A Dream Come True! - Charlottesville, VA

Hi everyone! I am 5 days post-op, and am just getting around to writing my review. I will add pics and more information in the next few days, but I wanted to at lest get started! Pre-op I was 5'5" and 160 lbs, with a body that definately showed the effects of having four children! My children are 9, 11, 13, and 16, and I adore them! But I had weight gains of 40-67 lbs with each pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, poly-hydramnios, and 9.5 lbs babies. My body was stretched out badly each time, and was left in the end with a deflated flabby belly that sat on my thighs when I sat down, and deflated barely B breasts. I was embarrassed and very self-conscious about my body in clothes, in swim suits, etc. I wore padded push-up bras every day - the ones that are supposed to add two cup sizes - and had lots of trouble with them riding up or shifting, so they always looked funny or had a big gap at the top of each cup. I wore shapewear under my clothes every day to try to control my belly, even though it made me hot and sweaty and uncomfortable all the time. I always longed to fix my body, but never had the finances to accomplish it, and was resigned to being depressed and uncomfortable. I was even self-conscious when trying to exercise - I love to bike, but was always trying to hide my belly rolls in my bike shorts and jerseys, and had a hard time with my self-esteem when biking with my friends. Add to this a painful divorce after 16 years of marriage, and I was very nervous about even trying to date again, given the state my body was in, and trying to hide that from any new person I was trying to look nice for. It was very difficult. However, after the divorce settlement, I finally had the means to do this for myself! I could not be more thrilled! I am finally doing something for myself after all these years of devoting myself to doing things for others (my children, my other family members, my patients as an RN, etc.). While I feel just a little guilty about spending the money on this, I truly feel like I have earned it! I could not be more pleased! It is a dream come true!

July 2nd I reported to the hospital at 5:30 am to sign in and get ready. I was really nervous, but had all the supplies at hone that I was going to need, had my bf to help me, and was super-excited to get it done! They registered me, placed my IV, got my fluids and antibiotics started infusing, and asked me a bunch of health questions foe their computer. My PS came in to take my "before" pics and mark my body with a marker for where she was going to make her incisions and do lipo and such, and answer any last-minute questions. My anesthesiologist came in to discuss his role in my surgery and ask questions about my health history also. I knew from getting my tonsils out and getting my tubes tied that general anesthesia makes me nauseous afterwards, so we discussed meds that he could give me before, during, and after that would prevent me from getting sick. And they worked! I never felt sick through the entire experience.
They wheeled me back and had me transfer myself to the operating table. We were chatting when he put something in my IV, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in recovery!
I woke up sore but not too bad, and with a scratchy throat from the breathing tube during surgery. But after a little time dozing on and off and sucking on some ice chips, I was ready to be wheeled to my room. I had to stay overnight one night, but I was really greatful. This meant I could have an IV morphine pain pump all night, and a urinary catheter so I wouldn't have to keep getting up to pee all night from the IV fluids.
I had some pain, but it was very well-controlled all evening and night until I went home the next morning. My bf and I even watched TV and players several games of UNO! Lol!
I was placed in compression garments from bra to thighs, so I hadn't seen the results yet....
Here are my before pics I took at home.

My breasts were a saggy B, and I am hoping for a full D (will have to see after they have time to drop and fluff). I got 400cc Mentor gel mod plus profile unders, and I am very happy with them! They are a little high so far, but that's what I should expect this early. I also knew that with my height and weight (5'5" and 160), my tummy couldn't be made as flat as some because I still have some intra abdominal fat, but she was able to take off rolls of subcutaneous fat and lots of skin, which was a big improvement! I am thrilled! I have to wear my compression garment from waist to thighs except for changing my bandages once a day, and my abdominal binder, and my surgical bra with a band on top. I have two drains that I will hopefully get out Thursday. I had a full TT with lipo on my abdomen and flanks and thighs, so the compression is very important. I also got the aforementioned BA, but no lift was needed.