I have consulted with 3 plastic surgeons before picking. I went to have a consult with Dr Avila and his bedside manner isn’t the best but he seemed very professional, I felt comfortable, and answered all my questions and concerned areas/treatment options. He would say what could possibly be done and the what my goals were that I wanted to achieve with plastic surgery. The other plastic surgeons did not mention a 24hr hospital stay after the surgery. This really stood out to me because most mommy makeovers surgeries take about 4-6hrs. So I decided right then and there on my plastic surgeon. I scheduled my surgery about 1 month away from my consult. The girls in the officer were super friendly and make you feel so comfortable.
I am 30 yrs old and a mom of 4, after my first pregnancy I was left with excessive loose skin and saggy breasts I knew that eventually I would need plastic surgery but I knew I had to wait until I was done having kids. 7 months ago I had my last baby and a BTL. I am scheduled for surgery 5/28/19. I have so many mixed emotions about this surgery but praying for a positive outcome. Any tips on similar procedures will be greatly appreciated. Updated on 20 Mar 2019: Im so ready to have my body back.... but i am also extremely nervous for such a big procedure... Updated on 29 Mar 2019: I am curious to know, has anyone had surgery as a parent of a baby (10m)??? Am I crazy for doing so? I have bee arranging help from family and so on so I know I will have the help. But I feel like my baby is going to miss me...
I am 5'5" and weigh 175 lbs. I have had pain in my neck and upper back for about 8 years. It got worse about 2 years ago. My previous weight was 140 lbs. I was running and lifting weights 5 days a week and had run a half marathon and had completed a Tough Mudder competition and was going to train for a full marathon and start weight training fir fitness competition. I had to wear double sports bras to run and I had considered breast reduction then. Long story short, one day I couldn't lift the same amount of weight with my right arm and I started having numbness and tingling with increased pain when I laid down at night. MRI showed 2 herniated discs that needed surgery. I battled 3 surgeons that told me I needed to fuse my neck and found someone that would do aggressive decompression. He also said NO EXERCISE or lifting of more than a gallon of milk for a year. I have completed the year and gained all this weight. He is allowing me to start walking on a treadmill. But no weights yet. He also said if I wanted this to work, I would need a breast reduction. I am a 36G and I hope to be a small C. I have seen 2 surgeons and the second one is who will do my surgery. My insurance has agreed to cover the breast reduction. So if I am going under the knife, I am getting EVERYTHING done that I can. My next appointment is Monday to make final plans as to all he is able to do in one shot. I am excited to be pain free. Finally! Updated on 31 Jul 2015: I will be adding a tummy tuck and lipo as well. Updated on 3 Aug 2015: So, I had a follow up with the surgeon today. I will go from a 36G to a small C. He will meet the BCBS criteria of removing 500gr in order to get it covered by insurance. He said he will probably take a little more than that. He said no more sweatiness under the boobs. And no more having to use powder under the bobs to keep from getting a rash...YAY!!!!!! So, for sure I am getting a tummy tuck with liposuction to "3rd boob" area, to bra roll, to waist, flanks, and low back. He also said he will lipo hips and he will do a fat graft to buttocks just to fill in the flat parts and make them rounded out again. He said I will be under anesthesia for about 5 1/2 -6 hours. I will have 4 drains. I will stay overnight in the hospital. My hubby is going to try to 6 days off from work. Then I will spend the rest of my time at my best friends house to have help. He quoted me $8500 for all the stuff not covered by insurance. That is a great price! I saw the work he has done (he has several books in his office). I am really excited now. I am having a hard time trying to figure out a way to tell my family about the added surgery. They are giving me attitude because of my breast reduction choice. That I am messing up the body God gave me. And going under the knife selfishly. How are you guys handling the family members with an attitude? Updated on 3 Aug 2015: I forgot to mention I will definitely be done September 3rd. I will be his second case. He said ONLY if I felt comfortable. He said he has only one before me. And he would start on me about 12:30pm. His earlier one will only take a couple hours. I am confident in him so I said yes. I gave my $850 deposit down today. So 4 weeks from today. Updated on 11 Aug 2015: I am going to have cataract surgery first. So September 8th is my left eye and September 15th will be my right eye. Then September 17th my mommy makeover!!! Updated on 17 Aug 2015: I am anxious to get this over and done with. I went shopping this weekend to get summer clothes and bathing suits since I will be going away for winter holidays to Cancun and if I wait to shop for clothes AFTER my surgery, there will not be any summer stuff on the racks. Hope it all fits me after my surgery. I DON'T KNOW WHAT SIZE I WILL BE! Any suggestions on picking out clothes pre-op??? Updated on 26 Aug 2015: I am going to start on B-complex, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, , wheat