4 photo of my KILLER external obliques!!!Updated on 17 Nov 2011:Ok went to the doctor on day 6-(yesterday for you kids watching at home) He left the drains in because they are busy doing their jobs. Ok cool note here--when I was in the hospital I was kinda bummed with the incision not really being far back into my hip area...however with swelling down significantly I can see he did almost go to the back of my hip area--I can tell because of the drain placements slowly moving farther back. How the hell do you people who have the drains in their pubic mound even cope!?! He was thrilled with my results so far--amazed at my waist blah blah. I was also given a SIZE SMALL BINDER!!! HELLO!!!?? A SIZE SMALL !! I go back on Friday to see if they can take the drains out yet. They only bother me at night when I want to roll over. Oh coughed again last night--I respect the c-section ladies more...however, when we cough after muscle repair surgery it pulls from the pubic bone to the diaphragm...I can almost picture the corset stitches flexing and pulling as I cough. The ONLY reason why I coughed both times was because of the bruising or whatever in my throat from breathing tube down the throat thing (medical term unknown at this time because--well I forgot it) for surgery. So, day 6 summary--coughing sucks a lot. Size small binder because I am the INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN! drains still in but I do not care. Oh wait, anyone have restless legs? OMG it is driving me nuts! I went to bed last night and my legs were like..."you sure you want to sleep because I would prefer running--wanna run? Let's run in bed!! "Updated on 17 Nov 2011:ok ladies--I am doing SOMETHING wrong!! I do not hate the drains--everyone said I would. I have very little fluid swelling tonight--I thought I was suppose to be a bloated corpse Zombie every night. I am on day 7....wait till you see my day 7 pictures!!! (KNOCK ON WOOD!) Check them out! oh but the lipo on the hips and back etc hurts like hell fire under my numb skin. What a weird sensation to be numb on the surface and have hot burning lava pain under the skin.Updated on 18 Nov 2011:Quick update:drains are out However I do have an infection. That explains why that hip bruise thing hurts so much! So 2000 mg of antibiotic for the next 10 days. I still look fabulous! ;)Updated on 21 Nov 2011:Day 11 now. I am still swollen of course--and I went from a 34" waist to a now 29" waist....and it will be even smaller!! HOLY CRAP!! I spent the day in bed napping etc because my swelling has been significant since the drains came out plus still have the infection. Appetite comes and goes but I am holing my weight at 172 which is what it was when I went into surgery. So--whatever LOL Nothing too new to report otherwise than I AM TIRED! :D Here is an updated pic of me from day 9---with clothes on and OMG MY FACE!! kinda...Updated on 26 Nov 2011:ok holiday has happened. I ate..and I am done eating. :D Here are a front and back view---I should do a side view because my butt is NOT that small! LOL I feel good--too good probably. The lipo bruises are going away on the surface and the deep tissue bruises have feeling in them now--which hurts. I have a lot of little hard bumps that I have been massaging in the shower to try and break them up. My infected side is still a bit open but the antibiotics are doing the trick for sure. Mama wants tiny clothes for the upcoming holidays!!Updated on 28 Nov 2011:Ok I need to do new pictures but my update is... Infection is healing fine, had my sutures out today--my doctor said my figure is what "hty ecall" a wasp figure...he means the insect clearly....BZZZZZZZZ [RS bleep]! LOL Oh and had a seroma, and he drained it--I guess it would be like an amnio only not as scary and hardly painful at all. I think he took about 5 ounces of lymph and blood out of the tummy. oh that and I LOOK AMAZING!!! that is all :DUpdated on 29 Nov 2011:Ok I am 18 days PO. I am adding pics of my slightly swollen belly--or incredibly swollen depending on who you ask. As well as a video of my seroma(s) I had it drained yesterday and will most likely need it drained again. I told my son via voice to text "It it is statically plaza bowl, it will happen to me." Apparently my phone has a foreign influence--Czech to be exact(funny story)I was not being a neener-poop or anything, more..a hypochondriac--true story! Ok so here are 2 fuzzy navel pictures (literally--ahh I can't stop them!) an an attempt to share a video.

Like many of the women on here I'm a hard working mom who lacks the confidence she deserves, and have been going back and forth about this life altering decision for a couple years. Reading other reviews has helped me gained the courage I needed to finally take the plunge which is why I decided to write one. When I was in high school I was thinner but I have always had wide hips and a lot of extra padding on the top of my butt crack. I also have always had full big breasts. After I had my three children I gained quite a bit of weight due to going through a divorce. It took me a year and a half but I have lost 50 pounds by being aware of what I'm eating, walking, running, exercise videos, and most recently started cross fit. I have come a long way and look and feel so much better! Now when I look at myself though I have so much extra skin in my belly area and just some stubborn overlying fat that won't go away. Also my butt is not symmetrical anymore because of that fat pad at the top of my butt which makes me very self conscious and I'll tell you that out of the 50 lost pounds nearly none of it came from that upper buttock area! My breasts are also very deflated and stretched out looking. When I ran this summer my breasts were literally