Just had a Body Lift/Circumferential Tummy Tuck with Lipo Included , Feeling Excited! - Chicago, IL

I'm having a body lift/circumferential tummy tuck in 4 days with Dr. G. After having lost 108 lbs, I'm finally getting rid of the loose skin hanging around my abdomen and back.

My final goal is to at last be able to show my full six pack(only my upper abs are visible now ), which I feel is being covered by hanging loose skin and maybe very little fat left in that area. I worked my butt off exercising and dieting for almost 3 years and I feel now is the time to finally show and be proud of the results of all my hard work.

I got my prescriptions filled, a recovery area set up in my home with a recliner, books and magazines to pass the time, arnica montana , and bromelain supplements.
Does anybody have any other suggestions, advice for my upcoming surgery?

Sorry for not updating sooner, but I have been so busy doing a lot of things like cleaning, shopping, cooking, and working out, that I will not be able to do for a while right after surgery. I forgot to mention that in addition to the body lift, I'm getting lipo all around the front, flanks, and back .

I saw Dr G one last time on Monday for my pre op, he took some pictures and gave more prescriptions to get filled for nausea and pain. A nurse from Sameday River North surgery center called me last night to give me some general instuctions like not eating or drinking anything after midnight.

I have to check in at the surgery center at noon and my surgery is at 1 pm. It will probably go until 4 or 5 pm, then my ride will pick me up at around 6. Dr G wants to see me the next day.
That's all I got for now and thanks everyone for your kind words and suggestions.

Made it through surgery! I haven't yet asked Dr. Gutowski how long the procedure took, but I think it was most likely in the 3-4 hour range.

Yesterday, I arrived at the surgery center at 11:45 am, the receptionist gave me some documents to fill out and sign, and I was taken to a locker room where I was told to undress and put on a surgical gown that opens in the back.

Next, a nurse escorted me to an area where she took my vitals, and then the anesthesiologist came, asked me some questions about my health and she set up and got my IV started.

Dr. Gutowski was already there, he came over, closed the curtains around my area, and he proceeded to mark me up. He drew a lot of lines on my body to guide him where to excise the skin. It was so nice of him to revise a few of the scars I had on my body for free, at no extra cost during my body lift surgery.

A few minutes later at around 1 pm, they put me on a stretcher and rolled me into the OR, the anesthesiologist put something like a gas mask on me, she talked a little, Dr. Gutowski was also there waiting for me and before I knew it I was out.

Next thing I remember, I woke up some 3-4 hours later, the nurse helped me get dressed over a compression garment I had already on.

A caregiver I hired was already waiting outside to pick me up, my nurse wheeled me out in a wheelchair and with the help of my caregiver she helped me get in the car.

My caregiver was great at taking care of me overnight in a hotel, she even brought in a gravity chair so I could sleep in the "beach chair" position which is ideal to not put any tension on the sutures. The next morning Dr. Gutowski stopped by at the hotel, checked on me and said everything looked good except for a minor bleeding, fluid discharge I had, which he said is ok.

I'll update more later but so far I haven't experienced much pain, if any, because I started taking my pain medication to stay ahead of it.

Here are some pictures that Dr. G took right before and after the procedure.