2 Years PO and scar revision, Drainless Tummy Tuck -Muscle Repair and Umbilical Hernia - Calgary, AB

I have an apt booked with my surgeon on Feb. 21,2014 to get a tummy tuck. I'm 36 yrs old and have 2 young kids. After my second child, I noticed my belly button area had a big gap and I always look 4 mos pregnant. My family physician sent me for tests and was told that I have 7 cm of diastasis rectus and a hernia. My general surgeon said he can do the surgery, but the scar would be vertical and long. Who wants a visible long vertical scar! The other option he gave me is that I can see a PS for a tummy tuck. I started to do some research on tummy tucks and I thought this would be my best option. I'm really nervous about the surgery. I have never had surgery before! Heck, I think paper cuts hurt so much. lol Well, if I can survive the pain of 2 child births than i'm sure I will do fine haha

I can't wait to look normal again and not have to worry about what clothes will hide my belly.

I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the surgery. How soon can you start driving again after the TT? How long will it take for you to start sleeping on your back or sides again? Any advice that I can give my husband during the recovery stage.

My surgery is in less than 2 mos. I just purchased myself a recliner so I can sleep on it after surgery. After reading much reviews, the recliner was recommended. Are there any other suggestions I should prepare for before surgery?? I've been shopping and I have found so many nice tops and dresses that I can wear after surgery when my tummy is flat. I can't wait!! I did purchase a tighter fitting dress, so hopefully by summer time my tummy will be somewhat flat and not too swollen to wear it. I have added some pics of me. I'm 5 ft 2, 36 yrs old, 2 kids (age 6 and 2). I currently weigh 140 lbs. I wonder if my waist will shrink after surgery? I know your tummy will be flatter at the front, but does your pant size goes down?? I was very slim before having kids. I was only 110 lbs and never imagined my body to look like this after having kids. My family is very supportive. I felt confident with the PS that I'm going with, until I was reading one comment on realself about how some doctors will hire ppl to write good reviews about them. I only went to one consultation and I really based my decision from his reviews on ratemd's. I asked the PS if he had any before or after pictures and he said due to privacy reasons, it was illegal for him to show pics to other patients. Is that true in Canada? He said some docs will show pics, but technically it's considered to be illegal. I'm hoping the reviews on ratemd's are legit. He got really good ratings and the comments from other patients has been very positive! He uses a no drain technique, which will help with recovery. I'm glad I won't be getting any drains. Just from reading other reviews on here, it doesn't sound fun!