germ oil, and....not sure what else. Then I will have Arnica and Bromelain on hand as I get closer to date. I have to get organized. Updated on 10 Sep 2015: Tomorrow is my pre-op appt. I will sign papers, pay balance off, and get final instructions before next week. I AM FREAKING JUST A TAD. Is this the right thing for me? Am I being self-indulgent? What if something goes wrong? Ugh! I had cataract surgery Tuesday and although the surgery went very well...I am still healing and seeing blurry. So I am anxious. My other cataract is next Tuesday. What is I am seeing blurry out of both eyes for a couple weeks? I will be having this plastic surgery just 2 days after my second eye surgery. Did I say I am FREAKING just a little bit? I know I will be happy in about 6 weeks from now. But......for now I have to get through hour by hour. Updated on 10 Sep 2015: These pics I took tonight highlight the reason I am ready to get next week over and done with. Updated on 10 Sep 2015: Updated on 10 Sep 2015: Updated on 10 Sep 2015: I want to be able to wear strapless or spaghetti straps and NOT look like this! These boobs are so heavy! Even wearing a strapless bra is unbearable and STILL doesn't hold up these things! I want to be FREE to wear these dresses. It has been 25 years since I have been able to go without a bra. Updated on 10 Sep 2015: If they weren't so long, flat, low-hanging 36G's, I would keep them. But they cause daily pain and look terrible. And they either pop up and out of my bras, or under my bras....and I can't do it any more. Updated on 11 Sep 2015: Countdown has begun....I am so excited to not have neck and back pain anymore. i have my right eye cataract surgery on Tuesday and then will be ready for Thursday. Life will be better after my makeover. I will take 18 days off. Hope I am ok to go back to work. Updated on 15 Sep 2015: So I had 2nd cataract surgery today. And I went to hospital to pre-register for the rest of my body overhaul today as well. Spoke to anesthesiologist. Got labs drawn. Got measured for my CG. AND THE [RS bleep] GOT REAL!!! I hope I am not regreting this come thursday. I report to hospital at 6 am on Thursday. It should take 5-6 hours for surgery. And I will stay overnight. I am borrowing a recliner from my parents. And I will borrow a shower chair and walker from my aunt. I still have a few last minute details to iron out tomorrow and I am going to dive into Thursday morning headfirst. Because that is THE ONLY WAY TO FACE YOUR FEARS...... Updated on 16 Sep 2015: I report to hospital at 6a.m. Surgery starts at 7:30. 5-6 hours of surgery will follow. Then I will be transformed. Excited more than scared. I know I will be on an emotional roller coaster for next 3-4 weeks. I told my hubby to remind me to "TRUST THE PROCESS". He is supportive and wants me to feel good about myself. I will be getting all the bedroom ready with everything in order this afternoon. I will be missing my sons first soccer game on Saturday. But hubby will be there to watch him and support him. My older son will go camping Saturday night. Hopefully all goes well and I will rest easy over the weekend. I have friends bringing food for next 4 days. And hubby will be making me nutritious mini snacks with extra protein for my recovery Updated on 16 Sep 2015: Updated on 17 Sep 2015: I am going in now. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Updated on 20 Sep 2015: Holy moly!!! The pain is much worse then I could ever imagine. And the nausea---wow! Morphine didn't touch me in hospital. And I have tried Tylenol 3 and hydro done but the pain is tremendous! I have 4 drains and my hubby is taking excellent care of me. Will update the entire hospital ordeal in a couple days. Updated on 20 Sep 2015: Updated on 21 Sep 2015: I have gotten better very slowly. But better is the key word. It is tough. But from what I can see, I will NOT regret it. Updated on 22 Sep 2015: So still don't have a handle on the pain yet. Nausea better. Ate a fruit cup and mashed potatoes with beef gravy for breakfast. The lipo is DEFINITELY THE MOST PAINFUL PART. In the middle of dressing change right now. Updated on 26 Sep 2015: I am doing well. Boob drains got removed last Wednesday. Still have lower ones. HATE THEM! Draining less than 30cc in 24hrs so might try and get them taken out Monday or Tuesday. I am having a hard time updating since my eyes are still swollen from cataract surgery. Even with my reading glasses, this print is really tiny on REALSELF. Boobs look and feel good. I am itchy. Timmy gets tight and uncomfortable if I don't have a BM. I am really happy so far. I will post pics tomorrow. The ones I took earlier came out upside down. Have to retake them. Updated on 27 Sep 2015: The incision lines are sealed with absorbable sutures and sealed over with a special surgical glue/tape. So it will slowly clean up. Bruises look about 80% better but FEEL only about 50% better. Updated on 27 Sep 2015: Updated on 1 Oct 2015: So I got stitches removed, last 2 drains removed, and the surgical tape that had sealed my internal sutures removed. Really not painful---and I was really nervous! Everything looks great! I will let the drain holes kinda close up over night and tomorrow I get to shower and put on my compression garment I will post pics tomorrow! Updated on 2 Oct 2015: Swelling is bad. Back spasms are tough. But I am super happy with how things look! Updated on 2 Oct 2015: Still a lot of icky glue that I am slowly