melting away; on top of being saggy from breastfeeding each of my three children for over a year each. So on March 14 I finally go in and have all this taken care of! I'm getting a lift with 275 cc implants (that's the size that filled out the bra I want to wear again), a tummy tuck, and liposuction on my upper buttock area and I'm really looking forward to it!Updated on 8 Mar 2018: So these ice packs i got in the camping section, much cheaper! I know they won't last as long but I don't need them to. Also I think the ice blanket will be perfect for my tummy! We decided to go with a hospital bed instead of positioning pillows. It costs $198 for the month for a bed and almost that much for all the pillows I would need. Also, I'm the person who hates clutter and will throw anything unattended away lol... So I don't want those pillows hanging around anyway! Went to the natural store and bought some oral and topical arnica. This was recommended by my Past and my homeopathic doctor I typically see. It helps with swelling and bruising. The topical will not be used on my incisions, but any other sore place and then taking internally as well until bruising and swelling is gone. The only things I have left are my bras and survival pads. I am going to check with my local hospital about buying a package of the postpartum pads they use in woman's services, those will be perfect!Updated on 8 Mar 2018: Updated on 9 Mar 2018: For some reason tonight all I'm imagining is how much pain I'm going to be in. I never really thought about it before now. The other thing is I get queasy when I see my own blood or veins, incisions so this adds to my anxiety this evening!Updated on 12 Mar 2018: These are excellent before pics in the selfie position, can't wait to take one on the other end!Updated on 13 Mar 2018: The surgical center I'm having surgery at is 3 hours away from home so we are traveling there as I'm typing this (in the passenger seat of course!). We are currently having our second noreaster in 2 weeks but that's not stopping me!Updated on 13 Mar 2018: So we made it to the hotel in the blizzard. I'm ready to eat, take my shower and get up at 545 to take my last shower and be there for 630. Thought I'd take a couple more preoperative pics! Bye bye mommy body! ?Updated on 14 Mar 2018: Well we made it home! Boyfriend is shoveling the walkway and then I'm in bed! I need my ice in the worst way though. We had to stop twice so I could pee.... That was a chore lol. My boyfriend took me in the men's room handicapped stall so he could empty my drains and just be with me in case I got dizzy or something. Pain is not bad at all at the moment. I was told that my boobs would really hurt and that would be the worst part but I hafta say for me it's definitely my TT. So I've had one dose of my narcotic, some arnica pellets for the swelling/inflammation and bruising, and CBD tincture. Omg.... ????That CBD works wonders! I can feel my entire body melt into relaxation and honestly take my pain away. I took it right after the narcotic so I'd have something while it kicked in and WOW....i highly recommend it! So these are the photos from the marking room, I can't wait to take a peek!! Sorry for the lighting and quality of the pics, they were taken hurriedly. When he was marking that awful spot on my upper butt he said he would be able to reduce it by a lot so I'm super, super psyched!Updated on 15 Mar 2018: Postop day 1 and first shower! I can't believe my tummy, I don't think it's been that flat ever! I'm very encouraged and happy with my results so far. It doesn't look like my butt has shrunk at all but he did tell my boyfriend he took out a whole pound of fat from there so I'm sure this is mostly swelling. When he told me that I was shocked, a pound of fat is really a lot, imagine a 1 pound package of Hamburg but instead it would be more than that because the meat is more dense than the fat.Updated on 16 Mar 2018: I didn't take any pics today but wanted to update you on my recovery. My drains are draining a very light pink fluid with some clots occasionally. I'm very itchy all over my boobs, the only thing that helps is an icepack. Today I was extremely tired, dozing off a lot but no good block of sleep longer than 45 minutes. I'm dozing off writing this as well lol. Next round of pics I will also take one of the protein shake I have been taking before bed every night. It's very good tasting, and it's a slow release/breakdown protein so while your body is healing through the night it has a supply of protein to draw from through the night. I think that's been the difference maker in how well I'm recovering so far.Updated on 21 Mar 2018: So Dr. Gaudett said I look terrific for being 1 week out! I will post pics after tomorrow's shower... The first one without drains! He told me he took out 1.5 pounds of fat from my butt, doesn't sound like a lot but put in perspective: Fat is much more "fluffy" than meat so picture about 3 pounds of meat and that's the amount sucked out of my behind ????! He also took a total of 4.25 pounds of skin and overlying stubborn belly fat! I can't even fathom that, my belly has literally never been this flat! On a side note, coughing sucks!! I know I'm not the only one, I've read it on multiple reviews. What worked best for me was Mucinex DM and pineapple juice; Mucinex for long term and the juice for acute flare ups. The second I'd feel a tickle I'd take a sip of juice and 99 times out of 100 I wouldn't cough. This was a lifesaver for me as just the thought of coughing had me in tears,;Updated on 23 Mar 2018: It's so nice to do anything and everything once the drains are out! A bit swollen today. I had been up on my feet for almost 3 hours non-stop, just around the house folding