Finally Doing This (40 No Children) Belly/Flanks/Inner-Outer Thighs

I have been wanting to do this for so long and have been putting it off mostly due to the fear I have of the procedure itself. I have had surgery before on my nose and my foot but for some reason this procedure makes me super nervous. If it wasn't for this site I would feel terribly unprepared. I have done the measurement/pre-op appt and going to buy supplies this week to prepare.

I'm trying to keep calm about this procedure but I have moments of panic. It makes me sad that this isn't something I can share with my friends. They would all give me a really hard time about it. I am paying someone to take care of me and she will leave the following morning so I will be left alone to take care of myself, oozing fluid under a tight garment, taking pills to hold off the pain...etc. It's freaking me out. At the same time, if I don't go through with it, I'll spend my whole life thinking about it because thats what I've been doing for the last six years. I want to clarify that I feel thin and I'm really tiny. I have stubborn areas that drive me nuts. I've spent this past summer in jeans and long skirts because walking in shorts is the worst. My hips pull my shorts up and my inner thighs tuck the crotch of the shorts into my lady-parts. Every time I walk I have to constantly pull the shorts down and out of my crotch. Thats one of many problems. I'm doing this for my own approval. I want to look in the mirror and see how beautiful I know my body is underneath. I know its vain but I do a lot in my life for other people. It would be nice to do something for myself. I just wish the recovery (6 months in SPANX?) wasn't so difficult.

Wow, what an easy experience. I did the late afternoon surgery. Entered OR at 3:00. Surgery took almost 3 hours. I woke surrounded by a couple nurses and my hired caretaker. One I had the strength to get the garment on, I maneuvered my body to assist the nurse who said she was surprised how capable I waste lift my wait up (in yoga this is the bridge pose without using arms). They slid the garment on easily. In fact, its not very tight gene through the swelling so I wonder if its squeezing me enough since I don't see fluids on the garment here on the morning after. I won't lie, the first two hours getting home and sitting out couch were super woozy. I took vicodin the moment I got home and went to bed around 9:30. It was uncomfortable so I struggled to sleep. I watched nextflix on my laptop which helped me doze off since it distracted me a lot and the story was so slow moving it helped to put me to sleep. When I woke up three hours later to snack and walk around me apartment I felt really good. My nurse was surprised at how active and ok I was.

Speaking of the caretaker, her name is Pauline and works in the colorado area and I can't say enough good things about her. her prices were super reasonable, she was easy to talk to and she stayed up all night even as I slept. She had a short nap and I went to the bathroom without any need for help. Around 3 in the morning she stayed up with me while I ate hummus and took another vicodin. If you need a caretaker here, send me a message and I'll let you know. She services many doctors and is amazing. I also think this is a much better job for her to do than a friend. Many people after this are in worse shape than me (tummy tucks, high def sculpting, mommy makeovers). All of these require someone who has experience. She even showed up with five bags of things she might need to take care of you. She even had straws which were a help to me.

I won't be posting pics today. I look the same just in a clean garment. Whatever leaking happened underneath isn't visible. Open incisions so now drain bags to deal with. I sat on towels and dogg wee wee pads on my bed and neither are soaked but I plan to keep the shower liner under my fitted sheet tonight as I might be surprised today.

I have huge reviews for this doctor. I don't want to give the full review until Tuesday when I take the garment off at his office and see where we're at. His whole staff has been top notch. Very happy thus far. Will post picks when the garment comes off Tuesday. Five days in this things will be tough since I will probably get smelly. I'd rather wait until I see them but who knows, might cave in on Sunday. We'll see.

Side note, I was nauseous for the first two hours. It wasn't fun. Wanted to induce vomiting to release the pain but it phased out so there was no need. Have the scopolamine patch so I'm ok.