rolling off. And the bruising is now yellow. Still some drainage seeping out of drain holes but no odor and so glad to be drain free! Belly button reddish so applying polysporin and cleaning it twice a day. I will try and get better pics with hubbies camera tomorrow. Updated on 26 Oct 2015: So it has been slow getting back to my routine. If I don't wear my CG, I swell up really fast. If I DO wear my CG, I am struggling with the discomfort of the shoulder straps. Today I go in for follow up with Dr. Avila. I think my main discomfort is the burning sensation I have in the lipo areas. Feels like a really bad sunburn. And I get lower back spasms frequently. Also, when I cough, sneeze, laugh, I feel the muscles midline in my abdomen, get really tight. Feels like the muscles start to ball up. I had a cold for 9 days and it was hell trying to cough and sneeze. But no complications. Slowly getting energy back. Updated on 27 Oct 2015: Here is what I look like 5 1/2 weeks out.
I was very scared about the procedure! But it turned out to be painless! Before the surgery I was a 38 dd and now I am a 36c! It's been 15 days since my surgery and my tape is off and my scars are healing well! I did have drains but they were not a bother and were taken out three days later! That also did not hurt at all!
In my late 30s, two kids, a 16 yr old and 6 yr old. Been wanting this procedure for years! Just can't get rid of the sagging skin. I thought I had taken care of last minute things but seems never ending. I need to be at hospital by 6am. Honestly don't think I will be able to sleep. My day was spent seeing the doctor and registering at the hospital. I was not happy when the PS told me I'd be wearing the drains for nearly 12 days! No showers! How are we supossed to feel clean or wash our hair! lol. I need more than a sponge bath! Updated on 21 Jun 2011: Ok ladies. 5 days post op and I am glad to say that the pain is somewhat subsiding. I don't understand how some say that it's not as painful as they thought it would be. In my case it was more so than I thought. I was about 120 lbs pre- surgery a size 5, don't know what to expect after. I have no desire to take off binder to look. All I care about is the pain to go away. My 16 yr. old daughter is a Godsend. She's always been a wonderful daughter, but she has just been remarkable at caring for me. My husband went back to work Sunday (24hr shift) and is working 18 hr shifts for the next 4 days. So SHE is all I have. My step-son takes my 6 yr old to camp and is in charge of him when he gets home. Today my daughter cleaned me up with a sponge bath in tub (i sit in bench in shower) She also washed my hair (for first time since before surgery). I sat in the bench by sink and leaned back and she just figured a way to wash it and dry and and put it up. I feel clean for once in 5 days. The whole process took about over an hour. It made me so happy that i felt clean that I wanted to cry, but knew it would hurt if I did. Updated on 22 Jun 2011: 6 Days Post-Op. I could not get comfortable at all last night at bedtime. I sleep with two wedge pillows at and incline and they put a flat pillow on top of that--then my feet are propped up. I struggled to get to sleep for over hours because of a pain on my neck. Don't know if it was really that or mere anxiety. It's difficult for me to even nap during the day. What I've noticed these last couple of days is itching sensations under my binder. Is this normal???? I'm scheduled for my first follow up this coming Monday to have drains removed. The amount that comes out is very little now. Does anyone know if my dressings need to be changed? Honestly, I'm scared to have anyone untape anything and re-do. My husband wants to do it but I told him to wait until late tonight when he gets back from work. Don't know if it will be painful because it WAS when they changed it before I was discharged. Updated on 23 Jun 2011: One week since my surgery. Today is one of my better days, that is when I am NOT having these random muscle spasms. They come out of nowhere and frankly scare the crap out of me when they come. I don't sleep well because of them. One of the tubes connected to my drains is really bothering me. I cannot wait for them to come out. Monday cannot come soon enough. I am walking a little better, however, still hunched over but taking bigger steps. I make sure to walk every hour on my bathroom trips. I put on my FITFLOPS for the first time today (got them the day before surgery) and OMG--it is so much easier on my back when I walk in these! Who would have thought. I bought them through Zappos.com and they have overnight free shipping! My daughter shampooed and conditioned my hair today, so that was a treat! She also shaved my legs. I always seem to have a better day on the days my hair is washed. My daughter has been amazing! Thank goodness my husband got home at 4:00 today, this way she could finally make it to cheer practice. Updated on 24 Jun 2011: Felt better today until about 3pm. It seems like very day around the same time I get more swollen and more muscle spasms and pain. I even walk more hunched over during that time. It disapates around 9pm. I can never nap because of this. It's frustrating, when I get the feeling like I am dosing off, the spasms come! I am so sleep deprived. I am more swollen today than any other day. feels so hard and tight. My parents will be coming tomorrow for one night. I'm not sure they will understand