43 Years Old, 3 Kids, 5'3", 115lb, Tummy Tuck and Muscle Repair. Dallas, TX

Today is my 2nd day of tummy tuck, I finally feel not that drowsy so I could start write something. This forum is extremely helpful so I hope everyone in the same boat will have great result and easy recovery.

I had 3 boys, all 8lb9oz +something. I gained about 30 lb for each pregnancies but lost all that weight after child births. I weighed about 125lb when I started work out like almost everyday when my smallest cutie pie is about 3 year old. I run about average 20 miles per week, doing ab ripper x or cardio (HIIT like girl 2) for about 1 years. My weight dropped to 115lb recently (it has been tough time like your weight stalked no matter what you do or what you eat).

I am happy with the weight and I looks pretty good when I stand up. BUT I never was able to get rid of the folded fat on my stomach. When I sit down, it is ugly! I tried consultation of non-invasive procedures but they all told me I will not get what I want and the only option is tummy tuck. I researched online and watched several youtubes and I freaked out.

My sweet husband works out a lot also and he is in good shape, he said he loves my body but I do NOT. After a couple months of struggles and read so much at this forum, I finally went for several consultations of tummy tuck. I went for 4 doctors. They all say my result will be good, etc. I picked this doctor since I feel he has enthusiasm and pride of what he is doing. Not like other doctors (they gave me the feeling that this is an easy job on you, no big deal.....). And this doctor told me that I really do not need any lipo on the flank/back side since I am thin, there will not be much fat to take out, since fat/muscle are staggered together closely on thin people, the procedure has to to be carried out very carefully by not hurting the muscle or developing uneven skin appearance. He thought the risk is overcomed benefit. I think he is very frankly and not trying to charge extra fee (I mean he really not need to tell me all these and charge me like the other doctors. Overall all of the quotes is within $200 difference, only operation room fee very difference.)

I made my decision with 1 1/2 weeks since I know I will back out if I waited any longer.

So I did it 8/31/15. September is my slow work month so I have more time to recover if I need. I even went to work in the morning of 08/31/15 since my procedure is 2pm in the afternoon. My husband has to take care of kids so I went alone, asked for a ride from my coworker to drop me off at the nearby mall (it is a secret since I do not think my office coworker would understand why a small lady like me would need tummy tuck). I went in, dressed operation clothes and ready to go. The only glitch is anesthesia doctor could not find my vein for IV (I was fasting since last night) so she poked me 3 times before she could find do the IV, that hurts at that time.

I woke up at about 5pm, felling very painful at lower belly (8 out of 10) so nurse gave me some pain medicine through IV. Nurse said I did great and everything went well. Doctor commended that I was the easiest patient he ever had. I did not get to see the doctor and I guess he went home already. The nurse gave my husband some instructions and sent me on the wheel chair to go home at 5:30.

The 1st night I could not remember much. Hubby emptied the drain (I only have 1 drain) for about 60 ml. I ate like 4 oz of smoothie (strawberry whey protein, chia seeds, flaxseed and berries) then I went to sleep on the recliner right away. Sweet husband set clock every 2 hours to wake me up to walk 2 rounds (like 100 steps) in the house and the medicine. Frankly I did not feel much pain except get in and out of recliner.

09/01/15, during the day, I am still drowsy, I pretty much woke up, walked around, ate medicines, smoothie, chicken meat, tasteless chicken soup with bean sprout/mushroom, 2 pieces of delicious pastries -moon cake (my friend made for me - she did not know that I had surgery but is that nice and came in time :) I was surprised that I have such good appetite. I think most of patient does not. So I have to be carefully watching for the carb intake, do not gain weight after this.

09/02/15. I took a shower. The nurse is right, shower makes me feel much better. I looked at the "new" body in the mirror, it is very swelling and the scar is scary (folded and twisted, not good looking at all -I guess over the time, it will go smooth again) . On the other side, my belly is flat even when I sat down on the shower chair. My belly button looks very nice, no scar outside at all (not like the light beams around sun kind that I saw on some of the picture.) Even my husband was surprise how nice it is. The doctor I picked stated he made best belly button in the area and I think he is right. I am very happy. I skipped my afternoon narco oral pain medicine and so far not much pain at all so I think Experal works really well. I would recommend it if you like me so afraid of pain. Mine cost $410 but if it pulls me thought like this, I think it is worthy. (one doctor quoted only $350 but my operation facility would not match it).

So day 2 is good again, only drained like 10 ml of blood water so maybe I could get drain removed on Friday or I have to wait after the long weekend.

One thing to warn everyone: be very carefully when you ate or drink. When I drunk some water and choke on it and I had to cough immediately (pillow is not near by at all) so boy, that hurts like someone split your belly up, very painfully so be very carefully. Eat or drink slow.

Best wish for everyone and happy healing!