After 3 VERY large babies my poor little body has needed some self love. We are booking our apt on Monday for Aug 29, 2019!!
I’m very excited! We were going to do it a few months after my BA but time, holidays && LIFE took over and now here we are! I’m so ready to feel better about myself.
I eat well, I lift weights (I also enjoy tacos and the occasional ice cream treat life is way to short right?!? I live by the 80% 20% rule!) but even running, weight training and diet doesn’t change my mommy belly.... I used to have a waist but after a 9lbs baby, an 11lbs Baby, and a baby who HAD to be taken out early because he was on track to be 12lbs my waist is MIA. I’m so ready to have that back and the baby pooch gone!
I have struggled because you read the “self love” the “stretch marks are proof you carried babies” but I still never could “love” the way I look. I am so grateful for a strong healthy body that carried three beautiful babies but as one user put it.... “I have kids that I adore I don’t need the stretch marks” if I knew how to tag or even remember the review I saw it on I would totally tag her, because it made me feel soooo much better about finishing this mommy makeover.
I am going to be in this body until the day I die, I want to enjoy it, care for it, and be comfortable in it until the good Lord calls me home. I have the 3 beautiful kiddos to show off, I don’t need the stretch marks...
Dr. Rubis did my BA and of course I wanted him to finish with my TT. He is very detail oriented, and makes such pretty belly buttons! (Also pretty boobs too!) but that was a very important part of this whole TT process is I want my belly to look natural again, and not artificial... I feel like when you have a bad belly button you automatically know that person had a tummy tuck... I just want to look like a normal human. Dr. Rubis talked about his belly button process and all his before and afters are full of beautiful belly buttons! It really made me feel better talking through the details he puts into it.
So here we go! I’m so excited. Looking at two piece swim suits have me in tears because I’m just so grateful we can do this comfortably, and that I will not be so insecure about my gut again and feel cute and not that I’m hiding! Even in a one piece you still see the bulge, I’m so ready to just be comfortable again.
I have a few weeks before surg so I will post some before and afters soon!
Updated on 1 Aug 2019:
Well, I took some pictures.... that’s super hard to see yourself! It also looks like (my right side but I think it’s flipped in the photo but it’s the side with the long scar) is not as protruding as my left side (the side with the tattoo)...
I’m so excited/scared/nervous. I want to buy all the two piece swimsuits! But I’m holding tight until after surgery!
I’m so anxious to see what my belly will look like. I’m nervous since I’m not having lipo that I will look like a spare tire so I have really been trying to work out these areas and have a calorie deficit before surgery!!! I just want the best results (as we all do right?) I’m scared I won’t be happy with my results? I HAVE NO IDEA WHY! My surgeon is amazing and makes the my beautiful belly buttons, I think I’m just overthinking (per usual) that I’m going to look the same or not much different...So dumb!
I am also nervous because I’m not having lipo that I won’t have a waist and I will look like a squatty rectangle! I’m just hoping that with the muscle repair that will cinch things in. I have a short torso and had 3 very large babies and 2 c-sections so I’m just imagining that my muscles are super spread out and when he goes in there it will be magic when he is all done? Wishful thinking?? (This is my overthinking process) and excitement of being so close to feeling better about my body! I just hope my belly will be flat, it seems to poke out so far! It’s hard to imagine what I will look like after 7 years of looking pregnant.
Updated on 10 Aug 2019:
I found some cute bottoms on sale at target and I bought them! I wanted to take some before pictures in it to be able to compare after surgery!
I’m so excited to get this done. Still nervous from all the things, like kids stuff, surgery itself, all the up coming things after surgery. But I know it’s all going to be worth it! I have wanted this for so long!
I’m excited to know how far my muscles are separated, is that weird?!? I’m Hoping once those are fixed that will give me a few inches back!
(Also, these pictures were taken after dinner at a New Mexican restaurant we wanted to try, hello sodium city!)
Updated on 11 Aug 2019:
Just a few more before pictures for comparison 18 more days!!!