laundry, changing my bed (remember it's just a hospital bed so the mattress isn't big or heavy to lift at the corners), tidying up, and then showering so actually maybe not as swollen as I should be lol! My butt is still so swollen that I can't even imagine yet what it's going to look like! I hate that! I do know it has flattened out at the top but come on already!Updated on 25 Mar 2018: Well it's Sunday morning, just waking up, and it hits me....i don't feel normal yet. Yesterday my parents and my bf went to a state wrestling tournament for his children about 2.5 hours away and of course I had to stay home as that would have been way too much standing and walking....All day by myself, all the while hearing how much fun they are having and where they are going to eat after. I know they didn't intend to hurt my feelings but I'm very sensitive right now. So today I wake up still feeling stiff and hunched over, and I have to start work this evening! I work from home so it's not a big issue but I'm starting to wonder if I will ever feel normal again! I also feel like because I'm wearing the compression garment and am still slightly hunched over that EVERYONE who looks at me can see/tell that I'm wearing this garment and look hunched over so I don't dare leave my house for long and avoid seeing people at all costs! So I'm asking for some reassurance that maybe I'm not the only one who has felt this way and that it definitely will pass at a certain point; if it's not too much trouble also please tell me at what point you started to feel normal again.Updated on 1 Apr 2018: Hey there! I know these pics are a little late but I’ve been so busy! I’m back to work and with Easter this week was busy! I’m feeling better as far as my mood goes and physically better. I have 2 compression garments I alternate wearing when they get uncomfortable. I’m pretty itchy on my breasts and occasionally on my belly incision. I wear regular clothes for the most part but after half a day they start to feel tight and I need to change. But I look terrific with regular clothes on!Updated on 15 Apr 2018: I'm feeling so great! I feel confident, sexy, beautiful... This is hands down by far the best decision I have ever made!Updated on 8 May 2018: Omg where to begin..... I'm feeling much better emotionally now that I'm back to exercising; the more active I am the better I feel and I'm starting to tighten up my legs and butt again so that's always a confidence booster! I went through a bunch of clothes from my closet and dresser and omg I'm able to get rid of a lot because they are too big or don't accentuate my curves enough. Luckily I had always kept my pre pregnancy clothes in hopes of one day fitting back into them and guess what.... They fit!! That feeling is indescribable! I can’t wait to get back into cross fit at 12 weeks, I feel like nothing can hold me back now!

I love this site!!! It has helped me so much. I scheded my surgery a couple of months ago and I have spent MANY nights reading everyone's fantastic info!! I am scheduled for an uplift, mini tummy tuck, umbiical hernia/muscle repair in 4 days!!!! I have been through a TON of emotions. Today It's fear. I'm afraid that I will regret this! I work out a ton! I'm in pretty good shape, I don't want to look worse. It's a lot of money and I just want to look and feel great. Updated on 19 Dec 2014: I am 3 days away from surgery and I am so calm!!! I was a mess last week! I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat (I always eat!!) I got a cold sore from stress and now I'm like an spaced out air head!!!! I wish I started writing this all down last week!!! I think that I have worried about every possible scenario so now I just wait... Updated on 27 Dec 2014: I am 5 days in and I have no idea how other people wrote 1-5 day reviews!! I was out of it!! So! I feel pretty good except the crazy swelling!!! My upper thighs and vagina are really, really , really swollen! My husband spoke to the dr. And I guess it's normal? My first prescription was for dialodin, not sure how to spell., but I had to switch to tramadol because I was so nauseous and ITCHY!!!! I was crazy itchy after all three kids, so I'm guessing it's the anesthesia ? I sit and sleep in a recliner. The itch, nausea, and swelling are the hardest thing for me!! I also haven't had a BM yet. I really haven't been super hungry. My husband got me this telescopic back scratcher and it has saved my life!! I wanted to write my experience to help people with questions they may have, so many have helped me! But I'm having a hard time writing anything beneficial!! Ha! I will try again later Updated on 28 Dec 2014: I have my 1 week post op tomorrow and I hope to get these drains out! I have only had a little fluid for a couple days now. My tattoo is almost completely gone and I have one boob that is so bruised:( I'm just trying to keep a positive outlook and not worry so much about how things look. I am anxious about the staples:/ I'm also still pretty swollen in my pubic area, I hope that's normal Updated on 28 Dec 2014: My vagina and pubic area is and had been so swollen!!! The dr. said it's normal and to put my feet higher than my heart, which I've tried. It's not working!!! It's something that I would have never though of!!!! So after reading about it on this site, I am trying some compression underwear. I hope this works!!! I have been wearing some BIG underwear!! Updated on 30 Dec 2014: So , dr. Appointment went great, drains out (not that bad) half of the staples out( not that bad) but he cleaned out my belly button!!!!! It was terrible!!! It gave me the creeps. I was nauseous after and he wants me to clean it everyday!!! I don't think I can:. He also said the swelling in my groin area is normal . It