My 1981 Vintage Model Restoration Project - Mommy Makeover - California

Here are the facts: I am 36 years old. I am a mom of two teenage girls. I am 5'11 and 230lbs! Guess what, I am just not IN LOVE with my "mom bod". I have saline implants that are 15 years old. It was time to make a decision on what I would do with them (replace, exchange, remove?) and the more research I did, the more I began to think that a mommy makeover was the best decision for me.

I remember the day I said aloud, I want a mommy makeover. The look of shock (and some disgust) on some of my loved ones faces was indescribable. "WHY????? You look beautiful. Why would you put your body through that. Why can't you just be happy with what you have." Some of those things might sound familiar to you if you are making the announcement too. I was even called VAIN for wanting to go through such an intense procedure, and to be honest, the comments kind of hurt. It didn't change my thoughts on wanting it done, it just changed on who I discussed this with.

Vain, huh? ...The Definition of vain is: having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.

I wouldn't say that wanting to have a procedure like this is VAIN at all. In fact, if it helps to rebuild a women's vision of how she truly feels about herself mentally, then all she is doing is attempting to match the beauty she feels within.

If you were to watch someone that rebuilds a car or an engine, it would be said they were restoring the car back to it's vintage, or original condition. They may even make some other improvements to it to enhance the features.

The Definition of restoration: the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.

So welcome to my RESTORATION Journey! I am five weeks from surgery. The deposit has been made. The date has been booked. If you have gone through this, your advice and feedback is welcomed. If you are considering it and have questions for me, please feel free to ask! This notebook is to help recount my thoughts, feelings, and decisions along the way. A place to journal through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Pictures will be posted along the way as well.

I contemplated doing these pictures, but I think it's necessary to really see what kind of body the dr is working with. Seeing them for me is terrifying. After my first kid, I was 185 and in a size 10/12. After my second... I guess I just stopped trying? Stress, single-mom life, Judy daily struggles. My youngest is 13, so there's just no excuse. Today the scale read 238! I'm in a TIGHT size 16 jeans and an XL top (sometimes XXL).

In all honesty, I'm terrified and excited. I'm ready to start feeling better about my body again. I thought about cancelling my appointment a few days go because I had severe anxiety. I'm sure that has to be normal ... right? These next three weeks are so busy with kids stuff & work, I don't have a lot of down time to really get everything I need done.

The biggest challenge I'm facing is ensuing I can get up my stairs after I get home and get in my room. My bed is an adjustable one, so I think that will be great for my recovery.

I heard I should get a walker and elevated toilet so that's my goal this week. Hubby is installing a TV and I'm going to be on "vacation" for a week. Concerned about recovery time and getting back into office too.

Any suggestions or *must haves* you can think of?

Wow. 2 days to go. Hard to believe the waiting period is slowly coming to an end. I feel mentally ready. Started my antibiotics and filled my pain pill prescription. I can't take Percocet so they gave me norco.

My bigger concern is my bedroom is upstairs so going up them the first day then coming back down for my follow up the next day may be an issue.

The dr went over everything that he was going to do on Monday and my hubby was there listening and asking questions. We opted to get the extra pain meds that the Dr would inject into My abdomen that will help with the first 3 days in addition to my other meds.

I was told by 7-10 days drains would come out. We are doing the implant exchange through my nipple and I elected for the 800. That will basically give me probably one size bigger/fuller in my bra from where I am at now.

Luckily I'll have my family and a few friends for the first week to help me. I did order an elevated toilet seat, stocked up on wipes, and found a lot of long maxi skirts through Amazon that I can wear to work when I go back.

Dr told me that I'll be in my compression Garment for at least 6 weeks so I really need to stay comfortable in clothing.

Wish me luck! I'll send an update and pics after surgery!