Okay, I have never posted to anything like this before, but I have been a stalker of this site for a while now and thought I would post. I am a 33 year old female with 2 wonderful children (11 and 7). After I had my children, I just kind of let myself go because of the way my tummy looked. However, in May 2012, I decided that I had had enough. I decided that the weight had to go. In the past year, I have lost almost 90 pounds. I am now 180 pounds and am 5'7". When I look at myself in the mirror, it is discouraging to see what having babies and gaining so much weight after has done to my body. I have researched a lot and have decided on a full tummy tuck with lipo of my outer thighs. Although, I walk/jog between 4 and 6 miles everyday, I can't seem to get rid of the outer thighs. My PS will be Dr. Henry Vasconez in Lexington, KY. As I am 3 days pre-op, I am super excited and yet, I am also really nervous. Although, I don't smoke much, I have been a smoker for 12 years. I am worried about necrosis and the healing process, though I am not smoking now and won't at least until well after the incision heals. Anyway, the nerves are really getting to me, but I can't wait until the procedure is over. I will post some before pics later when I get up the nerve to take them. Updated on 9 Jul 2013: I will have my husband take some better photos tomorrow night or Thursday morning before I go in to surgery. Updated on 9 Jul 2013: Updated on 10 Jul 2013: Okay tters, it is about 19 hours preop and I am really terrified!!! I am confident with my surgeon choice, as he is the sweetest man ever, and I know a couple of other people who have had procedures with him. Anyway, I read on here about having your prescriptions and following night before instructions, but I have no prescriptions and the only instructions I got was to wash the surgery areas with this stuff they gave me!!! I'm just really freaking out and sick to my stomach today!!! However, I still can't wait to be on the FLAT SIDE!!! Updated on 10 Jul 2013: It is about 14.5 hours until my surgery. I have to be at the hospital at 530am in the morning, scheduled for surgery at 730!!! I am headed to Lex now since we have to be there so early in the morning. I had a serious panic attack earlier today worrying about everything. It had passed now, but I am still really nervous!!! YIKES!!! Updated on 10 Jul 2013: It is a little over 8 hours preop, and I have just laid down to try and get some sleep!!! I have to be at the hospital at 530, so I will be up and about again in about 5 hours!!! Please send some prayers my way tomorrow as I join the flat side forever!!! I will post as soon as I can!!! Updated on 11 Jul 2013: I am at the hospital waiting to register!!! My husband took pics this morning that are better than the ones I took, so I will leave you guys with that!!! Hopefully, I feel up to posting later this evening after my surgery!!! Updated on 11 Jul 2013: Updated on 12 Jul 2013: I hope that I am on the FLAT SIDE!!! I haven't gotten to see it bc I can't take off my garment until. Tuesday. Here are the only new pics I have!!! Updated on 12 Jul 2013: I am so tired and can't keep focus!!! Updated on 12 Jul 2013: Sorry forgot to post the preop markups!!! Updated on 13 Jul 2013: Well tters I had surgery on Thursday, and it is now Saturday!!! The pain is bearable, but definitely uncomfortable!!! I so bad want to see my incision, but my PS said absolutely do not remove my garment until after I see him on Tuesday!!! I will for sure post pics when I get to see the incision!!! The incision has been my worst fear from the beginning and even though the surgery is over, I am still having to worry!!! Ugggghhhh, I just want this over already!!! My baby boy doesn't understand why he can't climb on me, and it breaks, my heart to see him sad!!! Anyway, enough griping now, I'll update more later!!! Updated on 17 Jul 2013: Okay so it has been a few days since I posted, but things have just been crazy!!! I stayed with my sister until yesterday, and when I came home everyone wanted to visit!!! Today, I had to attend a PD session for school!!! Anyway, when I went to my post op 1 appointment yesterday, I got to see my new tummy for the first time!!! Both of my drains were removed, but I had to leave the pads on my thighs until last night when I could get them wet!!! I am really happy so far, and I know that there is quite a bit of swelling!!! Anyway, I have had a really long day and think I am going to bed!!! Will post more pics of tummy and thighs soon!!! Updated on 18 Jul 2013: I just wanted to say that this has been the worst day since my surgery!!! I have been in pain all day!!! I mean not horrible or unbearable, but worse than I have had since like day 1 or 2!!! I did a lot yesterday, so maybe that is it, but it has just been horrible!!! Just wondering if anyone else has experienced a day 7 post op day of hell??? Updated on 28 Jul 2013: I am POD 17 and had hubby take some pics after my shower!!!