did seem to get better when I wore compression underwear , so I think I will stick to that . SO! I am weaning off the painkillers so I only took a half and tried to sleep in my bed. It was a nightmare!!! My compression thing aroung my waist made it so uncomfortable to sleep !!! Plus it hurt my boobs:( so at 3 am, I put the recliner back together and slept there. I took a whole painkiller because I was tired and frusterated . The problem was I only had a little ginger ale to wash it down with and I ended up getting CRAZY heartburn!!! It super sucked. Now my throat is still burning, I got crap sleep and now I'm afraid to take another pill. I'm only on day 8 but I do t want to take rhem anymore!! I'm sick of feeling out if it. I do want and need a good nights sleep:/ Updated on 31 Dec 2014: I'm reading different things about being able to stand straight! I can not even get myself straight at all! I'm at day 10, should I be able to!?! Will I hurt myself if I don't? Will I hurt myself if I force myself to? I'm really sick of this compression thing too. This week has been the hardest by far!!! I thought I was prepared but I just feel frustrated:( sleeping on my side with a hard band poking me sucks! I'm super emotional!!!! Husband and kids are at a New Years party and I'm just sitting here bitching:( I am just going to take a shower and relax:) just needed to complain:) Updated on 1 Jan 2015: So as I sit here still reading a million posts a day ;) I am amazed that my ps used staples! Won't that make my scar worse!? I guess I assumed that they were not used anymore and I'm a little upset at myself for not even having that conversation! I hope he had a reason:/ I'm still having weird burning pains in my upper abdomen. The office is closed today so I will call tomorrow. I'm afraid to move:/ why would I have pain in my upper ab and not my lower? Updated on 1 Jan 2015: Updated on 2 Jan 2015: So, I found out why my upper abdomen is in such pain! I was under the impression that my muscle repair was only below my belly button, but I spoke with ps today and he said my muscle repair went all the way up to my rib cage!!! My husband said he knew this!?!? Where is my brain!? I had no idea... Anyway, it is comforting to know I have a reason to feel pain up there!!! This whole process has been quite the roller coaster. I was sad that I didn't keep a journal, but I have this!! I thought I was much tougher that I am:/ I thought I would be great by now! Whoa! Week 2 has been the worst:) I can't believe it's only been 11 days!! It feels like forever. I miss my kids. I feel like I have been gone for so long:( I will post a pic later , I think my bruising is getting better. I'm still confused about why my ps used staples and others don't seem to! I do love him though, he is the nicest guy ever! I really like him:) Updated on 5 Jan 2015: I just wrote this huge thing and it just went away:/ So! The short version!! 2 week mark today and my belly button is greaking out!!! It's filled with a whitish yellowish almost like plug!?! For lack of a better word:/ I've been cleaning it. Freaked out!!! I have 2 week post op appoinemt tomorrow and I am so glad!!! I hope this is no big deal:/ I still have a sharp pain in my upper Abdomon and I'm still quite hunched:/ Bright side!!! Sleeping good in my bed with a bunch of pillows!!! And kids went back to school so my life has somewhat returned to "normal". ;) aaahhhhh! I just want to know what it is!!!:( Updated on 6 Jan 2015: So! My staples are gone, all non dissolvable stitches are gone!!!! Yay! My belly button is fine:/ my incisions are still a little scary, but they will get better over time:) I bought some organic cocoa butter with vitamin e in it and rubbed it on the scars:) I have to look into what most people use/ like for helping the healing and scar reduction. The pain in my upper abs is the muscle spasming. This really needs to feel better. The worst pain I have had through this whole surgery!!! I think I'm standing a little straighter;) It feels that way! I did a lot the past two days and I was exhausted!!! I think I have to remind myself to SLOW DOWN!!!! Updated on 11 Jan 2015: I feel pretty good!! My pain in my upper abdomen is almost 100% gone!!! I do have a couple of issues though:/ 1st is I have a couple openings around my nipples that started bleeding yesterday:( it was a super dark red blood and it scared me, but I put calendula and a pad over it and it was fine today. I also have a stitch poking out from under my right breast. I think I have to have it trimmed? Scary! My worst issue is my TT scar on one side:-/ I will post a pic and please give your opinion. Italy be too soon to tell if I have a Dog ear or it's just swollen?! Aside from the little "puff" at the end of the incision, it looks crooked? It looks like there are two indications. It also looks almost bunched? Puckered? I hope it's just swollen. Not sure what could be done to fix it. I really don't want to have another surgery!?! Am I just being over concerned or are my worries justified? I am going to call Dr. Tomorrow:) BTW Dr. Gaudet is a really great guy! He answers all my questions, never makes me feel bad for calling, he is really the nicest guy!! His whole staff is amazing! Updated on 11 Jan 2015: Updated on 18 Jan 2015: It's been a long 4 weeks!!!! I'm feeling ok. I'm still nervous about scars and my Incision being high. I sleep better. This has been harder than I thought. I miss working out, I feel weak. I hope that I will be able to wear a bikini bottom:/ it seems like I may have to wear a very high waisted one:( I still have a couple spots that haven't healed around my nipple and it looks irritated at the incision under my breat. Going on a trip to st. Thomas on my 6th week and