19 days post op - updated pics - 3 weeks post-op is the charm!

I am excited that I tentatively have my MM scheduled for May 31st - yay! I am having a tummy tuck, breast lift with no augmentation, and lipo. I am still deciding where to do lipo. Wondering if it makes sense to just do everywhere I want it since I will be in there already? I definitely will be doing my arms. Think I will be adding my upper and lower back. And then I started wondering if I should do something in my inner and outer thighs.

I am late 30's and a mother to a 3 year old and 1 year old who I nursed both to almost a year and my body reflects it. I have always had a poochy tummy - even in college when I was tiny - so I feel grateful that a tummy tuck is available to address my problem area. I got up to 195 lbs while pregnant and have recently lost weight to 140 lbs. My goal weight is 130-135 lbs and I am reasonably confident (should I say hopeful?) I will get there before the end of this month. Of course, I just ate an eclair, so we'll see ;-). 130-140 sounds like a heavy weight for 5'4", but I am actually very thin at that weight.

I actually have to have another surgery which I have had to delay because I have been pregnant or nursing for the last 4 years. That is actually why I have decided to go ahead and do a MM since I already have to go under anesthesia and arrange childcare for that surgery. That is why my surgery date is 'tentative'. After talking to both doctors it seems that the date will work, but I still have to have a consultation with my other surgeon to confirm the surgery plan for that.

My #1 concern is the possibility of dying and I really hope I am not jeopardizing my children having a mother for vanity :-(. But since I have to do the other surgery anyways... My #2 concern is how I will deal with childcare. We have factored in a month of daycare for the kids as part of the surgery cost - not cheap - but I don't want to risk recovery and we don't have any family close that is capable of helping so.... Husband will be traveling for work 16 days post op so I am hoping I can handle then nighttime routine by then.

I guess worry #3 is recovery. Just reading things here and seeing my friend who underwent a MM (but with augmentation and full body lift), it seems very painful. She looked rough even 3 weeks post op. But she did tell me the breasts (b/c of the augmentation I think) were the most painful. So I am hoping mine won't be so bad? Guess we will see...

I am very grateful for this site and all the great info people share.

Kay, so I am officially scheduled - yay! May 31st. So happy to have it on the books so I can plan now. I also added back lipo in addition to the arms. She is saying "flanks" but I need to make sure that it is both upper and lower back. Debating lipo to the inner thigh. Was considering inner and outer thigh, but a friend I have did outer thigh lipo and got a huge divot in her legs from it. I am pretty happy with my legs so I don't think it's worth risking getting something like that? Plus, at some point - how much is too much?

On Mother's Day hubby let me run some errands as I was feeling overwhelmed since it is less than 3 weeks away and getting anything done with a 1 and 3 year old is slow going at best. I need to make a list and just power through it. I got some post surgery clothes - zip up hoodies and pants, the fruit of the loom bras that connect in the front that everyone seems to recommend... A ton of bottled water to keep hydrated (what a random thing to get, huh?). Curious what other people plan to eat post surgery? I have a bunch of frozen lean cuisine and smart one meals?

I've been convinced that the power lift recliner is the way to go. My doctor recommends you rent a hospital bed - but I remember how I couldn't get out of bed for 4 or 5 days after my c-section on my own - even in a hospital bed. So it seems like a chair that actually helps you to stand would be pretty amazing. Plus, it takes up less room so my hubby can sleep in our bed and I can sleep in the recliner (I would think).

Got my mom to come day of surgery and watch the kids overnight and have a sitter to help her. I am really stressed that we come home so quickly. I was in really bad shape after my c-section that first week and this sounds even worse. Guess the only way to know is through it.... My husband has taken a week off of work and he can work from home too, so hopefully that will be enough time for me to then be on my own. Will have my kids being watched by someone else during the day for 4 weeks.

Trying to diet to lose last 10 lbs I would like to lose, but I am happy enough with where I am right now - 140lbs at 5'4". I have been doing Medifast to lose weight (which rocks btw), but I worry about nutrition for recovery, so I think I'll stop doing Medifast the last week. Also have to stop Phentermine two weeks before (which is this Friday) - so hoping I still show self control even when not on it.

Have my 2nd big consult next Wed. So guess that will make it real. I have to say I love hearing other people's recovery stories, but they all sounds so hard and seem to take so long. Really has me stressed simply b/c of my two young kids. But I guess I need to not worry about it.

So today I had my pre-op appointment. I wasn't really that surprised by anything thanks to all the great info there is available. I was happy to hear my PS stitches the lipo entry points so I won't have oozing there. And I will only have drains on the tummy tuck. I can pick my 1 year old up after 1-2 weeks which is such a relief as my husband will be leaving town 12 days post surgery and I will be handling them on my own.

I have to say, the PS 'before' pics thing was a bit awkward - felt like it took forever. I am so pale right now! But I guess that will make for good 'before' pics. After I will be all tan and super skinny, right? Here's hoping :-).

Tried on compression garments and am happy - they seem like they will be pretty comfy and I have some good clothes for over them.

My surgeon is so great, but she is conservative. She said something about not being overly aggressive with my arms, but honestly, I wish she would suck all the fat out. I guess she knows best so I have to have faith...

Childcare is stressing me out. I thought my mom was going to be able to come and help, but she has just been so unreliable and has too much going on for me to rely on her. So trying to get some sitters to stay overnight with my kids for the day I have to go into surgery until I can come home. Hopefully it works out! My mother in law would totally fly in and help me, but I don't want her to know as I worry she would think we are being so silly and frivolous with money. (A lot of this is b/c I feel that it is frivolous and don't want other people feeling that way about me :-)).

I really wish I could get excited and not stress. Ladies who have family close by, I hope you appreciate it :-). I am very jealous :-)