whey they see. They think PS is just crazy and don't understand why I wanted it. But hopefully they will be supportive. Updated on 26 Jun 2011: Have my first follow up tomorrow since day of surgery. I cannot wait to have these drains taken out. So scared of how much it will hurt. One already hurts so bad--feels like it is jabbing into me. I have had my fill off pain! I want these bandages off, the drains and this binder. Hopefully, I will be able to walk a little straighter. My parents stayed another day, which was a great help and they will be taking me to my appointment tomorrow and leave town shortly after that. This gives my poor daughter a break. BTW---I still itch so darn much! Why is this? Updated on 29 Jun 2011: 13 days post op today. I had my first follow up with doc on Monday and had my drains removed. Did not hurt as much as I thought it would. What hurt more was taking he dressings off! The nurse measured me for my compression garment and she insisted I needed a small. Small did NOT FIT. She got a medium and that too was EXTREAMLY tight. She had a hard time getting me into it and she called someone else to help her. It was VERY uncomfortable and very difficult to move. I wore a medium for 2 days and called them this morning to ask for a large . I bought two packs and OMG it felt so much better. It still feels tight but not unbearable. The brand of this garment is ISAVELA. They obviously come in too small. I'm happy with my scar which is very thin and low. My daughter and husband think I look tiny, but I don't see it ...all i see is swelling. I have noticed that I have little lumpy areas when I took my garment off this morning before my bath. Is this normal???? Updated on 6 Jul 2011: Walking better bust still slow. I still feel like I am not able to drive. As it is , when I'm in the car, I can still feel every bump and it's still hard for me to get into the car. I called up my PS to ask about how swollen I was above the pubic area and about some lumps on each side of my waist and he examined me. PS said the swelling and mushy feeling was normal but not enough liquid that needed to be excised. And in regards to lumps, he suggested I NOT wear my garment while I sleep. The areas that are lumpy is the same area where the garment bulges in a wrinkle, which is what he noticed. I went to grocery store with my daughter yesterday and the walking was good for me but it really exhausted me. In the evening, I felt good so I decided to make dinner (with the help of my little one handing me all things that were too low for me) and when I was done, I felt the worse I have felt in days!!!! I got what seemed like 3X swollen and my lumps seemed bigger. I did not feel well. What I did was in the late evening--I took off my garment and took a hot shower and just stood there for 30 min and gently massaged those lumps. Updated on 18 Jul 2011: I'm a little over 4 weeks post op and doing much better. I went to see my PS today and he said everything is healing as it should and is normal, despite the swelling and little lumps. He didn't find any lumps but they usually come around at the end of the day--my mornings are my best. I'm walking much better but I cannot walk at fast pace, if I do--I will swell up and feel a ball building up above my belly. When I feel like that, I know to take it easy. My family and I leave to Disney World this week and I'm not sure I will be able to get on rides that do lots of movement. I still hurt with bumps when we drive. I tried out some of my clothes a couple of weeks ago and nothing fit! All was too big. All my clothes were 5/6 so I needed to buy new shorts and tops since I needed them for our trip. I was shocked to see that I was fitting into size 0 and 2. Haven't fit into that since HS. I still can't believe this. The only thing I don't like is how swollen I look below the BB--right above pubic area. It only looks somewhat flat in the morning. But Doc says that this is normal and will take the longest to go down. I now believe that what I did is worth it. Updated on 22 Jul 2011: 5 Weeks post op and off to Disney World tomorrow! I hope I can handle all the walking--may need to get my hubby to wheel me around. Updated on 20 Sep 2011: Am now 3 months post op and finally happy with my body and results of Tummy Tuck and i just found out that I have multiple fibroids in my uterus and my ONLY option is a hysterectomy. The fibroids are so large that they have made my uterus over 10 cm and therefore a vaginal hysterectomy is highly unlikely, therefore will be done through the abdomen! I am so disappointed and may seem vain but am concerned that it will totally ruin my TT! I have already seeked a second opinion and I was told the same thing. Has ANYONE experienced this????? If so, please send me your experiences. Updated on 7 Jan 2012: It's been a little over 6 months and boy it has been quite hectic. Just when I was healing and heading back to norma activity, I find out that I need and abdominal hysterectomy. Well, it's been nearly 3 months since my hysterectomy and thank GOD....everything when well and the doctor was able to do it vaginally. I feel 100% healed and have hit my fitness activity full force for nearly 6 weeks! I feel great! I am not able to do sit ups yet and will not push to do so either. I hope to get back into weights soon to build some muscle. I do recommend to everyone to keep a tally of what you eat and the amount of calories you consume. We want to protect the investment we made to make our bodies look better right???? There are many free phone aps for this --so try it if you have not already done so. I will say that I still wear my garments a couple of times a week for a few hours. I feel as if it helps, especially after strenuous excercise. I still go to my monthly maintanence for my endermology sessions so that helps too. I found someone who does it for $45 a month so that is affordable for me.