I hope I will be healed enough to swim in the ocean. I did buy a strapless dress!!!!! That is exciting. I have an appointment on Wednesday so I hope he can tell me how to heal faster:/ I have been using coconut oil on my incisions. It has been a looooong 4 weeks:) seems like. Lifetime ago. I think that I just want instant gratification and I need to relax:/ Updated on 28 Jan 2015: Wow! 5 weeks!!! What an experience this has been!!! I am still a little worried about my scar placement. I feel pretty normal Though! I still wear my compression garmet! I got the spanks and NO THaNKs!!!! It is so uncomfortable! I also Have this weird cord thing!?! When I lift up my arm, sometimes this vein pops out:/ it's under my breast or even further down on my Abdomon:/ it hurts!! It's feeling better now though. I'm supposed to go back to teaching Zumba next week... Not sure I'm ready for that!! I did start riding on the stationary bike a few days ago and that felt ok:) I am SO sick though!!! I think I have strep and I am so thankful that I got it now and not earlier!!!! Coughing hurts my throat, but thankfully not my belly!!!! Updated on 29 May 2015: I wanted to see the after pictures so I thought I would share! I am having a little bit of a scarring problem. Some of the scars are hypertonic or however you spell it! And I still have a small dog ear that will be fixed in June. The dr. Says that he will inject cortisone (I think) into te scar and that should help. I'm a little concerned about it not getting better:/ I had 3 C sections and never scarred like this!! I will update after:) I am 100% back to the gym kicking butt! I'm still numb in my abdominal area, I hope this goes away:/ my scar is a tiny bit higher than I anticipated, so bikini shopping isn't as easy as I thought! Plus I'm not allowing my belly button to be exposed by the sun.... BB scar is less than ideal as well:( I think it will get better. The weird thing is my BB scar was great until a few weeks ago!! Will post pics after June 6 month appointment! Updated on 18 Dec 2015: I had my dog ear revision 2 days ago and wanted to post about it!! Almost a year later I was able to fix my dog ear!!! I feel kind of silly for putting it off for so long!!! The procedure took about 15 minutes and didn't even hurt!!! I am posting a picture so you can see the progress:) I have felt no pain!!! I even sleep on the same side!!!! I hope that it looks great! My scars from the whole surgery are not 100% yet :( I ended up with hypothropic scars..I will post pics about that journey as well!! Updated on 9 Dec 2016: I went in for my revision this morning.I was prescribed Ativan the night before to help with the nerves because something about getting your bellybutton touched really freaks me out. I went in at 8 o'clock this morning and was out by 930? Pretty quick! The actual procedure started with a little pinch the numbing agent I guess and it felt a little painful a little pulling, definitely not a good feeling. I wouldn't say it hurt though. Iwas sent home with it bandaged and instructions to wash twice a day with peroxide and water and apply bacitracin on the area. Fingers crossed that I will have a great-looking bellybutton finally! I will post pictures as it progresses Updated on 9 Dec 2016: About a year after dog ear revision. I have gained a little weight so it's not as good as it could be:/ Updated on 9 Dec 2016: It's been about two years since my initial surgery, I've had a dog ear revision a year ago and just had my bellybutton revised today. My feelings of the surgery are up and down. Well I'm very happy that my belly is flat, it is still numb and probably always will be and that freaks me out.I wish that I got implants because my breasts are still pretty saggy. I scarred very badly and will have to do something about the scars. I think it's just the way my body handled the surgery.I am showing a full 2 year after photo,even though don't look that great I think it's important for people to know that these sort of things May and did happen! I still love my surgeon Dr. Gaudet and his staff tremendously.

I have two kids 6 and almost 3. Always had a great figure. Two 9+lb babies later I can't even stand looking at my stomach. I'm finally doing this for me and my family, it's for a healthier happier me! My husband like all loving husbands I'm sure said, you will be doing this for you because I love you no matter what. Sweet but..... I feel like he fell in love with my body then and it causes self confidence issues for me. I'm happy, scared, nervous, and much more. Years I've been waiting, days until it's finally going to happen. Updated on 16 Sep 2014: So, 8 days...... I don't know what to say other than I have a super busy week leading up to my surgery, a wedding, kids sports games, work events... Feeling like I'm ignoring the fact I will be having this life changing surgery in only EIGHT days. Sometimes I feel like screaming with excitement and crying with fear all at the same time. My sister in law is an ER nurse and told me I am in great hands and have nothing to worry about. I kind of think I'm waiting for someone to tell me not to do it because I'm just really nervous and have a fear of...... I know this sounds silly.... death....... I have never 'gone under' before and that scares the hell out of me. I keep telling myself it will all be ok and I really believe it will but there is that underlying fear, guess its the unknown. I will update with before pictures in the next few days. Much love to all who have expressed kind words, advice and pictures as well. Updated on 16 Sep 2014: Here are a few pics from the other night - 7 days pre op Updated on 16 Sep 2014: Once my marshmallow belly is gone what will my kids bounce their faces on while