Still Doesn't Feel Real. -Billings, MT

I've been meaning to do this. Time has gotten away from me. My stats 37 years old 5'5" 140-145#

I've wanted my stomach and breasts "fixed" since the birth of my first child, 11 years ago. My obsession increased with my additional 2 children. I carried my three pregnancies all in the front, from behind my pregnancies were hardly noticeable. Resulting in Huge, Huge prego belly with lots of stretchmarks (you all know the mushy, yucky belly I speak of)!!

Three years ago I had my first plastic surgeon consultation. I learned what he thought needed to be done and the cost.

This summer I finally saved enough money and began shopping surgeons. I started by surfing pics online and emailing surgeons in surrounding areas inquiring their charges. If i couldn't afford their services i didn't want to waste my money on consultation fees. I received quotes from $8,600-$26,000. The lesser expensive Dr. happened to practice near my parents home. I thought that would work, the plan included my mother taking full care of me for the first week. She's a registered nurse and I have 3 children (4-11 yrs old) to care for. My husband works 5-6 days a week 8-10 hour days. He would not be much help.

I scheduled my consultation with Dr. Kenneth Bailey. In my experience surgeons come across very professional and serious. I'm not that type of girl, Oh well. Both doctors ignored my husband at our consultations. I really liked Dr. Bailey's nurse, Lisa joked, laughed and told it like it was (no sugar coating). Unfortunately, the receptionist miss quoted the cost in her email. The price went from $8,600 to $12,500, still one of the lesser expensive doctors. Dr. Bailey recommended a full tummy tuck, which includes some lipo, and a breast augmentation. If a lift is needed that can be done at a later date once the implants settled in and found their final resting place. I really do not want a lift, so I'm crossing my fingers.

Ok...after much discussion with my husband, friends and family I slowly got over my guilt of taking such a large amount of money from my family. I decided I didn't want to continue searching and put it off any more and I called Dr. Bailey to schedule an appointment. To my surprise they could get me in anytime! Uhmm...I wasn't ready yet, yes I was...ok I needed to think about it...ugh. I spoke with my mom about her schedule and called the nurse back, done! 2 weeks from my first phone call I will be under the knife. Breast augmentation and tummy tuck with lipo on sides.

2 days before surgery Dr. Bailey ordered me on a 2 day clear liquid diet with the last day including saline laxatives. He believed the smaller my innards, the tighter he could cinch me up. "I'll do whatever, just give me a flat, little belly." For my breast augmentation my husband and I decided to go with HP 380cc saline implants. I just felt worry free with saline. My pre-augmentation size was 34 DD, one D meaning droopy the other deflated. I wanted "perky" breasts, not big boobies ???? I'm a runner and do not need big bouncers.

I read RealSelf every minute of the day til my surgery. I'm a planner...had my lists filled and everything I could imagine I needed purchased and ready to go. We live 6 hours from my parents and planned on a 2 week stay in their 1 bedroom home with my 3 boys and a helpless me.

My surgery was scheduled for Monday 8:30am July 29th, I needed to be there by 7:30 am. Got up, went to the surgery center, honestly I never felt nervous about the surgery just the results after. They prepped me for surgery, sharpied the surgery pattern on my front side, I walked in the operating room, joked with the anesthesiologist, I woke with fire burning in my lower abs, they moved me to a private recovery room, folding me up like a taco and with drugs the pain eased and I was in and out of sleep. The nurse wouldn't dicharge me til I stayed awake...I forced my eyes open and faked alertness best I could. My husband and mom took me with binder, drains and lovely pain pump, to my parent's recliner, my resting place for the next week and a half. The day after surgery I went to my first postop appt. I was still out of it. I knew my mother's nurse background would be helpful, she kept my pain meds right on schedule. At the apt. they checked me all out and tried to put on my front closer sports bra...no go, not big enough. So much for planning, I now had to go shopping 1 day postop...that sucked. I vaguely remember getting really irritated with the "fitter specalist" and walking out, my mom found me a bra and we went back to the recliner.

My mom kept my prescriptions pain pills flowing and my drains emptying. My recovery the first week was smooth. Once in awhile I walked around, I rested, and let all others care for me (helping me in and out of the recliner and toilet ect..)

At one week postop my drains and pain pump were removed, I was super thankful to get those out. Mostly, they were in the way and I was scared of ripping them out. The removal wasn't painful just a tug. The right hand drain..I felt movement clear from the left upper abdomen. Kinda gross. With the drains gone I could use the compression garment of my choice. When the drain incision spots "sealed" i could shower, 2 plus days. Dr. Bailey shared, he removed the skin from just above my bellybutton down. And stitched up the very large gap between my muscles. That excited me, I've always had a weak core, now I know it's not from lack of crunches! Everything looked good. I hadn't seen anything yet I have tons of gauze taped to my whole tummy area.
My breasts are super easy. I need to be careful with arm movement. Keeping my elbows to sides, no lifting, nothing that causes chest muscles to contract. I'm already taking it easy cuz my TT. Glad I did them together. My breasts are hard/swollen, numb, with stretched shinny nipples ????

11 days post op. Every day gets better. Still super swollen, I hope, otherwise I'm not happy with my tummy. The lipo on my sides is tender/numb not much bruising at all. Today is the first day I have showered since day of surgery. And first real look at myself. I think I was in there an hour and a half. I very much needed to shave and wash my hair!! I move very slow. By the time i dressed, my breasts hurt underneath and my tummy was tight.

At night, mostly, I feel zingers under my new tummy skin. Not painful just annoying. My skin is beginning to itch like crazy.

I'm off most prescription pain meds. I take ibuprofen a couple times a day and Percocet at night. Not sure I really need it though.

Last night I moved from the recliner to the couch, just propping my feet up. I slept like a baby.

For the last 3 days I've been walking around the neighborhood park while my kiddos play, I'm clocking a slow 1-1.5 miles, depending how long they play. Still trying to nap daily, sometimes not by choice.

That was a quick summery of my last 11 days. I'm sure I left lots out ????