Had the first out of two scheduled consultations with different plastic surgeons. The quote is for full tummy tuck, lipo in full back, axilla, and chin. It also covers anesthesia and facility fees for 8 hours (yikes!), 5 syringes of lovenox, 2 comprehension garments, lab fee, and vitamins. Walked inside P.S. office nervous but left with enough information and confident. However, I have never seen this surgeons work before and didn't get to see a picture because, according to doctor's nurse, the ones available were sent out for their web site update. Doctor is double board certified, though. Nurse, of course, spoke wonders of him and, well, he is booked until the end of August. Was informed that he ranks #3 nationwide in "boob" jobs performed; but, right now I am not messing with that :) I will be going back to meet with the doctor in June so I can ask questions personally and so he can evaluate my pix. If I go for this PS, I will have to wait until December to have surgery and not June the way I want to. But, I'll keep you all posted. Updated on 16 May 2011: I have been wanting this for the past five years and can't believe it is finally happening! June 28th is the big day! I am so motivated...thrilled! I almost had to wait for another year, because PS is booked for the rest of the summer. But, on my scheduled day, he is doing a breast reduction on a patient, and he accepted to treat me right after her. :) My PS will be Dr. Avila. I had seen his work and was looking forward to see him and ask him lots of questions. I loved his bedside manner and all his recommendations. He was very patient listening and explaining. He also showed me pictures of what I can expect. Although I wanted to practically redo my whole body (he-he); he recommended to leave the breasts, chin, and inner tighs for later. He will be doing a full tummy tuck and lipo on full trunk (back, sides, tummy). The procedure will be under general anesthesia, so I will be staying at the hospital overnight (He only performs surgery at the hospital, not at his private facility) The price includes everything but lab work and prescription medication. OMG! You won't believe how excited I am. Updated on 19 May 2011: I'll be asking around how all those of you who have had a tt are feeling around day 25 post-surgery. I hope everything comes out fine with my procedure because... call me crazy, it's okay... I am going on a seven night cruise 25 days after my tt. OMG hope I can do it. Vacation had been plan since way before surgery. I spoke to hubby and he won't mind if we spend the time watchin tv Updated on 22 May 2011: I am so sick and tired of wearing spanx under my clothes! Can't wait for my procedure day to arrive. I know that after procedure I'll be wearing a thick binder and it will probabily be worst for a few months but... oh, well. Updated on 4 Jun 2011: Officially started my summer break yesterday. I called my PS office to let them know I'll be available if someone cancells or postpones surgery before my scheduled date (June 28th). Wish me luck. I really want to have as much time to recover as a I can... so, the sooner the better. Updated on 8 Jun 2011: I am nervous or should I say I am scared... yes, I am! Sometimes I think that for having two kids I don't look that bad. I am 5'6, wear a size 8. Husband is still madly in love and in lust :) and I wonder if going under the knife is worth the risks... but then I pinch my flabby back and release my tummy which is sucked in 24/7 and the strenght to go through all this comes back. Reading about others that have gone through this experience is a good therapy. :) Updated on 11 Jun 2011: Only 17 more days of flabbiness for me! Updated on 13 Jun 2011: 15 more days! Funny that as soon as I open my eyes, I picture the calendar in my mind and begin counting the number of days before my surgery. I try to keep my mind away but is IMPOSSIBLE! I am anxious, wish the day was already here or maybe not? Oh, well Just took my pictures and here they are: before front, back, and side... plus they way my tummy looks sucked in... LOL Updated on 14 Jun 2011: About what to wear post tummy tuck, I've reading/recommeded to wear sweats; but, would you believe I don't own a single pair! I do have a couple of yoga pants (the stretchy kind that folds over the waist). Not sure that will work. I have to go shopping soon. I've already been told that I will have two drains for at least one week. The nurse also told me to get big safety pins to secure the drains. Don't know exactly what I will pin them to, the binder maybe? Updated on 15 Jun 2011: Ladies, can you describe the binder you are sent home with right after lipo/tt? Is it only one of those velcro belt like? I know I will find out next Tuesday during my pre-op but I'm curious. Updated on 15 Jun 2011: Hate to have hairy legs (and everything in between...he,he) so I wax the "between" every three weeks and shave full legs daily (obsessed, I know and I pay with painful ingrowns :)) to keep them smooth. More than likely I won't b able