giving me raspberries? Hahaha!!! ???????????? Updated on 16 Sep 2014: Updated on 19 Sep 2014: Cant believe I only have 5 more days until my TT/MR. WOAH!!! Surgery was scheduled in May and it seemed like forever away, man, time flies. Feeling really excited and still super scared. I have a few questions still for my PS. Hoping I can nab him this afternoon or Monday next week. I have heard a lot of people mention the farther back the PS cuts the less chance of dog ears. Anyone know this to be true or not? I want to ask him how far he thinks he will be cutting back. I want to tell him to go as far as he needs. LOL - since I'm not having lipo that might also cause dog ears? I could stand to get some lipo from my hip area but I am hoping once I get rid of the skin flap and I can more comfortably work out I won't need to have it done. Also last time I saw him he said the TT won't help with the thickness of my upper torso, why? because I am not having lipo from there? Every post surgery picture I see it looks like the thickness of the upper torso goes away. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I want to ask him about that too. Hope you are all doing well and recovering nicely. :) Updated on 23 Sep 2014: Tomorrow morning I'll be headed towards the flat side. I'm excited and am forcing myself away from nervousness. My PS was able to answer a bunch of questions I had today so I feel good about tomorrow. Will be hard to kiss my babies off to school though. I know I'll be emotional but it will be worth it! Thanks for the well wishes. I'll post as soon as I can. Much love to you all! Xoxo Updated on 25 Sep 2014: So hi everyone. Thank you for your well wishes! Surgery went really well, last thing I remember was saying "I feel really heavy" and the nurse smiled at me. Woke up in recovery hours later. My husband spoke to the dr after surgery and he said when he went in for the muscle repair I had a huge hernia. He was able to tuck it under the muscle when he stitched it back together. He also said by the looks of my muscle sitting must have been really painful (so true, it was). And drum roll please......... I had 7pounds of skin removed! Wow!! I thought maybe it would amount to 1-2pounds, nope SEVEN!!! I am feeling pretty good today. Yesterday I was getting sick a lot and was uncomfortable because I must not have been keeping down the pain meds well. My husband was great and woke me up every three hours last night to check on me and give me meds. I'm not draining a ton, maybe a total of 150cc's from noon to 10pm. I had to open the binder and take one folded blanket out because the ice was not getting to me. I still have another hospital blanket and three hand towels in there because the binder was too big. They brought two sizes and both were too big. I didn't mind hearing that. With the towels and blanket I look about the size before surgery. I'll be taking a shower later and I am not excited to see but pretty curious. :) if I can snap a shot I will. Oh and as far as icing - they say 20 minutes out of every hour. I have ice on constantly because how thick the packing is in my binder and it takes longer for the cold to get to me. Corn corn and lots of bags of corn!!! ???? talk soon! Hope all others are recovering well!! -----------Jackie Updated on 25 Sep 2014: Updated on 25 Sep 2014: Day 1 post op pic before 1st shower. Updated on 26 Sep 2014: A little brushing starting Updated on 28 Sep 2014: So today (4days post op) has been just as great as yesterday was shitty. I went for a car ride to my in laws (few bumps which didn't feel great but not so bad) and sat outside in the sun with my ice packs. I watched my kids play in the yard, closed my eyes and sucked up some of the last warm days of 2014! Can't begin to thank everyone for taking the time to express their kind words yesterday. Seriously helped me get through my first of many bad days. I'll post some pictures from today! :) Updated on 28 Sep 2014: Forgot to post. Had a shitty emotional day. Updated on 29 Sep 2014: Hello lovely ladies. No pix yet from today. I'll post some later. I'm feeling good. Woke up stiff, achy and my ass is so sore from sitting on the couch so much. I'm walking a lot and have been taking 1000mg of extra strength Tylenol since Friday morning (2days post op) Percocet made me feel like my ears were blocked and I couldn't form comprehendable sentences. I even told my husband to make the kids a toilet. Funny but really scary. Those pills have been turned in to the pill bank. So long Percocet - I will never take it again. Tummy feels right today and I swear I can feel my skin healing. It's a twinging feeling. So weird but if it's healing - I love it!!!! Two more days until I get to my 1 week post op appointment where I have been told if all is well drains and half of staples come out. I'll be glad to get the drains out because the area around where they go into my hips is really sore and throbs a lot. I keep ice on it 24/7!! Hope you are all doing well and are happy with your bodies today!!! -Jackie Updated on 29 Sep 2014: Updated on 30 Sep 2014: I'm not going to post any pix today. I'll explain later. So as you know my drain tube insertion points on each hip have been killing me. Burning, throbbing. Feels like a non stop rubber band snap to the skin. I woke up this morning after not sleeping well because of the pain saying out loud "one more day, just one more" gave myself a pep talk and off I went for my morning cup of joe. Sat down on the couch to check up on work emails and was like f this. I called my PS and asked if they could get me in today. Yay, they had an 11am cancellation. I was off for a shower and ready to get to his office. Since my drains were only putting out 25cc in 12 hours the dr said he