D37 loves her Tummy Tuck and Adorable BB - Birmingham, AL

I'm scheduled for a full tummy tuck, lipo flanks and revision of smart lipo on August 16! I am super excited to say the least.

Over the past 21 months I've changed my lifestyle, lost 40 lbs, work out (cardio, pilates, kickboxing, tone/sculpt, zumba, cardio step and intervals) 5-6 days a week averaging 1 1/2 - 2 hrs each day, eating health(ier) and finally started enjoying my life and body. I mean who says at 48 you have to stop life, right? :). Honestly, I can say I am healthier, look and feel better than I did at 28 (Minus the wrinkles) I know at 28 I could not run a 5k!

So a little back ground info before we start.
I've always been a big girl- nothing petite here. 5'6" 164 lbs currently between size 10-12. I'm not looking to be a size 4. But I am aiming for making my 10's rock! Realistically I am, however, aiming for the extra sagging skin and stretch marks (which looks like the bird on the hood of an 80's Trans Am) on my lower tummy to be no more, my abdomen and waist tighter, my stretched out belly button (which looks like its screaming ) to be small, oval (and hopefully cute), flank area slimmer (saying bye, bye to muffin top-oh ya!) and some small areas on legs where I had smart lipo previously, revised a tad. I feel these are within reason. My goal is for my clothes to fit smoother, my curves more proportionate to the rest of my body (yep, I'm a curvy girl ;) and get some assistance where the gym work outs have not fully impacted.

I didn't think I would be as excited as I am - but seriously I couldn't hardly sleep the night after I scheduled!

i am using Dr Schaffer at Hedden Plastic Surgery again. I really like his work (peri-areolar lift and augmentation last November- and I love my amazing breast!!). HSP Center is great, I love the staff, the facility is beautiful and the wait time is reasonable, they take time answering my questions or concerns, costs are competitive. I have been pleased with procedures Dr Schaffer has done previously and completely trust them to take care of me.

Prior to my consultation, I had done some research, so my questions were not extensive. On the day of my consult He checked me out, we discussed all the things that go with surgery (risks, expectations, recovery,how many days i will be out of work, etc..) I was shown where my incision would be (I'm 48, but I like my scars small, thin and as out of sight as possible- I know it vain but is still a preference). Also, my biggest dread (screaming voice) drains! I hate them :) but.... They do a great job at what they are designed for and help get the best results- so I'm just dandy with them (still don't like them though!) the drain will stay in until I'm getting less than 40cc fld in 24 hrs. I had a great idea, I asked if he could just pull them before I wake up! Lol.

So, for those who don't know me (lol- i guess all of ya) I like to plan ahead, grab the bull by the horns and not leave anything to take me by surprise if possible. That being said, i've increased my workouts/changed up my calories hoping to shed the last 7 pounds which don't have desire to "leave home", my time off has been requested for 12 days (I tolerate things pretty well and my job is not strenuous). Hotel has been booked. Driver is reserved (she doesn't know it yet, but I'm treating her with a Spa day at Spa Greystone (part of HPS Center) while I'm being trimmed and toned (hehe) :), check up/labs scheduled with my GP on July 17, down payment made and i will pay the balance in a couple weeks, extra compression garment has been ordered and I have a grand collage of dream belly buttons to take with me. Sigh.....

If I get brave, I might post pics :D
So the count down begins.

I'm counting down the days until my new tummy arrives~ 54!!! This is new for me, so being the person I am, I must prepare as much as I can. So I've been browsing pictures of belly buttons as much as I did breast! I've found some I liked a lot and some I really did not.
I've got a nice little folder with my dream belly buttons in it, labeled No Peeking :) lol. So far I think I added about 35, but have gone through and removed the ones that didn't jump up and grab my attention and appeal as much. Wondering if its ok to ask for a certain type bb... My dream belly button is small, oval, and could fall in the "cute" category. I know I hope I don't get a round one, those really don't appeal to me at all. I hope my scar is low and thin too. I scar pretty well, so am expecting al to be great.
I stepped up my work outs 4 weeks ago. In addition to regular classes ( 1 1/2 - 2 hrs) in the evenings, I'm running or doing intervals during lunch. I'm also doing extra arm/ leg strengthening. 5-6 days a woke, taking one and sometimes two days off. Before my breast surgery I had good abdominal tone and it helped tremendously in my recovery and mobility. Hoping same is true for my TT!
I've lost .4lbs. Not what I'd like, but still something is better than nothing, right? I tend drift from 164-167 and sometimes it's just in a days time. I would like to be at 155-157 when I have surgery. Will see :)
Been looking for a pic for me before I started losing- funny, must have been avoiding cameras, lol. Will get some pics up in a couple days :)

With much trepidation, I have decided to post some pics of myself and a small portion of my journey. I hate more than anything to show what I look like! Yuk!!! But when I see where I was and where I am now- it is encouraging. I know I'm not perfect, but for the first time in my life I like seeing myself and do not fear buying clothes!
Little more back ground:
Like I said before, I've never been small. I think I was born big! Since i was in my early 20's I've said i wanted breast and lipo. My legs have always been huge and greatly out of proportion to the rest of My body. Very small on top and wala! huge on the bottom :( My left leg (and hip) was quite a bit larger ( several inches) because of 2 hip surgeries I had when I was 9 yrs i had odd deposits of fat around the incision. Earlier this year I had smart lipo and the raised scar was trimmed and my legs were contoured more symmetric.
I'm 48, mom and a gram, a nurse, wife - some of the hats I wear :) 20 months ago I decided to change my lifestyle and become healthier. Going to the gym has become a daily routine ( I take 1 day off). I've went from 200 lbs (honestly, may have been more- that was the last time I weighed) to 162.4 today! Ya me!!! Size 18's to 10/12's :)
Now for the important stuff.
After many hours ( i do mean hours!) of pouring over TT's I have settled on what I'd like my new dream belly button and scar to look like :) whew! That was hard work! I do know I'd like a small, oval shaped belly button :) I've seen at hundreds ( maybe 1000's) and keep coming back to the oval ones. I'd love for my scar to be low, symmetric and hidden with low undies.
I'm still not happy about getting a drain, but have come to terms with it. I'm thinking of naming her Arabella, because she will help make my TT beautiful :) also, if I have to spend time with something foreign attached to me, might as well name it, right? If I wake up with twins, not sure what number two will be.
I went shopping last week and forced myself not to buy anything until after I heal- that was hard! I am a shopper, it's therapy, makes me smile- I like to know where my money is- Right in my closet!
Tuesday I will pay the balance of surgery and get it out of the way. Ya!!