to keep up with this routine after tt, so I am letting hair grow so I can wax them legs as well. Problem is I keep on eyeing razor :( Wearing knee highs to avoid temptation! Updated on 16 Jun 2011: Couldn't stand it anymore and shaved my legs last night (and again a few hours ago). Guess I'll have to save the knee highs for after tt! Here I am procastinating, procedure is in twelve days and I have not prepared anything. I need to at least hit the store and buy me a pair of flats for the post-op weeks. I am one of those that wears high-heals even to go to the front yard to pick up the newspaper in the morning. LOL. Well, it won't be tomorrow because I already planned my day with my girls. Trying to spend as much time with them as I can since vain mommy won't be able to play with them for a while after surgery :( God that gets me! Now I am in tears. Updated on 18 Jun 2011: Just told my mom about the procedure and she was incredibly supportive and unexpectedly EXCITED! She was truly happy for me and offer to help in anyway she could. She immediately offer to take care of my girls so that my husband can focus on my needs. Will think about that. I din't see that one coming, guess she was opposed because as old as I am, I am still her baby girl, but now that is booked she is showing her support. I know I owe explantions to nobody but as close as I am to my mom, the fact that I was keeping this important event from her was bothering me. I feel so good. My husband, too since now I can talk about surgery with someone else, but him. LOL Updated on 19 Jun 2011: Eight days to go. Still amazingly relaxed. Maybe because I've only paid the 10% down requested and I can still "walk out" LOL. Okay, I must admit that every now and then I do have my few meltdowns when I think about the "what if" possibilities but I pray and redirect my mind to something positive. God is with me. I've been planning for so many years. I know I really want this and it is now or never... I have to convince my doctor to prescribe the pain pump, though ;) Updated on 22 Jun 2011: Finally the day for my pre-op arrived. Going to pay off my balance, ask my PS a whole bunch of questions, and maybe register at the hospital. Getting ready and still not nervous at all. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with me. Hello! Snap out of it! Major surgery is around the corner! Well, whatever it is hope anxiety doesn't kick-in on Tuesday, the day of the surgery. I may just end up heading out of town instead of to the hospital. LOL. Updated on 25 Jun 2011: I pre-registered at the hospital yesterday, picked up arnica pills at PS office, and began gathering my shopping list items in preparation for procedure (about time!) and sure enough major nervous breakdowns came along. Thank God today is a new day. Tuesday is around the corner and there is no turning back. Updated on 27 Jun 2011: My big day is tomorrow! I am excited and nervous. With God's help everything will be okay. Heading to hospital for blood work. Updated on 27 Jun 2011: Surgery tomorrow! What am I doing? No, seriously... What am I doing to this body that has been so good to me? Why am I putting it through all this pain and suffering? Why am I being so ungrateful to it? Again, What am I doing? Okay, what I've been fricken asking for during the past five years: getting a flat tummy with a nice belly button and no back rolls. So, here I go nervous one second and excited the next one. Staring at the mirror holding my folds and thinking how they are about to be gone and staring at my girls crying my heart out because of the risks and how selfish I am being. I AM GOING NUTS! Yet, I want to do it! God help me. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m. I can't sleep. Don't know how soon I'll post again, but I'll try to do it as soon as I am able to. Ladies rocking this forum: THANK YOU SO MUCH! Updated on 30 Jun 2011: I made it! Day 2 post-op. I hadn't visited the forum because my dear hubby didn't want me to "strain" or get emotional. I had a horrible panic attach yesterday morning at the hospital. I thought I was going to die cuz my throat completely closed and the oxygen tubes in my nostrils didn't seem to help. I got emotional needing so much help. I couldn't even lift my butt to scood over to middle of the bed and that triggered it. Silly! My tummy is super flat! Dr Avila, my wonderful PS, just takes too much pride on his work. He said that after he finished the muscle plication I still had a little bulk so he used a mesh to make my tummy even flatter! I got to see it and I do love my results. Hubby says Dr. Avila gave me a nice shape. I haven't removed binder since, I don't know how my back looks yet. I am filling these drains like crazy, but don't know exactly how much because my man is taking care of measuring and recording, but he empties them several times a day. Tomorrow is my first post-op appointments in the morning. I haven't been taking pain meds only my antibiotics. Have been drinking plenty of cold water and started eating a few pineapple chunks yesterday and added smashed squash today. I do have swelling, no pain thank God, only discomfort. This hospital bed is sure helping a lot. I do feel light headed and I am also burping a lot. I do walk hunchbacked of course, but now I can manage to go to the restroom on my own and can wipe my lady business on my own, too :). Soreness gets better by the minute. Thank you ladies for all your support. I am so glad I did