would take them out!!!! I wanted to dance. Drains came out (not a fun feeling at all, as if someone is dragging a tube through your insides, cause that's exactly what happens, made me a little queasy, didn't hurt though) half the staples came out too (just pinched a little). I got a smaller binder and was on my way!!! Feeling great today!!! I'll post pix tomorrow as to what the incision looks like with less staples and what the drain tube hole looks like! Happy day oh happy day!!! Updated on 30 Sep 2014: This is what it looks like when the drain tube is removed. Updated on 1 Oct 2014: Feeling good today! Haven't had a BM in 4 days so I'm 1 lax in hoping to accomplish that today. LOL!! Drain incision hole is causing no pain at all. Still ice 24/7, just fees better. Take a look at my pics from today. Updated on 1 Oct 2014: I asked my PS why he used staples vs stitches, (I didn't mind either way). He said it saved over 45 minutes in the OR, my incision was so long staples got me out and off anesthesia faster and that's always a safer option. I was fine with that answer. :) Updated on 2 Oct 2014: 8 days since surgery. Felt really good today. Still sore in my abs from where the drains were tugged through - hoping in a few days that will subside. Feeling a little weird about going to work on Monday with staples on. I get them out Wednesday. I think I'll call my boss tomorrow and ask if I can have a few extra days and go back in Thursday next week. :/ hate to do that's here are some pics from today! Updated on 6 Oct 2014: Entering "swell hell" as my PS calls it. Lots if ice! Still emotional a lot. Still have staples in. They should come out in 2 days. Back to work in 3 days. Hope everyone is doing well!! Xoxo Updated on 8 Oct 2014: So just lost everything I wrote! Ugh. Hate when that happens! :/ Happy to have made it to day 14 with no complications. I just got home from my 2 week post op appt where the remaining staples and belly button stitches were removed. I have to say the worst part of these past two weeks were the drains, staples, emotions and not being able to do normal things like walk, hold my kids, go to soccer practice and games or cook a meal for my family. I'm happy to report I can walk to the bus stop (a little tired after) I can stand at the stove to cook and for the first time I slept (3hours) in my bed on my back. I'm swollen today but PS said it's going to happen and the swelling isn't too bad. I'm cleared to use coco butter in place of antibiotic ointment and I'll be looking for a compression garment in the next day or so, the binder is rather bulky. I return to work tomorrow and I'm excited. I feel like I can. I'm sure I'll be tired by 2 or 3 but I'm excited to get back and see my coworkers. :) see my pics! :) Happy healing RS sisters! Updated on 9 Oct 2014: Since my staples were removed yesterday I have noticed my front and center incision area getting a little red and funky looking. Help. Should I be worried???? :( Updated on 11 Oct 2014: Getting really red. I'm super worried and my dr didn't get back to me yesterday. :( now I have a long weekend to stress about it. Updated on 11 Oct 2014: So I have an infection says my PS. He will be calling in an antibiotic for me. It will be a 10 day course treatment. I pray it was caught early enough that I don't have any major issues. So nervous. :( another sad day. Can't stop crying. Updated on 12 Oct 2014: Infection update! I started my Z Pack today. I feel pretty calm about it. I know I have to just wait for the antibiotic to do its thing. I will continue to clean it well and do my part. Phew. Hope it was nabbed early enough for a quick heal!!! See the pics! Xoxo Jackie Updated on 13 Oct 2014: Hello everyone! Day 2 of my 5 day course of antibiotics. My PS's Nurse who I LOVE, called today to check in and see how I was doing. I said my incision and belly button still look yucky. I also mentioned when I walk fast (well as fast as I can move these days) I feel a jiggle around the spot of my incision that's draining. They wanted to see me (soroma?) - I went in to the office today at 2:30 and they gave me a few shots of Novocain around the problem area and took a larger needle and attempted to draw out fluid. To all of our surprise there wasn't much of anything in there. I thought for sure there would be. Yay though. That was a good sign. My PS and my fav nurse thought things were looking like they were headed in the right direction. My side incisions look great. Just the darn front section and belly button are still iffy in my opinion. I'm showering twice a day now to really keep things clean. Check out my pics from today. What do you all think? Look better than yesterday? Xoxo ???? Updated on 14 Oct 2014: I want to get drunk, pass out and wake up 3 or 4 weeks from now... :( blah. First full day back to work. Worked 8 1/2 hours. How's my icky spot look! ???? oh and ps crazy tomorrow marks 3 weeks. Why is my incision spot look so white?? I have another check up with my PS tomorrow at 11:15am. He's been great with follow op and after care. Lovey PS, Nurse and office staff. Xoxo Updated on 15 Oct 2014: Wow. 3 weeks. Crazy. I remember the day after my surgery feeling like 3 weeks was a world away. (Cheering)!!!!! I went to see my PS again today. They numbed me up and attempted to draw fluid (if there was any). He only got a half a tablespoon if that. That's good news. My weird spot still looks weird to me but PS said it's looking better. He will see me again next week! :) I worked a full work day yesterday and I was pretty swollen last night. I won't wear my jeans to work again for a while. Too tight. Hope you're all doing well! Xoxo Updated on 15 Oct 2014: Looks even better tonight then it did this morning!!! I'm still very much