43 Years Old, 100 Lb Weight Loss - Much Anticipated Tummy Tuck. Claremont, CA

I've been heavy my whole life. About 6 years ago, I decided I'd had enough. Years before that, I had tried to get weight loss surgery but was denied many times by my insurance as I had no co-morbidities. At the time of surgery, I was 181 lbs. I'm 5'8" and wearing a size 10. I was happy with my size but not the excess skin. I've been looking into having a Tummy Tuck for a few years now. I've maintained the weight loss for about 4 years. (Although I've had a setback where I had to work to lose about 40 lbs. again)

I met with 3 surgeons just to say I did my due diligence. To be honest, I couldn't afford my first choice. Then I met Dr. Wali. I ended up putting my deposit down that day in November and got my surgery date of February 3rd.

It was a rough couple of months after that. I lost my mother unexpectedly 4 days after my consultation. I didn't eat right, I stopped working out, and just barely got through Christmas. I finally pulled it together about a month before the surgery and got back on track. I was nervous about the surgery and had a ton of questions when I went in for my pre-op appointment. Dr. Wali and his office staff were very patient with me and answered any and every question I could think of.

The day of the surgery was kind of a blur. I was as prepared as I possibly could be. I've been reading everyone's stories here on RS and watching videos. I remember how I kept waiting for the nerves to kick in and the fear and was surprised that it hadn't. All the way up until they brought my husband back to see me before I was wheeled into the operating room. That's when I cried. Not blabbering idiot kind of crying, but soft tears like I hope this isn't the last time he sees me kind of tears. I would hate to leave him and my kids for something that was such a personal choice and not a life necessity.

When we got into the operating room, I remember telling the anesthesiologist and the nurse that I would help them with scooting over to the table because I wouldn't be of any help on the way out ????. Then I remember them putting the oxygen mask on me. That's it. I don't think I helped them at all! The next thing I know, the nurse is waking me up and asking me to pee and change into my clothes. I got up and walked to the bathroom. She helped of course. Then it was time to go home. It was so fast, I felt almost cheated. Hahaha. I felt like it should have been this dramatic, life altering occasion on which I would look back on and play over and over again my head. Nope.

I'm not trying to sound cocky or smug, but the pain was nothing like what I expected. I was fine. The first night was the worst as I was so nauseous from the anesthesia. I took the Norco for a week because I thought I should and thought maybe the pills really were masking this horrendous pain that I was supposed to be in. I will say that I really felt it if I had to cough, sneeze or even just clear my throat. That part was not fun. I still dread it at 3 weeks out but it's a nice reminder of how tight that muscle repair is. I had two drains. 1 was taken out at 2 weeks and the other at 3 weeks. I've had no issues (knock on wood) and I'm currently 24 days post-op.

The scar is low and the belly button is INCREDIBLE! I can't believe it's me. I still have some extra vertical skin because of the massive weight loss and I didn't want a fleur de lis scar, but it is a night and day difference. At first, I was scared that I didn't look much different but as each day passes, I see improvement. I didn't go into this thinking that I would ever be a model, but I will definitely be in a 2 piece this summer on the boat! Can't wait to see what I look like in 6 months time!

It will be 6 weeks in 2 more days since my tummy tuck. When am I able to take a bath? I completely forgot to ask my PS last week.