this! P.S. Will post pix when binder is removed. Updated on 2 Jul 2011: Day 4 post-surgery Yesterday went to go see my PS who removed tt dressing and found everything okay. Told him about how I felt light headed but other than that okay. He prescribed iron pills twice a day along with a stool softener because iron will constipate me. Ouch! Scheduled appointment for next Friday, July 8th. During consultation we spoke about what was done. I noticed some bruises in either side of my butt area, what happenned is that he kind of "rounded" my butt by taking fat off from the sides of it. I tell you Dr. Avila is too proud of his work and takes care of his rep. I had asked for fat transfer, which he disagreed on. We didn't discuss this "rounding" stuff, yet he did it because he noticed I needed it. I am still too swollen and hunchbacked so I see no butt yet. It's just flat. OMG... where did my tushy go? Depressing :( On a happpier note, I am making progress. Now, I am able to get up, lie down, sit up and walk to the restroom alone. I also can stand long enough to wash my face and brush my teeth with no help. I am walking all the way to the kitchen back and forth (pushing a foldable chair for support), and today I even had lunch at the dining table... all this with the help of no pain killers, but under close supervision from my man who fears I may fall and regress. I did take a Tylenol yesterday for a headache; however, that has been it. No pain. I have to say is just the annoying heaviness that I feel on both hips that makes me hunchback. It is annoying. Other than that and the fact that I have been in bed for a record time laying/sitting down (and there is more to come) I am fine. Husband just went to pick up our daughters at moms' so I got to stay alone like a BIG girl. Haven't seen them since Monday and I miss them so much! Had to make a promise that I won't get too emotional to avoid one of those horrible anxiety attacks. It's been good just to relax and spend time with hubby, guess that has helped to make time pass by faster. Let me tell you that I had a couple of good laughs that made my abs hurt like a mother... and the worst part is that even though is hurting and you want to stop laughing is just not possible. Laughs make your new abs hurt just as much as crying, coughing, or sneezing. So, avoid it if you can. Updated on 4 Jul 2011: Last Friday PM, I removed my binder to peek and I noticed that my waist looked uneven, I figured I could have been the binder folding in, thus applying more pressure in one side; so I switched the velcro to the opposite side. I checked right now and my waist still looks uneven; the left hand side makes a sharp curve right under the rib cage to the hip and the right side transitions smoothly in a nice curve. I also look two sizes larger because I am super swollen. I hope this uneven effect is the temporary result of the swelling and not something I will have to have revised later on. Will see my PS on Friday or sooner if they can sneek me in between appointments and will find out what's going on. On a good note, other that discomfort every now and then, I have not felt any pain, yet on either tt incision, nor lipo areas. Updated on 6 Jul 2011: Day 8 I can't believe it has been already a week since I got rid of my extra skin. I am so glad I did it. The journey has not been painful and I could easily not even think about it if these annoying drains wouldn't remind me of it every second. I try to hide them inside my undies but still have to be moving them to the sides when I lay down, to the front when I sit down, to the... argh! It gets worst with them at night. I wake up with marks on my legs sometimes because I sleep on top of them. I've tried using safety pins to pin them to my binder but then I have them just there in front of me... oh, what a beautiful panorama... two bulbs full of blood and yucky strings of ... don't want to know what weird stuff! I am afraid one of this days I am just going to grab them, wrap them around my neck (wonder if they're long enough) and just choke myself... LOL Well, will visit my PS this Friday and hopefully will get both drains removed. If not, what can I do but deal with them a little longer. Rather have all this liquid out of my body than accumulating somewhere in there. Updated on 8 Jul 2011: Day 10 and doing awesome. Thank you Lord! I went to visit my PS this morning for my second post-op appointment and both of my drains came out! Yeah! One of the holes is still bleeding every few minutes so I am having to change gauze pad to keep it dry. Hope it stops soon. For all those of you that still have them in, I can tell you that you will even walk straighter once those pesky things come out. I feel free! Belly button stitches were also removed as well as the tape covering my scar and OMG am I delighted with how thin and low my incision is. Hope it stays that way. Thumbs up for MY PS Dr. Avila! I feel so good that I may even take my girls to the movies tomorrow. Now that my dressings and annoying drains are gone, I am having fun removing the surgical tape adhesive left on my legs and tummy. I am having a hard time, any tips? Not sure I want to get close to remove the adhesive that remained on top of my paper thin scar. I am afraid it will open. I will post picture soon. Updated on 8 Jul 2011: Day 10 - Pictures Okay ladies, here are my pix just after removing drains, as promised. I am swelling a lot and have lots of bruises as you can