Updated on 21 Aug 2019:
I had my Pre-Op on Monday! My blood drawn yesterday, and just now getting to writing about it today! Wednesday! All went well. At pre-op Dr. Rubis and Nurse Tracy both said I’m the perfect candidate for a tummy tuck. All my problem area is in the front and will all be gone after surg! Waaaahooo!!!
He mentioned because of my belly button I might have a vertical scar but that doesn’t bother me at all... anything is going to look better!
I am so so so excited! I have been “nesting” it feels like. Detailed my car, organized so drawers, been deep Cleaning the house the list goes on!
Basically at pre-op is sounded like the first week is the worst, the more I “over do it” the longer I get to keep the drains (no thank you) That’s really good incentive for me to calm down and just relax but get up when I feel like it.
The count down is on!
Updated on 30 Aug 2019:
I just see people say they are on the flat side after having a TT so I’ll jump on that wagon!
Recovery is going great! I have no complaints. I was so worried I was going to vomit after surgery (I do every time I have anesthesia) I told Dr. Rubis and his team this and they did everything they could to make sure I didn’t vomit! It worked! I am so so so thankful for that.
I stayed the night in the hospital where my care was excellent. They really helped manage my pain which I had none only when I had to move. After they took my catheter out I got to get up and walk about 4am. It was so nice! Felt awesome to get out of bed.
My drains are doing well. Not too much and not to little! Really I’m just trying to eat small amounts because of the meds... I am bound and determined to not throw up!
I think I psyched myself out reading so many reviews about how painful recovery is, but it hasn’t been as bad as I anticipated. Walking hunched over isn’t as bad either (my story my change after days of walking like this) but truly it’s been way easier than I thought!
Being home is nice, and relaxing. I hope I can get some good rest! While the nurses at the hospital were so helpful I still had to wake up every couple ours while someone came in to check vitals etc. so I’m excited to rest.
So far, it’s been easy! Just listening to my body! Which I don’t get a peek at until Wednesday. Right now I’m wrapped up and can’t really see anything. I keep trying to peek through my shirt but my husband keeps scolding me! Hahah! I am never good with surprises.
For now, I will just rest and walk when I get up to use the potty.
Updated on 2 Sep 2019:
Yesterday I felt the urge all day to poo but couldn’t. My hubby went and got me some milk of magnesia and that seemed to help. Some
Came out yesterday and a little more later on. Nothing like a regular poo though. I took two more colace last night and 30ml more of milk of magnesia and went to bed. This morning first thing I had to do was go potty but it was still a little bit but with less pushing. (Such a weird feeling)
Yesterday I also did not take any pain meds at all. I feel really great. My drains are irritating but I talked to my doctor this morning (while I was putting on a new pair of comfy shirts I accidentally snag my drain a little bit. He reassured me it was ok.) I emptied my drains from 7:30pm last night to 7:30 am and all together I only had 12.5cc combined! He said sounds like I will be able to get my drain out on Wednesday then the 2nd one friday! It will be so nice to be stainless for the weekend!
I’m still sleeping in the recliner in the “beach chair” position. There is something luxurious calling it “beach chair” position. I’m also still walking around at 30 degrees... my husband always hollers at me when I come up a little haha! I thankful for him but man.., it really is starting to hurt the back!
Over all I’m thankful I only needed narcos for a few days! I asked if i could drive and my Doc as that’s all up to me as long as I’m not on pain meds and I can safely get in and out by myself and I totally can! Recovery has definitely not need as bad as I thought it would be! Painful at times yes... getting in and out of the recliner is a challenge but not impossible.
Hope everyone is happy and healing well! I’m hoping to post some more pictures on Wednesday!
Updated on 10 Sep 2019:
I have been feeling pretty great!
Updated on 10 Sep 2019:
I actually took thees this morning. I get pretty uncomfortable by the end of the day and M ready for bed! Throughout the day I just feel tight but can do what I need to do, I am ostly straight up and down but catch myself hunching often. I need posture police.
Updated on 27 Sep 2019:
I am free to do light exercises! I feel great! I also can start weening off the compression garments! Whoop!
Updated on 1 Oct 2019:
Having a gap in your stretchy pants! Holla!