swollen but it's looking good! Updated on 19 Oct 2014: Fighting "swell hell" and still working to heal the spot that was infected a week/two ago. Pretty much have my energy back and I can move around pretty well. Still hard to pick up things on the floor and lift heavy things. Onward!!!!! Updated on 22 Oct 2014: My 6 year old son walked into the bathroom while I was putting on my dressings. I was standing in a bra and underwear, he quickly said sorry and was about to run out and I said it was ok if he wanted to see what I was doing. He looked at my incision in awe and said how good it looked. Then he put his hands together and said "nowwwwwwwww your legsssssssssss"..... Little turd! LOL!!! He was insinuating I need to make my legs smaller. Hahaha!!! I told him to go and tell his father what he said. We got a good laugh out of it. Out of the mouth of babes I tell ya. ???? I'll be posting an update tomorrow! Updated on 28 Oct 2014: 5 weeks. Doesn't seem possible. Still a lot of ups and downs? Good days and not so good days. Though every day is one day closer to full recovery from this surgery. I have a stitch poking out at the end of my incision over my left hip. Didn't bother me until yesterday. Now it's getting sore. Oh well. "Spot" is still healing at a slow but steady rate. I'm kind of concerned with the hard lumps around spot. Waiting to hear from PS tomorrow as next appt isn't until 11/5. Anyone have this happen before? Check our my pics though! I'm very happy!!! Xoxo all!! Updated on 31 Oct 2014: Sent my PS a pic and he wanted to see me right away. Confirmed - fatty necrosis. :( he cut out most of the white area and cleaned out the mess from inside. Blah. I have a hole now as opposed to a spot. I have to clean it out with a water/peroxide mix and qtip twice a day. Can't wait for this to be over. Sucky! Updated on 2 Nov 2014: Day 3 since debriding. No pain, so much less drainage since the hole was created and cleaned out. The daily cleaning is a bit scary (qtip, peroxide, inside and around). Other than that doing and feeling great!! Updated on 4 Nov 2014: Not much to update other than pics and the fact the area around home seems to have sunken in a bit. Things are well otherwise. Swelling isn't too bad. Xoxo Updated on 5 Nov 2014: Doesn't seem possible it's been 6 weeks already! I went for a follow up appt with my PS to check up on hole and he ended up cutting out some more fatty necrotic tissue. I'm pretty used to it now. Not as deviatating as it was last week. Posted pic! Xoxo all!!! Updated on 8 Nov 2014: Updated on 14 Nov 2014: So my fatty necrosis was originally cleaned out on 10/30. A little over two weeks ago. I have gone back to my PS multiple times for debreding over the past few weeks. I tell ya, hard work, good wound care and excellent follow up makes for a happy recovery. A little twinging pain here and there around the hole. Still swell as the day goes on, sleeping pretty well. For all those thinking about having or just having had a TT - hang in there. It does get better and no matter how bad of a day you're having the next will be better and every day after that is better than the one before. Stay positive, and take the days just a few hours at a time. The time really does go by fast. Hugs to you all! Xoxo Updated on 16 Nov 2014: My hole is seriously getting smaller every day. I'm so happy!! On the flip side - holy swell hell? My PS was right on the money with this. I feel so bloated and big and uncomfortable and FAT! Taking it day by day. Thankfully I am able to sleep well, I wake up feeling pretty got but even 1st thing in the am I feel swollen and big. Part of the fun roller coaster journey. Xoxo Updated on 17 Jan 2015: Hi RS sisters, It's been a while since I last posted. Not much has changed other than "hole" closed up a short wile ago. I'm happy to report the giant scab has just fallen off too!!! The area is now a very dark red/purple color. It will most likely be a scar. But that's ok with my!!! I'm so excited. I have been working out a lot - using my fitbit to track my progress Bd it's so fun! If anything it holds me accountable for what I do in a day!! I still swell towards the end of the day and I still feel very numb all over - my hips and belly button especially. Strange feeling. I will be wearing a very foreign deeds to my brother in laws wedding next month and it's so excreting becAuse my belly roll was so big I would have NEEEEEVEEEEER even considered a slim fit dress!!! I cried when I tried it on and my mom did too. It was a "ahhhhhhh" moment! Much anticipated and a very happy humbled feeling. So many people know what I mean and every one deserves to feel that way. I felt beautiful. I haven't felt pretty or skinny in a very long time. I didn't want to take the dress off. I just kept looking at myself. :) good luck to you all. Hope your surgeries and recoveries are going well! Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo Jackie Updated on 25 Jan 2015: So went for a checkup this week and my dr was so pleased with how the hole closed up. Because it had to work extra hard to close up my skin is a bit puckered in that spot. He said he could fix it. I'm not sure I want him to open it back up to do that but we will see how it looks a few months down the road. Maybe it will work itself out! Either way I'm so happy with how my stomach looks!!! So, under my incision line, you know the triangle of skin that my underwear covers.... Well I have a puffy pouch. I feel like I look like a Ken doll.... ???? My PS said he would do lipo as a "revision" for free. Said it would take about an hour and the healing would be pretty quick. I'm all for free lipo and especially getting rid of my ken doll pouch. Any thoughts on why I shouldn't do it? Xoxo Jackie