Lipo

I am in the military and there's an image we need to represent. After having my two children in 2011 & 2012 I gained a total of 70 pounds, topping out at 221 when I gave birth to my second child. It seems like all the weight went to my torso. My boobs were HUGE. I mean really huge. I went from a 34D to a 36fff. They were so large that insurance covered a breast reduction I had last year. I was so happy with my reduction - it gave me my life back. I could run and work out without being uncomfortable or downright in pain. I lost a few more pounds, settling between 175-190 depending on the time of the month ;). I passed my PT test, no waivers but BARELY passed my waist measurement. You see, as a woman I can not have a max 35.5" waist, despite being 5'10" and passing all other fitness components. A man can have up to 39" waist (discrimination in its finest?) no matter his height, and I'm taller than most men I've worked with.
Upon passing my PT test I decided it was time for liposuction of my waist. I was tired of being told "I don't fit the military image" and having this terrible muffin top in all my clothes. I live in Hawaii! I want to go outside with my kids and not feel ashamed!
So I booked a consult with a plastic surgeon on the island who I think is regarded as the best (?). The first PS I spoke to had a wonderful reputation for breast augmentation and told be mine was done terribly by a military doctor at tripler (not true! I think they're beautiful!) he then went on to tell me that wouldn't be happy with lipo. He told me I really needed a tummy tuck. He wrote me a price for a tummy tuck and lipo combo that was over $10k. Umm yeah ok, like I can afford that.
So I left his office and thought about it. 6 months went by and I went back. Same PS, same office. This time he told me: TT, lipo of abs, flanks, back, inner thighs, AND BBL. he said he could just cut me all the way around and do a TT and Lower body lift all at once and use my fat to it in my butt.

Oh my god, I asked for lipo on my stomach.

I walked away and never went back. I wasn't sure what to believe at this point. Did I really need all that work done? Was I so horribly miss figured and didn't even know it? I admit I got a bit depressed at this point.

I asked around and found Dr. Healy. Getting a second opinion was best decision I made!

So I want to tell you about my consult before I get to my surgery and pictures. I sent Dr Healy's office an email from their website thinking no one really checks it- and got a phone call from one of the ladies in the office within a couple hours. I told her my dilemma with wanting lipo, but a TT was recommended for me but I was not ready to commit to the recovery time and scarring from a TT. I was totally honest about shopping around for a different PS and she was so kind and understanding. She couldn't answer some of my questions but told me she would ask Dr Healy and get back to me. Boy was I surprised when Dr Healy himself called me about an hour later. He answered my questions and I was set up for an in person consult for 4 weeks later. I discussed my PT test with him and how I struggle with my waist measurement and since he's military he totally understood.
So I fast forward- I went to my consult on 28 August. I discussed my realistic expectations after lipo vs TT with Dr Healy. I wasn't looking for perfection while naked (I know I have stretch marks and probably a bit of loose skin) but I wanted to look better in clothes. I wanted to wear shorts without muffin top. I wanted my stomach to stop jiggling when I run. And I was not ready to commit to a TT due to the recovery time. I didn't want to burden my husband with the kids for 12 weeks. My husband was so supportive during my BR last year.
Dr. Healy explained that I might still have a small pooch due to relaxed and stretched stomach muscles, he said my stretch marks may look worse if the skin doesn't tighten back. I am totally ok with that. He squeezed my stomach fat a bunch (that made me feel awful lol but I know he was trying to feel for the fat etc) and agreed to do lipo of the abs and flanks.

Yay!

So I scheduled my surgery for 5 sept.

So my check in time is at 0700. I show up a bit early and they take me back to the exam room. Jackie takes my vitals and asks me if I have any questions. She is such an asset to that office, she really cares about the people that are under her care! The nurse and anesthetist come in, introduce themselves, ask me if I have questions etc. I was going under general anesthesia (I think?) I was completely asleep during surgery. I had an IV in my right arm and air in my mouth (not down my throat thank god, that hurts!). They leave, Dr. Healy comes in and we take pictures and he marks me up. Again, asks if I have any questions (I didn't) and says he will see me in the OR.
I was in a hospital gown, they told me to bring nothing with my to my surgery except loose fitting clothes to wear after. I bought a maxi dress at Nordstrom the day prior (highly recommended! It was made of rayon and nylon so it didn't absorb any leakage!)
OR room is super clean and well organized. The walls aren't stark white! It really made a difference. The room is a nice room to be operated in. The temp was perfect. I was not cold or hot, just comfortable. I chatted with everyone in the OR while the out in my IV, then I was out.

Next thing I know, I'm in the recovery room with the nurse, laughing at who knows what, with an abdominal binder on, a hospital gown on, and sitting halfway up in bed. It was around 1130. I think my surgery started at 0730 ish? They called my husband to pick me up (there are handicap parking literally right outside the door- hard to find in Hawaii!) and the nurse helped me put on my maxi dress and wheeled me out in a wheelchair to the car.
When I was in the recovery bed, I felt fine. I know I was given pain medicine, something that helps nerve pain before surgery and I'm sure pain meds during. I will find out at my follow up because im not sure. I think I was given an antibiotic too?
Anyway, moving from the bed to the wheelchair made me extremely nauseous. I didn't throw up but I almost wanted to. :( they are prepared for this though because One of the ladies brought me a thick black plastic bag immediately lol.