38yo, 2 kids, 6+ years of breastfeeding, and now a "Mommy Makeover" (I hate the name!) - Bay Area, CA

I've been body dysmorphic much of my adult life and was happily cured of my self-destructive behaviors by the birth of my two wonderful children, one who is in kindergarten and the other who is in preschool. I've never had any cosmetic surgery of any kind, nor any major surgeries, but I always jokingly referred to my savings account as my "plastic surgery fund". It wasn't until my recent birthday (I am approaching 40) that I realized:
- I am done having children
- I am no longer breastfeeding
- I'm approaching middle-age
- My body has been pretty much the same shape and weight for most of my adult life

Given all of these things, I also then read a blog post by another mom who recently had a tummy tuck, and realized ... hmm, I could do that. However, I literally had no idea what it entailed, what the scarring would look like, or what the recovery would be like. I also was somewhat concerned that I was having unrealistic opinions about my body type, so I went into my first appointment willingly ignorant. (I can't be the only person on this site who has over-researched in advance of doing something!)

I found my potential doctor by asking my mom's board if anyone had any suggestions, because... I just don't run with a group of people who talk about, or who get, cosmetic surgery (in fact, I work in an office of all men). One doctor was recommended by three different people, and when I researched the practice online, their Yelp reviews were outstanding -- even the hidden ones were 4+ stars.

My first meeting with the doctor was illuminating. She recommended two routes:
- bilateral mastoplexy, abdominoplasty with flank liposuction, medial and lateral thigh liposuction, or
- bilateral mastoplexy, liposuction to the abdomen, flank, medial and lateral thighs

Honestly, I was relieved that the mastoplexy wouldn't involve an implant. The recovery time of the abdomen liposuction makes it attractive but knowing myself, I would ultimately be disappointed in the results, because my hips have widened as a result of pregnancy and I have enough of an "overhang" of skin that having it after such an investment is challenging.

I'm sincerely worried about two things:
- recovery
- being comfortable with the incredible scarring of the TT

I'd love anyone's insights or reaffirmations. :)

Part of a mechanism of coping with the idea of this whole endeavor for me is planning out a timeline. I told my boss that I would need to take at least one week off and one working from home as a side-effect of some surgery I had been postponing but which my doctor and I agreed that it was time to move forward with, in order to get an idea of an appropriate timeline from him. The two options: mid-Feb to mid-March, or late April. Knowing what I know about the work coming up, I think late April is probably the better bet.

So, I mapped out a timeline, from when I have the surgery through the second week, marking a few days where we could hire a babysitter to come over and help with the kids in the evening, so my husband would feel less saddled with all the work. Things seem more approachable in that context, really...

Anyway, seeing that makes me feel a little more like this could be something I can handle. That, and of course, the idea of wearing shirts and having them fit properly (or even, dare I say it, hotly!).

1: The fact that so many people seem to stop updating a couple of months after their surgery. I feel like it's reading a novel that abruptly ends before you get to find out how things turned out! The fact that people don't heal fully from many of these procedures for up to a year means that we should all commit to writing until then, for the sake of those who come after. :)

2: The doctor that I've spoken to, and feel like I've chosen, has so few reviews here. It would be amazing if I could see images of more of the shapes of TT incisions she and her partner have done, for example. Since they do not post images of their work online I may ask to stop by and look at their book more, but generally, I would just love to see more "real" talk from people who have had work done by them.

In general, though, this site has been amazing -- it's really normalized the concept of this surgery for me, to an extent. In my mind, plastic surgery is in the purview of the rich Beverly Hills housewives, and I love seeing so many other women choosing to do what makes them happy. It makes me realize that being moderately vain isn't a terrible thing. (Especially if you can make these decisions without causing your family significant sacrifice beyond the time involved in watching you lay there being sore and puffy :) )