51 year old mama planning a tummy tuck!

Hi everyone! I posted my reviews on my liposuction and breast that transfer on here in the past couple of years. And while I'm happy with the breast fat transfer, it gave me a cup increase in size from a B to a C cup, I was left with saggy, deflated skin from the liposuction and just plain distended tummy from stretched out muscles. In retrospect, I should've just had the tummy tuck to begin with but I truly felt that my skin was good quality and would bounce back.Unfortunately that wasn't entirely the case. And while the results are good, it still bothers me that I have a belly pooch that sticks out, constantly making me look like I'm about three months pregnant. I also have that deflated balloon look when I suck in my stomach. And my skin overhangs when I sit down.I have two children, age 16 and 22. I have chosen Dr. Ristegio's to be my surgeon based on the search I did here on RealSelf in my area and the pictures of his tummy tucks. His belly buttons look really good as well. I wanted a surgeon that would do a nice low clean incision that could be hidden in a bikini and who did a lot of tummy tucks every year. Basically, with someone with a lot of experience in tummy tucks!! Dr. Restifio answered all of my questions and seems like a great surgeon! Plus I've seen other reviews on him from and all his clients have been happy with their tummy tucks by him. The office staff is amazing as well, answering any little question I have had since I've had my consultation.I'm looking to schedule this sometime in early February. Between all the holidays coming up and my daughter is involved in a varsity sport there is just no time to do it in the fall. Fingers crossed February will work and by June I should be in good shape! I feel guilty spending the money doing this and also nervous about the surgery but I feel like it's now or never! My husband and I love the beach and we spent a lot of summers down by the ocean and my husband wants to retire somewhere near the water so I anticipate wearing a bathing suit a lot in the coming years! I don't always want to be worrying about concealing my stomach. I posted some pictures at where I am starting off. The doctor does not believe I will need any more liposuction as he felt mostly what is left is skin. I had a nice small waist coming out of liposuction but it seems to have widened. My guess is it's from menopause and I also am not able to do any ab work due to a pelvic floor issue. I eat clean and work out for over an hour every day doing cardio and weightlifting. That's another reason I want to have a tummy tuck to tighten the muscles. I have about a 2 inch gap in my diastisis. He will, however, do any liposuction free of charge if he feels that will give me the best result when he is in there. Can also choose between a standard tummy tuck with drains or a dreamless tummy tuck. That is about 1K more. I need to do more research into what gives the best result, dreamless or standard tummy tuck? I'm guessing the countdown is starting!

I put down my deposit and I’m booked for the 24th of February! My daughter does competitive cheer and I had to try to work around her games and competition dates. I’m booked for a drainless tummy tuck but the coordinator said I could change it to drains as it gets closer if I decide to go that way. Drainless just seems less messy and I’ve heard your mobility is better right afterwards because you don’t have to lug around drains and empty them. I also have heard the drains can sometimes pinch or hurt. But I want the best outcome so I’m still doing a bit more research!

So we finally got my daughters competitive cheer schedule and the February date is so close to one of the important competitions. I texted Rachel immediately to see if there were any openings in the end of January or earlier in February. Unfortunately he was booked up through the end of March but she told me to call Marie at the office to see if there any looming cancellations. I spoke to Marie and there were no openings so I asked to be put on his cancellation list. She called me back the next day with an opening on January 27th! His staff is so lovely and responsive. They are all wonderful! Exactly what you are looking for and what you need when you’re undergoing a major surgery!