March 15th, "The Second Time Around" - Aventura, FL

First thing: NO PICTURES YET. I had a low-grade fever over the last few days, so there has been no energy to do anything extra. Also I need to get my before pictures when I go back for follow up, which is this Thursday. I'm feeling better this evening. My temperature is stable, but I was told to expect it to fluctuate. It is important to take the antibiotics and eat, as well as take the pain medication! Real talk, no other way to put that! It is also very important to keep the garment on!!!! While feeling sick, I decided to lay down before putting mine back on after showering and trust me I paid for that twice. It's also important to get up and move. It helps with circulation and work the lymphatic system (hint...the massages). Speaking of the massages: it hurt like hell, specifically my sides/flanks! Celia came to my hotel room to do it for the first time yesterday ( that probably was a smart move since my surgery was Thursday). I was glad for the doctor's sake because my agony would have scared some potential clients away...I'm certain of that! Celia was nice and actually wasn't applying the normal pressure given during a massage, but it still hurt like hell! In the end, she has you stretch and eases you into a yoga position and that felt great. I'm doing that on my own because she'll be back tomorrow (YIKES!).
Let's see, did I say "don't think all you should eat is soup"? Please plan to eat real food! Foods and veggies high in protein and iron. That is key. Even if you don't eat a huge helping at one time, getting those things in make a difference.

BM: I have had two with no problem and no stool softener or laxatives. It could have been helped by my cycle started Friday night/Saturday morning (Lord, thank you for allowing it to finish today!).

My first follow up was Friday and was with Nomie. She moved the dressing and changed my garment. Another hurt like hell experience. But let me pause here and say that I expected most of this stuff so these are not complaints. I didn't have massages before. This is new. But I keep telling myself to take it like a champ because it will get me where I want to be.

Results: So far so good. Haven't had much nausea at all and no vomiting (again, Lord, thank you!). My waist is shrinking by the day! As I shared in my last update, I didn't have the tummy tuck. Dr. Salama actually recommended that I wait and see how this went because I didn't have much skin and it was tight ( haven't had kids). I was cool with that because no matter what I did to calm and encourage myself, I was most afraid of the TT. However, with giving him the okay to not do it (doing it would have limited the amount of fat he could lipo, I think he said to just one liter) I had to accept that my waist was probably not going to be the small sized I dreamed of! But hold up, wait a minute...it is far better than I expected! And I'm still retaining fluid and swelling. The hour glass shape is definitely here and if I do my part it should be easy to maintain and even improve (and that is my plan...REAL TALK!)!
CC: I had a quick follow up with Dr. Salama on Sunday. He told me he injected approximately 1400 cc per side! No words to express how surprised I am...I pray that I maintain it or as close to it as possible! And no, it's not a huge, ghetto booty either! It looks real and proportioned with my body (remember my waist/stomach isn't flat)! It is hard though! I can't wait until it softens up!

Odds/Ends: I forgot to get a funnel. I started peeing using the small garbage can in the hotel bathroom. It wasn't so bad, it just worked the heck out of my thighs!!! On Saturday I got smarter and started using a small plastic bowl they gave me to empty my drains in. It is much easier to use. No bending to pick it up and no have to stretch my legs for the garbage can. Oh, not sure if this was suggested by anyone, but get yourself a plastic tumbler cup with a lid and straw. It will make drinking while laying down on your stomach a breeze! I even found one with a flexible straw, so it was effortless. I met another girl at my hotel with a similar cup so I am convinced it's a good thing to add to any of your prep list.

What's next: massage number 2 tomorrow. Doctor's appt Thursday and drains out. Massage number 3 Friday. Home Saturday. Will update again Sunday or Monday...hopefully with pictures (at least after pictures).

Take care everyone. Peace and God's Blessings!

Day 2 post-opt. Surgery went well, thankful to God for that! So much to say and I will, I am just tired and it is hard to type on my cell phone while laying down. My first nurse left earlier this morning and the second one should be landing shortly (not really nurses, but my very best friends). I'll have my friend update with more later. BUTT (yes, pun intended) I will say this: I had this procedure last year and this time I feel far worse than before!!!! I know everyone's body is different and that a few of you report recovery bring smooth with little pain, that is wonderful! But I am extremely sore and stiff! I am so sore and stiff that I am very thankful that I only had the BBL! I cannot imagine having this done while combined with other procedures...just can't! Okay, I'll be back later today or tomorrow. Pictures probably won't be posted until Monday.

Greetings, just want to provide a status so that I can have a "journal" of my experience. I'm at the airport. My flight is in about an hour and a half. I'll be going directly to Dr. Salama's office to check-in. Afterwards, going shopping and to the hotel. My pre-op consult will be in the morning, but surgery may be delayed until Thursday. I'll find out for sure when I meet with Ruben this evening. I am very excited. Extremely nervous. But HIGHLY prayerful and absolutely trusting God for His grace and mercy thoughout this entire journey!

It's wonderful that quite a few of us are having our procedures this week. I am sending and wishing for only positivity for each of us, those that are in their recovery phase and those waiting for their day.

Peace and Blessings!