tell, but I am very pleased with my results so far. :) Updated on 10 Jul 2011: Day 12 I feel liberated now that the drains are gone. I am recovering my strength, now I can carry the gallon of milk! I can also sleep on my side for a couple of hours, walk at a normal pace and stand straighter, take a shower with no help and not only wash my hair but style it! I can last through a least a whole hour of play (tea party, puzzle, board game)with my little ones without falling asleep, I can stretch my legs while laying or sitting down and do a couple of butt squeezes to strenghten it... God I am so grateful that everything is getting better. Even laughing doesn't hurt as much, so I am doing it more often. Updated on 13 Jul 2011: Day 15 Yesterday was my first official day out. Went for dinner and a movie with the girls and hubby. I had a great time, but did get a little tired by the end. My belly felt very heavy while walking and by the time we got home I had a big lump, about half size of a baseball on top of my belly button. It felt weird. PS saw me today to check it and it was a seroma. He extracted a full BIG syringe of fluid and it was incredible how the swelling went down in that area. I have an appointment to see him again next week, but now that I am home again I think there is at least another full syringe to be extracted from the same spot. Will call again. I am glad to report that I am walking straight now. Yes! Might be just a little hunched but not noticeable. I was even able to wear my 5” strappy wedges yesterday and got many compliments on my old dress. It just looked so much better in my new body shape. Love the front and back view but not the side! My butt is slowly coming back, I can see a couple of inches sticking out and tummy is not completely flat from the side view due to the swelling. Also, a funny thing is that only one side of my vajayjay is swollen, so it looks out of this world, literally. We finally got “frisky” if you know what I mean ;) and I couldn’t help but notice. Hubby doesn’t mind at all… LOL. Bruises have not gone away and bb still not fully healed. Will post new pictures as soon as I see change. Updated on 16 Jul 2011: Day 18 (AM) Woke up and, as every morning, first thing I did was to touch my tummy to make sure the flabbiness had not returned... it's like natural instinct now. LOL I finally stopped using the hospital bed; so, I am back to my comfy spot sharing the bed with my papito rico. ;) Yesterday, my mom asked to have the girls over, so I dropped them off (started driving since yesterday) and used the kid-free time to pamper myself a little bit. I spent the morning getting a much needed pedicure, manicure, and a new set of nails. I also colored and styled my hair and finally had my eyebrows shaped. What a difference! I really needed the works. Went to see my PS and he drained 30 cc more from the same spot he had extracted a full syringe of fluid last Tuesday. I went back because I felt some liquid had been left behind and sure enough. Picked up my girls, got home at 4 and took a long nap as soon as my husband got back from work 30 minutes later. Later, we went to my brother's birthday party. I had a great time even though we were there for about two hours. My tummy felt so stretched out and heavy that I just had to whisper in my gorgeous husband ear that we had to leave before I lost the glamour walking hunched over in my stilettos! So we took off before Cinderella turned into Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I must have been exhausted because I was able to sleep eight hours straight for the first time since surgery. Updated on 20 Jul 2011: Day 22 (3 Weeks Post-op) I tell you guys this is a curse! I wake up skinny and curvy and go to bed bloated and curveless. Not funny at all. Hubby jokes around saying that I am very low maintenance since I only need three things: the keys to my vehicle, the i-phone, and the ATM card. Well, this low maintenance girl began began driving since last Thursday and you know nothing can keep you at home after being able to get a hold of your vehicle key... nothing but the horrible swelling, I have learned. I was out and about for four days in a row but had to stay home for the last couple of days because I was back to walking slow and hunched. Not as bad as the first days, but definetly not a healthy, forget about sexy, image. Yesterday, I was so bloated I looked like a big round grape. I took a couple of Diurex capsules, I think it made the trick. Swelling is less today, but I've seen skinnier days :( Anyway, since I can fit in my shorts again, Idon't have to stay home. Getting my girl ready and... where is the world did I leave that phone? Updated on 21 Jul 2011: Day 23 Went for a follow-up visit yesterday to check on seroma. I was poked three times but no liquid came out. Luckily, it seems to be gone Doctor will check me again next week, when I come back from vacation. Speaking of vacation, It took me forever since I am so slow and weak; but, I am almost done packing... just need my stuff! In hopes of losing a few more grams and/or millimiters around this bloaded new body (sights), I am waiting till tomorrow to go shopping for a few cute things... now that is what my mom calls optimism! My bb has not healed yet, so I won't be wearing a bikini... well, it'll be next time. :( However, if I get a flat tummy by December, I'll go show up my stomach at South Padre Island, our closest beach, even if it's freezing! >:)
