Five weeks post op! - Atlanta, GA

So my surgery is about 3 weeks away. I can't believe it's really going to happen. What a strange mix of fear and excitement! I can remember being an adolescent and wearing big t-shirts over my bathing suit (even in the water) to cover my stomach. And it has bothered me ever since. I'm 5'6" and currently weigh about 162 lbs. And I'm 44 years old. My weight most of my adult life was about 135. It's crept up ever since I got pregnant and had my son 9 years ago. My body is very proportionate (sp?). I've always been happy with it but even when I've been in the best shape of my life, my stomach is still there! I can be in awesome shape and still be unable to wear the kinds of clothes I want thanks to my gut. It's like it's not even a part of me. It's like wearing a Baby Bjorn full of fat that I should just be able to take off. Sigh.

Anywho, it was about a year ago that I started considering a TT. Most of the women in my husband's family have had some kind of work done so that made me realize that it's possible, not so frowned upon, and maybe even worth the money. I have a friend who is very well connected in town and knows her stuff when it comes to medical issues. I knew she had some work done and asked her who did her surgery. I went to her doctor for a consultation last May. Even doing that was a big step for me! I loved him and I knew if my friend went to him and was satisfied that he was top notch. He said I would need lipo but propably no muscle repair. Of course, once you decide you want to do something like that, the body part that bothers you does so even more! It's all I've thought about since then but I knew financially it wasn't the right time. My grandmother passed away a few months ago and left me an inheritance. I decided the TT would be my one splurge and then I'd save the rest. So when I made the appointment a few weeks ago and put down a deposit I knew it was real!

I'm so nervous about anesthesia (which I've only had once before). The concept of being put to sleep freaks me out. What if I don't wake up? What if I'm not asleep ENOUGH? I know these thoughts are pretty irrational. But still! And then there's the recovery. The only time I've been in lots of pain like that was when I was in labor and that only lasted a few hours -- it was a vaginal birth with no epidural because I progressed so fast. So naturally I'm nervous about that. And since every person's experience is different, I don't know what to really expect.

I'm trying to figure out now what I need to do to prepare. I'm going to freeze some meals. My husband is taking the day of my surgery (Monday) off work. I'll spend 1 night in the hospital and he will bring me home the next day. My mom will come that day and help out so he can go back to work. I thought about renting a recliner. I assume one that will help me stand up. Do I get that at a medical supply store? What else will I need? I hope the more prepared I feel, the less anxious I'll be.

This site has been great. I'll post some pics later. In the meantime, I would appreciate any practical suggestions to get ready for this thing!